Keeping Tempo August 2013

Keeping Tempo Volume 5, Number 1, August 2013

Ying Quartet Brings Diverse Music to Bucks County

Inside this issue: Second-Year YOBC Student Collecting Instruments

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Mr. D’s Summer Vacation

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Student Spotlight: Brian Buhr

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Dream Big, Seize the Day

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Young Artists Program at Curtis Institute

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Students in Concert Fundraiser Success

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2014 Italy Tour Plans Nearly Finalized

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Thomas Cunningham Returns to YOBC as Ripieno Conductor

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Csehy Summer School of Music

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YOBC Concerto Competition’s 20th Anniversary: Nadine Megill Abigaña

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Important Dates: 

September 7: Orientation and Curtain-Raiser

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September 8: Fall rehearsals begin

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September 15: Parents’ meetings

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October 26, Ying Quartet Master Class

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November 23 & 24: Fall concerts

The Ying Quartet is coming to Bucks County on October 25 and 26. As part of their centennial celebration, Cairn University is hosting lectures and concerts with the Ying Quartet which are part of a five-year residency program.

The Ying Quartet is a prominent American string quartet from the Eastman School of Music. The group established its roots in Jesup, Iowa and flourished into an international sensation that has lasted and grown over 20 years. The Ying Quartet delves into both the past and the avant-garde to create music that comes from a mixture of eras. They won a Grammy Award in 2005 for their collaboration with the Turtle Is-

land Quartet and were nominated for another in 2007. Classical music, jazz, Chinese traditional music, and various contemporary styles all contribute to the group’s spirit and influences.

Appearing in venues from the world-famous Carnegie Hall and Sydney Opera House to the less conventional— schools, prisons, and even the White House— the Ying Quartet seeks to reach out to people and musicians of all kinds. Their interests are as diverse as their audience. Much of their

current work focuses on reflecting American life through the work of both established and starting composers.

On October 26 the quartet will present a formal concert that YOBC students are welcome and encouraged to attend. The same day, Advanced Division string students will participate in a day of master classes with the Ying Quartet.

Other area youth orchestras have also been invited to attend. The quartet will present lectures whose aim is to open a discussion with leaders of the arts about audience-building and other means of ensuring the continued growth of the arts.

Second-Year YOBC Student Collecting Instruments For Students Who Can’t Afford Them When asked what type of Mitzvah Project she wanted to complete for her upcoming Bat Mitzvah, 12-year-old Rachel Schodowski of Langhorne knew it had to be music-related.

With a little research Rachel and her mother found Musicopia, a Philadelphia-based charity that collects and refurbishes used instruments to donate to local schools. Rachel held an instrument drive during the month of October 2012, collecting used instruments, sheet music, accessories, and cash donations to be used toward the refurbishing costs. The October instrument drive went so well that she continued to collect instruments and cash donations through April. Musicopia said that they will work with the Neshaminy School District to get as many of these instruments as possible into Rachel’s school.

Rachel, who has been playing percussion for three years, feels that every child should have the opportunity to play an instrument even if their parents cannot afford the rental costs. She is very excited about her project; she emailed everyone she knows and hung fliers in every music store she could find.

Rachel’s Bat Mitzvah was held in April at Newtown’s Glazier Jewish Center where she proudly announced that she had collected a total of 40 instruments, doubling her original goal. She also collected various accessories and a large stack of sheet music, and raised $500.00, including her own money.

Everyone was very generous with their donations. One young man dropped off five instruments, including a full drum set, stating that his parents thought they were

going to be the next Partridge Family and that he was happy that they were going to be used for such a good cause.

Rachel is currently writing thank you cards to each person who helped with her project and is including a copy of the picture of her with all of the instruments collected.

Anyone interested in getting involved with this great charity can contact Musicopia directly at www.musicopia.net.

Conductors’ Notes: Mr. D’s Summer Vacation My summer vacation started on Tuesday, June 25. The summer is much more relaxed than when school is in session. It is good to have time to decompress and unwind.

My first job this summer was teaching a three-hour Percussion Master Class for 66 band directors in Lafayette, Louisiana for Dr. Quincy Hilliard. I started by reviewing some percussion techniques on each instrument: snare drum, mallets, timpani, and auxiliary percussion. After the review I had participants play some percussion ensemble pieces that Dr. Hilliard and I wrote from our book entitled Percussion Time.

I have enjoyed visiting with friends that I do not normally see during the school year. Having time to spend with my friends Page 2

and their families is very satisfying.

