Home Is Where The Music(al) Is

As we reach the last week of our 2012 Summer Season, the Filene Center schedule includes two popular musicals that I—a huge musical theatre fan—am very much looking forward to: The King and I, and Rock of Ages. The first is a sterling production of the classic by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, presented by Atlanta’s Theater of the Stars. The second is the touring company’s rendition of a rock ‘n’ roll sensation that revolutionized the scene. Both, based on books and eventually translated to the silver screen, are guaranteed to awake the musical theatre “geek” in all of you. 

As for me, that “geek” has been there for as long as I can remember. I guess you could say the love for musicals (and music) runs in my family.

I’ve been a musical theatre enthusiast since my dad introduced me to the film version of The King and I, when I was only five years old. I instantly fell in love with Anna, the King, and their endearing story. I was mesmerized by the beautiful sets, costumes, music…and, more specifically, by Anna’s gorgeous voice. I still remember listening to my dad singing “Getting To Know You” while doing shores around the house, and me trying to mumble the words along in a foreign language (English, that is). What a catchy tune!  

I’d say a lot of you have probably experienced The King and I fever at some point in your lives. And, the musical’s unparalleled commercial success proves this! The King and I became a Broadway hit in 1951 and received three Tony Awards. The film, released in 1956, won five Academy Awards securing the musical’s place as one of the best of all-time. Tours and revivals all over the world have made it an international sensation, and one that undoubtedly transcends time and generations.

Yet another music-loving influence in my life has been my older brother. Though not as big of a Broadway fan, he nurtured his musical side by following a broad spectrum of bands that emerged between the ‘80s and ‘90s. In my eyes, he was just a rebellious teenager that would blast out Poison, Whitesnake, and Bon Jovi in his bedroom as loud as possible. Soon enough, I even found myself humming "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" and "Wanted Dead or Alive" without even knowing the lyrics.

I think he’s the reason why I’m able to enjoy Rock of Ages— it’s rock, it’s musical theatre, it’s awesome! Rock of Ages is one of those musicals that feel fresh and current— in a way, just more in tune with young(er) generations. It premiered in Los Angeles in 2005 but didn’t make it to Broadway until recently (2009). Since then, it has received five Tony Award nominations and has been consistently touring around the nation.   

I encourage you to join me and hundreds of musical theatre lovers for these two upcoming productions at Wolf Trap. Be ready to sing, sway, and to fall in love…with musicals!

True Fan Appreciation from Mary Chapin Carpenter, Part 2

Today's post is written by Arianna Zell, Wolf Trap's former group sales/advertising sales intern.

Before this post really begins, I feel it necessary to give some slight contextual background.

Reveille, my all girls a cappella group from the College of William and Mary had previously received an e-mail from Mary Chapin Carpenter about one of her songs we arranged, "Why Walk When You Can Fly".

Someone had posted a video of us performing the song at one of our final concerts and Mary Chapin was touched by it. Because I had been interning at Wolf Trap, I e-mailed Mary Chapin and long story short, was able to arrange a meet and greet with her manager.

For additional context, please read my initial post on how we ended up on Mary Chapin Carpenter's radar.

*********************

It took several e-mails, tweets, Facebook posts, and phone calls but we made it happen. Reveille A Cappella from the College of William and Mary had the privilege of meeting Mary Chapin Carpenter after her show at Wolf Trap on Saturday, August 18th. And after we met her, she tweeted at us. Mary Chapin Carpenter - a legendary country star and future member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame had acknowledged a tiny a cappella group. How cool was that?!

Upon arriving at the concert, Reveille had no idea whether we were actually going to meet Mary Chapin. Earlier that day we learned that she had to leave The Filene Center almost immediately after her show for another gig. Although we were a little bummed, we decided to go in and enjoy the concert regardless of what happened. Boy has she still got it. Mary Chapin Carpenter played for almost two hours, completely blowing the audience away with her low dulcet tones and sweet sense of humor that powerfully captivated the 7,000 people that came to see her.

