DAY 2: MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS
Yesterday began with Clarice Assad visiting 7th and 8th grade students at KIPP Charter School in Northeast Washington, D.C. Her visit was part of the Albany Symphony's SHIFT residency program that showcased the orchestras Literacy Through Songwriting Workshop: Songwriter Idol. Yesterday morning's visit was the last rehearsal before the students debut on the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage.
DAY 2: ALBANY SYMPHONY TAKES THE HILL
Left to Right: Bill Hughes, Eric Latini, Eric Berlin, Greg Spiridopoulus, John Bottomley.
Next on the itinerary was a pop up performance on the East Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Senator Chuck Schumer (NY) invited a quintet of Albany Symphony musicians to the U.S. Capitol to showcase the Albany Symphony and to raise awareness of the important role orchestras play in reshaping our shared history. The Brass Quintet performed selections from Gershwin's Porgy & Bess, gave a node to the Washington Post with an arrangement of Sousa's famous march, and celebrated our favorite NPR station with a musical shout out to WAMC-Albany. Can you name WAMC's theme song?
DAY 2: FROM THE CONCERT HALL TO THE SENATE CHAMBERS
After the pop- up performance on Capitol Hill, Eric Berlin, David Alan Miller, Anna Kuwabara, and Heather Noonan from the League of American Orchestras met with Eric Deeble, Arts Policy Lead at Senator Gillibrand's Office.
Have you ever tried to get a Tuba through a security check point? We have and succeeded!
DAY 2: HOW DO YOU GET TO THE KENNEDY CENTER?
The musicians of the Albany Symphony arrived at the Kennedy Center in style and just in time for their first rehearsal. The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is located in Foggy Bottom along the Potomac River and adjacent to the famous Watergate Complex. On the way in we saw the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, which is located next door to the Kennedy Center.
DAY 2: FINAL PREPARATIONS
Once the musicians arrived at the Kennedy Center they went right to work. With only a couple hours until the first downbeat the musicians had to rehearse four major works in a new space. One of the benefits of performing new music is you get to work with the composers throughout the creative process. Michael Torke, Joan Tower, and Michael Daugherty were onsite to work with David Alan Miller, the orchestra and soloists.