When I was a kid, I never really liked playing the game "musical chairs". One small misstep and you were out for the rest of the game awkwardly watching the other kids play. Unfortunately, this seems to be a game I can't escape if I ever want to play in an established symphony orchestra. The process of winning an orchestral job is so similar to the slightly sadistic game that one of the main sites for job postings is actually titled "musicalchairs.info". We have all heard that orchestras are changing their approaches to drawing in audiences, but the one thing that seems not to change is the audition process.

"My heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary." - Martin Luther

The first time I attemped to "solace and refresh" those in need with my gift of music was at a nursing home in seventh grade. Though I can't say I knew what to expect, I certainly didn't expect what happened. In the middle of my performance, a man from the back continuously cried out, "turn that damned thing off!". Not exactly the enthusiastic response I had imagined. I'd like to think that things have since improved and that my cello playing is sounding less and less like a bad radio, but maybe I should ask Mr. Sharp.

One of the things that is particularly exciting to me about Chicago is learning about the classical music and cultural history here.  Many of the organizations have been established for decades, and it is so interesting to learn about how each has grown, changed, and make their mark in the community.

This week, I caught up with a co-artistic director and trumpeter of Chicago Chamber Musicians, Charlie Geyer, to chat about the organization’s twenty-fifth anniversary and what audiences can look forward to during the remainder of the 2011-2012 season and in the future.  The Chamber will be performing several pieces in the “Memories of Vienna” concert scheduled for November 6-7. For details visit www.chicagochambermusic.org.


How is Chicago Chamber Musicians celebrating its 25 anniversary?

We really tied our season around this idea of “collaboration”.  We thought about collaboration as a vision for the future of our organization also.

During the course of my usual YouTube meandering a few weeks ago, I came across a video of a guy playing "Julie-O", a composition I really enjoy by Mark Summer. Everything started off as usual, nothing too crazy... but then he started to beatbox. A cellist dropping beats while playing? That got my attention.

The first thing that came to my mind was... Wow, this guy has some pretty well refined motor skills! After my admiration / jealousy subsided, some thoughts popped up. I have never done anything that out of the box with my cello, nor had I ever even thought to try.

Summer chamber music means the Vermont Marlboro Music Festival, the spiritual home of thousands of musicians from several generations. Founded by pianist Rudolf Serkin, Marlboro is now a world renowned institution that has had substantial impact on music’s evolving landscape. It’s an idyllic place where artists eminent and emerging are invited to explore and discover side by side in a dynamic learning environment – and a place where several Chicago Chamber Musicians ensemble artists have had formative artistic experiences. This summer the festival celebrates its 60th anniversary season. Here’s our own Larry Combs leading a group two summers ago: Summer chamber music means the Vermont Marlboro Music Festival, the spiritual home of thousands of musicians from several generations.