The Journey While I was studying and performing with the greats, I found out something extremely interesting that I didn't know up to that point. Robert Marcellus, Stanley Drucker, Leon Russianoff, Bette Midler, Nell Carter and a wide range of others never had degrees until later in life. Mr. Marcellus finally received the honorary doctorate from the University of Nova Scotia at the age of 70. Stanley studied at Curtis, but made first chair Clarinet when he was 19, no degree, Leon emigrated from Russia and began teaching eventually getting his bachelors later in life, but in the meantime taught Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Stanley Drucker and a whole slew of others with international prominence. Leon did not come to teach at Julliard until the 1980's. Robert studied with Daniel Bonade and practiced in a garage with a bucket of ice water, a fan and a stack of music. I adapted to their way of achieving, work, practice, dedication to learning and the willingness to learn. There was one lesson with Robert Marcellus I will never forget. I came in, did the Mozart, not up to snuff and not prepared like I should have been and after the 3 hour lesson was over, he looked in my direction and said �Jere, there is nothing I can teach you , you already know all there is to know about the Clarinet, but, if you want to learn what I know, I will see you next week." Talk about tucking my tail feathers, one of my greatest dreams in life at the time, to study with Marcellus and I just about blew it. I came back next week, put his horns together and got them set up for him and very humbly said "Mr. Marcellus, I'm ready to learn." That was a major turning point in my life. 3 years later, he finally told me something that floored me again. "Jere, you were already an accomplished clarinetist when you came to me, I just put finishing touches on you." That was my last lesson with him, friend, mentor and great teacher. When it comes to the end of my journey, I will look back and know I dreamed, took a chance and lived my dream. In essence, I did it my way! I hope you enjoy the experience of the Parlor Project, one of my life’s dreams! Jere Kizer Douglas
Co Founder Parlor Project
Reflections The Program Prelude and Dance USA Premiere Mr. James Richens, Composer Laurate Memphis Symphony ASCAP Award Winner Clarinet and Piano Sonata Maestro Leonard Bernstein Movement One Clarinet and Piano Sonata Opus 120 Johannes Brahms Movement Two Clarinet and Piano Kaddish World Permiere Mr. Sean Salamon Composer Clarinet, Piano, Tenor and Percussion Saints/Medley Ensemble
Kaddish is a setting of the Jewish prayer for the dead of the same name. It uses the Hebrew text, untranslated. It was written for the memories of four celebrated pedagogues: Leonard Bernstein, Alan Balter, Leon Russianoff, and Robert Marcellus. My setting of the Kaddish is unaffected and unapologetic. Its only aim is to bring out the meaning of the text— the glorification of God through times of grief and strife, and the plea for peace— in a language which is natural and direct. I was delighted to use jazz techniques, especially nos. 3 and 4, in homage to the four late maestros whom this piece remembers.
—Sean Michael Salamon Kaddish for Jere Douglas, and for the memories of Leonard Bernstein, Alan Balter, Leon Russianoff, and Robert Marcellus No. 1 Fugue: Glorified and sanctified be God’s great name No. 2: May His great name be praised forever, and to all eternity No. 3: Perpetuum mobile: Blessed be He above all No. 4: May there be peace and good life
Bio’s Jere Douglas Clarinetist Jere Douglas, award winning clarinetist and clinician, began his musical career on the piano at the tender age of 5 years old studying in the Berl Olswanger Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. He continued his musical growth in the junior and chancel choirs of Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis along with picking up the Clarinet in the 9th grade at Milan High School working under the tutelage of Mr. Robert Hodge. From these beginnings in classical and jazz, Jere has performed with the Germantown Symphony, Memphis Symphony, in musicals on Broadway and in London, with Ray Charles, Bette Midler, Barry Manilow, Joyce Cobb, Count Basie, Doobie Brothers, and is a well recognized session and pit musician. Jere is a freelance musician and has played in many of the major and minor symphonies as a fill in. As a clinician, Jere has taught around the US, including through the Mid-America Arts Alliance, TMEA, NAMTA and various regional and state organizations. He has performed as guest soloist with ensembles in Japan, England, Australia, Korea, Thailand, China, Germany, and as Artist in Residence at “The Clearing” Sister Bay, Wisconsin, Woodwind Specialist Arkansas Repertory Theatre. Jere is a sensitive performer with a unique edge to interpretations of works from Baroque to New Age, a specialist in new compositions and techniques looking to expand the repertoire for the clarinet though various ensemble mixtures and rhythmic complexities. His boundless energy is focused on commissioning works by new composers. His performances are inspiring and completely encompassing, taking audiences to a higher level of experience. Jere comes across the footlights with powerful musical statements that are inspiring to many. Jere is an ardent supporter of personal growth and education and shares his life experiences through private coaching with students from around the world. He is also involved in various charitable organizations promoting health and wellbeing. An avid cook, reader, and civic organizer, Jere is a consummate well-rounded person. Jere is also a licensed Nursing Home Administrator and Dietician through Douglas Nursing Home, INC along with certifications as a 6 Sigma Black Belt, Microsoft Certifications and a risk management specialist in the financial and manufacturing sectors. As an advisor, Jere is also involved with Presidential and Congressional commissions dealing with health care advocacy and international relations. He is also affiliated with Broadway Cares, St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital and the Center for Disease Control and was part of the collaborative effort for the Debakey Heart Diet. “Pick your personal mentors and teachers with great care, and with the emphasis on your personal career, not the world of academia,” exhorts Jere. “Make your own way, even if it means stepping outside the box. I actually created my own course of study, much to the chagrin of others. I have ended with the appropriate credentials that look nice on a wall-- but the substance behind the paperwork is truly what’s important to me.”
