The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Blog

Confessions of an (Unlikely) Mahler Fan

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsey Goodman) — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:38:00 +0000

Asked to write a blog post about why I love performing Mahler in advance of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s opening weekend performances of his Symphony No. 1, I’ve provided my memories and musings on my relationship with Mahler’s music. I am no Mahler scholar, and every musician’s and audience member’s experiences are different. I urge you to supplement this posting with Bob Turizziani’s program notes and Grant Cooper’s pre-concert lecture. - Lindsey Goodman

As a first-semester freshman with ears open to the flood of new music and experiences bombarding a freshly-anointed music major, I played fourth flute in my college’s orchestra. Overjoyed to be performing with that ensemble, my sentiments changed when I received my concert music - I played on only two movements of an hour-long symphony. Bored at the thought of it, I had to attend every rehearsal, with only a score to keep me company through the long tacet sections. Dismayed, I took my score and part to Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 home.

Out of my teenage disappointment, a lifelong love affair with Gustav Mahler was born. By the end of that concert cycle, I knew the score to Mahler No. 1 backwards and forwards and was gobbling up his symphonies and song cycles in rapid succession. This sort of behavior would be ordinary, even expected, if I were a brass player, but a flutist? With the exception of Das Lied von der Erde, Mahler is not known for his lush flute solos. No, for a flutist to be my level of Mahler-phile is the equivalent of finding a gold and blue-bleeding Mountaineer fan born and bred in Pittsburgh.

For me, Mahler’s singular attributes are his music’s emotion and craft. Emotionally, no one creates compelling musical journeys like Mahler. My favorite theme, in life and in art, is the triumph of the human spirit in spite of all odds. I adore movies like The Shawshank Redemption, and I cheer for the underdog at sporting events. I’m not alone in these sentiments either: Shawshank is routinely ranked as the best movie of all time, and a 1991 scientific study on the underdog theory proved that 81% of people favor the team picked to lose. People garner immeasurable hope from universal stories like these, and, to me, that unmistakeable sensation in my gut is identical to my experience in hearing Mahler.

For early performances of his Symphony No. 1, Mahler added a title to his work, “Titan”, and a program to the symphony: "a strong, heroic man, his life and sufferings, his battles at the hands of Fate”. Later, Mahler removed the narrative elements from his score, saying that “my friends persuaded me to provide a kind of program for the symphony in order to make it easier to understand.” The First Symphony is absolute, or non-representational, music, allowing it to mean many things to many people. Regardless, for me, the triumph of the human spirit is the emotional point of much of Mahler’s music, and his gift of crystalizing that concept into musical sound is staggering.

As a musical craftsman, Mahler is awe-inspiring. Dealing with lengthy symphonic forms (his Third Symphony runs 95-minutes) and massive orchestral forces (his Symphony No. 8 is called the “Symphony of a Thousand”), Mahler’s music is like a river churning through layers of rock, sure of its course. He stood on the shoulders of Beethoven (Mahler’s First even starts much like Beethoven’s Ninth), but Mahler pushed the boundaries of the symphonic form and significantly innovated practices of orchestration. Unlike Brahms, Mahler was unafraid to add to Beethoven’s historical orchestral forces. In his Symphony No. 1, there are seven (7!) horns, five trumpets, four trombones, two piccolos, bass and E-flat clarinet, English horn, contrabassoon, and two timpanists in addition to the usual string, wind, brass, and percussive forces, and Mahler knew how to use them!

To look at a Mahler score is to be immersed in detail - every note or phrase has an articulation mark, a dynamic indication, descriptive words, or all three - and it all matters. A celebrated conductor, Mahler knew his instrument, the orchestra, intimately, and his comprehension of instruments’ capacities is tangible in his scores. As an orchestral musician, I find it immensely gratifying to work on a Mahler part because the sound I’m producing plays an integral role in the marvelous whole, even if I don’t personally carry juicy solo lines.

Even playing fourth flute on a Mahler symphony is amazing, as I finally realized during that first college semester. Sitting tacet through the first and second movements of the “Titan”, I had the best seat in the house as Mahler’s orchestration started on its inevitable journey, finding me ready to play disturbingly-minor strains of “Frère Jacques” in the third movement funeral march and to triumphantly blast high trills at the cathartic fourth movement’s climax. Playing Mahler No. 1 for the first time was a life-altering experience, one to which I add fresh memories each time I perform a new Mahler work.

Still, some people just don’t like Mahler. Too loud, too noisy, or too complicated, audience members sometimes complain. Regarding the same problem, Mahler wrote to his wife Alma after a performance of the First Symphony, "Sometimes it sent shivers down my spine. D*&$ it all, where do people keep their ears and their hearts if they can't hear that!" As for me, fourteen years into my Mahler love affair, I’m thrilled to finally play principal flute on his Symphony No. 1 for the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s opening weekend. If you’re hoping to become a Mahler convert, come steal the fourth flutist’s chair!

