R I A L B

VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY

Joyful Music Making The Blair Woodwind Quintet prepare to premiere a work by Peter Schickele 9

0 page 3 0 2 G N I R P S Spring 2009 1 Cover photo of The Blair Woodwind Quintet by Daniel DuBois The BLAIR QUARTER NOTE , a publication From the of the Blair School of Music, is pub - Dean lished twice a year in cooperation with N E E

R t is a pleasure to bring you news A Challenging Blend Development and Alumni Relations G E V

E from the Blair School of Music

Communications for alumni, current T S students and their parents, and other once again. This issue of The Composer Peter Schickele creates a new work for the Blair Woodwind Quintet friends of the School. IQUARTER NOTE goes to the very heart of what we are about as musi - The BLAIR QUARTER NOTE , Vol. 33 By Angela Fox No. 1, Spring 2009 cians. When we think about schools of © 2009 by Vanderbilt University. music, we usually think of places where he ambitious goal of the Blair Com - Kirchner, flute; Jared Hauser, oboe; Cas - at the Juilliard School of Music, where All rights reserved. performing musicians and scholars are missioning Project is to pair each sandra Lee, clarinet; Cynthia Estill, bas - he returned to teach in 1961. trained, both as performing artists and of Blair’s three signature faculty soon; and Leslie Norton, horn. “We felt Schickele gave up teaching four years Editor , Bonnie Arant Ertelt T as teachers, and where concerts are Art Director , Donna DeVore Pritchett ensembles with acclaimed composers from we needed a composer who understands later to pursue a career as a freelance Designer , Christopher Collins given. That much is true, and it is around the world to create new music for these instruments—and Schickele is a bas - composer/performer and gained inter - Contributors , Angela Fox, Tim Ghianni, important. audiences everywhere to enjoy. A Year in soonist as well as an incredible compos - national acclaim when he “discovered” Jonathan Marx, Missy Pankake and Jim the Catskills by Peter Schickele is one of er,” Kirchner says. “We also love this man’s the works—and indeed the very exis - Patterson There is another element to music, however—its actual creation. Of these most eagerly anticipated new works. humor, because, even though tence—of P.D.Q. Bach, the great Associate Dean for Development and course, the Blair School, like most It has its world debut this spring with the we take music seriously, we find composer’s long-lost (yes, some Alumni Relations , Virginia Payne schools of music, has several wonder - Blair Woodwind Quintet. much joy in our work, too.” would say fictional) offspring. Director of External Affairs , Cindy Steine ful composers on its faculty, and we “When we received word of the James Schickele has been finding While he still has a warm and Stephen Turner Family Foundation fund - joy in music since childhood. fruitful working relationship Precollege, adult, and undergraduate take great pride in their work. Three alumni are encouraged to send their years ago, however, we decided to ing of the Blair Commissioning Project Born into a musical family in with this branch of the Bach professional or personal news to: commission works for three of our in 2006, I let the ensembles pick the com - Iowa, Schickele grew up in dynasty, Schickele has earned finest ensembles—the Blair String poser they wanted,” Dean Mark Wait says. Washington, D.C., and Fargo, as much if not more acclaim The BLAIR QUARTER NOTE Quartet, the Blair Woodwind Quintet, The Blakemore Trio selected composer N.D., where he studied com - in recent years composing for 2400 Blakemore Avenue Dean Mark Wait Nashville, TN 37212-3499 and the Blakemore Trio—from nation - Susan Botti, whose new work is set for position with Sigvald Thomp - symphony orchestras, choral ally and internationally renowned composers. With funding from the James S. Turner its world premiere with the trio in New son. “We used to have lots of Schickele groups and chamber ensem - Or by e-mail to: Family Foundation, these commissions are becoming a reality. In addition, the Dean’s York City in spring 2010, while Blair String chamber music in the home,” Schickele bles. A short sample of recent Schickele [email protected] Office is funding commissions of solo works for several of our individual faculty Quartet chose Gyorgy Kurtag. recalls. “My brother played the viola and premieres includes: Concerto for Viola members at Blair. Undergraduate alumni news now After reviewing the works of dozens was always getting people together to and Orchestra, with Danielle Farina and appears in both Vanderbilt Magazine’s These commissions are vitally important for several reasons. First, of course, they culmi - of composers, the Blair Woodwind Quin - play chamber music, so I was around the Pasadena Symphony under Jorge class notes section and in The BLAIR nate in the creation of musical works that expand and enrich the repertoire. Too often, tet picked Schickele, perhaps best known string quartet music a lot.” Mester; Symphony No. 2 The Sweet Sea - QUARTER NOTE . Any news sent by undergraduate alumni is forwarded to we concentrate on music of the past while ignoring the fact that engaging new works is Vanderbilt Magazine . part of our work as artists and musicians. Secondly, these new works will bring attention to the Blair School and its excellent performing faculty, who will become the propo - He is a truly a multifaceted composer. He has an incredible Visit us on the Web at nents of these works. All of these works will be performed not only at Vanderbilt Uni - “ www.vanderbilt.edu/Blair/ versity, but at important musical centers elsewhere. Finally, by making possible the catalog of compositions and has written for every medium. Vanderbilt University is committed to actual creation and performance of these new works, we are reminded of the impor - principles of equal opportunity and tance of music as a means of expression, as an art form in itself. And that, ultimately, is So one thing I know about his Blair commission is that affirmative action. the very reason we exist as artists and as a school of music. it will be very well-crafted. ” –Dean Mark Wait

for his satirical/musical alter-ego P.D.Q. Schickele himself gravitated to the son, premiered by the Saint Paul Cham - Mark Wait Bach, but also an outstanding musician woodwinds as a young boy—and laid claim ber Orchestra under Stefan Sanderling; and composer in his own right. “The wood - to being the only bassoonist in Fargo at New Goldberg Variations for cello and wind quintet is a strange animal,” says the time. By the time he graduated from piano, performed by Yo-Yo Ma and Jane Kirchner, quintet charter member Swarthmore in 1957, he had already com - Emanuel Ax; Symphony No. 1 Songlines , since 1971. “It’s unlike a string or brass posed and conducted orchestral works, premiered by the National Symphony Dean quintet, in which the instruments’ sounds chamber music and a number of songs. under Leonard Slatkin and performed by are produced in basically the same way He went on to study composition with such orchestras as the New York Phil - and the timbre of the group is homoge - Roy Harris and Darius Milhaud, and with harmonic and the Cleveland Orchestra; nous.” The Blair ensemble consists of Vincent Persichetti and William Bergsma and Blue Set No. 1, a jazz string quartet

2 BLAIR Quarter Note Spring 2009 3 commissioned by the Greene Quartet but with strings, the instruments are sim - line that I had never used and had never and recorded on the Virgin label. ilar and inherently have a strong blend,” even decided which instruments they Schickele has also created music for he notes. “With woodwinds, each instru - were suited for,” Schickele says. “When Cornelia Heard named holder of feature films, documentaries, television ment is so different. The flute, oboe, clar - I began working on this commission, I commercials and several Sesame Street inet and bassoon, though all winds, are realized these sketches were perfect for episodes. He was one of the compos - all different sounds, and the French horn, a woodwind quintet.” Valere Blair Potter Chair er/lyricists for Oh! Calcutta! , and his week - well, that isn’t even a woodwind and so The fourth movement features a promi - D A

ly syndicated radio program, Schickele it can really stick out. The blending is nent oboe solo and a clarinet solo—and ornelia Heard, professor of N I E L D U

