As we approach the season of gratitude, several Knoxville musicians, including myself, reflected on their own musical journeys and the people to whom they are most grateful. May these remembrances bring joy and warmth to your holiday. And here’s hoping that whatever is served at your Thanksgiving table, it is accompanied by glorious music – truly the nourishment of our souls.
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Passing it on…
Miroslav Hristov
(Professor of Violin and String Area Coordinator, UT Knoxville; Concertmaster, Amadeus Chamber Ensemble)
When I graduated from the High School of the Arts in my hometown in Bulgaria, I’d already had six violin teachers, and not by choice. Those were just the circumstances. So it’s not surprising that when auditioning for Bulgaria’s State Music Academy, my technique was, shall we say, a composite. But then I met the teacher who would completely rock my violin world – Elisaveta Kazakova, top prize winner at many prestigious international competitions. After years of study, I was not happy to rebuild the fundamentals. But that’s what she had me do. And she did it with incredible dedication and commitment. I was exposed to, or rather, thrown into, an ocean of expressive tools and artistry, all connected to the technical demands I was mastering. As strict (and, of course, intimidating) as she was, she created a sense of family for her students. This “commune” of current students and alumni represents her legacy. Now that I am a professor of violin myself, I not only pass on what she taught me (and subconsciously imitate her sound and vibrato), I strive to create a family atmosphere in my studio. In a way, my students are her students, just as I am a student of Tibor Varga, with whom she studied. And so on, and so on. I think that’s why in Bulgarian the word “to teach” literally means “to pass on.”
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My mom and the midnight trumpeter…
Sarah Fellenbaum
(Trumpet, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Principal Trumpet, Amadeus Chamber Ensemble, Adjunct Professor, Maryville College & East Tennessee State University)
My grandparents began taking me to the symphony and opera when I was eight years old. “Live from the Met” played in their home every Saturday. With that musical grounding and my mom’s unwavering support, I became the musician I am today. I chose the trumpet in 6th grade. Mom made sure I had private lessons, even though she was a single parent supporting two kids on a nurse’s salary. In high school, she let me practice until 1:00 a.m., insisting she could sleep through it. Looking back, I find that hard to believe. I practiced so much she actually sang my exercises while cleaning the house. She drove me to rehearsals, lessons, and auditions without question. She attended my marching/honor band shows and youth orchestra concerts. She stayed up late waiting for my return from festivals and tours. She let me attend Interlochen Arts Academy senior year – a financial investment that was equivalent to her yearly salary. She single-handedly put me through college at Northwestern, my dream school. I didn’t understand her sacrifices at the time, but now that I have my own little girl, I am simply in awe. Mom never questioned my musical dreams and did everything in her power to make them come true. I am forever grateful.
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It’s long way from Taiwan to Tennessee…
Chih-Long Hu
(Sandra G. Powell Endowed Professor of Piano, UT Knoxville; soloist, Amadeus Chamber Ensemble)
When I was a boy growing up in southern Taiwan, a life and career in music was unimaginable. Although I have played piano since I can remember, I also earned an engineering degree from a top university in the country as my “backup plan.” Thanks to the support of my family and friends, I had the courage to take a leap of faith and pursue a musical career. It is not always easy, but I’m truly grateful for the unspeakable joy, love, and fulfillment I experience every day. As I write this, I’m on my way to perform Bach, Mozart, Brahms, and Rachmaninov with the talented French violinist Ambroise Aubrun. I am a lucky man!
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From foundering to flourishing…
Sean Claire
(Violinist, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra; Concertmaster, Symphony of the Mountains; Principal Second Violin, Amadeus Chamber Ensemble)
As a student who had little self-discipline of my own, I did well when living at home where my parents provided disciplinary structure. My time at San Diego State University produced straight A grades, except for a stray B in piano. So, it is to them that I am eternally grateful for the early good start! When I went away to Eastman to finish my undergraduate degree, that parental structure was suddenly not there. I foundered. I had to quit school and work in a restaurant—nine long months. Luckily with my musical skills still intact, though a bit rusty, I heard about the KSO’s need for violinists. I made a brief audition tape and moved to Knoxville to play for one year. To make my position permanent, I had to undergo the live audition process – some of which went extremely well, some did not. I am extraordinarily thankful for those on my audition committee who had faith in my playing and gave me the benefit of the doubt by granting me the permanent position in the KSO nearly 34 years ago. Had they not, who knows what kind of a bolt hole I would be in today.
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Conversations with composers…
Régulo Stabilito
(ORCMA Music Director & Conductor, Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra)
Music is a divine force in my life – one that allows me to stay connected with colleagues around the globe while operating from the wonderful cultural area of East Tennessee. My new life here would never have been possible had it not been for the many sacrifices my parents, teachers, and mentors made to support and encourage my musical aspirations. Through their remarkable generosity, I’m able to have daily conversations with composers – both living and dead – who teach me that the beauty of music truly comes from the soul and requires no words. These intimate conversations have become the soundtrack of my life, allowing me to bring wondrous music to my students and our audiences. I am humbled and thankful for my musical journey – one that starts and ends with my partner and inspiration, my wife, flutist Maria Castillo.
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My (horrible) elementary school orchestra…
Diana Salesky
(Founding member and soloist, Amadeus Chamber Ensemble)
At age seven I joined my elementary school string orchestra. Although we played mostly on open strings, I’m quite certain we were awful. My parents never came clean on the subject, but I know our “concerts” were excruciating. That said, this is where I learned all those little things, like sharing a music stand, why our bows need to go in the same direction, and, most importantly, who turns the pages. Some 60 years later, I still remember our conductor’s name and feel tremendous gratitude. And while this feeling applies to many music teachers along the way, I’m most profoundly grateful to my mother – the woman who made me practice my violin every day. Mom made practicing as natural as eating breakfast, playing outside, or reading a book. It was simply something you did. No discussion. No debate. No drama. As such, I accepted it as part of my routine. There was no focus on winning an award. No concern about looking good on a college application. No talk of working toward a profession in music. Practice was simply integrated into my daily activities – no different than brushing my teeth or combing my hair. And although she is no longer here to accept my gratitude, I send it just the same. Thank you, Mom.
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Offering thanks to Saint Cecelia…
Edward Pulgar
(Principal Second Violin, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra; Associate Concertmaster, Amadeus Chamber Ensemble; Adjunct Professor, Carson-Newman University)
At five years old, Child Jesus brought me a violin for Christmas. (There are no chimneys in Venezuela, so Santa doesn’t make it there.) Little did I know this gift would be so important in my life. Years later I learned that my dad got the violin for me just months before he passed. My mom, an art teacher known in town as “Maestra,” was left to raise two small kids alone. She took us to Youth Orchestra rehearsals, one of those being the famous El Sistema. A student of mom’s would later become my first violin teacher. When my lessons didn’t go as planned (let’s just leave it at that), she and mom would scold me. I soon realized it was better to practice and let my mom’s beautiful soprano voice guide me. After years of lessons, auditions, concerts, and competitions (won my first at 13), I remain thankful for music. Thanks to music, my parents met singing in the town choir. Thanks to music, I came to the U.S. Thanks to music, I met my beautiful wife (also a violinist). And thanks to my now 87-year-old teacher who taught me: “Every time you have a performance, say, ‘St. Cecilia, offer my music to God.’” That is something I still do to this day.
Such a perfect Thanksgiving tribute!… each one written with care and humor and true gratitude, all dear friends of mine. Thank you.