Keeping Tempo February 2016

Keeping Tempo Volume 7, Number 3, February 2016

Inside this issue: Student Spotlight: Baruni Palayam

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Tour Logo Design

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Team Viola: Successful Recruiting Fills YOBC’s Viola Sections

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Executive Director’s Corner: Why Cleaning Tables Matters

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Behind the Scenes at YOBC

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YOBC’s Musical Multiples

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Not Quite Enough Time

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Important Dates:   

February 20: Chamber Recital, Cairn University, 8:00 PM March 6, Workshops with Kimberly Fisher March 12, 7:00 –10:00 PM: New Hope Winery, FabFest! The Beat Goes On…

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April 9–10: Spring Concerts, Maple Point Middle School

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May 14–15: New student auditions

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May 22: Crossing Classical Boundaries: Mary Fahl with YOBC, Delaware Valley University, 4:00 PM

With the Help of PHILO Project, YOBC Is Making a Movie The new Marketing and Public Relations Committee of the YOBC Board has been working hard since the beginning of this season. Under the direction of Charlie Walker, the committee is tasked with developing new strategies for increasing YOBC’s visibility in the community. Their goal is to make sure YOBC is no long Bucks County’s “best kept secret.” The team created a new brochure that will debut shortly to be used for development, and they also began to explore the idea of creating an informational video.

The committee learned about the PHILO Project — a Philadelphiabased organization that provides promotional videos to area nonprofits, free of charge. YOBC submitted an application last fall and was pleased to be selected for the project.

Filming is set for later this month, postponed from January because of snow.

The PHILO Project is the brainchild of Gerald Kolpan, who was inspired by events in December of

2012. Tim Whitaker, Executive Director of the youth program Mighty Writers, needed a video to promote his organization—and fast. Gerald created the “Mighty Sportswriters” Gerald Kolpan of the PHILO Project video in five days CNN, and Conus netand was delighted to hear works. that it had brought donaHe has received nutions in just as quickly. He merous honors for his asked himself why he waswork, including eight Midn’t doing this every day. dle Atlantic Emmy “There must be hundreds Awards. Also a writer, of small nonprofits in the Gerald has written two Philadelphia area that novels, Etta and Magic need good video and can't Words. He is a graduate of afford it.” the University of the Arts.

Since then Gerald has Gerald is excited to produced nearly 50 videos have an opportunity to for organizations as diverse work with YOBC and its as the West Chester Senior young musicians. The Center and St. Peter’s Food video shoot is scheduled Cupboard, to Snipes Farm to for February 28, with and BalletX. Symphony Orchestra Formerly a commentaholding a special extor and reporter for NPR's tended rehearsal that All Things Considered, day. In the end we hope Gerald spent 21 years as a to have a video we can features reporter for use to spread the word WTXF-TV 29 in Philadelabout YOBC, re-engage phia. His stories have been our alumni, and inspire broadcast nationally and potential donors. worldwide on the FNC,

tudent

potlight: Baruni Palayam

Violist Baruni Palayam joined YOBC in 2012 as a member of Prima Strings. She is currently a member of Ripieno, one of four violists in the section (see article, next page). She plays her instrument for school, in both the chamber and full orchestral groups.

Baruni is a seventh grader at Newtown Middle School. She started playing the viola in third grade when all of the students were given the opportunity to choose an orchestral instrument. “We were able to listen to all of the different instruments during an assembly,” she says. “I chose to play the viola because it has a unique tone quality, and I also knew that not many people played the viola, so I thought it would be fun to try something new.”

Baruni learned about YOBC through a friend who also plays the viola. “I was passionate about participating in a musical program, and the YOBC program was the perfect opportunity to indulge myself in more challenging music.”

At times Baruni has been the only violist in her section at YOBC. “I was very nervous during concerts, considering that sometimes I would get to play ‘solos’ because there were no other violas.” This year, with three other musicians, she says, “I like having a section much more because I can listen to the people around me, and our section sounds much more complete in the end.”