Mix, has been heard nationwide over Pub - tricky—so while I want to take advan - invites audience reflection. “It’s slow and music and chair of the strings B O I lic Radio International since 1992. Then tage of the variety, I also want to explore still,” Schickele says. “I don’t like to use Cdepartment of the Blair School S there are his orchestral programs P.D.Q. the blending.” words like ‘sad’ because it’s like telling of Music, has been named the holder Bach: The Vegas Years and P.D.Q. Bach Schickele’s new work explores variety the audience what to feel.” The fifth move - of the newly created Valere Blair Pot - Strikes Back , as well as his chamber pro - and blending in five movements. The first ment, while not overtly humorous, cer - ter Chair. gram, P.D.Q. Bach and Peter Schickele: The movement, called “Fantasy,” showcases tainly sounds like it may leave audiences The chair is endowed through a gift smiling. “The final movement is a bebop to the university by the grandchildren D A N I E

L jazz kind of thing,” says Schickele. of Valere Blair Potter. D U B O If composing for woodwinds poses a “We are very excited to receive this I S challenge, tackling a new work also tests endowed chair, and most proud of this the musicians debuting the work. “You recognition by the Potter family of practice even harder and study the score Connie’s accomplishments as a per - more closely because you don’t have pre - former and teaching artist,” said Mark vious recordings to listen to,” Kirchner Wait, Blair School dean. “This rare and says. “You have to determine the char - valued endowment is an example of acter of the music, have colleagues coach the generosity of the descendants of and counsel you, and tape yourselves Valere Blair Potter to Vanderbilt Uni - playing the piece to listen, critique and versity and the Blair School in partic - learn more.” ular through the generations, and it is Despite the extra attention a new work most fitting that Connie Heard be Cornelia Heard requires, it is perhaps the most exciting named the recipient of this honor.” kind of music to perform. “New works In addition to being a much sought- offer a great opportunity to grow and after teacher in both the university and We are very excited to receive this learn,” Kirchner says. “And we especial - precollege schools at Blair since 1982, “ ly need new music because the wood - Heard is a violinist for the Blair String wind quintet doesn’t have as extensive a Quartet, the school’s most celebrated endowed chair, and most proud of this repertoire as the strings or brass, whose performing ensemble. She has per - music goes back centuries. A lot of what formed as soloist with the North Car - recognition by the Potter family of woodwind quintets play is 20th centu - olina Symphony, Nashville Symphony, ry music. We hope Schickele’s work will Vanderbilt Orchestra, Municipal Cham - Connie’s accomplishments as a performer be a new classic of this century.” ber Orchestra in New York, and Aspen The Blair Woodwind Quintet is, from left, Leslie Norton, horn; Cynthia Estill, bassoon; Cassandra Lee, “We need original music,” agrees Jared Brandenburg Ensemble. Her students and teaching artist. clarinet; Jane Kirchner, flute; and Jared Hauser, oboe. ” —Dean Mark Wait Hauser, the newest member of the Blair have won and been prize winners in Jekyll and Hyde Tour , that continue to the virtuosity of the five instruments and Woodwind Quintet. “This is my first sea - such competitions as Music Teachers explore his musical satirist persona. is “hefty and involved,” according to the son with the quintet and one of the things National Association National Com - formance faculty at the Sewanee Fes - Musical Arts in 1964, under the aus - “He is truly a multifaceted composer,” composer. The second movement, called that really excited me about joining the petition, Corpus Christi International tival, 1985-99; Killington Music Fes - pices of the Potter Foundation. This Wait says. “He has an incredible catalog “Imitations,” is a series of canons where ensemble was the commissioning proj - Competition, Fischoff Chamber Music tival 2002-04; and the Aspen Music well-known music academy later became of compositions and has written for every the instruments mimic each other for ect. This whole series of commissioned Competition, Montgomery and LaGrange Festival 2005-07. the Blair School of Music, and joined medium. So one thing I know about his what Schickele calls a “hypnotic, trance pieces is really rare and is a big feather in Symphony Concerto Competitions, Valere Blair Potter, a beloved Nashville Vanderbilt University in 1981. Valere Blair commission is that it will be very like effect.” the cap of the school.” Curb Records/Nashville Symphony community philanthropist and volun - Potter’s grandchildren, members of the well-crafted.” The third movement is inspired by the “Not many schools of music do this,” Competition, as well as local and sum - teer, along with her daughter, Anne, Potter and Wilson families of Nashville Part of the fun of this particular com - bass line from Bach’s Goldberg Variations , Wait concurs. “We teach our students mer festival concerto competitions. She and son-in-law, David K.Wilson, found - and California, are the donors of the mission for Schickele is the challenge a rich musical vein Schickele has mined to play the music of the past, but it is has served as a member of the per - ed the Peabody Preparatory School of chair at the Blair School. presented by writing for woodwinds. “I’ve in the past, resulting in several other com - equally important to support and nurture written several pieces for string quartets, positions. “I still had sketches on the bass and present the music of the future.”

4 BLAIR Quarter Note Spring 2009 5 S T E V

E Those may seem highlights enough for The performance aside, Mann’s visit musical figure,” Wait explains. “The inter - G R E E

