Author
Pianist and conductor Fleisher visits Blair
Feb. 27, 2010—February marked an important visit by pianist and conductor Leon Fleisher, Kennedy Center honoree and undisputed dean of American musicians. Fleisher’s well-documented life story exemplifies both artistic genius and strength of will. After building a career as one of the world’s foremost pianists in the 1950s and early 1960s, he was stricken by a neurological...
From the Dean
Feb. 27, 2010—In October, the faculty of the Blair School of Music approved the first major revision of our core curriculum for music majors since the inception of the collegiate program in 1986. This marks a major milestone in the Blair School’s evolution and continuing maturation. It is really more accurate to say that the curriculum was...
Tutti: Photos
Feb. 27, 2010—VIVA el MAMBO! A Night of Big Band Salsa featuring Lalo Davila, Sylvia Garcia and percussionists John Santos, Dann Sherrill & Marcus Finnie had audience members dancing in Ingram Hall. Vanderbilt’s African Drum and Dance Ensemble with Kwame Ahima, director
Blair sends faculty, students to American Institute of Musical Studies
Feb. 27, 2010—Jonathan Retzlaff, associate professor of voice, returned for his third summer of teaching on the faculty of the American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) in Graz, Austria, last July and August. Jennifer McGuire, voice/opera coach at the Blair School, completed her second summer at AIMS as a staff pianist. MacKenzie Florence, senior soprano from Parkersburg,...
Music Teachers National Association Winners
Feb. 27, 2010—The following pre-college and undergraduate students won awards at the Music Teachers National Association state auditions in November at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tenn. Winners of the state competition move on to the division level, which includes eight states. Marie-Mitsou Akimoto won the Junior Strings division at the MTNA Southern Regional Competition held at...
Balancing Act
Feb. 27, 2010—When she was only 5 years old, Holly Jurca’s father sat her at a piano for the first time. Her feet dangled from the bench and her tiny fingers barely reached the keys, but she and the instrument connected. A decade later, Holly is among the upper echelon of pianists her age and already making...
From Stage to Stage
Feb. 27, 2010—In As You Like It William Shakespeare wrote that “all the world’s a stage.” That expression describes Alicia Enstrom’s life perfectly. Enstrom, BMus’09, has performed on the violin all over the world—from the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville to venues in China, Korea and throughout Europe. Enstrom grew up in Topeka, Kan., in a musical...
Quarter Note Staff – Spring 2010 Issue
Feb. 27, 2010—The Blair Quarter Note, the newsletter of the Blair School of Music, is published twice a year in cooperation with Development and Alumni Relations Communications for alumni, current students and their parents and other friends of the School. The Blair Quarter Note, Vol. 34, No. 1, Spring 2010 © 2010 by Vanderbilt University. All rights...
Blocks Away from Music History
Feb. 27, 2010—It’s only a few blocks from the Blair School of Music to Music Row, but they once seemed light years apart. Today, Blair bridges the gap between the popular music world and the academic study of music by bringing the talent and experience of popular musicians into the classroom. Keyboard/accordionist Jen Gunderman, solo artist/music journalist...
A Different Language to Learn
Feb. 27, 2010—Seniors Alyssa Weinberg, Matt Clark and Ben Hart are exploring septuplets in Marianne Ploger’s advanced ear training and sight singing class. Referring to Robert Starer’s Rhythmic Training, they count and clap together, examining rhythm in a basic way. “Ta! Ta! Ta-ta-ta-ta!” the student trio intones, all the while lightly clapping their hands on their thighs....