Tour Logo Design

Outside of music Baruni enjoys playing basketball as part of her school team. She also plays tennis.

Her favorite subjects in school are social studies and math. Music helps because, she says, “playing music really enhances my problem-solving skills and logic.” Other hobbies include reading, playing sports, and hanging out with friends.

Baruni hopes to become a dermatologist or a surgeon but plans to keep music in her life. “Although I want to be a doctor, I will continue to play the viola for the rest of my high school and college experience, and for a leisurely experience throughout my life.”

Philadelphia Orchestra Field Trip: YOBC and SIC students had a chance to meet and greet orchestra musicians Gloria dePasquale (cello) and David Fay (bass), and violin soloist Augustin Hadelich, just prior to his mesmerizing performance.

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This year’s tour logo was designed

by YOBC musician John Bilcik.

The design will be featured on the t-shirts that the tour ensemble wears on travel days. Mrs. Sweetsir asked if he was interested in creating a design, and he was happy to do so. John’s inspiration came from photographs of the Alps and surrounding towns, which he found through various web searches. John created the logo using a digital tablet and stylus, referencing photography of the French Alps for a more realistic look.

A saxophonist in Fanfare Winds and a member of John Bilcik YOBC since 2008, John is currently a senior at Neshaminy High School. John dedicates most of his time to music and art. He is involved with his school's jazz band, orchestra, and concert band.

Along with YOBC's tour shirt design, John has created a 19 x 48 foot mural for Neshaminy’s annual Gym Night and hopes to find similar projects in the future. He plans to attend West Chester University in the fall of 2016 to major in graphic design. There he hopes to earn his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and further pursue his interest in music.

Keeping Tempo

Team Viola: Successful Recruiting Fills YOBC’s Viola Sections the cello (which is tuned an octave below it). Viola students learn to read different music, too. Music that is written for the viola primarily uses the alto clef, which is otherwise rarely used.

Violas generally use heavier strings than the violin which, combined with its larger size and lower pitch range, crePhilharmonia violists: (l to r) Anna Mann, ates a deeper and mellower Veronica Bochenek, James Kong, Lyric Scott, Symphony Orchestra violists: (l to r) Emma Akbari, tone. The thicker strings also and Anna Bochenek Avery Twyman, Spencer Szwalbenest, Kendall mean that the viola speaks Scott, Annelise Abraham, Michelle Tyson more “slowly.” That means if a violist and violinist are playing everal years ago, a large group together, the violist must begin of violists progressed together moving the bow a fraction of a secthrough YOBC’s ensembles, ond sooner than the violinist. They Concertino to Symphony Orchestra. must also apply more weight with Nicknamed “Team Viola” they often the bow to play the notes. Much reported to rehearsals in the purple like altos in a choir, the viola often tie-dyed t-shirts they had made for fills in harmonies in an orchestra. themselves. Since this group graduIts dark and chocolatey sound ated in 2011, YOBC has seen some blends the string sections together very small viola sections in its five and gives body to the orchestra as string ensembles—with our principal a whole. violist Spencer Szwalbenest, and YOBC violists are in good Ripieno’s Baruni Palayam sometimes company: Bach, Mozart, and comprising their entire section. This Beethoven all played the viola. year, thanks to active recruiting and The famed instrument maker referrals from several enthusiastic Stradivari also made violas, but teachers, YOBC’s viola sections are because they were not as comRipieno violists: (l to r) David Kim, Rose Dai, Baruni Palayam, Sharvil Mistra thriving. mon as the violin and cello, they Most viola students say they chose are extremely rare and even more their instrument because they like valuable than his violins. the way it sounds. While it looks a lot As YOBC begins like a violin, scheduling auditions in fact it is for new musicians for slightly larthe 2016–17 season, of ger and has a course we welcome lower and even more violists. But deeper sound given our successful than a violin. recruiting, this year we The viola also wonder...do you serves as the know any good basmiddle voice soonists? of the violin Auditions for new family, bemusicians will be held tween the on May 14–15 at Bucks violin (which County Community is tuned a College. Applications Concertino violists: (l to r) Kate Dillard, Ben Sacks, Olivia Rumpf, Phoebe Vallapureddy, Donna Nagorny, Amber Li, Nala perfect fifth are now being acPrima Strings violist: Ashanti, Christina Erckert, Kate Bariahtaris Jacob French above it) and cepted—apply online!

