My husband and I both engaged in barbershop quartet singing over the years. When we were in our twenties, Mark was member of the Motor City Chorus in Detroit, Michigan and I was in a Farmington Hills, Michigan Sweet Adelines Chorus. After we got married, my husband sang in the Singing Buckeyes in Columbus, Ohio, and I sang in Columbus based, Scioto Valley Chorus of the Sweet Adelines.
Although we don't commit to barbershop singing in our current busy lives, we still love to attend barbershop shows and competitions. The Society for the Preservation of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America, and Sweet Adelines, have brought us many hours of musical happiness in participating and singing in this amazing art form.
Last weekend, we had the opportunity to attend the Singing Buckeyes performance with the Bishop Watterson High School jazz band. Both of our children performed in the Jazz Band, and we cannot say enough about the band's director Mike Renzi and his incredible musical talent.
The concert featured both the Singing Buckeyes Chorus, as well as the Watterson Jazz band. And the concert also featured pianist Matthew Ebright. Mr. Ebirght has worked as a featured pianist for Prince Cruises as well as being a music director for various theater productions. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Music from The Ohio State University. Matthew has also served as accompanist and assistant direct of the Ohio State University Men's Glee Club.
Currently Matthew works as the primary accompanist for several high school choral programs throughout the Columbus metropolitan area.
Matthew played several jazz numbers with great technical prowess. He also accompanied the Watterson Jazz Band with their rendition of Breaking Up is Hard to Do. Look for Mr. Ebright to go very far professionally. With just a small glimpse of his performance style, he seems to be able to move freely through the various musical genres.
It was an incredible evening among amateur musicians who simply love music.
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Aaron Diehl and Cecile McLorin Salvant
One of my musical pipe dreams has been to attend a concert at the Barns at Wolf Trap, in suburban Washington D.C. Our daughter granted our wish, when she obtained tickets for jazz pianist Aaron Diehl and singer Cecile McLorin Salvant. The occasion---to celebrate our upcoming 30th anniversary this August 29th, and going to this concert was a great way to start our anniversary year.
The concert was quite frankly, amazing. I have heard Aaron Diehl before, and being from his home town of Columbus, Ohio, He attended St. Charles prep in Columbus, and was the pianist organist at the beautiful St. Mary's church in Columbus' historic German Village. I have followed his career, and his foray into the world of jazz. He is an absolutely incredible pianist, and I believe he is in his early 30's so I know he has a long career ahead of him.
Aaron collaborates with Cecile, and this collaboration this night was simply beyond words. Cecile reminds me of Ella Fitzgerald or Nancy Wilson, but with her own style, and vocal quality. She is a joy in her performance, and I kept saying to myself, over and over, "I cannot believe that I am here....tonight!!"
Cecile is very mod, or hip or fashion minded. She always wears very distinctive glasses, and there are also photos of her wearing very sophisticated millinery. This very evening she had an incredible dress on, that Cecile described as her "dinosaur dress." Cecile is not a "skinny jeans" person, but I tell you this, she has that je ne sais quoi about her, and she frankly rocked her style. You are not going to forget this fine young woman of jazz. I don't know if je ne sais quoi applies, but I love to utter a French phrase or two.
Cecile and Aaron played and sang for about one and a half hours without a break. The thing I noticed about Mr. Diehl, that differed from the past concerts I attended, is that he played with an elegance. For the amateur pianist, this simply means he played effortlessly, but even the amateur piano knows that effortless equals thousands of hours at the piano, hanon exercises, Czerny, etudes, breaking down the difficult measures. Aaron Diehl is the real Diehl, because he gives so much to the audience in his performance. Still waiting for his interpretation of Viper's Drag in an encore.
I just kept saying to myself throughout the concert, this performance is pure class.
Well as luck would have it, my husband, our daughter Sarah and I stayed until the end, and waited in line to purchase Cecile's CD and vinyl. We were at the end of the queue, and when we came face to face with Cecile, we asked her if Aaron Diehl was coming out to greet his fans. We also mentioned that we were from Aaron Diehl's home town of Columbus, Ohio. And though he couldn't come out to meet and greet, due to a dental issue, Cecile spent a few moments chatting with us. I encouraged her to come to Columbus, and she had been there before, and even seemed amenable.
The most amazing thing about our serendipitous encounter was that she texted Aaron and begged him in a cell phone begging kind of way to come out and meet the home town folk. I've learned that even though he didn't come out to greet us, it's okay. I don't know anything about concertizing, but I am sure it is physically draining, and I guess like any professional, sometime after a big moment you just have to decompress.
