Nathan Bamberger, horn
Champlain Valley Union High School
Joined VYOA in 2013
VYPhilharmonia – 1 year
VYO – 2 years
What do you love about playing your instrument?
The reason I love playing the horn is because of its versatility. It contains such a wide array of colors and dynamics, and the four octave range is nothing to sneeze at either. As a player you have to have knowledge of how to sound like a brass instrument, a woodwind instrument, and at times a string instrument, jumping in between whenever the moment calls for it. The timbre of the horn allows you to be not only loud and brassy, such as with the Infernal Dance from Stravinsky’s The Firebird Suite, but also smooth and elegant, such as with Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, and also heroic and bold, as with Strauss’s Ein Heldenleben. Knowing how to walk the fine line of these sounds is what makes the horn so amazing to play, constantly shifting the character of your playing to either support or lead sections. You really are the glue that holds the orchestra together, blending the distinct sounds of the three major sections, while also containing enough unique characteristics to have your part stand out.
What has been the most memorable experience you’ve had with VYO?
The most memorable experience I have had with VYO was playing the first and last movements of Borodin’s Symphony No. 2 on our tour of Iceland. At that point I was still in VYP, so being invited to go on the trip was such a huge honor. The first time I saw VYO in concert was during the 2014 OrchestraChorusPalooza concert, where they played the full symphony. I remember thinking that they sounded amazing, and that there was no way I could sound like that. When I found out that I was invited on the tour, and that we would be playing that specific piece, it was a full circle moment for me.
What would you like to change about the classical music world?
If there could be one thing I would change about the classical music world, it would be to make it more diverse. When we talk about the history of classical music, we are almost strictly talking about old white guys, the remnants of that we are still seeing today. Minority groups have so many unique stories to express not only through the music of the great classical composers, but through works of their own. I hope to see someday that a woman conducting a major orchestra isn’t seen as revolutionary, it’s the norm. I hope to see black and latinx musicians get equal opportunities to bear their souls through this great artform. A diverse world means a greater collection of ideas, where we can pull from more experiences and create more interesting music. That is what I hope for in the future of this great artform.
What was your biggest musical breakthrough?
For me, my greatest musical breakthrough was being accepted into Carnegie Hall’s NYO2 program. Coming from Vermont you don’t really get a lot of experiences when it comes to classical music, beside VYO and Allstate. It’s almost like you’re trapped in a musical bubble, without much exposure to the outside world. NYO2 showed me that my level of playing was better than I thought it was, and it gave me the confidence to keep pushing myself beyond what I thought was possible. It exposed me to people who were just as driven and passionate as I was, and gave me a group of friends who help me achieve my highest musical ability. It helped me understand how a professional orchestra runs, and how hard one has to work to get there. The connections I made gave me a greater understanding of my abilities, and how to work with people to make truly exceptional music.
What is the greatest musical challenge you have ever faced?
Without a doubt, soloing with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. It was the first solo I’d ever performed, so I was going into unknown territory. Also, in being asked to perform instead of audition, I felt the pressure of the VSO assuming I was good enough to perform with them, instead of actually earning the opportunity. I was up until midnight and a couple occasions trying to make sure that the more technical passages of the concerto were together and clean, but sometimes it felt that whenever I made a step forward, I took two steps back the next day. I was mentally exhausting, the pressure I had put on myself was hard to deal with sometimes, but when I got onstage during our first rehearsal I felt completely comfortable. That experience taught me that sometimes it’s better to let go than to drill a passage for hours on end. The great thing about live performance is the spontaneity of it, the reality that anything could happen at any time. It’s good to just let things happen every once in a while.
If you could perform with any musician, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
If I could perform with any musician, it would be a five way tie between Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Richard Strauss, Richard Wagner, and Gustav Mahler. I know that’s a lot of people, but they were all so titular in the making of how the horn was played/written for. The five of them created revolutionary pieces that expanded the boundaries of the instrument, many of which (to my joy and dread) are played as orchestral excerpts in auditions. Pieces like Götterdämmerung, Don Juan, Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Das Rheingold, Mahler Symphonies No. 1 and 5, Beethoven Symphonies No. 3 and 9, and Mozart’s four horn concertos completely revolutionized the technicality and flexibility that is called for by modern players. To be able to work with these visionaries directly would be the joy of a lifetime.