N one year, but it shouldn’t be overlooked also was reaffirming to these musicians est in his music exists in how these lines that the generosity of benefactors allowed and students. of music intersect.” Blair to push forward by commissioning “What was so profoundly moving to The visiting artists in Blair’s salute works by great composers for perform - me: That (master) class he gave so beau - included Tara O’Connor, flute; Charles ance by the faculty of musical virtuosos. tifully explained why music is important Neidich, clarinet; Rolf Schulte, violin; Fred Gracious Guests Deserved pride lights Wait’s face as he to everyone,” Kochanowski says. “He Sherry, cello; and Steve Gosling, piano. The Blair School hosts distinguished, reviews these accomplishments. “The Blair showed our students a level of intensity “These are some of the best musicians School is relatively young. We’ve only had that is hopefully going to run through in the world,” says Wait. internationally recognized artists this year a collegiate program since 1986. And the their lives.” O’Connor, New York-based music edu - trajectory is definitely upward,” he says. Voice students will seek similar inspi - cator and flute player, notes that “there “Just the fact that we can bring in great ration in the April appearance by Met - are only two places you can hear this pro - artists for the students and the faculty ropolitan Opera star Fleming, who only gram with these players: the Blair School By Tim Ghianni is a great pleasure,” he says. agreed to perform in Ingram Hall after and Carnegie Hall. Equally excited by the year—most hearing raves by fellow soprano Dawn “It’s quite something the Blair School he Blair School of Music this year the Blair String Quartet and gave mas - Wait—who is setting aside her usual especially by the Mann visit—are mem - Upshaw, who has sung at Blair twice. The is on board,” O’Connor says. “[It shows has shown as much vigor as an ter classes. requirement for 1,000-plus-seating to bers of the Blair String Quartet. sopranos share the same agent, and word a] commitment to the music of the future.” T 88-year-old man. Mann’s visit set a vigorous tone for the perform in the 618-seat Ingram Hall. First violinist Chris Teal, a 35-year of the gem that is Ingram convinced Flem - “We are not principally a presenting And that’s a good thing, because in this school. “It’s a good year for us,” Wait says. Additionally, the Blair String Quartet pre - member of the BSQ, recalls it as “unfor - J O H case, the octogenarian-plus is string mas - This “good year” also included the visit to sented the local premiere of Triptych , gettable.” Mann “gave a wonderful mas - N R U S S E ter Robert Mann, who founded the Juil - Blair by world-class musicians who recre - esteemed New York composer Robert ter class,” he says. “And even though he’s L L liard String Quartet in 1946 and remained ated iconic composer Elliott Carter’s tex - Sirota’s rumination on 9/11. The com - known as a great, great violinist, he also first violinist until “retiring” in 1997. tured, challenging work as part of a poser, who is president of the Manhattan played viola.” In fact, Mann, the Juilliard “Bobby is a joy,” says Dean Mark Wait, worldwide observance of his 100th birth - School of Music, attended the perform - String Quartet founder—whose biogra - marveling at the October visit during day. And it includes Renée Fleming—“the ance, which he regaled as “transcendent” phy includes a 1952 visit to Albert Ein - which Mann played second viola with best soprano in the world,” according to in a congratulatory note to the quartet. stein’s house during which the scientist joined in on violin—played the second viola part in the Blair group’s perform - ance of Mozart’s Quintet in C-Major for String Quartet and Viola. Mann “has been an incredible force in chamber music in America,” says Teal. “He’s a living legend …. His commitment and passion and his vision of the vitality of chamber music has inspired a lot of players.” One who speaks to that inspiration is Robert Mann (center), founder of the Juilliard String Quartet, presented a master class at Blair during the BSQ violist John Kochanowski, who has fall semester. He and Blair’s John Kochanowski (right) work with Ben Hart. known Mann for 37 years. “I was a stu - dent at Juilliard, and he was my teacher,” ing to appear at Blair, according to Wait. organization,” Wait says, emphasizing he says. “I’ve been at Vanderbilt 21 years. Both sopranos’ visits were made possible how special the opportunities and cir - Before that I was the violist and found - through a fund endowed by the late Mary cumstances were that brought these ing member of the Concord String Quar - Ragland, an accomplished soprano who acclaimed artists to perform at the Blair tet, which Bobby Mann put together. [He] settled in Nashville and became a patron School. “This year we were especially for - was my mentor.” of the arts. tunate to get some of the great artists in Kochanowski says the visit was “one The November “Music for 100 Years— the musical world.” of those great, once-in-a-lifetime things. The Elliott Carter Centenary Concert” “Every year the Blair School has very To have him sit next to me and make was another peak. Carter’s 100th birth - good artists come visit: This just happened music is the great thrill of my life.” day was celebrated throughout the clas - to be a great year.” sical world, as ensembles explored the works of the composer who consistently Tim Ghianni, a veteran journalist who A violin master class with Grammy-nominated challenges textural, tonal boundaries. lives in Nashville, is serving this year as guest virtuoso Andres Cardenes was held this fall “There might be some long, lyrical Journalist-in-Residence for Vanderbilt Stu - in Blair's Turner Hall. Here Cardenes works with Blair freshman Caroline Hart. line contrasted with a skitting, jittery dent Communications.

Spring 2009 7 Lovensheimer has encountered his ing spills out of the classroom and into students the idea that American music is own share of revelations about the post - student life (see below). For Lovensheimer, not inferior to European music. It’s an Listening to Histo ry war era in his latest research project, South it’s all a part of getting people to under - intersection of cultures and people and Pacific: Paradise Rewritten, due to be pub - stand the fundamental vitality of the cul - ideas and traditions that most of us don’t Blair professors Joy Calico and Jim Lovensheimer reconsider the Cold War era by lished by Oxford University Press later ture that surrounds us every day. think go together. And yet they’re always this year. Though Rodgers and Hammer - “My goal is to make people aware of bumping together and creating something examining two strikingly different works of music stein’s hugely popular musical would seem the vast body of music that’s out there to new, and that’s what makes American By Jonathan Marx to have little in common with Schoen - be experienced,” he says. “One of the few music so exciting.” berg’s jarring piece, the two works pre - soapboxes I get on is to instill in my ith politics at the forefront of Warsaw” in Postwar Europe , a study of the heroic; it’s a 12-tone composition; and miered within a year of each other. And, the news cycle, particularly celebrated modernist’s 1947 choral work, though Schoenberg (who moved to the like A Survivor in Warsaw, South Pacific Wgiven the past election year, which gives powerful expression to the United States in 1934) never returned to has a lot to tell us about the mid-20th- Chancellor’s Cup awarded to it’s easy to assess the impact of today’s experiences of Polish Jews during the his home in Austria, this piece serves as century mindset. constant barrage of instantaneous news Holocaust. The composer died in 1951, a kind of symbolic remigration. “When I was doing some research at Blair’s Lovensheimer J on the artists of our time. Tune in any leaving behind A Survivor in Warsaw as “The buttons it pushes are the same the Library of Congress in the Oscar Ham - O H N R J O radio—or perhaps more accurately, everywhere, but the specific contexts merstein II Collection, I discovered that U S H S N E L L R

