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Information
on Allegro Con Brio 2007
The
5th Annual Allegro Con Brio event explored how music creates
magic and what the two art forms have in common. Audience
members experienced the thrill of live orchestra music and
the wonder of magic throughout the entire evening.
"The
Magic of Music"
Friday, June 22, 2007
Wayzata Community Church
William Stuber, conductor and artistic director
Michael Carrington, magician
Mozart:
The Magic Flute Overture
Schubert: Symphony #8, "Unfinished"
Mozart: Symphony #41, "Jupiter"
The
Magic of Music
by William Stuber & Michael Carrington
Magic
is the art of entertaining an audience by performing illusions
that baffle and amaze, often by giving the impression that
something impossible has been achieved - almost as if the
performer had magical or supernatural powers. Yet, this illusion
of magic is created entirely by natural means. The British
occultist Dion Fortune once said magic is the art of changing
consciousness at will. When we listen to music, our conscious
minds may be reminded of another place or time in our lives,
we may think of a color or smell, or we may just feel ourselves
relax without knowing it or knowing why it happened.
Music,
as we all need to remind ourselves, is not the notes written
on a piece of paper. Tonight's selections are masterpieces
composed by two of the most brilliant musicians in the rich
history of western music; yet on paper these pieces are dead.
Only through the "magic" of live performance in
front of an audience do the notes come alive and create music.
Yes, the listener plays a crucial role in this trifecta of
composer, performer(s) and audience. The audience's relationship
to the music is critical because the act of listening is an
active role - not passive - and the thoughts and emotions
experienced by the listeners directly affect the performers.
The music is only created, or recreated, in live performance
- each performance creates another magical experience that
is unique and can never be repeated. It is lost forever. That
is what makes the live art of music so magical - it is truly
"in the moment"! It can take on a life and a power
of its own, transcending time and transforming lives. You
see, the audience's and performers' active influence on the
composition is what creates the music - and the magic!
What do
music and magic have in common? First of all, they both start
with the letter "M" and end in "IC". Both
have five letters. They are both considered art forms and
require practice and dedication in order to develop the proper
skills to perform. They are both art forms that can be pursued
as a hobby or profession. Though one can teach oneself in
either of these art forms, it is best to study with a teacher.
Robert McKee, the renowned creative writing instructor wrote,
"Craft (or art) is the sum total of all means used to
draw the audience into deep involvement, to hold that involvement,
and ultimately to reward it with a moving and meaningful experience."
This quote fully describes what we try to accomplish in both
magic and music.
Magic
requires the audience to think. Of course their minds are
active trying to figure out "How did this just happen?"
or "Where did that just come from?". Listening to
a classical concert is quite similar in that we do ask the
audience to be engaged … think ... listen attentively.
"Where did that sound just come from? Aha ... didn't
I hear that melody played earlier but by a different instrument?
Isn't that a variation on something I just heard in the previous
movement ...?" A similarity exists from the visual standpoint.
We watch magic with our eyes. Attending a concert is a visual
experience as well. We love to watch the performers ... watch
their movement … their reactions.
The orchestra conductor is very much like a magician. Nothing
occurs until he points his baton .... (the equivalent to the
magician's magic wand). The conductor, like the magician,
takes control and creates the illusion set forth by the composer.
And of
course timing, or tempo, is crucial to both art forms. Speaking
of timing, it's time to sit back, listen, watch and enjoy
the show that you have to see to believe!
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Michael
Carrington's interest in magic began at the age of 6
when he received his first magic set as a Christmas
gift. Bitten by the magic bug, he continued this interest
as a hobby until he was 13. At that point, Michael began
performing publicly for his church youth groups, birthday
parties, friends and family. He continued honing his
craft by studying with magician Eugene Burger in Chicago,
who is considered by many to be one of the finest close-up
magicians here and abroad. During that time Michael
was the magician for the long-running show "Fun
Stuff", which was a popular Chicago event for families.
He has also performed on cruise ships and worked close-up
magic in Las Vegas.
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Michael's
artistic talents go beyond the realms of magic. In the Chicago
area, he is better known to audiences as Michael Folker, percussionist
for the past 25 years. He is principal percussionist with
the Ravinia Festival Orchestra, Chicago Opera Theater, and
The Joffrey Ballet Orchestra, and is also a member of the
Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Sinfonietta and Lake Forest
Symphony. Michael has performed with the Lyric Opera of Chicago,
the Chicago Symphony and the Milwaukee Symphony as well. Additionally,
he has performed with pop groups including The Moody Blues,
Kansas, and Styx as well as classical performers such as Luciano
Pavarotti. Most recently he performed with Grammy-award singer
Celine Dion for an ABC-televised special entitled, "Concert
for World Children's Day". Michael has degrees from Indiana
University and DePaul University. In addition to performing,
he is the director of percussion at College of DuPage in Glen
Ellyn and associate instructor of percussion at Wheaton College.
Information
on Allegro Con Brio 2006
On June 23, 2006, Allegro Con Brio presented the 4th Annual
Allegro Con Brio event "All That Jazz."
William Stuber, conductor and artistic director
Colton Peltier, 11-year-old pianist
Connie Evingson, jazz singer
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The
evening featured 11-year-old pianist Colton Peltier
and local jazz singer Connie Evingson. The event explored
jazz influences found in orchestra music. Colton Peltier
is described by the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra as a
"phenomenal young pianist" and has won numerous
awards in competitions across the state including Honorable
Mention at the Walgreens National Concerto Competition
at Midwest Young Artists and First place in the MN State
Fair Preteen Amateur Talent Contest.
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"All
That Jazz" from Chicago
"They All Laughed" from Shall We Dance?
Gershwin: Walking the Dog
Stravinsky: Scherzo a la Russe
Grofe: Mississippi Suite, joined by Philharmonic
from the Allegro Orchestra Camp
Ives: Ragtime Dances
Milhaud: The Creation of the World
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue |
Information
on Allegro Con Brio 2005
On June 17, 2005, Allegro Con Brio Presented the 3rd Annual
Allegro Con Brio festival "Mind-Body Connection…
exploring what music ignites, not only for audiences, but
also for musicians."
William Stuber, conductor and artistic director
Stephanie Wendt, renowned pianist
Matthew
Stanford, yoga instructor, author, founder of Mind Body
Solutions, a non-profit organization
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The
evening featured renowned pianist Stephanie Wendt performing
the Grieg Piano Concerto. The concert included Brahms'
Symphony #1, and a side-by-side performance with the advanced
students from Allegro's Orchestra Camp performing Weber's
Der Freischutz Overture. Attendees learned about the parallel
benefits of music and yoga at event. Using Sanford as
the thread linking the music together, the audience was
able to incorporate Sanford's health and wholeness teachings
into their listening and consciously experience a mind-body
connection throughout the concert. Sanford, paralyzed
since age 13 in a car accident, helped audience members
see how music can serve as a rich part of life. |
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