Picture of the Day

Rock Me, Amadeus

From Glennz

Repost: We're Halfway There

A Tom Greeves post that made me smile . . . 

"Tommy used to work on the docks
Union's been on strike
He's down on his luck
It's tough
So tough
Tommy reflects that
Maybe collective bargaining
Isn't all it's cracked up to be
The well-fed bosses
Of his so-called union
Earn white-collar salaries
But thanks to them
Tommy and his mates
Never seem to have any work
Gina works the diner all day
Whilst the basic salary isn't great
A combination of overtime shifts
And generous tips from customers
Who appreciate good service
Amounts to a pretty decent income
Inspired by Gina
Tommy decides he's fed up with
Being a docker
And becomes a cab driver
He enjoys being his own boss
And not being at the mercy of workshy colleagues
And because he can set his own hours
He has plenty of time
To pursue his passion for music
(And his customers provide lots of material for songs!!!)
Tommy and Gina's relationship
Has never been stronger
And each of them feels
Much more fulfilled on
An individual level too"

New Archive

I've assembled an archive page for the entire blog - you can find it on the tab above the blog entries, or you can use this link here:


Archive by Subject

I hope you find this helpful!

Happy Sunday

One and all.  Here's a Natalie Dee for you.

P.S. - Me posting this is a perfect example of what happens when a musician-gone-nocturnal (going to bed @ 5am, getting up at 12pm) has to get up at 6:30 on a Sunday morning.  Its not pretty . . .

Spring Awakening Research, Part II

Spring Awakening Lead Characters:

Wendla – Soprano. Innocent, but with every passing day, she grows more curious about the world around her. Both vulnerable and a willing participant in her evolution.

Melchior - Baritone. A smart, headstrong boy who refuses to bow down to society's rules. An atheist. Struggles with his intense feelings for Wendla.

Moritz - Tenor. A troubled student who desperately tries to please his father, but always seems to disappoint him. Melchior's best friend.

Supporting Characters:

Georg – Tenor (MTI says The bulk of his range is between Ab2 - A4, and he needs to be able to sing up to an D5 in falsetto). A schoolmate of Melchoir's who is overcome with his feelings for his piano teacher.

Otto - Tenor (MTI says 'baritenor'). A schoolmate who dreamt of his mother, as Melchior humorously reveals to Moritz in an effort to help him relax.

Hanschen - Tenor (MTI says 'baritenor'). A schoolmate of Melchior's who is comfortable with being gay and uses his looks and intelligence to manipulate Ernst.

Ernst - Tenor. (MTI says 'baritenor') A naive classmate of the boys who falls deeply for Hanschen's seduction.

Martha - Alto. One of Wendla's friends who is abused sexually by her father.

Ilse – Mezzo. Martha's sister, who shares her dark secret and has run away from home to live in an artists' colony. 

Anna – Alto. One of Wendla's friends, who cannot wrap her head around Martha's trials.

Thea - Mezzo. Wendla's best friend. A schoolgirl who tries to stay innocent and pure.
And several adults (spoken only)

*Middle C = C4

Songlist, Characters and Ranges 

1. Mama Who Bore Me -- Wendla: G3-A4

2. Mama Who Bore Me (Reprise) -- Anna: B3-C5, Martha: A3-E5, Thea: A3-E5, Wendla: E4-E5, Ilse: E4-E5,   

3. All That's Known -- Melchior: C3-E4

2011 Tony Award performances

Watch them here!

Spring Awakening Research, Part I

Today has been devoted to Spring Awakening. The Levine School is doing it in the fall, and I've spent several hours researching the show.

Composer: Duncan Sheik

Lyricist and Librettist: Steven Sater


Broadway Premiere
 Theatre: Eugene O'Neill Theatre
Opening Night: Dec 10, 2006

Performance Length: 2 hours, 15 minutes

Total Performances: 859

Original Cast: Skylar Astin, Gerard Canonico, Lilli Cooper, Jennifer Damiano, Christine Estabrook, John Gallagher Jr., Gideon Glick, Jonathan Groff, Robert Hager, Brian Charles Johnson, Lea Michele, Lauren Pritchard, Krysta Rodriguez, Stephen Spinella, Phoebe Strole, Jonathan B. Wright, Remy Zaken 