About half way through her set, I received a phone call from her tour manager and from Wolf Trap’s Program and Production. The meet and greet was ON! Shaking in our boots, we packed up our coolers (way too much food for 14 girls) and headed for backstage. When the time finally came, it really felt surreal. Although she had just poured her heart and soul into her show, Mary Chapin Carpenter hopped right off stage and took the time to meet Reveille. She was such a genuine and kind person and told the group to continue to make beautiful music. The best part about meeting her? She told us to keep in touch. Mary Chapin made the girls in Reveille feel great about making beautiful music, which is something she has the privilege of doing every day.

Reveille would like to thank Red Light Management and the Program and Production Staff for making this possible. Reveille's ten minutes with Mary Chapin Carpenter will continue to inspire us for years to come.

Rock it A Cappella

Today's post was written by Justin McCarthy, Wolf Trap's copywriting intern. We will sorely miss his blogging talents!

Somewhere along the line in the last decade, American pop culture became a cappella-saturated to the point of lunacy. Until relatively recently, even at the turn of this new millennium, a cappella fit somewhere in the realm of stage magic and coin collecting in our collective consciousness of “cool”; if not the absolute nerdiest thing you can do with your time, than pretty close. Flash forward to the post-post-post ironic 2010’s, the era of “adorkable” and Michael Cera, where singing groups are not only relevant but in high demand. 

What happened? Glee happened. The Sing Off  happened. The Georgetown Chimes happened. Okay, so maybe not the last one so much. The Chimes, you see, is my all-male singing group. For the last few years, we’ve been reaping the benefits of this Golden Age of Harmony; it’s been great for our concert attendance, CD sales, and heck, some of us even have girlfriends now. We’re happy that the a cappella train is going full steam on the pop culture tracks, but sometimes we’re worried that the brakes have been cut. We’re a traditional group: we value musical quality above all else, and we don’t go in for the flashy bells, whistles, and gimmicks. The a cappella that’s represented in the mainstream these days prioritizes style over substance.  Would we rather listen to a pitch-perfect, well-blended, super-duper old-timey barbershop quartet than a cadre of scantily-clad autotuned youngsters shaking their hips and belting Top 40 hits?  You bet your bottom dollar, we would, my boy. But we’re not sure how many people (if anyone) feel the same way.

And that’s what’s so great about Straight No Chaser: they pair consummate musicianship with modern pop sensibilities, bringing the genre into the future without sacrificing the fundamentals of harmony and vocal blend. At a Straight No Chaser concert, you might here contemporary hits like Coldplay’s “Fix You” and The Plain White T’s’ “Rhythm of Love.” However, what you’ll be hearing is merely the organic sound of 10 beautifully balanced voices interpreting those songs; no digital processing, no voice correction, no overbearing background instrumental tracks. Are they fun to watch onstage? Absolutely – they just don’t need pyrotechnics or backup dancers to distract you from the music.  They can handle the show on their own. An SNC show will be just as compelling, impressive and inspiring to a dorky college a cappella group like mine as it will be to the coolest girl in her middle school. What’s great about SNC is that they’re the ultimate in inclusive pop: they make it about the music, which appeals to everyone. 

Guys, if you’re out there, you have the endorsement of the Georgetown Chimes: we support you as our candidate for the official a cappella group of the future. While in the area for your Wolf Trap gig this Sunday at 8pm, please come over and sing with us. But we’re not introducing you to our new girlfriends. 