I add that I was glad my daughter got to see both Aaron and Cecile. Sarah is a very fine amateur pianist in her own right, and she got to see the excellence that only Aaron Diehl can provide. Sarah also got to see Cecile, who is Sarah's age, a woman with her own style, who knows where she is going. I like it when my daughter sees women who march to the beat of their own drum. I find myself wishing I could take both of them out for a grand lunch or tea, and we could talk music, clothes, romance, and vacations.
Any present from my children is wonderful. Sarah really got an "A" this time allowing my husband and I to accompany her to such an incredible evening of piano and song. I'm still dreaming of that "dinosaur dress."
The concert was quite frankly, amazing. I have heard Aaron Diehl before, and being from his home town of Columbus, Ohio, He attended St. Charles prep in Columbus, and was the pianist organist at the beautiful St. Mary's church in Columbus' historic German Village. I have followed his career, and his foray into the world of jazz. He is an absolutely incredible pianist, and I believe he is in his early 30's so I know he has a long career ahead of him.
Aaron collaborates with Cecile, and this collaboration this night was simply beyond words. Cecile reminds me of Ella Fitzgerald or Nancy Wilson, but with her own style, and vocal quality. She is a joy in her performance, and I kept saying to myself, over and over, "I cannot believe that I am here....tonight!!"
Cecile is very mod, or hip or fashion minded. She always wears very distinctive glasses, and there are also photos of her wearing very sophisticated millinery. This very evening she had an incredible dress on, that Cecile described as her "dinosaur dress." Cecile is not a "skinny jeans" person, but I tell you this, she has that je ne sais quoi about her, and she frankly rocked her style. You are not going to forget this fine young woman of jazz. I don't know if je ne sais quoi applies, but I love to utter a French phrase or two.
Cecile and Aaron played and sang for about one and a half hours without a break. The thing I noticed about Mr. Diehl, that differed from the past concerts I attended, is that he played with an elegance. For the amateur pianist, this simply means he played effortlessly, but even the amateur piano knows that effortless equals thousands of hours at the piano, hanon exercises, Czerny, etudes, breaking down the difficult measures. Aaron Diehl is the real Diehl, because he gives so much to the audience in his performance. Still waiting for his interpretation of Viper's Drag in an encore.
I just kept saying to myself throughout the concert, this performance is pure class.
Well as luck would have it, my husband, our daughter Sarah and I stayed until the end, and waited in line to purchase Cecile's CD and vinyl. We were at the end of the queue, and when we came face to face with Cecile, we asked her if Aaron Diehl was coming out to greet his fans. We also mentioned that we were from Aaron Diehl's home town of Columbus, Ohio. And though he couldn't come out to meet and greet, due to a dental issue, Cecile spent a few moments chatting with us. I encouraged her to come to Columbus, and she had been there before, and even seemed amenable.
The most amazing thing about our serendipitous encounter was that she texted Aaron and begged him in a cell phone begging kind of way to come out and meet the home town folk. I've learned that even though he didn't come out to greet us, it's okay. I don't know anything about concertizing, but I am sure it is physically draining, and I guess like any professional, sometime after a big moment you just have to decompress.
I add that I was glad my daughter got to see both Aaron and Cecile. Sarah is a very fine amateur pianist in her own right, and she got to see the excellence that only Aaron Diehl can provide. Sarah also got to see Cecile, who is Sarah's age, a woman with her own style, who knows where she is going. I like it when my daughter sees women who march to the beat of their own drum. I find myself wishing I could take both of them out for a grand lunch or tea, and we could talk music, clothes, romance, and vacations.
Any present from my children is wonderful. Sarah really got an "A" this time allowing my husband and I to accompany her to such an incredible evening of piano and song. I'm still dreaming of that "dinosaur dress."
Monday, May 22, 2017
Caroline Hong, Mother's Day and Rhapsody in Blue
Caroline Hong - Rhapsody in Blue
So if you are an amateur pianist, I think it is necessary that you give back to the arts, in gratitude, for being able to play such an amazing instrument. I live in Worthington Ohio, about 1/2 hour from Columbus, Ohio, and I was involved with a group of people who raised funds and awareness to create an arts center from the original Thomas Worthington High School. That process, is a topic for another blog post.
The Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center of Worthington, as it is called, offers amazing programming, enhancing the cultural climate of our lovely, little city.
Since my adult children are out of town, my mom died in 2004, and my mother in law had other plans, I had to think of a way to have an enjoyable mother's day. My husband, Mark and I decided to attend the McConnell Arts Center Chamber Orchestra performance with Caroline Hong playing Rhapsody in Blue.