What do you plan to do after graduation?
I plan to major in orchestral french horn performance, and hopefully land a spot in a professional orchestra after I graduate college. Playing horn is my passion, and even though I haven’t been playing for that long, I feel as though I cannot do anything else. For me it’s not whether or not I want to major in music, it’s a need to major in music. Classical music has taken me so far beyond anything I could have imagined, helping me leave the sometimes confined space that is the Green Mountains, and I hope to be able to play my instrument for as long as humanly possible.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: VYOA Welcomes Benjamin Klemme as Music Director!
/by VYOA StaffCurrently, Klemme holds concurrent positions as music director and conductor, Quad City Symphony Youth Ensembles, and associate conductor, Quad City Symphony Orchestra, both located in the Davenport area, as well as concert orchestra conductor, Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies, and orchestra conductor, Augsburg College, both located in Minneapolis, MN.
Previous experience includes positions as assistant and associate conductor for other professional orchestras such as the Cleveland Pops and National Repertory Orchestras, as well as the collegiate program at the University of Minnesota. He has also served as a faculty member at the MacPhail Center for Music, Minneapolis, Santa Fe Youth Symphony Association, and New Mexico School for the Arts.
“We are all looking forward to Benjamin’s arrival,” said Mike Noble, chair, VYOA Board of Directors. “This was a very competitive search, indicative of the amount of attention the VYOA receives from music organizations across the country. Benjamin brings a wealth of experience to the VYOA and he stood out as the unanimous choice to lead us forward. Paired with our executive director, Rosina Cannizzaro, the organization has an exciting future ahead.
“At the same time,” Noble continued, “I want to recognize the wonderful work Edward Cumming did with us as interim conductor of the Vermont Youth Orchestra this year. His willingness to join us on Sundays from Hartford, CT, for rehearsals and the concerts was a monumental effort.”
“I am extremely honored to have been invited to join the VYOA as music director,” said Klemme. “The VYOA is a cultural treasure with a strong tradition of musical and educational excellence. I look forward to working with the many individuals who comprise the VYOA community in order to sustain its artistic distinction, and empower its students to achieve their potential in ways that enliven and enrich Vermont’s cultural atmosphere.”
Klemme received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Northern Iowa, a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from University of Minnesota. He and his family will be relocating to Vermont this spring.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Klemme to the VYOA family!
VYO Senior Spotlight!
/by VYOA StaffEssex High School
Joined VYOA in 2009
VYO – 3 years
VYPhilharmonia – 1 year
Sinfonia – 3 years
VYStrings – 1 year
Presto – 3 sessions
What do you love about playing your instrument?
I love being able to play a variety of different styles of music. As a violinist it can be really difficult to maintain good tone, so achieving correct style for any piece is always challenging. The feeling of finally mastering a specific style is probably one of the most enjoyable feelings.
What is your favorite or most memorable piece that you performed with any VYOA ensemble?
One of the most memorable pieces I performed with the VYOA was the Saint-Saens Cello Concerto played by Senior Soloist, John Yao. I remember that rehearsal where about 2 measures in we all knew he was an extraordinary cellist. Many of the other senior soloists are exceptional as well, but John’s was the first I ever experienced, and the most memorable.
What is your favorite VYOA memory?
One of my favorite VYOA memories was during my first year at Reveille. I made a variety of friends that week, and I distinctly remember running around the dorms at night and baking brownies in one of the dorm kitchens.
What do you look forward to in playing your final VYO concert?
I look forward to making beautiful music with my friends.
What other sports/groups/activities are you involved in?
I am also involved in Vermont Works for Women, my school orchestra, cross country, and nordic skiing.
If you could perform with any (famous) musician, who would it be & why?
