Friday, June 26, 2015

Randomness Archives, #2 - Cartoons















Music-related Randomness Archives, #1

I have a lot of pics that I've collected ... This post is the first in an upcoming series, the results of tons of pointless online hours.  You're welcome.











NPR article about pianists and stage fright

To Master Stage Fright, Practice Makes Imperfect OK

The pianist the article is about, Sara Solovitch, also wrote a book about overcoming stage fright, called Playing Scared: A History and Memoir of Stage Fright!






Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Specialists

It's amazing when pianists have amassed experience in a specific area, such as instrumental collaborative piano - and then specialized even more with a specific instrument*, such as say, the saxophone.  

I found a few pianists who happened to perform saxophone rep as their specialty!  Take a look at the rep lists of these NASA (North American Saxophone Alliance) Collaborative pianists:  Casey Dierlam, Leng-leng Lam and Liz Ames.  

Think about creating your own niche, and check out local and international conferences for opportunities to use your repertoire strengths.



*Often the result of the pianist dating/marrying said instrument player.


Sunday, February 15, 2015

Updated Again - Summer Gigs and Opportunities


Collaborative pianists: here are some places to consider spending your upcoming summers - getting experience and/or paid (ideally both).  


Eastern Music Festival sometimes hires collaborative pianists for instrumental accompaniment, must be 21 to apply 
Encore Chamber Music Collaborative Piano Fellowship
Hot Springs Collaborative Piano Apprenticeships
Kneisel Hall Chamber Music School and Festival
Music Academy of the West - Instrumental Fellowship
Norfolk Chamber Music Session Fellowships
Emerging Artists Fellowship Program is a four-week chamber music program for string players and pianists aged 18-26

Opera:
Ash-lawn Opera Festival has a music internship and/or accompanist opportunities
Banff Centre - Assistant Coach/Repetiteur
CoOPERAtive program at Rider University has a training program for singers and collaborative pianists
Music Academy of the West - Vocal Fellowship
San Francisco Merola Opera Program

Vocal - Art Song:
Franz-Schubert-Institute - summer course for singers and pianists
Songfest - for singers and pianists


Dance:





Sunday, January 25, 2015

Bach research, ongoing

I started collecting ‘classical literature for church services use’* from the Baroque era – first, Bach. As he is an outrageously prolific composer, I kept it simple for now and went with selections from his better-known composition groups. All of these are pieces I found appealing and can work up in a couple of days/weeks. The added bonus is a lot of this is transferable to the organ, also.  Here's what I've picked so far:

Two part inventions – #s 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14
Three part inventions (aka Sinfonia) – #s 2, 3, 5, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
English Suites - No. 3 in g minor, BWV 808
Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1 - (tbd)
Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 2 - (tbd)

Plus



*What else am I supposed to call it?  ‘Real’ music? 



Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Outdoor Pianos!

Are you bored?  Check out these outdoor pianos in Melbourne, Glasgow, Albany NY and others!







New Project


I have a project this semester – an Independent Study on church music.  It will have an emphasis on planning out solo organ/piano music for the entire church year.  Specifically, I’ll be pulling together appropriate music for services (prelude-offertory-communion-postlude), both hymn arrangements and accessible music from the ‘solo classical’ piano repertoire.  At the end of the semester, my goal is to have a selection of piano and organ literature that is appropriate for each major church holiday (Christmas, Easter, etc) and the rest of the year. 

Also, the project is to get a better grasp on the many aspects of being an effective church musician.  I’ve begun to see that the pianist can do more than provide pleasant music or lead congregational singing*.  It is similar to how a sensitive choral pianist knows what to listen for in choir rehearsals – they can diagnose the choir’s issues and respond as needed, while anticipating the director’s needs also.  A good choral pianist helps facilitate a pleasant and effective rehearsal for everyone involved.  

A good church musician can facilitate a meaningful experience for the congregation: and one of the ways is to complement the day’s message and tone with thoughtful musical selections.   

I’ll continue working on hymns, also – learning about registrations, varying the hymns to match the lyrics, etc etc etc.  I hope to blog this all out, both because it keeps me honest and working - but also, I haven't found much out there that quite addressed this they way I'm approaching it.  


*It’s the difference between the two compliments “you are a wonderful player” and “you play a wonderful service”.