Tag: Music

REVIEW: Broadway Comes Home

Kayla Silverstein

Our Women’s Glee Club president snagged free tickets for a few of us to go to the “Broadway Comes Home” concert Friday night, featuring Michigan alumni that have made it on Broadway. All I had to hear was Broadway, Gavin Creel, and free to nearly tackle our president, Allison, for a ticket to the show.

Rackham was lit up pink for the “walk the pink carpet” theme of the event. Fabulously dressed men took our pictures as we filed in and awkwardly avoided their lenses. Allison said it was formal attire required, so I felt especially classy in my slacks, boot, lacey top, and pearls. A man seated behind me was slightly classier, however, rocking a cocktail dress, heels, and sequined purse.

The event was dedicated to celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Spectrum Center. The Spectrum Center is an organization on campus that actively supports the LGBTQ community in Ann Arbor, offering guidance and support in a safe and welcoming environment. Interspersed between performances, many active members in the LGBTQ community spoke about their experiences and how the Spectrum Center has influenced them. It was possibly the most inspiring part of the evening. I heard how so many people have been impacted by the Spectrum Center and motivated with the knowledge that “it gets better.” The speakers, including our past student body president Chris Armstrong, were incredibly uplifting, spreading love, strength, and pride. The messages were universal, and I doubt there was a single person in the audience who walked away uninspired.

The musical performances, as my initial reason for coming, were just as inspiring. Gavin Creel, tony-nominated Broadway star, recruited several other Michigan alumni to accompany him in performing at this event. Creel was absolutely amazing and kicked the evening off to an outstanding start with “Could Be” from West Side Story. His enthusiasm on stage was infectious. His voice was beautiful. His shining moment of the night was his concluding song, “Let the Sun Shine In” from the musical Hair he himself sang on Broadway. The freshman class of the musical theater program this year accompanied him, encircling the audience and wowing us with their powerful sound.

And Gavin Creel wasn’t even the best performer of the evening (it was a close tie between all the alumni, in my opinion)! Other returning Wolverines included Celia Keenan-Bolger, an incredibly adorable person with a beautiful voice, and Maddy Wyatt. Those two sang a song they wrote together about gay marriage that was both hilarious and powerful. Others included Daniel Reichard, who starred in Jersey Boys on Broadway and actually sang “Don’t go, Baby” from that musical while backed up by three men from the musical theater department. The other featured performer was Danny Gurwin. I know him as having played Laurie in Little Women the musical on Broadway and a few other notable roles. What’s crazy too about Gurwin is he is actually directing the Little Women production U-M is doing in December (I’ll be previewing and reviewing that performances as well – can’t wait!!). Towards the end of the evening, all these Broadway-bound alumni joined together to sing “Ordinary Miracles.” It was gorgeous and gave me serious goose bumps.

When speakers weren’t presenting or Broadway alums weren’t singing, the University of Michigan Jazz Ensemble was performing. I’d never heard them before, but they were so talented. I was blown away.

As you can probably conclude, this night marked one of the most epic performances I’ve attended all semester. So many amazing performers, speakers, and musicians – it was fantastic. I was absolutely inspired and I hope you get a chance to go to one of the Spectrum Center’s events because it is an admirable organization that deserves all the recognition it has acquired.

P.S. For more information on the Spectrum Center and the resources available there, check out their website: http://spectrumcenter.umich.edu/home

REVIEW: GAH-muh-lan

Kayla Silverstein

There’s nothing better than relieving all your anger and frustration on a gong. The resounding noise fills the room as you wail on that thing with all you’ve got. It’s incredibly satisfying. If you are like me and lack the proper funds for Javanese instruments, you probably don’t have one lying around. That’s why it’s good to stay informed about music events, especially Gamelan ones.

I walked in on the music co-op’s (MCEQ) event tonight with guest-speaker, Susan Walton, an RC professor who teaches about Indonesian music and dance. It was a little awkward at first, seeing as I’m not actually a member of MCEQ; however, with my camera and notepad, I felt somewhat dignified for being there. The tiny stage was littered with various red and gold painted instruments while Walton began with a brief introduction. She explained that Gamelan refers to an ensemble of Indonesian instruments. The Gamelan we were playing tonight was from central Java, an island off of Indonesia (hence, Javanese). She warned us that the instruments within the Gamelan are believed to be alive and, therefore, cannot be stepped over in fear of getting bitten (which is true because, as she related, she stepped over one before and got so badly bitten, she ended up in the ER).

Once the instruments were in organized disarray, she gestured for us to take our places on pillows, bare-footed, in allotted positions. She gave us simplistic melodies to mimic, numbering the notes accordingly. We repeated on our instruments, and actually managed to stay synchronized enough to create a decent sound. It reminded me of that music you hear that sounds, well, “asian,” but you can’t quite put your finger on where or why it sounds like that (or what that even means). It was incredibly awesome. Once we got good at our little tune, Walton came in on the drum, improvising with rhythmic syncopations. Just when I feared my arms were going to fall off from holding up the gong, she signaled the final refrain by changing up the rhythm on the drum. Dramatic pause, then I finished the song as instructed with a final gooooonnggg (she unfortunately failed to inform me in advance that it was supposed to be “much quieter.” My arm is still sore from how hard I hit that thing…).

