Intro and my knowledge of “Thatviolakid” :) Drew’s last live concert How Drew is pivoting during Covid and what he is currently doing How busy life has become all of sudden in “Covid times” A bit of an interruption that was relevant to “Covid times” Going to school for being an entrepreneurial musician His road to Instagram, and the pain that led him there Being REAL on your gram What we give as pros to our audience How to win on in this day and age Instagram !!! Looking elsewhere and being DIFFERENT to be noticed Drew’s practice Letting go and find a new form of practice IMPROV Drew’s improv stories at an LA party The importance of failure and how that will grow someone How Drew’s experience playing on Cruise ships helped him evolve What’s coming up for Drew!! Last thing Drew intentionally listened to
Intro to Dovid What was behind his decision to move to Mexico during the pandemic and how it influenced his practicing How Dovid is even enjoying his practice that much more Dovid’s process of practice and practicing properly Physical aspects of practice How the weather affects your warmup and routine Why practicing Bach is so helpful to Dovid.... technically and musically How to practice scales with or without a tuner... “to drone or or not” How to eventually be most consistent on the violin... “feeling it and hearing it” How the hand and thumb in the left hand are a critical part of a solid left hand How Dovid and I take note of great soloists and what we appreciate about them.... and how we want the audience to see and feel the same How we play and perform in front of all kinds of audiences Performing under pressure! What made Dovid the most nervous??? Dovid’s tips for performance anxiety How Dovid’s experience with triathlons relates to performance anxiety Cross training in “performing” What did Dovid last intentionally listen to musically?
Day in the life of Chris Chris’s background and evolution from classical music player to jazz player Chris’s dad’s impact and influence on his life How time his time in prison shaped him musically How he learned different perspectives from different cultures in prison Chris’s first “five gigs” and how he got them and where that took him How Chris helps and teaches Orchestra players to get out of their own way when having to play something non-classical Chris explains teaching students to create musical vision Chris and I talked about Group Classes Chris talks about his non-professional adult students Being creative in the pandemic Chris talked about being “in the room” in order to grow musically Chris circles back to integrating his family, teaching, playing and entrepreneurship (money!) We talk about how we both currently respond to nerves as a long time musician
On this episode, we have a conversation with Jonathan Warren. Jonathan makes his living touring as both a soloist and a utility player with various national and international multi-genre acts Some of his favorite genres to perform include Jazz-Fusion, Country, Rock, Pop and Christian Contemporary. He tours the world with many well known ensembles. When he is not touring, you can find him in his home studio recording for artists, composing string arrangements, or shooting teaching and performance videos for YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Jonathan is incredibly passionate about sharing Lhis love for the violin with everyone he meets and proving that the violin really can groove! He is extremely proud to be a part of the 3Dvarius and Codabow Family of ambassadors, jamming on a 5-string Line Model Electric Violin, and playing a Codabow Diamond GX and Joule!
Timothy and I reflect on how we dealt this pandemic and the lockdown. what we missed during this time what new things we discovered that were not related to music We discuss practice routines preparing for competitions daily practice routines amount of time and breaks scale practice routines Preparing for competitions concerto selection acquiring stamina Recording oneself audio and video knowing your threshold Comfort with speaking to the audience learning the are of vocally speaking and connecting What is required learning for major Intl. Violin Competitions repertoire what happens each day of the event and each round Hanover versus Queen Elizabeth environment of the competitors conditioning for solo playing versus orchestral playing Orchestral auditions versus Solo competitions Timothy’s violin how he procured his Strad his plan for a future violin modern violins? pairing of violin and violinist del Gesu versus Strad Timothy’s influences Zukerman Sarah Chang Oistrakh and Ivry Gitlis modern day soloist and concerto His approach to playing Bach historical versus the modern versions equipment (instrument and bow) and the influence on Bach vibrato and Bach Timothy’s evolving relationship to music as a child as a career within the current situation... discovery Social media violin forums connecting with audiences If Timothy wasn’t a musician??? What is the last piece of music that Timothy listened to? classical and non-classical
Benjamin discusses his approach to different Symphony Orchestras. We talk about how musicians and listeners respond to a musical experience and inspiration. Benjamin discusses “shining eyes” and “one butted playing” and reaching students and musicians. We discuss more tempo and impulses and the impact on audiences. I ask Benjamin about the “it factor” and how performers reach certain heights and transcend. We talk about shifting our mentality of life as it relates to performing and how to respond to mistakes. Benjamin explains the need for humor and authenticity. Lastly we discuss Benjamin’s music listening habits.
