ON THE BEAT (To other issues)
The Official Newsletter of Moravian College Music Department
Summer 1996 -- Volume 1, issue iii

Our Common Interest

by Eliazbeth Forro, Music Alliance Treasurer

The fall issue of Musica Caesia highlighted the banquet that was held for members of the Moravian College Music Alliance. For those of you who may have wondred, the Music Alliance is composed of "friends of music." Friends come from all walks of life: scientists, music lovers, educators, business persons, musicians, health care professionals, and those who give many volunteer hours to enrich and support the ommunity. All have one jcommon interest - a love of music and a commitment to assist the Moravian College Music Department reach its goals of expanding opportunities for music majors and gaining recognition as being on the cutting edge within the field of music education.

Members of the Music Alliance, in turn, have the opportunity to be part of special music events as well as the regularly scheduld affairs as they ocur over the academic year. Also, during the next academic year, it is antiipated that Alliance members will hav the opportunity to meet and develop relationships with members of the department's chapter of the international music fraternity Delta Omicron.

Currently, the major goal of the Alliance is to establish a music scholarship, which requires a minimum of $25,000 as an endowment. Until that can be fully funded, the Alliance will be awarding a $1,000 grant to a student each fall, in horor of Richard and Monica Schantz.

The Alliance serves an important function in bringing Moravian College and the community together through appreciation for music. Should any readers of Musica Caesia have an interest in learning more about the Music Alliance, please contact the Moravian College Music Department at (610) 861-1650.

Compact discernment

The music department is in the process of creating a Moravian CD Hall of Fame. This display will show CDs that feature Moravian music alumni and faculty. So far we have over 40 CDs ready for display, and have room for more. If you have appeared on a disc, or know of a department alumnus who has, please let us know. We will gladly purchase a copy for both exhibition and for our ever growing CD collection in the Music Library. Contact the department at (610) 861-1650.

Hot Days, Cool Jazz

What follows is a copy of the most recent July Jazz Getaway press release. JJG is in its fourth year and last summer was honored to have Ellis Marsalis as its 1995 guest artist.

Sports team fantasy camps have been around for years. So have Formula-One racing camps. You can even enroll in a jet-fighter fantasy week. And now, the Moravian College Music Institute is offering a chance to take a summer vacation and play jazz in a "fantasy camp" environment.

July Jazz Getaway at Moravian Collge is a week-long summer jazz vacation for adults. Now in its fourth year, the program was described last year by The New York Times Magazine as "the best - and strangest - sign that a jazz renaissance is indeed under way."

The Getaway runs July 14-21 and is designed for non-professional musicians. The program offers daily jazz, big band, ensemble, and jam session playing with a faculty of professional musicians.

Legendary trumpeter Clark Terry joins the faculty this year to conduct a master class and perform in concert on Saturday, July 20 (see jazz great feature in this issue.)

A lineup of relaxed social events and jazz-related activities rounds out the week. The program will be held on Moravian's campus in historic downtown Bethlehem. For full registration information about the July Jazz Getaway, contact the Moravian College Music Institute at (610) 861-1650.

Meet our Majors Jason Taylor & Tara McFadden

Jason Taylor, a senior majoring in composition wrote the autobiographical entry below. We assure everyone that even though Jason actually does name his instruments, he is in perfect mental health. The second article was written by Tara McFadden, a junior majoring in both music education and performance.

I am originally from Wilmington, Delaware, where I attended a boys' school and a few other private educational establishments. At the age of 12 I moved to Pennsylvania - I just couldn't take the intense tropical climate or the debilitating monsoons - so I packed up and walked here to sunny Breinigsville. The only things I brought were my Mother and two cats. I also brought along a secret translation of Pythagoras' little known theorem for world salvation; unfortunately, it was stolen by three government agents dressed up like th Stooges somewhere along I-78. My mother is now a mortician. I play the guitar. Go figure.

My first guitar teacher was blind in one eye and had terrible arthritis; he also had this habit of disappearing every time I plucked the "A" string. From this difficult beginning I stumbled onto the piano and had a four-year affair with a cute little upright from New Jersey. We both knew that it would never work so I began studying the classical guitar. My first and longest lasting encounter was with a snsitive little spanish guitar named Magdalena; she was undrestanding and very responsive. Magdalena is still with me, but now I'm involved with a slightly masculine German guitar, Eva.

I have alwasy been interested in compositions; when I was younger I would write silly little piano pieces and such. I nver put enough time in it though, so it always scared me away; it was much easier to bury my head in pre-written music and try my hardest to gain satisfaction from it. Now, I feel more comfortable with it and things seem to be coming along better for me.

when I greduate from Moravian, I would like to go to graduate shool in composition; but before that I would like to pursue some other interests. These include becoming a surrealist poet and making pierogies for the judges of the Cannes Film Festival. I would also like to hone my skills in converting Scientologists to the Greek Orthodox Religion. that's all I can reveal for now; stay tuned for updates or changes.