What makes music distinctively "American"?

noreply@blogger.com (Betty King) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:17:00 +0000

Most Monday mornings I try to check out the latest edition of the Arts Journal. This is a great way to keep up with trends by mostly headline reading to see what the hot topics are around the United States and beyond.

This morning's note of interest was the question: What makes American music sound American? This is when I have to laugh as ponder again why Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture is a staple associated with fireworks and the Fourth of July. (See earlier post from 2009 about this: http://wvsymphony.blogspot.com/2009/07/if-its-fourth-of-july-it-must-be-time.html)

Here is today's post concerning American music: http://www.npr.org/blogs/deceptivecadence/2011/06/30/137527038/what-makes-music-american

What do you think flavors music as "American"?

Jon Nakamatsu, pianist, speaks about winning and losing

noreply@blogger.com (Betty King) — Mon, 02 May 2011 16:27:00 +0000

For every contest or competition I am involved in judging or managing, there are always the smiles of the winners and not so smiling reactions by those who don't walk away with a ribbon. That is the risk of participating in a contest. Sometimes only one person can take the blue ribbon...but what about the rest?

Some words of wisdom from WV Symphony guest artist and 1997 Van Cliburn Gold Medalist Jon Nakamatsu. Be sure to watch the whole clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5smz7gycqQ&feature=player_embedded#at=344

The Arts Must Be Part of 21st Century Learning...

noreply@blogger.com (Betty King) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 20:57:00 +0000

by Jorea M. Marple, Ed.D.

“What a tragedy it would be if we lived in a world where music was not taught to children.”

That is a statement made not by an educator or a musician but Norman Schwarzkopf, a rugged man who rose to the ranks of general in the U.S. Army, a man who often has said that during the first Gulf War, it was music that brought him great peace of mind.

Like Schwarzkopf, we, too, believe it would be a tragedy if music and other arts were not taught in West Virginia schools. Our children must study the arts to become well-rounded adults and successful in the 21st century.

Today’s competitive global economy demands imaginative, resilient thinkers who can design and produce new ideas, new services and products. Well-taught arts courses are where creativity, flexibility, innovation, understanding and empathy are consistently required and refined.

In West Virginia, our 21st century learning plan called “Global21: Students deserve it. The world demands it.,” allows students to enhance their creativity through problem-solving, critical-thinking, technology literacy, and other performance skills.

Global21 is one way we are working to make sure every student across West Virginia has access to arts-rich educational opportunities. Dance, music, visual art and theater all involve skills that are essential to the education of the whole child. Research clearly tells us that an arts-rich education is closely aligned to gains in math and reading, and improves cognitive ability, critical thinking and verbal skills.

More than 50 percent of West Virginia students live in poverty and a large percentage of those students suffer from chronic stress that interferes with concentration. Arts learning can improve not only concentration, but also motivation, confidence and teamwork. Through expansion of a strong arts program in each and every school in West Virginia, we will be better able to close the achievement gap that has left many children behind.

As we work together in this complex world to develop good kids who do great work, we must make sure the arts are valued and supported.

You can exercise your support on April 29 by attending the West Virginia Department of Education’s Fifth Annual Arts Alive celebration at the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences in Charleston. Our schools are full of talented students who will showcase the benefits of their arts education. The lobby showcase begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the mainstage performance at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are available from the Clay Center at (304) 561-3500.

The signature event will feature performances and the visual arts as well as instrumental and vocal music, dance and theater from students statewide.

Ernest Boyer, former president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching said, “The arts are, above all, the special language of children, who, even before they learn to speak, respond intuitively to dance, music and color.”

I hope you will share in this special language by joining me and others in support of West Virginia’s student artists and attend Arts Alive on April 29.

Marple is state superintendent of schools, overseeing West Virginia's public schools.

Invitation from Yo Yo Ma

noreply@blogger.com (Betty King) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:49:00 +0000

