Sunday, July 19, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Burklyn Ballet Theatre
For the last three weeks I have been playing for ballet classes at Burklyn Ballet Theatre in Johnson, Vermont. I loved my time here in 2006 and am so glad they took me back! I got to see many old friends and make new ones from all over the country.
Burklyn is a unique summer program because of its emphasis on performing. Each week of classes and rehearsals culminates in a new show with costumes, lighting, and often pieces choreographed by counselors, teachers, or students.
Joanne Whitehill, Artistic Director, and Founding Artistic Director Angela Whitehill have cultivated a program that provides great learning experiences for talented dancers of various levels of experience in a supportive, friendly environment. Burklyn feels like family, and I look forward to every chance I get to associate with these people. I'll try to give some specifics about my experience later, but photos will have to suffice for now. Let me just say that I will miss my friends here very, very much.
http://www.burklynballet.com/
Monday I fly to Salt Lake City; Tuesday I unpack, repack, look for a new apartment in SLC, meet Dr. Staheli, and have a short meeting at Ballet West; Wednesday morning I fly home to Tacoma, Washington to visit with my family in their new house.
Burklyn is a unique summer program because of its emphasis on performing. Each week of classes and rehearsals culminates in a new show with costumes, lighting, and often pieces choreographed by counselors, teachers, or students.
Joanne Whitehill, Artistic Director, and Founding Artistic Director Angela Whitehill have cultivated a program that provides great learning experiences for talented dancers of various levels of experience in a supportive, friendly environment. Burklyn feels like family, and I look forward to every chance I get to associate with these people. I'll try to give some specifics about my experience later, but photos will have to suffice for now. Let me just say that I will miss my friends here very, very much.
http://www.burklynballet.com/
Monday I fly to Salt Lake City; Tuesday I unpack, repack, look for a new apartment in SLC, meet Dr. Staheli, and have a short meeting at Ballet West; Wednesday morning I fly home to Tacoma, Washington to visit with my family in their new house.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
University Chorale Concert
Last night (Saturday) I attended a fabulous concert conducted by two of my good friends in the graduate choral conducting program at BYU--Steve Durtschi and Cory Mendenhall. The concert was held in the historic Provo Tabernacle, the traditional venue for this non-auditioned ensemble's spring concert. It was good to see so many friends in attendance, including the BYU Choral Assistant (and my second cousin, once removed) Nathan Wright to my right and budding conductor Scott Moore. Nathan and the talented Joseph Ogden will be touring the Midwest with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir soon. Across the aisle was seated Matthew Nielsen, another young conductor with ideas of his own.
The choir's obvious attention to vowel unification was rewarded in the beautiful tabernacle acoustics. For the most part the sound was beautiful, even, mature, in-tune, and the singers seemed to respond well to Steve and Cory's expressive conducting. Steve and Cory have an ebullient energy and humor that pervades their relationship with the choir, but not at the music's expense. I was particularly impressed by their performance of Clausen's Set Me as a Seal.
Adam Frederico accompanied admirably at the piano. We worked together for a semester in the BYU Men's Chorus since he was selected through audition to take over as the principal accompanist. After four years playing for the choir it will be difficult to watch them perform without me, but the sting is less knowing that Adam is so fearless and musical. He jumped right in and impressed us all. Notes scribbled during his performance tonight in Brian Peterson's "The Good Shepherd": "Good playing, Adam! Supportive, rich tone. Good page turns! I'm proud of him and grateful he's taking over for the Men's Chorus. Brilliant, bell-like top."
I enjoyed my time in the choral conducting program very, very much. I was learning from professors I love and admire, professors who the art as well as the student, and surrounded by a remarkable group of friends, each with a musical offering. Cherie Call (now Hall) and I conducted this same choir last spring under Rosalind Hall's direction, and we had a blast. We gave them some George Shearing Shakespeare settings, some anthems last published in some H.W. Gray anthem books 60 years ago, and movements from one of the Mozart Litanies. Cherie is a truly sensitive, compassionate, and insightful musician. I say compassionate because she was trusting enough to open up to me as well as caring enough to listen to my problems.