access YouTube—and you can hear U that emerge are interesting.” the show started out much more politi - S S E L the latest lullaby, parody or pop tune L As a case in point, Calico cites the cal than it ended up being,” Lovensheimer geared to a particular political view - piece’s mixed reception in West Ger - says. “At the same time, it does have a mes - point. many during the 1950s. “We have sage of racial tolerance. So the playwrights This is no less true for composers this image of West Germany in the had to find this fine line between edify - working in classical music or musi - 1950s as a nirvana for modern music, ing and entertaining their audiences. My cal theatre, nor is it limited to those but that’s not entirely true. My research work at large is about looking at issues of working in the present day. Cultur - shows that there was an anti-Semit - gender, race, colonialism and the new cor - al context, including the role of pol - ic sentiment running through the porate system, and demonstrating how itics, has always shaped how music country at the time, and that influ - South Pacific deals with those issues.” is composed and performed, and Blair enced the reception of Survivor . The In the field of musicology, American School of Music professors Joy Cal - American version of West German musical theater remains a relatively unex - ico and Jim Lovensheimer feel that history isn’t an accident—in this case, plored topic of discussion. This is, Lovens- as musicologists they are charged history was quite literally written by heimer says, because it’s a popular genre. with helping students to understand the victors.” “Classical music critics don’t take it seri - music within the cultural context of Calico will continue to work on ously because they think it’s middlebrow, its creation. Both will tell you, how - the book during the next academic and theater people don’t take it serious - ever, that this context is perpetual - year, thanks to having received a high - ly because they think it’s not legitimate Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos presents professor of musicology Jim Lovensheimer (center) with the Chancellor's Cup as Thomas Connor (left) of the Alumni Association looks on. ly shifting, subject to the vagaries of ly competitive ACLS Frederick theater,” he says. “This is starting to change, history and society. Through their Burkhardt Fellowship for Recently though, and I’m hoping that this book im Lovensheimer, assistant professor of “Jim is very generous with students both indi - own scholarly pursuits, Calico and Tenured Scholars, which will allow will be a part of creating that change. musicology, was surprised to see Chan - vidually and collectively, both with classes at Blair Lovensheimer come a little closer to her to spend 2009-10 as a fellow at Within this genre, there are some pow - Jcellor Nicholas S. Zeppos striding into and classes outside Blair,” Blair Dean Mark Wait grasping the profound complexities the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced erful cultural texts that tell us about who his American Popular Music class. With a video said. “He offers a scintillating class for non-majors of music as it is experienced in the Study at Harvard. Her archival research we are: Showboat addresses the issue of of James Brown up on the screen behind and yet creates very sophisticated and elegant real world. thus far in Warsaw, Oslo and Paris race, for instance, and Oklahoma is all him in the Sarratt Cinema, Lovensheimer was classes for music majors. Blair musicologists Joy Calico and Jim Lovensheimer “I try to discourage my students has been funded by a Vanderbilt Uni - about being an American in a time of war.” speechless when Zeppos announced he was “He’s terrific,” Wait says. “Blair and Vanderbilt here to “give you the Chancellor’s Cup,” and are lucky to have him.” from thinking of music only as entertain - a kind of thorny posthumous legacy. versity Research Scholars Grant and a Lovensheimer routinely brings his irre - the class broke into applause. “[The chancellor] stood there for a long time ment,” Calico says. “Composers don’t live “The piece is a lens through which to Howard Fellowship from the George A. pressible enthusiasm for research into the The Chancellor’s Cup is given annually for saying wonderful things, none of which I remem - in a vacuum. We have this idea that they view what was happening in postwar and Eliza Gardner Howard Foundation; classroom, where he urges students to “the greatest contribution outside the classroom ber because I was stunned,” Lovensheimer says. operate in a parallel universe where out - Europe,” Calico explains, “so I’m looking the latter will fund Calico’s additional open their minds to new ways of think - to undergraduate student-faculty relationships “I still don’t think of what I do for students as side forces don’t affect them, but poli - at how the piece was received in seven archive work in Prague, Vienna and Leipzig ing. It’s for this reason, among others, that in the recent past.” The faculty member’s con - being outside the parameters of my work. It is tics—on any number of fronts, and different countries on both sides of the this summer. he was named not only the 2008 winner tribution “shall be one of educational importance, a vital part of that work. If the students knew how interpreted any number of ways—affects East/West divide. It managed to hit every “There’s a huge body of literature on of the Ellen Gregg Ingalls Award for Excel - relevant to the central purpose of the University.” much I learn from them each semester, and how what they do.” exposed nerve of the European psyche Holocaust studies that I’m just now get - lence in Classroom Teaching at Vander - After receiving his Ph.D. from the Ohio State much I treasure that learning, it might reinvent This idea is at the core of Calico’s lat - at the time. It was written by a Jew; it’s ting into,” Calico says, “and I have no doubt bilt, but also the recipient of the University, Lovensheimer joined the Blair School the student-professor relationship.” est research-in-progress, Musical Remi - about the Holocaust; it makes the Ger - that this scholarship will affect the way Chancellor’s Cup, given annually to a fac - of Music faculty in 2002. —Missy Pankake gration: Schoenberg’s “A Survivor from mans look like fiends and the Jews look I’m handling this project.” ulty member whose dedication to teach -

8 BLAIR Quarter Note Spring 2009 9 M U M R U R Y R

R During his three-year course of study, S Y O S M O E M R Ramsay will accompany the world-famous V E R I L V L E I L L

E King’s College Choir for services, con - certs, tours, recordings and broadcasts, including the annual worldwide live BBC radio broadcast of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve. Ramsay has distinguished himself as a performer on both organ and harp and as a composer, earning diplomas in both harp and organ performance from the Associ - ated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) in 2006. He was twice award - ed first prize in the Music Teachers Nation - al Association National Composition Competition, was a national prize win - ner in the American Harp Society Nation - al Competition, and was awarded the The British and Nashville choirs participated in a joint workshop prior to their performance at St. George’s. ABRSM Hedy King Robinson Award for music theory in 2008. the next afternoon. Both Trepte and the and orchestra, but was changed in its final In addition to being a member of the head chorister of the choir praised the form for boy-soprano. In its review of the Nashville Boychoir at Blair, he served as Nashville group for their professionalism piece on ClassicalSource.com, Jackson principal harpist of the Curb Youth Sym - and sound. was praised for his “marvelous voice, and phony, under the direction of Carol Nies. it’s clear he understands the text, too.” He played continuo for Belle Meade Baroque Ty Jackson , a member of the Nashville Boy - Boychoir member Jake Moor shared the under the direction of Murray Somerville, choir at Blair, is the treble soloist in the treble solo with Jackson during perform - and studied harp with Carol McClure, Nashville Symphony Orchestra and Cho - ances of the Corigliano piece with the artistic director of The Harp School Inc. rus recording of John Corigliano’s A Dylan Nashville Symphony Orchestra and Cho - He studied organ with Wilma Jensen, music Thomas Trilogy , released in the fall on the rus during its 2007-08 season, singing the director, emerita, of St. George’s Episco - Naxos label. The work was conducted by part at the Saturday performance. Moor pal Church, Nashville, and piano with Leonard Slatkin and recorded in Decem - has sung numerous solos with various Robert Marler of Belmont University. He ber 2007 at the Schermerhorn Sympho - groups, including Nashville Opera’s Amahl was supervised in his theory and compo -

The Nashville Boychoir at Blair performed with the Cathedral Choir of Ely Cathedral (in red) at Nashville’s St. George Episcopal Church last fall. ny Center. Joining Jackson as soloists and the Night Visitors in December. sition work by Wes Ramsay. for the piece were Sir Thomas Allen and He is currently a student at the King’s John Tessier. Parker Ramsay , former member of the School, Ely, U.K., where he serves as Jackson’s solo on “Fern Hill” was orig - Nashville Boychoir at Blair, has accepted Sixth Form Organ Scholar for Ely Cathe - inally scored for mezzo-soprano, chorus the prestigious position of Organ Schol - dral, studying with organist Paul Trepte E L

ar at King’s College, I and regularly performing and conduct - Z A P B H E O T H T Cambridge Universi - ing in the weekly schedule of services in O S A S Y A Boy (choi r)’s Life U E B R

M ty, England. He will the cathedral. During his time in Ely, S I T T E The Nashville Boychoir at Blair partners with a British choir, D be the first American Ramsay has continued to distinguish to hold this position himself, winning the Composer of the while three of its own celebrate accomplishments and will begin his Year award offered by the Cambridge studies there in the Young Musicians Trust. A member of the onnecting with other boychoirs Under the direction of Paul Trepte, evening, Peter North, music director of fall of 2010. The Nashville Chapter of the American Guild worldwide has been an ongoing organist and director of music at Ely the King’s School, Ely, conducted a work - Organ Scholarship at Parker Ramsay of Organists, the American Choral Direc - Cproject for the Nashville Boychoir Cathedral, the combined boychoirs sang shop for the Young Men’s Chorus, lead - King’s College is one of the premier posi - tors Association and the American Harp at Blair since its inception. As they did last four songs by English composer Richard ing to their singing alongside the tions in the world for training young organ - Society, Ramsay participated in the Cathe - year, the Nashville Boychoir under the Rodney Bennett. An hour-and-a-half long professional lay clerks (men singers) of ists. Previous holders include Simon dral Choir of Ely Cathedral tour, includ - direction of Hazel Somerville joined with workshop was preceded by a vigorous the Ely Cathedral Choir. Preston, later organist of Westminster ing its stop in Nashville, which reunited the Cathedral Choir of Ely Cathedral, dodge-ball game between the two choirs Both groups combined in concert at Abbey, and Sir Andrew Davis, later con - him briefly with the Nashville Boychoir U.K., last fall for a workshop and concert. (a great hit with the boys). Also that Nashville’s St. George Episcopal Church Ty Jackson (right) with John Corigliano ductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. at Blair.

