BEST OF MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS Here is the hot dish on the sights and scenes of Morningside Heights MSM’s home! Follow along for the best places to visit nearby
Get an insight into the life of a performer at MSM with Joshua Eugene Smith (BM ‘27), and the experience of being a student in 2025!
Step into the world of Charles Dickens’ infamous and incomplete novel with cast member Ellie Kuhnle (BM ‘26)
Disney’s UP in Concert THE MANY FACES OF MSM Take a peak behind the curtain to meet the faces of those who keep MSM running daily. Next time you see them in the halls, make sure to say hello!
UPCOMING MSM PERFORMANCES Find all upcoming performances for the month of November in one convenient place. For updated information, visit: msmnyc.edu
Flip the pages and test your fate with our November quiz “Which Fall Drink are you?“ *Tune in next month for an expanded game section
See the people behind the first edition of 2025! Contact msmbriefing@msmnyc edu to get involved, and follow our instagram @msm briefing for updates!
Morningside Heights Restaurants
Pisticci
Toast 314 El Porton
Dinosaur Barbecue
Cafe Massawa
Jin Ramen Le Monde
Tom’s Diner
Mama’s TOO!
Maki Japanese
Community Food and Juice
Stores/Markets Book Culture
H-Mart
Milano Market
Westside Market
Cafes/Sweets
Dear Mama Kuro K
Blue Bo Qahwa Hungar Monde Whale
UP in Concert,aninterviewwith MaestroDodgson ByJamesHo(ClassicalHarp,BM’28)
CompiledandeditedbyLuisVega-Torres(ClassicalVoice,BM’27)
Overthelastseveralyears,theclassicalmusic scenehasexplodedwithanewanduniquetrend: filmscreeningsperformedwithliveorchestra. Mostnotably,filmswithmusicbyJohnWilliams, Disneyanimatedmusicals,andmorefavoritessuch astheJamesBondfilms,LaLaLand,classic horrorfilms,and“romcoms”likeLove,Actually compriseasmallpartoftherosterofeligiblefilms. It’seasytoseewhythishastakenoff:it’saunique waytoexperiencequintessentialfilms,andby reachinganaudiencethatwouldn’totherwisegoto thesymphony,orchestrasallovertheworldare easilyfillinguptheirseats.
Severalweeksago,theManhattanSchoolofMusic hoppedonthe“live-in-concert”trainandputon DisneyPixar’s UP withtheMSMSymphony Orchestra.Thismarkstheschool’sfirstperformancein thepopulargenre,thoughlikelynotthelast.Allthree performancesweresoldoutbythetimetheboxoffice openedday-of,andtheresponsefromtheaudience waspalpablyenthusiastic.
Toreportonthis,JamesHo(BM’28),whoplayed harpfor UP:WithLiveOrchestra,interviewed MaestroJamesDodgson.
JH: “You’ve worked on many films, operas, and musicals — what is it about their music that fascinates you?”
JD:“TheDisneyscores,ortheBroadwayscoresthat havecomefromthefilms,arejustalwayssorich musically;that’swhyI’vebeengettingintofilmmusic morerecentlyandtelevisionmusic,asIalsocompose… Andtheyhavesomegreatcomposersworkingforthem onthefilms,andMichaelGiacchino(composerofUP)is certainlyoneoftheirbest.Again,hewritesbeautiful melodiesthatfitsowellwiththepictureandthestory.
“We’vedoneafew[ofDisney’s]musicalsatManhattan SchoolofMusic;wedidreadingswiththeorchestraand thesingersfromthemusictheatredepartment,including “TheLittleMermaid”and“Frozen”…Theluxury[of doingthematthe]ManhattanSchoolofMusiciswecan doitwithalargeorchestra,whichonBroadwayisnot alwaysthecase.”
JH: “Do you think conducting a movie music is different from a typical symphony?”