Other conductors I had the opportunity to work with include my friend Brent Rogers (the person to talk to regarding Finnish music and diction. He's also stable, which so many of us aren't. We co-conducted a choir for one semester and he balanced me perfectly.), Christina Bishop (a gifted and infectiously joyful music educator), Danny McDavitt (a ridiculously hard-working and prolific arranger with a beautiful conducting style), Bryson Mortensen (one of the first to mentor and befriend me before I entered the program), and Carric Smolnik (a fine pianist, ambitious, and delightfully opinionated. Never a dull moment speaking to him!). Then there's my friend Monica Hymas who is immensely talented and unaware of that fact. She and I took the Advanced Keyboard Harmony graduate piano class together with Dr. Jeffrey Shumway. For one of our choral arranging assignments she worked out a stunning accompanied For the Beauty of the Earth, to which my loungy Faith of Our Fathers paled in comparison. She plays with an understanding of the harmonies, the melodic line, and beautiful sound. What a blessing to learn along side such fabulously talented friends!
I'm grateful to Dr. Ronald Staheli, Rosalind Hall, and Jean Applonie for fostering this kind of openness and comradery. The program may be competitive, but it is not cut-throat.
The choir's obvious attention to vowel unification was rewarded in the beautiful tabernacle acoustics. For the most part the sound was beautiful, even, mature, in-tune, and the singers seemed to respond well to Steve and Cory's expressive conducting. Steve and Cory have an ebullient energy and humor that pervades their relationship with the choir, but not at the music's expense. I was particularly impressed by their performance of Clausen's Set Me as a Seal.
Adam Frederico accompanied admirably at the piano. We worked together for a semester in the BYU Men's Chorus since he was selected through audition to take over as the principal accompanist. After four years playing for the choir it will be difficult to watch them perform without me, but the sting is less knowing that Adam is so fearless and musical. He jumped right in and impressed us all. Notes scribbled during his performance tonight in Brian Peterson's "The Good Shepherd": "Good playing, Adam! Supportive, rich tone. Good page turns! I'm proud of him and grateful he's taking over for the Men's Chorus. Brilliant, bell-like top."
I enjoyed my time in the choral conducting program very, very much. I was learning from professors I love and admire, professors who the art as well as the student, and surrounded by a remarkable group of friends, each with a musical offering. Cherie Call (now Hall) and I conducted this same choir last spring under Rosalind Hall's direction, and we had a blast. We gave them some George Shearing Shakespeare settings, some anthems last published in some H.W. Gray anthem books 60 years ago, and movements from one of the Mozart Litanies. Cherie is a truly sensitive, compassionate, and insightful musician. I say compassionate because she was trusting enough to open up to me as well as caring enough to listen to my problems.
Other conductors I had the opportunity to work with include my friend Brent Rogers (the person to talk to regarding Finnish music and diction. He's also stable, which so many of us aren't. We co-conducted a choir for one semester and he balanced me perfectly.), Christina Bishop (a gifted and infectiously joyful music educator), Danny McDavitt (a ridiculously hard-working and prolific arranger with a beautiful conducting style), Bryson Mortensen (one of the first to mentor and befriend me before I entered the program), and Carric Smolnik (a fine pianist, ambitious, and delightfully opinionated. Never a dull moment speaking to him!). Then there's my friend Monica Hymas who is immensely talented and unaware of that fact. She and I took the Advanced Keyboard Harmony graduate piano class together with Dr. Jeffrey Shumway. For one of our choral arranging assignments she worked out a stunning accompanied For the Beauty of the Earth, to which my loungy Faith of Our Fathers paled in comparison. She plays with an understanding of the harmonies, the melodic line, and beautiful sound. What a blessing to learn along side such fabulously talented friends!
I'm grateful to Dr. Ronald Staheli, Rosalind Hall, and Jean Applonie for fostering this kind of openness and comradery. The program may be competitive, but it is not cut-throat.
Vanity Explained
People sometimes ask me where I buy my shirts, pants, and shoes. Here's what I usually tell them: Macy's, Ross, T.J. Maxx, and sometimes Nordstrom Rack. When I'm home in Washington or on a trip, I like to have a look around H&M (a Swedish shop despite what so many think) and Zara (a relatively inexpensive Spanish designer).
Last summer I discovered Martinique in Copenhagen. My shopping partners that day were the choral faculty from BYU. We had just arrived in Denmark to attend the World Choral Symposium at the Operahus, and I was one of the conducting students in the Erwin Ortner masterclass. I tried on a number of shirts by Martinique for the faculty because I wanted to be dressed up everyday of the masterclass and wanted their opinions. We chose two.
I'm happy to give additional details if people care, but this isn't a fashion blog.
