A Biography and Survey of the Musical Career of Grover Schiltz
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A BIOGRAPHY AND SURVEY OF THE MUSICAL CAREER OF GROVER SCHILTZ DOCUMENT Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for The Degree of Doctor of Musical Arts In the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Robyn Dixon Costa, M.M. ***** The Ohio State University 2009 Document Committee: Professor Robert Sorton, Adviser Approved by: Dr. Russel Mikkelson Dr. Gregory Proctor _______________________ Adviser Music Graduate Program Copyright by Robyn Dixon Costa 2009 ABSTRACT Grover Schiltz, a prominent oboist and English hornist, was a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) from 1959-2005. This document details his musical training and career with special emphasis on his tenure with the Chicago Symphony. Included is a survey of prominent English horn symphonic repertoire performed and recorded by Schiltz with the CSO. The survey lists the date, conductor, location, and frequency each composition was recorded or performed. The names of soloists, record labels, catalog numbers and special notes about the concerts/recordings are listed when applicable. This document also provides an historical overview on how the job of the orchestra musician and the audition process has transformed throughout the years. This includes details from Schiltz’s own experiences along with research regarding the formation of the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM) and orchestra players’ committees. In addition, Schiltz’s views about life as an orchestral musician are discussed. Among the topics are, soloing with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, playing chamber music, performing, practicing, and teaching, as well as a conversation on what equipment he uses and his life outside of the orchestra. Of special interest are comments regarding Schiltz as a teacher and mentor from eight professional musicians who studied with him at crucial points in their careers. ii Dedicated to my father, Dr. William L. Dixon 1943-2009 iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This project would not have been possible without the help of so many people. First thanks go to Grover Schiltz for sharing the memories of his life and career with me. I am honored to have gotten to know him. I am deeply indebted to the Rosenthal Archives of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, especially Frank Villella, who was so generous with his time and knowledge in helping me navigate the vast amount of information stored there. I am very appreciative of Rebecca Henderson, Carolyn Hove, Judith Zunamon Lewis, Washington McClain, Marianne Petersen, Michael Schultz, Robert Sheena, and Lissa Stolz for sharing their comments about Grover Schiltz. Thank you to my committee members, Robert Sorton, Russel Mikkelson, Gregory Proctor and Christopher Weait, for your support, expertise and inspiration. And finally, I am especially grateful to three amazing people who helped me at crucial points in this project; my mother Barbara Dixon, my friend Karen Smythers and my husband Anthony Costa. I could not have completed this without you. iv VITA July 25, 1971………………………………………………………….Born – Milford, Delaware University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music…………………………1988-1992 -Bachelor’s of Music (B.M.) Cum laude (Oboe Performance) Temple University, Esther Boyer College of Music……………………………….1992-1995 -Master’s of Music (M.M.) (Oboe Performance) The Ohio State University……………………………………………………………2001-2003 Graduate Teaching Assistant University of Dayton………………………………………………………………….2001-2008 Adjunct Professor of Music Otterbein College……………………………………………………………………..2002-2008 Adjunct Professor of Oboe and Ear Training Capital University Conservatory of Music………………………………………….2007-2008 Adjunct Associate Professor of Oboe Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra………………………………………………….2001-present Principal English Horn/3rd Oboe FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Music v RECORDINGS “A Celebration of Flight” Dayton Philharmonic (Neal Gittleman, Mus. Director)……...2004 (Albany Records Troy 672) “America’s Robin Hood” Dayton Ballet Association and Encore Studios……………..2003 “Amaranth,” Robert Agis (Produced by Damon Sink and Robert Agis)……………….2000 “Distant Melodies: Postcards from Europe”……………………………………………...1994 WUNC Video Documentary “Cincinnati Wind Symphony”: Druckman, Diamond, Kurka and Others……………...*1994 Eugene Corporon (Klavier - #11051) (*re-released) “Temple People Perform” (An Introduction to the Artistry……………………………….1993 of the Esther Boyer College of Music) “The Gustav Mahler re-orchestration of Beethoven Symphony No. 9”………………..1992 Cincinnati Philharmonia Orchestra, Gerhard Samuel, conductor (Centaur Records, Inc CRC 2107) “Hearts Music” Univ. of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music…………………….1990 Wind Symphony, Eugene Corporon (Mark MCD-780) “Made in America” Univ. of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music………………..1989 Wind Symphony, Eugene Corporon (CCM 421) vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract........................................................................................................................... ii Dedication ...................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................ iv Vita..................................................................................................................................v List of Tables.................................................................................................................. ix Abbreviations...................................................................................................................x Introduction......................................................................................................................1 Chapter 1: Biography.......................................................................................................5 Chapter 2: The Transformation of the Job of Orchestra Musician..................................20 Chapter 3: Schiltz on Auditions......................................................................................28 Chapter 4: Schiltz and Chamber Music...................................................................... …34 Chapter 5: Schiltz on Performing, Practicing and Equipment.................................... ….38 Chapter 6: Schiltz on Teaching......................................................................................44 Chapter 7: In Their Words – Former Students of Grover Schiltz……………………….. ..49 Chapter 8: Schiltz and Hobbies .....................................................................................56 Chapter 9: Schiltz in His Own Words.............................................................................58 vii Chapter 10: Catalogs of Repertoire, Performances and Recordings..............................72 Repertoire List of Prominent English Horn Symphonic Literature .......................73 Key to Performance Catalog and CSO Tour Dates ............................................75 Catalog of Schiltz’s Performances of Prominent English Horn Repertoire..........77 Key to Discography..........................................................................................147 Discography of Schiltz’s Prominent English Horn Symphonic Repertoire.........149 Performances of Solo Repertoire with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra........167 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................170 Appendix A: Schiltz’s Orchestral Work History.............................................................173 Appendix B: A Sampling of Schiltz’s Concert Reviews ...............................................175 Appendix C: CSO Music Directors and Oboe Section 1959-2005................................185 Appendix D: Biographies (CSO Music Directors, Oboe Section, Former Students) .....187 Appendix E: Interview Transcripts ...............................................................................203 Schiltz-Dixon Costa Interview, April 23, 2009, Part 1 .......................................204 Schiltz-Dixon Costa Interview, April 23, 2009, Part 2 .......................................219 Schiltz-Dixon Costa Interview, June 2007, Day 1.............................................237 Schiltz-Dixon Costa Interview, June 2007, Day 2.............................................265 References..................................................................................................................290 viii LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Index of Prominent English Horn Symphonic Repertoire..................................73 Table 2: Catalog of Schiltz's Performances of Prominent English Horn Repertoire........77 Table 3: Discography of Schiltz's Prominent English Horn Symphonic Repertoire.......149 Table 4: Schiltz's Solo Repertoire Performances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.......................................................................................................167 ix ABBREVIATIONS AFM American Federation of Musicians, founded 1896 CSO Chicago Symphony Orchestra ICSOM International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians, founded 1962 UNIV University x INTRODUCTION This document discusses the career biography of Grover Schiltz with emphasis on his tenure as principal English horn with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The paper commences with an overview of Schiltz’s early training and professional career path and then examines in detail how the job of the orchestra musician, specifically