THE RETRIEVER November 9, 2004 15 Features World-renowned musicians mentor student performers

RYAN DORRILL dent Yoonsook Nam seemed to frolic along as Retriever Staff Writer it was chased by violin of Scott Sauer. All in all, the piece conjured images of the balls and The Triple Helix Piano Trio master class, royal courts of the eighteenth century, alive held last Friday in the Fine Arts recital hall, with the squabbles and romances of the prim was an enlightening experience for the stu- and proper aristocracy. dents and audience alike. The class featured Triple Helix encouraged this first group performances by four UMBC, students each with a theme that would be repeated through- followed by instruction from the Triple Helix out the rest of this class: find something more Trio. in the music than what is on the page. Triple Helix is, as you may have guessed, “If you only do what’s on the page it’s like a trio of world-renowned musical performers. driving while looking at the roadmap,” said The group features Lois Shapiro on piano, Bayla Keyes. Bayla Keyes on violin, and Rhonda Rider on The following groups were all just as tal- Cello. The three hail from Wellesley College ented. My favorite was the first movement of in Massachusetts, a small women’s college Schubert’s Piano Trio in E flat, a more dra- where they presents lectures and performances matic piece that was paced more like a novel as part of their residency. Among their than a classical piece of music. The piece achievements are a Commissioning Grant started off confident, but with doubt. Then, from Chamber Music of America and the title the piano, as played by student Hsing-Lan, of “Musicians of the Year 2002” by the Boston seemed to loom over the violin and cello that Globe. at times lamented and at others became voy- The master class was a fun and sometimes aging and adventurous. humorous experience for all involved. The The final pieces were the first movement instruction of the trio was lively and energetic, of Beethoven’s Fifth Piano Trio and the first though it could easily go over the head of non- movement of Brahms’ Clarinet Trio Opus music majors. However, the students on stage 114. Both were well-performed pieces, were making noticeable improvements with although not as lively and adventurous as the the sagely instructors’ advice. They encour- previous two by virtue of their composition. aged the students to energize and animate The piano portions as played by Julian their music with body language and creative Withers and Stefanie Watson, respectively, interpretation of the piece. were more somber and sad, though still emo- “You have to talk with your instruments,” tionally evocative pieces. said Triple Helix violinist Bayla Keyes. Overall the night was very enlightening The first performance was the first move- and entertaining. I feel cultured now that I ment of Beethoven’s First Piano Trio in E flat. have heard some wonderful classical pieces This piece was lively and lighthearted with a played live, although I still don’t know exactly skittering dialogue between the piano and vio- what fortissimo is. lin that was occasionally calmed by the warm interventions of the cello, played by UMBC Ryan Dorrill is a staff writer for the Retriever. John Litterine-Kaufman [Retriever Staff] junior George Liu. The piano as played by stu- You may reach him at [email protected]. Instrumental instruction: Visiting mentors gave pointers to Patty Blanchard and other developing musicians. Rock on: brings the hardcore dream to life

DARLA MERCADO Retriever Staff Writer to make it look like people like us!” When Roger opening chords of “Power,” some audience know what I miss? Five-dollar hookers! But came by a second time with the camera, a wave members tore the case open and sprayed beer all Giuliani [New York City’s former mayor, Rudy of screams rippled through the line. I, in turn, over the crowd. The floor opened into an enor- Giuliani] got rid of that. Remember when 42nd Many people can testify to owning a CBGB screamed and cheered accordingly. mous beer-soaked circle pit where carnage Street had hookers–when it wasn’t f—ing Omfug t-shirt, but how many of them can testi- The 20-minute wait stretched to an hour reigned: Floor-punching and hardcore dancing Disneyland?” fy to going to the actual “Home of Underground and 10 minutes. Upon entering, I found out that ensued. At one point, one guy rode on the shoul- After playing what was supposed to be the Rock” to see hardcore legends Agnostic Front? the managers of the club were going to attempt ders of another guy in the pit, and they ran in cir- last number of the night, “The Eliminator,” The pride of held a five-dol- cramming all of the people on the line into the cles, swinging their fists. The stage itself was Roger said, “I just found out that we have to do lar concert at CBGB on Sunday, November 7, club (which is really about as big as my mother’s packed with audience members who either just the first five songs over because we’re doing an which was being filmed for their upcoming living room and dining room combined). Inside, rocked out, sang along, or dived off the stage. audio recording of this.” With that, he went into DVD. the club was plastered with posters and fliers for Agnostic Front played songs from their an encore of “Power,” “Justice,” “Your Mistake,” I showed up at the Lower East Side venue older shows featuring bands such as Billy Club older releases, such as “Strength,” “Peace,” and and “One Voice,” while the roiling crowd around 3 p.m., expecting a 20-minute wait to get Sandwich and No Redeeming Social Value. “Crucified.” Their set list also consisted of “So opened up for one last chance to rock out in the into the tiny club, but the line of anxious punk Agnostic Front didn’t come out on stage Pure to Me,” which is a song about the New York pit. In the end, the show was about an hour and and hardcore kids stretched around the block. until 5:45 p.m., and when they did, guitarist Hardcore scene, according to Roger, and “Take 40 minutes long, but for five bucks, who could After about 40 minutes, Roger Miret, lead Vinny Stigma asked for water–or as we New Me Back,” which Roger dedicated to his younger ask for more? screamer of Agnostic Front, came out with a Yorkers say it, “whaatuhz.” A club employee brother, Freddie, lead singer of fellow NYHC camera man. “Hey, we’re going to film you guys brought several cases of beer and a few bottles of band, . “Five dollar show!” Roger shout- As the writer recovers from being kicked in waiting,” he said, “So when we come by with the water up to the stage. Roger handed the case of ed after “Take Me Back, “Where else can you get the chest, feel free to email her at camera, start screaming and going crazy. We have beer to the crowd, and when the band played the a show in New York City for five dollars? You [email protected].