The Well-Tempered Ear
Classical music: The Ear names the Middleton
Community Orchestra and adult amateur musicmakers as Musicians of the Year for 2014. | December
31, 2014
By Jacob Stockinger
Today is New Year‘s Eve, 2014.
Each year, I close out the old year and greet the new year by naming a Musician of the Year.
I heard a lot of great music this past year.
Much of it you can relive in the year-end roundup by John W. Barker, the regular classical music
critic for Isthmus who also contributes so much to this blog.
Here is a link that that roundup:
http://welltempered.wordpress.com/2014/12/30/classical-music-here-is-a-wrap-up-of-the-best-of-2014-inmadison-thanks-to-isthmus-critic-john-w-barker/
One of the ways in which John and I agree –- and in fact, we usually do agree — is regarding the
Middleton Community Orchestra (below) for its admirable achievements in only four seasons.
As loyal readers know, I am a big supporter of music education. In fact, for the sake of full
disclosure, I should say that I sit on the board of the Wisconsin Youth Symphony
Orchestras (WYSO). And music education for young people and young students is about a lot more
than music, as so much social science and psychological research continues to prove.
But this year I want to recognize ADULT amateur musicians.
These days, adult amateurs may seem unusual or an exception. But the historical fact is that for
centuries, classical music was primarily the domain of amateur rather than professional performers.
So I am singling out the Middleton Community Orchestra, which uses some professional talent, but relies
mostly on amateurs.
I have already written about how they point the way to the future for larger ensembles with the
shorter programs; with the kind of music that is programmed; with the low price of admission ($10
for adults and FREE for students); and with the post-concert socializing with musicians and other
audience members (below) — all of which adds up to a laudable community service that integrates
a performing art into everyday life and society. That is a mission worth supporting.
Here is a older review that I did. In it I talk about some of what I admire by giving nine reasons to
attend the MCO:
http://welltempered.wordpress.com/2012/06/04/classical-music-review-let-us-now-praise-amateur-musicmakers-and-restoring-sociability-to-art-here-are-9-reasons-why-i-liked-and-you-should-attend-themiddleton-community-orchestra/
But the MCO, founded by members Mindy Taranto and Larry Bevic, is as much about hearing great and
accessible music as it is about community service.
I will long remember piano concertos by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Edvard Grieg played
by UW-Madison pianist Thomas Kasdorf, who will perform the famously popular Piano Concerto
No. 1 in B-Flat Minor — the signature concerto of Van Cliburn — by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky with
the MCO this spring.
I will also remember Madison-born, UW-trained and Juilliard-trained violist Vicki Powell (below) in
shorter and unknown works by Johann Nepomuk Hummel and Max Bruch.
I will long remember former MCO concertmaster Alice Bartsch, who studied at the UW-Madison
School of Music, in a wonderful interpretation of a Romance by Antonin Dvorak before she left
for graduate studies at McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
The same held true for Alice’s gifted violinist sister, Eleanor Bartsch, when she was joined (below) by
fellow UW-Madison grad Daniel Kim in Mozart’s sublime Sinfonia Concertante for violin and viola.
And I will remember the most recent performance with Madison Symphony Orchestra’s amazing
principal clarinetist Joe Morris performing a rarely heard concerto by the under-appreciated 20thcentury English composer Gerald Finzi.
I will also remember fondly performances of symphonies by Antonin Dvorak and Johannes Brahms
done by the MCO under the baton of conductor Steve Kurr (below), who teaches music at Middleton
High School. (The MCO performs in the Middleton Performing Arts Center that is attached to the
high school.)
As with so many groups, including professional ones, booking great soloists seems to push the
performers in the group to an even high level of playing. But the MCO takes care to book soloists
with local ties, including soprano Emily Birsan who recently was at the Lyric Opera of Chicago,
which adds an element of local pride to the event.
The MCO has some appealing concerts coming up in 2015. It deserves to have even larger audiences
at its mid-week concerts.
Here is a link to their website, where you can see photos and learn about how to support the group and how
to join the group as well as what concerts and program the MCO will perform during the rest of this season.
http://middletoncommunityorchestra.org
But I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention other ways that are outlets for adult amateur
musicians.