Wolf Trap's 2012 Un-Official Summer Playlist

Today's post is from Gerri Sterne, Wolf Trap's Web Communications Intern for Summer 2012

One of the major perks of being a Wolf Trap intern is the opportunity to discover all kinds of new music. Wolf Trap brings in so many artists – who perform in a myriad of genres – that young and old alike can find something to enjoy. My “Wolf Trap Inspired” Spotify playlist began after I attended the Outlaw Roadshow featuring the Counting Crows. One of their special guests, Good Old War, stood out in my mind so much so that I went home and listened to every song of theirs I could access on Spotify. After listening to “Amazing Eyes” over 100 times, I knew that Wolf Trap would have many more great, new (well, new to me) artists on their summer concert schedule that I would fall in love with. I started compiling a playlist of the songs from many of the artists in the lineup as well as using the Spotify radio feature to find more artists with a similar style to the tracks I liked best. From Ingrid Michaelson to Sugar Ray to Barry Manilow, as my playlist grew so did the range of genres I enjoyed listening to. So take a listen, and I hope you enjoy my summer in music!

The Barry Biggest Fanilow

He wrote the songs, he wrote the songs. He came and he gave without taking. It looks like he made it, and why? Because he did. He’s Barry Manilow, and he’s coming to Wolf Trap tonight and tomorrow for a 2-day concert extravaganza that will heretofore be known as Wolf Trap’s Gathering of the Fanilows. 

So what makes a true Fanilow, you ask? How great must be one’s commitment to Manilow fandom that one might earn the ascription of such a clever portmanteau? The question, indeed, is one as old as “Mandy” itself. Is a true Fanilow one who commands a scrupulously comprehensive knowledge of the Manilow oeuvre, from his early work with Bette Middler to The Greatest Love Songs of All Time and everything in between? Certainly. And what about those die-hard Barr-iginators, the forerunners of Mandimonium (Man-di-low-nium?) who pledged their allegiance at the genesis of his career in the early 1970s and have remained loyal for 4 decades? Surely they need not defend their right to the name of Fanilow. But what about those among the BM faithful who, in their undying admiration and worship, have captured the artist’s essence, the Manilow zeitgeist, and made it their own? 

Maybe “Looks Like We Made It” is your wedding song. Maybe every time you’re away on business and you’ve rented a car, you buy a worn and loved copy of 2:00 AM Paradise Café from an old record store just to cruise around with, making sure to leave it in the player for that next lucky driver. Maybe you’ve named your boat The Copacabana, your dog “Lola,” and your son “Manny.” The road to Fanilowhood diverges in myriad separate and sundry paths, but the destination is the same and the lesson of the journey universal: with Barry Manilow, it’s about more than simply the music.

To all Fanilows, young and old: get ready for the concert event of the year, tonight and tomorrow at the Filene Center. We want this particular Manil-show to be the best experience possible, so be sure to Tweet @Wolf_Trap with your 140 character review of the performance. If you include #WTReview, you’ll not only be entered into our monthly drawing for tickets, but also for a CD/DVD pack of Barry!

News & Notes for the Week of August 12

Labor Day, the official end of summer, is just a short four weeks away. But, don’t fret! We’ve still got 24 performances on our summer roster, so there’s plenty of time for a picnic or two at the Filene Center. Right now, let’s review the first week of August at Wolf Trap.

Wolf Trap’s Opera Company spends a good portion of the year preparing for two major operas, and the final result is always incredible. This year WTOC presented Don Giovanni and The Rake’s Progress, both featuring the talents of the Filene Young Artists. If you didn’t get the chance to see The Rake’s Progress, check out the excellent review in The Washington Post.

This upcoming week will feature a bevy of country music’s biggest artists, including the legendary Emmylou Harris. Gary Tischler of The Georgetowner spoke with Harris about her upcoming performance with John Prine and how she became the singer she is today.

At Wolf Trap, our education programming is a top priority. Through the various education programs we have—the internship program, Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods, and the Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts—we are working to make sure the arts are accessible to everyone. PBS NewsHour covers Wolf Trap’s new STEM initiative and how we are working to further weave arts education into standard curriculum.

