Podcasts about merit school

Pieces by Haydn, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Brahms, Debussy, Dohnányi, Shostakovich & Casarrubios performed by groups from Merit School of Music and the Music Institute of Chicago Academy. The post Chamber music for strings: Spizella Quartet, Luscinia Trio, Vermilion String Quartet appeared first on WFMT.

Local art school protégés have joined forces to deliver healing music. In a recent radio interview on Vocalo Radio, Chicago-based trio The Juju Exchange sat down with host Nudia Hernandez to share their journey from being alumni of the Merit School of Music to their rise in the Chicago jazz scene. On Nov. 1, The Juju Exchange is set to return to their alma mater, the Merit School of Music, to perform at the school's fifth annual benefit concert, Play On. Merit is known for its dedication to providing equal access to music education and has served the Chicago community of young musicians for over 40 years. More information is available at meritmusic.org/play-on. This interview originally aired on Tuesday, Oct. 24 on Vocalo Radio 91.1 FM during Nudia in the Afternoons. It was edited and produced by Nudia Hernandez. To keep up with The Juju Exchange, follow them on Instagram @thejujuexchange.

“Songwriting is kind of where my heart is,” says former Second City music director Tara Trudel, a versatile songwriter and composer based in Los Angeles. Tara's unique talents popped on podcast host Daniel Paisner's admittedly limited radar during the launch of Post in Fall 2022, when she created a mini-musical based on the early days and growing pains of the new social media site. Tara started her career teaching early childhood and elementary school music for Chicago's The Merit School of Music and the city's public school system, before pivoting to comedy and theater—a natural extension of her work with children, she says. These days, Tara makes her principal living writing music for comedy shorts and theme songs for children's books—a collaborative niche she seems to have all to herself. Her work has been featured at SXSW, on Amazon Prime, Sony's Voces Nuevas, and Vulture's “Best Comedy Shorts of the Year.” Tara's score for Chelsea Devantez's short film “Basic” was named “Best Score” at the LA Film Awards and the Festigious International Film Festival. Her debut album, “Fractured: Fairy Tales Remixed,” offers listener's Tara's modern take on the classic stories we think we know, featuring guest appearances by her collaborating partners from the Chicago improv scene, including Ashley Nicole Black, Eddie Mujica, and Mary Sohn. Learn more about Tara Trudel: Website Facebook Twitter Post Spoutible Instagram “Fractured: Fairy Tales Remixed” Please support the sponsors who support our show. Daniel Paisner's Balloon Dog Film Movement Plus (PODCAST) | 30% discount Libro.fm (ASTOLDTO) | 2 audiobooks for the price of 1 when you start your membership Film Freaks Forever! podcast, hosted by Mark Jordan Legan and Phoef Sutton A Mighty Blaze podcast

My guest today is Immanuel Abraham,  a very special musican, who is an inspiring violinist, educator and composer.  His phenomenal talent, discipline and creativity  is even more inspiring since he didn't have an opportunity to learn a musical instrument until the age of 14 and  4 years later, he was auditioning for the renowned University of Michigan in violin performance, playing the same Paganini caprice he'd heard Ithak Perlman play on Shalom Sesame as a child. He speaks candidly in this interview about his  perseverence in the face of very difficult challenges. More information and links below, including Timestamps! Like all my episodes, this is also available as a video on my YouTube, and the transcript is linked here as well: ⁠https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/immanuel-abraham⁠ Please help me keep this series going! You can leave a tip or consider becoming a monthly supporter and get access to special perks: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman⁠ Immanuel is well-known on social media as The Violin Doctor, which is a Dr. Who reference, but Immanuel actually is Doctor of Musical Arts, awarded from the University of Arizona. When he was a student, in an effort to learn as much as he could that was violin-related,  he started The Violin Guild which is an amazingly supportive Facebook group of over 60,000 string players worldwide. Our conversation focused on different aspects of  music education, personal development, and you'll get to hear some clips of Immanuel performing some of his 24 Caprices for solo violin. Below is a link for a discount code the week this is released, and if you're a violinist I encourage you to buy this amazing volume, which I have been learning and plan to start recording this summer. Immanuel will be releasing his complete recording of all 24 Caprices. https://www.theviolindoctor.com/24 The discount code that will be activated May 12th through May 18th is, theviolindoctor for 25% off of the 24 Caprices for Solo Violin, Second Edition. You will also find Immanuel's current projects and social links there as well. Timestamps (00:00)  Intro (02:25) perspectives on starting the violin at age 14, dealing with racism and growing up in the projects (15:02) hearing Itzhak Perlman and the opportunity for free lessons through the Merit School of Music with Guillaume Combet (21:32) inspiration for Immanuel's 24 Caprices for Solo violin (28:48) clip of Caprice 14 (30:00) clip of Caprice 21 in C Minor, “The Blues” (31:43) Caprice 23, a fugue (complete) (35:54) please support this series on Ko-fi! (36:23) why Immanuel bought a beginner book spent his lunch money on  Paganini (41:12) Andrew Jennings University of Michigan (47:15) giving students some choice of repertoire, keeping them motivated (53:08) Sphinx Organization teaching kids in the inner city (01:04:45) becoming a composer, opening for We The Kings (01:11:11) transcribing jazz, learning by ear (01:16:25) violin technique finger independence (01:22:08) yoga, dealing with stress (01:26:03) balance of composition, teaching and performing (01:28:21) discount code for the Caprices theviolindoctor --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/leah-roseman/message

In this episode, you meet Jennifer Montague, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer for NiSource, a natural gas and electric utility company servicing 4 million customers under the NIPSCO and Columbia Gas brands. She is responsible for setting direction and managing a leadership team focused on customer experiences in the areas of Customer Care Centers, Customer Insights and Marketing, Billing & Payments and New Business across six states. She joined the company as the Vice President of Communications and External Affairs at NIPSCO in November 2018. Prior to joining NIPSCO, Jennifer had nearly three decades of customer operations, branding, communications and marketing experience in several roles with Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) in Chicago and British Petroleum (BP)/Amoco in London (England) and Warrenville, Illinois. Jennifer currently serves on the board of directors for Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, Edgewater Health, Merit School of Music, and Northwest Indiana United Way. Jennifer earned a bachelor's degree in quantitative economics and feminist studies from Stanford University and a master's of business administration degree from the University of Chicago. Jennifer is based at the NiSource headquarters facility in Merrillville, Indiana. In this episode, we discuss: - Keeping your eyes on your own prize - How to keep from being bitter at work - Creating connections with people who have different life experiences