Please see the invitation from Yo-Yo Ma to upload musical performances as a sort of musical greeting card in solidarity with the people of Japan on his YouTube site dedicated to this purpose. Thanks. Dear Friends, As the people of Japan continue to endure profound hardship, I have been thinking, as so many people have, about how culture can respond in a way that is directly meaningful. Is there a way for artists to bring solace to those who are suffering such overwhelming tragedy? A friend in Tokyo recently answered that question by saying, “I believe that everyone should do anything he or she believes to be good, without hesitation, because the absence of action brings nothing.” Inspired by these words, by the spirit of the Japanese people, and by the outpouring of generosity through efforts that range from benefit concerts to bake sales to the folding of paper cranes, we have set up a YouTube channel to create a space devoted to cultural response to the devastating events in Japan. The channel is called “For the People of Japan.” Ten days ago, I taped a performance of the Prelude of Bach’s First Suite for Unaccompanied Cello and the Sarabande movements from all Six Suites. I chose the music of Bach because his unique, enduring voice describes a universe of infinite nuance as it conveys his absolute compassion for the human condition. I hope you’ll join me in this effort by creating a video or videos of your own to let the Japanese people know we are with them in spirit. Perhaps there is a piece of music or a dance, a poem or passage from a great book that you think would bring solace. The YouTube channel will go live next week, but you’re welcome to add a video at any time. Here’s how to post a video: 1. Go to Dropbox (http://www.dropbox.com) and create a free account. You will be asked to install Dropbox on your computer. 2. Once this installation is complete, email forjapan@soundpostings.com to let us know you plan to share a video. 3. You will receive an invitation via email with complete instructions for sharing your video on Dropbox. 4. Videos must be no longer than 15 minutes in total duration. I know we all share the conviction that the arts are often the best way we have to give voice to the inexpressible. Please join me in this endeavor to give succor to those who are living through great tragedy and anxiety. With warmest wishes, Yo-Yo P.S. If you have questions, comments or need technical help, please send an e-mail to jessica@soundpostings.com with copy to cristin@soundpostings.com.

The Three Little Pigs Visit West Virginia by Ms. Adkins' Class

noreply@blogger.com (Betty King) — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 19:39:00 +0000

An arts-integration project was built around the WV Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Song of the Wolf, Maestro Grant Cooper’s recasting of the Three Little Pigs set in WV. Over 2800 students in 9 counties participated in this project, through 137 teachers in RESA 3 and 94 teachers in RESA 4. Each teacher signed a contract committing to 10 hours of time and energy in planning, implementing and evaluating lessons with a “Three Little Pigs” twist. Teachers were tasked with working together in Professional Learning Communities and with using the arts to stimulate learning across all content areas.

We heard about some great projects throughout those nine counties. Lots of students wrote their own versions of the Three Little Pigs, some with different endings, different settings, and even different characters. Some stories were acted out and filmed as movies, others in musical settings. At Flinn Elementary alone, we witnessed some great creativity by teachers including pigs made out of pink paper plates and math lessons with pig counters used as dice.

Students in Ms. Adkins’ second grade class read Alaska’s 3 Little Pigs and thought that after what the pigs had already been through in their original story, they needed a vacation.And what better place to visit than West Virginia! Armed with tourism coloring books and pamphlets collected on her vacation, Ms. Adkins and her class began their own journey. The student researched wild and wonderful locations on the internet and in books.

The whole class collaborated and made decisions concerning what the pigs should look like…what their names and personalities would be.The students then split into groups to create the individual scenes and characters, and finally volunteered as individuals to illustrate each page.With SmartBoard running overtime, the class was engaged over several sessions of writing and editing.They found synonyms for “good” and packed their writing with colorful adjectives. They wrote and edited some more for content and mechanics.

And, when they finally laid the pages out, they were confronted with an unforeseen problem to solve: in order for the illustrations to make sense, the pigs should be wearing identical ski suits during their afternoon at Snowshoe. Hank Comer set the fashion trend for the brothers.

Easily 13 CSOs were covered just to get to this point-- Ms. Adkins compiled the book in scrapbook form. Linda Andresen from RESA 3 and I first saw the scrapbook when Robyn Hood Black, author of Wolves, came to visit here at Flinn.

The students had a private session with Ms. Black, author to authors. She talked with them about the publishing process from start to finish, both with her fiction books and with her non-fiction book. The students listened intently—they could identify with the editing process and were fascinated. They asked great questions and didn’t want the session to end.Ms. Black read their book and commented on all the illustrations, one-by-one. The sense of ownership, accomplishment, pride….

With grant funds, we were able to take their creation one step further. The Three Little Pigs Visit West Virginia represents only a small portion of the 17.3 gigabytes of photos, artwork, stories and video recorded during the project.

Appalachian Photo Contest Winners Announced

noreply@blogger.com (Betty King) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:16:00 +0000

Thanks to all the photographers who submitted 170 different photos for judging in our contest. The winners are listed below and their work is hanging the Grand Lobby at the Clay Center. The photos will remain in place until noon on Wednesday, November 17. Stop by during the weekend concerts to see these reflections of Appalachia. All photos entered will be shown on slide show in Grand Lobby on Friday and Saturday evenings before each concert. Special thanks to the WV Humanities Council for sponsoring this contest in conjunction with our Appalachian-themed weekend. We hope to have all photos posted on on Facebook page very soon!

