Maestro's On Air

This December we reflect on two recent concerts and interview four singers scheduled to perform at the upcoming Broadway concert series in early January, featuring Amy Cofield, Mary Anne Kruger, Shawn Jesseman, and Andrew LeJeune.

This time on the show Bill is missing in action, but Eric and Jeremy speak with Frank Wosar, principal trombonist for the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Director of Jazz Bands at Valencia College, and oh, did we mention, the new Director of the Space Coast Symphony Jazz Orchestra. If you’ve been to any of our Jazz concerts over the last few years, no doubt you’ve seen Frank front and center playing trombone and sometimes conducting. On the show he discusses his thoughts on maintaining a music career, and talks about the upcoming Jazz Jam concert this weekend and his expectations for the Jazz Orchestra under his watch.

After far too long a break, Maestro’s On Air returns for a new season, just as your Space Coast Symphony’s new season kicks off — a season which will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the SCSO. Of course, with milestones often come change, and on this episode, Eric, Bill and Jeremy discuss some of the recent changes occurring within the Symphony, and look ahead at upcoming events.

This time on the show Bill is missing, but we are joined by Maestro Aaron Collins for a look ahead at the entire new 2017-2018 season -- the 9th season for the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra -- plus a discussion of the first few concerts of the season already performed, since it took us a minute to get around to scheduling this recording.

After a long hiatus the show is back. During the break between performance seasons, Jeremy, Eric, Bill and Aaron discuss the season that was. This retrospective on SCSO’s 2016-2017 season includes several performance recordings, and a look back at some of the special people that made the year, and the SCSO, what it has been.

This time on the show we speak with SCSO member and jazz trombone player Andrea Rowlison about a career in music and the many famous musicians and entertainers she’s played with. We also listen to a couple of music clips from the recent tribute to James Horner, and discuss the upcoming Veteran’s Day concert, Honoring Our Heroes: A Big Band Tribute.

This time on the show we travel to the final practice of this session for Quartet Movement as they get ready for their concert this weekend and interview the founder Carey Moorman, who is also SCSO Concert Master. We also talk about other upcoming concerts, and listen to a clip from the recent Grand Canyon Suite concert, a section from Rhapsody in Blue.

This time we are joined on the show for the second time by Dr. Patrick Hennessey, Director of the Space Coast Jazz Orchestra. Of primary focus is the upcoming second annual Big Band Bash concert with Dr. Hennessey at the helm.

This time on the show Jeremy Hickman sits down with the Maestro himself, Aaron Collins, in the River House, the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra headquarters in Cocoa, Florida. On the agenda is a discussion of the recent season announcement and a run-down of all concerts currently scheduled, including discussion of the planning process and music samples from the upcoming 2016-2017 performance season.

A new season brings new things, including a change of venue. This time on the show we leave the studio and record our first episode on the stage at the Scott Center in Melbourne during setup for the recent Bach, Hyden & Mozart concert. Jeremy Hickman has a one-on-one interview with Guest Conductor Michael Hall, Music Director of the Kennett Symphony in Pennsylvania.

This time on the show we have Nick Toohill in the studio. Nick is in charge of facility rentals at the Scott Center in Melbourne, one of the main performance venues used by the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra. Topics discussed include enhancements at the Scott Center, microphone considerations, and the new Game of Mugs.

This time on the show someone is missing in action. We interview composer, musician and SCSO member John Ryther. Also, we play portions of recently performed pieces from the concert featuring Bruch's beautiful Violin Concerto and Danny Elfman's exciting Serenada Schizophrana, plus a rare performance of an original composition by Aaron Collins conducting his own work.

This time we answer the question of the week, talk about upcoming concerts, and speak with the Julian Drucker of the Yale Whiffenpoofs about their Spring Tour.

After our winter hiatus, Maestro’s On Air is back with the first episode of Season 2, and includes discussion of our recent Three Kings concert and a look at the few performances left before next year’s calendar is announced.

This time on the show we sit down with Yaniv Cohen, named earlier this year as Personnel Director for the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra. In addition to that key position, he also teaches, performs and maintains a business as a luthier specializing in heritage American-made instruments.

This week in Maestro’s Café we welcome an international musician who has performed and lived on multiple continents. Born in Ecuador and residing in Madrid, Spain, Francisco Villa grew up on the Space Coast, learning to play Cello in Florida and graduating from Eau Galle High School. Francisco is back in Brevard for the month of August for multiple events, including teaching a master class for local high school cello students, and a duet performance of Schumann’s Fantasy Pieces Op. 73. Listen to this episode for Francisco’s take on music education, and cultural differences among concert attendees around the world.

For the first time this week in the Café we get a chance to speak with Colleen Lee, who in addition to professing some affiliation with one of our hosts, also manages much of the day to day operations of the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra.

This week in the Café, we’d have asked our guests if they’d like to check in, but remembered that they’d always been here. Or at least their art has been hanging on the wall. Another precedent is broken as we focus on the visual arts. Marion Speake, in addition to working in the Café, primarily paints abstract still-life in vibrant colored acrylic or charcoal drawing; and Maria Rachiele is the creative behind Doodle Dog Studio specializing in life-size and realistic paintings of dogs and other commissioned works featuring pets of the client. See Maria’s work at www.LiveFreeArtStudio.com or Marion’s work at www.DoodleDogStudio.com, and make sure to peruse their art on the wall next time you visit Maestro’s Café.

