Music Academy presents Joshua Roman as Alumnus in Residence, July 16-25
Music Academy of the West inaugurates its new Alumnus in Residence program this week with cellist Joshua Roman, who has been hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle as “a cellist of extraordinary technical and musical gifts.” The 2002 alumnus of the renowned Summer School and Festival returns to scenic Santa Barbara, CA for his residency July 16-25. His activities include mentoring Academy Fellows, conducting a cello masterclass (July 17), curating a concert with the Fellows at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (July 21), and performing a solo recital at Studio 240, an open space photography studio in Santa Barbara (July 24).
Since participating as a Fellow at Music Academy of the West, Roman has embarked on an extraordinary professional career as a performing artist who is committed to expanding classical music audiences. He was named principal cellist of the Seattle Symphony at age 22, a position he won in 2006 and held for two seasons before launching his solo career. Often called a “classical rock star,” the 29-year-old cellist’s wide-ranging interests take him from concert halls to clubs and classrooms, playing classical, jazz, rock, new music, and solo suites by Bach. He enjoys a busy schedule as soloist with orchestras across the U.S., collaborates on the creation of new works, and is artistic director of the innovative TownMusic series in Seattle. In recognition of his creative initiatives, Roman was named a 2011 TED Fellow, joining a group of innovators who show potential to positively affect the world.
The Music Academy’s July 21 concert at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art is envisioned by Roman as “a moveable feast of chamber music in the galleries.” Multiple ensembles of Academy Fellows will be stationed throughout the museum performing chamber music as visitors walk through the spaces. For his recital at Studio 240 on July 24, Roman is offering his own composition, “Riding Light,” as well as music by J.S. Bach, George Crumb, Mark O’Connor, and Matthias Pintscher. The latter recently conducted the West Coast premiere of his own “bereshit” at the Music Academy with the Academy Festival Orchestra.
In the Q&A that follows, Roman reflects on his experiences at the Music Academy of the West, and his current residency.
A conversation with Joshua Roman
Q: Let’s start from the beginning. Why did you apply to the Music Academy of the West’s Summer School and Festival in 2002?
JR: The Music Academy is the place to go. They only accept one orchestra’s worth of people, and everyone I knew who was accepted into the program was a great musician, so I knew the level of playing would be very high. I wanted to play chamber music and was surprised by the amount of scholarship opportunities. Plus, it was in California!
Q: What was your experience like as a Fellow?
JR: It was really fulfilling and amazing. I was surprised by how much the Academy offered the Fellows, such as their Compeer program, which was definitely unique and allowed me to connect with music lovers in Santa Barbara. Most importantly, I had so many performance opportunities! I really had no idea that I would show up and play almost every day. It was really good for me in that way. The mountains, beach, and nature of Santa Barbara also enhanced the experience.
Q: Now that you are the Academy’s inaugural Alumnus in Residence, what are you most looking forward to in your return this summer?
JR: It is interesting to return with a different perspective; not just trying to learn from the program but to be giving back as much as I can as well. All of the reasons that made me attend the program in 2002 still apply today. If anything, the program has only gotten better. They have a new performance hall now and the administration is not afraid to try new and interesting things, including this Alumnus in Residence series. Even though I am there to help make the experience the best that I can for the Fellows I work with, I am equally excited to be rejuvenated by the young talent and their new ideas.
Q: What do you hope to teach the Fellows?
JR: There are a few aspects that I want to focus on. The first one is easily seen in Santa Barbara through the Academy’s Wellness Program, which is about balancing life while performing music and integrating your life back into your music. For me, the natural growth from that is to create a career in a way that enables you to showcase the best side of yourself and to achieve work that is rewarding and not just taxing. I want to talk to the Fellows about being on the road, how to be a professional, how this career might be different from what you think it is going to be, and how to prepare for that in order to stay true to yourself as a musician. I believe it is important to be inspired rather than a workaholic.
