Keeping Tempo Volume 4, Number 2, November 2012
Workshop with Troy Peters for YOBC Artistic Staff
Inside this issue: Conductors’ Notes: Reeds — How to Live With Them
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Student Spotlight: Taryn Neals
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Executive Director’s Corner: Semper Paratus
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Second Annual Field Trip to Philadelphia Orchestra
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YOBC Student On the Air This Summer
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YOBC Community Events to Celebrate the Holiday Season Students in Concert Kickoff Event in Bristol
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Important Dates:
November 17: Fall con-
certs, 2:00 PM & 8:00 PM
November 19: Barnes &
Noble Book Fair, Fairless Hills, 7:00 PM
December 1: TreeFest,
Bucks County Visitors Center, Bensalem, 3:00 PM
December 7: One Winter
Night, Grace Point, Newtown, PA, 6:30–10:00 PM
January 6: Spring rehearsals start
February 9: Chamber Recital, BCCC
February 23, YOBC Wine-
Tasting Benefit, New Hope Winery, 6:30–10:00 PM
Last month, YOBC’s artistic staff took part in a weekend-long workshop with Troy Peters, a popular and acclaimed guest conductor, currently the Music Director of the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio. From October 19–21, Troy Peters worked with YOBC conductors, administrative staff, community outreach team, and board members to explore ideas for “Creating Artistic Vision.” The YOBC conductors worked with Mr. Peters to set audaciously exciting artistic goals and to outline steps for reaching them over the next three years. According to Colin Oettle, conductor of Prima Strings and Concertino, “Mr. Peters proved to be an inspiring speaker and an excellent resource for the artistic staff. He helped shape our vision for YOBC, and watching him work with the students sparked some wonderful new ideas that I look forward to
incorporating into my ensembles.” At YOBC rehearsals, many students received a special treat when Maestro Peters took the baton and led them in making music. Mr. Peter’s insight and enthusiasm for creating exciting and engaging musical opportunities for young musicians will have a lasting impact on YOBC. Robert Loughran, Troy Peters observed and guest conducted YOBC emsembles. YOBC Music Director and conductor of Symphony Orchestra and nality that exists within Philharmonia, summed our artistic staff to foup the weekend, saying cus on YOBC's future ... “Troy Peters was able to with plenty of reflection bring together the origiand optimism!”
YOBC staff discuss artistic vision with Troy Peters.
Conductors’ Notes: Reeds – How To Live With Them We clarinetists have all experienced it – you get your instrument out to practice and begin your scale warmup (you do warm up with scales, don’t you?). Ugh! It sounds like you’ve never played clarinet before, a cross between screeching brakes and an old car with a leaky muffler. The reed just isn’t working. It worked yesterday in rehearsal. It sounded fine in the concert last week. What happened? As a clarinetist I’m sometimes frustrated about the fact that other players just take out their instruments and play. Flutists and brass players play the same equipment day after day, year after year unless they deliberately change a head joint or mouthpiece. Even string players, whose strings lose their sound quality and response over months, don’t deal with the same kind of good-one-day-awfulthe next variability. Clarinetists, oboists, bassoonists, and saxophonists are unique in their need to be constantly aware of how their reeds are working on a daily basis and in their dependence on so changeable a part of their instrument. What does a player of a reed instrument need to do to play his or her best consistently? Here are a few things every good player learns eventually: 1. Reeds are made of a natural material, the woody stem of a cane plant (Arundo donax, if you’re interested), which as part of its natural life cycle deteriorates on its way to eventually rotting back into the earth. You only get to use it for a short part of that life cycle. 2. Always pay attention to the sound that you are producing, and if you just can’t sound your best one day, Page 2
don’t hesitate to try a different reed to see if it helps. 3. New doesn’t equal good. Because every piece of wood (cane) is different, some just vibrate better than others. If, when you take a new reed out of the box, it feels squeaky or sounds fuzzy, you have several choices – put it back in the box and try another one, put it in the trash and try another one or, if you know how to balance or adjust a reed (usually professionals or advanced students), you can try to improve the reed (and then most of the time go back to the one about the trash can). A fourth alternative, which you should rarely choose, is to play on it anyway. 4. For clarinetists and saxophonists, who generally buy their reeds graded by strength (in numbers usually from #1 to #5), playing on a higher strength is not an indicator of greater skill. Mouthpiece characteristics and reed strength are closely related. As many professional (highly skilled) players use #3 or #3-1/2 reeds as use #5. You need to use the reed that sounds good and responds well, not the highest strength you can make a sound on. The same advice applies for oboists and bassoonists who buy mass-produced reeds that are graded as soft, medium-soft, and so on. Pick the strength that works best, not the strongest one you can find. 5. Always have more than one reed you’ve tried and liked in your case stored in a good holder that protects the reeds from breakage.
