UW Doctoral Student - Frederick "Fritz" Schenker receives Mellon Fellowship

Frederick "Fritz" Schenker, a doctoral student in ethnomusicology at theSchool of Music, has received one of 17 Mellon Fellowships for Dissertation Research in Original Sources.

He will use the fellowship to pursue research in Manila and Singapore for nine months beginning in September 2012 for his dissertation topic, "Performing Empire: Music and Race in Colonial Asia's Jazz Age."

According to the Council on Library and Information Resources, which administers this program, the fellowships are intended to help graduate students in the humanities and related social science fields pursue research wherever relevant sources are available and gain skill and creativity in using primary source materials in libraries, archives, museums and related repositories.

In a summary of his dissertation, Schenker begins with the observation that in the early 1920s, American jazz proliferated in southeast Asia in tandem with the expansion of American empire, and that the convergence of the two developments had far-reaching ramifications for both.

He writes, "Jazz moved along the same routes and circuits as U. S. empire, on the same ships that carried soldiers, goods and capital to port cities worldwide. ... Wherever colonialism and global capital traveled, jazz seemed to follow, and wherever jazz appeared in these Asian contexts, Filipino musicians were conspicuously present."

Schenker will spend eight months in Manila and the final month in Singapore, attempting to contact local collectors who may have photos, recordings, newspaper articles, letters and diaries, and others who are descended from those who lived there in the 1920s for their personal recollections of their forebears' accounts. In addition, he will examine newspapers, recordings, playbills and photos at museums, libraries and archives. He will receive a total of $19,000 from the Mellon fellowship to cover travel, living and research expenses.

Schenker is concluding the second year of his Ph.D. degree program, having received the M.A. in ethnomusicology at UW-Madison in 2010.

He has done considerable research into his topic at UW-Madison's Memorial Library and Cutter Collection, reviewing historical newspapers on microfilm and travelogues of American and European tourists to southeast Asia. Last summer, he studied Tagalog for eight weeks through the Southeast Asian Studies Summer Institute.

Shenker's dissertation adviser is Ronald Radano, professor of musicology and ethnomusicology; he has also worked with R. Anderson Sutton, professor of ethnomusicology and former director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies.

http://www.news.wisc.edu/20681

Demondrae Thurman - WAA Forward under 40

UW Major: Music Performance
Age: 37 | Tuscaloosa, AL
Associate Professor of Music at the University of Alabama

Demondrae Thurman hits so many notes in his busy life that the cadence belies the mellow tones of his horn, the euphonium. A brass instrument smaller than a tuba, the euphonium is rarely called upon in a symphony orchestra's repertoire, but Thurman's solo and quartet prowess has brought the instrument onto center stage. Its sound has taken him across the world for performances and clinics: France, Germany, England, Norway, Hungary, and China.

From backing up the Temptations to performing at Madison's Chazen Art Museum, Thurman acts as a role model for young African-American musicians, keeps a busy teaching schedule, and recently became director of the University of Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Thurman also excels at the trombone, baritone, and bass trumpet.

Thurman is a founding member and musical leader of the internationally acclaimed Sotto Voce Quartet, which features two euphoniums and two tubas. The group has three recordings on a major brass recording label with Thurman featured on two solo efforts. (Hear him play at demondrae.com.)

Thurman's teaching is renowned, and his students in low brass performance have been nationally recognized. John Stevens, UW professor of music and a mentor to Thurman, says his former student is highly regarded internationally as a performer and teacher: "In reality, he has occupied a position of extremely high esteem in the field since his mid-twenties," Stevens says.

Thurman has been a leading advocate for the euphonium and its increasing popularity through commissioning or premiering more than ten new works for solo euphonium or euphonium in a chamber setting.

The musician's ties to Madison, his colleagues, and teachers is tight, despite the fact that he had never visited Madison or even spent more than two weeks outside of his hometown of Tuscaloosa before his graduate studies began. His former classmates are now his musical collaborators. Stevens, whom Thurman says "is like a father to me," wrote the music for Sotto Voce's first CD and Thurman's first solo CD. The Alabama professor's most recent CD features Martha Fischer, UW associate professor of collaborative piano.