If I could perform with anyone it would be Itzhak Perlman. He is a legend in the violin community and I have met him briefly, and he is an extremely pleasant man. Playing with him would be a great learning opportunity, and enjoyable.
What are your plans after graduation?
I plan on going to college to get a Geology degree. I hope to continue playing in music ensembles in college and beyond, and I am eager to meet more great young musicians along the way.
VYO Senior Spotlight!
/by VYOA StaffChamplain Valley Union High School
Joined VYOA in 2013
VYPhilharmonia – 1 year
VYO – 2 years
What do you love about playing your instrument?
The reason I love playing the horn is because of its versatility. It contains such a wide array of colors and dynamics, and the four octave range is nothing to sneeze at either. As a player you have to have knowledge of how to sound like a brass instrument, a woodwind instrument, and at times a string instrument, jumping in between whenever the moment calls for it. The timbre of the horn allows you to be not only loud and brassy, such as with the Infernal Dance from Stravinsky’s The Firebird Suite, but also smooth and elegant, such as with Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, and also heroic and bold, as with Strauss’s Ein Heldenleben. Knowing how to walk the fine line of these sounds is what makes the horn so amazing to play, constantly shifting the character of your playing to either support or lead sections. You really are the glue that holds the orchestra together, blending the distinct sounds of the three major sections, while also containing enough unique characteristics to have your part stand out.
What has been the most memorable experience you’ve had with VYO?
The most memorable experience I have had with VYO was playing the first and last movements of Borodin’s Symphony No. 2 on our tour of Iceland. At that point I was still in VYP, so being invited to go on the trip was such a huge honor. The first time I saw VYO in concert was during the 2014 OrchestraChorusPalooza concert, where they played the full symphony. I remember thinking that they sounded amazing, and that there was no way I could sound like that. When I found out that I was invited on the tour, and that we would be playing that specific piece, it was a full circle moment for me.
What would you like to change about the classical music world?
If there could be one thing I would change about the classical music world, it would be to make it more diverse. When we talk about the history of classical music, we are almost strictly talking about old white guys, the remnants of that we are still seeing today. Minority groups have so many unique stories to express not only through the music of the great classical composers, but through works of their own. I hope to see someday that a woman conducting a major orchestra isn’t seen as revolutionary, it’s the norm. I hope to see black and latinx musicians get equal opportunities to bear their souls through this great artform. A diverse world means a greater collection of ideas, where we can pull from more experiences and create more interesting music. That is what I hope for in the future of this great artform.
What was your biggest musical breakthrough?
For me, my greatest musical breakthrough was being accepted into Carnegie Hall’s NYO2 program. Coming from Vermont you don’t really get a lot of experiences when it comes to classical music, beside VYO and Allstate. It’s almost like you’re trapped in a musical bubble, without much exposure to the outside world. NYO2 showed me that my level of playing was better than I thought it was, and it gave me the confidence to keep pushing myself beyond what I thought was possible. It exposed me to people who were just as driven and passionate as I was, and gave me a group of friends who help me achieve my highest musical ability. It helped me understand how a professional orchestra runs, and how hard one has to work to get there. The connections I made gave me a greater understanding of my abilities, and how to work with people to make truly exceptional music.
What is the greatest musical challenge you have ever faced?
Without a doubt, soloing with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. It was the first solo I’d ever performed, so I was going into unknown territory. Also, in being asked to perform instead of audition, I felt the pressure of the VSO assuming I was good enough to perform with them, instead of actually earning the opportunity. I was up until midnight and a couple occasions trying to make sure that the more technical passages of the concerto were together and clean, but sometimes it felt that whenever I made a step forward, I took two steps back the next day. I was mentally exhausting, the pressure I had put on myself was hard to deal with sometimes, but when I got onstage during our first rehearsal I felt completely comfortable. That experience taught me that sometimes it’s better to let go than to drill a passage for hours on end. The great thing about live performance is the spontaneity of it, the reality that anything could happen at any time. It’s good to just let things happen every once in a while.
If you could perform with any musician, alive or dead, who would it be and why?