If you need to change reeds, you’re stuck if you don’t have reliable spares with you. There is a great deal more to be said about reeds. The new synthetic reeds, for example, change some of what I’ve written above, but that’s an entirely different topic that would need an article to itself. To paraphrase an old saying, “Reeds – you can’t live with them and you can’t live without them.” They can be the bane of our existence when they don’t work well, but we simply can’t play our instruments without good ones. Happy playing, and may the days when your reeds work well outnumber the ones when they don’t. —Karl Krelove, Director YOBC Clarinet Ensemble
tudent
potlight: Taryn Neals
Wind Ensemble clarinetist Taryn Neals has been a member of YOBC for five years. She started out in Wind Symphony and was also given the opportunity to join a clarinet ensemble before moving up to her current group. In addition to being a valuable member of the Advanced Division winds, Taryn has been an invaluable volunteer at YOBC. Taryn joined YOBC as a way to meet new people who shared the same love for music. She is a junior at Saint Basil Academy in Bensalem, where she belongs to the school band and the All Catholic Orchestra. Every summer she takes part in the Kimmel Center Summer Music Arts Program. She has also been involved in chamber groups at the Settle-
ment Music School in South Philadelphia which has given Taryn the chance to work with some amazing musicians and teachers. Some of her other interests are drama and forensics. “My plans for the future is to major in Music Business. I would love to play the clarinet on Broadway as a side job one day.” Taryn started volunteering for YOBC back in 2009 during the summer and, for the third summer in a row, has generously offered muchneeded help to the administrative staff. This year Taryn helped to organize YOBC’s music library and prepare music folders for YOBC students. “Volunteering my time has provided me with an opportunity to learn more about the organization. I enjoy giving my time to something that I am passionate about, and I like
to give back to those who have helped me learn and grow in music.” She has learned a lot from working with Mrs. Sweetsir who, Taryn says, “has been an inspiration to me at YOBC. Her dedication and commitment to music is outstanding. She always puts everyone else in front of herself and is always there when you need her. She is the reason that I continue to volunteer and strive to be the best musician I can be.”