10 BLAIR Quarter Note Spring 2009 11 DON’T MISS THESE TWO EXCITING SPRING EVENTS! BLAIR COMMISSIONS SERIES PREMIERE Composer PETER SCHICKELE Schickele Mix and Match: Quintet Classics, old and new (or then and now) THE BLAIR WOODWIND QUINTET

Monday, March 16, 8 p.m., Ingram Hall Tennessee in January at the Southern In May, the Youth Strings Orchestras , Sponsored in part by the James Stephen Turner STUDENTS Division Competition in Virginia. the Suzuki Reading Orchestra and the Family Foundation Beginning Reading Orchestra combined PRECOLLEGE AND ADULTS The Blair Suzuki Players performed at for their spring concert in Ingram Hall. he Blair Woodwind Quintet proudly presents the world At the MTNA State Competition in the Nashville Symphony Free Day of All are under the direction of Celeste premiere of its commission by Peter Schickele. Along - November, the following Blair students Music in October. Carol Smith , violin , Halbrook Tuten . Tside this eagerly anticipated event, the ensemble offers received awards: Annie Bender , grade 9, and Kirsten Cassel , cello , directed the two earlier classics from the repertoire by Anton Reicha, the winner of the junior strings competition groups , accompanied by Celeste Will Bender was selected to perform at first-ever composer for quintet, and Carl Nielsen, among and student of Carolyn Huebl ; Marie- Halbrook Tuten . the International Suzuki Conference in the 20th century’s best wind composers. Come celebrate Mitsou Akimoto , grade 7, alternate in Minneapolis for concert artist Helen one brand-new piece and two grand old ones, along with the junior strings competition and stu - Students from the studio of Celeste Callus in May. He and Carey Skinner oboist Jared Hauser’s first performance as a member of dent of Chris Teal ; and Jacob Schafer , Halbrook Tuten presented a short pro - performed in master classes at the sec - the Quintet. grade 10, alternate in the senior strings gram at St. George’s Day Kindergarten ond annual Viola Celebration in This event will be free, but tickets will be required. competition and student of Chris Teal . in April. Knoxville in September. Both Will and Tickets for this event are available at the Blair main office. Bender represented Blair and the state of Carey also attended Credo in Oberlin, Ohio , during the summer and are stu -

P dents of Kathryn Plummer . H

lair’s first annual Precollege O T O S Piano Competition took U B M I

T Daniel Capparella won the Nashville T

place Nov. 16. Organized E B D and led by Jama Reagan, Elizabeth Area Music Teachers’ Association Young BLAIR PRESENTS Eckert and the rest of the Blair Artist Achievement Award in April. He piano faculty, it included guest lec - is a violin student of Carol Smith . turer Melanie Lowe, a member of A Very Special Evening with Blair’s musicology faculty. Christina Chintanaphol , violin ; Susanna Soprano RENÉE FLEMING Johnson , viola ; Jasmine Miller , violin ; Grades K & 1: Gitae Park , winner Wesley Skinner , cello ; Rebekah Wallen , Friday, April 10, 8 p.m., Ingram Hall Grades 2 & 3: Dong Zhao , winner; harp ; and Robert Yang , cello , performed This concert is sponsored by the Mary Cortner Christine Li and Kaitlyn Mi , as soloists at the Nashville Symphony honorable mention; Ragland Master Series Fund Free Day of Music in October. Grades 4 & 5: Tony Ding , winner, he undisputed reigning voice of the Metropolitan Opera Lindsey Tucker , honorable Cameron Howe , viola , performed as a makes a rare appearance in Nashville for a solo recital mention; soloist for the Metro Arts Exposition and Tin the exquisite acoustical setting of Ingram Hall. Grades 6 & 7: Jenny Sai and Showcase in October. Joyce Kang , winners Last October, Kang Huh presented his The concert and reception are sold out The winners studied with precol - but Turner Hall will be available for live video viewing. The live lege piano faculty Elizabeth Suzuki Book 4-6 cello recital. Celeste video viewing is free, but tickets will be required. Tickets for Eckert , Chi Hee Hwang , Valerie Halbrook Tuten was the accompanist. He the limited-seating live video viewing are available at the Middleton and Roland Schneller is a current student of Kirsten Cassel and Blair main office. Contact Cindy Steine at 322-7651 for a former student of Anne Hall Williams . information. Judge Helen Gleason with Grades K-3 winners of Blair’s first Precollege Piano Competition. From left, Christine Li, Kaitlyn Susanna Johnson attended the Eastern Mi, Dong Zhao and Gitae Park. Music Festival in Greensboro, N.C . She is a viola student of Kathryn Plummer .

12 BLAIR Quarter Note Spring 2009 13 Wesley Skinner was one of three student competition and a student of Chris Teal ; Sophomore violin performance major Wilkison. He is a student of Connie son. She is a former flute student of Preetha Narayanan , BMus’06, attended cellists chosen to play in a master class and Jacob Sievers , junior, winner of the Kelsey Hudson performed at Heard . Jane Kirchner and recently married the Aspen Music Festival last summer with Yo-Yo Ma sponsored by the Young Artist Piano competition and a Greenwood Chamber Music Camp in Miles Clark Barr, an ’06 engineering and performed with the Aspen Festival Nashville Symphony at the student of Karen Ann Krieger . All three Massachusetts last summer and served as Eva Walsh , junior violinist, returned on alumnus. Jane and Frank Kirchner Orchestra after having concluded 18 Schermerhorn Symphony Center. represented Vanderbilt and the state of a counselor to high school students. She full scholarship last summer to the attended the wedding . months of study on a Fulbright Wesley, a high school senior from Tennessee in January at the Southern is a student of Connie Heard . Colorado College Summer Music Fellowship in India. Currently enrolled Paducah, Ky., is a student of Bradley Division Competition in Virginia. Sievers Festival in Colorado Springs. She is a Jennifer Estrin , BMus’08, attended the in a master’s program at the Guildhall Mansell and a Myra Jackson Blair was also selected to perform a solo con - Blair sophomore James Larson won the student of Connie Heard . Aspen Music Festival last summer, study - School in London, she is a former stu - Scholarship recipient. cert last June at the 2008 Southern senior division of the state competition ing with Connie Heard (her teacher at dent of Connie Heard . for American String Teachers Blair ) and Paul Kantor of the Cleveland P S H T E O V T E O Association and will compete in the Institute. She also performed a chamber G C R E O E U