By the way, a music nutritionist will be giving workshops the week I am in residence. The program will focus specifically on musicians and their diet, which I think is important because musicians eat at such odd times (laughs).
Q: As a professional musician, what pieces of advice would you offer a young musician planning to embark on a career in classical music?
JR: There is quite a bit that I will be able to share because the industry is changing so much right now. The classical music world is going through some radical changes. We, as musicians, need to realize how we are a part of that. I think it is important to find creative ways to connect with people and to make sure that our work is exciting and relevant — everyone wins that way. There are some very specific things that a musician can do in terms of not only presenting your music at venues that you might not have realized, but also to incorporate those aspects into your music that are not necessarily taught in every conservatory, such as understanding your own voice, style, and musicality.
Q: How did attending the Academy’s summer school and festival impact your career?
JR: The most beneficial thing I took away was the feeling of support from so many performances. I was in two chamber music groups and we tore through the repertoire we were playing. We were given the chance to record one of our movements in a studio with a recording engineer. It was nice to discover what that process was like and to receive our own professional, edited recording.
The program also gave us the opportunity to perform in a variety of venues, including museums and houses. Performing in houses was big for me because it has become an important part of how I connect with people who now support my career. It helps take music to interesting and new places. I don’t remember much of that happening before Music Academy of the West.
Q: Have you kept in touch with any of the Fellows?
JR: Yeah, a lot. I just played with one last week actually. I see a lot of Fellows doing great things. The program accepts high level of players, so I am never surprised that my friends are performing all around.
Q: Finally, what’s your guilty pleasure – your favorite thing to do – in Santa Barbara?
JR: Beach! One of my favorite things to do is to sit and watch the sun set over the ocean along the mountains. Santa Barbara is amazingly beautiful. It is well kept, open, and the people are warm. In between the beautiful mountains and the beach, there is Santa Barbara and the Music Academy of the West.
View a video on YouTube from Roman’s Everyday Bach series of the “Sarabande” from Suite No. 1 performed at a koi pond on the Music Academy’s campus.
About Music Academy of the West
Founded in 1947 by a group of Southern California arts patrons and musicians that included Lotte Lehmann and Otto Klemperer, the Music Academy of the West is among the nation’s preeminent summer schools and festivals for gifted young classical musicians. The Academy provides these promising musicians with the opportunity for advanced study and frequent performance under the guidance of internationally recognized faculty artists, guest conductors and soloists. Admission to the Academy is strictly merit based, and Fellows receive full scholarships (tuition, room and board). Based in Santa Barbara, the Music Academy of the West presents more than 200 public events annually, including performances by faculty, visiting artists, and Fellows; masterclasses; orchestra and chamber music concerts; and a fully staged opera.
Remaining highlights of the Music Academy’s 2013 season include recitals by Mosher Guest Artists Jeremy Denk (July 17) and Midori (July 29, 31); the Academy’s Marilyn Horne Song Competition (July 20); a new production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute (Aug 2 & 4); Cabaret, the Academy’s signature gala (Aug 8); as well as conducting turns by Nicholas McGegan (Aug 3), and James Gaffigan (Aug 10). Featuring the Academy’s talented Fellows, together with illustrious guest performers and faculty, the events are being presented at the Academy’s scenic Miraflores campus and in venues throughout Santa Barbara. The Music Academy’s 66th anniversary Summer Festival concludes August 10.
A list of the Music Academy of the West’s upcoming events can be found below, and further details are available on the web by visiting www.musicacademy.org.
