Archive for the 'Our Supporters' Category

Success story in Indianapolis

Published on July 28, 2008 in Behind the Scenes, Our Supporters, columbus symphony orchestra and symphony management. 0 Comments Tags: bruce hembd, indianapolis symphony.

A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, BRUCE HEMBD has lived in Phoenix, Arizona (USA) since 1991. He performs regularly with the Arizona Opera, Southwest Brass, Quintessence Chamber Ensemble, Palo Verde Brass, Desert Chamber Musicians, Symphony of the West Valley, and the Tucson and Phoenix Symphonies, in addition to many other ensembles throughout Arizona.

Before moving to Phoenix, Bruce held principal positions with the Mexico City Philharmonic, Tucson Symphony Orchestra, and was also third hornist in the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. He has also freelanced in Europe (Austria and Germany), and in the Rochester (NY), Cleveland (OH), Houston (TX), and Chicago (IL) areas in numerous chamber ensembles, orchestras, musical shows and solo recitals.

Having grown up in Indy, I am a little familiar with their history. At one time the Indpls. Symphony performed in the dingy Clowes Hall on the campus of Butler University. Their salary was fairly average or even below average for the time back in the 1970’s.

When Raymond Leppard came to Indy in the late 80’s, he made it a mission to raise the bar significantly. The orchestra secured its own hall in downtown Indy (a beautifully renovated movie palace) and its management took an aggressive approach towards fund-raising and an endowment. Some housecleaning happened at all levels and the salaries and quality went up significantly.

The key element here I believe was strong leadership and a strong cooperative vision between symphony management and civic leaders.

Downtown Indy is a cool place to be on most evenings - not only are there symphony concerts, but also sporting events, restaurants and shopping. In comparing Columbus to Indy, we can only hope that a similar civic vision may be in store for Columbus.

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Personal note from my student

Published on July 28, 2008 in Behind the Scenes, Our Supporters and Teaching. 0 Comments Tags: music students.

This sweet note is from the parent of one of my students, age 14 going on 15.

We were thinking of you when we were hiking at Zion Canyon National Park in southern Utah. Robin LOVED it there–there are lots of ferny plants clinging to the rock cliffs on a trail that goes along (and into) the river–its absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. She took lots of close up photos of flowers and ferns. At one point she commented, “I wonder if Mr. Thomas has ever been here. I can just picture him playing his clarinet in this canyon.” I thought that was pretty cool and that you would like to know that she’s thinking about clarinet music on a hike in the woods!

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Thank you to ALL VOLUNTEERS!

Published on July 27, 2008 in Behind the Scenes, Our Supporters and columbus symphony orchestra. 3 Comments Tags: david greenlee, mary greenlee, musicians, pam conley, volunteers.

Symphony Columbus, which has taken over for Symphony Strong, has been the backbone of support for the musicians of the Symphony. They have tirelessly worked to coordinate volunteers, spread the word, sell those unique T-shirts so our message will be brightly displayed by users and pique the curiosity of those who don’t know what’s happening, greet supporters as they come to concerts, gather information on possible future supporters, and many, many other tedious but vital tasks.

It takes countless hours to gather and organize volunteers who wish to help but need a specific task to be useful. Mary Greenlee, David Greenlee, Pam Conley and a host of others (including Donna Gerhold, Jonquil Tanner and Jayne Gocken) have offered a huge amount of their time, expecting no more than a thank you.

I’m sure I can speak for all the musicians in saying :

THANK YOU,
FROM THE BOTTOM
OF OUR HEARTS!!!!!.

We couldn’t have done this without you. And with your help, there is now hope that we can have a great Symphony in Columbus, as we know everyone wants.

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Fan Mail

Published on July 27, 2008 in Our Supporters. 1 Comment Tags: conductor, musicians.

LAST NIGHT’S CONCERT WAS ABSOLUTELY AWESOME, IN THE REAL SENSE OF THE WORD…A PERFECT BLENDING OF CONDUCTOR AND MUSICIANS. THANK YOU!!!!!!!
Fran Compton

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Mozart’s Café Chamber festival a Success

Published on July 23, 2008 in Behind the Scenes, Clarinet, Our Supporters, Performances and The Music. 0 Comments Tags: Add new tag, anand saha, ariane sletner, betsy sturdevant, carnival of venice, chamber music, david niwa, david thomas, european music, ken matsuda, luis biava, mariko kaneda, mozart clarinet concerto, Mozart's Café and Bakery, musicians, woody jones.

I just arrived home after a stimulating and busy day. I have to thank Mozart’s Café and Bakery for hosting a delightful evening (5-9 PM) of music and food. Everyone had a great time. Luckily the hot weather let up a bit so people could spill out onto the patio and listen to the music from afar. But no one minded. They mingled in and out if they wanted to hear one piece close up.

All the musicians involved, David Niwa, Ariane Sletner, Ken Matsuda, Luis Biava, David Thomas, Betsy Sturdevant, Robert “Woody” Jones, and Mariko Kaneda seemed to have fun playing a great variety of chamber music, from duos to trios to solos with piano.

I enjoyed playing an early Divertimento, K 229, of Mozart, written originally for two clarinets and basset horn, but arranged for two clarinet and bassoon, with my colleagues, Betsy and Woody. There was a blend between the three of us which, on occasion, went beyond three instruments and became one instrument, like an organ. I have to admit, sheepishly, that we didn’t rehearse. But we have played those same pieces together in the past, thought it was 15 years ago. I guess we have good memories.

I also felt at ease playing the Paul Jeanjean Carnival of Venice variations with the steady and focused accompaniment of Mariko Kaneda.

The food and pastries donated by Anand Saha, owner of Mozart’s, were spectacular and complimented the European music beautifully.

I do not think I am presumptuous in saying that all those involved would love to do something like this again.

I know Columbus loves us.

Somehow the news that the CSO management has canceled more of next season’s scheduled concerts seems like a mouse roaring in a cave. It appears to me like a vindictive and desperate move. Perhaps Columbus would agree. And only God and those in power in Columbus, I mean those REALLY in power, know why they seem to be trying to kill music in our City. Yet, perhaps God knows a bit better, and perhaps he is watching very closely.

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Are you writing letters???

Published on July 20, 2008 in Our Supporters. 0 Comments

John and Valerie Gibbs sent me email copies of at least ten letters they wrote and sent to various names listed on the page I created, LETTERS CAMPAIGN. (It’s up there in the menu in the header photo) Have YOU written a letter telling your elected city representatives to support your Symphony?

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New Musicians Blog

Published on July 19, 2008 in Behind the Scenes, Musician's Life, Our Supporters and Personal. 1 Comment Tags: clarinet reeds, mouthpieces, music lovers, musicians, musicians blog.

Ever since my blog became a central place to disseminate information and opinions on the Symphony crisis, I have lost track of my original purpose for it: to write about music and life as a performer. Though I have gotten heavily involved, as I and all the musicians must, I would like to go back to writing about clarinet, reeds, mouthpieces, my favorite pieces, and other issues specific to my vocation.

So, I created a blog for all of you: musicians, supporters, detractors, volunteers, donors, and music lovers in general. ANYONE can write a post or comment. To comment, just click on the “COMMENTS” link at the bottom of any post you wish to comment on. To post you can send me your email and I’ll register you.

Several substantial posts by other writers have already appeared, notably one by Greg Kufchak, a professional recording engineer in Columbus, and whose son is an extraordinarily talented cellist. Here is his most recent article, Withholding of funding by major donors a referendum.

The blog is listed in the sidebar on the right side of the blog. It’s the Columbus Symphony Musicians Blog.

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