This week in the Café we have as our special guest Don Staples who, among other things, was Principal Trombonist for the Lawrence Welk Show, from when it first went color until it stopped production in 1982.

Maestro's On Air #26 – Michael Fee With summer in full swing, many are taking some time off. This week we caught Jeff Thompson on vacation from his job of Director of Library Services, yet still patronizing Maestro's Café. Of course we grabbed an extra microphone and forced him to sit with us and provide a few foreshadowing tidbits about his alter ego as a documentarian. We look forward to having Jeff back on a future episode for the entire hour. The show also features Aaron Collins' interview with Michael Fee, Principal Trumpet player for the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra.

A great honor is bestowed as Eric Lee is named Resident of the Month by The Beachside Resident. Our guest for the hour is writer Nataleigh Palmer who takes the helm and turns the tables on Eric to interview him for his upcoming feature in the July issue, available at more than 300 locations in Brevard county or at www.TheBeachsideResident.com.

There's no stoppin' Bob Gloppen and he illustrates this point through tales of overcoming lost luggage containing his instrument for that night’s gig, the intricacies of European driving regulations during the Cold War, and what to do when locked out of a radio station in downtown Chicago at 7:00 on a cold winter morning. Who is Bob Gloppen, you ask? He’s a professional musician from Chicago, one of Eric Lee’s longest-standing friends, and if you were at last weekend’s Big Band Bash, you would have seen his guest performance on bass guitar. Unfortunately Bill Trudeau was under the weather. Still, Eric, Bob and Jeremy pressed-on and discussed last weekend’s concerts of the Space Coast Symphony Jazz Orchestra, played a few clips, and even managed to get in a tutorial on good bass amp technique before the research department unveiled it’s discovery of a relic from the 1980s. Also, we announced the newest winner of the First Friday Fizz Quizz and discussed pending concerts, including the upcoming patriotic (and FREE, get your tickets before they are gone) America the Beautiful concerts.

It's a feast of mutual adoration today in the Café as we are joined by our biggest fan. Plus, another precedent is broken by having the subject of Aaron Collins’ interview as our guest for the entire hour. Michele Campanelli is a writer first published in the best selling series Chicken Soup for the Soul, and whose many works span genres from Science Fiction, to Children’s books, to somewhat more adult fare. Locally, Michele is also known as an operatic and choral singer and has performed with the SCSO. She has much to say about upcoming events, as well as her thoughts on various styles of singing, plus teaching and learning to sing, and reveals a special offer.

With guest Jennifer Royals, principal clarinetist for the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra.

Recorded at the Riverhouse, SCSO's headquarters, Aaron Collins interviews Adam Lydon about his growth as a musician and composer. Key in the discussion is the pending world premier of Adam's piece EARTHSCAPE, to be performed by the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra during the season's final concert weekend. 
 Plus Aaron, Eric, Bill and Jeremy preview other items on the agenda for the upcoming Earth Odyssey concerts, including a performance of Also Sprach Zarathustra in its entirety. And at long last, the unofficial Maestro's On Air position regarding Deflate-gate.

Maestro's On Air 20 - Dr. Pat Hennessey. This week in the Café we spend time getting to know Dr. Pat Hennessey, trombonist and new Director of the Space Coast Symphony Jazz Orchestra. In addition to his affiliation with the SCSO, he is also Director of Jazz Studies at Stetson University. Over the hour Dr. Hennessey shares much from his life as a professional trombonist and instructor. His career spans multiple states, including a stint in the LA music scene plus many years at the center of music and culture in Hawaii, and includes stories of playing with some of the most famous musicians and singers of the last few decades.

Maestro's On Air 19, Barbara Hoffman. International Tuba Day has come and gone, but we've still be celebrating all week. The show features Aaron Collins' discussion with Barbara Hoffman, Executive Director of the Cultural Council of Indian River County. Plus, we uncork the questions, answers and winner of the inagural First Friday Fizz Quiz.

Maestro’s On Air 18. Another special guest musician joins us in the Café this week. This time, it’s someone from SCSO’s own origin story. Cathryn Leasure tells her version of the story surrounding the conversation spawning creation of the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra, and why she immediately agreed with Eric that Aaron Collins, “was their guy”. Plus, Cathryn talks about taking music lessons while growing up, participating in UK Brass Bands and a number of other interesting stories. Also, includes two music pieces from the SCSO’s last performance of Carmen.

We’re back in the Café this week, and Eric Lee fills us in on some of his many adventures while out of state. Also featured is an interview with Eric’s friend Mike Grose. Mike has been cataloging a series of interviews dedicated to highlighting the pedagogy and professional stature of longtime Chicago Symphony principal tubist, Arnold Jacobs. Mike get’s to add an interview of one more of Dr. Jacobs’ students, our own Eric Lee. Also featured is a discussion of SCSO’s new Symphony for Good campaign, plus a recording of Gabriel’s Oboe, performed at the recent concert in Viera.