ALUMNI N

R regional competition. He is a viola stu - music concert for the festival in Salida, T E S Y

O dent of Kathryn Plummer . Colo ., as well as weekly with the Aspen F M A

T PRECOLLEGE Festival Orchestra. She is currently B R I T A I N Sophomore violinist Gentry Lasater was Kathryn Eberle attended the Aspen enrolled in the master’s program at invited to present a violin recital in New Music Festival on fellowship last summer, Indiana University, where she studies Bern, N .C., in November and also is to performing in the Aspen Chamber with Kevork Mardirossian. perform the Tchaikovsky Concerto with Symphony and on a number of faculty the North Carolina Symphony in May. chamber music concerts. A master’s Alexandra MacKay , BMus’ 97 , a member The appearance with the North Carolina student at Juilliard, she was concertmas - of the Nashville law firm Stites & Symphony was the result of winning the ter of the Juilliard Orchestra for its recent Harbison, has joined the board of the Young Artists’ Concerto Competition. tour of China and will perform as soloist Tennessee Justice Center. Gentry is a student of Connie Heard . with the Louisville Orchestra in April. She was a student of Connie Heard . Ben May , BMus’ 08 , won the American Blair sophomore Chris Lowry attended Choral Directors Association’s student the Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, Christopher Kim , former concertmaster composition contest for this year with a N.C . He is a viola student of Kathryn of the Curb Youth Symphony directed setting of “Absalon, Fili Mi ” for men’s Plummer . by Carol Nies , is attending Northwestern chorus with countertenor solo . He is a Blair faculty member Mat Britain worked with students at the Taipai International Percission Summer Camp last July. University, where he was accepted by former student of the composition Vanderbilt Opera Theatre presented Kurt Weill’s Emily Nelson , junior cello performance renowned violinist and pedagogue department faculty . Street Scene in November. Lindsey Tucker , Jennifer Tucker and Illinois Music Festival, where he served major, was one of three student cellists Almita Vamos . He joins fellow precol - P H O

Janie Keenan Sam Moon T

studied at the University of as the orchestral pianist. chosen to play in a master class given by lege alum , a sophomore O C O

Memphis Summer Suzuki Institute. All Yo-Yo Ma at Schermerhorn Hall. Nelson student of Vamos. U R T E S Y

are piano students of Elizabeth Eckert . To wrap up the fall semester , the is a student of Felix Wang . O F C O

Vanderbilt Commodore Steel Bands , UNDERGRADUATE N N I E

Connor Webber , cello student of Anne under the direction of Mat Britain , per - Blair senior Roberto Papi performed Sophia Arriaga , BMus’08, is a scholar - H E A R Hall Williams , presented his Suzuki formed a special concert at the in master classes at the second annual ship student in the master’s program at D Book 5-6 recital in June. Celeste Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Viola Celebration in Knoxville in Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, study - Halbrook Tuten was the accompanist. December , which was broadcast on the September. He is a viola student of ing with Gabriel Pegis. She is a former hospital’s closed-circuit TV system. Kathryn Plummer . student of Connie Heard . Cecilia Yezbak and Claire Yezbak stud - ied at the Summer Suzuki Institute at Senior voice major Tierney Bamrick par - Johna Smith , junior violin performance Andrew Braddock , BMus’08, is attend - Kingston in Ontario, Canada. They are ticipated in this summer’s 40th annual major, was a scholarship student at the ing Indiana University’s Jacobs School of piano students of Elizabeth Eckert . American Institute of Musical Studies Aspen Festival last summer, where she Music; Henry Haffner , BMus’06, is “AIMS in Graz” program in Graz, performed with the Sinfonia Orchestra attending Cincinnati Conservatory of UNDERGRADUATE Austria . While there she studied German and also with a piano quintet coached by Music ; and John Concklin , BMus’06, At the state MTNA competition in lieder with Blair’s Jonathan Retzlaff , Antoinette Perry. She is a student of graduated from the Yale School of Music November, the following students who, with Charlene Harb and Staff Connie Heard . in conducting. All are former viola stu - received awards: Madeleine (Lucy) Accompanist Jennifer McGuire , held a dents of Kathryn Plummer . Turner , freshman, winner of the Senior position on the AIMS summer faculty. Austin Stevens , sophomore violin per - Strings competition and a student of Blair seniors Jena Carpenter and formance major, returned last summer Lisa Bryington , BMus’06, is executive Former and current Blair students (with Blair faculty member Cornelia Heard) attended the Aspen Music Festival last summer. On top of Aspen Mountain: Bonnie Brown, Andy Braddock, Shona Goldberg-Leopold, Connie Heard ; Ben Hart , junior, repre - Amanda Pogach also attended. Bamrick to the Masterworks orchestral program director of Boston Musica Viva (www. Johna Smith, Heard, Preetha Narayanan, Jennifer Estrin and Kathryn Eberle, Not pictured, but also attending sentative in the Young Artist Strings is a student of Gayle Shay . in Indiana, where he studied with Bruce bmv.org ), now celebrating its 40th sea - Aspen were Blair viola alums Whitney Bullock and Eliza Thomason.

14 BLAIR Quarter Note Spring 2009 15 P H O

T included return engagements to Music Zealand, and saw world premieres of Amy Jarman , senior lecturer in voice, 10th anniversary and at Park Manor. O C O

U Mountain in Connecticut, Lee newly commissioned works in Eugene, presented recitals of American music in Karen Ann Krieger , associate professor R T E S Y

O University in Cleveland, Tenn ., Ore., and in Oklahoma City by the Sofia, Bulgaria , as a part of the AmBul of piano and piano pedagogy, gave a F C O

N University of Georgia in Athens and National SATB Honor Choir at the 2008 Festival of American and Bulgarian presentation , “Teaching Technique and N I E