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Volume 7, Number 3, February 2016

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Executive Director’s Corner: Why Cleaning Tables Matters I stopped at a fast food restaurant for lunch last week. There’s really not much to do when you eat in a fast food restaurant. You sit on an unwelcoming chair, listen to annoyingly peppy music, and stare at the other patrons. I noticed that a young employee was cleaning tables, and I was fascinated by what I saw. Someone had obviously told him, “Go out there, and wipe down the tables.” He took his cloth and washed each table and then swept the debris from the table onto the floor. The table was clean.

He smiled politely as he passed and asked if I need anything. Another guest walked past and stepped in the food on the floor. “No. I’m good,” I replied, “Thanks.” I stared after him and thought, “Nice young man. Why does he do such a terrible job cleaning the dining room?”

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The answer could be lack of training. No one has taken the time to explain exactly what he should do and why he should do it. “We want the dining room to be clean for our guests. Wipe down the tables. Put the debris from the tables into the garbage.” What may be obvious about cleaning to the manager is not so obvious to the 16-year-old employee.

Good training is beneficial to everyone—the manager, the guests, and most of all, the employee. It helps develop big-picture thinking and a work ethic that will serve that employee well in future endeavors.

At YOBC, we think a lot about the training we provide for students.

We teach music, of course, but we also provide training in essential life skills that will serve students for the rest of their lives. We talk about dis-

cipline in practice, commitment to attendance, collaboration with peers during rehearsals, respect and appreciation for others, striving toward excellence, and the importance of serving others through volunteer opportunities.

YOBC is demanding, but providing this type of training for our young people helps prepare them for bright futures in any field they choose. A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to guest conduct the Fanfare Winds. I was impressed by the maturity they demonstrated in musical and personal skills and their big-picture thinking. These things don’t develop in a vacuum.

They are the product of great training, at home and here at YOBC. Colleen Sweetsir YOBC Executive Director

Keeping Tempo

Behind the Scenes at YOBC looks forward to attending college Over the last decade, YOBC has exnext year. Erin is an adjunct profesperienced tremendous growth. The sor in music composition and theory number of ensembles has doubled as at Temple’s Boyer College of Music, has overall enrollment. The chamber and Hayley is doing a gap year after music program was introduced, and college graduation to work, shadow new conductors were hired to coach doctors, and volunteer as an EMT, them. Meanwhile, a lot of work is gowhile interviewing for medical school ing on in the background to coordinate entrance in fall 2016. all these efforts. Meet some of the cruSue has enjoyed her time with cial people who work behind the YOBC, first as a parent scenes at YOBC. and Concertino liaison, Dayle Magida is our and now as a parent volSocial Media Coordinaunteer coordinator. She tor. She posts YOBC also arranges and manevents, announcements, ages community outreach interesting articles, and events for the YOBC music jokes on our social chamber groups, facilitatmedia pages. Dayle's Dayle Magida ing a greater appreciation main job is to let as for our students beyond website maintenance, basic bookmany people as possible our usual concert audikeeping, communications, and genknow about YOBC, our ence. eral organization. programs, and our activiSue is also selfDiana has a B.A. in French ties. employed as an artist, spefrom William & Mary and an M.A. An alumna of cializing in custom paintin Political Science from Columbia YOBC’s Wind Ensemble ings and drawings of pets.