JD:“There’safewthings:Imean,thedifferenceisthat youhavetoaccompanythemovie…Weobviouslyuseda clicktrack[thatIconductedalongto]…tomakesure everythinglinedup…Intermsoftheactualplaying,I mean,thestandardofManhattanSchoolofMusicisvery high.Iwouldn’thavesaidthemusicthatweplayedwas anyeasierthanmanysymphonies,it’snoteasymusic. Obviously,thestyleisverydifferentfrom,youknow,a BeethovenSymphonyoraRachmaninoffPiano Concerto.But,youknow,itisverywell-craftedmusic,it isbeautifullyorchestratedandit’sjustgreatmusicthat tellsastory,whichIguessisthesameforanypieceof music,symphonyoropera.”
JH: “Is there a particular moment in Up that you felt was especially meaningful or emotional for you while you were conducting?”
JD:“Yeah,Imean,everybodysaysthesameanswer Certainly,thefirst20minutesofthemoviewhenwesee
Ellieandherlifedepictedintheirjourneyfromchildren, whentheygetmarried,towhenshesuddenlyhasa miscarriage,andthenshedies.There’sbasicallyno dialogueinit.It’sjustmusicthroughout,andit’s perfectlyscored.Ittellsanamazingstory;it’sgota beautifulmelody.
JH: “What message or feeling did you hope the audience would take away from this concert?”
JD:“Ihopetheyenjoyedthefilmintimesthat’sdifficult fortheworldatthemoment.Youknow,we’regoing throughsomeverychallengingtimes.Ihopeitwasan escapefortheafternoonandanenjoyablestory Also,a fewpeopleatthecollegesaidthattherewerealotof people[whosaidthey’dneverseenalivesymphony orchestrabefore],particularlychildren,whichisgreatto bringanewaudienceintoourclassicalmusicworldor liveperformanceworld.Ithinktointroducepeopleand showthemthatorchestralmusicandclassicalmusicis accessible[isgreat]…Alsoforthestudents,andindeed me,it’ssomethingdifferent,it’ssomethingthatwedon’t doeveryday.
“And,youknow,ifyouwanttohavesomekindofan orchestralcareer…alotoforchestrasaredoingthisall thetime,forthesamereason:totryandbringanew audienceintoourworld.So,it’sgreatexperienceto,you know,learnhowtodothis:playwithaclick,followa conductoratthesametime,becauseyou’regoingtobe doingitprofessionally,probablyquitealot…So,yeah, exposeyourselftoasmuchmusicandasmanydifferent experiencesasyoucan.”
On a personal note, James said the following: “Ithinkthishasbeenareallygreatandinteresting experienceforme.It’smyfirsttimeplayingalongwitha clicktrack,whichisreallycool,butalsochallenging. Whenweperformedonstage,Icouldreallyfeelthe connectionbetweenusandtheaudience.Wecouldhear theirreactionstothemovie,andthatmovedme.The musicissobeautiful,fun,andemotional—itwasajoy toperform.”
In the STU with @GENIEPOO byJoshuaEugeneSmith(BM‘27)
Techweekisapain.Ican’tbetheonlyonewho feelstheconstantpressureofhavingtosucceed effortlessly,right?Notonlydowestillhaveto attendourmorningclasses,prepareassignments, andstudyformidterms.Now,wemustputona fulltwoandahalfhourproductionwithlights, sets,costumes,makeup,(andapparentlymagic?) Butweallknowthisfeelinginoneformor another;theclassicalvocalistshaveapretty similarexperiencewhentechingtheiroperas,and instrumentalistswiththoselastfewrehearsals beforeaconcert,nottomentiontheconstantgigs, lessonsandcoachingontopofallthat.Thatbeing said…Iwouldn’ttradethistimewithmycastfor theworld.Ihopeotherartistscanagreethattech orfullorchestra/dressrehearsalsarenotonlya timetosolidifytheartthatyouarepresentingto theworld,butatimeforgrowingclosetoyour cast/bandmates.Itisatrulyirreplaceablefeeling tobondwithothercreativeswhocarejustas