Photo Illustration
1st Place Jessica Johnson Springfield, WV Steel Guitar
2nd Place Jessica Johnson Springfield, WV Berries
3rd Place Mark Fordyce Charleton Heights, WV Mail Pouch Barn

Adult Novice-People
1st Place Heather Arden Charleston, WV Railroad Tracks
2nd Place Jessica Johnson Springfield, WV Grandpa
3rd Place Patricia Page Dunbar, WV Violin in the Broomsage
Honorable Mention Jessica Johnson Springfield, WV Fisherman
Honorable Mention Christy Gill Fayetteville, WV On Tracks

Adult Novice-Landscapes
1st Place Barry Fields Charleston, SC Dolly Sods Sunrise
2nd Place Stephanie Ferrell Charleston, WV Pence Farm
3rd Place Barry Fields Charleston, SC South Ridge
4th Place Stephanie Ferrell Charleston, WV Sarton Mountain
Honorable Mention Bob Leadbetter Chapel Hill, NC Greenbrier Reflections
Honorable Mention Barry Fields Charleston, SC Shaver's Fork

Judges' Choice
Linda Joyce Walton, WV Jack in the Snow
Bob Leadbetter Chapel Hill, NC Morning Trillium
Zach McGinnis Dunbar, WV Steam Power

Cell Phone
1st Place Mark Green Belle, WV Paddlewheeler Sunset
2nd Place (tie) Doug Lilly Beckley, WV Sunset on McKinney Mountain
2nd Place (tie) Mark Green Belle, WV White Out

Adult Professional
1st Place Deborah Herndon Charleston, WV The Way West
2nd Place Deborah Herndon Charleston, WV West Virginia Rural
3rd Place Deborah Herndon Charleston, WV Star Theatre

Student
1st Place Grace West Vienna, WV Fall Leaves (1)
2nd Place Kayla Plauger Keyser, WV Fertile Fields
3rd Place Cristal Jackson Davis, WV Mountain
4th Place Cristal Jackson Davis, WV Back Hollow
Honorable Mention Grace West Vienna, WV Fall Leaves (3)
Honorable Mention Brittany Strampp Bridgeport, WV Lake Reflection
Honorable Mention Cristal Jackson Davis, WV Cloudy Sunset

I know how Santa must feel!

noreply@blogger.com (Betty King) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:30:00 +0000

There is nothing better these days than getting a note from someone you have touched in some way. A thank you note is that much better--especially written in a child's hand.

As a result of the WVSO Young People's Concert in November, the student and teacher evalautions have been pouring in. Sometimes we get artwork with student-drawn instruments or pictures of the performers. Some school children write thank you notes directly to the maestro, the orchestra, or the guest artists.

What I love is the genuine sentiment of the notes. Spelling and punctuation has not been modified below. I only wish you could see the handwriting--all priceless.

These notes were written to the sponsors who help defray admission and transportation costs for students to attend our Young People's Series.

From Ricki:
Thank you for letting me go to the "Boyz in the Wood" program. I had lots of fun. It was the best and funny play.

From Shawna:
I think you very much. Thanks for teaching my how to put music into a story.

From Kaelyn:
We thank you very much. I hope I can come back next year. I missed last year's concert. It was very good.

From Madison:
dear people that made boys in the wood I liked the show and music. It was fun too.

From Linda:
I like the music. I like the songs. I like the girls voice.

From Chris:
I thank you for leting me come to the concert. I liked the theme. I like the wolf man. I liked the music. I liked the songs. As you can see I like the concert.

From Regan:
Boyz in the wood were so cool and fun The music was great The condctor has a good face he was exlent thank you a lot

From Sandy:
Thank you for teaching me how to play music in a story. Thank you for teaching me how to play the harp. I can't wait to come back.

From Josie:
Thank you for the boyz in the wood and I can not wait until the next time I come.

So, I know Santa gets many more notes on the front end of his gig, but I am very happy to get notes after a concert. A symphony orchestra playing concerts for children is a year round gig for us at the WVSO, a labor of love, and a big part of our mission!

Happy Holidays!

Too long since we last wrote...Jon Nakamatsu charms Charleston

noreply@blogger.com (Betty King) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 01:51:00 +0000

Many patrons this weekend were asking about the encore numbers that Jon Nakamatsu played:

Friday night: Liszt Widmung
Saturday night: Chopin Fantasie Impromptu, Op. 66

The blog is the perfect place to comment on Jon's performance. Do you want him to come back to Charleston? Let us know! Please see our website for links to Jon Nakamatsu's web site for more info about his recordings.

WVSO Opening Night is Just Weeks Away

noreply@blogger.com (Scott Dodson) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 16:58:00 +0000

As we approach Labor Day, you can feel that fall is in the air in WV. The kids are back in school, we’ve enjoyed our summer vacations and the leaves start changing to wonder shades of red and orange across the mountain state. Here at the WVSO, we are celebrating our 70th year and getting ready to launch another fantastic season of the state’s best classical music.

Our Opening Night Performance is just weeks away on September 11-12 at the Clay Center. The performance features one of the world’s foremost classical pianists (Orli Shaham), a deeply loved major symphonic work and a piece by a new up-and-coming composer. There is certainly something for everyone to enjoy.

Below you will find some information about the pieces in the first concert. I hope that this will wet your appetite for what is going to be a great 2009-2010 season!

