Podcasts about grand rapids symphony

On this week's episode, we welcome Keith Elder, President & CEO of the Grand Rapids Symphony. Keith Elder joined the Grand Rapids Symphony as its President & CEO on July 1, 2023. Before that, he served as president of the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  He's also had roles with the Aspen Music Festival and School, Eastman School of Music, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, and Tanglewood Music Center. On this episode, Keith Elder joined us to discuss his background and the significant cultural impact that the Grand Rapids Symphony has on the West Michigan region and he highlighted the numerous partnerships the symphony has developed to strengthen its ties to the community.  He also discussed some of the highlights of the remaining symphony season, including the annual Symphony Holiday Pops concerts, membership opportunities with the Grand Rapids Symphony, and a major event to be revealed in February 2025. Since its founding in 1930, the Grand Rapids Symphony has been nationally recognized for the quality of its concerts, the breadth of its educational programs, and the innovation of its initiatives to support diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as to serve the wider community in non-traditional settings.  Online: The Grand Rapids Symphony  

"I have always been very intentional about my programming. My students sit in front of me, they're 18 to 22 years old, but I would have programmed for their 35-,  40-year-old self, for when the hard times come. What are we singing? What is this choir mama feeding them that eventually, when the hard times come, bubbles up in their spirit to help them get through the harder times?"Dr. Pearl Shangkuan is a highly sought-after conductor, lecturer and clinician who has led performances and workshops on six continents. She is the National President-elect of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), having previously served on the Board of Directors of Chorus America, as well as ACDA central division president and ACDA Michigan state president. She is the chorus director of the Grand Rapids Symphony, a Grammy-nominated professional orchestra and Professor Emerita of Music at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan.Appointed in 2022 as the Editor of Hinshaw Music, a major choral music publisher in North America, she also has a signature choral series with earthsongs and is the music editor of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Choral series published by GIA. She was an invited guest lecturer at the World Symposium for Choral Music held in Seoul, South Korea and her guest conducting engagements regularly take her to Europe, Asia, and across North America.Dr. Shangkuan has served on the jury of several international choral competitions in Europe and Asia. She has conducted numerous All State choirs and has headlined several ACDA state and other professional conferences. She has commissioned and premiered numerous choral works and her choirs have performed at ACDA national, division and state conferences.In 2023, the National Collegiate Choral Organization (NCCO) gave her its Honorary Life Member Award for “distinguished leadership and extraordinary service to the choral community, both nationally and internationally.”To get in touch with Pearl, you can find her on Facebook (@pearl.shangkuan) or email her at pshangkuan@hinshawmusic.com or pearl.shangkuan@calvin.edu.Email choirfampodcast@gmail.com to contact our hosts.Podcast music from Podcast.coPhoto in episode artwork by Trace Hudson

On this week's episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Bob Bernhardt, Pops Conductor, Grand Rapids Symphony and John VanderHaagen, Director of Communications for Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Once again the Grand Rapids Symphony Will be appearing on three different evenings at the 5/3 Bank Summer Concert Series at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. We spoke with our guests about this unique partnership. Online: Grand Rapids Symphony Online: 5/3 Bank Summer Concerts at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park   Time: 15:58.    

Finding Your Voice with Mary Beth OrrJoin Mary Beth and Katana as they discuss:How to live your purpose.Why there is no greater benefit to your creativity and fulfillment than being brave, vulnerable, and authentic.How to balance ambition while experiencing true joy.Mary Beth Orr is a classical hornist/folk vocalist who was recently a finalist for The American Prize. Currently 3rd Horn of the Grand Rapids Symphony, she has been first prize winner of the International Horn Competition of America, International Women's Brass Conference, Sound Espressivo Music Competition, Golden Classical Music Awards, and Charleston International Solo Competition. She made her European premiere at the Beethoven Haus in Bonn, Germany '21, and Carnegie Hall ‘22. As a featured performer for Vox Novus' Fifteen Minutes of Fame, she traveled to NYC to perform and record works commissioned specifically for her. Her current project is finishing her debut album with multi-Grammy-winning label PARMA Recordings.Learn more about Mary Beth at www.marybethorr.org.

Road Trip! Sofia and Cinzia headed to Grand Rapids Michigan to watch the first ever "A Night of Symphonic Boy Bands"! Chris Kirkpatrick from *NSYNC, Jeff Timmons from 98 Degrees and Erik-Michael Estrada from O-Town teamed up with the Grand Rapids Symphony for a night of performing songs from their Bands, as well as songs from Backstreet Boys and Boyz II Men. A really cool event!

Host Luisa Lyons chats with Deborah Henson-Conant, a truly gifted musician, artist, composer, and storyteller.Deborah shares the extraordinary story behind the intensely personal and beautiful new two-hander musical The Golden Cage. The musical was filmed live at the 2022 Off-Broadway “CreateTheater New Works Series” and is now available on demand on Streaming Musicals. Deborah Henson-Conant is a Grammy-Nominated composer & performer who combines stories and music in multiple genres from narrated concerts to song cycles, one-person musicals, operetta and musical.Her full-length music special “Invention & Alchemy” in collaboration with the Grand Rapids Symphony, appeared on PBS stations throughout the U.S. and received a Grammy Nomination for Best Classical Crossover album. She's performed and premiered her works internationally with orchestras and venues including Pittsburgh Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Tacoma Symphony and Buffalo Philharmonic, Chicago Humanities Festival, Kennedy Center, Boston's Lyric Stage and Central Square Theater.Her TEDx talk chronicles the development of the harp that's named after her,  the “DHC” body-harp – an instrument that enables one to become a single performing unit with an electric harp.Show Links The Golden Cage: https://www.hipharp.com/goldencagemusical. Use  code GOLDEN25 for 25% off. Deborah Henson-Conant: https://www.hipharp.com/ Support the showFilmed Live Musicals is where musicals come home. Use the searchable database to find musicals filmed on stage to watch from the comfort of your living room! Visit www.filmedlivemusicals.com to learn more. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. You can also support the site at Patreon. Patrons get early access to the podcast and site content, no matter how much you pledge. Become a Patron today!Filmed Live Musicals is created by Luisa Lyons, an Australian actor, writer, and musician. Luisa holds a Masters in Music Theatre from London's Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and now lives, works, and plays in New York. Learn more at www.luisalyons.com and follow on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Composer Nina Shekhar joins us to chat about her work exploring identity, vulnerability, love, and laughter in her work and her process for exploring such complex aspects of humanity in seemingly mundane experiences, such as the car horns on the streets of India. We talk about how she approaches the business side of a professional career in composition, and how her work as a flutist, saxophonist, and pianist has informed her comfort with a wide array of compositional styles. And we speak about how we can all be more mindful to empower and promote the agency of composers and performers from marginalized communities and avoid the risks of exploiting any individual's otherness. Nina Shekhar is a composer who explores the intersection of identity, vulnerability, love, and laughter to create bold and intensely personal works. Described as “tart and compelling” (New York Times), “vivid” (Washington Post), and “surprises and delights aplenty” (LA Times), her music has been commissioned and performed by leading artists including LA Philharmonic, Albany Symphony, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, New World Symphony, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Eighth Blackbird, International Contemporary Ensemble, JACK Quartet, New York Youth Symphony, Alarm Will Sound, The Crossing, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, ETHEL, violinist Jennifer Koh, saxophonist Timothy McAllister, Ensemble Échappé, Music from Copland House, soprano Tony Arnold, Third Angle New Music, The New York Virtuoso Singers, Left Coast Chamber Ensemble, Lyris Quartet, Ray-Kallay Duo, New Music Detroit, and Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra. Her work has been featured by Carnegie Hall, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Walt Disney Concert Hall (LA Phil's Noon to Midnight), Library of Congress, National Gallery of Art, National Sawdust, National Flute Association, North American Saxophone Alliance, I Care If You Listen, WNYC/New Sounds (New York), WFMT (Chicago), and KUSC and KPFK (Los Angeles) radio, ScoreFollower, and New Music Detroit's Strange Beautiful Music. Upcoming events include performances by the New York Philharmonic, LA Philharmonic (joined by soloists Nathalie Joachim and Pamela Z), Minnesota Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, and her Hollywood Bowl debut with the LA Philharmonic. Current projects include commissions for the Grand Rapids Symphony, 45th Parallel Universe Chamber Orchestra (sponsored by GLFCAM), and Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA) (sponsored by LA Phil and New Music USA). Nina is the recipient of the 2021 Rudolf Nissim Prize, two ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Awards (2015 and 2019), and the 2018 ASCAP Foundation Leonard Bernstein Award, funded by the Bernstein family. The transcript for this episode can be found here. For more information about Nina Shekhar, please visit her website, Facebook, and Instagram.

