DRUMROLL PLEASE! THE WINNERS OF NEC'S SUPERLATIVES ARE.....
HOW TO SUCCEED IN MUSIC SCHOOL WITHOUT REALLY TRYING
MEET MIKE AVITABILE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BYCE
PG. 6
PG. 4
PG. 8
2013-2014: THE PAST YEAR IN REVIEW
MEET THREE OF NEC'S SECURITY GUARDS PG. 10
THE PENGUIN
ISSUE 60
MAY 2, 2014
N E C ’ S S T U D E N T- R U N N E W S PA P E R
WWW.NECPENGUIN.COM
The Penguin says goodbye...but it's more like "see you later!" It's May already?! NEC went from orientation to commencement faster than the Jordan Hall elevator (oh wait, that's not fast at all--oops!) It's been a whirlwind of a year, including incredible performances ranging from Beethoven 9 to music of Sun Ra, trying circumstances (we stuck together through a polar vortex!), and a million moments in between that brought our NEC family even closer together. Many of us will be embarking on new journeys after walking across the Jordan Hall stage for the last time on May 18th, so for the last Penguin of the year, we'll celebrate and say goodbye to some of the many faces that have shaped our community.
Hear what the security guards REALLY think of our school, meet the founder of an exciting new ensemble at NEC, and find out which students emerged victorious from the Penguin Superlatives voting process. Read Syd's tips for surviving the rest of the semester, after which you can enjoy Jonathan Gentry's 2013-2014 highlights (Breaking Bad finale, anyone?) Although many of you will be laying by the pool all summer, the Penguin never rests! We're already prepping for an orientation issue to scare welcome new students in the fall. As always, we would love your help, and you can reach us at thepenguin@necmusic.edu. Happy summer!
penguin CULTURE A WORD FROM OUR COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER, LIZ TOBIAS Is it graduation time already? It feel like it was only yesterday
waking up as the proctor said, “pencils down.” Needless to
that we picked up our orientation packages at the Beethoven
say, I failed the test in style. From that moment on, I took every
statue, feeling completely overwhelmed by the thought of enter-
opportunity to redeem myself in exams, laughing to myself about
ing a new school full of so many mysteries and new people.
the challenges of Orientation 2012.
My beginning at NEC was like a comedic episode
I remember the nervousness that accompanied lying
out of a TV sitcom. I knew only one Bostonian before I moved
awake at night wondering exactly how competitive this school
here and that was my studio teacher, Dominique Eade. I was
was. I found myself praying so hard that I could truly have
geared up for the adventure of meeting anyone and everyone
“what it takes” to survive NEC, which I had built up in my head.
who would cross my path, but found myself so frustrated at the
My, how we have come through so much together! The mystery
way no one could understand
of NEC has gone away to be replaced by
a word I said. Words like
wonderful familiarity and a sense of home.
“ketchup” instead of “tomato
With that said, I don’t think the magic has
sauce” or “PowerPoint“ instead
disappeared. I don’t know if it is the freakishly
of “power outlet“ would haunt
superhuman faculty, the patient staff (shoutout
my day-to-day interactions. I
to the Student Services people), the passionate
was completely lost linguisti-
students or the weekend serenades by Special
cally…. and so were my new
Elvis from his apartment window next door;
NEC friends, though they tried
whatever it is, this place has a sweet vibe to it.
not to let on.
The entrance testing
Whether it is undergrad, graduate, or doctoral,
and placement exams posed
diplomas and degrees alike, so many of us are
new obstacles to overcome.
finishing off this chapter in our lives and gear-
Utterly exhausted up from the
ing up for a new beginning. I hope that each
flight and jet lag that comes
of you can look back on your NEC adventures
from traveling over 30 hours
as a fun and challenging time of your life. May
to get to Boston, I was a mess.
this place send you off better than you came
It must have been a mixture
both musically and personally.