With Eric Lee on the road again, we took our cups of coffee over to the River House for a discussion with Aaron Collins regarding the upcoming performance of Carmen. Also featured is Aaron’s interview with Chuck McGee, an excellent oboist and member of the SCSO discussing the path leading to a career in music, plus music education and the challenges of different types of music. Plus there were a few announcements, and we tried unsuccessfully to extract details of the upcoming symphony season from Aaron... But that will have to wait for an upcoming episode.

This week everyone is back in town and we've returned to Maestro's Cafe for the good eats, free parking, and a reunion of sorts. Eric's good friend of more than three decades, Kevin Cline (the musician, not the actor) is in town and took the opportunity to come by Maestro's to discuss what Eric was like in college, Chicago's local bar and restaurant scene, as well as what it's like to play in the "Blooze Brothers" tribute band. Oh, he also has a new CD full of great jazz music, including 4 tracks featuring flugelhorn legend, Bobby Shew. Today's show has music passages from Kevin's new CD, as well as last weekend's performances of the all-star quartet (featuring Daniel Askerov) and the SCSO playing Tchaik 5, plus a final end of show send-off of the Spizzwinks.

This is Episode 14, recorded at the SCSO headquarters in Cocoa, Florida. In this special episode host Bill Trudeau and Artistic Director Aaron Collins spend the hour with visiting Israeli violinist, Daniel Askerov. The show concludes with a live performance. Hear more of Daniel when he plays with the SCSO March 21 & 22 for two performances of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony Number 5. Details at: www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org

This week we decided to enjoy the warmer evening weather, along with the new free high-speed WiFi, and recorded on the patio outside Maestro's Café, located at the Brevard Central Library and Reference Center, 308 Forrest Ave, Cocoa, Florida. In the featured interview, Aaron Collins sits down with American-born soprano Mary Anne Kruger who came to prominence over a career in Germany, notably with the renowned Hessischen Staatstheater Darmstadt where she built a repertoire of over 40 major roles and concerts. Luckily for us, she now lives in Florida and frequently performs with the SCSO.

This is Episode #12, recorded 24 February 2015 at SCSO headquarters, The River House in Cocoa, Florida. In this episode, Aaron Collins sits down with SCSO Director of Development, Dr. William Rogan. Dr. Rogan talks about his life as a horn player and much more. In addition, Aaron talks about Mahler's Resurrection and Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony.

This is Episode 11, recorded 20 February 2015 at Maestro’s Café, a service benefiting the SCSO located just inside the main entrance to the Brevard Central Library and Reference Center, 308 Forrest Avenue, Cocoa, Florida. Our Artistic Director Aaron Collins interviews Margaret Cross, whose show "C'mon Get Happy" will be performed at the historic Cocoa Village Playhouse on February 27 and 28, 2015. www.cocoavillageplayhouse.com www.facebook.com/MargaretCrossVocalist Details at: www.SpaceCoastSymphony.org

In this episode, Bill Trudeau and Eric Lee interview Ned Kellar on the eve of his retirement as Executive Director of the Brevard Library Foundation. Topics include career choices and retirement plans, as well as history of "The River House" and how the Brevard Library Foundation and SCSO have made for good partners, with the Foundation being host/landlord for both SCSO executive offices and Maestro's Cafe. Recorded at Maestro’s Café, located just inside the main entrance to the Brevard Central Library and Reference Center, 308 Forrest Avenue, Cocoa, Florida. http://www.brevardlibraryfoundation.org

Episode 9 was recorded at Maestro's Café, located just inside the main entrance to the Brevard Central Library and Reference Center, 308 Forrest Avenue, Cocoa, Florida. This is the first episode with an expanded one hour format, and includes Aaron Collins' interview with Col. Hal Gibson, conductor emeritus of the U.S. Army Field Band. Aaron spends 45 minutes with Hal Gibson, as they discuss his career.

This is Episode 8, recorded at The River House, SCSO's headquarters in Cocoa, Florida, and features the program's first in-depth discussion with Conductor Aaron Collins as well as announcement of an upcoming format change.

This is episode 7, recorded at Maestro's Cafe.

Discussion of upcoming Out of This World, Part Deaux concert.

This is episode 5, recorded at Maestro’s Café, and includes discussion of some new SCSO sponsors, upcoming concerts and why Bill has honey on his hands.

This is episode 4, recorded at Maestro’s Café, and includes discussion of the new year and upcoming concerts. Includes musical clips from the recent Out of This World Part Deaux concert.

This is episode 3, our first field trip, recorded at The International Palms hotel in Cocoa Beach, Florida, in preparation for our New Year’s Eve event to be held there, “Putting on the Ritz.” Guests include a trio of international guest players plus concertmaster Carey Moorman.

This is episode 2, recorded at Maestro’s Café, and focuses on a discussion of the upcoming SCSO holiday concerts.

Here is it, the first episode of our new show. What’s fantastic? According to Eric Lee, it could be said of both the new show and the breakfast sandwich he’s eating in Maestro’s Café. BTW, in case you didn't notice, that's where we are recording the show... hence the name.