'Tis The Season For Music
By Courtney Oliver
"'Tis the season to be jolly! Falalalalalalalala..." when it comes to Christmas carols, this is perhaps one of my favorite opening verses. No build-up, no soft opining, just straight to the joyful point. It's as if the composer was absolutely bursting with Christmas cheer and could not wait to share and almost childlike in its sheer enthusiasm.
Perhaps like many of you, though, I'm having trouble being jolly this season. I know the reason, you know the reason, but quite frankly, I'm tired of saying that particular c-word. No, not Christmas. Christmas is the one c-word I should be excited about, but I haven’t quite managed to get there. Like any good marketing professional, though, I have a plan. What inspired my plan requires a little back story, though.
Gwen Oliver (Age 6) and Luke Oliver (Age 4) before Ballet Spartanburg’s 2019 production of The Nutcracker. Papa Oliver is not pictured
Earlier this year, my Father-in-law (a dedicated music enthusiast with a vast, nearly encyclopedic knowledge of the catalog of western classical music) decided it was time to introduce his grandchildren (ages 5 and 7) to his favorite genre. So when the March call to renew his Philharmonic season tickets arrived, he joyfully added two youth subscriptions. They had enjoyed Ballet Spartanburg's The Nutcracker with him the season before; now, they would get to hear the live orchestral score performed by the Spartanburg Philharmonic as well. Plus, Beethoven's Eroica and Holst's The Planets, epic symphonies for little ears - what joy! However, by this point in the year, you all know how the story goes from there.
While an online concert will never entirely replace the live experience, I am so glad that the Philharmonic has found ways to continue to make music this season. Through Ludwig: Heroes & Revolution, I was still able to share orchestral music with my children as my father-in-law hoped and revel in the sheer beauty of a magnificent work like Eroica. We have some work to do on their attention span, but I know it will grow the more they have the opportunity to experience classical music. Like many of you, we haven't yet had the chance to watch 'Burg Bound as a family. Of course, I've seen it myself, but I am looking forward to sharing it with the rest of my family because I know that there is so much joy to be found in each piece.
Familiar pieces, carefully arranged by our Composer-In-Residence, Peter B. Kay, and grandly and triumphantly performed by our musicians are just the highlights of the ‘Burg Bound program. From my perspective behind the scenes, I have a few stories and observations that make the program and the pieces therein that much more special.
Interim concertmaster and Principal Violin, Callie Brennan, shared with me that she was most looking forward to performing Ashokan Farewell because it was the first piece she ever learned. Although a simple composition, it's the one her mother always loves to hear her play. At the time of the September recording, she had not seen her mother since before March. Callie dedicated her solo in Ashokan Farewell to her mother. Every movement of her bow and fluid note she pulls from her strings rings of the deep love and dedication of a daughter and talented musician.
For many, Christmas means The Nutcracker. As a ballet lover myself, I was excited to find at least a small way to still partner with Ballet Spartanburg this season, and I know I'm not alone in this. While recording with company dancers Carrie Preus and Brenton Taft, there was a near palpable sense of excitement and anticipation in the room. As they began to dance, it became clear to me that much like our musicians, performing even a single suite brought immense joy not only to their faces but also to each step, turn, and lift.
When Peter arranged the Philharmonic's version of Silent Night, he did so with Simone Mack-Orr's voice in mind. You may not think it would, but having a piece perfectly fitted to a particular vocalist makes an incredible difference to the final performance. It allows the vocalist to truly "own" the music and give it their all. And own it, Simone does. She had recently had a child herself at the time of our recording, and I can’t help but think she was picturing her own sweet baby which added yet another layer of warmth to her performance. Her voice is simply beautiful, to begin with, but together with our orchestra, I get chills each time I watch Silent Night. It's simply that beautiful.
A few other tidbits, Brennan Szafron shook the rafters with his organ solo during "Twelve Days of Christmas." Young guest soloist, Mark Coolidge, was sweetly nervous about performing Frosty The Snowman and Gesù Babino on such a grand stage as Twichell's. But his courage, bravery, and dedication to his craft shone through in his performances.
So, while the concert may not be live, there is still so much beauty and delight to be found in each note. In the absence of my usual "jolly" Christmas nature, I am looking to classical music, particularly 'Burg Bound, as a way to recapture it. I know that within each note I will find a sense of peace, a reminder of family, the inspiration to be brave, and the absolute and childlike joy of the holiday season.
If you haven't yet watched 'Burg Bound, or even if you have, I invite you to watch it again and again. Listen for the pride in a young singer's voice as he nails his high note. Please pay close attention to the dancers and actors featured as they pour their love for their art into their performances. Watch for the sparkle in the musicians' eyes at the joy of finally getting to make music together; there's no doubt that they are smiling behind their masks.
On behalf of the entire Spartanburg Philharmonic, I hope that this holiday season finds you safe, well, and hopefully with a feeling of joy. Happy Holidays and Warmest Wishes To All Of You.
Courtney Oliver is the Marketing and Special Events Manager for the Spartanburg Philharmonic