For some of us this is the end of an era.
of the adrenaline and excitement that stopped me from sleep-
ing properly, but I stupidly gave into the temptation of Skyping
NEC with a new sense of energy and excitement. I’m curious to
with my family and friends every night at 2 a.m. to talk over
see what these next few years will hold, but I know they're go-
the details of the international move. If you had looked over at
ing to be great. You’ll all be very happy to know that I was fully
me around one hour into the master's theory placement exam,
awake for those entrance exams... (all six hours of them). See
I was facedown in a small puddle of drool with a big pencil
you on May 18 at commencement, NEC!!!
streak across a half-finished four-part vocal harmony. I remember
2
MAY 2, 2014
As for myself, I face the beginning of a DMA degree at
CHARACTER BACKSTORIES
by ISABELLA DAWIS First-year UD Voice
One of the best parts about singing is that you get to invent a character. And now that the school year is almost over, I’ll have more time to come up with character backstories! Sometimes it helps to compile a list of questions like this: • What is your character’s name? Age? Height? Weight? Shoe • What did your character have for breakfast this morning, size? Toe ring size? • Why doesn’t your character wear toe rings? Please provide a logical explanation. • Who has been the biggest influence in your character’s life?
and has he/she burped any of it back up throughout the day? • How socially well-adjusted is your character? Really? You think so?
Please have your character type up a five paragraph, double • Follow up to the above question: Did your character’s parspaced essay on this topic. • What is your character’s deepest fear? If it is bats, you may be Christian Bale, which is good, please analyze Jack Kelly from Newsies instead. • Please provide a drawn-to-scale diagram of your character’s house. Draw arrows leading to the exits from each floor, so that your character can evacuate in case of emergency. • Is your character over the age of 18? Please leave the room for a minute so that he/she can answer a few questions in private.
ents organize themed birthday parties for him/her? Could a related incident perhaps be the root of your character’s crushing anxieties? You can take over from here. • On August 16, 1977 at 2:00pm, where was your character? If the answer concerns toilets, you are probably in Las Vegas. Just an observation. • If given the option, would your character rather read a textbook on microeconomics or a textbook on macroeconomics? • What does your character want right now, in this moment? Besides not having to answer any more questions?
MY EXPERIENCE AT NEC WAS ______ BECAUSE ________. "MY EXPERIENCE AT NEC WAS INSPIRING BECAUSE OF MY INCREDIBLE COLLEAGUES WITH WHOM I'VE COLLABORATED THESE LAST 4 YEARS." -LIZZIE BURNS | "MY EXPERIENCE AT NEC WAS EXTRAORDINARY BECAUSE I NOT ONLY GREW LEAPS AND BOUNDS AS A MUSICIAN, BUT I DISCOVERED THE ESSENCE OF WHO I REALLY AM AS A HUMAN BEING." -MARZA WILKS | "MY EXPERIENCE AT NEC WAS LIKE DISCOVERING SPACE FOR THE FIRST TIME. ONE PLANET ALONE IS INCREDIBLE BUT AS A SOLAR SYSTEM, IS BREATH TAKING." -ALIA KUHNERT | "MY EXPERIENCE AT NEC WAS PRICELESS BECAUSE OF HOW MUCH THE SCHOOL HELPED ME GROW AS A MUSICIAN AND PERSON." -MICHAEL PRENTKY | "MY EXPERIENCE AT NEC WAS LIFE- CHANGING BECAUSE I GAINED THE SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE TO FOLLOW MY ORCHESTRAL CAREER DREAMS!" -SAMANTHA BENNETT WWW.NECPENGUIN.COM
3
BYCE: THE FUTURE OF NEC BY KATE LEMMON / PHOTOS BY KATE L PHOTOGRAPHY
4
Mike Avitabile and I have just finished a promotional photo shoot for
proach changed: his discovery of Claire Chase’s 2013 commencement
the group he recently founded, the Boston Young Composers Ensemble
address at Northwestern University. Founder of the International Con-
(BYCE). Coordinating a group of eleven people is no small feat, and I’m
temporary Ensemble, after which BYCE is modeled, Chase spoke about
exhausted—but Mike has enough energy for both of us. He excitedly
creating one’s own opportunities.
launches into the story of the ensemble before I even have a chance to
start taking notes.
world is not dying, it’s just changing,” Mike recalls. Chase encourages
I can’t help but notice the contrast between the Mike that now
musicians not to wait around for management to produce CDs and
sits in front of me and the Mike that I knew back in the fall semester.
concerts, but instead to bring a grassroots approach to classical music.