I'm joined today by Joshua Dreyer! He is a percussionist and drummer in Grand Rapids that has a variety of roles: instructor, the GM of the new School of Rock location in Grand Rapids, and a freelance performer with groups like the West Michigan New Music Collective and the Grand Rapids Symphony. We met years ago at GVSU and we're both alumni of the GVSU New Music Ensemble, which led to the creation of the WMNMC. If you enjoy reflective career talks and discussions around music education and percussion, this one is perfect for you! ▶▶ Support Joshua Dreyer! Website: http://www.joshuadreyermusic.com/ School of Rock GR (Register for their Open House April 23rd!): https://www.schoolofrock.com/locations/grandrapids Mitten Backstage is a podcast hosted by Michigan artist Dutcher Snedeker and centering on conversations around life, the industry, creative pursuits, and navigating the scene as Michigan creatives. Each week, you can see discussions on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts, and if you subscribe on Patreon you can get early access to episodes, exclusive merch, and more! ▶▶ Early access and private streams every week! Also, bonus merch and access to lessons, consultations, and remote studio recording! https://www.patreon.com/dutchersnedeker ▶▶ Follow me on other socials for additional music and video content! Linktree (Website, Socials, etc): https://linktr.ee/dutchersnedeker BIG THANKS to my patrons! Chris Bota George Herschel Cody Wilson Jim Lutz Kevin DePree Lee Heerspink Patty PerShayla --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dutcher-snedeker/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dutcher-snedeker/support

Our first ever live taping of Vision Slightly Blurred features one of our favorite photographers. Longtime National Geographic photographer Jim Richardson held court on Friday, Dec 3 as several hundred viewers joined online. In this episode, Jim talks about how he used Instagram to engage his audience during the COVID lockdown, his recent collaboration with The Grand Rapids Symphony performing Felix Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture, the controversy surrounding the Environmental Photographer of the Year, and Twitter's new privacy policy. 

The Hump is thrilled to welcome our guest this week! Bassist, educator and all around joyful person, Joseph Conyers! Tune in to find out why him, "The Energizer Bassist!"

Use code "spit1020" at checkout to receive $500 off the purchase of a brand new instrument through January 31st!www.houghtonhorns.comThis episode is the second half of my conversation with Chris Smith that was released on December 30th, 2020. We cover a wide range of topics. I hope you enjoy!Christopher Smith brings nearly 20 years of major orchestral and ensemble experience to the role of Principal Trumpet of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. Prior to joining the SDSO, he was 4th/Utility Trumpet with l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) for 11 years, and served as Acting Associate Principal Trumpet from 2015-18. He has performed with OSM on eight international tours (two as Associate Principal Trumpet), numerous live broadcasts on Mezzo TV and Medici.tv (several as Principal Trumpet), and five recordings, including as lead trumpet on MIKA et l'Orchestre symphonique de Montréal.Prior to joining OSM in 2008, Mr. Smith performed for eight years in “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, one of the world’s finest wind ensembles and America’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization. The Marine Band’s mission is to provide music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps, performing at The White House for The Presidential Inauguration, events of national importance, holidays and ceremonies. Members of The Marine Band also participate in state funerals and full honors funerals at Arlington National Cemetery, including live trumpet performances of “Taps” on national television, which Mr. Smith provided on numerous occasions. He also performed on five U.S. tours totaling over 40 concerts and, as an E-7 Gunnery Sergeant, supervised and mentored junior Marines. Mr. Smith also led small ensembles and was a co-founder of the Valor Brass quintet, which performed two tours and over 10 recitals, including a standing-room-only recital at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago. As a decorated veteran of the Marine Corps, Mr. Smith is a strong supporter of the United States military and is thrilled to connect as a member of the SDSO with the military community in the greater San Diego area.In addition to his tenured roles in OSM and The United States Marine Band, Christopher Smith has served as Associate Principal Trumpet in the Seattle Symphony (2011-12 season), Acting Principal Trumpet in the Pacific Northwest Ballet (2017-18) and 2nd Trumpet with the Des Moines Metro Opera (2010-11). He has also performed as Guest Principal Trumpet with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and Grand Rapids Symphony; lead trumpet with the singer MIKA; guest performer with the group Pink Martini. He has taught as an adjunct instructor at McGill University, led over 30 masterclasses throughout North and South America and privately coached both professional and collegiate trumpet players.Support the show (https://thatsnotspit.com/support/)

Use code "spit1020" at checkout to receive $500 off the purchase of a brand new instrument through January 31st!www.houghtonhorns.comChristopher Smith brings nearly 20 years of major orchestral and ensemble experience to the role of Principal Trumpet of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. Prior to joining the SDSO, he was 4th/Utility Trumpet with l’Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) for 11 years, and served as Acting Associate Principal Trumpet from 2015-18. He has performed with OSM on eight international tours (two as Associate Principal Trumpet), numerous live broadcasts on Mezzo TV and Medici.tv (several as Principal Trumpet), and five recordings, including as lead trumpet on MIKA et l'Orchestre symphonique de Montréal.Prior to joining OSM in 2008, Mr. Smith performed for eight years in “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, one of the world’s finest wind ensembles and America’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization. The Marine Band’s mission is to provide music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps, performing at The White House for The Presidential Inauguration, events of national importance, holidays and ceremonies. Members of The Marine Band also participate in state funerals and full honors funerals at Arlington National Cemetery, including live trumpet performances of “Taps” on national television, which Mr. Smith provided on numerous occasions. He also performed on five U.S. tours totaling over 40 concerts and, as an E-7 Gunnery Sergeant, supervised and mentored junior Marines. Mr. Smith also led small ensembles and was a co-founder of the Valor Brass quintet, which performed two tours and over 10 recitals, including a standing-room-only recital at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago. As a decorated veteran of the Marine Corps, Mr. Smith is a strong supporter of the United States military and is thrilled to connect as a member of the SDSO with the military community in the greater San Diego area.In addition to his tenured roles in OSM and The United States Marine Band, Christopher Smith has served as Associate Principal Trumpet in the Seattle Symphony (2011-12 season), Acting Principal Trumpet in the Pacific Northwest Ballet (2017-18) and 2nd Trumpet with the Des Moines Metro Opera (2010-11). He has also performed as Guest Principal Trumpet with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and Grand Rapids Symphony; lead trumpet with the singer MIKA; guest performer with the group Pink Martini. He has taught as an adjunct instructor at McGill University, led over 30 masterclasses throughout North and South America and privately coached both professional and collegiate trumpet players.Support the show (https://thatsnotspit.com/support/)

Sunday Morning Worship at 10:30am featuring Mayflower's Christmas Cantata presentation of Gian-Carlo Menotti's - Amahl and the Night Visitors. A virtual presentation during Sunday Morning Worship featuring Mayflower Chancel and Youth Choirs in collaboration with Grand Rapids Choir of Men and Boys and Grand Rapids Symphony musicians -- streaming online at MayflowerChurch.org Produced by Dr. Julia Brown, Mayflower Director of Music / Directed by Scott Bosscher, Mayflower Director of Chancel Choir Cast: Ben Zuzelski, Amahl; Emily Smith, Mother; William Potts, Kaspar; Bill Bokhout, Melchior; Joshua Ledesma, Balthazar; Ryan Potts, Page Supporting Cast:

Sunday Morning Worship at 10:30am featuring Mayflower's Christmas Cantata presentation of Gian-Carlo Menotti's - Amahl and the Night Visitors. A virtual presentation during Sunday Morning Worship featuring Mayflower Chancel and Youth Choirs in collaboration with Grand Rapids Choir of Men and Boys and Grand Rapids Symphony musicians -- streaming online at MayflowerChurch.org Produced by Dr. Julia Brown, Mayflower Director of Music / Directed by Scott Bosscher, Mayflower Director of Chancel Choir Cast: Ben Zuzelski, Amahl; Emily Smith, Mother; William Potts, Kaspar; Bill Bokhout, Melchior; Joshua Ledesma, Balthazar; Ryan Potts, Page Supporting Cast:

Sunday Morning Worship at 10:30am featuring Mayflower's Christmas Cantata presentation of Gian-Carlo Menotti's - Amahl and the Night Visitors. A virtual presentation during Sunday Morning Worship featuring Mayflower Chancel and Youth Choirs in collaboration with Grand Rapids Choir of Men and Boys and Grand Rapids Symphony musicians -- streaming online at MayflowerChurch.org Produced by Dr. Julia Brown, Mayflower Director of Music / Directed by Scott Bosscher, Mayflower Director of Chancel Choir Cast: Ben Zuzelski, Amahl; Emily Smith, Mother; William Potts, Kaspar; Bill Bokhout, Melchior; Joshua Ledesma, Balthazar; Ryan Potts, Page Supporting Cast:

Today on Stateside , a violinist from the Grand Rapids Symphony talks about rehearsing without an ensemble, and other oddities of 2020. Plus, we talk about the shift in Michigan’s car culture.

Today on Stateside , a violinist from the Grand Rapids Symphony talks about rehearsing without an ensemble, and other oddities of 2020. Plus, we talk about the shift in Michigan’s car culture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether you are young, or you are 80, 90, or even 100 years old, that moment when you make that connection and you have a partnership with an instrument…is a magic moment. -Deborah Henson-Conant When she was growing up, Deborah Henson-Conant refused to take music lessons. All she wanted to do was figure out for herself how to make music, writing her first musical at only 12. A prolific singer-songwriter in her teens, she agreed to play the harp for her college band and that pivotal decision has guided her entire career. You see, Deborah figured out a way to make a gigantic instrument smaller, easy to carry, and electric. She is known worldwide as the woman who liberated the concert harp by shrinking it down, strapping it on and plugging it in so that audiences large and small could hear every single gorgeous note. Her recent TEDx talk chronicles her collaboration with French harp company, CAMAC which resulted in the creation of the “DHC” harp, now played by harpists worldwide. In this interview, Deborah shares her passion for music and especially for the unbridled use of imagination. Never someone to color inside the lines, she is a trailblazer for musicians young and old who want to forge their own path. Nominated for a Grammy for a long-form symphonic concert of her original music performed in collaboration with the Grand Rapids Symphony, Deborah was delighted that PBS stations nationwide released the concert nationwide. Invention & Alchemy is now available to the world via streaming as a fundraiser during the Covid-19 pandemic, Deborah's greatest hope is that the concert video inspires anyone who wants to make music. For a journey into the creative mind of a musical genius, hit that download button. #musician #harpist

Episode #10 podcastWelcome to the moon over the trees music productionsThis is Moon Over the Trees Music and Theatre Productions® Podcast's 10th episode. I am so thrilled at how this listening community has grown so much in such a short time. The theme music for this podcast was co-written by myself and my friend Arish Khan, also known as King Khan. This was written during the COVID lockdown and the record will be released later this year. This track is called, “A Hard Rain's Gotta Fall” and it's off of the Space Jazz album, The Infinite Ones. I'll let you know when it's released. I'm playing harp on it. I'm so thrilled that Arish asked me to play on this album with so many other talented musicians.SHARING INFORMATION ABOUT FESTIVALS AND EVENTSI want to share. This whole episode is about sharing. This episode was inspired by my friend, and amazing Scottish harper, Rachel Hair, whom I interviewed in an earlier podcast episode. She started putting together a list of festivals and workshops going on this summer and this fall that are pivoting and going online. I want to share that list with you.And because music and theatre really go hand in hand, and since I work in theatre and I love it so much, I wanted to mention some exciting theatre events that are happening online and ways you can support the theatre community.THE HUDSON VALLEY SHAKESPEARE FESTIVALSo, first up is The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival. They are located in Garrison, NY, which is about an hour train ride from New York City. They are right on the Hudson River. You can check under their “Events” menu. Check out their, “Tent Talks”, they have something called, “Shakespeare Shaken and Stirred” and every summer they have this thing called the, “Bake Off”. They invite professional and non-professional playwrights to come in and write a play. They give you, what they call “ingredients” which are certain things that they need you to add to your stories to give you inspiration for your writing. And if the winner is chosen those plays get performed by professional actors.These performances usually take place at the Philipstown Depot Theatre, but this year they will be performed via Zoom.HAMILTONOn July 3rd, 2020 you will finally be able to get those tickets to, “Hamilton” thanks to Disney+.STREAMING BROADWAY SHOWSFind information on https://www.theatermania.com/guide/theatrical-streaming-content-broadway-lockdownAdditional information on Broadway and Off-Broadway productions and streaming https://www.playbill.com/coronavirusupdateMUSIC IN THIS EPISODEErik Ask-Upmark “Polska Presto” off of his album, “Winter is Coming”Grainne Hambly, “Flying to the Fleadh” off of her album, “Between the Showers”Other traditional music played in this episode was recorded by me.UPCOMING INTERVIEWSNicolas Carter https://www.nicolascarter.com/Swedish multi-instrumentalist Erik Ask-Upmark https://erikaskupmark.bandcamp.com/Martha Gallagher https://www.adkharper.com/William Jackson http://www.harpagency.com/artist1.htmCorrina Hewat https://corrinahewat.com/Tristan Le Govic http://www.tristanlegovic.eu/CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GRADUATESWishing you the best. I'm so fortunate to have worked with all of you in music and theatre.Break a leg!APP REVIEWVulcan Harp Apphttps://apps.apple.com/us/app/star-trek-vulcan-harp/id740110925I am a techie and a Trekkie. This is a Star Trek Vulcan Harp. It's a $2 app for your iPad. It lets you play a virtual Vulcan harp like the one Spock played in the Original series. It also lets you record and it has tracks to accompany yourself. It also lets you set the key or mode you want to play in and it lets you record your creations.FESTIVALS AND MUSICAL EVENTS ONLINEOn the Facebook Celtic Harp Group Rachel Hair started collecting a list of some available online harp festivals. Even if you missed them this year, a lot of these festivals have content that you can stream months after the event has passed. Or you can put them on your calendar for next year.INVENTION AND ALCHEMYA concert that harpist and composer Deborah Henson-Conant created and performed with The Grand Rapids Symphony. The concert is being re-released on July 10, 2020. Deborah chats with me about the concert in (Season 1 Episode 8). This is a fundraiser for the symphony.DHC's Invention and alchemy with Grand Rapids Symphony (Season 1, Episode 8)Here's a link for a preview:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-90lzAEmeYhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrGJzxbpgIA&feature=youtu.be&inf_contact_key=38f5a998e4c89fb72fc9813c41b72d71680f8914173f9191b1c0223e68310bb1And How to get your free online access to the event:https://ds0n9pwn.pages.infusionsoft.net/Here's a link to the DHC Camac electric harp that she uses in this performance https://www.camac-harps.com/en/harps-en/electric/dhc-36-blue-light/MARTHA GALLAGHER AND JUST A MOMENT MUSICMartha Gallagher is one of my upcoming interviews. She is a harpist, performer, composer, and teacher who makes her home in the NY Adirondacks. She has a lot going on, but I wanted to mention her Just a Moment project where every day she delivers a short instrumental meditation on the harp to your email inbox. A wonderful way to start out your day.https://justamomentmusic.com/https://www.adkharper.com/FESTIVALSOhio Scottish Arts School June 29th-July 3rd https://ohioscottishartsschool.com/Catskills Irish Arts Week starting July 12th https://www.catskillsirishartsweek.com/Not just harp. They offer classes in fiddle, guitar, concertina, etc. When the festival is happening in person the town of East Durham, NY is filled with music. Wherever there is a space for musicians to sit a session is bound to start. Some sessions going on ‘till 4 in the morning. They aren't meeting in person this year, but you can check out classes with world renowned musicians from all over the world.Common Ground on the Hill June 28 - July 3, July 5-10, July 12-17 I've never been, but I've heard great things about it. https://www.commongroundonthehill.org/traditions-weeks-home.htmlSomerset Folk Harp Festival July 16 - 19, A mixture of both live and pre-recorded workshops, with a HUGE selection of presenters, styles and levels http://www.somersetharpfest.com/I've been working at the Somerset Folk Harp Festival for the past ten years, so it's near and dear to my heart. This year, yes, we are online.-40 live zoom workshops-100 pre-recorded workshops with topics from celtic harp, jazz harp, latin american harp, historical harp lectures, therapeutic harp, and more-There's also an online vendor hall where you'll get to meet the vendors and have a chat with them and in some cases you'll be able to take a virtual tour or their workshops.-There will also be concerts on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at lunchtime and in the evenings as well as a talent show, Irish Session, Scottish Session, and a special Carolan Session to celebrate the 350th birthday of the famous Irish composer, Turlough O'Carolan-With the full festival registration you'll be able to watch and rewatch ALL of the workshops until the end of the year! So, if you've ever been in the situation where you wanted to take a class, but it conflicted with another class, worry no more! You'll have the opportunity to take as many of the classes as you like till the end of the year.If Scottish harp and language interest you the, Fèis Phàislig July 21 pre-recorded videos includes an improvers clarsach (Scottish harp, not wire) class and an advanced class (which has myself as tutor, so you know it'll be harp friendly!) https://feisphaislig.com/Cromarty Harp Village September 18th-20th is run by the super talented Corrina Hewat Not sure what is happening with this festival yet, but you can check for updates at https://corrinahewat.com/https://www.cromartyartstrust.org.uk/the-harp-villageDusty Strings: Harp Seattle October 2020 https://store.dustystrings.com/p-6681-harp-seattle-2020.aspxSue and Ray, the founders of Dusty Strings in Seattle are such warm giving folks. They even converted part of their workshop so they could make protective face shields for hospital workers. Oh, and their instruments are GORGEOUS.Island Mountain Arts http://support-imarts.com/upcoming-workshops/2020/8/17/34th-international-harp-and-cello-school Is going online this year.Two of the instructors: Sunita Staneslow (Season 1 Episode )Tristan Le Govic (Season 1 Upcoming episode)Cairde Na Cruite June 28th - July 3rd https://www.cairdenacruite.com/Plenty of great online concertsMaeve Gilchrist will performing on July 1, 2020Check out my interview with Maeve (Season 1 Episode 4)And don't miss her teaching at The Somerset Folk Harp FestivalShe also has a book and an album coming out this year.

