Music majors learn from world renowned musicians
Oct 19th, 2012 by Serena Sretenovich
The UW-Whitewater Music Department has a long history of legendary guest artists from Austria and France to New York City. Their master classes have helped make UW-Whitewater one of the leading names in music education; I sat down with Adam Zolinksi, Alex Nettesheim and Jess Erbe-music majors-to get the inside scoop. The Music Department brings in a guest artist mostly every other week with some months having one every week. The students are required to attend the artists that specialize in their particular instrument; however, they are strongly encouraged to participate in every class in an attempt to better round out their musical experience.
The master classes take place the week of the guest’s performance. The students all gather and play for the guest artist to receive personal feedback. “I like that we get guest artists to come listen to us. It gives us a fresh opinion and style ideas for a piece,” saxophone player, Zolinski pointed out. He also went on to say that while he didn’t think that he danced while playing, one guest told him to stop. Turns out he was slightly moving his shoulders; which another artist thought to be a great addition to the piece.
Like differences in favorite radio stations, or composers, the students have found they do not like certain artists; however, they respect them. Nettesheim (trombone) and Erbe (flute), spoke to the personal aspect of the master classes. Several artists are harsher in their critiques than others which can sometimes be discouraging. Other guests like to tell their success story to give hope and realization that the results are worth the hard work. One guest moved to New York from Chicago; and with no training since grade school, made a name for himself out of small club gigs.
So how does the UW-Whitewater Music Department get all these world class musicians? Several of them were fellow students of the professors or teachers. Most of them are professors at other great musical universities and thus are easy to research and contact. Those guests who are strictly professional musicians often go on tours of America and on their open days make appearances at colleges and programs much like UW-Whitewater’s. There is a fund-the Visiting Artist fund- that is designated by the college to help bring talented people to the departments.
The next guest artist concert is on October 22 at 7:30 pm. It will be a trio of violin, cello and piano: the Sook Myung Trio with Myung Hee Chung. For tickets call 262-472-2222. General public $5, Over 65 $4 and under 18 and UW-Whitewater students $3
Posted by Serena Sretenovich, Theatre Management and Promotions Major, UW-Whitewater Class of 2012