H Southwestern Georgia University in National American Choral Directors music, and in Bristol, England , as a fea - Musicality ,” to the Southern Indiana E A R D Americus. The quartet also appeared at Association Conference. He published tured performer on the Bristol Cathedral Area Music Teachers in Evansville in Samford University in Birmingham, the article “Weep No More” in GIA recital series. In addition, she gave lec - October . She also judged the Ala ., performing with former Blair fac - Music Series Teaching Music through ture/recitals and taught master classes in Cincinnati Conservatory of Music’s ulty member Ron Shinn and presenting Performance, Volume III . American art song at the Guildhall Concerto Competition. master classes. School of Music and Drama in London Amy Dorfman , associate professor of and the Royal Northern College of Michael Kurek , associate professor of The Blakemore Trio ’s busy fall schedule piano, teamed up with violinist Noah Music in Manchester, England. composition, had his Concertino for included a concert on the prestigious Bendix-Balgley in September to present Celesta and Orchestra performed in “Artist Series” in Tallahassee , Fla. The trio a benefit recital for the Asheville John Johns , associate professor of guitar, January by the Orchestra of the Theater also performed at the University of Symphony at the Diana Wortham recently performed a solo recital for the Lüneburg near Hamburg, Germany . His North Florida and Western Kentucky Theater. Tennessee Guitar Festival at Middle Sonata for Viola and Piano was per - University, as well as on chamber music Tennessee State University . In the fall he formed in January by the distinguished series in Memphis and Huntsville. Elizabeth Eckert , adjunct artist teacher presented “John Johns and His Lady soloist Sylvia Ahramjian and pianist Carl Blair students Mira Chang, Blake Johnson, Justin Goldsmith and Emily Nelson with Yo-Yo Ma (second from of piano, performed in Washington , Friends, Part Deux, ” with “lady friends ” Cranmer in Philadelphia . Concurrent left) at the Schermerhorn Center last fall. Nelson and Blair precollegiate cellist Wesley Skinner participated in Ma’s master class. Mat Britain , adjunct instructor of music, D.C.‘s Hall of Nations at the Levine Carolyn Huebl , violin, Jane Kirchner , with the Philadelphia performance , was invited to teach steel drums at the School of Music’s gala event. She also flute, and Kathryn Plummer , viola , at Kurek was guest composer at West Holland Phillips , BMus’00, is completing Kartunnen for six string players and six Taipei International Percussion Summer attended the Music Mind Games Unit 2 First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, Chester University . her doctorate at University of Oregon composers, which culminated in a con - Camp at the National Taipei University Teacher Training Class in Kensington, Tenn ., for its Fall Chamber Music Series ; where she won the concerto competition cert at the Santa Fe Chamber Music School of the Arts in July. The camp, Md., last summer. on The Blair School Signature Series ; and Virginia Lamothe , adjunct professor of and was selected to travel to Odense, Festival . She also taught at an advanced sponsored by the Ju Percussion at Richland Place . In November , Johns dance history and music history, recently Denmark , to compete in the International arts festival in North Hollywood, and her Foundation, featured a concert presented Connie Heard , professor of violin, gave six concerts with the Nashville published an article in the journal Early Nielsen Violin Competition. She is a for - string quartet will serve residencies at by the students at the end of the camp. returned to the artist faculty of the Symphony Orchestra on the Young Music on dance and performance practice mer student of Connie Heard . Princeton, Cornell, the University of Britain was also percussionist for country Aspen Music Festival and School last People’s Concerts series , performing issues in Claudio Monteverdi’s Orfeo . Maryland, Baltimore County and music star Louise Mandrell’s “Joy To The summer where she taught, coached works by Vivaldi and Rodrigo at the Georgia Stitt , BMus’9 4, worked as the Eastman . Her first D .M.A. recital was in World” Christmas Dinner and Show at chamber music , and performed on the Schermerhorn Symphony Center and at Joe Rea Phillips , senior artist teacher of vocal coach on the NBC show America’s late November at the University of the Gaylord Opryland Resort and faculty chamber music series. She per - Austin Peay State University. He also guitar, taught tai chi in The Commons Got Talent . She also performed concerts California, San Diego . She is a former Convention Center in December . formed on German violinist Julia performed solo recitals on “Live in last summer for six weeks as part of the in New York, Los Angeles and London, student of Felix Wang . Fischer’s recital, along with David Halen, Studio C” on WPLN-FM celebrating its Vanderbilt Summer Academy , a pro - and taught master classes at Bowling Joy Calico , associate professor of musi - concertmaster of the St. Louis J Green State University, Baldwin-Wallace cology, presented papers at the national Symphony ; Alan Gilbert, violist and con - O FACULTY H N R U

Conservatory of Music and Cal State The Blair String Quartet traveled to meeting of the German Studies ductor of the New York Philharmonic ; S S E L Fullerton. She was music director for a Highlands, N .C., in August to perform an Association and at a symposium on and Eric Kim, principal cellist of the L tribute to Stephen Schwartz at Los unusual concert at the Highlands/ German culture at Iowa State University Cincinnati Symphony. Angeles ’ Pantages Theater starring Jason Cashiers Chamber Music Festival. The in October . In November she gave invit - Alexander. She is recording new demos, quartet shared the program with acoustic ed colloquia in the musicology depart - Carolyn Huebl , assistant professor of starting work on her second album , and group Punch Brothers, featuring man - ments at the University of California , violin, taught at the Intermountain beginning a project with playwright dolinist Chris Thile (formerly of Nickel Berkeley , and at Stanford University. Suzuki Institute in Utah in June and Jamie Pachino . Creek ) performing works by Beethoven then spent the summer at the Brevard and Ives. Blair violinist Chris Teal and David Childs , associate professor of Music Center, where she served as prin - Shannon Thomas , BMus’04, who earned Thile each played solo Bach on their choral studies , served as conduc - cipal second violin, taught a full class of her master’s degree at Yale University respective instruments. The quartet col - tor/clinician for the Texas All-Region collegiate and precollegiate students and with Ani Kavafian, is currently enrolled laborated with banjoist Noam Pikelney XX Honor Choir in Dallas , the performed chamber music. This fall she in the D .M.A. program at Cleveland on the finale of a quintet written some Tennessee All Mid-State Women’s Choir, presented a recital at Blair with Dean Institute as a student of Paul Kantor. She time ago for the quartet by Edgar Meyer the Mississippi All-State SATB Honor Mark Wait . In October, she presented a is a former student of Connie Heard . and Bela Fleck. The artistic director of the Choir, and the Lake Charles SATB master class at University of North festival is Emory professor and Blair prec - Honor Choir. He tutored and lectured at Florida while on tour with the Ashley Walters William Ransom Blakemore Trio , BMus’0 5, participated in ollege alumnus . the International Summer School of . Members of the Blair Percussion Ensemble, led by Blair faculty member Michael Holland, performed with a festival run by Saariaho and Anssi Other quartet concerts this fall Choral Conducting in Hamilton, New rocks as intruments for one of the works in their November concert in Turner Hall.