"The same people who have had such a great impact on my professional life have also become some of my dearest friends," Thurman says.

What is the one thing every UW student must do?

Every UW student must go to the farmers' market at the Capitol on Saturday mornings in fall. There is nothing like that anywhere!

What do you do in your free time?

I wish I had free time, but when I carve it out, I tend to watch or play sports. I'm fond of boxing, basketball and football.

What was your first job?

Picking up trash from major highways as a 15-year-old.

What's your guilty pleasure?

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES! Warm them, please.

If you could trade places with any person for a week, with whom would it be?

Mike Tyson — I would like to have offered his mind and body the notion that with hard work, dedication, and a good environment along with his talent, he could have been the greatest boxer and one of the greatest ambassadors the world has seen.

Matthew Annin - Principal Horn, Milwaukee Symphony

Matthew Annin is currently Principal Horn of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.  A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, Matthew previously held the position of Assistant Principal Horn of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.  Under the direction of Paavo Jarvi, Matthew performed on several tours with the CSO, including tours to Japan and Carnegie Hall, as well as several recordings.  Matthew has also been a member of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and the Louisville Orchestra.  He has also performed with the Saint Louis Symphony, the Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra, and Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, and has served as guest Principal Horn of the Buffalo Philharmonic.  Matthew was a fellow at the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida.

Matthew received a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University, and a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Matthew has been a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center and the Music Academy of the West, where he performed Mozart's Horn Concerto No. 2, K. 417 as a Concerto Competition winner.  He has also participated in the Sarasota and Aspen Music Festivals, in addition to the Henry Mancini Institute.  In his spare time, Matthew enjoys spending time with his wife, Christine, and spoiling their cat, Zoe.

http://www.mso.org/about_mso/meet_the_orchestra/musician_roster/matthew_annin

Isaac Roang - The Business Journal "Forty under 40"

Isaac Roang is 34 years old and has a library named after him.

The addition to a school in the bush country of Kenya was built on his resolve to do something important during his time on earth and the unique talents Roang applies to that goal.

As a Peace Corps volunteer teaching math and physics, he saw a problem — only five books in a classroom of 50 students — and built a solution.

Those who work with Roang in Milwaukee have become familiar with his sincere, understated approach.

It extends across his professional work as a real estate attorney, to his pro bono services at Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity and the Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic, and his devotion to his wife and two daughters.

"You see no ego here," said Ann Murphy, managing partner at Quarles & Brady. "He wants to really give back in a way to make our community a better place."

The only child of a musical and creative couple, Roang grew up in Madison. He helped out at his father's fruit stand, and traveled with his mother to sell clothing at art fairs.

From elementary school to the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Georgetown University, he developed interests in classical music, math and physics, and tai chi.

His legal work crafting real estate transactions exercises his intellect. Playing French horn in Milwaukee's Concord Chamber Orchestra releases his emotions.

Roang uses the metaphor of a single butterfly creating great change by flapping its wings to express his mind-set about his volunteer work, helping low-income people find affordable housing or answers to their legal problems.

"It's what I tried to do in the Peace Corps," he said. "You're not going to change the world, but to the extent you can help one person take one step in the right direction, you're doing something."

If Roang has a selfish motive, it's the near universal desire to see and touch the fruits of his labor.

Even in doing that, he keeps the butterfly wings beating.

When he and his wife traveled 8,000 miles to visit the Isaac John Roang Library two years ago, they delivered 15 boxes of books.

— Tom Held

http://www2.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/events/2012/forty_under_40/isaac-roang.html

Read more: Isaac Roang - The Business Journal of Milwaukee 

Debut album release of Amy Wurtz String Quartets – multifaceted collaboration between composer, ensemble, and community

CHICAGO (March 11, 2012) – Chicago Q Ensemble, founded in 2009, is one of the few string quartets in the city that is specifically dedicated to collaboration with other art forms and championing works of living composers. Local pianist and composer Amy Wurtzapproached the ensemble with her String Quartet No. 2 in early fall of 2011. By November they had embarked on a major recording project of Wurtz’s Quartets No. 1 & 2. The debut album, Amy Wurtz String Quartets, will be officially released on April 15, 2012 at 3pm during their CD release party hosted at Jennifer Norback Fine Art, 217 W. Huron St. in downtown Chicago.