deeplyaboutapieceasyoudo.Youmakeinside jokes,createrelationshipswithpeopleyounever thoughtpossible,andatleastformyself,it’swhen Itrulygettosinkintotheworldoftheshowand justPLAY.Nostringsattached,justbeinginthe momentandlivingintruth.Thenitallsuddenly becomesworthit,toputourworkoutintothe worldforalltosee…andjudge.Especiallyfor theshowthatI’vejustconcluded,Pippin,I couldn’tbeprouderofmeandmycastmates,an extraordinarygroupofactorsandaunique experiencethatIwillalwayscherish.I’llseeyou nexttime,IntheStuwith@genieepoo.;)
we’dnextgettheopportunitytohearMarkowitz heavilychordalinstrumentsplayingsparsely
“Withanycombinationofchordalinstruments—ina setdiatonicenvironment,andifyouhaveset harmonizations,youhavetodoalotofadvance planning,”saysMarkowitz.“Someofthatcomes (hopefully)fromthecomposer/arranger...[Withchord changes]there’ssomanyoptions,soyouhavetolockin extensions.Becausewhenyou’replayingtogether,any kindofrubs,oranythingnotunifiedwillstickoutina reallybadway
“[Playingwithvibraphone]alsoaffectsmyrange,”he continues.“Orchestrationally,alotoftimes,you’llbe playingmelodiesinunison,whichcanbeanicetexture. Butharmonically,it’salotmorecomplex.Vibraphone hastheoption,similartoguitar,ofplayingamelodynote orvoicinguptothreeadditionalnotes...soalot oftimesI’mtryingtocomplimentwhere[Joe’s]at.”
TheycontinuedwithanoriginalofMarkowitz’s, entitled“Ambushed,”acontrafactofthewell-known standard,“ItCouldHappentoYou.”Withitsintensely chromaticandwhole-tone-infusedmelodyandclever playsontheoriginalstandard’sharmony,itwasatuneI couldeasilyassociatewiththepianist’sstyleand approach.Theirnexttune,acompositionofLocke’s entitled“ThisNewOctober,”broughtatastefulcontrast tothesetwithaslowertempoandamoremellowfeel. TheduothenplayedoneofMarkowitz’smostpopular hits,“Sno’Peas,”althoughIfelt“ThunderPeas”would havefititscharacterjustaswell,givenMarkowitz’s precise,powerfulapproachtothetune.
Aftertheyfinished“Sno’Peas,”Lockesteppedaside andallowedMarkowitztoplayasolorenditionof“Ina SentimentalMood,”beautifullyarrangedand reharmonizedtohighlightthepianoasanorchestration tool.Theyfinallyclosedtheirsetwithafunk-inspired arrangementof“LoverMan,”givingtheduoonelast chancetodemonstratecarefullisteningandcreativityin theirchoices,creatinganengaginginterplaybetween theirinstruments.
“For me, [playing with Joe] is like stepping into a pair of old shoes,” says Markowitz. “It’s about being a great accompanist for him and understanding his style.”
Anditshows.Theyplayedwiththefinesseand professionalismofcolleagues,butwiththeplayful conversationofoldfriendsthatspeakstohowmusicians connectonadeeperlevel.
Ithink,toanextent,thecrowdknewwhattheywere seeingonlyhappenedonceinabluemoon.Aduoconcert withanunconventionalinstrumentation,headlinedby twoofthemostskilledplayersontheirinstruments,ina roomasuniqueasMezzrowwasboundtobehistoric.In suchacrampedspace,thenotesbouncedaround,hitting theearswithaclarityyoucan’ttrulygetinalarge concerthall.Oursensesfeltdialeduptoeleven—filled bythestrikeoftheirkeysandthesustainsoftheirpedals, heightenedaswetriedtocatchreferencestothejazz traditionorsubtlenodstoeachotherintheirmusical conversation—ambushed,byunexpectedideasor dynamics.Thisiswhy,despitetheadvancementsin streamingtechnologyandmusicproductionsoftware,we stillcomeoutindrovestoseelivemusic.Thereis somethingintheartistryofperformerslikePhil MarkowitzandJoeLockethatwearesimplydrivento witness.
