College of Musical Arts Bowling Green State University Bowling Green, Ohio 43403-0290

Promoting Musical Excellence

Pro Musica supports the College of Musical Arts by inviting the participation of alumni, friends, parents and the Bowling Green community in a wide variety of musical events and by providing financial support for projects that are often beyond the reach of state funding. A letter from the President

Pro Musica: Promoting Musical Excellence This has been an extraordinary year for Pro Musica. As you can see from their essays, students greatly appreciate the 51 travel grants we’ve been able to A special year of award thanks to new and renewed memberships. We are making a substantial difference in the Bowling Green State University’s College of Musical Arts. promoting excellence! Student memberships alone increased by 254 percent! Two students, Jami Lynn Haswell and Michael Hsin-en Liu, were elected by their peers to serve on the Pro Musica Board. We are proud to have them with us and look forward to Pro Musica funded serving with them. Pro Musica also sponsors and provides musical events in our community. 98 individual student For example, a fantastic piano concert was given at the Wood County District grants, awarding nearly Public Library on a cold winter’s Sunday afternoon. It was well attended and greatly appreciated by all. The Bowling Green Kiwanis Club was treated by $39,000 for 2006-07! our student, Jami Lynn Haswell, with her memories and pictures of her musical experiences in Pitten, Austria. We hope to expand providing musical events to our community. Members of the Board of Pro Musica join me in thanking each of you for Spring 2007 making a difference in the lives of the talented students in the College of Musical Arts.