Drum roll….the grand finale of Wolf Trap’s summer season is the seventh installment of our Face of America series, entitled Face of America: Spirit of South Florida. Join us on this multimedia adventure through four of South Florida’s most prestigious national parks—Big Cypress National Preserve, Biscayne National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, and Everglades National Park—that incorporates music and dance inspired by the nature and wildlife of the area. You don’t have to wait  until September 8 to be a part of this event; you can recreate movement of your own in any national park and submit your photo to our contest page—Grand Prize will win a camera prize pack valued at $599! Check it out right here to get the details on how to enter!

When Country Comes to Wolf Trap

The gods (or possibly our programming department) have shown down on us and given us almost an entire week of some fantastic country beginning this Tuesday with Lyle Lovett, John Prine AND Emmylou Harris on Wednesday, then wrapping the weekend up with Mary Chapin Carpenter on Saturday and Alan Jackson on Sunday. In the off-chance you don't know much about any or all of these artists (which you should!), here are some highlights.

Lyle Lovett - Tues., August 14

Rather than being another one-hit wonder, Lyle Lovett is an artist who can be considered a "catalog artist," meaning that he's had many respectable hits across the span of his entire career. His career took a turn from traditional country with hits like "She's No Lady" that incorporated more gospel and R&B sounds into his repertoire (see below), but country fans of all ages always have and always will appreciate his original and unique sound. Be sure not to miss this night of acoustic renditions spanning his entire career!

John Prine / Emmylou Harris - Wed., August 15

This show really shouldn't even need to be talked about, but I'll go ahead anyway. Two legendary performers who are generally reserved for solo nights each are going to be at the Filene Center TOGETHER. It's essentially a buy one get one free concert of the best country and Americana out there. With 14 GRAMMY Awards between them and inductions into the Nashville Singers Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame (respectively), this is a night not to be missed.

Mary Chapin Carpenter - Sat., August 18

with Special Guest Loudon Wainwright III

If you know country at all, you know Mary Chapin Carpenter. We've all heard her bigger hits like "Shut Up and Kiss Me," "Passionate Kisses," and "Down at the Twist and Shout," and her die-hard fans know quite well that she hasn't slowed down since those larger hits. Her newest record, The Age of Miracles, takes her on a more personal journey through her music, but you can be rest assured her performance will captivate you with her wide array of tunes regardless of how well you know her.

Alan Jackson - Sun., August 19

with Special Guest Craig Campbell

Jackson is arguably one of the biggest names in country music and has been since his 1990 debut album that racked up 4 top 5 singles. I'm not really entirely certain this blog has the word capacity to list all of his No. 1 singles, but my personal favorites include "Drive (for Daddy Gene)," "Small Town Southern Man," and "Little Bitty." His performance is, unfortunately for many, sold out, but we do occasionally release some tickets here and there, so be sure to check in whenever you can!

The Three D's of Wolf Trap

Looking to expand your music palette? Search no further, because we’ve got three distinct artists coming to the Filene Center stage this month. Funny thing is you probably have already heard some music from each of the musical acts, but I’ll refresh your memory.

IL DIVO

Thursday August 9, 2012 at 8 pm 

First up, the multinational pop-opera quartet Il DIVO makes their debut performance tonight. Formed by X Factor/American Idol producer Simon Cowell in 2004, the group consists of four lyrical male singers: French pop vocalist Sébastien Izambard, Spanish baritone Carlos Marín, American tenor David Miller, and Swiss tenor Urs Bühler. These guys are quite the class act with good looks and dynamic vocals to match. You perhaps recognize these guys from half-time at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where they sang the official song of the World Cup “The Time of Our Lives” live alongside R&B singer Toni Braxton. The group also happens to be a favorite of the great Barbara Streisand, with whom they toured with in 2006. Come out tonight to see why everyone else is taken with these suave performers!