University. When not working for and a YOBC Concerto You can visit her website: YOBC, she freelances as an acaSoloist, Dayle has always susanbuschcreations.com. demic editor and translator specialstayed in touch with She also enjoys crafting, izing in demography, population YOBC and has particigardening, cooking, and studies, health, and development pated in alumni concerts. sewing. She and Bob have issues. She has also tutored and She is a graduate of three dogs, and Sue voluntaught French and Spanish priSyracuse University’s teers at the local SPCA in vately and at Bucks County ComSetnor School of Music Lahaska, working in the munity College. and holds a Bachelor of cat room. (Bob’s allergic so Thanks to these important Music degree in Music no chance of bringing any people who help keep YOBC runIndustry and PerformDiana Nolan home!) She enjoys singing ning smoothly. ance. In addition to in her church choir and working with YOBC, Dayle is the the Pennsbury Commuowner of daylemusic.com, a business nity Chorus, and she’s that provides music lessons, small looking forward to singing group classes, and general music Carmina Burana with classes and programs for schools and them in the spring. community centers. She also performs Diana Nolan has been professionally with a large Philadelinvolved with YOBC since phia-based entertainment company, 2000, first as a parent as well as with local bands in the volunteer, later taking Philadelphia area. over the auditions procYOBC’s Volunteer Coordinator is ess, which she still coordiSue Busch. Sue lives in Newtown with nates. In 2009, Diana was her husband Bob. They have three hired to work as the Office daughters—Erin, Hayley, and KelManager for YOBC, resey—all of whom have participated in sponsible for behind-theYOBC’s programs from elementary scenes administrative through high school. Kelsey is a senior duties, including enrollSue Busch (center), with her mother-in-law (left) and in high school, so this is a bittersweet ment and registration, daughters, Hayley, Erin, and Kelsey. time for her, as she loves YOBC but Volume 7, Number 3, February 2016

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YOBC’s Musical Multiples YOBC has always had a lot of siblings among its members, and it is not unusual to see a familiar name or face in our rosters and ensembles. This year, though, we have seven sets of twins or multiples among our members. Maybe that’s not so unusual; twins Phoebe and Gwen Child report that in the eighth grade alone in their middle school there are “at least nine sets.

We know seven sets of twins and two sets of triplets.” But it seemed special to us, so we are featuring all of this season’s musical multiples.

YOBC’s youngest twins are Joshua and Matthew Enders, sixth graders who play in Wind Symphony and Concertino, respectively. On the other end of the spectrum are 17-year-old juniors Gregory and Jeremy Horn. Two of YOBC’s twin siblings were born over the midnight hour and have different birthdays: Gwen and Phoebe Child and Stephen and Daniel Bolton. Daniel reports that this is one of the ridiculous questions he sometimes gets asked about being a twin: How can you possibly be twins if you were born on different days?

We asked our multiples about who was the oldest and whether they rub it in. Three people indicated that their elder sibling did rub it in, and those twins confessed that it was true: Erika Daubert, Gregory Horn (“sometimes,” both he and his brother admit), and Joshua Enders. Emily Haines said her older (by one minute, “as if that makes a difference!”) sister Samantha tries “to use it as an advantage

Emily (trumpet) and Samantha (percussion) Haines

in arguments,” and Sam agrees, “sometimes, when I would like to get something first.”

We asked our twins what they get competitive over and saw a variety of responses, not unique to twins: grades and academic achievements, sports, card games, and music. Anna Bochenek says she and her sisters compete over “most things, but for no reason,” and her sister Julia agrees that they compete to determine “who is best at various things.”

But despite their competitive natures, the multiples are involved in lots of activities, many of which they share. Gwen and Phoebe both “love to act, sing, draw, do target riflery, and read really long classic literature.” Julia, Anna, and Veronica Bochenek all like singing and tennis. Veronica also fences and plays piano, and Julia is in marching band. Stephen and Daniel Bolton play tennis and they are both heavily invested in their church and share a love of learning. Emily and Samantha Haines both enjoy doing things with their friends, but they are involved in a lot of separate activities. Emily loves to read, and Sam is on the debate team and does the audio for school productions. Gregory and Jeremy Horn both play soccer and basketball together. In fact, Jeremy says, “We don’t do much by ourselves.” Erika and Kira Daubert both dance, sing Veronica (viola), Julia (flute), and Anna (viola) Bochenek in the school concert choir, act Page 6

Gregory (bass clarinet) and Jeremy (trombone) Horn

in the school musical, enjoy art, and swim on a summer swim team. Matthew and Joshua Enders say they both enjoy drawing, school, cards, and brain games.

