Behind the Music: The S.O. Podcast

Episode 4 - It's Accessible: Modern Music Debunked (feat. Drew Hamrick)

Ever been put off by 20th century orchestral music? Too "modern sounding" for you? Not enough melody? Prefer Rachmaninoff or Tchaikovsky? If you've answered "yes" to any of the above, boy do we have the show for you! Today, Drew & I show you just how accessible 20th Century music can be!

After introducing the "how" and "why" of this episode, Drew and I dive into each decade of the 20th century and show you examples from each. These pieces are not only important, but also accessible and not too far out there for the ear/mind to digest when you're listening to them. We each choose 1 piece of music per decade, and since there's so much music, we have to throw some honorable mentions in there! We then pick one of the two and play an audio clip to give you a taste. We hope you not only have fun along with us, but that this also gives you a new appreciation for 20th and 21st century music. Hopefully it will encourage you to find your own favorites! Have some we didn't mention? Let us know!

Join us next week for part 2! 1960s - now!

Our picks (Drew's & Wojciech's)
**doubles are omitted and substituted
 
1900s: Debussy: "La Mer" & Sibelius': "Finlandia"
Honorable mentions: Dohnanyi Serenade in C, Sibelius Symphony no. 2

1910s: Stravinsky: "The Firebird" & Vaughan Williams: "Lark Ascending"
HMs: Vaughan Williams' "Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis" & Edmund Thornton Jenkins' "Charlestonia: A Folk Rhapsody"

1920s: Gershwin: "Rhapsody in Blue" & Gershwin: "American in Paris"
HMs: Honegger: Cello Concerto & Respighi: "Pines of Rome"

1930s: Prokofiev: "Peter and the Wolf" & Carlos Chavez: "Sinfonia India"
HMs: Prokofiev: Lieutenant Kije &  Grofé: Grand Canyon Suite

1940s: Copland: Symphony no. 3 & Moncayo: "Huapango"
HMs: Copland: Appalachian Spring & Britten: Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra

1950s: Weinberg: Fantasia for Cello & Orchestra & Shostakovich: Festive Overture
HMs: Price: Dances in the Canebrakes & Lutosławski: Dance Preludes for Clarinet & Ensemble

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Episode 3 - Should you get a music degree these days? 

With everything going on in the world, it may seem a better time to ask: should you get a music degree with that industry basically at a standstill right now? Inn today's podcast, we attempt to give you some facts and data to help you make that decision for yourself. Its a highly personal one, with highly personal variables and goals, and for that reason - we try to steer away from a yes or no. We just help give you some things to think about!

First, (4:08) we start out by giving you some data - number of degrees, average wages, employment statistics, tuition costs, etc. We then look at Juilliard specifically and the "Juilliard effect," before asking once more - "So, should you go to music school?" (10:00) Well, as we said, its a highly personal choice that is influenced by many factors, and we go over those (20:03) step-by-step. Hopefully, it helps you make a better decision. So, should you? We circle back (33:50), before ending the podcast with the "best thing I heard this week!"

This week? Its forgotten Polish composer Mieczyslaw Karlowicz's Symphonic Poem "Eternal Songs", op. 10 No. 2 - Song of Love and Death (performed by Antoni Wit and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra). A highly gorgeous piece of late Romantic Polish classical music; a must listen. 

And who knows - even if you get nothing out of the first part, you at least get to listen to some gorgeous music at the end! 

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Episode 2 - Discipline vs. Motivation (and how Practicing fits into that)

Rarely will you hear a podcast episode that links Navy SEAL culture and Samurai Bushido to Music. But, thats sort of the premise of today's podcast; there is a common thread and link amongst the highest-level performers in the world - whether you're an athlete, elite warrior, world-class musician, business leader, or whatever it is that you do. Regardless, someone is the best in the world at it, and they got there most likely thanks to a rigorous code of conduct and self-discipline. Mastery of anything requires not only time, but dedicated and concentrated efforts, even (and especially) when you don't feel like it. 

Hear all about how Jocko Willink (retired Navy SEAL) can help you find that self-discipline you may be missing (7:10), and also learn the difference between motivation and discipline. Later, we go on to cover efficient music practice (10:30) and how to successfully take on each day as a musician. 

At the very end? Its "The Best Thing I Heard this Week" (36:00) -  a new segment in which I play you the best thing I listened to this week. This week? Its the 3rd movement of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 1 conducted by Georg Solti and the London Symphony Orchestra. 

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Season 2, Episode 1

Welcome back everyone! We're back for another season of "Get to know your S.O.!" This time, things are a bit different; we're going to be covering music topics that are relevant, interesting, fun, and...well..things we want you to know! Topics chosen by us, your Summerville Orchestra. 

Today's topic: Edmund Thornton Jenkins. Arguably a forgotten composer, this Charleston native wrote some incredible music in his short life. He spent a large portion of his life abroad, and perhaps its this reason that his kept him off of our musical radars here in the US. But, his music is chock full of Charleston - Gullah music, jazz, folk songs, work/field songs, brass bands of his youth, and more. Luckily for us, he was able to codify his musical expressions about his hometown in a folk rhapsody he titled: Charlestonia. Today, we have the distinct privilege of bringing this composer and his music back to life.