After finishing his Bachelor of Music at the University of Michigan and
“I said to myself, I want to do that at NEC. I want to play the music of
spending a busy summer playing in the National Repertory Orchestra,
my peers.”
Mike arrived at New England Conservatory feeling lost.
“To be honest, I had a hard time adjusting to NEC because it’s
colleague, a talented, humble, and purple-haired flutist named Allison
so different from the large and diverse university scene,” Mike admits.
Poh. As he began the planning process, the Entrepreneurial Musician-
“It was the first time I had ever heard someone say the music
Out of that moment, BYCE was born. Mike started with just one
“At Michigan, I gigged a lot and enjoyed
ship office became Mike’s new home. “I must
a very established life. When I moved
have been in that office at least once a week
here, I had to remake my entire world.
with a new version of my grant proposal,” he
The joke amongst the new graduate stu-
laughs. Through the process of revising the
dents was, ‘How do we make friends
proposal, he refined his mission statement.
again?’”
“Initially I just wanted to play new music,
Mike found the answer in NEC’s
but I had to figure out how to distinguish the
new music community. Inspired by his
group,” Mike tells me. The city hosts many
teacher Paula Robison’s personal work
small groups and a large orchestra, but few
with composer Luciano Berio, he began
that follow BYCE's model of a large core
to work with student composers in Boston.
membership with rotating personnel. The
Mike found joy in working one-on-one
group will produce and promote its own
with the original source of music, and the
concerts. “There are so many qualified mu-
unconventionality of new scores helped
sicians and not a lot of managers, so you
bring him out of his comfort zone.
have to manage yourselves. We’re bringing
art out into the world.”
“In new music, you have to be a
little more daring and adventurous [than when you play orchestral mu-
sic],” Mike explains. “If someone hands you an unconventional score
concert on May 11th at 8 p.m. in St. Botolph 113. The group will survey
and you don’t know how to play it, sometimes you just have to dive in
electro-acoustic music by a number of composers, including four new
and figure it out. You can’t always judge a score on its first appear-
pieces by NEC’s own artists. As BYCE’s founder, Mike will take center
ance.”
stage along with two colleagues in a daring performance of George
BYCE will display that art for the first time in their inaugural
That mentality helped Mike feel more connected to the NEC
Crumb’s Voice of the Whale, featuring black masks and blue lights.
community; he began hanging out with people outside of the classical
As BYCE continues to grow, the ensemble will eventually incorporate
department, including Contemporary Improvisation majors. He found
interdisciplinary work featuring dance, theater, and other multimedia
contemporary music to be socially stimulating and intellectually chal-
presentations.
lenging because he couldn’t resort to “auto-pilot” thinking and playing.
“I’m a lot more fearless in everything that I do now; I just don’t
“When working with a composer, nothing is set in stone,” says Mike.
see limitations anymore. Before starting BYCE, I felt as if I was always
“The piece might change ten minutes before the performance if the
waiting for an acceptance letter. Now, if my group can think it, we can
composer decides to change a detail. You’re always on your feet!”
do it, and that gives me a lot of faith in being a musician and an artist.”
Mike remembers the exact moment when his musical ap-
"IF MY GROUP CAN THINK IT, WE CAN DO IT, AND THAT GIVES ME A LOT OF FAITH IN BEING A MUSICIAN AND AN ARTIST.” 5
penguin SUPERLATIVES HAPPIEST PERSON TO RUN INTO ON THE SIDEWALK
MOST LIKELY TO LIVE IN A PRACTICE ROOM
John Cushing
ALL Trombones HAPPIEST PERSON PASSION TO RUN FORINTO FASHION ON THE SIDEWALK
Sonia Mantell
6
MAY 2, 2014
PARTY CHAMPION
Alia Kuhnert
After an extensive and grueling nomination / voting process, these eight NEC students have emerged victorious. Give them a high Five next time you spot them in the hallway!