Joshua Roman’s Alumnus in Residence Events
July 17
Santa Barbara, CA
Lehmann Hall, Music Academy of the West
Cello Masterclass with Joshua Roman (1 PM)
July 21
Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Music Academy of the West Fellows Concert (3 PM)
Curated by Joshua Roman
A moveable feast of chamber music in the galleries
July 24
Santa Barbara, CA
Studio 240
Music Academy of the West Recital (8 PM)
Joshua Roman, cello
Bach: Suite No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012 (Prelude, Sarabande, Gigue)
Crumb: Sonata for Solo Cello
O’Connor: Appalachia Waltz
Pintscher: Figura V / Assonanza
Roman: Riding Light
Upcoming 2013 Festival Events
July 15
Flute Masterclass with Timothy Day
Solo Piano Masterclass 5 with Jeremy Denk
Brass Ensemble Masterclass with Mark H. Lawrence
Violin Masterclass with Brian Lewis
July 16
String Chamber Masterclass with Cynthia Phelps
Trombone & Tuba Masterclass with Mark H. Lawrence
Viola Masterclass with Donald McInnes
Tuesdays @ 8 Concert 4
Edward Atkatz: Turn Key Hotel
Ravel: Sonatine
Britten: Lachrymae
Debussy: Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp
Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
July 17
Cello Masterclass with Joshua Roman, Academy Alumnus in Residence
Oboe Masterclass with David Weiss
Double Bass Masterclass with Nico Abondolo
Vocal Masterclass with Carrie-Ann Matheson
Mosher Guest Artist Recital with Jeremy Denk
July 18
Bassoon Masterclass with Benjamin Kamins
Piano Chamber Masterclass with Jeremy Denk
Collaborative Piano Masterclass with Jeremy Denk
Percussion Masterclass with Michael Werner
Downtown Community Concert
Academy Brass Ensemble in Concert with Mark H. Lawrence, conductor
Strauss: Vienna Fanfare
John Williams: Sound the Bells
Jan Koetsier: Brass Symphony
July 19
Clarinet Masterclass with Richie Hawley
Trumpet Masterclass with Paul Merkelo
Horn Masterclass with Eli Epstein
Vocal Masterclass with Warren Jones
Picnic Concert 3
July 20
Marilyn Horne Song Competition (10 AM)
Marilyn Horne Song Competition (1 PM)
Concerto Night with Tito Muñoz, conductor
July 21
Academy Fellows Concert, curated by Joshua Roman, Academy Alumnus in Residence
July 22
Flute Masterclass with Timothy Day
Solo Piano Masterclass 6 with Jerome Lowenthal
Brass Ensemble Masterclass with Eli Epstein and Ralph Sauer
Violin Masterclass with Kathleen Winkler
Academy Percussion Ensemble in Concert
July 23
String Chamber Masterclass with Peter Salaff
Trombone & Tuba Masterclass with Ralph Sauer
Viola Masterclass with Roger Myers
Opera Covers Performance (The Magic Flute)
Tuesdays @ 8 Concert 5
Mozart: String Duo No. 1 in G Major
Brahms: Sonata in E Minor
Britten: Phantasy Quartet
Weber: Clarinet Quintet
July 24
Cello Masterclass with Alan Stepansky
Oboe Masterclass with David Weiss
Double Bass Masterclass with Nico Abondolo
Cello Recital with Joshua Roman, Academy Alumnus in Residence
July 25
Bassoon Masterclass with Benjamin Kamins
Piano Chamber Masterclass with Jerome Lowenthal
Collaborative Piano Masterclass with Jonathan Feldman
Percussion Masterclass with Michael Werner
Downtown Community Concert
Vocal Chamber Music Concert with Warren Jones, director
Vaughan Williams: Selections from Ten Blake Songs
Previn: Four Songs
Donizetti: “Dirti addio”
Ponchielli: “Eternamente” and “Piangea”
Crumb: Madrigals, Book IV
Britten: Canticle III: Still Falls the Rain
Chausson: “Chanson perpétuelle”
July 26
Clarinet Masterclass with Richie Hawley
Trumpet Masterclass with Paul Merkelo