Director: Michael Mayer
Choreographer: Bill T. Jones

Producer: Ira Pittelman, Tom Hulce, Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Atlantic Theater Company, Jeffrey Sine, Freddy DeMann, Max Cooper, Mort Swinsky, Cindy Gutterman, Jay Gutterman, Joe McGinnis, Judith Ann Abrams, ZenDog Productions, CarJac Productions, Aron Bergson Productions, Jennifer Manocherian, Ted Snowdon, Harold Thau, Terry E. Schnuck, Cold Spring Productions, Amanda Dubois, Elizabeth Eynon Wetherell, Jennifer Maloney , Tamara Tunie, Joe Cilibrasi and StyleFour Productions

Musical Director: Kimberly Grigsby

Orchestrations: Duncan Sheik

Scenic Design: Christine Jones
Costume Design: Susan Hilferty

Lighting Design: Kevin Adams

Sound Design: Brian Ronan

Online Information:
The libretto is at Scribd.com

Show info @ MTI  
If you are doing this show with students, check out these: Study Guide 1, Study Guide 2

Sydney Theatre has a page of neat resources for teachers on Spring Awakening, as well as interviews, etc from their production 
Spring Awakening Undressed is an interactive online study guide
This site discusses tropes and Idioms found in Spring Awakening
Bio of Frank Wedekind
All Playbill Spring Awakening Articles

Just for fun, a May Wine recipe
A blog completely devoted to Spring Awakening performances

Creative Team Articles
Costumer Susan Hilferty's website - link to her Spring Awakening Portfolio
Dance article about Spring Awakening's Choreographer Bill T. Jones, NYT Spring Awakening dance article
Lighting Designer Kevin Adam's Website, Interview with Kevin Adams on Spring Awakening
Director Michael Mayer Playbill Brief Encounter interview, 

Online Videos:
Entire OBC on Youtube
Another one on Youtube, starting with Part 1 of 9
Spring Awakening Tony Performance

Instrumentation:

Bass - Acoustic and Electric

Guitar - Acoustic and Electric

Violin

Viola

Cello

Drums

Keyboard 

Harmonium

Business Cards for Pianist, Summer 2011

Moo.com has a great collection of business card designs to choose from.  Here is a collection of examples which may appeal to musicians:


This design is called Natural Notes Business Cards.

This design is called Pocket Piano, which folds into a mini-piano.

These are very unique, called Songs in the key of nature.

These are a little more old school, called Hit the Right Note

This design is called Funky Piano:

Wedding pianists may want to consider the Wedding Fever or The Big Day collection - its meant for wedding planners, but the design can easily be altered for a pianists' purposes:

These aren't really related to music, but I also like the Making Change collection, which are based on quotes of Seth Godin:

Minted.com has a design called Piano Lessons that I like, (pics of both front and back) :

Another design is Classical Composition:

Music Directing Resources - New Masters Degree

Penn State's School of Theatre now offers a Master of Fine Arts degree in music directing for musical theatre. The program features practical training in all the skills specifically required to pursue a career as a professional music director. Each candidate will serve as music director for numerous productions, including a fully staged musical in their final year. Additional opportunities include the summer London Program and additional international travel, an internship with a music director of a professional production, and exposure to the Broadway pits in New York. Students will gain experience playing auditions, as well as performing at and arranging music for revues, tours, and our NuMusicals Festival. They will assist and/or perform in all mainstage musicals, learn repertoire and vocal technique while accompanying voice lessons and juries, and work closely with stage directors in our MFA directing program.

Contact Dan Riddle for more information

By The Way

There is now a Good Company Blog Facebook Page, which is a good way to get updates. Press 'Like' on the Facebook page to get hooked up.

We All Do This

Note to self:

Finale-ing for 10 hours nonstop last night was not the best idea.  I may want to avoid having to do this in the future. 

Off to rehearsal on 5 hours of sleep (but with entire pit in correct keys!) . . .


*exhausted giggle*

A Freelance Musician's Life

I'm in a lull right now, work-wise, which gives me time to (well, actually write something, but in addition) enjoy the silence, so to speak. I started the year with a nice schedule and actual days off.  

Then I took on another MT show (with lots of rehearsal hours) and juries came. Rehearsals kept me out late every night of the week, and I was driving all over the place. I had to juggle my schedule a lot, sometimes hiring subs for one job so I could go do another. It all left me feeling something like this:

As far as freelancing goes, this is the norm: waves of work followed by dead spots. Lots of driving. Finding subs. Scheduling, scheduling, scheduling. 

