BEYOND the Stage A look at Britt’s education & engagement programs that inspire and engage

ISSUE 3 | FALL 2014

ARTS CAREER EXPLORATION This spring Britt embarked on the pilot year for our new Arts Career Exploration (ACE) Program. Working in partnership with the Medford School District, ACE uses the arts to help underserved high school students become more college and workforce ready by connecting them to real-world experiences in a professional environment.

Thirteen juniors and seniors are participating in the program and they’ve had a Britt-filled summer. In addition to attending a variety of concerts and events on the hill, our ACEs have had exclusive meetings with tour managers and artists. They met with music director Teddy Abrams and had a workshop on the physics of live sound engineering with George Relles, Britt’s sound provider for the past 34 years. ACEs assisted with the Classical Family Concert and acted as stage crew for Performance Garden concerts. They’ve job shadowed our box office staff, director of house operations, development associates, and marketing director. They’ve also learned a great deal about how we make programming decisions at Britt. Next spring they will put all this learning into practice as we turn our Performance Garden over to

them to present a live event of their choosing.

This fall, we are bringing the learning back to the Britt office. Bi-weekly ACE meetings will focus on readings and discussions around aesthetics, as the students learn to articulate their own philosophies about what makes good art. By winter break, the ACEs will decide what shape they want their spring event to take and they’ll start to form a budget to support that event. We’ll also have more guest speakers, field trips to other local arts organizations, and more.

The ACE program was funded in large part by a Connecting Students to the World of Work Grant from the Oregon Arts Commission (OAC) with additional funding from the Pacific Power Foundation, the Oregon Community Foundation’s Campagna Fund, the Anna May Family Foundation, the Wheeler Foundation, and contributions from individual donors.

PHOTOS (from the top): ACEs with Michael Franti Tour Manager, Jason Bell ; ACEs learn about the music business from the members of Time for Three ; ACE intern helps with crafts at the children’s concert; ACE interns learns about sound gear.

Photo by Rachel Jones

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: A Q&A with camp alum, Gabriel Neimark...page 2

A MUSICAL JOURNEY: An interactive performance for children...page 3

BRINGING BACK STRINGS: String Quartet Academy returns...page 3

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: New garden provides opportunity...page 4

Photo by Lisa LaPierre

Photo by Vicki Rosette

Photo by Mike Sturgill

Q&A WITH BRITT CAMP ALUM, GABRIEL NEIMARK Percussionist and Britt camp alum, Gabriel Neimark, is a freshman at Ashland High School, where he is in band and the percussion ensemble. At Ashland Middle School, Gabriel participated in the Jazz and Concert Bands. He earned seats in the Oregon All-State Middle School Band and the Rogue Valley Honor Band, and was a member of the Rogue Community College Jazz Band. This summer, Gabriel was one of a select group of student musicians chosen to be a part of the Into the Woods orchestra at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. His teachers are Tom Freeman and Pam Vellutini.

At what age did you begin studying music?

Age 8

Was there a specific moment that led to your interest in studying music?

No, there wasn’t a specific moment, but I grew up listening to music all the time, and living in Ashland I was extensively exposed to the arts and I knew that music was something I wanted to do.

What influence did school music education have on your music studies and pursuits?

School music education has helped show me the importance of the technical side of music such as music theory, rudiments and so on.

What is your primary instrument? Do you play others as well?

My primary instrument is drums/percussion but I also play the trombone and some piano.

What sort of role does music play in your life?

Music has a huge role in my life. It takes the place of sports and all other extra-curricular activities. Other than academics it is my main focus in life.

Which and how many Britt summer music camps have you attended?

I have attended the Britt Rock Camp three times and the Beyond the Page camp twice. I’ve also had the unique privilege of performing at Britt’s Table Rock Stage for Huey Lewis and the News (2012) and also the Britt Main Stage for the Best of Britt gala fundraiser (2013) with Black Tie Affair — the band I formed during my second year of Britt Rock Camp.

In general, what did you learn at these camps?

I’ve learned how to improve on my instrument and learned about the music business. I’ve learned how to work in collaboration with other musicians and expand my overall understanding of music.

What is your favorite Britt camp memory?

My favorite Britt camp memory was when my band at the 2012 Britt Rock Camp, Black Tie Affair, finished writing our first song.

Have Britt’s education programs helped you to become a better musician?

Absolutely. Britt camps have taught me so much about music, being a musician and playing with other musicians. The skills I have learned at Britt camps are invaluable. I would definitely not be the musician I am today without them.

Do you plan to make music a life-long endeavor, perhaps even a career?

Yes, I do plan to make music a part of the rest of my life in one way or another. As far as a career, it’s hard to say. It is a possibility, but who knows. Either way, music will certainly continue to be an important part of my life.