Dave Koz

with BeBe Winans

and Special Guest Average White Band

Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at 8 pm

If you call yourself a jazz aficionado, then you must know Dave Koz. If you two haven’t crossed paths yet, let me introduce you. Koz started his career in the early ‘80s as a session musician with several bands and also played in the house band on The Pat Sajak Show. In the ‘90s Koz launched his solo career with his self-title debut album and began hosting the syndicated radio show The Dave Koz Radio Show. He also co-hosted of The Dave Koz Morning Show with Pat Prescott on 94.7 The Wave, a smooth jazz station in Los Angeles, for six years. In 2003 his ninth record, Saxophonic, peaked at number 2 on Billboard Jazz Albums chart and earned him both a GRAMMY and NAACP nomination. Recently, Koz performed "Start All Over Again" in the Desperate Housewives season seven episode “Let Me Entertain You” alongside singer Dana Glover. Now that you two are familiar, make sure to see the legend himself on the Filene Center stage later this month.

Dead Can Dance 

Monday, August 27, 2012 at 8 pm 

Notably the standout performance for our summer season, this Australian world music duo will make you wonder why you haven’t been listening all along. Formed in the late ‘80s, DCD did not gain mainstream notoriety until their sixth studio album, Into the Labyrinth, was released in September 1993. The album sold 500,000 worldwide and appeared on the Billboard 200. Three years later, the duo did it again with Spiritchaser; the album peaked at No. 75 Billboard 200 and reached No. 1 on the Top World Music Albums Chart. DCD combine Greek, Italian, Turkish, Irish, and Arab to create hauntingly beautiful melodies that will leave you wanting more.

True Fan Appreciation from Mary Chapin Carpenter

It all started with an e-mail.

I read it again…I must have been imagining it. A GRAMMY-winning Country star and inspiration to girls all over the world just complimented Reveille—an all-girl a cappella group from the College of William and Mary. Now this was a dream come true. To our surprise, we found that someone had posted one of our videos from our final concert onto Mary Chapin Carpenter’s Facebook wall which featured Chapin’s “Why Walk When You Can Fly.” It amazed my friends and me how one small group could be noticed by such a big star.

While all of Reveille a Cappella was freaking out in a giant message thread, I realized something. Mary Chapin Carpenter was performing at Wolf Trap on August 18^th! And wait…I worked there. I immediately e-mailed her back (after, of course, taking several hours to write the e-mail and to read over it 5 times while hyperventilating a little bit). I left my work phone in the e-mail I sent and within a day heard from her management. Yes, Red Light Management called me…while I was in the bathroom. Oops. 

Luckily I was left a phone number and long story short, Reveille is set for a meet and greet on the 18^th with one of our favorite artists of all time. We grew up listening to Mary Chapin’s music during long road trips, while dancing in the living room, and when driving with the windows down on a hot summer night.   Mary Chapin Carpenter’s love for music and for living shines through her music and her live performances. Whether you’re a fan or not, this is a show you won’t want to miss.

The Journey from Intern to Staff! #1

Ask anyone on staff – there’s something uncommonly inspiring and fulfilling about working at Wolf Trap. This is reflected in the number of former interns who currently work at Wolf Trap (12) and the number of former employees who were also once interns (21). What is it about this place that drew them back? How did their intern experiences affect them professionally and personally? We asked five current employees to share their stories. Here’s the first of two installments!

Liz Uyeda

What is your position at Wolf Trap now? Assistant, Program & Production

What was your intern position at Wolf Trap? Intern, Program & Production. In short I was in charge of advancing Artist transportation and supervising hospitality and transportation on my assigned performance days.

Where did your career take you in between your internship and your full-time job at Wolf Trap?

I interned at Wolf Trap in the summer of 2009 after which I returned to school to finish my final year of undergrad at the University of Richmond. Post-commencement 2010 I packed up my Volkswagen station wagon and drove across the country with the intention of moving to Portland, Oregon. Clearly things didn’t work out the way I had envisioned.