MOST HILARIOUS
MOST LIKELY TO COMPLETE HOMEWORK ON TIME
Shane Simpson/Nina Guo
Zack Johnson MOST LIKELY TO BE SPOTTED ON A COFFEE RUN
BEST NON-MUSICAL TALENT
Elizabeth O'Neil
Jesse MacDonald
2-time winner! (wearing shorts in winter) WWW.NECPENGUIN.COM
7
2013-2014: A YEAR IN REVIEW BY JONATHAN GENTRY
My parents have always told me to enjoy my undergrad years because they fly by, but it wasn’t until this year that I really understood what they meant. I’m not exactly sure where this past year went or how it managed to end so quickly. Thinking back on the last to semesters, it seems so much a blur of rehearsals, flights, snowstorms, and countless trips to Starbucks. While it would be impossible to recount all the notable events from this school year in one article, here’s a list of some of the events that stuck with me over the two semesters.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES Beethoven 9 Phil in Symphony Hall
RED SOX WIN!! It would be difficult not to notice the utter chaos that ensued in Boston over World Series week. Bars filled with supporting fans, police cars lined the streets with extra units, and even the Prudential Center showed their Red Sox pride. It was particularly crazy after they clinched the final victory in game 6 in Fenway Park- the first World Series they had won at home since 1918. Streets filled with celebrating, drunken fans while the more docile supporters (like myself) watched from their couches. It was a night to remember and a great win for a city reeling from a tragic terrorist attack earlier in the year. The team showed their overwhelming support for their city by wearing patches in honor of those lost last April in the attacks. Go Sox!
8
MAY 2, 2014
IN MEMORIAM Claudio Abbado Sarah Kidd Nelson Mandela Andrew Thompson Masuko Ushioda
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN FOR 16 DAYS
MAYOR WALSH DECLARES THE T WILL STAY OPEN LATE
BREAKING BAD ENDS ...and suddenly, students begin to practice again.
WWW.NECPENGUIN.COM
9
THE EYES AND EARS
OF NEC
BY KATELEMMON
“Did you forget your ID again?” Jake Scanlan teases me as I
interviewed, all of them were either currently full-time students
pop into the security desk at Jordan Hall. Admittedy, this defi-
or recent graduates. 24-year-old Easton native Mike McGuire
nitely wouldn’t be my first offense! I’m notorious amongst the
previously served in the military as a member of the Marine
security guards for giving them a hard time. Some of you might
Corps. Wanting to finish his education, he searched for a job
recall Todd’s Penguin interview from a year ago, an event which
that would allow him to complete his schoolwork while earning
has become infamous with the other guards (at least I made up
an income. After three years of service to NEC, next month he’ll
for it by bringing him Dunkin’!) This past week, I went back on
graduate from U Mass Boston with a degree in criminal justice
the offensive to interview three more of the great officers that
and political science. How did he do it? “I rely on caffeine!”
comprise NEC’s security force.
Mike confesses. “The Bistro offers us free coffee, and I visit
about eleven times a day!” (Jake shares his addiction—I spy a
Ever since kindergarten, Jake has wanted to become
a police officer. “I used to draw myself in a police uniform in
Dunkin’ Perks card sitting behind the Jordan Hall security desk.)
a childhood sketchbook,” he laughingly recalls. Although he
St. Botolph officer Chris Brady (just call him Tom Brady!) shares
works 40 hours a week at Jordan Hall along with the other
Jake and Mike’s interests-- in 2012, he graduated from Suffolk
dedicated members of NEC’s team, Jake still holds onto his
University with a degree in history and (you guessed it!) criminal
childhood dream of joining the police force. A native of the
justice. “Although I enjoy my job,” says Chris, “I’d like to teach
popular music student residence Jamaica Plain, Jake majored in
history after I move on from NEC.” As if he wasn’t busy enough
criminal justice and then began supporting himself through secu-
with school and work, he also finds time to help his brother
rity work. Working for NEC security serves as the perfect middle
build a home, and word on the street is that he’s also a stand-up
ground between school and his long-term career goals, and the
comedian.
experience he’s gained will help him when it comes time to take
his police test.
ficers also offer insight into the unique culture of NEC. “On-the-
Jake isn’t the only NEC security officer pursuing larger career goals. In fact, of the three daytime officers I
10
Apart from their own diverse interests, these three of-
job experience” sounds like such a resume catchphrase, but the words take on a whole new meaning at a music conservatory.
