Quiet time. Time to think, reflect – and blog. That’s something that’s been missing for a while.
Things at the radio station are going very well. Just like any new endeavor, it’s taken a bit of time to settle into a routine. Not to mention, as I get more comfortable (and folks around the office get to know me better), my responsibilities are expanding.
It’s been nearly a year since I stepped into the mid-day hosting spot on WCNY. I’m finally comfortable enough to really call it my own now. I’ve made a few changes, including a weekly hour of music “Fresh From the Wrapper,” where I feature works from CDs that we’ve just received in the station. These are the newest classical music releases, some of which aren’t available for sale just yet, and I get to share them with our listeners.
Putting together a 2-hour Concert Hall every other week has been fun as well. Morning host Bruce Paulsen and I divvy up the Concert Hall duties, hosting on alternating weeks. It’s a great chance to present music from various venues and organizations here in Central New York, and wow, do we have some incredible talent cross our threshold!
I’m adding another responsibility at the station as well – a new program, which we hope to make available for syndication, called Feminine Fusion. It features music created, performed, and inspired by women throughout history and into the present day. Look for the first episode to air on WCNY in September. It’s titled, “From Parlor … to Prize Winners” and features music composed by Clara Schumann, Libby Larsen, and more. I’ll be providing a weekly blog update with program notes for each episode, so be sure to listen in if something piques your interest!
If you’re worried that the composition side of my world is being neglected, have no fear! I wrote a very short work at the request of the Society for New Music based on the photography of Carrie Mae Weems. The piece is called “Woman A/Part,” and it was premiered at the benefit gala this Spring. There will be a repeat performance this summer at the Cazenovia Counterpoint Festival as well, and I can’t wait to hear it live.
I’m also taking a vacation from the radio station next week to put the final touches on my trombone concerto for Haim Avitsur. My good friend Ovidiu Marinescu will be conducting the work (in Moscow in January – brrr!), and the CD will be coming out mid-2017. I’m very excited about the piece, and I can’t wait to share it with you!
And, in true “glutton for punishment” style, I’ve picked up two new instruments for the summer. I’m taking banjo lessons from the talented Nick Piccininni (all while enduring an endless array of banjo jokes from my friend, Bill Knowlton). I’ve also bought an instrument I’ve wanted for some time now – a contrabass flute! This particular flute was handmade by Jelle Hogenhuis, and I am having an absolute blast with it! It arrived just after the CNY Flute Choir season ended, and I’m excited for the fall rehearsals to start up again. I’ve also started working on a new flute choir piece that (fingers crossed) we can premiere next Spring. I’ll keep you posted on that as well.
If you’ve read this far, well, thanks! Now that we’re caught up again, I promise you’ll be getting more regular updates. And if you have ideas or requests for my regular programming or the new Feminine Fusion show on Classic FM, drop me a note and let me know!