In this episode, Benjamin and I discuss my initial road of how I was introduced to him through my golf pro. Next we discuss time and how everyone experiences “time” in such a personal way. Benjamin then gives many musical examples at the piano of tempo and time. Some of the examples analyzed and discussed are Beethoven’s 9th, Beethoven’s 5th and Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 1 amongst other pieces. Benjamin also discusses how he interacts with the orchestras he conducts and the unique way he receives feedback from the musicians. Benjamin then discusses how he will go ahead with this year with his Youth Orchestra without meeting live. We then discuss other topics such as vibrato and the metronome.
In this episode, Andrew and I discuss different Rock bands. Andrew gives his list of top ten, and he details his reasons for liking them and the influence it had on his compositions. I also list my favorite bands and we discuss...
Amy Beth’s beginnings and pathway to playing the violin Her bond with her Mom Playing and performing during church services and how that influenced her life as a performer Amy discusses her opinions on using beta blockers We discuss where being nervous emanates from Staying present in performance Amy Beth talks about the value of repetitions of perfomances We talk about the relationship of parent/musician to child/musician Amy Beth talks about her “Breakfast with the Violin” with Ava We talk about the transition to Ava having moved on to a private teacher that wasn’t Mom Amy Beth talk about the “concierge program” approach that she and I both implement We talk in depth about how violin students find their “sound” Amy Beth talks about finding what tools she learned from her teachers that helped her find her sound We talk shop about violin technique (bow technique and vibrato Amy Beth talks about her favorite violinists
In this episode, I have a conversation with Rob Kesselman. Rob is in native Philadelphian, attended Temple University and Curtis Institute of music. In 1980, he won a bass position with the Pittsburgh Symphony and remained there until 1987. In that year he became a member bass section of the Philadelphia Orchestra. When not playing in the orchestra, Rob enjoys teaching, playing ans performing chamber music. Currently Rob teaches at Temple University. So now let’s work on to the Philly sound off Rob Kesselman.
Superfan Kenneth and I debrief about the last couple of weeks starting with the Orchestra's performance of Gershwin's Porgy and Bess as well as the two new works... Escaramuza by Montgomery and Coincident Dances by Frank. In addition to that we talk about the outstanding Spiritual sung by the Morgan State University Choir. We then discuss the previous week about Paul Jacobs fantastic performance of Daughterty's Organ Concerto as well as the Orchestra's performance of Elgar's Enigma Variations. We then talk about the upcoming Beethoven Cycle.
In this episode, Assistant Principal Cellist of the Seattle Symphony, Nathan Chan, and I have a great conversation about massive presence on social media. We talk about how it all started on Youtube when he was a teenager. We also have a discussion about Classical music and where it fits into social media. Nathan and I also talk about our overall relationship to all kinds of music.
Superfan Kenneth and I debrief about the past and present weeks of the Philadelphia Orchestra. We discuss last week's concert of Mendelssohn Piano Concerto and Symphonie Fantastique led by Herbert Blomstedt and his seating arrangement. We then discuss the week previous about the Orchestra's concerts that included music about "Famous Children's Stories" led by Stephan Deneve. Ken and I then chat about the week upcoming with works my Elgar, Britten and award winning composer Michael Daugherty. Daugherty presents an Organ Concerto performed by the fabulous Paul Jacobs!