If I could perform with any musician, it would be a five way tie between Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Richard Strauss, Richard Wagner, and Gustav Mahler. I know that’s a lot of people, but they were all so titular in the making of how the horn was played/written for. The five of them created revolutionary pieces that expanded the boundaries of the instrument, many of which (to my joy and dread) are played as orchestral excerpts in auditions. Pieces like Götterdämmerung, Don Juan, Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche, Das Rheingold, Mahler Symphonies No. 1 and 5, Beethoven Symphonies No. 3 and 9, and Mozart’s four horn concertos completely revolutionized the technicality and flexibility that is called for by modern players. To be able to work with these visionaries directly would be the joy of a lifetime.
What do you plan to do after graduation?
I plan to major in orchestral french horn performance, and hopefully land a spot in a professional orchestra after I graduate college. Playing horn is my passion, and even though I haven’t been playing for that long, I feel as though I cannot do anything else. For me it’s not whether or not I want to major in music, it’s a need to major in music. Classical music has taken me so far beyond anything I could have imagined, helping me leave the sometimes confined space that is the Green Mountains, and I hope to be able to play my instrument for as long as humanly possible.
VYO Senior Spotlight
/by VYOA StaffHarwood Union High School
Joined VYOA in 2016
VYO – 1 year
What do you love about playing your instrument?
The trumpet is really a loud and proud instrument. That’s what my personality is like, and I get to express that in a lot of the music we play. But it can also be surprisingly soft and gentle and supporting, and I try really hard to make sure I keep in touch with that side of myself too. The trumpet really represents who I am and I love that.
What has been the most inspiring or memorable piece that you performed with VYO?
Most memorable, the Colgrass Timpani Concerto. The trumpet part was absolutely nuts and we worked really hard on it. In the end, we did great, but it was a lot of effort.
What do you love about being in an orchestra?
I don’t often get an opportunity to play music that involves strings because Harwood doesn’t have any, so I’m getting the chance to play music otherwise unavailable to me. It’s also great as a composer because I’ve learned a lot about what other instruments like oboes and bassoons (which we also don’t have) can do.
What would you like to change about the classical music world?
The idea that it’s boring. When I first took music theory my freshman year, I was one of those people who believed that I didn’t like classical music simply because I’d only been exposed to the really common stuff. Through that class I found one of my favorite pieces (Schubert’s Erlkonig) and began to appreciate it more.
What other sports/groups/activities are you involved in?
I am head carpenter for the Harwood Stage Crew and I’ve helped build sets for four productions. I’m also in our school’s Queer Straight Alliance where we help support each other and affect change in our school.
If you could perform with any musician, living or dead, who would it be & why?
Oh my gosh, that’s so hard. I’m not sure I could really pick just one, but for the sake of this question I’m going to say Freddie Mercury. He was so unabashedly loud and proud, and he never let anyone tell him what to do or who to be. I’ve grown up listening to a lot of classic rock, and Queen was always towards the top of my favorites list.
What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation I plan on majoring in music, although I’m not sure of the exact path I want to take. I’m leaning towards sound design and music technology/production, but I still don’t know for sure. I’m also considering a minor in theater tech; I love the kind of stuff we do for the Stage Crew and it’s really been an amazing experience.
February e-Newsletter: Announcing Summer Symphony Camp!
/by VYOA StaffWe’re excited to announce a brand new summer music experience, Summer Symphony Camp! Also in our February e-news are details about the upcoming Spring Rug Concert for children ages 5 & under and how to contribute to our Online Auction. Read about the VYOA’s performance at the Vermont State House. Click here to check out our February e-Newsletter.
VYO Senior Spotlight!
/by VYOA StaffHere are 2 more members of our VYO Senior Class!
Montpelier High School
Joined VYOA in 2015
VYO – 2 years
Champlain Valley Union High School
Joined VYOA in 2010
VYStrings – 2 years
VYSinfonia – 1 year
VYPhilharmonia – 1 year
VYO – 2 years
What do you love about playing your instrument?