Horn Masterclass with Eli Epstein
Opera Preview: The Magic Flute (new production)
Picnic Concert 4
July 27
Chamber Music Marathon (10 AM)
Chamber Music Marathon (1 PM)
Masterclass with Marilyn Horne, voice program director
July 29
Flute Masterclass with Jeanne Baxtresser
Solo Piano Masterclass 7 with Jerome Lowenthal
Brass Ensemble Masterclass with Barbara Butler and Charles Geyer
Viola Masterclass with Roger Myers
Mosher Guest Artist Recital with Midori
J.S. Bach: Sonata No. 1 in G Major
Sonata No. 3 in C Major
Partita No. 2 in D Minor
July 30
String Chamber Masterclass with Karen Dreyfus and Glenn Dicterow
Trombone & Tuba Masterclass with Ralph Sauer
Trumpet Masterclass with Barbara Butler
Violin Masterclass with Midori
Tuesdays @ 8 Concert 6*
Vivaldi: Concerto RV 103
Bach/Vivaldi: Concerto in D Major
Shostakovich: Viola Sonata
Mendelssohn: Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor
*Baroque chamber music performed by Academy faculty artists and Nicholas McGegan
July 31
Cello Masterclass with David Geber
Oboe Masterclass with David Weiss
Double Bass Masterclass with Nico Abondolo
Mosher Guest Artist Recital with Midori
J.S. Bach: Sonata No. 2 in A Minor
Partita No. 1 in B Minor
Partita No. 3 in E Major
August 1
Bassoon Masterclass with Benjamin Kamins
Piano Chamber Masterclass with Jerome Lowenthal
Collaborative Piano Masterclass with Jonathan Feldman
Downtown Community Concert
Picnic Concert 5
August 2
Clarinet Masterclass with Richie Hawley
Trumpet Masterclass with Charles Geyer
Horn Masterclass with Eli Epstein
Mozart: The Magic Flute with David Paul, director and Warren Jones, conductor (new production)
August 3
Members of the Academy Festival Orchestra with Nicholas McGegan, conductor
Rameau: Suite from Platée
Vivaldi: Concerto for Violin and Echo
Vivaldi: Concerto for Violin, 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, 2 Bassoons
Haydn: Symphony No. 100 “Military”
August 4
Mozart: The Magic Flute with David Paul, director and Warren Jones, conductor (new production)
August 5
Flute Masterclass with Jeanne Baxtresser
Solo Piano Masterclass 8 with Jerome Lowenthal
Brass Ensemble Masterclass with Ralph Sauer and Eli Epstein
Violin Masterclass with Glenn Dicterow
August 6
Trombone & Tuba Masterclass with Ralph Sauer
Viola Masterclass with Roger Myers
Tuesdays @ 8 Concert 7
Bartók: Out of Doors
Bach: Contrapunctus and Chorale for Brass Quintet
Klein: String Trio
Dohnányi: Piano Quintet No. 1
August 7
Cello Masterclass with David Gerber
Oboe Masterclass with David Weiss
Double Bass Masterclass with Nico Abondolo
Vocal Masterclass with Marilyn Horne
August 8
Bassoon Masterclass with Dennis Michel
Piano Chamber Masterclass with Jerome Lowenthal
Collaborative Piano Masterclass with Jonathan Feldman
Harp Masterclass with JoAnn Turovsky
Percussion Masterclass with Michael Werner
Downtown Community Concert
Cabaret, the Music Academy’s Signature Gala
Marilyn Horne, Voice Program Director
Carol Burnett, Cabaret Creative Contributor
August 9
Clarinet Masterclass with Richie Hawley
Trumpet Masterclass with Josef Burgstaller
Horn Masterclass with Eli Epstein
Solo Piano Studio Presentation with Jerome Lowenthal
Picnic Concert 6
August 10
Festival Finale: Academy Festival Orchestra & Academy Voice with James Gaffigan, conductor
Wagner: Overture to Rienzi
Mahler: Songs from Des Knaben Wunderhorn
Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique
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© 21C Media Group, July 2013