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Episode 16 - Looking back on 2020, Whats Ahead in 2021, and some personal reflections

You know...its been quite the year. Quite the fall. That goes without saying these days, but there has been some good to come out of it! This past fall for us has been an evolution...growth...change...re-definition of what is normal. And we've learned, grown, and are now stronger because of it. Don't remember? Come listen to what we were up to this past fall, including our live events, digital offerings, educational outreach, and more!

This fall has given us a lot of momentum, and we are so excited for the spring. Curious to know what I'm talking about? For one, this podcast is changing - new topics, fresh ideas, and different format; but there's so much more - new events, new repertoire, chamber orchestras, digital music, collaborations and more. Tune in to find out!

Last but not least, I give you some heartfelt, un-edited, unscripted personal reflections. Its been quite the year, and its meant a lot to me as a professional musician - tune in to hear some of my thoughts on it all. 

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Episode 15 - Jan Coldwell - double reeds

Its finally here! Our interview with Jan! You know those people that are angels behind the scenes, do so much for an organization, and rarely get the praise they should? That sums up Jan in a nutshell, so I am THRILLED to have her as my guest today. Naturally, Jan didn't want to at first, but we're lucky she decided to join us today. 

We discuss everything from her various roles in the Summerville Orchestra, including her pre-concert talks for our Subscription Series, her time spent on the Music Director Search Committee in 2016 that brought me to town, and so much more. We also dive into her various moves around the country (including her time playing in most of the major orchestras in Alaska), her time spent in the construction business, and even some favorite composers. 

Finally, things are a bit different for this week's playing episode. Jan is currently injured, so there is no live performance component! BUT! Jan chose some of her favorite clips to show off each instrument's capability and beauty in a little musical tasting. You will hear: the oboe solo at the opening of "My Bonny Boy" from Ralph Vaughan Williams' English Folk Song Suite, the oboe d'amore solo from Gustav Holst's "Somerset Rhapsody", the English horn solo from Peter Boyer's "Rolling River" (Sketches on Shenandoah), and finally, the bassoon solo from Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 1! 

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Episode 14 - Jon & Julie Thornton

From hanging out (and playing!) with jazz royalty, to playing in chamber groups and orchestras around the Carolinas, Jon & Julie Thornton have made diverse musical backgrounds sync up perfectly, as we hear in today's podcast. In fact, it was their differing backgrounds that was the reason they met, playing in a brass quintet in Charlotte. Come hear that story and many more, including Jon's time playing with several big names in jazz (I won't ruin the surprise), Julie's time as a horn player and also her work as a pharmaceutical sales rep, and so much more in today's podcast. 

We even go into topics that haven't been explored in our podcasts yet, such as the difference between "rhythm" and "time," how jazz & orchestral music is so different but you can learn so many new things from each one, and the differences in practice approaches. Stick around to the very end to hear a wide variety of musical selections: 2 selections from George Friedrich Handel's "Water Music" arranged for brass duet and piano, followed by a duet on one of the true jazz classics: Thelonious Monk's "Round Midnight." 

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Episode 13 - Harry & Ellen Dykeman, Trumpet & Bassoon, Musicians' Board Members

Married 47 years this past August, Harry & Ellen make up a vital part of our orchestra. Not only do they bless us with their talents, but also their passion, energy and drive. They are current members of our Musicians' Board, and are actively engaged in promoting and growing our orchestra. Join us today to hear all about how they met, Harry's time playing in the Army Band in D.C., Ellen's career in higher ed, how they ended up in Summerville, and more! Many life lessons to be learned in this one folks, and believe me these two are the definition of #relationshipgoals. Come take a listen!

At the end, Harry & Ellen play two duets for us. Mind you, its not often that you get to hear a trumpet/bassoon duet, so no matter what, you're in for a treat! Up first is Scott Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag", followed by a little holiday spirit to get you excited for December! 

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Episode 12 - Frank Miley, Oboe & English Horn. 

Ever wonder what its like to play in the Charleston Symphony? Or, how to make life-long friends in the music business? Just ask Frank Miley! Today, we dive into Frank's story, and hear about his journey from playing clarinet, learning the oboe, joining the Charleston Symphony, and then going into education. After Frank retired from the Berkeley County School District, we were lucky to add him into our group, and we have all been better for it. Even better for us? Frank discovered the English Horn a few years ago, and has fallen in love with it. 

Today, Frank delights us with three selections for English Horn at the end of the podcast. First, mvt. 1 of "Sequences" by Liz Sharma. Secondly, Frank's favorite piece of the 3 - Clare Grundmann's "Evening Song." Finally, Frank plays two movements of Fantasia No. 2 for Flute (arr. for English Horn) by G.P. Telemann. 

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Episode 11 - Alison Harvey, Assistant Concertmaster

Our musicians are not only talented performers, but they're also very well-rounded and have many other interests besides music. This week, I'm joined by a dear friend who is passionate about many things outside of music, especially her affinity for dogs and other animals. When she's not teaching or performing, Alison can be seen walking around historic Summerville with one of her dogs and family members. This has been a lifelong passion for her, just as music has been. Alison's musical training began at home, on piano. Before long, she was picking up the violin and learning how to take on the world with her music. 

Join us today as we dive into discuss our mutual love for dogs, overcoming performance anxiety and some strategies for it, discussing violas and their unique sizes, and of course Alison's amazing life story. 

At the end, stay tuned to hear Alison perform Théodore DuBoise's "Andante religioso" (accompanied by Ward Moore), and also hear her play 1st violin on a Summerville Orchestra string quartet performance of Max Richter's "On the Nature of Daylight."

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