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).


Thursday, June 30, 2005
Software/where?

I had to fly back to Ohio for my grandmother's funeral, so I was gone over the weekend and just got back mid-day on Tuesday. But I'm finally back in action and have something to report.

The composers have been ITCHing for notation software. We have our Midi lab fairly well established (including coffee maker and fridge of course) but composers without their own computers/software have had to practice the age-old technique of scratching on manuscript. While I think this forced technological abstinence might be beneficial to the inner ear, it's good to finally have the software...just installed this morning. I've found it extremely useful to get away from the computer to scratch on paper that which I hear but cannot so simply notate. All the non-standard notation stuff requires it (non-metered, cross-staff, aleatoric...). I think more slowly and honestly with manuscript paper in hand than I do with computer equipment in its stead.

We've been studying the music of George Crumb, which is a particular interest of Dr. Beall. Personally I've been very influenced by Crumb's work in both concrete and metaphoric ways. We're in for a "percussion tour" and a theremin demonstration/experience soon. I had my first composition lesson yesterday in the composer's cottage on the far side of campus up by Maestro Effron's cottage. Of course the trip up there was in the middle of a torrential deluge to the symphony of thunder and the dramatics of lightning, but I bundled up with my computer equipment and scores on my back and the "flasher" raincoat over-top it all so that I looked like the Hunchback of Notre Dame and arrived fairly dry. My shoes are another matter. I'm writing a piece for the Pierrot-instrumentation new music ensemble "Itch" here at Brevard. I'm also including a singer and the text is my own creation as well. It's a good project.

Last night the first Faculty Chamber Recital of the season was held at the Porter Center of Brevard College. I can't possibly attend all concerts and work and get my own stuff done, but last night's recital repertoire drew me in and the performers delivered an experience well worth the temporal investment. They performed Prokofiev's Quintet #39, an amazingly moving work for oboe, clarinet, violin, viola, and double bass. The performers superbly rendered the piece with the urgency and energy fitting of the best of Prokofiev. Faculty also performed several of the short 44 violin duets of Bartok and the Brahms Viola Quintet. It was an inspirational and rousing event! For more information on Brevard concerts, please visit the Brevard Music Center website.

Soft Where? There are not a lot of comfy seats around here, just a lot of unpadded chairs and benches and the obligatory camp bunk beds for students...the concert last night gave us a well-deserved opportunity to relax in soft chairs in a climate-controlled hall. Send Tempur-Pedic mattresses and bean-bag chairs for all!
posted by Jenece C. Gerber