Since they are all members of YOBC ensembles, of course one of the things they share is music. But most of the multiples play different instruments from their siblings. One exception is Anna and Veronica Bochenek who both play viola in Philharmonia.

They chose the instrument with the help of their school music teacher after hearing it in a school assembly.

Their sister Julia tried the flute in 4th grade, though, and found she had a good tone so she decided to stick with it. She currently plays flute in Wind Ensemble, Chamber Flutes, and the Woodwind Trio.

Stephen Bolton plays alto saxophone in Fanfare Winds and the Saxophone Quartet. Daniel plays clarinet in Fanfare Winds and Symphony Orchestra. Both say their ele-

Phoebe (trombone) and Gwen (flute) Child

Keeping Tempo

mentary music teacher helped with a time! So I brought it up to my preview of all the instruments, but teacher, and he gave me a choice they chose instruments their parents between the trumpet and trombone. played.

The trombone wasn’t appealing to Gregory Horn plays the bass me at all, so I chose the trumpet.” clarinet that was his father’s. He is Samantha, a percussionist, also a member of Fanfare Winds. Jertried the trumpet but says she was emy chose the trombone for a differbad at it. But she says, “I would ent reason: “I didn’t necessarily always make a beat to everything want to play an inso it just kind of strument with a lot of clicked.” Sometimes keys. I was attracted they practice toto the trombone begether with Sam cause it looked fundaadding rhythm mentally different and while Emily plays unique. Also, I associher part. Before a ated the trombone concert they somewith power and versatimes look up Youtility.” Jeremy plays Tube videos of their in Fanfare Winds and pieces and play Symphony Orchestra. along together.

Erika Daubert Phoebe Child plays clarinet in Wind plays trombone in Symphony and the Wind Ensemble, Clarinet Ensemble.

Philharmonia, and She chose the instruthe Brass Ensemble. ment in fourth grade Her first choice was Kira (violin) and Erika (clarinet) after trying a string percussion, but she Daubert instrument she didn’t wasn’t allowed to enjoy playing. Kira does, though: play it at school because she didn’t she immediately took to the violin play piano—a prerequisite. A family and it seemed like a natural choice friend offered her a trombone, so she for her. She is currently in Concertried that instead. “Fortunately, I tino. She and her sister do not pracliked it!” she says. Gwen plays flute tice together. Although they sing in Wind Ensemble and Chamber together sometimes, they prefer to Flutes. Her grandmother had a flute practice alone. at her house that she had played as a Joshua Enders plays trumpet in student. Gwen tried it and thought it Wind Symphony and Matthew would be fun to learn to play. Gwen plays cello in Concertino. Joshua and Phoebe also practice together if chose his instrument after he found they play in the same group and have it in the basement. Like some of the a new piece to figure out. other students, Matthew learned A word to the wise, when getting about the cello in a school assembly. to know your new twin friends: Don’t Joshua and Matthew also prefer to ask, “If I hit you, will she feel it?” practice alone.

“Can you taste what she tastes?” or Emily and Samantha Haines “Do you have a telepathic connecare both members of Wind Ensemtion?” (The answer is no, Daniel clarible and Philharmonia. Emily also fies, just in case you are still wonderplays in the Brass Ensemble. Emily ing.) All of the twins identified this, admits that trumpet was not her or a variation on this question, as the first choice. “Back in fifth grade most ridiculous thing anyone has when I first got assigned an instruever asked them. ment to play, they had me play the Everyone talked about how estenor sax. When I tried to play it at sential being a twin is to their idenhome, I realized that my arms tity. Emily says, “Being a twin is such weren’t long enough to reach the a defining part of my life that I top and bottom keys at the same wouldn’t know how to be who I am Volume 7, Number 3, February 2016

without that somehow being at the center.” Daniel elaborates, “It’s a very special relationship. I can’t open up to anyone the way I can open up to my twin, and the relationship we have is a closer relationship than a lot of people ever get to experience. ... I love being a twin and wouldn’t want it any other way.” Erika and Kira both say their sister is their best friend, and Joshua succinctly sums up his sibling relationship: “Matthew is the best.”

