Tag Archives: CSU Faculty Chamber Winds

Two tales of one city

Concert in courtyard

On Thursday, July 17, the ensemble performed their final concert of the tour as part of the Staromestský Letný Festival, in the city of Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. The festival, in the Zichy Palace courtyard, and other venues around the quaint and popular Old Town, featured artists from Slovakia and abroad.

Slovenia city street

The ensemble’s time in Bratislava, a city of half a million on the Danube river, was brief, with only a couple hours for sightseeing before dinner and the concert, but we certainly enjoyed what we saw in the Old Town district.

As the final concert of the tour, this night was especially poignant. Each piece in the repertoire has been embedded in the minds and hearts of the ensemble members, and this blogger could feel the collective absorption of each phrase, as if the performance was as much for the players as the audience.

Students playing wind instruments

By the River by Aaron Copeland

Shall we gather by the river,
Where bright angels’ feet have trod,
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the throne of God.
Yes, we’ll gather by the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river.

Gather with the saints by the river
That flows by the throne of God.
Soon we’ll reach the shining river,
Soon our pilgrimage will cease,
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peace.

As baritone John Seesholtz tenderly, yet powerfully, sang the final stanza of “By the River,” our summer pilgrimage felt complete, our own melody of peace proclaimed by exploring of the core and edges of both our music and Europe. How fitting to play here, on the Danube river.

DSC_5516_web

Following the concert, another impacting moment occurred at the Camel Pub, one of dozens of packed Old Town bistros. The group will forever remember our waiter, Tomas (pronounced Tomash), the punk-band lead singer from Galánta, Slovakia.

Finding out that we were classical musicians, he asked if we knew of Zoltan Kodály, to which Copper Ferreira exclaimed that Dances of Galánta was well-known by the ensemble.

Tomas was truly exuberant, taking out his phone to show us the view from his bedroom window in his home town, Galánta, of Kodály’s disrepaired castle. “I am touched that you are here and know of Kodály, and my home,” our endearing waiter enthused. Since the Kodály method is an intricate component of Colorado State University’s elementary Music Ed Program, the special moment was not lost on us.

Driving Directions from Galanta, undefined to Bratislava, undefi

Tomas travels about 35 miles into Bratislava to wait tables, but is not as enthusiastic about the city as we were from our limited exposure. “You’ve only seen the part they want you, the tourists, to see,” he stated. “It’s not always a nice place.”

This seemed in direct conflict with the opinion of this blogger’s friend, who lives in Vienna and often spends long weekends in Bratislava, his “favorite place, next to Vienna.” “It’s such an up-and-coming city, so chill – it’s wonderful to just hang out in the park by the river,” my friend had told me.

As the bistro was closing for the evening, Tomas delivered some take-away wisdom as he claimed, “Americans live to work, Slovokians work to live…” I think it’s safe to say that we’d all live for the chance to come back to Bratislava and find out more about this slightly exotic city for ourselves. Thanks, Tomas!

Click here to see more photos of the concert and Bratislava.

~ posted by Jennifer Clary

Music throughout time.

Goat Church, Sopron, Hungary.

Goat Church, Sopron, Hungary.

We spent our last 24 hours in Sopron, Hungary. It is a fascinating city that has felt the most “foreign” of all our recent stops. The city center consists variously of 9th-century Roman ruins, 11th-century medieval walls, and 17th-century Baroque towers and cathedrals. Our first experience in a former Soviet bloc country, we all felt the long shadow cast by the distantly-fallen Iron Curtain. We walked a bit over a mile from our hotel to our performance venue, and along the way I felt a strange sense of familiarity to the rough edges of the city. I came to realize that this industrial city has the look and feel of the Rust Belt cities in the US where I have lived and worked: Detroit, Mich.; Rochester, NY; Cleveland, Ohio; and Milwaukee, Wisc.; among many others.

CSU Faculty Chamber Winds at the Ligneum Sopron.

CSU Faculty Chamber Winds at the Ligneum Sopron.

Our performance was at a gorgeous new building surrounded by a deciduous forest at the Lingeum Sopron. The glass-walled structure had an airy, open feel, and was filled with the results of engineering projects from the University of Western Hungary. We performed for a warm audience in an intimate space on the second floor amidst motorbikes, modern couches, wooden toys, and models of energy-saving homes. A truly unique venue, we all concurred. Post-concert, our gracious hosts feted us with traditional Hungarian fare in a classic setting amidst the woods and buildings of the research facility.