themanyfacesofmsm Admissions Emma Davis Assistant Vice President for Admission
Charles Williamson Associate Director of Admission
Kameron Ghanavati Interim Associate Director of Admission
Taylor Trentham Assistant Director of Admission
Melissa Cocco-Fernandes Vice President of Enrollment Management
Contact information: email: admissions@msmnyc.edu phone number: 917-493-4436
Financial Aid Jonathan Herbert Assistant Vice President for Admission and Financial Aid
Ellen Segarra Director of Financial Aid
Denise Gift Assistant Director of Financial Aid
Contact information: email: finaid@msmnyc.edu phone number: 917-493-4809
Student Engagement Jesse Goldberg Director of Student Engagement
Ha Young Synn Student Engagement Coordinator
Zhongyang Ling - Graduate Assistant
Contact information: email: studentengagement@msmnyc.edu phone number: 917-493-4525
CCRCI Office *Center for Career Readiness & Community Impact
Chris Vaughn Director, Center for Career Readiness & Community Impact
Rebecca Charnow Dean of Youth Education & Community-Career Connections (related leadership)
Contact information: email: centerforimpact@msmnyc.edu phone number: 917-493-4502
Residence Life April Jenkins Director of Residence Life
Makila Kirchner Assistant Director of Residence Life
Contact information: email: residencelife@msmnyc.edu Title IX Team
Carol Matos Title IX Coordinator & Vice President for Administration & Human Relations
Hannah DeBlock Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Jacob Poulos Assistant Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Contact information: email: titleIXcoordinator@msmnyc edu
SES Office *ESL: English as Second Language
Hannah DeBlock Director of ESL (SES program)
Contact information: email: esl@msmnyc.edu
The Mysteryof Edwin Drood EllieKuhnleon The Mystery of Edwin Drood By Matthew Pichler (BM ‘27)
IrecentlysatdownwithEllieKuhnle(BM‘26)to discusstheMusicalTheatredepartment’supcoming productionofTheMysteryofEdwinDrood.Basedon CharlesDickens’novelofthesamename,themusical followsthetitularcharacterEdwinDroodandtheevents thatfollowhispuzzlingdisappearance.Setina19thcenturyBritishMusicHall,audiencesaresubjecttowitty humor,dazzlingdancebreaks,andevenparticipation! Yes,youheardright.You,theaudience,gettovotefor whoyouthinkmurderedourdear,departedEdwin Drood. Performances begin Friday, November 7th in Neidorff-Karpati Hall and run until Sunday, November 9th.
MP: Ellie, how are you doing today! Only a few weeks until opening night.
EK:Hihi!I’mdoingwell,thankyou.Itfeelscrazythat openingissosoon,butI’msuperexcited!
MP: The Mystery of Edwin Drood is a high-energy show, heavily involving the spectacular ensemble. Tell us about the character you’ve created!
EK:HollyHalsboroisthedaughterofabakerandworks intheshopduringthedaybeforegoingtothetheatreat night.She’sinhermid-20s,hasanaturalwittoher,loves toshamelesslyflirt,workshardatwhatsheloves,but lacksatouchofbooksmarts.Shecametome
onedayinrehearsal,andshe’sstuckeversince!I’vehad alotoffunplayingaroundwithherphysicalityand characteristicsandfindingwhereIcansprinkleabitof myselfintoher!
MP: Given the heightened material and music hall style, what have you done to prepare for this show?
EK:TheMysteryofEdwinDroodisthesortofshowthat youneedtotakeheadon.It’scomplicated,witty,and 100%honest.I’vedefinitelyhadtoreallylockinon rehearsingthematerials,butI’vealsoprioritized practicingtheshow’sneedsinmyday-to-daylife.Atmy job,Itrytopracticethesameextroversionandwitthat weneedfortheaudiencework,whichhasdefinitely beenanintimidatingfactoroftheshowforme,andI’ve foundalotofconfidenceinaddingthistomyroutine! ThiswillcertainlystickwithmebeyondDrood.
MP: What is unique about the ensemble of Drood?