Thanks to all the YOBC musical multiples for participating in this article, for Gwen and Phoebe for their help with the questions, and to the volunteer photographers — Jennifer Marquis, Brad Norris, and Tenaz Purdy — for providing the portraits.

Joshua (trumpet) and Matthew (cello) Enders

Stephen (alto saxophone) and Daniel (clarinet) Bolton

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Not Quite Enough Time Leonard Bernstein once said, “To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time.” Never was this more apparent than when I practiced my music for the 2016 PMEA District 11 Orchestra Festival. I spent hours slaving over Ravel, Bartok, and Rachmaninoff while blasting recordings from my Districts 2016 Spotify playlist on a portable speaker. I feverishly peppered my sheet music with fingerings and notations as I stumbled through with my violin.

Yet I was still not convinced that I had “quite enough time” to prepare for PMEA reauditions.

Add the fact that I was completely and utterly alone during those first few hours of practicing, and you have a perfect recipe for a nervous wreck. I was the only student representing the New HopeSolebury High School at District Orchestra, but because I knew many former and current YOBC members would also be taking part, I didn’t have to worry about being the odd one out at the festival.

Our conductor for the three-day festival in mid-January was Thomas Hong, a lighthearted and enthusiastic man who would crack jokes during rehearsals and comment about his chronic baldness when in fact he had a full head of hair. Hong happens to be the brother of my private teacher, Hannah Pak, who introduced me to him during lunch one day. He is a highly esteemed conductor, who studied at renowned institutions like the Curtis Institute of Music and Rice University. Currently he conJonathan Lewis ducts the Mansfield Symtook YOBC to phony Orchestra and the the District 12 orchestra at the University festival. of Pennsylvania.

It was such an amazing opportunity to play with other young musicians because of the toil and dedication we all put into learning this music. The three pieces were definitely a stretch to perfect and perform at our concert after merely three days. I was in awe at the caliber of these high school students’ playing, with

their advanced technique and genuine expression. Attending Districts this year for the first time was an enriching experience, and it motivated me to practice more. It’s amazing what “not quite enough time” can achieve.

—Katie Warren YOBC Symphony Orchestra, violin

Congratulations to YOBC Students Selected for PMEA District 11 & 12 Band & Orchestra Festivals Emma Akbari, viola Daniel Bolton, clarinet Stephen Bolton, alto saxophone Kelsey Busch, flute Christina Chen, euphonium Michelle Davis, flute Isabella DiVirgilio, clarinet Mary Kate Durnan, viola Andrew Fedun, violin Maia Gaenzle, violin Daniel Han, violin Stephen Hopkins, French horn Gregory Horn, bass clarinet Paul Hutchings, trumpet Daniel Klugman, French horn Jack Kolodny, string bass Avyay Kuchibotla, violin Jonathan Lewis , oboe Jarod Mellus, clarinet Dashiell Papula, cello Tasha Schapiro, French horn Neel Shah, oboe Caleb Sharp, string bass Noah Smith, string bass Liam Tahaney, tuba Katie Warren, violin Billy Young, alto saxophone Ye Jin Yun, flute

Some YOBC Symphony Orchestra students who participated in PMEA District Festivals.

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The YOUTH ORCHESTRA OF BUCKS COUNTY, Pennsy lvania (YOBC) was founded in 1991 with the spo nsorship and support of Buc ks County Community College. Its mission is to create opportunities for you ng musicians to achieve artistic excellence thr ough enriching classical mu sica l experiences. In 24 seasons the organization has grown from a single, 60member ensemble to 16 ensembles with over 275 young musicians.

Keeping Tempo