The concert opens with a wonderful work by Marc Mellits called 3 Machines. Marc says of his composition:

Three Machines, for orchestra, is a three movement work built more like three machines, rather than three musical movements. It is based on an earlier chamber work called Five Machines. This orchestral version was commissioned by the Carpenter Family for the bicentennial of Vienna, NY, and the score is inscribed “in honor of our parents who nurtured a deep love for music.” The musicians work together in tight formation, creating musical lines by close interaction with each other. Each musician plays a fundamental role with the others, fitting together like cogs in a wheel in one giant machine. The Cellos may have a line that turns a wheel that connects to the Violas, which in turn provides a springboard for the woodwinds, which then triggers the Violins to alternate notes in between. All the musicians fit together very closely in this fashion, and each only play a role in the larger machine that they all form together. The parts themselves do not reveal this overall musical structure; only when combined does the musical architecture come forth.

For more information about the composer and 3 Machines, check out his website at http://www.marcmellits.com/.

The next piece on the program is Beethoven’s Piano Concert No.4 in G with world-class pianists Orli Shaham. If you are not familiar with Orli, she is the virtuosic pianist sister of violinist Gil Shamam. She has soloed with some of the world’s greatest orchestras including: the Cleveland and Philadelphia Orchestras, the Chicago, San Francisco and BBC Symphonies, as well as the Filarmonica della Scala, Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Stockholm Philharmonic, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and many many others. You cannot miss what is sure to be a fantastic performance.

You may also know Orli from her Classical Public Radio Network show, Dial A Musician that has been on the air since 2005. This unique program has listeners “dial in” to ask questions of musicians, musicologists and other classical music experts.

For more information about Orli Shaham visit her website at: http://www.orlishaham.com/.

The final piece of the evening is Brahms’ grand Symphony No.1 in C Minor. Brahms himself claimed that it took over 20 years for him to complete this master work. “In four movements, the symphony launches itself into existence by exploring—briefly and with enormous power—the musical concept of ‘c minor.’ The two interior movements are songlike in character but give way to a final reiteration of c minor as the finale begins. Dramatically developed, this ultimate expression of the symphony’s home key finally gives way to a redemptive theme in the horn and flute which lead us to the beautiful principal section of the movement, now in C Major.” - Robert Turizziani

Of Brahms’s four symphonies, this is probably the most popular.

To listen to an excerpt from Brahms’ Symphony No.1 or any of the other pieces from WVSO’s Opening Night Concert visit: http://www.instantencore.com/concert/details.aspx?PId=5038124.

Visit West Virginia’s Symphony at www.wvsymphony.org.

Snowshoe Festival more than just concerts

noreply@blogger.com (Betty King) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:56:00 +0000

For some reason, my Snowshoe experience this past weekend aligned with lots of my Monday morning arts/news catch-up!

Most of my responsibility comes before the actual trip, making sure that production notes remind our stagehands to take "everything we might possibly need" since we are so far from home once we get on the mountain.

My journey TO Snowshoe the last two years has included the delightful task of transporting Byron Adams, musicologist and composer who participates in the pre-concert talks with Maestro Cooper and other guests as available. Byron is a great storyteller who is always having musical adventures. It was so much fun to catch up with his latest antics as a college professor, musicologist and composer.

Imagine my non-surprise when the article about the Bard Festival (which Byron regularly attends) mentions Byron as one of the liveliest presenters. Byron told me a bit about the Festival which focused on the music of Richard Wagner. Of course this article is not nearly as exciting as hearing Byron tell about it.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2009/08/wagner-at-bard-college.html

Friday night, while some patrons were checking in and others were attending a special reception, I was watching The Soloist in the middle of Snowshoe Village in walk-up movie style. Chairs were provided, a big screen, Starbucks close by. Who could ask for anything more? Okay, a warm fuzzy blanket would have helped...

Little did I know that while I was watching this troubling movie about a young man with a promising cello career that went awry, the very man this true story was based on was sitting in a Los Angeles Philharmonic Concert, listening to YoYo Ma play. He even met Ma after the concert. I find this out on Monday morning while checking on my ArtsJournal.com updates. (Insert cold chill here.)

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2009/08/yoyo-ma-and-nathaniel-ayers-.html

As for The Soloist, it's a moving story about the power of music, and the cinematography and point of view are unique. Maybe not a date movie, but a must see for classical music and power of journalism fans.

While at Snowshoe, my main task is to facilitate the pre-concert talks. This is trickier than I like remember from year to year. I joke that I get to be the Vanna White of the talks, directing patrons to the easiest entrance to a hidden room in a bizarre building. As the room flooded with patrons, there is the scramble for seats and finding more chairs, and requesting that more chairs are available for the following day as word gets out that the power of knowing more about the music makes the concert even more meaningful.

This is where Byron comes in!

Hear what Mona Seghatoleslami thought about her trip to the Snowshoe Festival.

http://www.wvpubcast.org/newsarticle.aspx?id=11036

Do you have stories to tell about your trip to Snowshoe?