One of my contributions to this tour has been my orchestration of Aaron Copland’s “Old American Songs” to feature our baritone, Dr. John Seesholtz. Originally for voice and piano, I found great pleasure in seeking a “Coplandesque” shimmer from our unusual combination of woodwinds and brass.

Baritone, John Seesholtz.

Baritone, John Seesholtz.

Although I had the sounds and instrument combinations in my head, it has been a thrill to hear the songs come to life in every venue since a clarinet note here or a brass pairing there appear in different lights depending on the physical space. The compact concert location in Sopron illuminated the brass for me in particular since I was placed directly behind the three horns as opposed to behind the bassoons as I usually am. From that new vantage point, I reveled most in Copland’s brilliant re-harmonization of the old hymn tune “At the River.” I set the introduction and the first verse for three horns, trombone, and solo trumpet, and for the first time since we began playing these songs I felt “inside” Copland’s harmony and my own creation. Combined with John’s lush baritone and (per his request), the darker key of D-flat major, the experience raised every hair on the back of my neck.

Christopher Van Hof performing at Mirabell Garden, Salzburg, Austria.

Christopher Van Hof performing at Mirabell Garden, Salzburg, Austria.

That has been the wonder of this journey for me: once the trains, languages, short nights, quick meals, and all other facets of international travel are set to the side, the opportunity for me to participate–however obliquely–in the ongoing unfolding of music throughout time proves to consistently inspire. It is why I studied music and why I find such deep satisfaction performing and writing, especially with my friends and colleagues.

Click here to see more photos from Sopron.

~ contributed by Chris Van Hof, DMA, Assistant Professor of Trombone and Euphonium

Aufessen!

10410608_10152564509626798_6522328054481295385_n-1

Pork knuckle, potato salad, sauerkraut, and mustard meal at the Augustiner, Salzburg.

We all travel for the food, right! Socially, economically, creatively, food is at the heart of any culture, and the group has completely embraced the experience.

‘Breakfast is the most important meal of the day’ is a true adage here, and with all the walking, due diligence is required. There is a consistent breakfast buffet menu across Europe of bread, yogurt, sliced meet and cheese, boiled eggs, pots of apricot, blackberry, and strawberry jam, Nutella, an oatmeal bar with figs, prunes, and dried apricots, and most different for Americans, fresh veggies: peppers, tomatoes, olives, and cucumbers.

10350615_10152572334151798_7160709839258540674_n

Our bed and breakfast style accommodations in Schladming, Austria were certainly the most special, with our gracious inn-keeper bringing soft-boiled eggs and pots of strong coffee directly to our tables.

Lunch has usually been taken at markets, from street vendors, or by popping into the grocery store. Dinners, usually eaten late, and by careful selection, are a time to sit as a group and reflect on our performances and adventures.

While on the train to Bratislava this morning, the travel reflection was on food.

Richard Frey – I like that things are less salty and less sweet here. I’ve eaten enough unknown, sliced, ground, knuckled, and hooved pig for a while. None of us realized how many different “snausages” there actually are!

10505225_10152547732436798_2311820418416439218_o

Sausage counter at Dallmayr Delicatessen, Munich, Germany.

Michelle Stanley – I’d give anything for a huge kale salad, and Richard said he’d give me his too. Although I’m tired of pork product, I have enjoyed trying all the new bratwurst. I’m also happy that the beer is not hoppy. One of my favorite things was the breakfast in Schladming with the special grinder for steel-cut oats. It was a total novelty, and I really want one for my home.

John Seesholtz – I loved the street food…all the sausages and cheeses, and the diversity within the genres, especially the offerings in the farmers market. There were the red currant berries that we don’t have in white, bright and dark red. I’ve enjoyed trying something so regional and seasonal.

Andrew Jacobson – I really enjoy the drinkability of the beer and since water is so expensive, it is a great replacement because of the high quality and low alcohol content. I could continue eating like this forever, so it is probably good that we are leaving in a few days. All of the walking helps counterbalance the increased intake of ice cream and helps digest the extra carbs from the bread and potatoes.

20140717_162156

Chris Van Hof doesn’t want to eat here – Bratislava, Slovakia.

Chris Van Hof (vegan) – I haven’t eaten a lot of the local food, which is all meat and cream, and doesn’t look appetizing or appealing. What I’ve noticed is that when I find a place where I can get a big, full, hot meal, it feels more special than at home. I’ve had a lot of fruit and brought cliff bars from home, so I’ve managed. What I’ve found humorous is that in restaurants, fish is the standard vegetarian option.