Last summer I discovered Martinique in Copenhagen. My shopping partners that day were the choral faculty from BYU. We had just arrived in Denmark to attend the World Choral Symposium at the Operahus, and I was one of the conducting students in the Erwin Ortner masterclass. I tried on a number of shirts by Martinique for the faculty because I wanted to be dressed up everyday of the masterclass and wanted their opinions. We chose two.
I'm happy to give additional details if people care, but this isn't a fashion blog.
Välkommen!
I aught to be writing in my journal, but as the poet Rives points out, 4 a.m. is a terrible time. Certainly there are better times to attempt cogent, meaningful thoughts on life and art. I confess I'm not even sure how to proceed beyond the name. What are the chances anyone will follow my streaming thoughts on choral music, all things Scandinavian, ballet, philosophies of art, religion, and my journeys into family history? Anyone out there?
Here are some of the notes I scribbled as I sat here trying to choose a title and concept:
Pianos, Podiums, and Predecessors
The Art of Oaks
Music, Dance, and Miscellaneous (I didn't use this because "miscellaneous" is an adjective, and I don't like the sounds of "miscellaneousness.")
Oaks and Acorns
Music, Dance, and Mormonism
(Something with "movies" or "Sweden" would also have been very appropriate.)
I thought about starting off with "Musings..." which means "meditations." That definition made me curious about the word "amusing," which does not connotate something meditative. One obsolete definition, however, is "to occupy the attention of; absorb."
Incidentally, a few nights ago I jotted down the themes to a recent family-friendly movie because they tickled me: "benign aliens, psychic abilities." In junior high I attempted to foster my innate psychic abilities, but I found prayer was faster and more dependable than my fancy imagination.
One more morning thought: pleasure-seeking is as successful as most treasure hunts. I rented a metal detector a few summers ago and found a relatively recent penny as well as a beautiful baby seal. I assume that most treasure hunts are equally unfruitful. Lasting pleasure requires real hard work. Some of my favorite memories as a piano performance major at BYU include walking home night after night at 11:00 p.m. It was the hard work that made me so happy, as well as the opportunity to have a private, spiritual moment under the stars. (Occasionally I would pick a hand railing for stretching and pliés or a stretch of pavement for jumps and petite allegros.) Lasting pleasure also comes through beautiful, soul-stirring experiences; discovery and learning; charitable service; soul stretching (thanks for teaching me about that, Devin); living true to one's self, God, and the people around him. Finally, joy lasts well beyond the moment of high art. I experienced that many times as a student at BYU in the choral conducting and piano programs. I have also been uplifted by the artistry of Ballet West (and BYU) dancers.
My innagural hour is now up, and I am off to bed.
Here are some of the notes I scribbled as I sat here trying to choose a title and concept:
Pianos, Podiums, and Predecessors
The Art of Oaks
Music, Dance, and Miscellaneous (I didn't use this because "miscellaneous" is an adjective, and I don't like the sounds of "miscellaneousness.")
Oaks and Acorns
Music, Dance, and Mormonism
(Something with "movies" or "Sweden" would also have been very appropriate.)
I thought about starting off with "Musings..." which means "meditations." That definition made me curious about the word "amusing," which does not connotate something meditative. One obsolete definition, however, is "to occupy the attention of; absorb."
Incidentally, a few nights ago I jotted down the themes to a recent family-friendly movie because they tickled me: "benign aliens, psychic abilities." In junior high I attempted to foster my innate psychic abilities, but I found prayer was faster and more dependable than my fancy imagination.
One more morning thought: pleasure-seeking is as successful as most treasure hunts. I rented a metal detector a few summers ago and found a relatively recent penny as well as a beautiful baby seal. I assume that most treasure hunts are equally unfruitful. Lasting pleasure requires real hard work. Some of my favorite memories as a piano performance major at BYU include walking home night after night at 11:00 p.m. It was the hard work that made me so happy, as well as the opportunity to have a private, spiritual moment under the stars. (Occasionally I would pick a hand railing for stretching and pliés or a stretch of pavement for jumps and petite allegros.) Lasting pleasure also comes through beautiful, soul-stirring experiences; discovery and learning; charitable service; soul stretching (thanks for teaching me about that, Devin); living true to one's self, God, and the people around him. Finally, joy lasts well beyond the moment of high art. I experienced that many times as a student at BYU in the choral conducting and piano programs. I have also been uplifted by the artistry of Ballet West (and BYU) dancers.
My innagural hour is now up, and I am off to bed.
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