What to Listen for?

Michaela Chiste is an up and coming young soprano. Originally from Alberta, Michaela is currently completing her masters' degree at The University of Western Ontario. The two of us discuss her background in music and acting, the subtleties of the soprano voice, and what it is like to make music during COVID. Michaela recently played the part of Fiordiligi in UWO's production of Mozart's Cosi fan Tutte and wore a FACE MASK throughout all rehearsals and concerts.I hope you all enjoy our conversation. You can find more information about Michaela and her music at her artist pages below. https://www.michaelachiste.com/ https://www.facebook.com/michaelachistesoprano

Jake is a talented young guitarist, singer, song writer and multi-instrumentalist. Jake's performance career spans genres from country to jazz and beyond. We talk life as a gigging musician, teaching, recording, being a musician during covid and much more. Jake's new EP "Young" is available on nearly every streaming music site and itunes. You can find more information about J.K. Matthews and his new EP here: https://linktr.ee/J.K.Matthews?fbclid=IwAR10dF9WCx8xf-6E-3uIic1tcTWNFT91SaMtkPfsNkzbYPJYyLU1jIjN91k

This week the talented Frangel López Ceseña and I sit down to talk about and around an assortment of musical ideas, preferences, styles and more. Frangel is a Mexican born violinist who has studied in Mexico, America and now Canada, where he is currently finishing his DMA in violin performance at the University of Western Ontario. We speak about how Frangel's listening skills have changed from degree to degree, and more over how it has changed as he grew as a person and performer. Frangel has a number of very interesting ideas regarding how to participate in music both as a performer and listener. Throughout all his ideals the ideal of being a part of a community shines through.

This week the talented Frangel López Ceseña and I sit down to talk about and around an assortment of musical ideas, preferences, styles and more. Frangel is a Mexican born violinist who has studied in Mexico, America and now Canada, where he is currently finishing his DMA in violin performance at the University of Western Ontario. We speak about how Frangel's listening skills have changed from degree to degree, and more over how it has changed as he grew as a person and performer. Frangel has a number of very interesting ideas regarding how to participate in music both as a performer and listener. Throughout all his ideals the ideal of being a part of a community shines through.

This week the very talented student musician Emerson Bergland and I sit down to talk about all the reasons and ways we love participating in, listening to and thinking about music. We cover Emerson's reason for picking the french horn, both of our love for rock, jazz, blues and of course the orchestral and western art tradition repertoire. We talk about the experience of a reservist and musician in Canadian Armed Forces, specifically Emerson and My home unit the Governor General's Horse Guards. I love Emerson, he is a great colleague, musician and friend. We both had a blast listening to some fantastic recordings, having a few too many drinks and shooting the shit about music. We hope you enjoy!

Aaron Copland was one of America's great Composers during the Modern period. Living from 1900-1990, Mr. Copland was a Conductor, Educator Writer and of course a Composer in many mediums, adding to the Film, Ballet, Opera, Chamber, and Orchestral repertoire. With contemporaries like Stravinsky, Shoenberg, Boulez and many more, Copland's musical education and experience is one steeped both in complexity and precision. Surely a musical mind worth mining for knowledge. In his book "What to Listen for in Music", Copland endeavours to bring the musical listening style and skill of a composer to the average listener. This book is filled cover to cover with useful concepts and approaches regarding listening. Through an assortment of excerpts from the book, this podcast aims to stand as a 'taste test', to encourage listeners to read this wonderful book for themselves. Happy Listening, Mark

Master Repairman Brian Seaton and I sit down to discuss his journey as a musician, repairman and person. We speak about Mr. Paul Covey and Brian's three years spent supporting the Covey Oboe business during Mr. Covey's challenges with MS. We also speak about the challenges of "bringing the audience in" to a traditional orchestral or Western Art Music concert. Finally as is the custom here on the podcast, Brian gives his suggestions on how to listen to music. You can find more information about Brian at his website OboeHouse: http://www.oboehouse.com/index.html

Juneyt is a Waterloo based guitarist and multi-talented musician. Beginning his musical journey in Turkey as a young man, Juneyt found a deep connection to the guitar. He found a particular fondness to Rock, Blues and Flamenco. Though he performs in a wide variety of styles Juneyt's main focus is on his own style, Nuevo-Flamenco. Nuevo-Flamenco was born out of Juneyt's desire to both challenge and entertain his listeners, mixing the harmonies and musical ideas of both popular and more obscure musics. Away from the guitar Jun is an incredibly driven, passionate and friendly human being. Jun lights up the room wherever he goes. With a smile, a joke, a kind word or a focused conversation Jun is a valuable addition to any and all of the communities that are lucky enough to have him. You can find more information on Juneyt, his music and performances at his website below. https://www.juneyt.com/bio/

Ian Hopkin is an esteemed musician, teacher and the Principal Bassoonist of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony. Beginning his studies relatively separated from his instrument, Ian has a particularly compelling story regarding his transition from student to professional life. Having played with a number of the major Canadian orchestras Ian's knowledge of the repertoire and approach is one of great refinement, as is his playing. Beyond this, Ian is active in the K-W Symphony's outreach programs, a teacher in many modes, and is simply a lovely and friendly person. Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays and Enjoy.

Logan is a talented violist, dedicated musicologist and all around beautiful person! We sat down to chat about her experience of music in the communities she has lived in, life as a student musician/musicologist and some of her role models as well as favourite artists in the industry.

Veda and Keenan are both talented young musicians with a deep rooted passion for the environment. Together they make up the singer-songwriter duo Erso. With concerts all around Ontario these two are in constant support of the environment, their community and a zero-waste lifestyle. Their concerts are a mixture of original music, storytelling and environmental dialogue. All this and they are simply a pleasure to talk to :) Find them at: erso-music.com https://www.facebook.com/ersomusic/ www.communitiesforconservation.org

Ian is a wonderful musician, speaker and person. Starting his career as an oboist at the tender age of 17 with the Victoria Symphony Orchestra, Ian went on to play in the Regina Symphony and Orchestra London Canada. Along with being a founding member of the Aeolian Winds Woodwind Quintet, Ian has filled the role of soloist and recitalist many times through his career, as well as recorded Internationally. Having finished his teaching career at the University of Western Ontario, Ian now continues his music making as a collaborative pianist around Ontario.

Dr. Kira Omelchenko was recently hired on as Associate Professor of Music and Conductor of the Symphony Orchestra at Wilfrid Laurier University. A link to her WLU information page can be found below. It is very clear when speaking to her, both on and off the podcast, that Dr. Omelchenko is passionate about music performance, music education, music scholarship, and supporting the musical community she is a part of. When I have walked by her office and the door is open she is nearly always speaking to a student or faculty member. Directing the same passion and focused attention with which she takes the podium, toward whomever she is speaking. https://www.wlu.ca/academics/faculties/faculty-of-music/faculty-profiles/kira-omelchenko/index.html

Glen Carruthers is the current dean of music at Wilfrid Laurier University. He has held the position of dean at Brandon University, as well as having been faculty head and professor at Lakehead University. A lifelong music lover and pianist, Glen and I speak about his ideas on education and music, as well as about the role of music in his life, and how it has shifted. Glen has been a wonderful role model and dean to my colleagues and myself, and his insightful approach to life, work and music is a wonderful example to those around him. Thursday Sept. 5th, 2019