Always pushing the boundaries in all that she does whether that is in her performing, composing, or even pushing the limits of her instrument, Deborah Henson-Conant is a force of nature. Her positivity, energy, and perseverance have inspired her fans and students.“That is the job of us as artists. To step out of our darkness with that light that we don't even know how to shine and then to do the best we can and hope that by touching someone else it will illuminate it for us and for others.”As a teacher DHC, as she is lovingly called, works with her students to find the music within people and shows them how to bring that out.“Invention of a single person, the invention that happens in our mind. Because it is a beautiful thing, an invention, but It doesn't come to life until we are in collaboration with others.”Deborah has a wonderful TEDx talk about a collaboration she had with the French harp company, Camac, to bring about her vision for a portable electric harp. The DHC Camac harp is now one of the most sought after harps inspiring artists from around the world.“The instrument has allowed me to reveal myself and to give my hands a voice that they did not have and to be able to share that.”DHC's online school has grown during this time of COVID-19 and has filled a need in the harp community.“ Because I have an online school and I know how to use the technology I was able to jump right in and connect with harpists from around the world and make that connection...It all happened because of the harp. It's given me a voice that I didn't have.”Perfection is really about hiding. As we become willing to let go of perfection and actually show ourselves and when we have a safe environment to do that, that is such an important part of this…It's about touching another world. (playing music)Can I distill why I'm here and what I'm doing? I'm an ambassador to the world of music and imagination and that's why I'm doing what I do.And anyone can be an ambassador to the world of music and imagination.Something whispered in our ears and we responded.Be sure to check out the premiere of her piece, Invention And Alchemy, on July 10th and the events leading up to the premiere. This is to raise money for The Grand Rapids Symphony.Website: http://www.HipHarp.comTEDx talk: https://youtu.be/EOtEkRtk5IAAcademy: http://www.HipHarpAcademy.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/HipHarpBlog: http://www.hipharp.com/blog/Twitter: http://twitter.com/HipHarpistYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/hipharpistLinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/hipharpPinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/hipharp/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hipharpist/

Treasury Department announces details on economic impact payments, Michigan National Guard begins aid to Comstock Park food bank, Grand Rapids Symphony launches online performance series, and more statements from local organizations issued March 30-31, 2020. Full text available online at: https://therapidian.org/covid-19-grand-rapids-tuesday-march-31-updates Local residents are encouraged at this time to share their own stories and perspectives related to the COVID-19 situation on The Rapidian's platform. http://www.therapidian.org http://www.mitalent.org http://www.grsymphony.org http://www.artistscreatingtogether.org https://www.feedwm.org