Sincerely, Karol H. Spencer President Profiles in Pedagogy

Virginia Pancoast Marks Virginia Pancoast “The importance of models in molding the Marks with her character can never be underestimated,” said teacher, Eleanor Virginia Marks, as she offered me a glass of Sokoloff (originally wine. “You know, I was Eleanor Sokoloff’s first taken as a publicity piano student, and she’s still teaching at age 92 photo in 1945 for at Curtis, can you imagine.” the Seeing Virginia and remembering New School her faculty concerts (dramatic, perfectly of Music ). executed, tickling your ear at just the right moment), I can only imagine what a colossal impact Sokoloff must have had on the little, Her mother supervised her lessons Jami precocious, blue-eyed blonde standing Exceptionally good ones were rewarded defiantly on the piano bench and every bit her with lunch and a movie. Lessons were never Lynn Haswell own woman at age five. missed (except once for the measles). Virginia Student Representative of Pro Musica Raised in Philadelphia, Virginia Alice was attentive and compliant, listening to her I received a Pro Musica grant in summer Pancoast was the eldest daughter of an mother’s coaching during every practice session; 2006 to travel to Pitten, Austria, for an attractive and demanding mother named Kitty, it was not until years later that she discovered intensive music study/performance and the third child of her father, Asa. her mother couldn’t read a note of music! opportunity. This trip, coupled with Ace, as he was known, was literally Mr. Virginia played her first concert at age five similar shared experiences with other Music of Philadelphia, playing organ at the Fox for the Ethical Society in Philadelphia. At 10, students helped by Pro Musica, influenced Theater (he also played piano and accordion), she won the Philadelphia Children’s Concert me to be involved with the organization. doing upscale gigs, making records (Sioux City auditions, and performed the Beethoven As current president of the Bowling Sue, written by Virginia’s Second Piano Concerto with the Green State University Collegiate Chorale, uncle) and eventually for her I headed a student membership drive last taking his talented daughter “The importance of debut at age 11. Afterward, she fall to increase student membership in with him. His easygoing models in molding was asked by conductor Alexander Pro Musica. Overall, student membership manner and upbeat Hilsburg to play with the Robin the character increased by 254 percent! personality encouraged Hood Dell Orchestra. I feel students should be involved Virginia and made her life can never be After high school graduation, with Pro Musica due to its outreach to sparkle. Together they did she attended underestimated.” the entire College of Musical Arts. As a the fun things of the 50s, where she studied chamber future music educator, I understand the appearing on “American music, accompaniment and importance of funding music as a core Bandstand,” and playing on worked on repertoire. At age curriculum. the “Paul Whitman Show,” for which she won a 17, she was appointed to the faculty of the As a newly elected board member, $50 savings bond and a great big deep freezer. Settlement School of Music where she decided I hope to encourage other students to Other siblings came along; two sisters over to become demanding and strict like her first become active and contributing members the next seven years, twin girls when Virginia teacher, Sokoloff. A young clarinetist named of Pro Musica. was 15, and then, three-week-old Russell, a Edward Marks asked Virginia to accompany relative who was babied and raised by all. him, and she did. They were married in 1961 Kitty, her indefatigable mother, took after her graduation from Temple. Virginia care of Virginia’s musical training from the continued her teaching at the Settlement beginning. When school began to interfere School and earned a master’s degree at Pro Musica Officers with practice time, Kitty went straight to the American University under the tutelage of the Karol Spencer, teacher and announced that her daughter Department Chair, Evelyn Swarthout. president would be taking any necessary schoolwork Virginia’s husband received a faculty Andrew Housholder, only in the mornings, because she would be appointment in the Department of Musical Arts vice president practicing piano from 12:30 until 4 p.m. in at Bowling Green State University. Moving the afternoons. from glamorous Philadelphia to rural Bowling Virginia Marks, When the home economics teacher Green required something of an adjustment, secretary noted that Mrs. Pancoast (an accomplished especially for Virginia. However, with her usual Douglas Wayland, seamstress) must have personally sewn the aplomb, she made it look easy. She taught in treasurer apron assigned to Virginia, the answer came the Creative Arts Program, joined University Joan Callecod, as a direct question. “Do you play the piano?” women’s groups and took up sewing as a hobby member-at-large Virginia’s mother asked. “Well, no. I must (specializing in much more than aprons!). Deborah Fleitz, Richard Kennell admit I don’t,” said the teacher. “Well then, Virginia and Edward had two children: & Nancy Lenhart, Michael Hsin-en Liu with his Virginia doesn’t sew!” son, Brian, and daughter, Jennifer. ex-officio members teacher Prof. Nina Assimakopoulos ( continued on last page) for success, recitals and literature. In Student Essays addition, members of the Millennium Brass also offered master classes on their Samantha Closz respective instruments. Thesis Fieldwork in Each evening there was a concert Merida, Yucatan, Mexico that included performances from student groups, massed festival For my master’s thesis I wanted to investigate ensembles and the Millennium a new and exciting subject (non-researched) in Brass. Our ensemble performed two the field of ethnomusicology. I also wanted to concerts and was involved with the conduct fieldwork, hoping to make new tracks in large, massed ensembles. this area. I met two teachers who focused on As an undergraduate student, I had the areas that will benefit my goals in the opportunity to study in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico future, and I will be auditioning for their in summer 2003. Attracted to Yucatecan (Mayan studios this spring. dialect/descent) performances of folk music and As part of the workshop, we also dance, I wondered about the dynamics and their Joel Crawford performed in a theater on the outskirts importance in Yucatecan culture. Searching for Exploring Brass Ensembles in Greece of Athens. information on the jarana (the state’s regional The history and culture of Greece suffused In January 2007, I attended the “Exploring style of dance), I discovered there was not many aspects of the workshop. We decided Brass in Greece” workshop, held in the much information. to follow the circadian rhythms of Greece; 2,000-year-old mountain town of Kalavrita, Through the help of Pro Musica, I was thrilled breakfasts at 8 a.m., lunch at 1:30 p.m. followed Greece. The workshop was hosted by to have the opportunity to conduct overseas by the traditional afternoon nap from 3-5 p.m. artistic director George Babarakos and fieldwork! After four years, I returned as an and dinner at 9:30 p.m. after the concert. Gerasimos Ioannidis (former trumpet with ethnomusicologist. I was able to see cultural We visited the town’s center surrounded the Greek National ). performances: Monday night Vaqueria, Thursday by ancient Greece. The church has a plaque The workshop consisted of master classes evening Serenatas Yucatecas and the Sunday listing two dates when it was burned; first, by by leading trumpet teachers from the United Merida en Domingo. the Ottoman Turks, then, centuries later by the States, as well as numerous performing In addition to nightly performances for the Nazis, during a bloody massacre in World War II. opportunities with critiques done by members natives and foreigners, I spent the late afternoons The final day in Athens was free time. We of the resident brass quintet, the Millennium and evenings observing and attending classes at climbed the steps to the Parthenon atop the Brass. We also had the opportunity to the Escuela Municipal de Folklore in downtown Acropolis. From that height you look over the experience and explore the rich culture and Merida. Here, I did my ethnography. I learned whole city, which stretches as far as the eye history of Greece. about the municipal school, supported entirely can see. The historic city, the Plaka district Master classes covered a wide variety through government support and tax dollars. At (shopping), and dinner at a traditional Greek of topics reflecting the specialties and the school, over 1,020 students take free dance restaurant completed our trip. interests of diverse artists/teachers. One classes of the jarana. I learned how the school What a tremendous experience, a class I found particularly fascinating was serves as a feeding tool for the Ballet Folkloricos magnificent trip to be remembered and about yoga and its therapeutic effects on Juvenil, Infantil and Titular of Merida. cherished. I thank Pro Musica for their brass performers. Other classes covered: Thank you for your support. invaluable support in this endeavour. smart music, time management, strategies