Wesley Ferreira – I’ve had great food and the best was from the street vendor in Schladming during the Lange Nacht – the long roll with two wieners, mustard, and onions – it was the most authentic meal. I’m a bread connoiseur, and it was warm and soft inside and perfectly flaky outside. It was the best! I also enjoyed the breakfast in Schladming with the soft boiled egg; the service was so civilized with the egg cup and the little spoon. I always felt like the inn-keeper was thinking “you are a good man for eating this egg!” It became a thing between us each morning, and for me, a take-away.

Copper Ferreira – If the “way to a man’s heart is through his stomach” then in Hungary I would never have found a husband, and would be single forever! But the rest has been good. I have used so many fine dishes, and there are more sizes of spoons than I’ve ever seen: Cappuccino spoons, egg spoons, yogurt spoons, slotted spoons – such a huge array of utensils. It’s like using my grandmother’s china every day!

photo-5

A good place to stop.

Gary Moody – Beer, bread, brats, and too much of it. I’ve enjoyed the adventure where you have no idea what you’re getting – some regrettable and some absolutely delightful! It’s sad when you find something you like and then have to leave it. Restaurants might be touristy, so I like going to the grocery store and seeing what the locals buy, and their habits, and pick from their unidentifiable items. I usually ate at groceries for lunch, or found an inviting place while riding my bike.

Steve Marx – I was a good chance to explore the delicacies. There are many different bratwurst from German, to Austrian, to Hungarian, comparable to regional BBQ in U.S. They do fat, protein, and salt very well! Sometimes you don’t know what you’re eating – that is a positive thing – so don’t bring any expectations because that is detrimental to the experience. I love the open-air markets, especially all the cheeses, but the first place I’m going is when I get back is 5 Guys!

10467003_10152189575525966_8938093857894499006_o

Jenn Clary Jacobs – Since veggies are my favorite food, I get my fill at breakfast because they become scarce the rest of the day. I’m also a gluten free girl, so with the emphasis on baked goods, from pretzels to pastry, amazing smelling thin-crust pizza, and breaded items such as Schnitzel, this trip has been a challenge. I quickly gave up asking for gluten free because the reference was lost on everyone! So far, my favorite meals were the roasted liver and potatoes in Schladming, and the aged salami and salty aged Gouda from the outdoor market in Salzburg. And the coffee…

Tom Bittinger – I especially liked the availability of ice cream or gelato on every corner. I haven’t had a bad meal and liked all of it!

Selena Adams – I love all of it! My favorite thing is the prevalence of local bakeries, shops, cheese, and soup. Everything is super fresh, made by that family, that day, and affordable. I love that about Europe! I also love the coffee and the way drinking it is an afternoon event, like British teatime. My favorite thing was the Kasewurst – cheese sausage with the cheese melting out of it. So good!

Travis Howell – There is a variety of expense levels from something quick at a stand, like a brat, or very nice – as nice as you want – in every city. Overall, it’s been great. I also appreciate the lunch beer culture.

10498551_10152297944567857_5457587418348026004_o

Sierra Hayden enjoys the apple strudel with vanilla sauce.

Robert Bonner – The food culture is a lot slower here. Everyone takes more time socially. Whereas Americans seem to eat and run, here they actually relax during meals. They also take their desserts seriously! I even had apple strudel, with vanilla sauce, at a stone restaurant on Dachstein glacier (accessible by foot). For all that, I can’t wait to have an IPA and a bacon cheeseburger!

Shane Werts – Portions are smaller, but heartier. I loved the red wine cake at the restaurant at the top of Planai Mountain, only accessible on the Gondola. There’s a lot of meat here, which makes me really want some crispy lettuce! The apricot and blackberry jam were amazing! I will miss the schnitzel.

20140712_174002

Sierra Hayden – The food is heartier than in Colorado, but I never felt tired – maybe it was all the walking. The fruit is riper and so delicious. The water situation is hard because it isn’t free with meals, and so much of the water you order is sparkling, not “still.” The unpasteurized cheese is so great, but I can’t wait to have a huge salad!

Eat up, all!

In the footsteps of Mozart

Flower bed on Austrian estate

Today we played two outdoor concerts here in Salzburg, one in a picturesque garden once used in the Sound Of Music, the other in a park outside of the Mozarteum.

footsteps of mozart

As we walked from one concert to the next, winding our way through idyllic city parks and streets, literally hundreds of years old, it was hard to not realize that we were walking in the footsteps of Mozart. After our second concert, our group posed for a picture in front of Mozart’s Geburtshaus.