Summertime and the living, working is easy? How about steady!

noreply@blogger.com (Betty King) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:29:00 +0000

It has been awhile since I have posted anything to the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Blog, but it's not because there hasn't been a lot happening. (It was really to allow the two newest members of the staff--both men--to take over some of the fun of writing posts. Alas, this has not happened yet.)

Several of the musicians have asked how bored we office/administrative staff have been without the musicians around all summer. The answer is...we have not been bored at all.

While the Opening Night concerts are coming up very soon, the actual preparation for a concert begins about 10-12 weeks in advance. And, that ten-week window takes into account that we already know what music is scheduled to be played, and that the bulk of our contracted musicians have already signed contracts and are available for the concert.

In my new official role in operations, I have created countless versions of the upcoming season, first for the Clay Center regarding the hall rental for concerts and rehearsals, then for the musicians regarding rehearsals and concerts, for Network Parking regarding musicians and patrons, for ushers regarding concerts, for security regarding rehearsals and concerts. No two versions are quite the same as far as time and space needs!

For our concerts away from the Maier Foundation Performance Hall, there are truck rentals for for our chairs and stands, and busses to haul musicians.

Marcia Graves, Assistant to the President, has been busy with flight and hotel arrangements for guest artists and piano tuning schedules, and setting up files with all the contracts and details for the season.

While all of this is a bit overwhelming at the start of the new season, with all the big pieces in place now, the rest of the details come concert by concert!

And since school has started, the Artists-in-Residence that teach in the Strings Program for Kanawha Couty Schools have hit the ground running.

Schools have received information about Montclaire School Performances available this year, and the Education Offerings by the WVSO brochure is at the printer, ready to go to thousands of schools in WV, OH and KY at all levels.

Where did the summer go?

I love it when Music just Happens...

noreply@blogger.com (Betty King) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:14:00 +0000

Writing to you from the operations side of the WVSO, I can attest that there are so many details that go into a single concert--so when an impromptu performance "happens" and brightens the lives of people who "happen" to be in attendance, I smile.

This particular location is the atrium of the Mayo Clinic. The piano is there...

http://www.fark.com/cgi/vidplayer.pl?IDLink=4365716

I can't help wonder about the story behind this couple.

Were they concert pianists who toured? What other styles of music could they play? Why that particular song? Has music been the force that keeps them going, well into their nineties? And kept them together for over sixty years?

And what about the audience?

How many people sitting in that atrium area smiled and were soothed by that simple act of music? And the joy is obvious on the faces of the performers?

I see the life-long power of music!

Thanks to Ruth Hopkins, a Snowshoe attendee from New Jersey last summer, for sharing this link.

Summer Reading can include books about music!

noreply@blogger.com (Betty King) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:50:00 +0000

Several writers have weighed in on keeping young minds in books for a part of the summer. Here's one such list that I found impressive.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/opinion/05kristof.html?em&emc=eta1

If you want to interest children in the possibilities that music has to offer, try a few of these books, available as soon as I return them to the main branch of the Kanawha County Public Library in Charleston.

Zin! Zin! Zin! a Violin by Lloyd Moss JE
This book is partly about families of instruments and partly about counting the number of players in musical ensembles. We all know the words solo, duet, trio, and quartet, but can we count to ten in "ensemble"?

"...It's music that we all adore, It's what we go to concerts for." (Moss)

Also, wordless readers can delight in watching the sub-plot of the two cats who appear on every spread of opened pages and the mouse they chase. When the oboist brings her dog, the sub-plot really gets into a big chase. See how it ends!

The Musical Life of Gustav Mole by Michael Twinn JE
What a whirlwind life story of a little mole, Gustav, who grows up in a musical family. From birth he is introduced to music. My favorite part is when he wants to sell his instrument at the music store because the object of his affection does not seem to respond, even when he composes for her.

There is a guest appearance by the Famous Frogharmonic who appear to be quite a serious performing orchestra.

This delightful story came out in audio cassette as well as book form, so I'm anxious to hear the audio that goes with these delightful illustrations by Kathyrn Meyrick.

These are only a few of the books that are on my musical summer reading list...more later!

It was WET! No doubt about it!

noreply@blogger.com (Betty King) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:18:00 +0000

Saturday, July 4 was a wet evening in Charleston, WV, but the old adage "the show must go on!" was our motto! Thanks to the crowd who appeared (slowly, but surely) to hear patriotic music played by the West Virginia Symphony and to see the fireworks show sponsored by WQBE and the City of Charleston.

I would share pictures of the event, but it was a bit hard to juggle the umbrella and the camera, much less the hot dog I enjoyed during the concert.

Having been in a few planning meetings for this event (including a few conversations about a rain plan), I can tell you that an outdoor event is as difficult to decide to cancel as it is to put on.

For an outdoor concert, the symphony grapples with hour-by-hour weather alerts, calls to the National Weather Service, coordinating the set-up of stands and chairs in an effort to keep the musicians safe, the instruments dry, and the audience comfortable.