The three guards agree that NEC students are a bit of a “different
alert on the job, he sometimes strolls by classrooms and studios to
breed.”
listen to rehearsals. “The students here sound absolutely incredi“When I first arrived at NEC, I noticed that the stu-
ble!” As an added testament to the unique community spirit of our
dents here act a bit differently than students at my school,” recalls
school, Jake shares that he was approached by an NEC profes-
Mike. “They’re definitely hard-working; it’s not like a typical col-
sor who offered him a free class about music and mathematics.
lege where kids are just looking forward to the weekend and go-
ing to parties. A lot of the students camp out in practice rooms all
the Jordan Hall security desk so many times, but this is my first
weekend long, which I can admire.” He has also observed that
time sitting behind it, and I’m quite fascinated by the view. In the
in general, NEC students have more extroverted personalities.
span of just five minutes, I watch dozens of students and profes-
“You guys aren’t afraid to talk to people,” he remarks, attributing
sors scan in, and then scurry in all different directions. One cellist
our outgoing personalities to the fact that we’re used to perform-
tries to sneak past the security desk without scanning an ID, and
ing on a regular basis. “The constant singing in the dorms also
seems particularly satisfied with himself for “getting away with
caught me off-guard at first,” he admits (no pun intended!) “Stu-
it.” In reality, Jake sees everything, but he chooses to go easy
dents are singing all the time! In the stairwells, in the bathrooms,
on students that have a previously good track record. “We try
you name it!” He has even caught students playing instruments
to cut you guys some slack if we recognize you and it’s not an
in the bathroom when they couldn’t find a practice room. Jake
everyday thing,” he says. However, he says checking IDs allows
agrees with most of Mike’s comments, adding that NEC students
guards to protect not only students’ safety, but also the coveted
are always in a rush—“They always have places to go!”
NEC practice rooms. “We catch a lot of Berklee kids trying to
Although he can’t speak to the party scene in the
During our interview, I realize that I’ve been in front of
sneak in to use NEC’s practice space!”
dorms because he doesn’t work the night shift, Mike tells me that
Dean Hegland, who works in the Office of Student
crazy things happen in the daytime too. “Sometimes students
Services in the St. Botolph building, has joined the NEC security
get locked out of their rooms while taking a shower, and they
fan club. When she had to have unfortunately-timed knee sur-
come down to the lobby in towels so that we can let them back
gery in March, she suddenly found her commute to school much
into their rooms.” He also witnesses students at their most clumsy
more difficult. Although Boston isn’t the easiest city to traverse on
moments. “This year alone, I’ve seen five people walk into those
crutches, Hegland finds herself smiling when she arrives at school
windows,” he laughs as he points to the glass doors at the main
every morning. “The security guard at St. Botolph [Chris] is an
entrance of the dorms. (Editor’s confession: one of them was me!)
absolute sweetheart,” she says with a grateful heart. “He holds
Chris offers a bit of a different perspective on NEC
the doors for me every day and always has a smile on his face!”
students since the St. Botolph building primarily houses the opera
With three 24-year-old guys, I can’t help but wonder if
and jazz departments. Having previously worked as a security
the guards hang out with each other when they’re off the clock.
guard on a movie set, Chris shares that the NEC scene is much
“We work hard, so we’re usually exhausted at the end of our
less pretentious. “When students walk in the door, they seem just
shifts and head straight home,” says Brady. Scanlan jokes, “If we
like normal kids— the people here are really friendly.” When
ever go out for drinks one of these days, I’ll make sure to ask the
he’s not greeting people at the door or playing Solitaire to stay
guys to see their ID first!”