Recording projects are often understood as a major collaborative effort between composer and musician. This project, however, was collaborative in the fullest sense by engaging the community to help fund the various costs involved in producing an album. Using the increasingly popular fundraising platform, Kickstarter, Wurtz and the ensemble raised just over $3,000 from individual donations, surpassing their goal. Take a closer look at their campaign here .

The ensemble considers this recording to be part of the ongoing effort to bring awareness to the music of women composers. Chicago Q Ensemble violinist Ellen McSweeney shares, “We immediately felt that we wanted to help share Amy’s music with the world. The two quartets were head and shoulders above other contemporary works that we'd read. They are full of challenging harmonies, textures, and techniques found in most 21^st century music, but also have the qualities of great traditional string quartet works.” McSweeney continues, "We saw this not only as an opportunity to premiere two outstanding pieces, but also to help change the under-representation of women in new music."

CD Release Party - Amy Wurtz String Quartets

Sunday, April 15, 2012 at 3pm

Jennifer Norback Fine Art | 217 W. Huron St. Chicago, IL 60654

Reception with Live performances by Chicago Q Ensemble

Free Admission

To hear samples and learn more about Amy Wurtz String Quartets, visit the Chicago Q Press Page.

You can also learn more about Amy by visiting her website www.amywurtz.com.

For artist interviews or CD copy requests, contact Stephanie Photakis at (815) 342-7666 or email stephanie@littlelightmarketing.com.

Madison Opera Appoints Anthony Cao as Chorus Master

Madison, Wis. – When the Madison Opera Chorus began music rehearsals for their upcoming performances of Rossini’s Cinderella on March 12, they had a happy surprise: Anthony Cao, who has been interim chorus master since fall 2010, has been officially appointed to the position, effective withCinderella. As interim chorus master, Cao has conducted the chorus in The Marriage of Figaro, La Traviata, Opera in the Park 2011, and Eugene Onegin. He also sang the role of the Messenger in La Traviata. Cao succeeds Andy Abrams, who resigned to pursue his career as a composer.

“Anthony is an enormously gifted musician, with a beautiful singing voice of his own,” says John DeMain, Madison Opera Artistic Director. “The chorus will be in superb hands, and I look forward to a long and productive relationship with him.”

Cao received his Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Music Education from U.W.-Madison, where he was named winner of the annual student concerto competition. He also won the National Association for the Teachers of Singing auditions in 2000 and 2001. Cao has worked as a guest clinician and composer with choirs throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest and also stays active as a pianist /vocalist, including his all-request show every Saturday at The Ivory Room in downtown Madison. Cao has been director of choirs at Madison West High School since 2004 and artistic director of Madison Chamber choir since 2007.

General Director Kathryn Smith says, “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Anthony this year. It’s a pleasure to watch him conduct the chorus, and I know that he will continue to build on their excellence as we go forward.”

Rossini’s Cinderella, set in 1930s Hollywood, will have performances on April 27 and 29, 2012 at Overture Hall. Opera in the Park will be held on July 21, 2012.

For more information, please contact Manager of Marketing and Community Engagement Ronia Holmes at holmes@madisonopera.org or 608.238.8085.

http://ourlivesmadison.com/categoryblog/310-madison-opera-appoints-anthony-cao-as-chorus-master.html

Jerry Hui: composer, conductor, teacher, and lover of music

Jerry Hui talks about music with a pal­pa­ble joy. Utterly down to earth in the face of remark­able suc­cess, Hui—an adjunct instruc­tor for Con­tin­u­ing Stud­ies music pro­grams—sim­ply loves shar­ing many kinds of music with the widest pos­si­ble audience.

Hui’s devel­op­ment into a com­poser and choral con­duc­tor has taken a some­what unusual path in that he had no for­mal train­ing in music as a child or teenager. “In high school in Hong Kong I started writ­ing music for some video games that my friends and I were design­ing, which led me to read sev­eral music-theory and music-history books on my own.”