That doesn't even include the details of safety, traffic, vendors, boaters, and fireworks prep that the City of Charleston had in place on Saturday night.

Having checked my watch all week to make the sure the 9:30 p.m. start time for fireworks wouldn't be too light over the Charleston skies, I was delighted to see the fireworks begin at 9:10 p.m. against the overcast, but brighter blue sky that made those red stars and purple bursts look ever more magnificent. Accompanied by patriotic music broadcast on WQBE, the evening ended in time for me to get home to dry out and enjoy a cup of tea before turning in.

Happy Birthday, America!

If it's the Fourth of July, it must be time for Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture

noreply@blogger.com (Betty King) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:50:00 +0000

I'm not exactly sure why, but on the list at instantencore.com of concerts for the Fourth of July, ALL of them have Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, and usually as the last or next to the last selection to be played. ("Stars and Stripes" is listed as last in most instances--if not this one, another Sousa march for sure).

It has become a musical tradition, but how and why? Of course, I figured I could "google" it or "ask jeeves." Surely I was not the only person asking this question.

The piece was first conducted by Tchaikovsky himself when he visited New York City in 1891 at the dedication of Carnegie Hall. Hmmm....

That's about the only historical connection that anyone has seemed to find to America.

Beyond that, you have the French National Anthem and an old Russian national anthem, lots of cannons depicting Napolean's retreat from Russia in the year 1812.

It must be the cannons and the fireworks connection then! Oftentimes when the overture is performed outdoors, real cannons will be used. If cannons are not available, the percussion section is charged with the task of replicating cannon shots.

A few other writers and bloggers weighed in on "Why 1812 Overture on July 4?" See their answers:

http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/Strasse/1570/1812.htm

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/309550/the_fourth_of_july_and_the_1812_overture.html?cat=37

http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/20030704overtureae3.asp

Top 15 songs for the Fourth of July
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1870623/my_4th_of_july_playlist_for_your_independence.html?cat=33 (see this one for a suggested playlist for Fourth of July that you can download)

Top 10 Songs for Your Fourth of July
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1884692/top_10_songs_for_your_fourth_of_july_pg3.html?cat=33

Both lists above include the 1812 Overture. If you want to impress your friends, refer to the piece by its proper name "Festival Overture: The Year 1812" which happens to be in Eb flat major, Op. 49. That bit of trivia will get you far at cocktail parties.

In addition to the 1812 Overture, come hear Sousa marches, Maestro Cooper's arrangement of "Country Roads", some Irving Berlin and John Williams.

Veterans will be invited to stand to represent their service branches during the Armed Forces Salute--this has become a Charleston tradition.

Want to hear a preview of some of the selections? http://www.instantencore.com/concert/details.aspx?PId=5037750

Thanks to the City of Charleston for making this free event possible and for providing live orchestral music at Haddad Riverfront Park. Concert starts at 8:00 p.m. at the levee. We hope to see you there!

Who won? The audience of course.

noreply@blogger.com (Betty King) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:02:00 +0000

What a delightful evening chamber music and some never before heard jokes! In case you missed it: the audience was the real winner in this event!
TWO PRIMAL FORCES OF THE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ...JUST SHORT OF MORTAL COMBAT.
West Virginia Public Radio’s Mona Seghatoleslami mediated this contest between musical rivals: West Virginia Symphony Principal Clarinetist Bob Turizziani and Principal Violist Sandra Groce, with Pianist Vicki Cavendish.

Did you attend? Have you ever been to an event like this before?

What about that ring girl!

Cage Match Tonight! 7 p.m. at Christ Church UM

noreply@blogger.com (Betty King) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:38:00 +0000

I have been intrigued by tonight's concert offering since I first heard about the idea. As we get closer to the event, even stranger things have happened in my office. First, the presence of a clarinet player asking my help in finding viola jokes; and just a day later, a violist asking for my help with clarinet jokes.

This could get ugly.

Tonight's CLASSICAL CAGE MATCH will feature WVSO musicians Bob Turizziani and Sandra Groce, accompanied by Vicki Cavendish on piano. WVPR's Mona Seghatoleslami will moderate.

I printed some signs on Monday that make me think this is going to be a pretty serious match. ROUND ONE, ROUND TWO, ROUND THREE ...

...and some not-so-serious signs with statistics on the performers. I won't divulge their secrets, but I plan to be there to see who wins!

Tickets ($10) available at the door beginning at 6 p.m.

More sights from the University of Charleston and Symphony Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (Betty King) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:47:00 +0000

A Great Sunday for Music! What is your favorite memory of Symphony Sunday?

noreply@blogger.com (Betty King) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:30:00 +0000

So what was your favorite part of Symphony Sunday? In the Food category: mine was the Symphony Sundae from Ellen's Ice Cream. We had made 50 or so parrots and listened to four hours of great music. Time to prop feet up and settle in for some ice cream!