In this episode we interview Charles Grode, President & Executive Director at Merit School of Music. Merit School of Music transforms the lives of Chicago-area youth through removing barriers to high-quality music education. Want to learn more, donate, or get engaged? Donate: https://meritmusic.org/donate/ Phone: +1 (312) 786-9428 Email: info@meritmusic.org Website: https://meritmusic.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeritSchoolofMusic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meritmusic/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/merit-school-of-music/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/OfficialMeritMusic Twitter: https://twitter.com/MeritMusic

Chicago musician Nico Segal and painter/ muralist Nikko Washington joined nonprofit Play Together and the Merit School of Music to give Chicagoland kids the opportunity to collaborate with them and create an original piece of music or art. Until Dec. 31, young Chicago artists can submit their original work based off of the artists' prompts for their chance to work with Nico or Nikko on a final product. To break down the initiative and their role in it, Nico and Nikko stopped by the Vocalo studios to chat with afternoons host Nudia Hernandez… This interview was produced by Nudia Hernandez for Nudia in the Afternoons. Learn more about the initiative at playtogether.co, and keep up with Nico Segal @nicosegal and Nikko Washington @nikko.washington on Instagram.

For more than 40 years, nonprofit Merit School of Music has strived to help transform the lives of kids and young people through providing accessible, quality music education. Tuesday, Merit hosted artists including alum Peter CottonTale for a benefit concert to raise money for the nonprofit. Emma Harmon, Merit's individual giving manager and another alum, organized the event and stopped by the Vocalo studios Monday morning with Peter to sit down with Bekoe and break down the event, as well as give listeners some background on the organization. Play On 2022 is Merit Music's benefit concert benefiting equal access to music education, hosted this year at City Winery in the West Loop on Nov. 8. For more information on the Merit School of Music, visit their website meritmusic.org This interview was produced by Bekoe and originally aired on Mornings with Bekoe on Monday, Nov. 7. Follow Peter CottonTale and Merit School of Music on Instagram @realcottontale and @meritmusic.

South Side Chicago Grammy Award winning gospel singer Peter CottonTale is performing in the West Loop tonight for a concert benefiting Merit School of Music — but this week he stopped by the Vocalo studios to catch up with mornings host Bekoe. They broke down what listeners can expect from the concert, plus Peter's first solo Lollapalooza performance, breaking gospel music out of a box with his album ‘Catch,' his recent travels to Ghana, working with legends in the music industry, and more… and may have previewed a new song or two. This interview was produced by Bekoe and originally aired on Mornings with Bekoe on 91.1 FM Monday, Nov. 7. Follow Peter CottonTale on Instagram @realcottontale.

This week on Introductions, we feature four seniors who are all fellows of Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative. Founded in 2019 and linked with sister organizations in other US cities, its mission is to support high school orchestral musicians from underrepresented backgrounds, with the eventual goal of diversifying America's professional orchestras. Thank you to Merit School of Music for allowing WFMT ... The post Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative Class of 2022 appeared first on WFMT.

Debra Kerr is the Executive Director of Intuit - the Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago. She was previously at the John G. Shedd Aquarium for 17 years - she is a past board member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, past chair and instructor for its Professional Development Committee and management courses, past chair of the zoo and aquarium committee for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, and former board member of the National Veterans Art Museum. She currently serves on the board for the Merit School of Music and the National Wildlife Federation's Great Lakes Leaders Council.She frequently presents on issues related to museum relevance, teen empowerment and activating the public for social good. · www.art.org· www.creativeprocess.info

Debra Kerr is the Executive Director of Intuit - the Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago. She was previously at the John G. Shedd Aquarium for 17 years - she is a past board member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, past chair and instructor for its Professional Development Committee and management courses, past chair of the zoo and aquarium committee for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, and former board member of the National Veterans Art Museum. She currently serves on the board for the Merit School of Music and the National Wildlife Federation's Great Lakes Leaders Council.She frequently presents on issues related to museum relevance, teen empowerment and activating the public for social good. www.art.org www.creativeprocess.info

Today on Introductions, we have two chamber groups: the Omaggio String Quartet from the Music Institute of Chicago Academy, and the Purple Hippopotami Flute Trio from Merit School of Music, playing Kuhlau, Haydn, Debussy, Tomasi, Walker, Prokofiev, and Beeftink. Members of both groups have appeared on Introductions in the past. Thanks to ensemble members Elinor Detmer and Katherine Chen for ... The post Omaggio String Quartet and Purple Hippopotami Flute Trio appeared first on WFMT.

Our sponsor: Houghton Hornswww.houghtonhorns.comJosh's websitewww.joshrzepka.comChicago based trumpeter and composer Josh Rzepka has been featured on NPR, PBS, and has been heard on jazz radio across the country and world. His album Into the Night reached the #9 position on the JazzWeek radio chart and the #5 position on the CMJ Jazz chart. He has been heralded not only for his jazz playing and composing, but also for his classical performances.In 2019 Josh released his first book with co-author Roger Ingram, titled The Versatile Trumpeter: Duets Vol. 1, a collection of 16 original duets with supporting text and a play along recording. This groundbreaking book has received rave reviews from professionals and students all over the world.Originally from Akron, OH, Josh has released four albums. His jazz albums include, Trumpet Genesis (2013), Into the Night (2011), and his debut album Midwest Coast (2009). His debut classical album was Josh Rzepka: Baroque Music for Trumpet (2010).An active educator, Josh teaches trumpet in the Chicago metro area as well as lessons nationally and internationally to students of all ages over Skype. Josh’s methodology involves utilizing a students strengths to tackle the areas of playing that are deficient – always building from what the student already has success with.  This allows the student to use already established habits to establish new positive habits while unlearning old undesirable habits.He previously was the Jazz trumpet instructor at Chicago’s Merit School of Music. He has presented masterclasses and clinics at the high school and college level, and has been a written contributor to The Instrumentalist magazine.Josh earned his BM from the Oberlin Conservatory with a double major in classical and jazz trumpet performance. He earned his MM in performance from Boston University’s College of Fine Arts.Since the fall of 2015 Josh has toured nationally with classic rock sensation Under the Streetlamp performing to sold out crowds across the country. Josh has performed at famed venues including Cleveland’s Severance Hall, Boston’s Symphony Hall, Strathmore Hall, Cleveland’s NightTown, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Knitting Factory, as well as the Green Mill, Andy’s Jazz Club, and the Jazz Showcase in Chicago. Josh has appeared on stage with the Detroit Symphony and Oklahoma City Philharmonic. As a soloist Josh has presented recitals and concerts ranging from the baroque, to modern, to original jazz.Additional appearances include performing with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra led by internationally renowned trumpeter Sean Jones, the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, as well as many other ensembles and groups. He also has recorded with the likes of Detroit and Motown legend Marcus Belgrave, trombone extraordinaire Andy Hunter, and does session work writing charts and recording for indie, rock, and blues artists.In 2011 Josh was recognized by the Akron Area Arts Alliance with their 2011 Arts Alive! Rising Young Star award. This biennial award was a big honor for Josh and he was thrilled to receive this great honor from his hometown of Akron.Josh is a Denis Wick Artist.Support the show (https://thatsnotspit.com/support/)