I also spend time in the summer with my wife, Mrs. D. She owns a Rita’s Water Ice in Bordentown, NJ, which does many community events throughout the season, from March through September. My duties include getting supplies from the warehouses as well as catering events, such as Music in the Parks on Thursday evenings at Joseph Lawrence Field.

Since my wife works 10–12 hours a day during the season, my summer duties also include cooking, cleaning, laundry, and food shopping. Then we switch roles once I start school in September.

This year as the Percussion Director for YOBC I have been asked to assign percussion parts for all ensembles in YOBC. That includes Symphony Orchestra, Fanfare

Winds, Wind Ensemble, and Wind Symphony. In order to accomplish this task I have been in contact with the directors since July to get scores, analyze the scores, and assign parts.

In August I start to think about school and I start getting my lesson plans together, select music, complete seating charts, attend workshops, and many other preliminary steps so that the school year starts off smoothly.

I am extremely fortunate to spend my life doing what I love. I started performing music when I was 16 years old. I could not imagine my life without music. Every day I am performing or teaching music. Does life get better than that? For me, no way.

—Joey D’Alicandro, Director YOBC Percussion Ensemble Keeping Tempo

tudent

potlight: Brian Buhr

This month’s featured musician is Symphony Orchestra cellist Brian Buhr, a rising junior at Council Rock North High School. He joined YOBC eight years ago while in the do-everything-myolder-sister-does time of his life, with the added perk that rehearsals conflicted with Chinese school, offering him a clean escape from the latter. Outside of YOBC, Brian plays the cello in school ensembles and has been a member of the PMEA district, regional, and all-state orchestras.

He has a great appreciation for YOBC, particularly the musicians and directors who make the organization what it is and who are interesting individuals “both in and out of music.” Brian recognizes that “through YOBC I’ve gotten the opportunity to travel

the world, play music spanning multiple genres, perform with esteemed musicians, and make friends along the way.” He was a founding member of the Honors String Quartet two years ago and has enjoyed playing chamber music, which he finds is a vastly different experience from playing an orchestral role. In addition to the performance opportunities this group grants him, he is grateful for the chance to develop his musicianship from a new angle, relying on the support of three strong musicians and learning to express himself in a new way.

Nevertheless, there is more to Brian’s life than music. He is an avid soccer player and supporter, a fan of Philadelphia Union and QPR. At school, in addition to playing soccer, he runs track, participates in

FBLA, and occupies a position in the class office.

Brian is the winner of the Fall Season Concerto Competition and will perform Hungarian Rhapsody with the YOBC Symphony Orchestra in the fall concert.

Executive Director’s Corner: Dream Big, Seize the Day Sometimes we may envision the great composers as being whitehaired, old men. Think again! Richard Strauss was only 24 years old when he composed and conducted his tone poem, Don Juan, which explodes with the energy, strength, and passion of youth. His musical talent is breathtaking. You can’t help but be moved by his heroic themes and struck by the power of his music.

Just listen to Don Juan. It will knock your socks off. Never underestimate your own ability to tackle big challenges or pursue your goals, no matter how young you are or what obstacles you may be facing. Henry Ford who developed the Model T automobile which revolutionized American life once said, “Whether you think you can or think you can’t—you are right.”

As the new school year approaches, many of you have alVolume 5, Number 1, August 2013

ready begun to think about what you hope to accomplish this year.

Some of you are applying to colleges, others are looking ahead to new experiences in middle school or high school. Many have not yet thought about the upcoming year.

All of us should keep in mind these famous words: “Carpe diem.” For those of you who need to brush up on your Latin, the popular translation of this saying is “Seize the day.” The thought behind this is to not trust that everything will somehow fall effortlessly into place for you, but rather to take advantage of those opportunities you have before you right now.

You will find some of those opportunities here at YOBC. In fact, 2013–14 YOBC students will be part of the most exciting, opportunity-rich season we have ever had.

In a sense, YOBC has had its own “seize the day” moment by taking a

leap of faith into unprecedented growth. There are new ensembles, more performances, expanded chamber music experiences, and opportunities for students to learn from artists like David Kim, Philadelphia Orchestra concertmaster; Dr. Quincy Hilliard, renowned composer and conductor; and the Ying Quartet, Grammy Award–winning ensemble and string instructors at the Eastman School of Music.

What you decide to make of these opportunities is up to you.

Harriet Tubman, an activist in the Underground Railroad who at great risk to herself led hundreds of slaves to freedom, once said, “Every great dream begins with a dreamer.” Dream big.

Seize the day. And…“when the day has ended, dare to feel you’ve done your best.”