They include the University of Wisconsin Choral Union (below) and many other local choirs,
including the Isthmus Vocal Ensemble, the Madison Symphony Chorus and Madison Opera Chorus,
the Wisconsin Chamber Symphony Chorus, the Wisconsin Chamber Choir, the Festival Choir -– to
say nothing of the many church choirs, secular choirs and adult amateur performing groups in
Madison and the surrounding area.
So leaving 2014 and heading into 2015, The Ear -– who is himself an avid amateur pianist —
proclaims the new year to be The Year of the Adult Amateur.
If you want to sing, join a choir.
If you want to play an instrument, start practicing or sign up for lessons. It is never too late, even
after retirement.
And if you want to perform and share the joy and love of music with others, find an outlet, including
the Middleton Community Orchestra.
Nothing beats the thrill of experiencing music from the inside.
So don’t just listen to music.
Make it!
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Related
Classical music: This Wednesday night, warm up to Spring with the Middleton Community Orchestra,
which will perform music by Mozart, Brahms and Rimsky-Korsakov with guest violin and viola soloists
and a guest conductor, who are all distinguished graduates of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School
of Music.In "Classical music"
Classical music: Under guest conductor Kevin McMahon of Sheboygan, the Middleton Community
Orchestra rises to guest string soloists Daniel Kim and Eleanor Bartsch in Mozart, then warms up the
winter with colorful Rimsky-Korsakov and lyrical Brahms.In "Classical music"
Classical music: The Middleton Community Orchestra opens its season with polished viola playing from
Vicki Powell and infectious enthusiasm from the entire orchestra in a Dvorak symphony.In "Classical
music"
Posted in Classical music
Tags: amateur, Arts, Beethoven, Brahms, Canada, Chicago, chorus, church, clarinet, Classical music,
concerto, duet, Dvorak, Emily Birsan, Gerald Finzi, Jacob Stockinger, Johannes Brahms, John W. Barker,
Juilliard School, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Madison, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Max Bruch, McGill
University, Middleton Community Orchestra, Montreal, Mozart, Music, New Year, New Year's Eve, New
York City, Orchestra, Performing arts, Piano, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, secular, Sinfonia Concertante,
singer, soloist, song, Thomas Kasdorf, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music, University of
Wisconsin–Madison, UW Choral Union, Van Cliburn, Viola, Violin, vocal music, Wisconsin Youth
Symphony Orchestras, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, WYSO
6 Comments »
1.
I, too, enjoy the Middleton Community Orchestra performances. Thank you for highlighting their
work. It always amazes me how many young people participate in school orchestras, bands and
choirs, and how few adults participate in community groups.
And I agree 101% with your statement that “Nothing beats the thrill of experiencing music from
the inside.”
I do that with the Madison Symphony Chorus and Madison Municipal Band. Don’t forget about
the various other community bands in the area. Madison Brass Band is one and I’ve heard of a
band in Verona. I’m sure there are more.
Comment by George Shook — December 31, 2014 @ 12:34 pm
Reply
o
Thank you for your praise and especially your suggestions.
Comment by welltemperedear — December 31, 2014 @ 12:49 pm
Reply
2.
Another pair of options: The Studio Orchestra (a chamber orchestra that plays a combination of
classical and pops music) and Dimensions in Sound (a big band). Both perform in nursing homes
and assisted living facilities. Info can be found at: http://disso.org.
Comment by Steve Rankin — December 31, 2014 @ 9:42 am
Reply
o
Great additions and suggestions.
Thank you.
Comment by welltemperedear — December 31, 2014 @ 12:49 pm
Reply
3.
There are lots of playing opportunities for adult amateurs here in the Madison area. We are very
fortunate! Some more examples: the Edgewood Chamber Orchestra and the Madison Community
Orchestra, as well as some chamber music clubs that meet in homes and other venues. Lots of fun!
Comment by R Anderson — December 31, 2014 @ 12:08 am
Reply
o
Thank you for reading and adding some more specific names. You are right. There are a
lot of opportunities for adult amateur music-makers.
Comment by welltemperedear — December 31, 2014 @ 6:52 am
Reply
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July 2012