EK:Thisensembleismadeupofextremelytalented individuals(asalwaysisthecaseatMSM),butwhat’s uniqueabouttheDroodensembleisourcommitmentto thestyleoftheshowandtoeachother Weallcollaborate equally;evenasasenior,Ifindmyselfinspiredby sophomoresintheirfirstMSMproductionandamtaking notesfromthem!Thiscastandteamhavecultivatedan environmentcompletelydevoidofego.Weallloveeach otherandsupportoneanotherwhilewe’renavigatingour waythroughthiszanyshow
MP: There are so many memorable moments in this show. Are there any moments that you favor in the story?
EK:Droodiseasilyoneofthemostentertainingshows I’veeverbeenin,butIdothinkmyfavoritepartofthe showis“NevertheLuck.”It’ssuchabeautiful,quiet momentintheshow,andJoshreallycompletesthe numberwithhisperformance.Plus,I’masuckerfora waltz!
MP: What have been some challenging parts of this production?
EK:Honestly,themostchallengingpartofthe productionistheshowitself.Thelanguageiscompletely
| The Mysteryof Edwin Drood differentfromanythingI’veeverhadtoperform before,themusicislusciousandbeautifulbut HARD,andnotknowinghowtheshowwillendeach nightisdefinitelyafeat!Thankfully,thecreatives andthecastare100%devotedtohonoringDrood,so that’shelpedputthisshowonitsfeet!
MP: As a senior Musical Theatre student, do you have any lessons you’d like to share from your mainstage experience?
EK:GiveeveryoneandYOURSELFgrace!Weare heretolearn,andthebestwaytodothatistolead withkindness,always.Obviously,thisappliesinthe theatre,butit’ssomethingIthinkisprioritizedin “real”lifetoo.
MP: Stated earlier, the musical, which premiered on Broadway in 1985, is based on Charles Dickens’ unfinished novel, published in 1870. What do you think modern audiences can take away from this story?
EK:IthinkDroodhimselfputsitbest!“Whenyou live,thenyouwin.”Therearesomanytwistsand turnsinthisshow,asinlife,sothere’sanimportance tohonoringyourselfandfindingjoyevenwhenit’sa challenge.
visit MSMNYC.EDU for more information on tickets and performances!
November upcoming peformances Nov 5, 2025 5:00 pm: Guitar Master Class: René Izquierdo
Nov 6, 2025 10:00 am: Distance Learning Master Class: Eva Hess Thaysen, voice
Nov 6, 2025 7:30 pm - Nov 7, 2025 8:00 pm: First and Second Year Vocal Performance Class Recitals
Nov 6, 2025 7:30 pm: MSM Jazz Chamber Ensemble Jazz Composers’ Concert
Nov 7, 2025 7:30 pm: MSM Camerata Nova Wind Ensemble
Nov 7, 2025 - November 9, 2025: MSM Musical Theatre: The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Nov 8, 2025 10:00 am: MSM Precollege Performances
Nov 10, 2025 10:00 am: Orchestral Performance Master Class: Carter Brey, cello
Nov 10, 2025 7:00 pm – Nov 10, 2025 9:00 pm: MSM Jazz Orchestra at Dizzy’s Club
Nov 10, 2025 7:00 pm – Nov 13, 2025 7:00 pm: Fall ChamberFest
Nov 11, 2025 7:30 pm: MSM Faculty Recital: Ted Rosenthal Trio and Friends
Nov 12, 2025 7:30 pm: Contemporary Performance Ensemble: Tactus
Nov 14, 2025 12:00 pm: Cello Master Class: Jam
Nov 15, 2025 10:00 am: MSM Precollege Perform
Nov 16, 2025 7:30 pm: Brass Soloist Night
November upcoming peformances Nov 17, 2025 9:30 am: Distance Learning Master Class: Maria Milstein, violin
Nov 17, 2025 11:40 am: Distance Learning Master Class: Kelly Hall-Tompkins, violin
Nov 17, 2025 7:30 pm: MSM Composers’ Concert
Nov 18, 2025 10:00 am: Distance Learning Master Class: Ruth Golden, voice
Nov 18, 2025 12:00 pm - Nov 21, 2025 12:00 pm: MSM Jazz ComboFest
