| Jenece Gerber earned a BA at Bowling Green State University (1995) in a self-designed program of study in Ethnomusicology with an emphasis in Music Composition and a minor in Women's Studies. MMus University of Akron (2005) in Music Composition. Also just a recital short of the MMus from the University of Akron in Vocal Performance. Beginning PhD work at SUNY Buffalo in Music Composition in Fall 2005.
Special studies in Balinese Music on Bali, Indonesia (summer 1993), 1995 National Winner of the MTNA/CPP-Belwin Student Composition Competition (collegiate division), member of ASCAP, SCI, AMC, and IAWM. Upcoming event: "Oregon Sketches" for solo piano to be performed at SCI National Convention in Greensboro, NC.
Currently serving as Teaching Assistant in Music Composition at Brevard Music Center (Summer 2005).
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Monday, June 20, 2005
Greetings from Brevard Music Center in Western North Carolina!!!
I've been asked to blog on my experiences as a Composer in a summer music program, namely here at Brevard. It's been unseasonably cold and ever rainy these past two days since my arrival, but so far the food is edible and the myriad hills provide all the exercise I need.
Some of what you might expect to read here throughout the summer are my reactions to working in this concentrated environment of educators, performers and composers. This year we have a New Music Ensemble "Itch" for whom we will be writing. The experience of working directly and intensely with an ensemble whose purpose is to perform OUR MUSIC is quite unique in such summer programs. I think this might turn out to be one of the greatest benefits of the summer.
The opera program began a week ago, but most chamber musicians, faculty, and teaching assistants arrived on Saturday. The bulk of the population is yet to arrive...this is set to happen on Wednesday. I'm working as the teaching assistant in composition. I'm not sure quite what I'm supposed to be doing, though I believe tomorrow we're setting up the MIDI lab and on Wednesday I'll be around to welcome the composers for the summer. This year we have 13 composition students, including myself, ranging from ages 15 to 33. It's my first summer here, which happened to work out great between my Masters (University of Akron) and PhD studies (SUNY Buffalo). I packed most of my belongings into storage, found an apartment in Buffalo, and headed out on the 550 mile drive here.
I arrived about an hour before the great thunderstorm (we've had one every afternoon thus far). Our composition director, John Beall (West Virginia University), arrived in the middle of the fury. Dr. Beall will be our primary teacher this summer, but we'll be welcoming several guests, including Daniel McCarthy (my former teacher from the University of Akron) for the premiere of his Bassoon Concerto and Donald Freund, who will be Composer-In-Residence for 2 weeks in July. There's more information about the Composition program at Brevard Music Center here.
Brevard Music Center is 69 years old this year. It welcomes 400 students each summer in the following programs: orchestra, opera, chamber, composition, and piano. There are over 80 performances scheduled for this year, most of which showcase the talented young students who attend, performing alongside the 65 faculty and numerous guest artists.
Thanks for reading and send me any related thoughts/insights! Check back frequently and expect to see something new a couple times per week!
posted by Jenece C. Gerber
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