11
HOW TO SUCCEED IN MUSIC SCHOOL
WITHOUT REALLY TRYING REPUTABLE AND HONEST ADVICE FOR LASTING THE SEMESTER BY SYD RVINSKY, VOCALIST '17
1) TAKE SOME VITAMIN D.
2) EXERCISE A LITTLE.
Despite the half a week of sun we had a while back, most of the NEC populace is suffering from a severe vitamin D deficiency. How are we to remedy this horrid situation? The answer is really quite simple. Go to CVS or any fairly well-stocked grocery store and purchase some vitamin D. Douse yourself with glue and roll around in yellow and orange glitter. After you’ve dried, stuff your shirt with pillows. Then, with all the energy and strength you can muster, violently spin around campus with the passion of ten thousand mating kookaburras and pitch vitamin D pills in every direction. True, you are now a liability, but you are also the human embodiment of the sun! What could be more helpful or festive in ringing in the summer?
Yes, the dreaded E word. But the endorphins released from pumping iron or spending some time on the elliptical will render you a cheerier, entirely more pleasant individual. My favorite workout plan involves a little something for everyone: • Infect the human race with zombie juice and spend a good rest of your life running. Your legs will never be stronger! • Sneak around campus in the dead of night and bench press your closest friends while they sleep. You’re certain to work your pectorals and deltoids! • Become an international art smuggler. This way you’ll spend a vast portion of time escaping from a number of potentially deadly situations. This is fantastic cardio and will strengthen your heart while keeping you acrobatic. *Bonus: you will make heinous quantities of cash. • Talk smack about a classical soprano. You will build up your agility by dodging an arsenal of new and inventive objects aimed directly (and with surprising
12
MAY 2, 2014
accuracy) at your head!
Buckle up: this Thursday marks the beginning of May and yet when we peer out our windows it looks an awful lot like it did in March. Discouraged? Aren’t we all. Times like this we find ourselves openly weeping or ready to throw our precious instrument (or for some of us, our zaftig Deutsch textbook) at the nearest innocent bystander. But never fear! Here are a number of ways to pick up your spirits and remind yourself that A) finals aren’t the end-all-be-all of humanity, and B) summer arrives sooner than you suspect. Simply pick your favorite number and have a blast the last two weeks of the semester! These four options are sure to spice up the last little bit of school and keep things interesting, healthy, and most definitely lively as we conclude the year. If none of these selections suit your fancy, then I suggest sitting down and actually doing the work you say you will, but never do. It’s rough, and finals are difficult, but you’ve made it this far, so you must be doing something right. For those crossing the Jordan Hall stage, I bid thee hearty congratulations and wish you all the best in your endeavors. But for the rest of us…we’ve still got time to sort things out if this year didn’t quite go in your favor. Keep your chin up, get your sun on, and thank you for flying AirNEC!
3) WEAR SOMETHING BOLD.
4) TELL THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE.
It’s a known fact that people perform better when they feel good about themselves. Make a statement by trying a new fashion trend! Whether that looks like Lady Gaga’s meat dress or a toga comprised of sheet music stained with your tears, you’re sure to be the life of the party and have a mega boost in morale!
But for goodness’ sake, do not be boring about it. Oh no. For those who already have Somebody to Love, I highly recommend showing your affection by sacrificing a virgin and/or a small sheep in their name. For those of you marinating in your loneliness: I bet my hat there’s a certain someone you rather fancy. To prominently display your availability, build a portable shrine in their honor and strap it to your face when you leave home. Why wear your heart on your sleeve when you can adorn your features with obsession?
13
A WORD FROM OUR NEW EDITOR, ANDREW NISSEN! So it’s the end of the year already? It’s funny how time flies.
It doesn’t feel like a year ago that I met with my future
No, Boston is a working city. Its stubborn defiance in
the face of seeming just criticism is admirable, if not infuriating,
teacher at NEC in a Starbucks across from Carnegie Hall, still
but it ain’t going to change any time soon.
being undecided on what school to attend “next year”. The BSO
was in New York City to play three concerts at Carnegie Hall. I
me. You’ve seen me write about inane things all year. Maybe
managed to see all of them (Mahler 3, an all-Wagner concert,
you’ve enjoyed it, maybe you haven’t. In any case, writing for
and Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra), and coupled with the
The Penguin is a privilege that I am honored to have. And it’s
Starbucks chat I was pretty convinced at the end of their tenure
a privilege that I share with lots of other talented NEC students
at Carnegie that I’d be moving to Boston soon enough.
that have an urge to write.