So I'm enjoying the fact that I don't need to be anywhere right now.  I get to exploit my other interests, like cooking . . . which I did this evening. Tonight I attempted Kung Pao Chicken again - a dish I still haven't perfected*. It wasn't bad, but it still isn't 'right'.  Sigh.

I know things'll pick up soon. In the meantime, I'm catching up on Fringe.    

* The cooking oil pumped out noxious fumes that chased my husband from the room (he managed to cough out a rough, "Smells good," as he closed the door).

Artists Drawing Pianos

Diego Manuel page l - and page 2

I Like the Cheshire Cat smile on this one

Dance Accompanist Opportunity

Musicians Mentoring Program - 

at Canada's National Ballet School

The Musicians' Mentoring Program is a five-day intensive program designed to hone the musician's skills as a dance accompanist. It is offered each year in late January and early February, though in special circumstances, alternative dates can be arranged. Participants may choose a Monday to Friday or Tuesday to Saturday block.

Musicians will experience a variety of dance classes, including professional, recreational and adult ballet, modern/contemporary and creative dance. The flexible program is designed to meet the needs of every pianist, from the emerging musician to those with considerable experience. Areas of specific interest to individual participants can be highlighted. Each day will include a mix of observation and hands-on participation, plus a one-hour discussion with our musicians. All participants will have a final review session with Marina Surgan, Principal Pianist. For eligible participants there is also the opportunity to play for a class alongside the NBS mentoring musician.

Failed Slogan 2:

We put the ‘Borat’ into ‘Collaborative Piano’

Failed Slogan:

We put the ‘Labor’ into ‘Collaborative Piano’

I See Bass!

Professional Training Workshop Opportunities

Carnegie Hall Weill Music Institute - Professional Training Workshops

*2011 opportunities lapsed*

On their Online Resource Center, there are some videos of James Levine's Master Class: The Song Continues from 2010.  They also have music curriculum ideas and other things worth checking out.

The "Proceed With Caution List" - please, contribute!

Recently, I heard of a trombone student who had to cancel his recital due to a last-minute loss of his pianist.  The reason?  Repertoire, mainly Šulek's Sonata "Vox Gabrieli" (notorious among pianists for its devilish accompaniment).

There's a lot of rep out there that takes HOURS to learn, even for experienced pianists.  Pianists on Facebook (People for the Ethical Treatment of Accompanists) kicked the idea around in a 'Repertoire Difficulty Level' discussion, naming repertoire from their own experience.  I pulled together a list, offering two categories: pieces originally written for piano and orchestral reductions.*

If nothing else, pianists should:  

Double check before saying yes to Hindemith or any saxophone repertoire. 

Originally for piano and [fill in the blank]

Casterede Sonatine, trombone and piano

Creston Saxophone Sonata

Desenclos Prelude Cadence and Finale, sax and piano

Jolivet Chant de Linos, flute and piano

Franck Violin Sonata

Heiden Saxophone Sonata

Ravel Tzigane, violin and piano 

Schubert Variations On 'Trockne Blumen', flute and piano

Strauss Violin Sonata

Šulek Vox Gabrieli, trombone and piano

Weber Duo Concertante, clarinet and piano

Orchestral reductions:

Copland Clarinet Concerto

Dvorak Cello Concerto

Ibert Concertino for Sax

Strauss 2nd horn concerto

Walton Viola Concerto

Vocal lit should have it's own space . . . I may have to do that next.

*Orchestral reductions get their own category because playing them calls for the ability to make an orchestral sound, in addition to the ability to read (and to discern what to bring out/leave out/etc).

Playbill Articles & Resources

Playbill.com is a great resource in general, but they have a couple of specific sections that I wanted to call attention to:  

Ask Playbill.com is a weekly column that answers questions about theatre. 

Casting and Jobs: Job Listings is a job database for job-seekers. 

Here are links to some articles that address some aspects of music directing:

ASK PLAYBILL.COM: Music-Related Jobs

Question: Can you talk a little bit about the music department of a musical? What happens to a musical score once it is written by the composer?  How many people get involved (i.e. orchestrator, musical director, arranger, etc.) and how important is each position?  Can you compare today's practices with the way they were done in the "Golden Age" of Broadway (50s and 60s)? Can you also talk about what happens when a show is revived and how that show's score is dealt with?

Answered by: Seymour "Red" Press, musical coordinator of Passing Strange and the current revival of Gypsy.