In this episode, I discuss with solo violinist Arnaud Sussmann.  He elaborates on the mindsets and strategies to adopt when working on sound quality, the importance of having a strong concept of phrasing and of bow distribution in musicality, the importance of creating fluency in his playing and how he achieves it, the importance of purpose in our practice, warming up during busy periods, the value of recording ourselves when we practice, and why he believes it's important to work hard. Nous avons aussi une discussion en francais!  Nous vous offrons un retour sur certains point abordés en anglais en ce qui a trait à la production du son et du phrasé, et une conversation sur l'importance de la curiosité dans la pratique et sur comment il aborde une œuvre nouvelle.   MORE ABOUT ARNAUD SUSSMAN: Website: http://arnaudsussmann.com/ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/violinice Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arnaudsussmannviolin/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arnaudsussmann/ Boris Garlitsky: http://www.talentmusicmasters.it/boris-garlitsky   Winner of a 2009 Avery Fisher Career Grant, Arnaud Sussmann has distinguished himself with his unique sound, bravura and profound musicianship. Minnesota's Pioneer Press writes, “Sussmann has an old-school sound reminiscent of what you'll hear on vintage recordings by Jascha Heifetz or Fritz Kreisler, a rare combination of sweet and smooth that can hypnotize a listener. His clear tone [is] a thing of awe-inspiring beauty, his phrasing spellbinding.” A thrilling young musician capturing the attention of classical critics and audiences around the world, Arnaud Sussmann has appeared with the American Symphony Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic, New World Symphony, Pacific Symphony, Paris Chamber Orchestra, Jerusalem Symphony and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Further solo appearances have included a tour of Israel and concerts at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, Dresden Music Festival in Germany and at the Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C. Mr. Sussmann has been presented in recital in Omaha on the Tuesday Musical Club series, New Orleans by the Friends of Music, Tel Aviv at the Museum of Art and at the Louvre Museum in Paris. He has also given concerts at the OK Mozart, Chamber Music Northwest and Moritzburg festivals and appears regularly at the Caramoor, Music@Menlo, La Jolla SummerFest, Seattle Chamber Music, Moab Music and Saratoga Springs Chamber Music festivals. Recent concerto appearances include performances with Maestro Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Orchestra at the White Nights Festival in St Petersburg, the Santa Rosa Symphony, the Albany Symphony, the Jacksonville Symphony and the Grand Rapids Symphony. This past season, chamber music performances included tours with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center to Korea's LG Arts Center, Shanghai's Oriental Center and Hong Kong's Music Academy. Arnaud Sussmann has performed with many of today's leading artists including Itzhak Perlman, Menahem Pressler, Gary Hoffman, Shmuel Ashkenazi, Wu Han, David Finckel, Jan Vogler and members of the Emerson String Quartet. He has worked with conductors such as Cristian Macelaru, Marcelo Lehninger, Rune Bergmann and Leon Botstein. A dedicated chamber musician, he has been a member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center since 2006 and has regularly appeared with them in New York and on tour, including a recent concert at London's Wigmore Hall. A frequent recording artist, Arnaud Sussmann has released albums on Deutsche Grammophon's DG Concert Series, Naxos, Albany Records and CMS Studio Recordings labels. His solo debut disc, featuring three Brahms Violin Sonatas with pianist Orion Weiss, was released in December 2014 on the Telos Music Label. He has been featured on multiple PBS' Live from Lincoln Center broadcasts alongside Itzhak Perlman and the Perlman Music Program and with musicians of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Born in Strasbourg, France and based now in New York City, Arnaud Sussmann trained at the Conservatoire de Paris and the Juilliard School with Boris Garlitsky and Itzhak Perlman. Winner of several international competitions, including the Andrea Postacchini of Italy and Vatelot/Rampal of France, he was named a Starling Fellow in 2006, an honor which allowed him to be Mr. Perlman's teaching assistant for two years. Mr. Sussmann now teaches at Stony Brook University on Long Island and was recently named Co-Artistic Director of Music@Menlo's International Music Program.   If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes!  I truly appreciate your support! Visit www.mindoverfinger.com for information about past and future podcasts, and for more resources on mindful practice. Join the Mind Over Finger Tribe here!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfingertribe/     THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme!  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson. Also a HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly!   MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/    

Today's guest in this second episode of the Fischoff Effect series is Dorival Puccini, trumpet player and founding member of Axiom Brass. In this series, I bring you five former winners of the competition to talk about their experience preparing for and competing at Fischoff, and about the wonderful adventures and opportunities that have followed their win! My guests this week are Blaise Magniere from the Avalon String Quartet, Dorival Puccini from Axiom Brass, Matt Landry from the Akropolis Reed Quintet , Christopher Whitley from the Thalea String Quartet, and Lydia Reah from the former Kairos String Quartet!  Whether you are a musician about to compete at the competition, or a music lover looking for a fresh approach to practicing and preparing for a concert, make sure to subscribe and tune in everyday, because those conversations are bursting with inspiration and EXTREMELY useful information!  Each group has a unique and motivating story and my guests are so generous with their insightful tips and advice!    About Fischoff Founded in 1973 in South Bend, Indiana, the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition has grown to become the largest chamber music competition in the world, attracting the finest and most talented young musicians from around the globe. and is one of the most prestigious classical music prizes attainable today. Since its founding, more than 6,000 musicians have participated, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers in music performance and education.  The Fischoff is also deeply committed to music education and partners with competition alumni to bring free, innovative Arts-in-Education programs directly to children in their own schools and community centers. Since 1995, nearly 50,000 children, youth and adults have received free educational programming of the highest order. Website: http://www.fischoff.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFischoff Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fischoffchambermusic/     Meet Axiom Brass – 2010 Senior Wind Division Bronze Medal & 2011 Fischoff Educator Award Dorival Puccini, Jr. , Michael Hawes | Matthew Bronstein, horn | Corey Sansolo, trombone |           Kevin Harrison, tuba   http://www.axiombrass.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/axiombrass/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/axiom_brass/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AxiomBrass5   Praised for their “high level of musicality and technical ability” and for their “clean, clear and precise sound,” the award-winning Axiom Brass Quintet has quickly established itself as “one of the major art music groups in brass chamber music.” As the only Brass Quintet in 27 years to ever win the prestigious Chamber Music Yellow Springs Competition (2012), and the only American ensemble to ever win the Preis der Europa-Stadt Passau in Germany (2012), Axiom has also been named winners of the 2008 International Chamber Brass Competition and prize-winners of the 2016 M-Prize,  2010 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition, the Plowman Chamber Music Competition, and the Jeju City International Brass Quintet Competition in South Korea. Axiom Brass is dedicated to enhancing the musical life of communities across the globe and educating the next generation of musicians. Axiom's commitment to education and their blend of virtuosic performances and dynamic teaching have inspired young audiences around the nation, earning the ensemble the 2011 Fischoff Educator Award.  Their educational concert “Let's Make Music” has captivated thousands of elementary and middle school students in the U.S.  Since 2011 the ensemble has been featured as brass quintet-in-residence for the National Brass Symposium, sharing the stage with principal brass players from the Chicago Symphony, Boston Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic and Atlanta Symphony. Internationally recognized for their groundbreaking programming, their repertoire ranges from jazz and Latin music to string quartet transcriptions, as well as original compositions for brass quintet.  Axiom Brass' performances have captured the hearts and imaginations of their audiences, leading the ensemble to national radio and television appearances as well as concerts in Asia, Europe and across the U.S. Axiom's dedication to brass repertoire has led the ensemble to commission and premiere several new works, including Avian Capriccio by Augusta Read Thomas, Axiom by Liduino Pitombeira, A Martyred Village by David Faleris, Celestial Suite by James Stephenson and For Then and Now by Laurence Bitensky. For Celestial Suite, Axiom Brass partnered with the New York Philharmonic Brass Quintet, the Chicago Symphony Brass Quintet, the Chicago Chamber Musicians and the Fischoff Chamber Music Society, as well as with the Digital Visualization Theater of the University of Notre Dame and Professor Keith Davis. Highlights of Axiom's past seasons have included concerts in the Dominican Republic, Germany, Portugal, Spain, China, South Korea and Japan; a four-week residency at the Grand Tetons Music Festival; the release of their début album New Standards, clinics and performances at the 2010, 2012 and 2015 Midwest Clinic, their New York debuts at Symphony Space and Merkin Hall, masterclasses at The Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music, as well as recitals, masterclasses and solo appearances with orchestras and bands around the U.S. In October of 2013, Axiom gave the American premiere of Fantasia Flamenca and the world premiere of Raimundo Penaforte's Concertice for brass quintet and orchestra under the baton of David Lockington and the Modesto Symphony, followed by the 2015 midwest premieres of Bernard Rands' Adieu for quintet and strings, and the Midwest premiere of Fantasia Flamenca with the Grand Rapids Symphony. During the 2016/17 season Axiom commissioned and premiered ten new works as a celebration of the ensemble's 10th anniversary. Axiom Brass performs exclusively with the Blackbinder automatic scroll app for iPads. Axiom Brass performs exclusively on Mutec Mutes.   If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes!  I truly appreciate your support! Visit www.mindoverfinger.com for information about past and future podcasts, and for more resources on mindful practice. THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme!  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson. Also a huge thank you to my producer, Bella Kelly!   MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/   Join the Mind Over Finger Tribe here!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfingertribe/