I knew it would be a challenge. I wanted to rise to that
Writing for The Penguin has been a great therapy for
It may be a challenge, but if you have that urge to write
challenge, and whether I have done so or not is debatable. One
– to be heard – then submit something to The Penguin in the
thing is certain, Boston was never going to be easy.
future! You may rise to it. You may not. But I bet you’ll have a
great ride along the way.
I love my teachers, my colleagues, my school, but I’m
still undecided on Boston.
happy it didn’t make it that way.
But that’s the thing about this city: Boston doesn’t care if
Boston wasn’t necessarily easy for me, but I’m kind of
you like it or not.
unless it means effot, pain, difficulty … I have never in my life
Boston isn’t an attention seeker. It doesn’t fawn to your
“Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing
expectations. You don’t come here to climb to the peak of its
envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a
highest building like some cities. People don’t flock to this region
great many people who led difficult lives and let them well.” –
because of its weather like others. They don’t do tours to celebri-
Theodore Roosevelt
ties’ houses as if the entire city is an extended theme park.
Have a great, but not easy, summer!
PLEASE WELCOME & CONGRATULATE ANDREW, OUR NEW EDITOR FOR 2014-2015!
14
MAY 2, 2014
A FOND FAREWELL TO KATE
BY SUZANNE HEGLAND, FACULTY EDITOR The stars aligned in December of 2013. I was looking to revamp our school newspaper, and Kate Lemmon was looking for a job.
Kate arrived for her initial interview armed with a portfolio of her past work
and a list of great ideas for the future of The Penguin. During our meeting I did my best to appear neutral and professional, but poker face is not part of my repertoire. I nodded and smiled on the outside, but on the inside I was distracted by the chorus of angels singing “Hallelujah,” accompanied by Queen belting out “We Are the Champions.” (And here you guys all thought I knew nothing about music!)
Three short semesters later our little student newspaper has become a must-
read, not just for students, but also for staff and faculty. In fact, The Penguin is so good that President Woodcock is an avid and faithful reader, and often orders extra copies so the Board of Trustees and Overseers can have a Penguin to call their own.
As musicians, you’re all familiar with what goes on backstage: the hours
of preparation behind each and every note you play. But you may not be familiar
THE PENGUIN N E C ’ S S T U D E N T- R U N N E W S PA P E R
PENGUIN PENMEN Kate Lemmon, editor Suzanne Hegland, faculty editor Sophie Adickes, writer Natalie Alper-Leroux, creative Raley Beggs, writer Isabella Dawis, writer Stephen Garman, webmaster Andrew Nissen, writer Syd Rvinsky, writer Akenya Seymour, writer Nick Tisherman, writer Tong Wang, illustrator
with what goes on behind the scenes of a newspaper. Choosing a theme, writing content, providing photos, recruiting writers, tinkering with layout and just generally getting the word out - Kate does it all.
Those of you who know Kate know that she’s the Queen of Multitasking.
In homage to Kate the Flutist, Kate the Photographer, Kate the Editor and oh yeah, Kate the Student, I offer up this wonderful image below which I hope will pop into your head each time you think of Kate.
SUBMIT SOMETHING! If you'd like to contribute an article, illustration, or idea, email a 1-2 sentence proposal to: thepenguin@necmusic.edu Please limit articles to 650 words.
SUBMISSION
DEADLINE FOR AUGUST ISSUE:
AUGUST 1ST
WE'RE ONLINE! Kate will walk across the stage of Jordan Hall to receive her Master’s degree in a few short weeks, and you can be sure she will be wearing fashionable shoes. I’m honored to have worked with her and endlessly grateful for her countless hours of hard work, her good humor and her remarkable creativity. Congratulations Kate,
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we will miss you!
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penguin SELFIES our selfies from april! group photo by ceylon mitchell