Debra Kerr is the Executive Director of Intuit - the Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago. She was previously at the John G. Shedd Aquarium for 17 years - she is a past board member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, past chair and instructor for its Professional Development Committee and management courses, past chair of the zoo and aquarium committee for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, and former board member of the National Veterans Art Museum. She currently serves on the board for the Merit School of Music and the National Wildlife Federation's Great Lakes Leaders Council.She frequently presents on issues related to museum relevance, teen empowerment and activating the public for social good. www.art.org www.creativeprocess.info

Debra Kerr is the Executive Director of Intuit - the Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago. She was previously at the John G. Shedd Aquarium for 17 years - she is a past board member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, past chair and instructor for its Professional Development Committee and management courses, past chair of the zoo and aquarium committee for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, and former board member of the National Veterans Art Museum. She currently serves on the board for the Merit School of Music and the National Wildlife Federation's Great Lakes Leaders Council.She frequently presents on issues related to museum relevance, teen empowerment and activating the public for social good. · www.art.org· www.creativeprocess.info

Debra Kerr is the Executive Director of Intuit - the Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago. She was previously at the John G. Shedd Aquarium for 17 years - she is a past board member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, past chair and instructor for its Professional Development Committee and management courses, past chair of the zoo and aquarium committee for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, and former board member of the National Veterans Art Museum. She currently serves on the board for the Merit School of Music and the National Wildlife Federation's Great Lakes Leaders Council.She frequently presents on issues related to museum relevance, teen empowerment and activating the public for social good. www.art.org www.creativeprocess.info

Debra Kerr is the Executive Director of Intuit - the Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago. She was previously at the John G. Shedd Aquarium for 17 years - she is a past board member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, past chair and instructor for its Professional Development Committee and management courses, past chair of the zoo and aquarium committee for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, and former board member of the National Veterans Art Museum. She currently serves on the board for the Merit School of Music and the National Wildlife Federation's Great Lakes Leaders Council.She frequently presents on issues related to museum relevance, teen empowerment and activating the public for social good. · www.art.org· www.creativeprocess.info

Debra Kerr is the Executive Director of Intuit - the Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art in Chicago. She was previously at the John G. Shedd Aquarium for 17 years - she is a past board member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, past chair and instructor for its Professional Development Committee and management courses, past chair of the zoo and aquarium committee for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, and former board member of the National Veterans Art Museum. She currently serves on the board for the Merit School of Music and the National Wildlife Federation's Great Lakes Leaders Council.She frequently presents on issues related to museum relevance, teen empowerment and activating the public for social good. · www.art.org· www.creativeprocess.info

This Saturday on Introductions, a trio of quartets. The Gemini String Quartet from the Music Institute of Chicago Academy, the Precipice Saxophone Quartet from Merit School of Music, and the Infini Quartet from the MIC Academy. We also interview one member from each group: Isabel Chen (violin/viola), Cole Moorhead (soprano saxophone), and Kelly Kim (violin/viola). Gemini String Quartet The Gemini ... The post Gemini String Quartet, Precipice Saxophone Quartet, and Infini Quartet appeared first on WFMT.

Sara Neilson will be running an online beginner bass camp for students age 8-12 from July 6th through July 30th.  She’ll be doing hourly sessions from 10-11 am Central Time. Sara teaches bass at the Merit School of Music in Chicago, and she has been running a series of warm-up classes each weekday on Facebook.  She also recently wrote an article titled ‘Game Changer’ for the International Society of Bassists’ Bass World magazine. We talk about all this, how things have been going during the pandemic, staying relaxed on the bass, and much more.  You can also check out her podcast appearance on a career advice panel from the 2019 Chicago Bass Festival. Enjoy, and be sure to follow Sara on Instagram!  Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle! 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 theme music by Eric Hochberg

27th Ward Alderman Burnett Union Strong Jim Allen from Bricklayers & Dan Allen, The Executive Director of CISCO Charles Grode, President & Executive Director of The Merit School of Music Judge James Derico Joan Esposito Live, Local, & Progressive Weekdays 2pm-5pm Chicago's Progressive Talk Radio WCPT 820AM wcpt820.com