—Colleen Sweetsir YOBC Executive Director Page 3

Young Artists Summer Program at Curtis Institute This summer I attended the Curtis Institute of Music’s Young Artist Summer Program (YASP).

My experience not only helped me grow immensely as a violinist, but as a musician overall. I learned about stage presence, music theory, improvisation, and so much more. Curtis contains some of the most inspiring and talented people I have ever encountered, and learning from them was one of the best experiences I have ever had.

Each week we had a new conductor come in. I couldn’t tell you which one was my favorite because each one taught me something different. We received music the night or so after every concert, leaving us five days with our current conductor to learn the music and put on a concert.

All of the music we received was a challenge for me and some of my fellow musicians. Our most challenging piece was our last:

Appalachian Spring, composed by Aaron Copland. However it only brought us closer, which made the concert that much more special.

On top of orchestra, I was a part of a trio with another violinist and a pianist. The three of us really bonded, and I am going to miss them very much. We performed Sonate pour deux violons et piano, composed by Darius Milhaud.

The other students attending YASP were a huge part of my exKatherine Cramer (center) with the other members of her trio at Curtis this summer. perience too. They came from all over the world: Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Canada, China, and Oh, and did I mention I was able others from the United States as to go to an outdoor concert to see the well. Some nights we might have a Philadelphia Orchestra perform master class and others we might Fantasia? … Probably one of the hear Curtis staff perform. Aside from most memorable things about this the musical aspects of this camp, I camp for me. I really hope other made a lot of great friends. I saw a YOBC members will consider atlot of beautiful buildings and people. tending; it is going to help you grow I had the time of my life and the next and learn in so many ways! chance I have to go back, I will. I —Katherine Cramer, violin hope everyone tries it one summer.

YOBC Philharmonia

Students in Concert Fundraiser Success

2014 Italy Tour Plans Nearly Finalized

Last month YOBC Board Vice President Eileen Wachtman hosted a gathering of key volunteers at her home to raise funds for the Students in Concert outreach program in Bristol Township. The event included dinner and a presentation of Novica Live! merchandise by former YOBC business manager Lynn Fergusson. Lynn and Novica donated a percentage of their proceeds to YOBC’s program—a total of over $300. The SIC program will also benefit from a $2000 grant from the Bucks County Commissioners. We anticipate several other events to help support the 2013–14 program.

This spring five SIC students successfully auditioned for YOBC ensembles.

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Over the summer YOBCs tour planners Monica and Gerardo Konig previewed the 2014 Italy tour, visiting the cities, venues, and hotels the group will stay in during the trip. The details will be presented at the tour meeting on Sunday, September 22 at BCCC during the weekly YOBC rehearsals. The tour is nearly at capacity, however there are still openings for Advanced Division violins, trumpet, French horn, and string bass.

Don’t miss this opportunity to join your fellow musicians on the trip of a lifetime.

The trip from Venice to Rome will make stops in three of the most important cultural centers: a full day in Venice, a full day in

Florence, and two days in Rome.

There will be guided tours of the main cities as well as entrances to the Ufizzi Gallery in Florence and the Vatican Museum in Rome. The main focus of the tour is the four concerts at music festivals including Padua, Florence, Montecatini Terme, and either Perugia or Spoleto. Students will also attend one master class. Dates for the tour are tentatively set for July 19–30, and the cost is anticipated to be $3,175 for students. Details and the application are available at www.yobc.org.

Keeping Tempo

Thomas Cunningham Returns to YOBC as Ripieno Conductor In the fall YOBC will welcome Thomas Cunningham as the new director of Ripieno, YOBC’s intermediate string orchestra. After interning with YOBC’s Symphony Orchestra for two years, he now has an independent conducting position with Ripieno.

Thomas first set foot on the music scene in second grade, when he joined the school choir in response to his parents’ insistence upon an afterschool activity. This was the decision that set him on the path which, eleven years later, landed him at Westminster Choir College with a double major in Voice Performance and Music Education. He continued at Westminster to get his Master of Arts in Teaching. “I thought I was going to be an opera singer,” he explained. “Sing at the Metropolitan Opera House and all that”—but the discovery of conducting rerouted his plan.

The change happened while he was a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the men’s music fraternity at Westminster, and began directing the choir. “I just got hooked,” he said simply.

A few years later he was assistant conducting Così fan tutte with Westminster Opera Theater when he learned of YOBC through a Westminster professor. Shortly after, he found his niche here.

In addition to his work with YOBC, Thomas teaches at the Titusville Academy, a special education school where he is the general music instructor for grades K–12.

Thomas is proud to be a part of YOBC, and this is a meaningful personal landmark because it is his first time working with his own orchestra. He is impressed by YOBC’s family atmosphere, the students’ hard work, and everyone’s eagerness to have a musical experience and share everything they know.