Executive Director’s Corner: Semper Paratus As the winds of Frankenstorm Sandy swept through town, I couldn’t help but think about how important preparation is. Preparation is something we do to get ready for an event or undertaking. Unfortunately, a really important thing about preparation is that it can only be done in advance. I was reminded of that when I discovered that I didn’t have batteries to run my radio when the power went out. To be prepared for something, you have to think about what you need ahead of time and plan out the steps you need to take to be ready. Semper Paratus—“always ready”—is the motto of the US Coast Guard, the branch of service in which I served way back in the 1970s. Being ready for emergencies is core to the Coast Guard’s mission. “When things are at their worst, America's Coast Guard is at its best,” said Volume 4, Number 2, November 2012
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. In fact since 1790, the Coast Guard has saved over a million lives. But preparation is important in everyday situations too. As you walk through the halls of BCCC during YOBC rehearsals you hear a cacophony of the sounds of preparation. The happy staccato of flutes from room 10, the rich vibrato of strings from rooms 17 and 12, the snappy rhythm from percussion in room 4, and harmonies in bell tones from room 1 all reach your ears. Like the changing sounds of a parade passing by, the music ringing out from each room is as different as the students who are creating it. But the students and teachers in each ensemble are all engaged in the same process of preparation. Performing music requires a lot of preparation. First, students have to prepare their individual parts at home. Personal practice requires a lot of effort and discipline for each student to master his or her part. Then,
the students must rehearse as a group each week to put the music together. They have to exert a lot of mental effort to follow the conductor, play their own part, listen to the other parts in the music, phrase musically, and play in tune – all at the same time. Musical preparation demands a lot of work. But just like Coast Guard search and rescue missions, concerts cannot be performed without careful preparation. When I get up to conduct students in a concert, I think about all the individual and collective efforts they have put into preparing the music they are about to perform. More than anything, I want them to enjoy their performance. As I step down from the podium at the end of the concert, I am proud of each of them for their diligence in preparation and a job well done. —Colleen Sweetsir YOBC Executive Director Page 3
Second Annual Field Trip to Philadelphia Orchestra At the beginning of November, a busload of YOBC students and a few lucky parents attended a concert by the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Kimmel Center in Center City. For many of us, in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, it was the first time in days we had
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been able to enjoy heat and electricity. But for everyone, it was an opportunity to enjoy an exciting program of first-class music. Prior to the concert, our students attended a meet-and-greet with Philadelphia Orchestra violinists Daniel Han and Kimberly Fisher.
Both told us they had been members of youth orchestras as they were growing up — Daniel in Lexington, Kentucky and Kimberly in Edmonton, Alberta. Daniel went on to study violin at Boston University and Kimberly attended The Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. Both of them practice a lot, but exactly how much depends on how familiar they are with the piece they are preparing to perform. For example, both had played Copland’s Appalachian Spring many times before, but Sierra’s Sinfonia No. 4 was new and full of tricky rhythms. Daniel admitted that as a child, he sometimes daydreamed that his house would catch on fire and burn up his violin, but he is glad he persevered and kept on practicing. A YOBC student asked the musicians what kind of music they liked to listen to and both said they did not really listen to classical music for pleasure. Because they have been trained to listen to and study music for work, they have trouble listening casually, and find they are too critical of what they hear to make it relaxing and enjoyable. The concert itself was a lively experience. In addition to the Copland and Sierra, we heard Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F and Medea’s Dance of Vengeance by Samuel Barber. Russian pianist Kirill Gerstein was the guest soloist for the Gershwin concerto. The finale was the Philadelphia premiere of Sinfonia No. 4 by Puerto Rican composer Roberto Sierra. Most of the YOBC students sat in the Conductor’s Circle where they could watch Maestro Giancarlo Guerrero’s lively face and gestures as he conducted the orchestra. The Philadelphia Orchestra performs almost every weekend, and student and rush tickets are usually available. For more information about concerts and tickets, visit www.philorch.org.
YOBC Student On the Air This Summer It was a busy, exciting summer for YOBC’s bass clarinetist Jamie Doerschuck. Jamie, who is entering her senior year with YOBC in the Wind Ensemble, is passionate about all things related to music and intends on pursuing a musicrelated career. This summer started off with her attending a Film Score Composers workshop at New York University, where she was able to meet and learn from the film composers of movies such as “The Naked Gun” and “Bruce Almighty.” Jamie found the experience invaluable and thinks the skills learned there will help her achieve a career goal of writing music for video games in the future. After co-hosting an episode of “On the Wind” at WWFM, Jamie was invited back to be featured on “Fortissimo,” a WWFM program dedicated to supporting young
musicians. Host Marjorie Herman suggested Jamie record the voiceover promotion for the show, so Jamie went into Cambridge Music Studios to record music and the announcement for the show. What a fun experience it was! After that, it was on to the Philadelphia International Music Festival, where Jamie was accepted into the highly competitive Solo Performance Program. It was an intensive two weeks of private lessons and master and performance classes that culminated in an exciting concerto competition. Lots was learned and many wonderful new friends were made there. She then went on to participate in Composition Week at Westminster College, learning how to compose original chamber music for the bass clarinet (because there is no such music available for her to play). The highlight of the summer
Jamie Doerschuck at the mic at WWFM
was, of course, the international tour with YOBC. This unforgettable experience was followed by a master class with world renowned bass clarinetist Harry Sparnaay. As the summer came to a close, Jamie looked forward to another wonderful year with YOBC. She is looking forward to catching up on some sleep as well! Jamie Doerschuck plays bass clarinet in YOBC’s Wind Ensemble.
