12 minute read
Home Is Where the Art Is
Home Is Where the Art Is — Musician Interviews
EARLIER THIS SUMMER, WE REACHED OUT OUR MUSICIANS TO FIND OUT HOW THEY’VE BEEN spending their time at home, and asked them to reflect on how they prepare for performances and what rehearsals look like from their point of view in the orchestra. We’ve shared some highlights from stories shared with us here. You can read each musician’s individual interview at madisonsymphony.org/ homewithartists.
What is unique about your instrument?
Playing bassoon is all about making reeds! Everything is dependent on that, but reeds are fickle friends. Professional double reed musicians generally make their own reeds from the plant material arundo donax, also known as cane. Each piece of cane is individual. No matter how consistent we are in our reed making skills, every single reed is different. To be honest, if I had known my entire life was going to be dependent on reeds, I might have made another choice! – Cindy Cameron, Principal Bassoon
The pedals on the harp are one of the most unique things about the instrument. For those who don’t know, there are seven pedals at the bottom of the harp with three notches that are manipulated by the feet while we play. The pedals change pitch on the strings from flat to natural to sharp. When harpists change keys or play accidentals, our feet have to do the work. One of the first steps to prepare a part for a rehearsal is to go through and indicate in the music where all the pedal changes need to happen. During very difficult passages, the most treacherous thing is navigating the pedals, because if I miss one I will end up in a completely different key! – Johanna Wienholts, Principal Harp
Tell us about what happens during rehearsals from your point of view?
Because I am a section of one, the most important things to determine in rehearsal are 1. When to come in, and 2. Balance. Sometimes I am counting for entire movements and come in alone at the very end, and if I lose focus in rehearsals I won’t feel confident in my entrances during the performances! Also, different parts of the harp project in different ways. Often times the top of the harp in the higher register cuts through thick instrumentation while the low register on the harp doesn’t come through very much at all. Only in rehearsal in the hall can we really determine how much to project and when. – Johanna Wienholts, Principal Harp
Percussion serves a unique role in the symphony orchestra. As we often create sounds that supplement or “color” the orchestration, we are very used to waiting extended periods until that perfect moment when our color contributes in impactful ways. It is very possible that we may only play a couple of notes in a piece or movement. Our job is to be fully prepared for that one note. To do this we must know everything else that is happening in the piece so that we do not get lost before the “big moment.” A great deal of our rehearsal time is spent with a score becoming as familiar as possible with everything happening so that we are fully confident to add our glorious moment of color. – Anthony Di Sanza, Principal Percussion
Home Is Where the Art Is — Musician Interviews
(left to right)
Cindy Cameron — Principal Bassoon Johanna Wienholts — Principal Harp Stephanie Jutt — Principal Flute Greg Smith — Bass Clarinet Derek Handley — Cello Chris Dozoryst — Principal Viola Lisa Bressler — Cello Anthony Di Sanza — Principal Percussion
What are your routines leading up to a concert performance?
I usually take a nap in the afternoon for about an hour if I can, and I avoid eating much, especially not anything spicy! – Stephanie Jutt, Principal Flute
I check twice or more to make sure I have the music and equipment before I leave home, and leave with plenty of time to have a flat tire or be stopped by a train. Then, I always try to leave my cell phone in the car, where I don’t have to worry about it going off back stage during the performance! – Greg Smith, Bass Clarinet
In Madison I have a cup of coffee before heading onstage, where I’ll either warm up or cram on those pesky passages that demand extra attention! – Lisa Bressler, Cello
What is special about playing with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, John DeMain, and performing with your colleagues?
Quarantine has caused me to miss so many of my colleagues! During the pandemic, I’ve gone hiking with a couple of our brass players, had virtual cocktails with a percussionist, played duets with a string player, and enjoyed a driveway campfire with a member of staff. These are my people and I can’t wait to see them all again! – Cindy Cameron, Principal Bassoon
The MSO is simply put a world class organization. And the city of Madison is so blessed to have an orchestra with so many outreach programs, and the talent/skill level of musicians. John gets the best soloists here, while harboring a deep comradery within the orchestra. – Derek Handley, Cello
It has been a privilege to play in the MSO all these years under Maestros DeMain and Johnson, and watch/hear the orchestra mature and grow. I think one of the differences between the MSO and other full time orchestras is that we come to play together for the love of the music, not just as a job. While there are many players where this is part of the multiple ensembles they put together as a musician, for many of us, this is our avocation and passion and not our primary job. We do it because we love it. – Rick Morgan, Percussion
There are so many special qualities of playing with the Madison Symphony and John DeMain. For all of us, playing in Overture Hall is of first importance. I think we all appreciate the warmth and clarity of sound in Overture Hall and the opportunities it affords the MSO. – Matthew Dahm, Violin
Tell us about what you most love to do outside of your career as a musician.
I am a die-hard road tripper and fitness enthusiast. While travel is completely on hold for the time being, I still start the day with a five mile run. I also immensely enjoy the company of friends and family, and long to have that back. – Chris Dozoryst, Principal Viola
I love to read, I’m an avid bird-watcher, and a hiker. – Stephanie Jutt, Principal Flute
Spend time outdoors with my family — my wife of 8 years Natalie, 4 year old Daniel and 1 year old Bennett. We love visiting the state parks. – Derek Handley, Cello
Playing bassoon is all about making reeds!