<span lang="de">Mozarts Geburtshaus</span> 'Mozarts Birthplace'

As a musician, it seems like a rite of passage to trek halfway across the globe and pay our respects to arguably the greatest composer to ever live. Before there was ever Beethoven, Brahms, or Mahler, there was Mozart. In the world of French Horn players, Mozart is held in particularly high esteem. Our entire solo repertoire begins and ends with Mozart. And while his works for the horn are wonderful pieces, they aren’t even his best works as he is known far more for his operas, symphonies, and piano concerti.

DSC_4528_web

Why, after more than 220 years since his death, is he still so revered? For me, it is simply because Mozart’s music is the quintessential definition of refinement in an art form of unparalleled beauty and grace. More so than any composer before or since (at least in my humble opinion), Mozart clearly defines not just an entire age, but an entire genre. His music requires the utmost skill, grace, and purity of tone.

20140715_143538_web

I believe that to this end, we were able to honor him here in Salzburg with our renditions of his music. And as we stood in front of his Geburtshaus afterward, realizing that we were standing in literally the same place Mozart had once stood, I had a tear in my eye, but also a smile on my face. Thank you, Wolfgang. I wonder if you ever realized in your lifetime just how much your music would touch people on a deep emotional level so many years later.

~ contributed by Dr. John McGuire, Assistant Professor of Horn, Colorado State University

Click here to view more pictures.

~ Happy Birthday John – we’re all so thrilled that you had this experience on your special day!

Mozart is here.

The ensemble is thoroughly delighted by Salzburg and it’s rich arts culture and history. The fourth largest city in Austria boasts over 4,000 music, theatre, dance, and art events and exhibitions each year, including the famous Salzburg Music Festival.

statue of Mozart

For any group of musicians and music professors, a pilgrimage to the city’s Mozart landmarks is essential and emotional. Significant destinations for the group included the Geburtshaus (birth house), the Wohnhaus (a later residence), St. Sebastian’s cemetery, the burial site of Mozart’s father Leopold and wife Constanze, and Mozartplatz, featuring the composer’s statue, unveiled in 1842. “Michl march, Mozart is here,” was enthusiastically proclaimed at the time!

Burial site of Leopold Mozart and other Mozart relatives

“I have goosebumps,” “It brings tears to my eyes,” and “I’m incredibly grateful to be here,” were all overheard by this blogger; I had my own special moment with the opening to the Requiem Mass running through my head as I meandered through the historic cobbled streets of the Altstadt (Old Town).

This incredible and picturesque city has much to offer, and much more for us to discover!

Click here to view more pictures.

~ posted by Jennifer Clary

Danke Schön MidEurope and Schladming

We thoroughly enjoyed our time in the Austrian Alps, were honored to perform many times throughout the festival, and met so many wonderful people.

student playing a kazoo

On Thursday, July 10, the ensemble performed an early evening, outdoor concert in the same location, where earlier in the week, we had watched Germany demolish Brazil 7 – 1 in the World Cup. Best moments from that performance had to have been the reprise of Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes” with Chris Van Hof’s kazoo solo, little kids dancing with abandon alongside adults who really knew what they were doing, and noticing that we had some true fans who were showing up at all of our concerts.

Two people smiling at the camera

We especially enjoyed meeting the delightful Mats Persson, a trombonist and high school music teacher from Sweden, who was attending the festival on his personal holiday. In addition to our concerts, we saw Mats at the top of Dachstein Glacier, at Lange Nacht, the “long night” street festival featuring the traditional, regional bands, and at the Tattoo, a display of all the marching bands. Connections like these greatly enhance the travel experience, and were possible through staying in one location for an extended time.

stage with wind symphony performing

On Saturday, July 11, the sun was doing its best to break through the clouds that have socked us in the last few days. The group performed their final MidEurope Music Festival concert at a delightful open air location on Schladming’s main pedestrian plaza.

Click here to see photos of the concert.

Having now heard the ensemble perform four times, with each program varying slightly depending on the time of day and venue, this blogger is really enjoying watching the increased interaction between ensemble members as they hand off a melodic line, gently play beneath the solos, and obviously appreciate the special musical moments their colleagues are creating.

Instructors in the Austrian Alps

Off time in Schladming was a non-stop adventure. As part of our lodging package, we received “Summer Cards,” an inclusive pass for all of the region’s activities, including the Planai gondola, the Dachstein Glacier, the gravity propelled go karts that reach speeds of over 40 mph, and bus access all around. The group relished hikes, mountain bike rides, and taking in the fresh mountain air, so much so, Wesley Ferreira was heard yelling “Schlaaaadmiiiiing,” while running with arms stretched wide down the base of the glacier!