In this week's episode, Demarre McGill, principal flute with the Seattle Symphony, discusses the building blocks of efficient and mental practice: having discipline, nurturing energy, focusing on beauty, and applying patience in our approach. Demarre also elaborates on the importance of: The “starter teachers” and the diverse support system a young musician needs to blossom Combining discipline, spirit, and energy Being an excellent colleague Patience in slow practice, and how it helps us learn faster Finding the soul of the music & focusing on beauty Providing musical context to fix technical issues Focusing on the music to get in the right headspace for a performance Confronting the things we are not comfortable with in preparation for performances Contributing to your community Not giving up in the face of rejection Staying hungry in order to grow   The Mind Over Finger Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtQSB1IVNJ4a2afT1iUtSfA/videos   Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter to get your free guide to a super productive practice using the metronome!  This guide is the perfect entry point to help you bring more mindfulness and efficiency into your practice and it's filled with tips and tricks on how to use that wonderful tool to take your practicing and your playing to new heights! TURN THE METRONOME ON AND START PRACTICING BETTER AND LEARNING FASTER RIGHT NOW!  GET YOUR FREE METRONOME GUIDE TODAY AT www.mindoverfinger.com!!!!     MORE ABOUT DEMARRE: Website: https://www.demarremcgill.com/ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVTwhPRg3lnSTSWxTROWz2w Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/demarremcgillflute/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/demarremcgill/   The Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth - Learning with the Masters featuring DSO flutist Demarre McGill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK_dsbJsw0o   Demarre McGill has gained international recognition as a soloist, recitalist, chamber and orchestral musician. Winner of an Avery Fisher Career Grant and the Sphinx Medal of Excellence, he has appeared as soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Seattle, Pittsburgh, Dallas, Grant Park, San Diego and Baltimore symphony orchestras and, at age 15, the Chicago Symphony. Now principal flute of the Seattle Symphony, he previously served as principal flute of the Dallas Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Florida Orchestra, and Santa Fe Opera Orchestra. He recently served as acting principal flute of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and earlier with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. As an educator, Demarre has performed, coached and presented master classes in South Africa, Korea, Japan, Quebec and throughout the United States. With his brother Anthony, he was a speaker and performer at the 2018 League of American Orchestras Conference. He has also served on the faculties of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States, the National Orchestral Institute (NOI) at the University of Maryland, the Orford Music Festival, and participated in Summerfests at the Curtis Institute of Music. In August of 2019, he was named Associate Professor of Flute at Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and is an artist-faculty member of the Aspen Music Festival and School. A founding member of The Myriad Trio, and former member of Chamber Music Society Two, Demarre has participated in the Santa Fe, Marlboro, Seattle and Stellenbosch chamber music festivals, to name a few.  He is the co-founder of The Art of Élan and, along with clarinetist Anthony McGill and pianist Michael McHale, founded the McGill/McHale Trio in 2014. Their first CD, "Portraits," released in August 2017, has received rave reviews, as has "Winged Creatures," his recording with Anthony McGill and the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. In 2019-20 the McGill/McHale Trio performs at New York City's 92nd Street Y, as well as in Washington D.C. and on chamber music series throughout the Midwest. Media credits include appearances on PBS's Live from Lincoln Center, A & E Network's The Gifted Ones, NBC's Today Show, NBC Nightly News, and, with his brother Anthony when they were teenagers, on Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. A native of Chicago, Demarre McGill began studying the flute at age 7 and attended the Merit School of Music. In the years that followed, until he left Chicago, he studied with Susan Levitin. Demarre received his bachelor's degree from The Curtis Institute of Music and a Master's degree at The Juilliard School.   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/    

ART SPEAKS. Does music extend our livelihood? This week's Expert Insight comes from Chip Staley, a 30+ year music education teacher. Scott interviews Chip to discuss the impact of music on people both young and old, the crucial role of the arts in education, and the impact that music can have on the brain and overall wellness. Chip discusses his passion and advocacy, organizations where he draws inspiration, and three things that have made his life better. RESOURCES: Chip Staley's work: Merit School of Music ARTSpeaks ARTSpeaks204 Facebook Page Mentioned in the podcast: Nina Kraus: Research on music and the brain J. Todd Frazier: Using the arts to promote wellness Vijay Gupta: Street Symphony Alive Inside Foundation: Connecting teens with elders living with dementia Continue to tune in to the Life Is The Future “Summer Series.” Included in these summer months are quick tips for health and wellness as well as a slew of expert interviews to give listeners some insight into the many topics of life. Teaching insight, blog posts, and more from the Health Education classroom: LifeIsTheFuture.com

Today’s episode features a Q&A panel with several clinicians from the 2019 Chicago Bass Festival. A big thanks goes to Liz Clawson for actually amplifying this panel discussion - I never got my acts together enough to make that happen The audience questions didn’t get caught on the microphone, but Liz restates most of the questions, and I break in to let you know what they asked a few times as well Moderator: Liz Clawson Panel: Jason Heath Tracy Rowell, Oberlin Conservatory James VanDemark, Eastman School of Music Sara Neilson, Merit School of Music Dan Lopatka, freelance bassist Dorian Jackman, DePauw University Susan Cahill, University of Denver App recommendation - modacity.co Listen to Contrabass Conversations with our free app for iOS, Android, and Kindle! Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by: 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. 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! 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!