It was truly a spectacular event hosted by music co-op and led by us, under the instruction of Susan Walton. I’m so glad I came and I’m excited to hear what other great events music co-op has in store. And, who knows, maybe I’ll even sign up for Walton’s one credit Javanese music class next semester!

PREVIEW: Gamelan Workshop

Kayla Silverstein

On November 1st at 8pm in the half-way inn (located in the basement of east quad), the Residential College music forum will be hosting a Gamelan workshop, taught by Susan Walton, an RC faculty member, to teach about the Gamelan tradition and demonstrate the instruments involved in Gamelan performances. Gamelan itself is an Indonesian ensemble of instruments, typically consisting of metallophones, xylophones, drums, gongs, and much more. Fiona Clowney, leader of the music forum, says, “[Walton] will bring instruments for us to play and teach us a short piece of music, as well as giving an intro to the music.” It sounds like an incredible opportunity to learn about an extraordinary and beautiful style of music. There is limited space available, so do RSVP for the event by emailing Fiona.clowney@gmail.com right away! Hope to see you there!

P.S. You can hear some U of M students playing gamelan at this youtube link to get a feeling of what the music is like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxlKpWz_brk

REVIEW: Programmed Spontaneity

Kayla Silverstein

After trekking from class to class on Thursday
in rainy, cold weather, the warm sanctuary of Rackham Auditorium was a welcome
blessing.  I was attending the George
Lewis Interactive Trio, having blindly signed up on an e-mail from a peer
advisor.  It was quite the
spectacle.  I’ve seen my share of
abstract performances; however, I’d never seen an improvised jazz trio, let
alone with a computer-programmed instrument as a member of the ensemble.  The Trio featured George Lewis, musical
genius, playing his trombone alongside renowned pianist Geri Allen, and yet the
true marvel of the performance was the “virtual improvisator.”  This computer-programmed piano, referred to
as “the player,” responded to the musical stylings of Lewis and Allen by contributing
its own improvised melodies.  Lewis
designed the software himself, allowing for “the player” to connect to the
other instruments involved.  It was
entirely spontaneous, albeit programmed spontaneity on the computer’s end, and
absolutely astounding.  An audience
member commented in the panel discussion following that “the player” both
paused to let the other instruments take their turn in the ensemble and
instantaneously responded, with both clashing and harmonious chords.  This performance was all at once bizarre, thrilling,
and, at times, unsettling in the chaotic nature of avant-garde jazz.  I couldn’t help but think of robotic pianos taking
over the world when Lewis commented that he in fact had no idea what “the
player” was going to play until the moment it began.  After hearing just three or four notes from
Lewis’ trombone, the computer decides what performance it wishes to give.  A trippy and thought-provoking display of human
versus computer improvisation, I am so glad I made time to attend.

REVIEW: The Campus Symphony Orchestra

Christine Hildebrand

The Campus Symphony Orchestra preformed Monday night at Hill Auditorium. The grand venue amplified an outstanding performance, one that showcased the hard work of University students, faculty, and their instruments. Musicians practiced throughout the semester for the one night concert as student conductor Eiki Isomura harmoniously orchestrated the chamber of violins, viola, violoncello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, and percussion. Isomura is the participant of the Helen Wu Graduate Conducting fellowship, which offers one University student the chance to conduct a full orchestra of musicians. The fellowship advocates for real life experience as a paramount part of training a professional conductor. The Campus Symphony Orchestra also provides non-music major students, like freshman violinist Adriana Saroki, the opportunity to pursue new talents on campus without sacrificing their love of classical music while receiving credit.

“Joining The Campus Symphony Orchestra exposed me to a diverse group of people who are equally passionate about classical music.” -Adriana Saroki

With Hill’s self-proclaimed “perfect acoustics,” the music swept listeners away on lofty notes. I felt my self drifting into a dream as the music dipped from a soft melody into a powerful crescendo. Isomura waved his arm and the entire orchestra stirred to create a sea of movement and music on stage. My senses were awakened and my life turned into a movie. It reminded me of the timeless ballroom scene from My Fair Lady; I was Eliza, a helpless flower girl, who was overwhelmed by the blending of art, culture, and music.

The evening was broken into three songs Richard Strauss’s “Serenade for Wind Instruments in E-flat Major, Op.7,” George Gershwhin’s “Cuban Overture,” and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64.” Gerswhin’s Cuban Overture added a flavorful twist on classical music. The audience swayed to the rhythm, ready to jump into dance: perhaps even salsa. The crowd was equally entranced by Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. Musicians played for an impressive twenty minutes straight, their arms fastidiously moving and eyes glued to their sheet music. The crowd was on the edge of their seats as the musicians endured.
“I couldn’t imagine how their arms weren’t about to fall off!” said one spectator.
“My heart went out to them,” said another.
Nevertheless, the musicians stayed focused. I scoped the stage for signs of weakness, yet no one was phased. The music continued as their hands automatically knew what to do. This skill and dedication produced a performance that was nothing less than magical. It was a successful night, one that expanded the love and support of classical music in everyone.

PREVIEW: Campus Symphony Orchestra

Christine Hildebrand

The Campus Symphony Orchestra performs tonight, Monday April 4th at Hill Auditorium. The Orchestra is largely comprised of non-music major students, faculty member, staff, and alumni of the University. The program includes musical performances from Tchaikovsky’s 5th Symphony, Gershwin’s Cuban Overture, and the Strauss Serenade for Winds. The concert runs from 8-9:30pm and admission is free of charge.