Blake Hinson serves as Assistant Principal Bass of the New York Philharmonic and teaches bass at Stony Brook University.  He previously served as principal bass of the Grand Rapids Symphony and was a fellow in the New World Symphony. Many podcast listeners have requested Blake as a guest, and as I was planning my trip to New York City, I knew that I wanted to connect with him and talk about his time studying with Hal Robinson and Edgar Meyer at Curtis, his path through the audition world, practicing, and all kinds of other topics. On a rainy New York weekday, Blake and I got some coffee and wandered down to Riverside Park to chat about all things bass.  We walked for 45 minutes and barely scratched the surface of what we could cover.  We’ll be doing a “round 2” with Blake in the near future for sure! Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle! Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by: Steve Swan String Bass Steve Swan String Bass features the West Coast’s largest selection of double basses between Los Angeles and Canada.  Located in Burlingame, just south of San Francisco, their large retail showroom holds about 70 basses on display. Their new basses all feature professional setups and come with a cover at no additional cost. Used and consignment instruments receive any needed repairs and upgrades before getting a display position on the sales floor. Upton Bass String Instrument Company Upton's Karr Model Upton Double Bass represents an evolution of our popular first Karr model, refined and enhanced with further input from Gary Karr. Since its introduction, the Karr Model with its combination of comfort and tone has gained a loyal following with jazz and roots players. The slim, long “Karr neck” has even become a favorite of crossover electric players. The Bass Violin Shop The Bass Violin Shop offers the Southeast’s largest inventory of laminate, hybrid and carved double basses. Whether you are in search of the best entry-level laminate, or a fine pedigree instrument, there is always a unique selection ready for you to try. Trade-ins and consignments welcome! D'Addario Strings This episode is brought to you by D’Addario Strings! Check out their Zyex strings, which are synthetic core strings that produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Get the sound and feel of gut strings with more evenness, projection and stability than real gut.   Kolstein Music The Samuel Kolstein Violin Shop was founded by Samuel Kolstein in 1943 as a Violin and Bow making establishment in Brooklyn, New York. Now on Long Island, over 60 years later, Kolstein’s has built a proud reputation for quality, craftsmanship and expertise in both the manufacture and repair of a whole range of stringed instruments, and has expanded to a staff of twelve experts in restoration, marketing and production. A440 Violin Shop An institution in the Roscoe Village neighborhood for over 20 years, A440's commitment to fairness and value means that we have many satisfied customers from the local, national, and international string playing communities. Our clients include major symphony orchestras, professional orchestra and chamber music players, aspiring students, amateur adult players, all kinds of fiddlers, jazz and commercial musicians, university music departments, and public schools. Contrabass Conversations production team: Jason Heath, host Michael Cooper and Steve Hinchey, audio editing Mitch Moehring, audio engineer Trevor Jones, publication and promotion Krista Kopper, archival and cataloging Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

International viola soloist Matthew Lipman can be heard on the best stages around the world!  In this episode he discusses his road to success, how to practice and get ready for a competition, and the importance of mental preparation before a performance. He elaborates on: The importance of music education in the schools and the important of funding for music an arts programs in our public schools Studying with Roland Vamos and how he directed his attention got directed in the right way early on in his training Studying with Heidi Castelman and how she got him to focus on tone production Studying with Tabea Zimmermann and how she got him to listen ever more to himself How learning to listen to ourselves is so important and why feeling like we sound bad can be good: “when you are experiencing growth, you think that you sound horrible, and it helps you reach a new level” How being consistent is key in progressing How listening to the sound and tone can completely lead the way to huge progress How you have to take a step back and understand how our body works and how the instrument responds instead of trying to push the sound How preparing for competition can be hard, but focusing on the process and adopting the right mindset can really lead you to new heights The process of preparing for an international competition o   Choosing repertoire that “lets you shine” o   Practice performing your repertoire a lot before the competition o   Be organized – using chart and planning properly o   Have clear and specific goals How to efficiently work with metronome: how you can reach freedom through working with one How preparing mentally for a performance is a long but important process How you have to be able to zoom in on the details, and also zoom out and see the big picture   ABOUT MATTHEW: Website: http://www.matthew-lipman.com/index.php Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center: https://www.chambermusicsociety.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodiousmatt1/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melodiousmatt/ His recording of Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante with Rachel Barton Pine and the Academy of St-Martin in the Fields conducted by Sir Neville Marriner Carl Fischer Foundation Studies for the Viola - Book 2 (from Opp. 45 and 74) performed by Matthew Playing the Viola: Conversations with William Primrose, by David Dalton Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra - featuring Erin Keefe and Matthew Lipman with the Minnesota Orchestra.   The recipient of a prestigious 2015 Avery Fisher Career Grant, 25-year-old American violist Matthew Lipman has been hailed by the New York Times for his "rich tone and elegant phrasing" and by the Chicago Tribune for his "splendid technique and musical sensitivity.” In demand as a soloist, he has recently performed concertos with the Minnesota, Illinois Philharmonic, Grand Rapids Symphony, Wisconsin Chamber, Juilliard, Ars Viva Symphony, Montgomery Symphony, Innsbrook and Eggenfelden Festival orchestras and recitals at the WQXR Greene Space in New York City and the Phillips Collection in Washington, DC. Highlights this season include a debut solo album on Cedille Records, which will include his own transcription of Waxman's Carmen Fantasy and a world premiere by Brazilian composer Clarice Assad, and several performances of the Telemann Viola Concerto in Alice Tully Hall. The Telegraph praised Mr. Lipman as “gifted with poise and a warmth of timbre” on his Avie recording of Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante with violinist Rachel Barton Pine and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields with Sir Neville Marriner, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard classical charts. He was the only violist featured on WFMT Chicago's list of "30 Under 30" top classical musicians and has been profiled by The Strad and BBC Music magazines. Mr. Lipman performs internationally as a chamber musician with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center as a member of CMS Two, at the Music@Menlo, Marlboro, Bad Kissingen, Malaga, and Ravinia Festivals, and regularly with distinguished artists like Itzhak Perlman, Mitsuko Uchida, and Pinchas Zukerman. A top prizewinner of the Primrose, Tertis, Washington, Johansen, and Stulberg International Viola Competitions, he received his bachelor's and master's degrees as an inaugural Kovner fellow from The Juilliard School, where he continues to serve as teaching assistant to Heidi Castleman, and is currently mentored by Tabea Zimmermann in Kronberg, Germany. A native of Chicago, Mr. Lipman performs on a fine 1700 Matteo Goffriller viola loaned through the generous efforts of the RBP Foundation and an 1845 Dominque Peccatte viola bow.   If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes!  I truly appreciate your support! Visit www.mindoverfinger.com for information about past and future podcasts, and for more resources on mindful practice.   THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme!  Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson. Also a huge thank you to my producer, Bella Kelly!   MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/   (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, which helps cover some of the costs associated with the production of the podcast.  Thank you for your support.)

Daniel Mattson is the author of Why I Don't Call Myself gay. He a member of the Courage Apostolate and is featured in the documentary Desire of the Everlasting Hills. Dan has written about the Church’s good news concerning homosexuality in First Things, Crisis Magazine, Catholic Answers Magazine as well as other publications. He is often invited to share his testimony with clergy, schools and parishes, where one of his primary focuses is to promote the freedom the Church brings to the world from our cultural confusion concerning sexual identity. Dan is also a professional trombonist with the Grand Rapids Symphony.

It’s 1968. You've recently turned 17, you already have one son, and your first marriage is pretty much in the wind. You end up living in a band house and without any prior experience you become their drum tech, and in that instant your fate is sealed. You will go on to lead an incredible life full of chance, travel, respect, challenge, and music. Always music. After fifty years as a working and dedicated FOH engineer, Dansir McCullough still believes in the power of music, and the thrill it gives him night after night to stand at the center of it all, and push the faders up on over a hundred microphones. Dansir’s big break came with Ted Nugent, who he would mix for from 1976-1984. Prior to that he had been with Bob Seger, the Rockets, and the Tea. Since 1984 he has mixed for Patti Labelle, Aerosmith, John Waite, Ace Frehly, Alice Cooper, Gladys Knight, Billy Idol, the Grand Rapids Symphony, the Opera Grand Rapids, and the Grand Rapids Ballet. For over eleven years he was the president of the Stage Hands Local #26 I.A.T.S.E.