Chicago Youth Poet Laureate Kara Jackson reads hers and Lucille Clifton's work and then discusses Black feminist embodiment and musical influences -- including but not limited to Jamila Woods, Marvin Gaye, and Joni Mitchell. In the words of Terrance Hayes: "“Kara is amazing! She's a terrific writer of course in the poems but in the prose too. Style plus insight.” Finally: special shout out to Dr. Camea Davis, Urban Word NYC, and The National Youth Poet Laureate Program (see links below) for putting together such a rad collaboration. On Kara Jackson -- Kara Jackson is the daughter of country folks. She is the Youth Poet Laureate of Chicago. Her work investigates a trail of language that leads from the South to the North. Through a multidisciplinary approach, Jackson attempts to document her lineage of divine womanhood in a country that demands its erasure. She is a product of the literary bloodline created by women like Zora Neale Hurston, Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, Buffy Sainte-Marie, and Joan Baez. Jackson is an alum of the solo voice jazz ensemble at Merit School of Music. Jackson received the Scholastic Art and Writing Award for her short story Nursery Rhymes, which won a silver medal at the national level. She is an Adroit Journal mentee. Jackson is an alum of the Spoken Word Club at Oak Park River Forest High school. She represented the school in the Louder Than a Bomb festival from 2016-2018, and in her final year performed on final stage at the Auditorium Theatre, where she was granted the Literary Award by Patricia Smith. Her poems have appeared in POETRY, Frontier Poetry, Rookie Mag, Nimrod Literary Journal, and Saint Heron. She has two articles published in Blavity. She has two poems featured in the latest anthology edited by Kevin Coval, The End of Chiraq. Jackson is a TEDx speaker. She will attend Smith College in the fall of 2019. For more: (https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/kara-jackson)// Kara's TEDx Talk: (bit.ly/KJTEDx) // VS Podcast: (bit.ly/karavs)// Follow Kara at: (https://www.instagram.com/fridahalo/) + (https://twitter.com/fridahalo?lang=en). On The National Youth Poet Laureate Program: (youthlaureate.org) // (urbanwordnyc.org). ● The Poetry Vlog is a YouTube Channel and Podcast dedicated to building social justice coalitions through poetry, pop culture, cultural studies, and related arts dialogues. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to join our fast-growing arts & scholarship community (youtube.com/c/thepoetryvlog?sub_confirmation=1). Connect with us on Instagram (instagram.com/thepoetryvlog), Twitter (twitter.com/thepoetryvlog), Facebook (facebook.com/thepoetryvlog), and our website (thepoetryvlog.com). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, I have a wonderful conversation with Dr. Immanuel Abraham.  Immanuel talks to us about his path to a professional career, all things mindful and efficient practice, and the importance of learning to compose in enhancing your performance on your instrument! Immanuel has a wonderful approach to practicing and music-making and I hope you enjoy his story and find yourself inspired by his dedication and determination!   ALL ABOUT guest: Website: https://www.immanuelabraham.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theviolindoctor/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheViolinDoctor/ The Violin Guild: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheViolinGuild/ YouTube channels: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCddZDSbY6_Y4cIa-nMsY2oA   Biography American violinist and composer, Dr. Immanuel Abraham, graduated Summa Cum Laude from both the University of Michigan (MM, 2015) and University of Arizona (DMA, 2018) with degrees in Violin Performance. He has earned numerous awards, recognitions, and is a sought-after composer.  His most recent commissions have included complete scores for theatrical works, string quartets, and "The Abraham 24 Caprices for Solo Violin", which have premiered in 3 countries. Dr. Abraham has performed in 7 countries, been featured on CBS Detroit, Buzzfeed, and Fiddlerman's exclusive blog series "Music Is For Everyone." His Instagram @TheViolinDoctor engages 20K followers. ​Dr. Abraham began music studies at in 2004 under Chicago Civic Orchestra Concertmaster, Guillaume Combet. Only months later, he auditioned into the Merit School of Music Conservatory.  In the next three years he placed 2nd in the institution's Annual Concerto Competition and became Concertmaster of the Merit Symphony Orchestra.  Simultaneously, he served as asst. concertmaster in the Chicago Youth Symphony (including the 2008 CYMI under Maestro Gustavo Dudamel) and was Concertmaster of the Blue Lake International Youth Symphony Orchestra. Graduating with highest honors, he continued violin studies at the University of Michigan under Naumberg Award-Winner, Andrew Jennings. There he began to compose and explore the Electric Violin as well. In 2013, he won the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp Concerto Competition, soloing the Conus Violin Concerto for a live audience of over 1,500 and airing live on FM Radio.  In 2014, he placed 2nd in the Stamp.FM Online Music Awards, and opened for world-class bands We The Kings and HelloGoodbye at the Michigan Theater. His first year in Arizona, he won the University of Arizona 2015 Concerto Competition with the Brahms Violin Concerto. He premiered his own cadenza, replacing the 1867 standard by Joseph Joachim.  Dr. Abraham also served as the Arizona Symphony Orchestra concertmaster for two years under Maestro Thomas Cockrell, and the Arizona Contemporary Ensemble ("ACE") under Maestro Daniel Asia.  He  also is a recipient of the Fred Fox School of Music​ Graduate Fellowship. ​Dr. Abraham has enjoyed work as the concertmaster of the Michigan Pops Orchestra, sub-anchor for Blue Lake Public Radio, Violin Specialist for the Sphinx Organization, Violin; Viola; Cello; faculty at the Chicago Music Store, Allegro School of Music, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, and as the United States Consultant for the 1st Oskar Rieding International Competition for Young Violinists. He also served two years as an assistant teacher for the University of Arizona, giving weekly lectures in music history. Today, Dr. Abraham directs his own private studio of two-dozen local Arizonan students (sign up here!) He plays on a modern violin by renown Japanese luthier, Tetsuo Matsuda.  He is also the creator of Facebook's most popular bowed-string forum, The Violin Guild™, comprising over 30,000 members worldwide!   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 producer, Bella Kelly!   MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/

In this episode, I chat with with Anthony McGill, principal clarinetist with the NY Philharmonic.  We have a great conversation about attention and presence, in both practice and performance. Among other things, we discuss his journey to the NY Phil, the importance of absolutely loving music in choosing it as a career, how to nurture focus and make practice more efficient, and how to work towards having more flow in performance. Anthony elaborates on: His musical path, from the Southside of Chicago to the NY Phil The various institutions he attended – the Merit School, the Interlochen Academy, and the Curtis Institute How important the community that surrounds us is as we develop as musicians/artists/people How to nurture focus: The importance of how loving what you do is in fostering focus The quote that really articulated that concept for him How focus starts from figuring out if you truly love what you do Cultivating quality presence, awareness, and curiosity in the practice room are the keys to solid focus How to make practice efficient How he primes and prepares for a practice session How wanting to practice, having a plan, being aware, and being methodical are at the core of a good practice session How he “tricks” himself to practice (which is similar to the trick I talk about in this blog entry: https://www.mindoverfinger.com/blog/commit-to-ten) How listening to music is important Focus in performance: How to work towards flow and overcome mistakes How important it is to develop our public speaking and self-marketing skills Why we should develop an interest in a hobby outside of music   MORE ABOUT ANTHONY: Website: http://www.anthonymcgill.com/ Find some YouTube videos about Anthony HERE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcgillclarinet/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mcgillab/   Biography Clarinetist Anthony McGill is one of classical music's most recognizable and brilliantly multifaceted figures. He serves as the principal clarinet of the New York Philharmonic — that orchestra's first African-American principal player — and maintains a dynamic international solo and chamber music career. Hailed for his “trademark brilliance, penetrating sound and rich character” (The New York Times), as well as for his “exquisite combination of technical refinement and expressive radiance” (The Baltimore Sun), McGill also serves as an ardent advocate for helping music education reach underserved communities and for addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in classical music. McGill was honored to take part in the inauguration of President Barack Obama, premiering a piece written for the occasion by John Williams and performing alongside violinist Itzhak Perlman, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and pianist Gabriela Montero.   McGill's 2018-19 season includes performances of concertos by Bolcom, Copland, Mozart, and Strauss with the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Tallahassee Symphony, Vermont Symphony, and Austin Symphonic Band. He will also collaborate together with soprano Miah Persson in a performance of Schubert's “The Shepherd on the Rock” together with Iván Fischer and the New York Philharmonic. Additional performances include a collaboration with the Dover Quartet for the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and a recital with soprano Julia Bullock for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, along with collaborations with the Brentano Quartet for Princeton University and a tour of Asia with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.   McGill appears regularly as a soloist with top orchestras around North America including the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera, Baltimore Symphony, San Diego Symphony, and Kansas City Symphony. As a chamber musician, McGill is a favorite collaborator of the Brentano, Daedalus, Guarneri, JACK, Miró, Pacifica, Shanghai, Takacs, and Tokyo Quartets, as well as Emanuel Ax, Inon Barnatan, Gloria Chien, Yefim Bronfman, Gil Shaham, Midori, Mitsuko Uchida, and Lang Lang. He has led tours with Musicians from Marlboro and regularly performs for the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society. Festival appearances include Tanglewood, Marlboro, Mainly Mozart, Music@Menlo, and the Santa Fe, Seattle, and Skaneateles Chamber Music Festivals.   In January 2015, McGill recorded the Nielsen Clarinet Concerto together with Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic, which was released on DaCapo Records. He also recorded an album together with his brother Demarre McGill, principal flute of the Seattle Symphony, and pianist Michael McHale; and one featuring the Mozart and Brahms Clarinet Quintet with the Pacifica Quartet that were both released by Cedille Records.   A dedicated champion of new music, in 2014, McGill premiered a new piece written for him by Richard Danielpour entitled “From the Mountaintop” that was commissioned by the New Jersey Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, and Orchestra 2001. McGill served as the 2015-16 Artist-in-Residence for WQXR and has appeared on Performance Today, MPR's St. Paul Sunday Morning, and Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. In 2013, McGill appeared on the NBC Nightly News and on MSNBC, in stories highlighting the McGill brothers' inspirational story.   A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, McGill previously served as the principal clarinet of the Metropolitan Opera and associate principal clarinet of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. In-demand as a teacher, he serves on the faculty of the Juilliard School, the Curtis Institute of Music, Bard College's Conservatory of Music, and the Manhattan School of Music. He also serves as the Artistic Advisor for the Music Advancement Program at the Juilliard School, on the Board of Directors for both the League of American Orchestra and the Harmony Program, and the advisory council for the InterSchool Orchestras of New York.   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/