Sean Michael Salamon Composer Sean Michael Salamon is a 20-year-old composer, singer and instrumentalist currently studying at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. He is equally conversant in the musical languages of classical music and musical theatre. His works have been performed by ensembles as far-flung as the University of California at Berkeley, University of Puget Sound, University of Tennessee, as well as Houston, Toronto, Romania, and Singapore. His ballet, Hard Times, was performed in February at CMU’s Playground Festival. He sings in the Carnegie Mellon Concert Choir (Robert Page, director) and is the baritone choral scholar at Trinity Cathedral in downtown Pittsburgh, and is also the music director for Carnegie Mellon's oldest a cappella group, The Originals. This past semester, the faculty of the CMU School of Music named him the outstanding student in his class.
Basis for Reflections For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear: Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away: And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning. Job 11:15-17 The Program “Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.” Jeremiah 31:13 (NIV) Prelude and Dance USA Premiere Mr. James Richens, Composer Laurate Memphis Symphony "Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance," Proverbs 1:5 ESV Sonata Maestro Leonard Bernstein Movement One Sonata Opus 120 Johannes Brahms Movement Two “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,” Ecclesiastes 3:4 (NIV) Kaddish World Premiere Mr. Sean Salamon Composer “Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; / To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee forever.” Saints/Medley Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalms 133:1
The Teachers of Mr. Jere Kizer Douglas Lineage: Musical Lineage consists of on Clarinet – Simeon Bellison, Daniel Bonade, Leon Russianoff, Robert Marcellus, and Alan Balter Conducting/Interpretation Lineage, varied and multidiscipline. Treatise – Live Oration and Performance on the Sackbut and the 3 keyed D Clarinet, with a lecture discussion on the development of the instrument and it’s implication in the tonal colorings of the orchestra. Treatise – Discussions with Robert Marcellus on the Mozart Concerto and the Mozart Quintet, with discussion and performance. (IE: The transitional period between the Classical and Romantic Periods of World/Musical History and the implications on interpretation thereof). Professional Studies: Freelance Musician On Clarinet: Robert Marcellus Principle Clarinetist Cleveland Orchestra, Northwestern University, Cleveland Conservatory Maestro Alan Balter Conductor Memphis Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Akron Symphony, Winner Tokyo Grand Prix Conducting Principle Clarinetist Atlanta Symphony Leon Russianoff Julliard Anthony D’Andrea University of Tennessee Robert Hodge Milan, Tennessee, Lead Tenor Count Basie Orchestra Dr. James Gholson University of Memphis, Principle Clarinet Memphis Symphony Oboe: Mr. Pete Evans Dr. Wright Saxophone Mr. Alan Rippe Mr. Robert Hodge Piano: Miss Francis McFadden Berl Olswanger Angie Case Newport
Milan High School Band University of Memphis University of Memphis Milan High School
Presbyterian Day School Berl Olswanger Studios University of Memphis
Organ: Dr. Charles Parham Organist, First United Methodist Church Mrs. Jerome P. Robertson Organist, Second Presbyterian Church
Vocal: Mr. Tommy Ashcraft Robert Shaw George Beverly Shea Luciano Pavarotti
Minister of Music, Second Presbyterian Church Atlanta, Chorus Studies, Shaw Chorale Billy Graham Crusades Vocal Interpretations with Instrumentals
Conducting studies and Master Classes: Leonard Bernstein New York Philharmonic Clarinet Sonata, Conducting, Composition, New York City James Levine Metropolitan Opera Choral/Orchestral Conducting, Interpretation Alan Balter Memphis Symphony, Baltimore Symphony. San Francisco Conservatory Clarinet, Conducting, Computer Robert Shaw Atlanta Choral/Orchestral Conducting Francis Macbeth University of Miami Wind Ensemble Arranging, Conducting Alfred Reed University of Miami Arranging, Conducting Freddy Fennel Eastman School of Music Wind Ensemble Methodology John Williams Composer and conductor of Boston Pops Conducting, Interpretation Hideo Suzuki Osaka, Japan Suzuki Method Cliff Baker Arkansas Repertory Theatre Staging, Acting, Vocals Dr. Burton Fine Principle Violist, Boston Symphony String Ensembles and Solo Interpretative Analysis John Rutter Memphis, Tennessee/London England Performance, Conducting, Interpretation, Rhythmic Complexities Dr. Donald Freund University of Memphis Premiere Performance of Mass Aaron Copland Master Classes on Copland Concerto and other compositions