Michael Hsin-en Liu I originally became interested in studying Student Representative of Pro Musica at BGSU, because several colleagues of mine had come to study here and highly Currently pursuing a master’s degree at the recommended this program. college, I also serve as the graduate teaching As a graduate student, I benefited assistant for the flute studio. In addition, I hold immensely from financial support available a music certificate in flute from the University. through Pro Musica that have allowed Originally from Taiwan, I was born and me to travel internationally to attend raised in Taichung, one of the country’s three master classes with renowned artists and largest cities. As an undergraduate, I studied domestically to participate in competitions psychology at National Taiwan University. and workshops. My flute teacher was Anders Norell, principal I am honored to serve as a student flutist of the National Symphony Orchestra representative of Pro Musica, so I can help of Taiwan, and upon graduation, I decided to make these opportunities available to other Michael Hsin-en Liu with his dedicate more time to musical pursuits. BGSU students. teacher Prof. Nina Assimakopoulos At the Rochester Flute Association Flute Fair, ( Marks continued ) I was able to hear Gary Schocker perform, and After two years, she was offered a part-time to hear the winners of the competitions. faculty position in the music department. When I learned a lot through associating with a full-time vacancy occurred, Virginia, decided Kristina amazing musicians by observing their to apply for the job (good thing, no full-time Green techniques of preparation and exchanging vacancies opened again for 25 years!). American ideas with them. My experience in Rochester Her typical workday would begin mornings Choral was beneficial in the performance arena at 8 a.m. with piano practice at home until Directors and aided me greatly in culture, style and noon. Afternoons, teaching four or five one- Association professionalism. hour lessons, arriving back home at about National I sincerely thank Pro Musica for taking an six, with dinner to fix, homework to oversee Convention interest in the creation of young professional and a plethora of house holding duties to musicians. When Conductor Leonard Slatkin came to BGSU attend to. She prepared faculty performances, as part of the 2007 Conductor’s Guild Workshop, accompanied piano students, singers and other he made a meaningful comment: “Today instrumentalists. Virginia had two studios: many people become musicians for the wrong Octavio one for Creative Arts (she was director for five reasons…to be a musician you will make many Más-Arocas years), and one for private teaching. She was keyboard coordinator for more than 20 years sacrifices, but what you get from those sacrifices Concert and and department chair for eight. is so great.” European “I managed,” she told me, “by copying my How apropos of the convention I attended in Premiere father’s basic philosophy: Be curious, want to Miami. Attaining not only valuable information of Si Ji Tu know everything, and never lose your temper.” with regard to rehearsal techniques, the mix of by Doctoral She said he never lost his temper, and she has different and insight into compositions, Candidate never done so with a student. my views of music and professionalism Timothy Jennifer Anne Feehan, Virginia’s beautiful grew. The musicality and love of music was Stulman everywhere. The ambience of the convention and gregarious daughter, remembers a opened my eyes to the vision of greatness and On November 19, 2006, I conducted a concert childhood filled with excitement. “Mother was left an indelible mark in my memory. Filled with the Orquesta Ciudad de Alcala in Alcala de a leader and a motivator. For example, I had a with eager, engaged students who were Henares in Madrid, Spain. The event closed clothing budget. Brian and I had freedom, but there because they loved music was not only the well known Alcala de Henares Film Festival freedom with responsibility. I could (and can) breathtaking, but an awakening. at the historic Teatro Salon Cervantes. always trust her judgment. As kids, we had I thank Pro Musica for this unforgettable My rapport with the orchestra and soloists Christmas in Jamaica four years in a row, spent experience and for the remembrance of a truly developed quickly and we prepared a summers at Interlochen, and more recently, sparkling time. concert of the highest caliber. The audience traveled to England, drove through Maine with reaction was so warm and eager that we Aunt Lynne, and traveled the breathtaking offered an encore! California coast. Mom has three grandsons, two The orchestra is an amateur ensemble with granddaughters and another grandson coming committed and gifted musicians who have in July. In our family, it really is Mother (and toured the , France, , Grandmother) knows best!” Portugal and . Based in Alcala de Henares At her retirement party this spring, I met a Kristen (a city famous for having one of the oldest former student of Virginia’s, Roberta (Bobbie) universities in Europe, and the home of writer Mong Lange ’85, who had driven all the way Hoverman Don Miguel de Cervantes), this from Cadillac, Mich. Rochester Flute orchestra was a rewarding and important “Virginia Marks had a huge influence on my Association experience for me. Also, the adjustments in style in teaching,” she said. “She used tactile Competition rehearsing taught me coping skills to deal and visual methods, like playing on your arm or As a freshman, with the exigencies required in performance lining up pencils on the floor to show spacing. I can say that I have grown immensely as a and conducting. I can never thank her enough for giving me such musician over the last few months. I have had The generous money grant from Pro Musica a strong role model in teaching.” many wonderful opportunities for growth, helped make my project possible. Thank you. “Do you remember what you played when but none aided me more than my trip to you auditioned for Virginia?” I asked her. Rochester, N.Y., to compete in the Rochester Flute Bobbie answered “You know, I can’t think of it Association Competition. Special thanks to right now, let me see. Oh, there’s Mrs. Marks.” The competition was a great experience. We asked Virginia if she remembered the I had the opportunity to perform in front of Nancy Lenhart, audition.“Yes. The Reinhold Impromptu in C- three judges (one was the assistant professor editor of Pro Musica News sharp Minor, No. 3, in ABA form. It begins in of flute at Eastman). I memorized the entire C-sharp, the middle section is in D-flat major, performance, a first for me, and received Public Events Office, then it returns to C-sharp major.” comments from the judges that were College of Musical Arts “Do you see what I mean about models?” extremely helpful in examining my strengths Bobbie asked me. and potential areas of growth. June 07 “Yes, I certainly do.”