Nov 19, 2025 10:00 am: Distance Learning Master Class: Ophélie Gaillard, cello
Nov 19, 2025 7:30 pm: MSM Camerata Nova
Nov 20, 2025 4:00 pm: Violin Master Class: Peter Herresthal
Nov 20, 2025 7:30 pm - Nov 23, 2025 2:00 pm: MSM Opera Theatre: L’Elisir d’Amore
Nov 21, 2025 7:30 pm: MSM Faculty Recital: William Short, bassoon
Nov 22, 2025 10:00 am: MSM Precollege Performances
Nov 22, 2025 7:00 pm: Special Student Project: The Salon Part I
Nov 23, 2025 7:30 pm: Marimba Concert
Nov 24, 2025 7:30 pm: MSM Chamber Choir at Riverside Church’s Christ Chapel:
Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, Op. 48
Nov 25, 2025 6:00 pm – Nov 25, 2025 8:00 pm: Collaborative Pianists’ and Singers’
Seminar Recital: Double Feature
WHAT FALL DRINK ARE YOU BASED ON THIS QUIZ? WHAT FALL DRINK ARE YOU BASED ON THIS QUIZ? made by Faith Potter (BM ‘27) made byFaith (BM
Afewquestionswillleadyoutoyourdestiny…countuphowmanyA’s,B’c,C’s, orD’syouselectedtofindoutwhatfestivefalldrinkyouare!
Q1: Your friend asks you to sing at an open mic... what do you do?
a Do it! Why not
b. No way.
c. Maybe if it’s in more of a karaoke setting.
d Yes, but it’ll definitely take some convincing
Q2: You finally have a free afternoon! Which museum are you headed to?
a. The Met
b Museum of Natural History
c. MOMA
d. Met Cloisters
Q3: How do you prefer to listen to music?
a. On a speaker
b CDs
c. Spotify/Apple Music
d. Vinyls
Q4: What’s your favorite fall activity?
a. Apple picking
b. Pumpkin carving
c Watching horror movies
d. Hayride
Q5: Least favorite part of fall?
a. Midterms season
b. Waiting for winter break
c. Cold weather
d Early sunset (daylight savings)
Q6: It’s time to watch a fall movie - which one are you picking?
a. “Beetlejuice”
b. “Dead Poets’ Society”
c “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” or “Charlie Brown Thanksgiving”
d. “Fantastic Mr. Fox”
Q7: It’s cold out! What are you wearing?
a. Beanie/winter hat
b. Scarf
c Puffer jacket
d. Hoodie
Q8: Your friends are having a potluck… what are you bringing?
a. festive Pillsbury cookies
b. Apple pie
c. Caramel popcorn
d Mac and cheese
Q9: Which fall-adjacent song are you listening to this season?
a. Cupid de Locke by The Smashing Pumpkins
b. Autumn Leaves (Chet Baker’s rendition)
c. Apple Pie by Lizzy McAlpine
d Linger by The Cranberries the results... theresults...
MOSTLY A’s: Hot chocolate! You are a crowd favorite. You value your friendships greatly and would classify yourself as an introverted-extrovert. Don’t change yourself for anyone. You are perfectly classic.
MOSTLY B’S: Chai! You like to read and work best when you ’ re alone. Spend this fall outside connecting with nature and focusing on your art form.
MOSTLY C’S: Pumpkin spice latte! The PSL may be generalized as basic, but you are far from that. You keep your circle of friends big and love to go to concerts. Don’t let anyone dim your sparkle this semester. Stay true to yourself!
MOSTLY D’S: Apple cider! You greatly value your music taste, and so do the people around you - you give great recommendations. You are eclectic. Hang in there… good news is in store for you.
MEET THE BR MatthewPichler Editor-in-Chief
Laila Le Photo
Anisah Leplante Social Media Manager
James Ho Writer / Interviewer
Scott Roberts Writer/ Interviewer
Joshua Eugene Smith Columnist
Luis Vega-Torres Managing Editor