Let me digress for a moment about the Chamber Orchestra. Antoine Clark is the orchestra's music director, and frankly he is amazing. The concert had a bit of a casual feel, as Dr. Clark took the time to comment on the selections for the program entitled Symphonic Jazz. A clarinetist by profession, Dr Clark earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Clarinet Performance and a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from the Ohio State University. He took the time to make the audience feel right at home, and I think his commentary set the tone for a fun and creative first half. Selections by Ellington and Milhaud were amazing, and the first half of the concert concluded with Ragtime music by Scott Joplin.
I also add that my piano teacher Suzanne Newcomb, is the pianist for the Chamber Orchestra. A gifted musician in her own right, I never tire of watching Suzanne perform. Her focus, and determination comes through when ever her fingers meet the piano keys, and one can always count on her to create amazing collaborations with her fellow musicians. Suzanne is a gift to the Central Ohio arts community. So if you haven't taken time to hear this creative chamber Orchestra, you need to take a moment, look at the website, and firm up something on your calendar for the Fall/Winter season.
The second half of the concert was an amazing performance by Caroline Hong, of Rhapsody in Blue. Caroline is a very accomplished pianist and is currently an associate professor at The Ohio State University. Caroline plays in an elegant, sophisticated manner. But Rhapsody in Blue, showcases every aspect of a pianist's technique, and Caroline was able to move through the various elements of the work, with strength, stamina, style and grace. I am always amazed when I watch a pianist perform with any orchestra. Just looking at the orchestra, and watching a very poised Caroline Hong waiting for her cues, sent shivers up my spine. She played with such great strength and grandeur, and the orchestra gave a wonderful performance, of this familiar work. I think that Ms. Hong brought the Rhapsody to the people. Even if you have heard excerpts of this musical masterpiece over and over again, it is always wonderful, to hear a fresh take on the genius of George Gershwin.
All and all, it was a great way to have a beautiful mother's day. And on that note, in the row behind us was, Caroline's husband and her sweet little son. I turned at the end, and saw him joyously clapping for his mom. He has so much to be proud of, and I am sure Ms. Hong was proud of his attentiveness during a glorious performance. Okay, my children were out of town, and my mom is in heaven, but the concert made the cherished Mother's Day holiday, quite lovely and amazing.
Since my adult children are out of town, my mom died in 2004, and my mother in law had other plans, I had to think of a way to have an enjoyable mother's day. My husband, Mark and I decided to attend the McConnell Arts Center Chamber Orchestra performance with Caroline Hong playing Rhapsody in Blue.
Let me digress for a moment about the Chamber Orchestra. Antoine Clark is the orchestra's music director, and frankly he is amazing. The concert had a bit of a casual feel, as Dr. Clark took the time to comment on the selections for the program entitled Symphonic Jazz. A clarinetist by profession, Dr Clark earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Clarinet Performance and a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from the Ohio State University. He took the time to make the audience feel right at home, and I think his commentary set the tone for a fun and creative first half. Selections by Ellington and Milhaud were amazing, and the first half of the concert concluded with Ragtime music by Scott Joplin.
I also add that my piano teacher Suzanne Newcomb, is the pianist for the Chamber Orchestra. A gifted musician in her own right, I never tire of watching Suzanne perform. Her focus, and determination comes through when ever her fingers meet the piano keys, and one can always count on her to create amazing collaborations with her fellow musicians. Suzanne is a gift to the Central Ohio arts community. So if you haven't taken time to hear this creative chamber Orchestra, you need to take a moment, look at the website, and firm up something on your calendar for the Fall/Winter season.
The second half of the concert was an amazing performance by Caroline Hong, of Rhapsody in Blue. Caroline is a very accomplished pianist and is currently an associate professor at The Ohio State University. Caroline plays in an elegant, sophisticated manner. But Rhapsody in Blue, showcases every aspect of a pianist's technique, and Caroline was able to move through the various elements of the work, with strength, stamina, style and grace. I am always amazed when I watch a pianist perform with any orchestra. Just looking at the orchestra, and watching a very poised Caroline Hong waiting for her cues, sent shivers up my spine. She played with such great strength and grandeur, and the orchestra gave a wonderful performance, of this familiar work. I think that Ms. Hong brought the Rhapsody to the people. Even if you have heard excerpts of this musical masterpiece over and over again, it is always wonderful, to hear a fresh take on the genius of George Gershwin.
All and all, it was a great way to have a beautiful mother's day. And on that note, in the row behind us was, Caroline's husband and her sweet little son. I turned at the end, and saw him joyously clapping for his mom. He has so much to be proud of, and I am sure Ms. Hong was proud of his attentiveness during a glorious performance. Okay, my children were out of town, and my mom is in heaven, but the concert made the cherished Mother's Day holiday, quite lovely and amazing.
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