Still, when Hui moved to Wis­con­sin in 1999 it was to study not music but com­puter engi­neer­ing. But under the guid­ance of Jim Aagaard, pro­fes­sor of music at UW-Richland, he quickly found him­self drawn to UW-Madison’s renowned School of Music.

Soon after enrolling at UW-Madison in 2000, he switched from com­puter engi­neer­ing to com­puter sci­ence so he could com­plete a dou­ble major within the Col­lege of Let­ters and Sci­ence. After com­plet­ing his BA, Hui enrolled one sum­mer in the Madi­son Early Music Fes­ti­val.

“Finally I had a sum­mer when I didn’t have to worry about a job or a course sched­ule, and I could find out what early music was all about.” Hui’s approach to music would never be the same.

“Early music has some­thing for every­one. If you like sacred music, you can find some of the most serene music ever writ­ten. If your tastes lean toward the sec­u­lar, early music has plenty of bawdy songs, too.”

Hui later attended the Uni­ver­sity of Oregon’s grad­u­ate pro­gram in com­po­si­tion and choral con­duct­ing, return­ing from Eugene to Madi­son every sum­mer for the festival.

“Over the years I’ve played a num­ber of roles for the fes­ti­val, includ­ing stage man­ager, house man­ager, and audio-video tech­ni­cian. This year for the first time I’ll serve as assis­tant conductor.”

After com­plet­ing his master’s, he moved back to Madi­son to begin the doc­tor of musi­cal arts (DMA) pro­gram. In 2008 Hui, whose own voice can range from bass all the way to alto, founded his own early music ensem­ble on cam­pus, Eliza’s Toyes. The group’s cur­rent con­fig­u­ra­tion fea­tures eight voices, three recorders, and a lute.

“We’ve per­formed in some rather unusual venues,” Hui notes, “includ­ing the stacks of Memo­r­ial Library. And in one of my Schola Can­to­rum: Singing Gre­go­rian Chant classes the stu­dents and I sang chant in a stair­well of the Human­i­ties Build­ing, which gave a won­der­fully res­o­nant sound.”

Eliza’s Toyes is one of the fea­tured groups at a spe­cial pre­view of the Early Music Fes­ti­val set for the evening of April 26 at the Chazen Museum of Art. The pre­view includes a lec­ture on the Chazen’s early Amer­i­can col­lec­tion and a recep­tion with per­for­mances by sev­eral School of Music fac­ulty as well as Eliza’s Toyes.

Hui began teach­ing for Con­tin­u­ing Stud­ies in 2010 and com­pleted his DMA last year. Along the way he also used his com­puter exper­tise to help Prof. Chelcy Bowles—director of music pro­grams for Con­tin­u­ing Studies—design and develop an online por­tal for the North Amer­i­can Coali­tion for Com­mu­nity Music.

Intended for peo­ple who work with com­mu­nity music groups—from munic­i­pal orches­tras to prison choirs to eth­nic ensembles—the por­tal will make avail­able a wide range of resources on start­ing a group, work­ing with peo­ple who don’t read music, build­ing an audi­ence, and many other top­ics. It goes live this spring.

This win­ter Hui real­ized the dream of many a clas­si­cal com­poser when his opera, Wired for Love, had its world pre­miere. Per­formed in Jan­u­ary at the Carol Ren­nebohm Audi­to­rium of Music Hall, the work allowed Hui to bring together many of the “extremes” of his musi­cal study, from early forms to the most con­tem­po­rary. This com­ing week­end brings yet another mile­stone in Hui’s career: Wired for Love will be recorded for com­pact disc.

Mean­while, Hui con­tin­ues to pre­pare for this year’s Early Music Fes­ti­val. Set for July 7–14, “Wel­come Home Again! An Amer­i­can Cel­e­bra­tion” focuses on early music of our nation and Canada. The musi­cians in res­i­dence will include Anony­mous 4, the most famous early-music ensem­ble in the world, as well as such other nota­bles as The Rose Ensem­ble and New­berry Concert.

“One of the inter­est­ing changes this sum­mer is that all the vocal music will be in Eng­lish,” says Hui. “Well, unless we intro­duce some French songs from colo­nial Quebec!”

http://news.continuingstudies.wisc.edu/?p=739