Spending time with Jack Unzicker was a major highlight of my trip to the Dallas-Fort Worth area.  Jack is an assistant professor at The University of Texas at Arlington and is one of the most professionally active bassists in the region. We dig into all kinds of topics, like: what Jack's professional life looks like where the bass is headed what possibilities look like for music students private teaching modalities of practice Links to Check Out: Jack's Website Jack's UT-Arlington Faculty Page Jack and Jason chatting for Viva el Bajo Live in 2017 (YouTube) More About Jack: Jack Unzicker is the Assistant Professor of Double Bass at the University of Texas at Arlington and is a sought-after performer and educator. He has extensive and varied experience in all performance areas, from early music to contemporary, solo, chamber, and orchestral, as well as jazz and electric bass. He maintains an active performing schedule, over 300 performances since his appointment at UT Arlington in 2012. Raised in Juneau, Alaska, he began his musical studies with piano, guitar, and percussion and began performing as a professional bassist and teaching private lessons at the age of fourteen. He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees from the University of North Texas, where he studied solo and orchestral performance, orchestral conducting, jazz studies, and early music with Jeff Bradetich, Paul Sharpe, Bill Clay, Anshel Brusilow, Lynn Seaton, and Lenora McCroskey. Dr. Unzicker earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Western Washington University where he studied jazz studies, performance, and contemporary music with Chuck Israels, Anna Doak, and Roger Briggs. Dr. Unzicker continued his studies at the Henry Mancini Institute, working with Bertram Turetzky, Christian McBride, and John Clayton, the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors, and the Pirastro Strings Elite Soloists Program. In 2016, Dr. Unzicker was a featured soloist with the Dallas Chamber Symphony, performing Hindemith’s Trauermusik. Upcoming projects include a recording for commercial release in 2017, of an ongoing duo project. This duo project is in collaboration with Dr. Martha Walvoord, UT Arlington violin professor, and contemporary composers to commission, perform, and record new works for violin and double bass. Composers include six-time Grammy-award winner Michael Daugherty, Roger Briggs, Andrea Clearfield, Tom Knific, George Chave, and Daniel M. Cavanagh. The duo will perform a recital at the International Society of Bassists 2017 Convention in Ithaca, NY on June 10, 2017. Dr. Unzicker’s recent chamber music performances include the Adams Chamber Symphony, Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 1, 2, 3, & 6, Beethoven Septet, Bruch Octet, Ginastera Variaciones Concertantes, Prokofiev Quintet, Stravinsky L’Histoire du soldat, and Brahms Sextet in B-flat Major, Svendsen Octet, and Schubert Octet with members of the Dallas Symphony, Dallas Opera, Fort Worth Symphony, Grand Rapids Symphony, and professors from Rice University and the University of North Texas. Dr. Unzicker is also principal double bass of the Dallas Chamber Symphony and Santa Fe Pro Musica. As an orchestral musician, Dr. Unzicker has performed with the Artosphere Festival Orchestra, Dallas Opera, Dallas Symphony, Fort Worth Opera, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Holland Symphony, Waco Symphony, and as principal of the AIMS Festival Orchestra (Austria), Dallas Chamber Orchestra, Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, Orquesta Divertimento (Costa Rica), and Plano Symphony Orchestra. He has worked extensively with conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya, as well as Jaap Van Zweden, Otto Werner-Mueller, Larry Rachleff, Rossen Milanov, James Conlon, Anshel Brusilow, and Gunther Schuller. As a pedagogue, Dr. Unzicker serves on the board of the Bradetich Foundation, a double bass performance and education organization, and is the Bass Forum Editor for the journal American String Teacher. He has been featured in articles on playing and teaching the double bass in The Strad, Bass World, American String Teacher, and Strings Magazine and frequently performs, adjudicates, and presents at the International Society of Bassists, American String Teachers Association, and Texas Music Educators Association Conventions. In the summers, he performs and teaches as Artist Faculty and as the Assistant Director of the Annual Bradetich Double Bass Master Classes. Current and former students of Dr. Unzicker have been accepted to undergraduate, graduate, and summer programs at the Colburn School, Juilliard School, University of Southern California, Boston University, Indiana University, University of North Texas, Florida State University, University of Texas, North Carolina School of the Arts, New World Symphony, Curtis Institute of Music Summerfest, Aspen Music Festival and School, National Orchestral Institute, National Repertory Orchestra, Interlochen Arts Camp, Round Top Music Festival, Texas Chamber Music Institute, and the WaBass Institute. The double bass studio at the University of Texas at Arlington has proudly hosted many guest artists recently, including Artist-In-Residence Eddie Gomez, Ira Gold, Milton Masciadri, Jeff Bradetich, Brian Perry, Aaro Heinonen, and the Bassinova Quartet. Dr. Unzicker performs primarily on instruments by Daniel Hachez and Albert Jakstadt, and a bow by Reid Hudson. Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by:   The Upton Bass String Instrument Company.  Upton's Karr Model Upton Double Bass represents an evolution of our popular first Karr model, refined and enhanced with further input from Gary Karr.  Since its introduction, the Karr Model with its combination of comfort and tone has gained a loyal following with jazz and roots players. The slim, long “Karr neck” has even become a favorite of crossover electric players. Check out this video of David Murray "auditioning" his Upton Bass! The Bass Violin Shop, which  offers the Southeast's largest inventory of laminate, hybrid and carved double basses. Whether you are in search of the best entry-level laminate, or a fine pedigree instrument, there is always a unique selection ready for you to try. Trade-ins and consignments welcome! Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!

Episode 39: "Breathe" - A Conversation with Justin Emerich A nationally renowned trumpeter and teacher with extensive national and international performing experience, Justin Emerich is associate professor of trumpet at the MSU College of Music. Emerich’s orchestral experience includes serving as acting associate principal trumpet of the San Francisco Symphony, as well as performing with the St Louis Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, San Francisco Opera, Malaysia Philharmonic, Seoul Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, Grant Park Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, Grand Rapids Symphony, Palm Beach Opera Orchestra, and the New World Symphony. He has been a featured soloist with the Seattle Symphony and the Fulcrum Point New Music Ensemble in Chicago. In April 2013, Emerich was singled out as one of the San Francisco Symphony's "superb soloists" by the San Francisco Chronicle. Emerich is also an avid chamber musician and has been a member of, and toured with, such groups as the Canadian Brass, Burning River Brass, Proteus 7, the Avatar Brass, and Pink Martini. Performing with these groups, he traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, and all 50 states in the U.S. While with the world famous Canadian Brass, he performed as solo-piccolo trumpet and collaborated with the New York Philharmonic and Philadelphia Orchestra brass sections. Emerich and the Canadian Brass were also featured with the New Jersey Symphony and premiered a new work by Bramwell Tovey with the Vancouver Symphony. He is currently the piccolo trumpet of Burning River Brass. Emerich performed in numerous Broadway shows in New York City including Kiss Me Kate, Into the Woods, and 42nd Street. After earning his degree, he became artist-in-residence and assistant trumpet professor at Grand Valley State University. Emerich has performed with such artists as Diana Ross, Burt Bacharach, Natalie Cole, Wayne Newton, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Yo-Yo Ma, Gil Shaham, Doc Severinsen, Allen Vizzutti, Renee Fleming, Sufjan Stevens, Ben Folds, and Vanessa Williams. He has recorded for hundreds of TV, movie, and video game soundtracks, and can be heard as the lone trumpet on The Blind Side with Sandra Bullock. Emerich has recorded various CDs for the Columbia, SFS Media, Naxos, New World, Dorian, Burmermusic, LML music, and Albany record labels. Emerich, who comes to Michigan State University from a faculty position at the University of Las Vegas, is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music. 

In this episode, I interview Jacomo Bairos, a dynamic young conductor who is taking the world by storm with his new music ensemble Nu Deco.  Jacomo is also the music director of the Amarillo Symphony and a guest conductor in orchestras this season such as National Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Grand Rapids Symphony, and more! I just had to interview Jacomo and find out HOW he went from the back of the orchestra on the tuba to the podium.  We get to the bottom of it in this inspiring interview!

