Congratulations, Sally!

Friday night was an epic evening in Greenbelt, MD. It was a night of wonderful music and tributes to my friend and colleague, Sally Wagner, as she prepares to retire at the end of this school year.

Sally is retiring after 40 years public education and 34 years at Eleanor Roosevelt  High School. We shared an office from 1992-2001 and developed a friendship and musical/educational partnership that will last a lifetime. In the years that I was there, ERHS won numerous awards, including 2 White Blue Ribbons, a New American High School award, countless musical honors, and many other incredible recognitions. We took musical ensembles to England, Scotland, the Yucatan Peninsula, and locations all over the United States. We took on musical challenges and endeavors that were lofty and ultimately incredibly rewarding for the students and teachers alike. We shared in each other's successes and failures, joys and sorrows, and daily challenges. We became fast friends, trusted colleagues, and grew to genuinely care for each other and support each other on a daily basis.

Last night, each of the Roosevelt bands performed two selections, and they were all fantastic. From the prestigious Eleanor Roosevelt Wind Ensemble to the newly named Roosevelt Band, the students performed with precision, artistry, and passion at their respective levels. An alumni band performed at the end of the evening consisting of just about 100 alumnus from the past 34 years at Eleanor Roosevelt. True to form, Sally ended the evening with a beautiful Benediction that served as a poignant ending to the evening and this portion of her career.

Throughout the evening, several folks had an opportunity to pay tribute to Sally. Speakers included my friend Dr. Gerald Boarman, for whom the Eleanor Roosevelt Auditorium is named. The audience also heard from my friend and current principal of Eleanor Roosevelt, Dr Reginald McNeil, former principal Sylvester Conyers, and distinguished alumnus Dr Rebecca Phillips, class of '90. I was honored to be among these folks and the many others who spoke that night.  There were also tributes from the Maryland Music Educators Association, The Maryland Senate, and even a congratulatory tribute from President Obama!

It was a fitting tribute to a true music educator. Sally has impacted thousands of young lives both musically and personally throughout her distinguished career. The love that was shared on that stage was simply stunning.  It was clear that the students on that stage represented the many more that had walked through her classroom door over the years.  Her awards are too numerous to mention even some of them individually. Suffice it to say, her impact is broad.

Friday evening was followed by a wonderful ERHS band alumni picnic on Saturday.  At the picnic I had the opportunity to reconnect with so many former students that are now young professionals and young parents.  I can't tell you how proud I am of each and every one of them.  And, their reaction to me really warmed my heart.

In the end, it was a great weekend of reflection and re-connection.  I had a chance to reflect on the importance of my time at ERHS.  My years there were so important to me as a professional, musician, educator, husband, and father.  And, my relationship with Sally was central to all of those areas.  I am so happy for her and wish her all the best in every new adventure that comes her way.  And, for those of you that are looking at potential band clinicians for coming years, book her now.  I know that her schedule is going to fill up fast!!

Peace.

Scott

Duo Amantis

On Tuesday, July 3, I had the pleasure of catching a wonderful performance by Duo Amantis, a virtuoso flute and guitar ensemble that specializes in music of the twentieth century and features Dr. Tara Schwab, flute and Dr. Michael Kudirka, guitar.  The performance was in an intimate rustic room on the Interlochen Campus and, while it was a hot and muggy afternoon, served a perfect venue for the recital. 

Tara Schwab and Michael Kudirka happen, also, to be family’s next door neighbors at the Interlochen facility and we have really enjoyed hearing them rehearse for the recital for the past week as we were winding down from our activities of each day.  On our first night at camp, my son, Matt, and I listened as Michael worked a passage on his guitar with incredible accuracy and precision until it was simply perfect.  We both remarked that it was a wonderful lesson on perfect practice: 1. Identify the passage in question, 2. Slow it to a speed that it can be played perfectly, 3. Slowly and accurately practice the passage, 4. Bump up the tempo in small increments with care to maintain the accuracy, 5. Insert the passage back into the work and practice through the transitions. 

The performance was a true demonstration of virtuosity, musicianship, and exceptional ensemble.  First, they performed a Grand Duo Concertante, by Mauro Giuliani, Op. 85.  Guiliani, apparently was a contemporary of Beethoven and this was apparent from the first note to the last.  My favorite movement was the Scherzo and Trio that included a wonderful hemiola figure that returned over and over in the first strain of the “Bethovensque” Scherzo.  Next, they performed Songs and Dances from the New Village, by Dusan Bogdanovic, which featured a melancholy Shepherd’s Song and Prophets Song as well as a more up-tempo Gankino Oro and even a Milsho’s Boogie that recalled the first movement shepherd’s song at one point near the end.  This work was completely mesmerizing and the duo really captured the essence of the piece in every way.  Next was a programmatic piece entitled, Nastrond, by Jeffrey Holmes that conjured up images of an icy Nordic afterlife for warriors that had died with dishonor. This piece featured a variety of interesting and wonderful sounds and colors for the flute and guitar that included third-tones for which Tara had to create fingerings on the flute. Finally, they finished the program with Le Tombeau de Couperin, by Maurice Ravel, a piano piece that they arranged for their ensemble.  Again, the colors and images that they were able to create with this new instrumentation were simply magic.

In addition to my interest in this performance for all of the obvious musical benefits lies another interesting relationship.  Dr. Schwab served as principal flautist in the Eleanor Roosevelt High School Orchestra, which I directed, in the mid 1990’s when she was a teenager and exceptional young musician.  It is so gratifying to see former students grow to become such wonderful scholars, musicians and professionals.  I beamed with pride as I listened to this performance.  I am so honored to have a place in the music education of this wonderful musician, however small it may be.  I recall a wonderful relationship with Tara and her Mom as we navigated the waters of Tara’s high school experience together.  At one point, Tara performed a movement of the Chaminade Flute Concerto as a soloist with my orchestra.  I remember her preparation and musicianship in those years to be exceptional and she has certainly maintained and expanded that level of commitment!

Congratulations to Duo Amantis on a wonderful performance last night and I wish you much success in the future. 

Peace.

Scott