ASK PLAYBILL.COM: The Vocal Arranger

Question: Regarding the artistic staff of a Broadway musical, what exactly does a vocal arranger do? If a vocal arranger writes harmonies for the songs in the score, why doesn't the show's composer write them?

Answer: Carmel Dean, the 28-year-old vocal arranger on The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

ASK PLAYBILL.COM: The Dance Arranger

Question: What does a dance arranger do?

Answer: David Chase, the dance arranger for the current Broadway shows Cry-Baby, Curtains and The Little Mermaid.

ASK PLAYBILL.COM: Rehearsals

Question: What makes an Equity rehearsal different than a typical community theatre rehearsal?

ASK PLAYBILL.COM: Length of Broadway Rehearsals

Question: How long is the rehearsal process for musicals before their opening night, and how often does a cast rehearse after a show opens, if at all?  

ASK PLAYBILL.COM: Rehearsal Schedule

Question: What are the attendance rules for professional performers during the rehearsal process? How much notice must they give for a conflict and does the union provide for a certain number of absences? 

ASK PLAYBILL.COM: Those Broadway Swings

Question: "Could you tell me what is the exact role of a swing in a show?"

Victor Borge on the muppet show

Concert for Anarchy

From a few different angles . . . 

Artist: Rebecca Horn

Piano Balloon Art

Probably not a good idea if you have cats . . .

Is it Just Me?

Yesterday, I was rehearsing the Handel aria, "V'adore Pupille" with a singer, and every time my eye fell across the word 'faville' -


I would instantly think of Farmville*. 




*Note: the song isn't about agriculture.

Piano-Related Art

And these are all Amalia Low:

Best College Application Letter EVER

A random online discovery that made me giggle . . . .

IN ORDER FOR THE ADMISSIONS STAFF OF OUR COLLEGE TO GET TO KNOW YOU, THE APPLICANT, BETTER, WE ASK THAT YOU ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION: 

   ARE THERE ANY SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCES YOU HAVE HAD, OR ACCOMPLISHMENTS YOU HAVE REALIZED, THAT HAVE HELPED TO DEFINE YOU AS A PERSON?

 
    I am a dynamic figure, often seen scaling walls and crushing ice. I have been known to remodel train stations on my lunch breaks, making them more efficient in the area of heat retention. I translate ethnic slurs for Cuban refugees, I write award-winning operas, I manage time efficiently. Occasionally, I tread water for three days in a row.
    I woo women with my sensuous and godlike trombone playing, I can pilot bicycles up severe inclines with unflagging speed, and I cook Thirty-Minute Brownies in twenty minutes. I am an expert in stucco, a veteran in love, and an outlaw in Peru.  Using only a hoe and a large glass of water, I once single-handedly defended a small village in the Amazon Basin from a horde of ferocious army ants. I play bluegrass cello, I was scouted by the Mets, I am the subject of numerous documentaries. When I'm bored, I build large suspension bridges in my yard. I enjoy urban hang gliding. On Wednesdays, after school, I repair electrical appliances free of charge.
    I am an abstract artist, a concrete analyst, and a ruthless bookie. Critics worldwide swoon over my original line of corduroy evening wear. I don't perspire. I am a private citizen, yet I receive fan mail. I have been caller number nine and have won the weekend passes. Last summer I toured New Jersey with a traveling centrifugal-force demonstration. I bat .400. My deft floral arrangements have earned me fame in international botany circles. Children trust me.
    I can hurl tennis rackets at small moving objects with deadly accuracy. I once read Paradise Lost, Moby Dick, and David Copperfield in one day and still had time to refurbish an entire dining room that evening. I know the exact location of every food item in the supermarket. I have performed several covert operations for the CIA. I sleep once a week; when I do sleep, I sleep in a chair. While on vacation in Canada, I successfully negotiated with a group of terrorists who had seized a small bakery. The laws of physics do not apply to me.
    I balance, I weave, I dodge, I frolic, and my bills are all paid. On weekends, to let off steam, I participate in full-contact origami. Years ago I discovered the meaning of life but forgot to write it down. I have made extraordinary four course meals using only a mouli and a toaster oven. I breed prizewinning clams. I have won bullfights in San Juan, cliff-diving competitions in Sri Lanka, and spelling bees at the Kremlin. I have played Hamlet, I have performed open-heart surgery, and I have spoken with Elvis.

 
But I have not yet gone to college.