Chuck Bontrager is the very definition of the the versatile 21st-century violinist: classically trained, yet experienced in multiple performance styles, and fluent in several variations of his instrument including viola, chin-cello, mandolin and mandola, and especially his 7-string Wood Violins Viper electric violin. Chuck currently serves as Concertmaster of the Chicago company of Hamilton: An American Musical. He has performed in over twenty other productions on the Broadway In Chicago series as well as with countless pop, rock and heavy metal bands, and numerous Chicago-area classical ensembles. In addition, he teaches at Columbia College Chicago and the Merit School of Music, and is a faculty member at the annual Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp (MWROC) where he joins a world-class group of performers and teachers, including Mark Wood, Rachel Barton Pine, David Wallace, and Tracy Silverman, in helping future generations find their creative voice. To learn more about Chuck and his music visit chuckbontrager.com. Rockstar Violinist is the Electric Violin Shop podcast, hosted by Matt Bell and featuring interviews with the most creative and noteworthy electric strings performing and recording artists. Electric Violin Shop is the world leader in amplified strings. Shop at www.electricviolinshop.com or contact us at info@electricviolinshop.com for advice.

Born in the Little Village Neighborhood of Chicago Marley Weathers took interest in music while attending Saucedo Scholastic Academy in the city’s Southside. He Joined the school elementary school band in the fourth grade where he picked up the Saxophone. While in the school band he was accepted in a Private Music Program at the time called Merit School of music, where he acquired one on one attention on theory, composition and Performance. At the age of 13 he watched as a Latin Influenced Orchestra named “Sonrisa Tropical” was performing at his elders sisters quince party. He gathered next to them after their performance and asked for some sheet music where the director asked him what he played. Marley told him that he played the saxophone in where the director gave him a business card and told him to call him because he might have a position available to fill if he could handle the part. A few weeks later Marley was performing in clubs all over the city playing the baritone saxophone with the Latin orchestra “Sonrisa Tropical”.

Demarre McGill is one of the leading young American flutists of our time. Winner of the Avery Fisher Career Grant, Demarre has been a sought after soloist and chamber musician. He is also the co-founder of The Art of Élan, an innovative chamber music organization in San Diego that introduces new audiences to classical music in unique venues and programs. I've known Demarre ever since his student days at Curtis, studying under Julius Baker and Jeffrey Khaner. He was amazing from the get go, and it's been no surprise to see his stratospheric rise to the top of the classical music world. Demarre has appeared as soloist with several of the top orchestras in the US, worked as principal flutist with several others, collaborated in chamber music around the world, and has made multiple television appearances on PBS, A&E, NBC, and even Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. Links Demarre McGill's Website - http://demarremcgill.com Art of Élan - http://artofelan.org/ Dallas Symphony Orchestra - https://www.mydso.com/ Merit School of Music in Chicago - http://meritmusic.org/ The Curtis Institute of Music - http://www.curtis.edu

Chicago's Lincoln Trio performs two large scale works, one a premiere, live on Relevant Tones from the stage of the Merit School of Music in the West Loop. Hosted by Seth Boustead Produced by Jesse McQuarters Laura Schwendinger: Arc of Fire (World Premiere) Stacy Garrop: Sanctuary

  Kam was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago and has been singing since the tender age of three years old.  Her gift was passed from her mother, who was also a singer. By the age of five, Kam was singing songs by Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Dionne Warwick and as she grew up, was a part of many different youth choirs. Kam attended grammar school at Edgar Allan Poe Classical School where her choir teacher was a huge influence and inspiration. His guidance pushed her towards auditioning for the All-City Youth Chorus group at Whitney Young High School where she excelled.  She enrolled in Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep, as well as the Merit School of Music located in downtown Chicago. She practiced Musical Theatre, Vocal Performance, and Dance under the direction of Ms. Melba Wright who became a valuable mentor to her.  Kam continues to incorporate the lessons she's learned from Ms. Wright to this day.  