April 29, 2016 Today's guest is the ever ebullient Joseph Conyers, assistant principal bass of The Philadelphia Orchestra, founder of Project440 and the newly appointed director of the Philadelphia All City Orchestra.  In this episode Joseph reminisces about dancing to the clothes washer, auditioning and winning the Philadelphia Orchestra job, and his halcyon days of being a certified storm tracker and dreams of becoming a meteorologist. Joseph H. Conyers was appointed assistant principal bass of The Philadelphia Orchestra in 2010. He joined the Orchestra after a one-and-a-half year tenure with the Atlanta Symphony, three-and-a half years as principal bass of the Grand Rapids Symphony, and four summers as a member of the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra.  

We’re concluding our interview with double bass soloist and University of Texas-Austin bass professor DaXun Zhang today, as well as featuring more tracks from this stellar musician. Check out episode 92 for the first part of this interview. Along with the conclusion of our interview, we’ll be featuring DaXun performing a very cool Chinese piece for bass called Sun SHines on Taxkorgan. It’s available on his self-titled solo album, which you can learn more about at his website. DaXun is also professor of double bass at the University of Texas-Austin, so check out their website if you’d like to learn more about studying with him, and be sure to visit daxunzhang.com for more about this great artist. Enjoy!   About DaXun: “If the bass is finally to produce a headliner, the instrument can have no better champion,” wrote The Washington Post of double bassist DAXUN ZHANG, who has indeed made his mark as a soloist on this unusual instrument. In April 2007, Mr. Zhang won an Avery Fisher Career Grant, only the second double bassist in the history of this prestigious award. This summer he was invited by cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han to participate in the chamber music festival Music@Menlo in California and performs Schubert’s “Trout” Quintet at the Indiana University Summer Chamber Music Series. During the 2007-2008 season he continues his residency with Lincoln Center’s Chamber Music Society Two, and performs with Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project in a series of concerts and cultural exchanges in China. He performs as soloist with the University of Northern Colorado Symphony and gives recitals at Indiana University, Rodef Shalom Congregation (PA), and McCain Performances (KS). Mr. Zhang has performed extensively with the Silk Road Project, including concerts with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, at Carnegie Hall, and in Japan and California. With Mr. Ma he recorded the soundtrack to a 10-part documentary series on the Silk Road, which aired in Japan on NHK Television. The CD was released as “Silk Road Journeys: Beyond the Horizon” on Sony Classical. He has also joined with fellow Silk Road musician and pipa player Yang Wei and pianist Tomoko Kashiwagi to form the innovative chamber ensemble Qi Lin. As concerto soloist, Mr. Zhang has appeared with orchestras including Orange County’s Pacific Symphony, the Monroe Symphony Orchestra, the Grand Rapids Symphony, the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle and the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra. He has given recitals at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, the University of Georgia, Missouri State University, and at the Chinese Embassy in the Embassy Series in Washington, DC. He has also performed chamber music at the La Jolla Music Society’s Summerfest, the Linton Chamber Music Series in Cincinnati, the Strings in the Mountains Music Festival and the Vancouver Chamber Music Festival. DaXun Zhang is the first double bass player to win the Young Concert Artists International Auditions and start a career under the auspices of Young Concert Artists. He made his New York debut sponsored by the Claire Tow Prize and his Washington, DC debut as a co-presentation with Washington Performing Arts Society. He also won the La Jolla Music Society Prize, the Orchestra New England Soloist Prize, and The Fergus Prize. In April 2006, Mr. Zhang performed Bizet’s Carmen Fantasy in at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Hall with Keith Lockhart conducting the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. DaXun Zhang comes from a family of bassists in Harbin, China. He has been playing the instrument since the age of nine, and studied at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing beginning at the age of eleven. He continued his studies in the U.S. at the Interlochen Arts Academy and received his Bachelor of Music at the Indiana University School of Music, where he worked with Lawrence Hurst. He has served on the faculty of Northwestern University and was recently appointed Assistant Professor of Double Bass at the University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Zhang was the first double bassist ever to win First Prize in the 2003 WAMSO (Women’s Auxiliary of the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra) competition, leading to a performance with the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra with Osmo Vanska, conducting. In 2001, Mr. Zhang was the youngest artist ever to win the International Society of Bassists Solo Competition. He has also received the Grand Prize of the American String Teachers Association National Solo Competition. DaXun’s Website: www.daxunzhang.com

We’re featuring an interview with double bass soloist and University of Texas-Austin bass professor DaXun Zhang today, as well as featuring more tracks from this stellar musician. Along with the conclusion of our interview, we’ll be featuring DaXun performing a very cool Chinese piece for bass called Sun SHines on Taxkorgan. It’s available on his self-titled solo album, which you can learn more about at his website. DaXun is also professor of double bass at the University of Texas-Austin, so check out their website if you’d like to learn more about studying with him, and be sure to visit daxunzhang.com for more about this great artist. Enjoy!   About DaXun: “If the bass is finally to produce a headliner, the instrument can have no better champion,” wrote The Washington Post of double bassist DAXUN ZHANG, who has indeed made his mark as a soloist on this unusual instrument. In April 2007, Mr. Zhang won an Avery Fisher Career Grant, only the second double bassist in the history of this prestigious award. This summer he was invited by cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han to participate in the chamber music festival Music@Menlo in California and performs Schubert’s “Trout” Quintet at the Indiana University Summer Chamber Music Series. During the 2007-2008 season he continues his residency with Lincoln Center’s Chamber Music Society Two, and performs with Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project in a series of concerts and cultural exchanges in China. He performs as soloist with the University of Northern Colorado Symphony and gives recitals at Indiana University, Rodef Shalom Congregation (PA), and McCain Performances (KS). Mr. Zhang has performed extensively with the Silk Road Project, including concerts with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, at Carnegie Hall, and in Japan and California. With Mr. Ma he recorded the soundtrack to a 10-part documentary series on the Silk Road, which aired in Japan on NHK Television. The CD was released as “Silk Road Journeys: Beyond the Horizon” on Sony Classical. He has also joined with fellow Silk Road musician and pipa player Yang Wei and pianist Tomoko Kashiwagi to form the innovative chamber ensemble Qi Lin. As concerto soloist, Mr. Zhang has appeared with orchestras including Orange County’s Pacific Symphony, the Monroe Symphony Orchestra, the Grand Rapids Symphony, the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle and the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra. He has given recitals at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, the University of Georgia, Missouri State University, and at the Chinese Embassy in the Embassy Series in Washington, DC. He has also performed chamber music at the La Jolla Music Society’s Summerfest, the Linton Chamber Music Series in Cincinnati, the Strings in the Mountains Music Festival and the Vancouver Chamber Music Festival. DaXun Zhang is the first double bass player to win the Young Concert Artists International Auditions and start a career under the auspices of Young Concert Artists. He made his New York debut sponsored by the Claire Tow Prize and his Washington, DC debut as a co-presentation with Washington Performing Arts Society. He also won the La Jolla Music Society Prize, the Orchestra New England Soloist Prize, and The Fergus Prize. In April 2006, Mr. Zhang performed Bizet’s Carmen Fantasy in at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Hall with Keith Lockhart conducting the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. DaXun Zhang comes from a family of bassists in Harbin, China. He has been playing the instrument since the age of nine, and studied at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing beginning at the age of eleven. He continued his studies in the U.S. at the Interlochen Arts Academy and received his Bachelor of Music at the Indiana University School of Music, where he worked with Lawrence Hurst. He has served on the faculty of Northwestern University and was recently appointed Assistant Professor of Double Bass at the University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Zhang was the first double bassist ever to win First Prize in the 2003 WAMSO (Women’s Auxiliary of the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra) competition, leading to a performance with the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra with Osmo Vanska, conducting. In 2001, Mr. Zhang was the youngest artist ever to win the International Society of Bassists Solo Competition. He has also received the Grand Prize of the American String Teachers Association National Solo Competition. DaXun’s Website: www.daxunzhang.com