How about you?

Symphony Sunday...Music or Food? Why not both!

noreply@blogger.com (Betty King) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:29:00 +0000

A great weekend is in the works. If you don't believe me, check out the articles in the Charleston Gazette Mail's Sunday edition.

http://sundaygazettemail.com/Food/200905270637

There will be much to eat beginning on Friday evening. Come hang out on Sunday for the entire day of local entertainment and a feature concert by the WVSO at 8 p.m. Fireworks will top off the evening!

Check our web site for details!

So now, you are the reviewer...

noreply@blogger.com (Betty King) — Sun, 17 May 2009 12:48:00 +0000

Wearing my Education Manager hat, I spent most of last week visiting schools, talking with fine arts classes and music classes about "opera" and why they should give La Boheme at the West Virginia Symphony a try on Saturday night.

One young lady from St. Albans said she didn't like opera, but when I probed a bit deeper, she had never been. I challenged her to accept a complimentary student ticket and try it!

I am anxious to hear what she thought, and what you think too.

I was pleased with the number of younger patrons we had floating around the Grand Lobby at the Clay Center.

I spoke with one adult patron who was working for a few days in Beckley. He ended up staying in WV a few days longer and was thrilled to see that La Boheme was playing in Charleston. He was far away from his season tickets at the Oregon Opera, but took advantage of our offering on Saturday night!

Another couple was seeing La Boheme for the second time as a couple. They were anxious to compare the two productions.

So, now is the chance for you to share with us your thoughts about the production. Comments are encouraged!

Rehearsals in Full Swing...

noreply@blogger.com (Betty King) — Thu, 14 May 2009 12:57:00 +0000

Mimi (Barbara Shirvis) and Rodolfo (Jeffrey Springer) in Act I.

The Maier Foundation Performance Hall stage is set. The principals have been in town for a week now, putting together their actions on stage under the direction of Bob Neu.

The final props are gathered and the paint is dry on the fireplace. Two final rehearsals are all that remain between now and Saturday night's performance of La boheme by the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra.

Want a sneak peak?

Opera is not for me because...

noreply@blogger.com (Betty King) — Mon, 11 May 2009 12:58:00 +0000

Opera is only for serious music lovers: I won't understand it.

...a lot of serious music listeners are into opera, and yes, the words will be sung in Italian, but there will be supertitles projected over the stage so you can follow the plot in English. A summary of the plot is also included in the program.

Opera is boring and tragic: Isn't this one a tragedy?

...a tragedy doesn't have to be totally dark. La boheme is full of comic scenes and songs.

the writer burns his play manuscript to keep warm, and sings about how the critics didn't enjoy the plot, but the play is meaty enough to keep him from freezing
the landlord stops by for the rent, the roommates ply him with alcohol and then distract him with stories so he forgets about the money
the singer who arrives at a restaurant with her new love interest, flirts and sings to woo her old love interest, and leaves the other man with the bill
one guy sings an song to bid farewell to the coat he is about to sell

Opera is attended by people who wear fancy clothes:

...there is no dress code to attend. Some people choose to dress up, go to dinner, and craft a special evening around the performance. This is personal choice.

Opera is outdated and has no relevance to my life:

...the stuff of opera happens all the time in every day life. Events are often magnified and exaggerated just a bit--just like on television. My favorite is when the writer when the writer sees the seamstress for about 20 seconds in the dark, decides he is in love with her and will spend the rest of his life with her, and says so in spontaneous song.

If you have seen the musical RENT during its run in the last dozen years or on video recently, why not experience the main source of inspiration. Remember AIDS in RENT? In Paris back in Puccini's day, the main disease spreading quickly and killing folks was tuberculosis.

Opera is long: It's not over until the fat lady sings, and she usually sings and sings and sings...

...not the case in all operas, especially in La boheme. The dying scene is quite a simple one. None of the artists or their girlfriends are "fat". Remember, they are all poor, starving artists! This opera is made up of four acts with an intermission in the middle. There is so much going on in each act, time will fly. The overall running time is about two and a half hours.

If you have never seen an opera before, La boheme is a great starting point:

...come broaden your horizons. See local Charleston folks as the chorus members, waiters, and children on stage. See and hear the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Artistic Director and Conductor Grant Cooper.

Want to know more before you attend Saturday night? Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Betty King) — Mon, 11 May 2009 12:52:00 +0000

Once upon a time…there were four roommates who struggled to make ends meet. While they each enjoyed their chosen noble professions, they are, in fact, poor starving artists who have adventures. It is these adventures that make up the action of La Boheme.

For a quick video musical introduction by the San Diego OperaTalk!, link to http://www.uctv.tv/search-details.aspx?showID=4315

Tickets are going quickly for Puccini's La Boheme, presented by the West Virginia Symphony with Artistic Director and Conductor Grant Cooper. Call the Clay Center Box Office at (304) 561-3570.