Hi! My name is Tara McFadden and I am a junior music education and vocal performance major from Cranford, New Jersey. My musical career actually took off in a strange way. I always enjoyed music when I was younger and I was an active mmber of the church shoir. I always felt encouraged to keep singing when I was given solos to sing for Mass. When I was in junior high, my best friend and I used to sing duets we would hear on the radio, and people told me I had talent. When I reached high school I sang in the auditioned Concert choir for three years and the Madrigal singers for two years. I was a member jof the NJ All-State Chorus as well as the NJ Region II Chorus.

Through all these years of singing it seemed a little funny to me that I never had any formal voal training. I had one voice lsson when I attended Westminster Choir college summer Vocal Camp for two weeks, but the rest of my training was choral. With this thought in mind, I tried to figure out what I would major in when I got to college. I thought about all the wonderful musical experiences I had and how music makes me feel and I realized I couldn't go the rest of my life without being submerged in it. I was finally reassured when I toured Europe for three weeks with the United States Youth Chorale and String ensemble. the immense joy I got from being so clos with people who all had a passion for music let me know I was making the right choice.

I reached Moravian Collge and finally began formal vocal training with Janice Fiore. I must say that I am indeed submerged in music now! I am a member of the following organizations: College Choir (treasurer), Women's Chourus (president), Chamber Singers, and the Gamma jPi chapter of the international music fraternity, Delta Omicron. I have also recntly become a member of 26 Points, the college organization that represents the school to prospective students by giving tours and participating in other college events. Next semester I will also ba member of the Mostly Monteverdi Ensemble.

At home over the summer, I am still active with my church as a cantor for evry Suynday Mass. through my studies for the past two years with Janice Fiore, I have learned much and have decided that opera or the choral route ar the paths I'd like to follow before I get a teaching job. When I finish at Moravian I plan to attend graduate school ad earn my Master's in vocal performane. Although my journey through music began very amaturely, I hope it will develop into a professional one.

Consort in Concert

On Sunday, June 30th, at 7:00 p.m. Peter Hall will hold a program featuring the Lyric Consort. The Lyric Consort is an eight-voice professional vocal ensemble dedicated to historically informed performance of the a cappella repertories of the 15th and 16th centuries. Formed in 1993, the ensemble has since offered an annual concert series in Scranton and wilkes-Barre, and performed by invitation throughout the Wyoming Valley. Engaged in the past season as Artists-in-Residence at The Pennsylvania State University's Wilkes-Barre campus, the ensemble was also featured recently in a series of holiday broadasts by WNEP-TV. Performances by the Lyric Consort are also broadcast through the "Music from St. Stephen's" and"Concert Hall" programs of Northeastern Pennsylvania's National Public Radio affiliate, WVIA-FM.

The program on the 30th will feature Susan Kelly, soprano; Leslie Mason, soprano; Karen Kalinowski, alto; Jennifer J. Adam, alto; Alan baker, tenor; Frank Spencer, tenor; Christopher Gallo, bass; and Francis McMullen, bass. Tickets for the event are $8 for adults, $5 for senior citizens and students, and $3 for children ages 12 and undr. For further information please call (610) 861-1650.

Jazz Great-Great Jazz

This year, the fourth annual July Jazz Getaway is proud to have as its featured guest artist, trumpeter Clark Terry. Mr. Terry will be giving a clinic and performance with the Moravan College Big Band on Saturday, July 20th.

"He's the greatest!" beamed a 12-year-old youngster, referring to jazz legend Clark Terry. the great trumpeter had just helped the young drummer discover how to "kick" a big band into the final chorus of "Take the A Train."

Clark, though known best a a headliner at the world's premier jazz events as well as a TV personality featured on such national programs as Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show", is one of jazzdon's finest educators.

Cark, a great innovator-educator, is also justly celebrated for his great technical virtuosity, swinging lyricism and impeccable good taste. Combining these with the gifts of a great dramatist, Clark Terry is a master storyteller whose musical tales leave audiences thrilled and always wanting more.

Clark Terry's musical credits include sucessful stints in the '40s with the likes of Charlie Barnet, Charlie Ventura, Eddie Vinton and the great Count Basie. In 1951, Clark was asked to join Duke Ellinton's orchestra, where he stayed for 8 years as a featured soloist. Clark was then courted by the National Broadcasting company in New York and soon becoma a television star as one of the spotlighted players in the "Tonight Show" band. It was during this period that Clark scored a smash hit as a singer with his irrepressible "Mumbles."

Along with the honors, recordings and sell-out appearances at festivals and concerts, Clark has focused increased attention on his activities as a jazz educator. His dedication to the task of passing the torch of musical improvisation onto the next generation is second to none. Indeed, his great rapport with students issummed up not only in great music but in great smiles as the master and his students share in creating jazz - the sound of surprise!

July Jazz Getaway

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