A mainstay of the Chicago music scene for more than thirty years, Eric Hochberg has lent his bass work, both upright and electric, and an occasional trumpet, keyboard and vocal lick to a variety of projects across the realms of jazz, folk, rock and blues. He has performed and/or recorded with the likes of Terry Callier, Pharoah Sanders, Bobby McFerrin, Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays, Steve Kuhn, Barbra Streisand, Cassandra Wilson, Von Freeman, Chico Freeman, Ken Nordine, David Baker, Cannonball Adderly, Charles McPherson, Jon Faddis, Joshua Redman, David Bromberg, Johnny Frigo, Joe Daley, Howard Levy, Kurt Elling, Trio New, Bill Carrothers, Eric Alexander, Tierny Sutton, Patricia Barber, Jackie Allen, Janice Siegal, Peter Erskine, Paul McCandless, Donny McCaslin, Claudio Roditi, Bob Mintzer, Dave Liebman, Sam Rivers, Jack DeJohnette, Joey Baron, Bobby Broom, Eric Marienthal, Bobby Shew, Tom Harrell, Larry Novak, Gary Novak, Rick Margitza, Sheila Jordan, Diane Reeves, Dee Alexander, Jay Clayton, Janice Siegel, Janice Borla, Ari Brown, Alan Pasqua, Bob Sheppard, Mark Murphy, Bob Dorough, Randy Brecker, Don Ellis, Larry Coryell, Rebecca Paris, Leni Andrade, Sonny Fortune, Willie Pickens, Bobby Lewis, Ari Brown, Jeremy Kahn, Ernie Adams, Mike Garson, Roger Rosenberg, Erma Thompson, Lew Tabackin, Brian Lynch, Lester Bowie, Don Moye, Earnest Dawkins, Henry Butler, Emily Remler, Herb Geller, Chevere de Chicago, Sonia Dada, Mark Colby, Orbert Davis, Ed Thigpen, Anthony Molinaro, Ben Sidran, Bonnie Koloc, Michal Urbaniak Quartet, Bill Holman, The Boston Brass, Bill Russo’s Chicago Jazz Ensemble, The Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Rob Parton Orchestra, The Miami Saxophone Quartet, Jim Walker & Free Flight, The Grant Park Symphony with Luciana Souza and Patti Austin, The Joffrey Ballet, Luna Negra Dance Company, The Chicago Human Rhythm Project, and Chicago Tap Theater. Eric has the distinction of having performed in the bands of three of the four members of the Pat Metheny Group - a tour in 1977 with Pat, a long association with drummer Paul Wertico and a Latin American tour with Lyle Mays in 1992. He has toured nationally/internationally with the Lyle Mays Quartet, the Terry Callier Group, the Paul Wertico Trio, the Kurt Elling Quartet, Ken Nordine’s Word Jazz, the Howard Levy Quartet and the Grazyna Auguscik Quintet. He has performed at the Jazz Festivals of Chicago (21 times), Montreal, San Francisco, Detroit,  Montreux, UK/London, Free Jazz/Rio & Sao Paolo Brazil, Leverkeusen/Germany, World Music Festival/Barcelona, Rome Jazz, Rotterdam Jazz, Karlsruhe Festival/GR, Frappe Festival/FR, Nice Jazz/FR, Gigon Festival/SP, Cully Jazz/Swiss, Blues and Roots Fest/Australia, The International Society of Jazz Educators/Atlanta, The Chicago Flute Club, The Percussive Arts Society/Columbus OH, Rockford Jazz/IL, Hyde Park Jazz Festival/Chicago, South Shore Jazz/Chicago, Elkhart Jazz/IN, Columbus Jazz Festival/OH, Milwaukee Summerfest, Louisville Festival of the Arts, Blue Note Tokyo, Yokohama and Milan, and concerts and clubs worldwide.  He has also performed on the Oprah Winfrey Show three times with Barbra Streisand, Josh Groban and Johnny Mathis, and with Gloria Estefan. He can also be heard in clubs and concert venues around the Chicago area, including  Catch 35 Chicago with the Eric Hochberg Trio, The Green Mill, Andy’s Jazz Club, Pops for Champagne, The Jazz Showcase, Fitzgerald’s, Katarina’s, Pete Miller’s, The Checkerboard Lounge, Room 43, Mayne Stage, Morseland, Pick Staiger Hall, Pritzker Pavillion and many others. The Eric Hochberg Orchestra has performed for countless events of all kinds over the past twenty-five years and Eric Hochberg Music contracts the finest musicians in the Chicago area for clients worldwide.  The EHO was the band for the City of Chicago’s 5000 guest “Chicago Welcomes the World” Millennium Celebration. Eric produced Jackie Allen's 2006 debut Blue Note Records release, Tangled and her 2003 release The Men in My Life.  Eric has also worked extensively with legendary singer-songwriter Terry Callier, producing his 2005 album, Lookin' Out, on Emarcy Records, the critically acclaimed TC in DC on Premonition, tracks on Verve Forecast's Timepeace, Novo Record's Chicago Rapid Transit and Acid Jazz Totally Re-wired Vol. 8.   He co-produced Future Tense by Hochberg, Eisen & Potter, Reflections and Yesterday’s Gardenias by saxophonist Mark Colby and New Bolero by Trio New, Kurt Elling's original band. His latest project with pianist Bradley Williams and drummer Jim Widlowski is entitled 3. As a composer, Eric has made contributions to Kurt Elling's Close Your Eyes and The Messenger on Blue Note Records, Hochberg and Potter's World Thing on HoPo Records, Trio New New Bolero, Paul Wertico's Yin and the Yout and The Paul Wertico Trio's Live in Warsaw and Don't Be Scared Anymore.   Five compositions are featured on Future Tense, the latest recording by Eric, Steve Eisen and Andrew Scott Potter. Two of his compositions are featured on the recently released album, The Rob Parton Quartet. New tunes are featured on the album 3, by Williams, Widlowski & Hochberg.  He also composed the theme song for Contrabass Conversations, the weekly double bass interview show. He can be heard on the recordings of: Williams, Hochberg, Widlowski • 3 Hochberg, Eisen & Potter • Future Tense, World Thing Chevere de Chicago • Secret Dream Kurt Elling • Close Your Eyes, The Messenger Paul Wertico Trio • Live in Warsaw, Don't Be Scared Anymore, Stereonucleosis John Moulder • Through the Open Door, Trinity Grazyna Auguscik • River Terry Callier • Lookin' Out, TimePeace, Lifetime, TC in DC Rich Corpolongo • Just Found Joy, Smiles Howard Levy • Harmonica Jazz Mark Colby • Yesterday’s Gardenias, Reflections, Tenor Reference, Speaking of Stan and many others. Eric has also played on over 1000 jingle, television and movie soundtrack recording sessions and 100 album projects. He maintains an active teaching studio where students of all levels learn the jazz language and apply it to their music.  He also teaches at the Merit School of Music. Eric has served on various Craft Committees for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (GRAMMY AWARDS) 2006-2008. Eric endorses Lakland Basses and highly recommends Pirastro, Velvet, and Thomastik-Infield double bass strings.