Three YOBC Students in NAfME AllNational Band YOBC is proud to recognize three musicians who will perform with the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) All-National Honor Ensembles. These are four highly competitive ensembles that students audition for at the all-state level. After competing for placement against some of the best musicians in the country, those accepted become part of a three-day festival, in October 2013 in Nashville. The following three YOBC students will represent Pennsylvania in the NAfME Honors Concert Band: 

Nicholas Hall, flute, senior at Central Bucks West High School.

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Rachel Jones, French horn, senior at Neshaminy High School.

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John Wagner, trumpet, junior at Pennsbury High School.

Csehy Summer School of Music This summer I went to Csehy Summer School of Music in Secane, PA. Csehy is the best summer camp ever. People come from all over the country came to be at Csehy for the summer. I stayed there for only one week but it was probably the best week of my whole summer. I made a lot of friends at Csehy, and we are planning to go the same week together next year.

At Csehy I was in an orchestra and a choir group. Csehy also had a hand bells choir and a band.

While I was at Csehy I participated in a theory class. There were different theory classes depending on how much you knew about theory to begin with. During the week I spent at Csehy I had the privilege of getting two private lessons. The staff and faculty put on a concert and my priVolume 5, Number 1, August 2013

vate teacher for the week played The Lark Ascending, by Ralph Vaughan Williams, on the violin from memory.

I enjoyed being in the orchestra the most. In orchestra we played Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88

by Antonin Dvorak and Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67, I. Allegro con brio by Ludwig van Beethoven.

The conductor and everyone else in the orchestra were super nice. In choir we learned the songs “Keep Your Lamps!” which is a spiritual song arranged by Andre Thomas, “Hallelujah, Amen” by George Frederic Handel, “Lamentations of Jeremiah”

by Z. Randall Stroope, and “Amazing Grace” which was arranged by Keith McCutchen. Concluding every week at Csehy, there was a concert where we played and sang all the songs we learned in the past week. The concert was a lot of fun.

Next year I plan to go Csehy again. I want to go for two weeks instead of one because I had so much fun. Being at Csehy was the best part of my summer and I can't wait to go there next summer! If you want more information about Csehy go to their website, https:// csehy.org, and remember to mention me if you sign up.

—Amanda Shafer, violin YOBC Ripieno Page 5

252 Hollow Branch Lane Yardley, PA 19067 Email: info.yobc@gmail.com auditions@yobc.org

yobc.org

The YOUTH ORCHESTRA OF BUCKS COUNTY, Pennsylvania (Y OBC) was founded in 1991 with the spo nsorship and support of Bucks Coun ty Community College. Its mission is to create opportunities for young music ians to achieve artistic excellence thr ough enriching classical musical exp eriences. In 23 seasons the organization has grown from a single, 60-member ens emble to 13 ensembles with over 250 young musicians.

YOBC Concerto Competition’s 20th Anniversary: Nadine Megill Abigaña Nadine Megill Abigaña, one of the four original winners of the YOBC Concerto Competition twenty years ago, performed Preludium and Allegro by Fritz Kreisler on violin. At the age of 11, Nadine joined YOBC in its first season and held the seat of concertmistress for several years.

During her time at YOBC, Nadine formed a trio with two of her friends, the principal violist and cellist. The trio performed together in small venues like weddings and country clubs, in addition to the YOBC concerts, until they all moved to the PhiladelNadine with Mr. phia Youth Loughran in 1993 Page 6

Orchestra, where the three members continued performing together.

Music had been the most important part of Nadine’s life, and when it was time for college, she said, “I just didn’t see myself doing anything else.” She received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Hartford and a Master’s Degree from Boston University, both in Violin Performance. While finishing up her graduate program, she started working in the music admissions office and fell in love with the administrative aspect of music.

She went on to receive an additional Master’s Degree in Arts Administration also from Boston University, while working in the admissions office full time. Since then, over the past 10 years, she has worked closely with the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, and then held the position of Senior Admissions Counselor at the New England Conservatory. She recently became the Associate Director of

Admissions at the Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Natick, Massachusetts, an independent Arts High School which is close to her home in Ashland, MA. Nadine is looking forward to the new challenge of working with high school students, as well as the very different challenge of being a mother: Nadine and her husband had their first baby last May. Despite the changes in her life, Nadine continues to play the violin.

Since marrying composer Brett Abigaña, she often plays for him or his colleagues when they are premiering works. She also surrounds their daughter, Caeli, with music every day.

Keeping Tempo