- Grew up in Philly and started studying music as part of the all city ensembles as a trumpeter. - took lessons at settlement music school and performed in brass ensembles Till eventually switching to the bassoon at central high school. - While being a music major at West Virginia University also realized a special interest in organization and libraries - Went to Drexel University for a Masters in Library Science. While studying at Drexel began work with the Orch as $3 an hour intern. The following year year was recognized by Eugene Ormandy and chosen to join the library upon a full time opening. Been with the Orch ever since for 40 Seasons. - While actively freelancing with various Philadelphia Choral Groups and Orchestras, I occasionally played with the Philly Pops. - With a keen interest in history and historical music performance practices, I was a founding member of a Renaissance Consort. Over the course of 25 years, I commissioned and collected recreations of every early double reed instrument documented in the 1600s. I eventually did a lecture recital in the historical development of the bassoon at the international double reed society conference. - While no longer playing jazz trumpet, I’ve continued to develop an extensive collection of jazz recordings and have a specialty in early jazz development through the 1960s era. I also have over 10,000 LPs to go along with a reference review stereo system featuring two turntables for stereo and mono recordings. I am currently a featured writer/reviewer for Enjoy the Music. - With an extensive and large natural garden along the headwaters of Newton Creek, my home has been featured on several tours and I served on two local environmental committees for Haddonfield and the Delaware Keepers Network. - Upon numerous European Orchestra tours, I developed an interest in traditional and historic British and Belgium beer brewing styles. Without the ability to buy them at home 30 years ago, I began home brewing including learning how to grow specific brewery yeast strains from lab cultures. I’ve won over 100 brewing awards and an a certified beer judge. These days, many great beer styles are now available from numerous local breweries that were started by other successful homebrewers yet I still enjoy the challenges of researching and recreating 18th and 19th century recipes for beers at home with all grains sometimes home roasted with the addition of herbs from the garden.
Kenneth Hutchins and I sit down and talk about the recent happenings with The Philadelphia Orchestra.
2:05 - 17:20 - Tracy talks about her road from Chicago to NC Symphony and how that led to her podcast. She talks what the purpose of a podcast. Tracy speaks of important guests and interviews. We elaborate on podcasts in general. 17:25 - 23:20 - Tracy and I talk about social media and the Arts/Orchestra world - 23:25 - 32:00 - We discuss Tracy’s program whereby she is guiding musicians with visibility and developing a wider audience. - Tracy talks about the mindset of breaking out of a certain “mindset” - We talk about her program with Jennifer Rosenfeld “Package your Brilliance” 32:01 - 37:27 - Tracy discusses her practice with her horn playing - We talk about the balance of family, life and practice 37:28 - 39:30 - We discuss our children and their learning and practicing instruments 40:00 - 48:10 - Tracy talks about her relationship to music as a listener - She talks about Miles Davis “58 Sessions” - We talk about potential music listener fatigue - Tracy talks about active versus passive listening - We talk about our musical tastes
In this episode, I have a wonderfully interesting conversation with long time member of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Paul Arnold. Paul and I first debrief about Fantasia and the Orchestra. Paul goes in depth in his thoughts on the Philly Sound and speaks of former Concertmasters as well as other historical reasons for what made the Orchestra's sound. Paul talks of his journey in the Orchestra and his incredible interactions with former Music Directors Ricardo Muti and Wolfgang Sawallisch. He also speaks of violin soloists then and now as well as their instruments. Paul plays unaccompanied Bach in the bumper music on his previous "Rocca" violin.
We have a conversation with Adam Unsworth who is a professor of Horn at University of Michigan. He relays what his job is a professor each day as well as his teaching philosophy. Adam also talks of his previous days playing 4th horn with the Philadelphia Orchestra. In addition, Adam talks of his playing jazz and how that came to be. The first excerpt is Adam playing "Swing" and the second is the title track from his album "Excerpt This"
In this episode, we speak to Davyd Booth about the most recent “Glorious Sounds of Christmas” Concert with Bramwell Tovey. We talk about the different experiences with great piano soloists with the Philadelphia Orchestra over the years as well as current soloists. Davyd also speaks of what it is to be a pianist as well as a violinist with the Orchestra.
In this episode, we discuss the current week with the Orchestra playing Bach b minor Mass. We talk about playing Bach and playing Baroque music. Gloria shares her teaching philosophy. She also reflects on her time playing with the Depasquale String Quartet and playing with her late husband William Depasquale. Credits to Gloria for her performance of Bach in the beginning of the episode and to William (Strauss Four Last Songs) for the outgoing music.