16 BLAIR Quarter Note Spring 2009 17 S T E V E

gram that attracts gifted and talented Michael Alec Rose , associate professor of She is currently editing a book on accor - between Physical Tension, Performance G R E E middle and high school students from composition, was guest speaker for the dion traditions in the Americas. Anxiety, and Memorization Strategies, was N many states. music library’s “faculty tune-up” series in recently published by VDM-Verlag. She November, speaking on the sources and Carol Smith , senior artist teacher of vio - served as adjudicator for the Blount Kathryn Plummer , professor of viola , collaborative process leading to his lin, was a clinician and teacher trainer at County Keyboard Competition in taught at the Viola Workout Camp in Pastoral Concerto for Violin and Suzuki Music , Columbus Summer November and will also adjudicate for Crested Butte, Colo ., in June. Also in Orchestra. This composition is dedicated Institute , held at Otterbein College in the Knoxville Music Club ’s auditions in June, she and Michael Alec Rose pre - to Peter Sheppard Skaerved, who served Westerville, Ohio, in June, and a clinician March. sented a lecture/recital at the as violin soloist for the premiere of the at Ithaca College Suzuki Institute, Ithaca, International Viola Congress in Tempe, work with the Vanderbilt Orchestra in N.Y., in July. Felix Wang , associate professor of cello, Ariz. She performed at the Festival der November. performed and taught in several places Zukunft in Ernen , Switzerland , in August Celeste Halbrook Tuten , artist teacher of in addition to his duties in the Blair and performed and taught at the Second Helena Simonett , assistant professor of Suzuki violin, served as accompanist for String Quartet and Blakemore Trio . He Annual Viola Celebration in Knoxville in Latin American studies and adjunct the Middle Tennessee Suzuki Association had solo appearances in East Lansing, September. She was recently elected to assistant professor of music history and at its annual fall workshop at St. Cecilia Mich ., and at Christ Church Cathedral serve on the National Board of the literature, presented papers on her cur - Academy. in Nashville and gave a master class at American Viola Society . rent research on indigenous ceremonial Florida State University . He spent the music at the Annual Conference on Agnes Wan , adjunct artist teacher of summer on the faculty of the Brevard Jonathan Retzlaff , associate professor of Rituals, Holidays, Festivals at Bowling piano, gave a solo recital at the American Music Center, where he taught, per - voice, taught on the faculty of AIMS Green State University and at the Cathedral in Paris in December. In April, formed chamber music , and played in Festival in Graz, Austria , in July and Society for Ethnomusicology she will give a solo recital at the the festival orchestra. August . He appeared with the AIMS Conference at Wesleyan University. Her Sherwood Conservatory in Chicago to be Festival Orchestra singing selections from essay “Quest for the Local: Building broadcast live on WFMT (98.7 FM) . She STAFF Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music Musical Ties between Mexico and the has solo recitals scheduled in The Blair School has reassigned two staff at the Schlossenberg in Graz and in Weiz, United States” was published in Chattanooga and Oak Ridge, Tenn.; members at the Anne Potter Wilson Austria . Last April Retzlaff was soloist in Postnational Musical Identities: Cultural Lexington, Ky.; and Cincinnati, Ohio. Music Library . Michael Jones is circula - Johannes Brahms ’ Requiem with conduc - Production, Distribution and Her book, Physical and Mental Issues in tion coordinator and responsible for all Members of the trombone section of the Blair Big Band as the group played with the Nashville Jazz Orchestra in December. tor Jamie Kirsch and the Blair choirs in a Consumption in a Globalized Scenario. Piano Performance: The Interrelationships circulation services including course benefit concert for The Shade Tree reserves. Sara Manus is now education J Family Clinic in Nashville and the O and outreach librarian. In March, Jacob H N R

Lawala Community Clinic in Kenya. U Schaub joined these colleagues as the Make your gift to BLAIR with a S S E L L new cataloguer at the Wilson Music TAX-FREE IRA rollover Melissa Rose , associate professor of Library. Schaub received his Master’s in piano, gave a workshop on “Playing Library and Information Science in Under the Emergency Economiic Stiimullatiion Act of 2008 Orchestral Reductions: A Guide for the August 2008 from Kent State University ((allso known as the “fiinanciiall rescue” biillll)),, the popullar chariitablle Perplexed Pianist” for the state conven - and is currently working on his master’s IIRA rollllover has been extended.. The new llaw allllows you to tion of the Tennessee Music Teachers degree in music from Ohio University, transfer up to $100,,000 from your IIRA and excllude the Association . In June , she was also the which he hopes to complete in May of transferred amount from your gross iincome.. pianist for the Sherrill Milnes and Dawn this year. Most recently, he catalogued Upshaw master classes at the national sound recordings and music scores at Detaiills about the chariitablle IRA rollllover:: conference of the National Association Kent State University Libraries and • You must be at lleast age 70½.. of Teachers of Singing . In July, she served Media Services. • The llaw expiires on December 31,, 2009.. as an official pianist for ClarinetFest • The IIRA rollllover may not be used for 2008, the annual conference of the Adam Michael has joined the Blair dues,, tiickets,, parkiing or diinners.. International Clarinet Association, per - Development Office as assistant director. • The diistriibuted amount iis exclluded from forming seven recitals with professional Most recently, Adam was associate direc - iincome so no chariitablle deductiion can be cllaiimed.. clarinetists from the world’s leading tor of the Homework Hotline. Prior to orchestras and universities . Following the that, he served as a public defender in The transfer iis easy—jjust send a lletter to your IIRA pllan th conference in Kansas City, she remained the 18 Judicial District and as a teacher admiiniistrator.. For a samplle lletter or more iinformatiion,, for her 15 th season as pianist for the of American history at Montgomery Bell pllease contact Vanderbiillt’’s Offiice of Pllanned Giiviing at Summerfest Chamber Music Series . In Academy in Nashville . He is a 2000 615/343-3113,, 888/758-1999 or [email protected].. October she performed with Nashville’s Blair alumni and current students gather for dinner to discuss “What’s Next?,” a career networking event at graduate of Duke University and a 2004 Alias Chamber Ensemble. the beginning of Reunion Weekend. graduate of Vanderbilt Law School.

18 BLAIR Quarter Note Spring 20098 119 9 Non-profit U. S. Postage PAID Nashville, TN 2201 West End Avenue Permit No. 23 Nashville, TN 37235

Mandolin professor Butch Baldassari dies N E I utch Baldassari, a Blair School of Music pro - Greener, and he was founder and leader of the L B R A K

fessor who created a cottage industry around Nashville Mandolin Ensemble. E Bhis love of mandolin music, died January 10 Baldassari founded the Nashville Mandolin at a Nashville hospice. He was 56. Ensemble after learning about mandolin orches - “Butch Baldassari was a wonderful artist, a warm tras popular in America at the turn of the centu - and generous teacher and a great colleague and friend,” ry. The ensemble, consisting of mandolins, mandola, said Mark Wait, dean of the Blair School. “We were mandocello, guitar and bass, was a popular group extremely fortunate to enjoy his affiliation with the in Nashville. Blair School and to learn from this remarkable man. “We surprise our audiences every time we play,” “Butch’s passing is a huge loss to the Blair School, Baldassari said. “Our repertoire includes Bill Mon - to Vanderbilt and to the musical community.” roe’s bluegrass as well as the music of O’Carolan Baldassari was diagnosed with an inoperable and Vivaldi.” brain tumor nearly two years ago. In 2007, some of Baldassari recorded dozens of albums sold his friends including musicians Ricky Skaggs, Bela through his own company, Sound Art Recordings Fleck, Mark O’Connor and Dierks Bentley participat - (http://www. soundartrecordings.com/index. shtml). ed in a benefit concert at Blair to help defray his med - They include collections of Christmas, jazz, blue - ical expenses. grass and classical music. He frequently explored A native of Scranton, Pa., Baldassari worked in Las the frontiers and relationships between different Vegas as a craps table croupier before turning to music varieties of music. For example, his album Trav - full time. He moved to Nashville in 1989 to record with elers mixed traditional Irish, American and Latin the band Weary Hearts. His mandolin work is featured dance music with an instrumental lineup of two on recordings by Alison Krauss, Elek Bacsik, David mandolins, bouzouki and guitar. Schnauffer, Nashville Bluegrass Band and others. In Baldassari was adjunct professor of mandolin addition to Weary Hearts, Baldassari was a member at Blair since 1996. Survivors include his wife, of the bands Lonesome Standard Time, The Grass is Sinclair Baldassari, and son, Blake Baldassari. Baldassari