COMPOSERS AND ORCHESTRAL MUSICIANS — CAN THEY PROGRESS TOWARD GREATER HARMONY?

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—For the typical orchestra, commissioning, acquiring, rehearsing and performing contemporary concert music is a complex process—it’s more expensive to produce, requires longer rehearsal time and is harder to sell to established audiences, which leads to a disconnect between professional orchestral musicians and composers. Why does this disconnect exist? Does it have to be this…

AN ARTISTIC DIALOG

Rochester, NY — One of the most intriguing friendships in music history existed between composers Dmitri Shostakovich and Mieczyslaw Weinberg. What began as a teacher-pupil relationship blossomed into 30 years of deep friendship, mutual respect, and rich exchange of ideas. In honor of the 10th anniversary of the death of Weinberg and the 100th anniversary…

GREAT EXPECTATIONS: THE REALITIES OF ORCHESTRAL LIFE

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-Winning a position within a professional orchestra is the goal of many instrumental music performance majors. But what happens after they win? Are expectations among today’s students comparable to expectations from five, 10, or 20 years ago? Do today’s professionals feel they were adequately prepared to deal with the realities of working as a…

STUDENT SAXOPHONE QUARTET WINS TWO PRESTIGIOUS COMPETITIONS

Rochester, N.Y. — The ViM Saxophone Quartet — composed of Eastman juniors Kristin Rarick, Michael Matlock, Dimitrios Kostaras, and Richard Miserendino — has recently won two major chamber music competitions of national repute: the Fischoff National Chamber Music Association Competition in Notre Dame, Indiana, and the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Competition in Austin, Texas.…

NURTURING PROMISING YOUNG MUSICIANS

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—Many of the students in the Rochester City School District (RCSD) with the potential, interest and motivation to pursue advanced musical studies have limited financial means for private music lessons. Since 1997, Eastman Pathways—a collaborative partnership between the RCSD and the Eastman School of Music—has helped to fill this community need by offering quality…