Isaac: I have always been drawn to the violin because it typically plays the main melody and because it is such a lyrical and emotional instrument. You really “feel” the music when you are playing.
Adam: What I love about playing the cello is that it is such a versatile and beautiful instrument, and that it really gives me a chance to escape from my life into the music that I’m playing.
What is your favorite or most memorable piece that you performed with any VYOA ensemble?
Adam: The most memorable piece that I have performed with VYO was the Firebird Suite, by Igor Stravinsky. I have always loved that piece and it was a real treat to play it with such an awesome group of musicians.
What is your favorite VYOA memory?
Isaac: Definitely our trip to Iceland in summer 2015. Not only was it an extremely remarkable country to visit and experience, but I also made a lot of new friends- some of whom have become some of my closest.
What do you look forward to in playing your final VYO concert?
Isaac: It will be an emotional evening, as I have played with the VYOA and its various orchestras since I moved to Vermont seven years ago. My very first week in Vermont I did the Music Day Camp, so it has been an important part of my Vermont experience.
What would you like to change about the classical music world?
Adam: I would like to change the popular mindset that classical music is “boring,” because in my experience, while some of it can be boring at times, it is some of the best music ever written.
What other sports/groups/events are you involved in?
Adam: I am a captain of my high school baseball team, as well as being in the drama club, the jazz band, and Student Council.
Isaac: I’ve always tried a variety of sports growing up, such as tennis, fencing, soccer, and more. Currently, in the winters I race with the CVU Alpine Ski Team and in the summers I sail on the lake. I also try to workout and go running most days.
If you could perform with any (famous) musician, who would it be & why?
Isaac: I would love to perform on the violin with a musician like Joshua Bell. When I first started playing the violin one of my teachers had gone to Julliard and during that time had the opportunity to work with him. She would always tell us stories about him and encourage us to go to his concerts.
Adam: I would perform with Dizzy Gillespie, because I admire his improvisation skills, as well as how adventurous he was.
What are your plans after graduation?
Isaac: I will be heading to Europe in September to study Environmental Sciences and Sustainable Development at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.
Adam: After graduation, I hope to go to a college (not sure which one) to study political science.
Winter Choral Concert: Stream & Download Available
/by VYOA StaffVermont Yout
h Chorus’ Winter Concert, entitled Madrigalia: the Music of the Word explores the role of text in vocal music. The program features Madrigals from 15th century Spain and Italy as well as modern popular music set in this distinctive style. The program also showcases Shakespearean lyrics from Twelfth Night, Measure for Measure, and Much Ado About Nothing in a contemporary choral triptych by Emma Lou Diemer. Experience the powerful liturgical Latin text from the Matins service set by Mozart’s teacher Giovanni Battista Martini. Finally, enjoy a collection of modern Hebrew “poetic postcards” written by Hila Plitmann to her husband Eric Whitacre who sets them delicately in his Five Hebrew Love Songs.
Click here to stream & download the Winter Choral Concert on the VYOA Instant Encore page.
VYO Senior Spotlight!
/by VYOA StaffWho are the seniors in the VYOA’s Class of 2017?! Each week we will introduce you to a couple of our senior students who will play their last concert with us this Spring before heading off for future adventures!
Winooski High School
Joined VYOA in 2013
VYO – 2 years
VYPhilharmonia – 1 year
VYSinfonia – 1 year
BFA Fairfax
Joined VYOA in 2012
VYO – 2 years
VYPhilharmonia – 1 year
VYSinfonia – 1 year
VYChamberWinds – 1 year
Rice Memorial High School
Joined VYOA in 2011
VYO – 1 year
VYPhilharmonia – 2 years
VYSinfonia – 1 year
VYChamber Winds – 2 years
What do you love about playing your instrument?
Mary: I love that oboe is unique and difficult to play well. It’s a struggle a lot of the time but it’s worth it.
Daniel: I love how percussion is a special part of the orchestra, and has a very unique role from the other instruments. It is primarily focused on rhythm, but also consists of 15+ instruments, all of which you need to know how to play, which I think is just fascinating.