PHOTOS: Gabe on drums at the 2012 Rock Camp (left) and Gabe on trombone at the 2014 Project Beyond the Page camp (right).

Photo by Vicki Rosette

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The skills I have learned at Britt camps are invaluable. I would definitely not

be the musician I am today without them.“

Photo by Lisa LaPierre

A MUSICAL JOURNEYOnce upon a time in a Performance Garden not so far away, little ones from all over the land came together to enjoy the magical sounds of enchanting music makers.

On July 31, children and their families came to the new Britt Performance Garden to experience a musical journey led by Music Director Teddy Abrams. Along with clarinetist Johnny Teyssier and violinist Alison Luthmers Teyssier, Abrams brought tall-tale elements to life with a selection of music from Eastern Europe and beyond, conjuring images of storybook forests and ancient castles.

Tailored to children seven and under, the interactive performance gave our young guests the opportunity to see the instruments up close and in action. Abrams provided an interactive conducting lesson, and Alison and Johnny demonstrated the waltz, a dance with a long history in both folk life and ballrooms. Britt Education staff and ACE interns provided materials and assistance for children to create and decorate their very own shakers, which allowed the children to engage as performers as well.

A graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and the Colburn School, Johnny Teyssier is laureate of the Juventus organization, which recognizes the most talented young soloists in Europe. He presents recitals and appears as a soloist with orchestras around the globe. Luthmers Teyssier performs on both baroque and modern violin in a number of ensembles, including the period group, Arborea Ensemble. The husband and wife team based in Sweden also form the duo Le Mistral arranging classical works and folk music. Additionally, Abrams and Teyssier collaborate as members of the Sixth Floor Trio, connecting music of different genres and presenting to diverse audiences.

It was a pleasure to bring Music Director Teddy Abrams into our educational programming in his inaugural season, as he shares Britt’s dedication to bringing music to a wide range of listeners.

PHOTOS: Teddy Abrams, Johnny Teyssier and Alison Luthmers Teyssier interact with kids during this summer’s Classical Family Concert.

STRING QUARTET ACADEMY RETURNS TO BRITT The summer of 2015 will see the return of Britt’s long-running String Quartet Academy, an intensive program tailored to talented and advanced violinists, violists, and cellists. Students in the String Quartet Academy attend daily ensemble rehearsals, quartet coaching sessions, and master classes. They also attend rehearsals and concerts by the Britt Orchestra, and participate in a variety of public performances.

We are very excited to welcome the Dover Quartet to Britt as our ensemble-in-residence. Recently proclaimed “the young American string quartet of the moment” by The New Yorker, the Dover Quartet has become one of the most in-

demand ensembles since their sweep of the prestigious 2013 Banff International String Quartet Competition. Formed at the venerated Curtis Institute of Music, the Dover was the Institute’s first ever Quartet-in-Residence, a title they also held at the Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. Although based in Philadelphia, the group has a local connection —cellist Camden Shaw is an Ashland native!

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Photos by Vicki Rosette

NEW VENUE PROVIDES FOR EXPANDED PROGRAMMINGAs you entered the Britt Amphitheater this season, you likely heard music emanating from the new Performance Garden just beyond the box office. On concert nights, Britt features local and regional artists such as Elias DeLeault, The Evening Shades, and The New Reeds Sax Quartet on the Performance Garden stage for our Table Rock City Series, which runs before main stage acts begin.

The Performance Garden also provides flexibility for other types of events, allowing for more education programming. This year, Britt hosted a series of free and affordably priced events meant to engage a greater cross section of the southern Oregon community.

In its first summer, the Performance Garden served as a venue for our Rock Camp showcase and for Project Trio, the acclaimed chamber group that brings Britt’s classical improvisation camp, Project: Beyond the Page, to life. Free performances included a Uke-Along, featuring faculty of the 2nd Annual Ukulele Getaway, and a spirited

Sing-Along with local favorites, The Rogue Suspects.

Several other events were offered for a minimal fee of $5. Drumming enthusiasts joined together for Rhythm at Britt, a facilitated drum circle with Kerry “Shakerman” Greene. We also presented Dabbling in Dance with Salsa Brava. This 30-minute salsa lesson and two hours of enthusiastic music began a new tradition of dance on the Britt campus with a lively crowd.

Thanks to the James F. and Marion Miller Foundation, the Carrico Family Foundation, Britt patrons and donors, the Performance Garden has made expanded programming a wonderful new reality. After our successful inaugural summer, we look forward to bringing even more family and community events to the venue.

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Photo by Lisa LaPierre

Photo by Mike Sturgill

Photo by Alex Gontcharov