YOBC Community Events to Celebrate Holiday Season YOBC programs. The voucher for purBensalem. The Honors String For many YOBC students, the first chases — which includes the café and Quartet will perform at the annual semester doesn’t end after the Fall online purchases — is on the YOBC Holiday Treefest at 3:00 PM. The Concert in November. A number of website, and on page 3 of this newsletBucks County Holiday TreeFest ensembles will be performing ter. Vouchers can also be continues to grow in throughout the holiday used for online sales for popularity each season at free events in five days — through year and has beBucks County. Black Friday. come an annual On Monday, NoThe next event event many visitors vember 19, a chamber takes place on Sunday, and residents look recital will be held at December 3 at the forward to. Barnes & Noble in Bucks County Visitors Center in Finally, on Friday, December 7, Fairless Hills. This the YOBC Symphony Orevent will feature our chestra will perform at flute ensembles, the the sixth annual One Clarinet Ensemble, Winter Night celebration Woodwind and Brass at Grace Point Church in Quintets, the Honors Newtown. This free event String Quartet, and a is designed to create an special mallet solo by old-fashioned night of YOBC percussionist family-friendly holiday Rock Roque. Performfun. ances start at 7:00 PM. Support your fellow This event is also a musicians and come hear fundraiser for YOBC them at these holiday and a percentage of YOBC’s Honors String Quartet among the groups performing this season. events. each sale goes to Volume 4, Number 2, November 2012
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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 21 seasons the organizatio n has grown from a single, 60-mem ber ensemble to 12 ensembles with over 250 young musicians.
Students in Concert Kickoff Event in Bristol The kickoff for YOBC’s new Students in Concert (SIC) initiative took place last month at Franklin D. Roosevelt Middle School in the Bristol Township School District. The event was a celebration to welcome the 65 students chosen for the program which began the following week. The audience consisted of students and their parents. They received t-shirts (sponsored by Music & Arts), information packets, and group and lesson assignments. They listened while program directors Keith Krelove and Chris Gehrhart explained the program and their expectations. Music & Arts presented information on musical instrument rentals and scholarship programs. Joe Hochreiter, YOBC’s president, talked about the role YOBC is playing in the program. A special treat came in the form of a woodwind quartet made up of students from the University of Delaware. After their performance, YOBC Board members offered re-
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freshments while the quartet continued to play, giving students and their families an up-close view of the group at work. YOBC is piloting this new outreach program to support and engage more students in the school district music program. In addition to 22 weeks of musical instruction, Students in Concert will give musicians an opportunity to work in small ensembles and some may receive private lessons. There will be performance opportunities for advanced groups. To build vision for the program, students attended a concert by the
Students and parents get a close-up view of the woodwind quartet
Students and parents check out offerings from Music & Arts
Marine Corps Band at Patriots Theater in the Trenton War Memorial on October 27. The program will culminate with students taking part in the two-day District Honors Band Festival in April 2013, featuring guest clinician Dr. Quincy Hilliard of the University of Louisiana.
University of Delaware bassoonist talks with Mr. Loughran and SIC students