I remember my east coast departure with utmost clarity. It was summer and I had stopped at Wolf Trap to say hello/goodbye to the Program & Production department before heading out west.  Ann McKee (Senior Vice President, Performing Arts & Education), in her infinite wisdom, jokingly said to me, “You know, the road across the country is roundtrip. It goes in a circle!” I laughed. But apparently she wasn’t kidding. It was not but a few months after signing a lease in Portland, buying furniture, and ceremoniously removing the last box of “stuff” from my VW that I found myself packing it all up again, and heading back toward the Atlantic. Back to Wolf Trap.

What led you back to Wolf Trap/made you stay at Wolf Trap?

Barbara Parker (Director, Operations & Artistic Initiatives) and Ann McKee put a big sign at the end of Interstate 84 that read “Turn Around! Wrong Way!” so I pulled a U-turn.

But honestly, when asked if I would consider driving back to take a job in Program & Production, my answer was unequivocally “yes.” In applying for jobs and interviewing in Oregon, it dawned on me how rare it is to be able to work in a place with a staff as team oriented and supportive as Wolf Trap’s. Wolf Trap exists as a mission-based organization. The Wolf Trap Mission is what keeps us all on our toes and looking for new ways to develop, refine, and grow with the community. It truly is something you don’t come across every day.

Matt Martz

What is your position at Wolf Trap now?

I am currently the Communications & Marketing assistant. I help support the overall C&M team with marketing, public relations, and creative (writing, graphic design, etc.). I also work with our Communications & Marketing committee and our Foundation Board of Directors to help plan and execute meetings for both groups to discuss the high-level goals and strategies for the Foundation.

When did you intern at Wolf Trap and what was your position?

I interned at Wolf Trap during the spring of 2009 (my last semester at college). I applied for the Advertising/Group Sales and Marketing internships and ended up getting both! I had a retail background with a communications major, so they figured I would be a good fit for both and I was able to do each. I worked 3 days a week and split my time with one supervisor each day.

How did the skills you learned while interning help you get your current position?

They definitely translated more than I thought at the time. I originally was interested in sales as well as marketing because it was what I was used to doing, but I eventually learned that sales just wasn’t where I wanted to end up and I enjoyed the marketing/PR aspect more. Regardless though, working in a more corporate sales environment (vs. retail) really enhanced my communications, thinking outside the box, and problem-solving skills, which obviously carries over to just about every aspect of your life.

What is the biggest difference between being an intern and being a part of full-time staff?

At Wolf Trap? Not much, but in a good way. Both interns and staff are given legitimate projects to work on or even spearhead, and we ask everyone at every level for input when it comes to brainstorming or coming up with a campaign, angle, or hook. You don’t need to be an expert to be able to contribute ideas on something. Being a full-time staff member gives you a heightened amount of responsibility because you’ll be here year-round and can take over a longer project that needs to be attended to regularly, but as an intern, you won’t be getting anyone coffee or running personal errands.

What advice do you have for searching for the perfect internship?

1)      Apply for anything that even LOOKS interesting—the worst thing that could happen is getting multiple offers and having to decide between 2 or more, which really isn’t so bad. If you go for something and don’t get it, then you’re no worse off than if you hadn’t applied. And if you had an interview, then at least you got a little experience from that!

2)      Do more than one internship throughout your college life. Most places will consider you after just a year of school, so you have plenty of summers (or even falls and springs) to work full-time between semesters or part-time between classes. The more well-rounded you look when you get that diploma, the better.

3)      Use your connections! I didn’t know Wolf Trap even had an internship program until I posted on Facebook that I was looking for suggestions on places to apply. A friend of a friend (now a good friend) was the copywriting intern a few years prior and mentioned they have a lot of different internships available throughout the year, so I went for it. I would have never known the opportunity even existed unless I threw out a request for suggestions. Another great source is friends of your parents—there’s a great chance that not only do they work somewhere that hires interns, but they can recommend you for it and put you at the top of the pile.