Job Search 3

So last month I was a finalist (1 of 2) for Texas Public Radio's Host/Producer position in San Antonio (30th Market).

I went down and had a chance to see the city, meet the staff, and learn more about the place in general. I had previously been to San Antonio for a cigar sales convention in 2000, and more recently in 2004 for a public radio convention.

Turns out, we all clicked. (The fresh guacamole the night before my interview, made by the charming Tanya pictured right, certainly helped!)

I have accepted the job and yesterday gave 2 weeks notice at WITF. I'll start next month at TPR as the new afternoon host (2 to 6pm) for KPAC. It's an all classical station and I'm very excited to have new adventures.

Mr. WITF

A lovely evening last night for Mike Greenwald at WITF's PMC.

On the upper left is Mike with Elizabeth Schindler and Suzanne Graney, the event coordinators for WITF.

Below right is "toaster" Ellen Brody Hughes speaking with Harrisburg Symphony Music Director Stuart Malina.

Fare thee well

Yet another audio assistant gone...you may remember the last assistant I had, who has gone on to have many adventures...some quite recently!

Good luck Andrew! Have fun in "MA!"

(seen above with Linda and Amy, his last day at WITF)

Is that a lawnmower in the background?

Happy Holidays!

I recently spoke with two of the King's Singers at WITF while on their US Tour, they performed at the Majestic in Gettysburg.

They'll be back to celebrate their 40th Anniversary in 2008, and going to be in Annville, PA, so keep an eye out. But for now, enjoy this interview!

Interview [MP3 file]

Busy?

There's alot afoot in new music, especially for a dear friend of mine.

Coming up in January, the Philadelphia Orchestra is playing several new works by Jennifer Higdon:

January 10th is the World Premiere of Concerto 4-3, written for Time for Three

January 16th musicians will join for her Bentley Roses (from 2002) with Randall Scarlatta and Susan Narucki (also David Rakowski is on the program, Sex Songs)

January 17th is the World Premiere of The Singing Rooms, written for violinist Jennifer Koh - and maybe the first Violin Concerto with orchestra and chorus!

January 23rd you can hear BOTH Concerto 4-3 and The Singing Rooms and also on January 25th in the afternoon!

Jennifer's Percussion Concerto is being performed by the Harrisburg Symphony on March 8th & 9th. She'll be in attendance and is going to speak with me at WITF for a Composing Thoughts Live! on Saturday afternoon, March 8th, 2008. I just got word today that it will be supported by Meet The Composer, thanks!!!!

Jennifer is the very first composer ever featured on Composing Thoughts, and also had a followup episode earlier this year.

You can hear that episode online here.

Looking forward!

Classical SCARE?

Pre 7-7-7

Thought I'd try to catch up on some of my activities. Happy belated Independence Day, btw.
Let's go back to last month's Next Generation Festival at Millersville University:
They played Beethoven, Brahms and Franck. I was less than impressed with violinist Ben Breen, who has the fine art of making a bad face and grimacing, even when he isn't playing out of tune. The balances were hard to make out clearly, other than the piano, which was bad for the wonderful violist and cellist, but not so much for Ben.
Juliette Kang was stunning in the Franck Violin Sonata. Definitely made the evening hearing her. I would have rather heard something new though...while it was fine chamber music, something from the 20th or 21st century would have been fitting, especially with players of Juliette and Awadagin's musical capabilities.

I also caught the last of the Notable Women Festival with the Orchestra of St. Luke's Chamber Players, curated by Joan Tower. It was an awesome concert, not as far out as I thought it might be; and I really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to interviewing Julia Wolf, who's string quartet was quite stunning. I also enjoyed meeting Joan LaBarbara and hearing her solo oboe with tape piece will not be soon forgotten.

Hmmm. I forogt that during the Piano Event with Reif Snyders that the Berenstein Bears

were at work, and I posed with them - as a joke for my friends Stu and Julia (who's names you can read on the decorated plates the volunteers made.) Too funny.

Here's where I spend my weekdays from 12 to 3pm.

From Berenstein to the Leonard Bernstein Center and the leadership institute that Gettysburg College held a few weeks ago - wow! I felt like I was hugged by the arts. I could only attend one day, but it was well worth it. Brilliant minds, great arts and seminars.

I felt very good and renewed my artistic spirit. Nice to have met director Ken Pool, as well as Alexander Bernstein.

So that is part of what my June was like, just been busy. More soon on my DC trip last weekend!

At the newsstand

Be sure to pick up a copy of June 2007 Classical Guitar Magazine and learn more about my friend Ernesto Tamayo!

You can also see myself and colleagues in the June 2007 Central PA Magazine, and read about the 89.5 Classix countdown.

So long

It was sad to hear about the passing of Mstislav Rostropovich. I know a student of his, and many cellists, who regarded him highly. You might, or might not, remember I met him about a year ago, and inquired about an interview. You can read about that encounter here.
There are many links on the web for his music and videos. I'll play his recording of the Miaskovsky Concerto this afternoon on WITF. You can listen live here.

Coming up

What are you doing this weekend?

Come on out to WITF and see the new digs!

Great expectations

Interviewed a charming composer yesterday at WITF who lives in our listening area, James Brody.

[photo by Andrew Gena]

And the production of new Composing Thoughts are underway - the new season starts Sunday March 25th, with Michael Torke.

[photo by Andrew Gena]

Connections?

So I ran into an old acquaintance this week at work. He stood there, as I was walking toward the radio master control room with a coworker, and we stopped - he tilted his head - as my coworker was still talking and I smiled.
He said, you don't remember - and I had a puzzled look for just a moment, because I couldn't believe that during the first week of our new building, here was another radio person I knew - but a decade ago! He had since worked in California (when I was in Texas & Nevada), and then to Florida (while I moved to Harrisburg.) I always enjoyed his work, and it seemed he was always covering something dangerous for NPR, so I never thought he'd just be standing in the hallway at my work. But there he was.
We shook hands and laughed. He got introduced to my coworker and we chatted for a few moments. Turns out he is AT NPR now, instead of reporting, he's a bureau chief. It's way cool, cause he's a real talent. He mentioned that he'd asked if I was around here - we always seemed to stay in touch, from his reports in Kansas at the State House and on tornadoes; to the Navy deployment in San Diego and then the hurricanes in Florida. I think I had emailed him when I got the Deems Taylor Award last year (who DIDN'T I email then, hahaha!) and we stayed in touch.
So it was nice to get an email a day later with his new contact info. It also brought back some great memories from Lawrence, when my date and I had run into him at dinner at this killer place. I emailed her (we're still in touch!) and it was sweet having all of this to share.

So of course, the guys at work had to give me a hard time about him asking about me: Do you know everyone?! Who don't you know?! God, how do people remember you?!

It's all apart of life. One, it's a small world, really. Two, always treat people fairly and respect talent. Three, why not have fun whenever you can?

I live life to the fullest and have lots of friends. Why not? If our paths cross, I'd just as soon have you remember me for this fun loving, classical geek who lives and loves as much as he can. And remember, you never know when you'll run into somebody!