A mainstay of the Chicago music scene for more than thirty years, Eric Hochberg has lent his bass work, both upright and electric, and an occasional trumpet, keyboard and vocal lick to a variety of projects across the realms of jazz, folk, rock and blues. He has performed and/or recorded with the likes of Terry Callier, Pharoah Sanders, Bobby McFerrin, Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays, Steve Kuhn, Barbra Streisand, Cassandra Wilson, Von Freeman, Chico Freeman, Ken Nordine, David Baker, Cannonball Adderly, Charles McPherson, Jon Faddis, Joshua Redman, David Bromberg, Johnny Frigo, Joe Daley, Howard Levy, Kurt Elling, Trio New, Bill Carrothers, Eric Alexander, Tierny Sutton, Patricia Barber, Jackie Allen, Janice Siegal, Peter Erskine, Paul McCandless, Donny McCaslin, Claudio Roditi, Bob Mintzer, Dave Liebman, Sam Rivers, Jack DeJohnette, Joey Baron, Bobby Broom, Eric Marienthal, Bobby Shew, Tom Harrell, Larry Novak, Gary Novak, Rick Margitza, Sheila Jordan, Diane Reeves, Dee Alexander, Jay Clayton, Janice Siegel, Janice Borla, Ari Brown, Alan Pasqua, Bob Sheppard, Mark Murphy, Bob Dorough, Randy Brecker, Don Ellis, Larry Coryell, Rebecca Paris, Leni Andrade, Sonny Fortune, Willie Pickens, Bobby Lewis, Ari Brown, Jeremy Kahn, Ernie Adams, Mike Garson, Roger Rosenberg, Erma Thompson, Lew Tabackin, Brian Lynch, Lester Bowie, Don Moye, Earnest Dawkins, Henry Butler, Emily Remler, Herb Geller, Chevere de Chicago, Sonia Dada, Mark Colby, Orbert Davis, Ed Thigpen, Anthony Molinaro, Ben Sidran, Bonnie Koloc, Michal Urbaniak Quartet, Bill Holman, The Boston Brass, Bill Russo’s Chicago Jazz Ensemble, The Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Rob Parton Orchestra, The Miami Saxophone Quartet, Jim Walker & Free Flight, The Grant Park Symphony with Luciana Souza and Patti Austin, The Joffrey Ballet, Luna Negra Dance Company, The Chicago Human Rhythm Project, and Chicago Tap Theater. Eric has the distinction of having performed in the bands of three of the four members of the Pat Metheny Group - a tour in 1977 with Pat, a long association with drummer Paul Wertico and a Latin American tour with Lyle Mays in 1992. He has toured nationally/internationally with the Lyle Mays Quartet, the Terry Callier Group, the Paul Wertico Trio, the Kurt Elling Quartet, Ken Nordine’s Word Jazz, the Howard Levy Quartet and the Grazyna Auguscik Quintet. He has performed at the Jazz Festivals of Chicago (21 times), Montreal, San Francisco, Detroit,  Montreux, UK/London, Free Jazz/Rio & Sao Paolo Brazil, Leverkeusen/Germany, World Music Festival/Barcelona, Rome Jazz, Rotterdam Jazz, Karlsruhe Festival/GR, Frappe Festival/FR, Nice Jazz/FR, Gigon Festival/SP, Cully Jazz/Swiss, Blues and Roots Fest/Australia, The International Society of Jazz Educators/Atlanta, The Chicago Flute Club, The Percussive Arts Society/Columbus OH, Rockford Jazz/IL, Hyde Park Jazz Festival/Chicago, South Shore Jazz/Chicago, Elkhart Jazz/IN, Columbus Jazz Festival/OH, Milwaukee Summerfest, Louisville Festival of the Arts, Blue Note Tokyo, Yokohama and Milan, and concerts and clubs worldwide.  He has also performed on the Oprah Winfrey Show three times with Barbra Streisand, Josh Groban and Johnny Mathis, and with Gloria Estefan. He can also be heard in clubs and concert venues around the Chicago area, including  Catch 35 Chicago with the Eric Hochberg Trio, The Green Mill, Andy’s Jazz Club, Pops for Champagne, The Jazz Showcase, Fitzgerald’s, Katarina’s, Pete Miller’s, The Checkerboard Lounge, Room 43, Mayne Stage, Morseland, Pick Staiger Hall, Pritzker Pavillion and many others. The Eric Hochberg Orchestra has performed for countless events of all kinds over the past twenty-five years and Eric Hochberg Music contracts the finest musicians in the Chicago area for clients worldwide.  The EHO was the band for the City of Chicago’s 5000 guest “Chicago Welcomes the World” Millennium Celebration. Eric produced Jackie Allen's 2006 debut Blue Note Records release, Tangled and her 2003 release The Men in My Life.  Eric has also worked extensively with legendary singer-songwriter Terry Callier, producing his 2005 album, Lookin' Out, on Emarcy Records, the critically acclaimed TC in DC on Premonition, tracks on Verve Forecast's Timepeace, Novo Record's Chicago Rapid Transit and Acid Jazz Totally Re-wired Vol. 8.   He co-produced Future Tense by Hochberg, Eisen & Potter, Reflections and Yesterday’s Gardenias by saxophonist Mark Colby and New Bolero by Trio New, Kurt Elling's original band. His latest project with pianist Bradley Williams and drummer Jim Widlowski is entitled 3. As a composer, Eric has made contributions to Kurt Elling's Close Your Eyes and The Messenger on Blue Note Records, Hochberg and Potter's World Thing on HoPo Records, Trio New New Bolero, Paul Wertico's Yin and the Yout and The Paul Wertico Trio's Live in Warsaw and Don't Be Scared Anymore.   Five compositions are featured on Future Tense, the latest recording by Eric, Steve Eisen and Andrew Scott Potter. Two of his compositions are featured on the recently released album, The Rob Parton Quartet. New tunes are featured on the album 3, by Williams, Widlowski & Hochberg.  He also composed the theme song for Contrabass Conversations, the weekly double bass interview show. He can be heard on the recordings of: Williams, Hochberg, Widlowski • 3 Hochberg, Eisen & Potter • Future Tense, World Thing Chevere de Chicago • Secret Dream Kurt Elling • Close Your Eyes, The Messenger Paul Wertico Trio • Live in Warsaw, Don't Be Scared Anymore, Stereonucleosis John Moulder • Through the Open Door, Trinity Grazyna Auguscik • River Terry Callier • Lookin' Out, TimePeace, Lifetime, TC in DC Rich Corpolongo • Just Found Joy, Smiles Howard Levy • Harmonica Jazz Mark Colby • Yesterday’s Gardenias, Reflections, Tenor Reference, Speaking of Stan and many others. Eric has also played on over 1000 jingle, television and movie soundtrack recording sessions and 100 album projects. He maintains an active teaching studio where students of all levels learn the jazz language and apply it to their music.  He also teaches at the Merit School of Music. Eric has served on various Craft Committees for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (GRAMMY AWARDS) 2006-2008. Eric endorses Lakland Basses and highly recommends Pirastro, Velvet, and Thomastik-Infield double bass strings.