What is your favorite or most memorable piece that you performed with any VYOA ensemble?
Rainbow: Overture to West Side Story with the VYO last year. It was a package of fun, romance, and beauty in one piece, but most importantly, the bassists got to spin their basses in the mambo! (which went unnoticed to many members of the orchestra and those watching)
Mary: I loved playing in the New Year’s Eve concert. Playing the Danube Waltz and American in Paris was a lot of fun. Hearing them so much and finally being able to actually create them was really cool.
What is your favorite VYOA memory?
Rainbow: I have too many great VYOA memories, but one of my favorites would have to be in VYPhilharmonia when my section was trying to spin our basses without Dr. Kono noticing. We probably did this for a few minutes until Dr. Kono asked for everyone to begin at rehearsal 4 without spinning our instruments.
Mary: There’s a lot of memories but I think just making so many friends overall is my favorite. We have a lot of fun on breaks and at Reveille but are all still very passionate about music.
Daniel: My favorite memory from the VYO would have to be all the times I was able to hang out with my close group of friends which I made at the VYO. As a friend and proud member of the Orchdorks, I can say without a doubt that my close friends in the VYO made my experience an amazing one. They made every memory the best memory.
What do you look forward to in playing your final VYO concert?
Rainbow: I am most looking forward to performing with the VYOA family one last time. I hope it’ll be an incredible performance that’ll send off the graduating seniors with a boom. However, I’m not looking forward to saying goodbye…
Daniel: I look forward to the break right before the concert, as it will be the last break on Church Street I ever take. I always enjoyed just hanging out and helping each other to relieve the stress of the concert.
What other sports/groups/activities are you involved in?
Rainbow: I am the voting student representative on the Vermont State Board of Education, a member of the Winooski School Board, part of the Youth Leadership Institute planning team, and I’m a proud Orchdork. I am also involved in public speaking, the VYO String Squad, the Vermont All State Music Festival, and Upward Bound.
Mary: I run cross country, nordic ski, and play ultimate frisbee and also a National Honor Society member.
Daniel: I am the Captain of my High School’s Drumline, and was on the varsity Cross Country team, which won the state championships this past fall. I also participate in the Drama club (as their drummer) and Model UN.
If you could perform with any musician, who would it be & why?
Rainbow: I’d love to perform with Miles Davis or Giovanni Bottesini. I have a soft spot for jazz and performing jazz alongside Miles Davis would be amazing. As for Bottesini, it’s pretty self-explanatory since Bottesini was a double bass virtuoso and composed incredible works for the double bass.
Mary: Beyonce / Oboe duet
Daniel: Adele, because, come on, it’s Adele. She’s such a talented singer, and I just love her music so much, how could I not want to play a couple songs with her?
What are your plans after graduation?
Rainbow: I will be majoring in an education policy-related field in college and I plan on continuing my bass journey whether it be minoring in music and/or playing in ensembles.
Mary: Attending college majoring in graphic design.
Daniel: I plan to go to college, studying filmmaking.
Come back for next week’s Senior Spotlight!
OrchestraChorusPalooza Recording Now Available!
/by VYOA StaffJanuary e-Newsletter: Two Great Soloists, One Great Concert!
/by VYOA StaffThis month, our e-Newsletter tells about many great performances and opportunities for people of all ages. The Vermont Youth Orchestra’s Winter Concert, on Sunday, January 22nd at 3pm, features two amazing soloists. Tickets are available through flynntix.org. We’ve opened up registration for the Spring session of Presto, our ensemble for beginning string players. Tickets are now available for the Spring Rug Concert, an interactive performance experience for children ages 5 & under. Our Fall Rug Concert was sold out. Click here to reserve your tickets in advance – seating is limited! The VYO String Squad and Vermont Youth Chorus will perform in the longstanding State House tradition, Farmer’s Night on Wednesday, February 8th. Also in this issue, we announce our 2017 Online Auction. For more details on all of these exciting events, click here to read our January e-Newsletter.