We cannot say enough about the opportunity to be in one incredible location for so many days, a special chance to drill deeper into the culture, history, food, and recreational offerings of an area. Thank you MidEurope Music Festival, and the Alpine town of Schladmubg, Austria for an incredible experience – we all hope to journey back someday!

~ posted by Jennifer Clary

In the hotspot

Access to Wi-fi in the Alps occurs on a day-to-day basis! We were without it for two days in the hotel, and I’ve seen members of our group, and other tourists, walking around with their phones held high like lighters at an eighties rock show, trying to locate a connection. As I write this, I’m sitting in this chair, in the Planai gondola station, which thankfully offers free Wi-fi. However, the signal is not strong, and shifting one inch drops the connection which isn’t so conducive for uploading a batch of photos, posting a blog, or for that matter, considering the construction of my perch, circulation!

wooden chairs pieced together with wood the size of rulers

The truly fantastic part is that the local residents don’t seem concerned about the lack of connectivity. Although it inhibits the kind of productivity I’m concerned about at the moment, it is probably a fantastic “problem” for vacationers…a simple reminder to put down the device and go enjoy the unfathomable beauty and adventures to be had.

~ posted by Jennifer Clary

In the Haus

black and white image of St. John the Baptist parish church

The CSU Faculty Chamber Winds traveled up the road from Schladming to in Haus im Ennstal (on the Enns river) to play in the mid-1700’s parish church of St. John the Baptist, which was built after a fire destroyed the original, along with the rest of the town in 1750. The intricate gold Baroque alter was an incredible setting, and it was an honor to perform there.

Altar inside St. John the Baptist's parish church

The festival attendees certainly enjoyed the hour-long concert, giving two rousing ovations, which we obliged with Sousa marches. Although the Austrian’s are certainly familiar with marches, it struck me deeply that in hundreds of years, “Stars and Stripes” has probably never been played in this church. What an emotional moment to bring an American tradition to an already rich culture.

I will now turn over this entry to Richard Frey, the ensemble director:

Our time in Schladming is coming to an end, but this week has been a truly memorable time. Though the weather was unseasonably grey and rainy, it seemed to add to the intimacy of the town and the MidEurope festival. Besides, in a town this charming, if the sun had been out, one might suspect that the whole thing had been built by the fine people at Disney!

The lingering memory for me was our second concert which took place in the next town over from Schladming: Haus im Ennstal. We had already performed our concert at the Congress Schladming earlier that afternoon, and were uncertain what our venue would look like, how the taxi ride there would go, or if anyone would even show up. These are always legitimate questions when playing in unknown venues, but any concern or worry was quickly put aside on our arrival. The people of Haus were welcoming, and the church was magnificent, with the congregation dating back to the 11th century. The interior had a beautiful acoustic for wind playing (Gary’s excellent rendition of the Weber “Andante und Rondo Ungarese” really popped in the sanctuary!), and the scene shown in these pictures only begins to capture the beauty of the church.

Close up of the chamber of wind

For all of these surface elements, the real take away from that night was the joy that the audience brought to our performance. An eclectic mix of nuns, lay people still in their work clothes, and tourists visiting the MidEurope festival, the crowd cheered after every movement, and especially between each of the Copland songs. We gladly returned their standing applause with our two Sousa marches, and much clapping along and smiling ensued.

This concert, as with many of the outdoor concerts we’ve listened to in Schladming, have been filled with excitement, appreciation, and joy for music making. Though we spend hours refining technique, intonation, and the musical subtleties of our program, watching people dance, sing, and revel in these performances reminds me of why I love being a musician and part if a group like ours. It has been a real treat to be part of the joyful music making here in Schladming.

Click here for more photos.

~ posted by Jennifer Clary

Let’s open a festival!

 

Speaker at MidEurpoe Festival of Wind Music

Today the CSU Faculty Chamber Winds were honored to perform the opening concert at the Mid-Europe Festival for Wind Music.

conductor and musicians on stage

The diverse program included works by Rossini, Debussy, Mendelssohn, and Copland, and the attentive audience loved it! A crowd favorite was the highly entertaining Copland songs featuring baritone, John Seesholtz.

Conductor in action

“Excellent! Well balanced,” Kevin Sedatole – director of the World Youth Wind Orchestra Project and director of bands at Michigan State University College of Music – told Seesholtz after the concert.

The ensemble didn’t stop there and continued the evening with a performance in a church in Aus im Ennstal, an equally gorgeous village next to Schladming. More about that magical performance to come from Ensemble Director Richard Frey.

Click here for photos from the opening concert.

~ posted by Jennifer Clary