The MSO is simply put a world class organization!
Home Is Where the Art Is — Musician Interviews,
CONTINUED
What do your daily or weekly routines look like these days?
I’ve adjusting my violin teaching routine to an online “virtual” lesson platform. It has taken some getting used to, but I think lessons have still been valuable for my students and for myself. Also, like many string players, I’ve used my extra practice time to delve into unaccompanied Bach. Bach’s solo string music is endlessly challenging and inspiring. – Matthew Dahm, Violin
I home-school my 4th grade daughter Lily and 2nd grade son Trevor during the week. They miss their classmates, but are enjoying the more “relaxed” curriculum that I am administering! My wife Shannon works from home, so I get my office back in the late afternoon hours. I practice daily; lots of scales, etudes, and things of a more technical nature. Gotta keep the cobwebs off! And a full hour of every day is devoted to cardio; this is vital for maintaining a robust immune system. All that said, we VERY MUCH look forward to getting back out into the wider world once it is acceptable to do so. – Chris Dozoryst, Principal Viola
I try to get up at a normal time, get dressed, make the bed, have a coffee, and then decide what to practice that day. I am working on editing a group of etudes for an international publisher, and I am also practicing all the J.S. Bach cello suites in transcriptions. At night, I play a fifteen minute concert for the residents above and below my floor in my apartment building. People open their doors and listen - I’ve been playing through everything I know for unaccompanied flute! I’m also reading all the books by Oliver Sachs. – Stephanie Jutt, Principal Flute
What are shows you’re watching, and other hobbies you’ve developed during this time?
Binging on shows like Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Stranger Things... As a lifelong Bulls fan, I have just gotten hooked on The Last Dance mini series on ESPN. – Derek Handley, Cello
We share Fish Fry Fridays with our next door neighbors. Each household takes a turn finding a carryout fish fry to deliver to each other’s front porches. We’ve also discovered the NOM NOM NOM kits available through Liliana’s Restaurant. We take home a box of locally-sourced ingredients to prepare a meal conceived by a local chef. The proceeds benefit local farms, local restaurants, and local organizations including REAP and the Dane County Farmer’s Market. – Greg Smith, Bass Clarinet
I’ve been spending as much time outside in the beautiful weather as possible! I love taking my dog for long walks or jogs and listening to various podcasts (some of my favorites are Ear Hustle made inside San Quentin prison and Unlocking Us with Brene Brown). I’ve been cooking, gardening, and painting as well. My most recent project was a quilt I made with silk that I hand dyed with vegetable scraps! – Johanna Wienholts, Principal Harp
What music inspires you and what do you listen to for personal enjoyment?
Lots of Mahler! Also fun dance music, all the Buena Vista Social Club music by Cuban musicians, and old folk music by Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and John Renbourn. – Stephanie Jutt, Principal Flute
Puerto Salsa Radio through TuneIn Radio. – Greg Smith, Bass Clarinet
Videos & Young Artist Series
(left to right)
Matthew Dahm — Violin Jordan Allen — Cello Rick Morgan — Percussion John DeMain — Music Director Katrin Talbot — Assistant Principal Viola Marc Fink — Principal Oboe Carl Davick — Bass Olga Pomolova — Violin
SEVERAL OF OUR MSO MUSICIANS RESPONDED WITH A VIDEO GREETING — DESCRIBING WHAT LIFE IS LIKE NOW, what they’re practicing, and what they miss about being in the orchestra and interacting with the audience. One musician even shared poems she wrote as she processed emotions related to canceled events, hitting a perfect note in rehearsals, and more. Maestro John DeMain also shared performances of Brahms Intermezzos and thoughts of music, the orchestra — “what we live for” . . . “that collective response” . . . and why people find live classical music food for the soul in a special video message from May. Read excerpts from the videos below and watch them all on our website at madisonsymphony.org/homewithartists.
“The last program [the Orchestra] performed with the great Ein Heldenleben has served me very well during this time — I’ve used that great Hero melody for washing my hands. It’s the perfect length; it was such a great time, and we had such a great time performing that piece.” – Carl Davick, Bass
“I’m delighted to get out of my PJs and talk about what music means to me, and how much I miss my colleagues and the audience so much. In order to express those feelings, I thought I would read some poems that I have written about either music or this experience.” – Katrin Talbot, Assistant Principal Viola
“Now that I have a little more time, I liken it to the golf pro who, after playing his round of golf, goes over to the practice tee and works on specific points of his game to make them improve. In the case of a musician, a wind player in particular, there’s lots to work on: wind control, intonation, finger dexterity, quality of tone… so many different facets that go into playing. It’s fun to have the opportunity to spend time working on the fundamentals.” – Marc Fink, Principal Oboe
“We are so lucky we are musicians — we have a place to practice together and make music together. Every time you go to rehearsal you have chance to meet old friends and new music too. When you practice at home, and when I listen to how my partners play around me, it makes me so much better. It’s a fantastic feeling that we can create something together.” – Olga Pomolova, Violin THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT — OUR YOUNG ARTIST SERIES CELEBRATES MORE THAN A DOZEN STORIES FEATURING participants and winners of The Final Forte who shared performances and stories about music and their lives from their homes with us this summer. Experience our “Young Artist Series” of video stories that are part of our “Home Is Where the Art Is” collection at madisonsymphony.org/homewithartists.
