The Spy sat down with Richard Rosenberg to discuss the concept of the National Music Festival and its Chestertown debut. Maestro Rosenberg comes to town with an extraordinarily rich and diverse resume of experience as he prepares to launch what may become one of the Eastern Shore’s most popular summer events.
Why does this Festival exist?
The Festival exists to fill a need in the classical music world – the need for young musicians to hone their craft in an intense environment and a professional timetable. We also offer opportunities for students to learn about the business side of music (how to read a contract, how to promote themselves), to learn how to avoid stress injuries, and we try to instill into our apprentices a sense of entrepreneurship – because none of these things are commonly taught in colleges and conservatories, but they are vital for these young musicians to survive their careers.
Who does it serve?
The primary purpose of the Festival is to serve as an orchestral training workshop to provide mentorship and performance opportunities to talented musicians on the cusp of their professional careers. The wonderful byproduct of this is that the musicians present about 200 rehearsals and over 25 concerts for the community and tourists to enjoy – so it serves both the musicians and the community.
Who are the musicians, where do they come from, and what do they learn? What happens after they leave?
The musicians come from all over the world – last year there were 26 states and 15 countries represented. The apprentices are chosen through a competitive application process, and are selected by their mentors. They submit their applications and recordings (or videos, for conductors) online, and we forward those applications to the mentors.
They learn how to make the transition from being a student to being a professional. As a student, they generally have nine rehearsals and then one concert. As a professional, when they are on probation for their first year in an orchestral position, they may have as little as one rehearsal, and multiple concerts! Playing in orchestra and chamber ensembles next to mentors in their own discipline as well as others helps them learn how to make this transition much more efficiently. After they have successfully completed their apprenticeships, there is an ongoing relationship between the apprentices and the Festival. We intend for the mentor/apprentice relationship to last beyond the two-week Festival, and we, as mentors, continue to assist our apprentices however can, whether that be writing recommendation letters, advising them when they have questions, or any other way we might be able to help them as they continue to perfect their skills and search for a job. We have had a pretty good track record in helping our alumni to find work; in the last year my former students have won positions as assistant conductors of the Boston Symphony, Boston Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, Nashville Symphony and Fort Wayne Philharmonic, and one as the Music Director of the Arkansas Symphony. Another of my former students, Julien Benichou, is Music Director of the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra here on the Eastern Shore.
What kind of music is going to be played? How do you choose the repertoire for the Festival?
Most of the music is classical, although we also incorporate some jazz and improvisatory events. In programming the concerts, I aim for a blend of familiar music that will be pleasing to both the musicians and the audience, music that is unfamiliar but pleasing, music that will help the apprentices prepare for their auditions, music that you will leave whistling, music that will stretch the boundaries of the musicians and audiences, and unusual pieces, whether they be works by forgotten composers, or novel works such as the “CATcerto.”
What is the benefit of this program to Chestertown?
Last year in Floyd, VA, the Festival brought an estimated economic impact of $170,000 to the local businesses there. We expect that the impact will be greater here in Chestertown, and that the businesses in Chestertown and Kent County will benefit enormously from the Festival’s presence.
The music world benefits from the young musicians who polish their skills here, and who hopefully go out into the world and not only make great music, but are entrepreneurial, and bring classical music to people and communities who might not otherwise have access to it. The music world also benefits from the work we do in rediscovering lost or forgotten works of music, which we premiere (or give modern premieres) at the Festival, and some of which we will be recording for the Naxos record label.
Spy: To be honest, its pretty rare for good old Chestertown to have a classical music festival decide to knock on our door wanting to have it here. How did this all happen?
My wife, Caitlin, grew up on the Eastern Shore and lived in Chestertown for much of her life. She graduated from Washington College. I visited Chestertown with her a number of times and enjoyed my time here. When we realized that the Festival would not be able to grow in Floyd, VA, we knew we would have to move the Festival but didn’t know where. We were in Chestertown in October 2011 for our wedding, and decided then to seriously consider moving the Festival here. We met with Leslie Raimond, Executive Director of the Kent County Arts Council, a couple of days after our wedding, and also spoke with Margo Bailey. Caitlin returned soon after and spent a week here, meeting with many community members and organizations. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and we decided that Chestertown was the right place for the Festival. So far, we couldn’t be happier about that decision.
Spy: Where do the students stay?
The students all stay in private homes in the community. We have been so pleased with the response from the community, but we are still seeking people to host musicians in their homes.
Spy: How does the community engage with the NMF? Will there be performances folks can attend?
There will be over 25 performances, and about 200 rehearsals. All of the rehearsals are free and open to the public, including young children. The community can also engage with the Festival by hosting musicians in their homes and volunteering. We will also offer informative lectures, both before the Festival begins and prior to each full orchestra concert.
Lodging businesses may want to offer package deals, including lodging and concert tickets. We would love to work with businesses on offers like this. Restaurants may want to open on days that they are not normally open, or stay open later at night – most musicians can’t eat before concerts, but are ravenous afterwards.
Spy: Will there be free performances?
In addition to the free open rehearsals, there will be several free, informal performances, including two at the Farmers’ Market on June 9 and 16.
Spy: What do you like best about Chestertown as a venue for this kind of thing?
The community here in Chestertown – and the rest of Kent County – has been incredibly welcoming to the Festival and to us personally. It is also a very artistic and arts-centered community, with great concert venues.
June 3 to 16, 2012
Season Pass $160
Individual tickets $10 and $15
all rehearsals are free and open to the public
for the full schedule click here: National Music Festival
jim drayton says
So when is the festival? Contact information?
Mary Wood says
Who do we contact about hosting ?
Caitlin Patton says
Jim: The Festival is June 3-16, 2012, and will take place annually at about the same time each year. You can contact us at [email protected], http://www.nationalmusic.us, or 443.480.8291. Please let us know if you have any other questions!
Mary: If you are interested in hosting, please send me an email at [email protected] or give me a call at 443.480.8291.
Thanks!