Clef Notes

We are happy to report that long-standing Champaign-Urbana choral ensemble Amasong is back in full force! After a hiatus and diminished numbers during the height of the pandemic, Amasong, the area’s premier lesbian/feminist chorus, will be giving their fall concert on November 4 and 5 at McKinley Presbyterian Church. We spoke with director Heidi Weatherford about the group’s comeback and what audiences can expect at their fall concert.

Composers used music in various ways to process the horrors of the First World War, then thought to be “the war to end all wars.” Some poured their grief into heartfelt elegies for lost friends, faraway homes, and shattered innocence, while others vividly captured the violence and senselessness of war through discordant music. As we honor all those who have served this Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, we take a listen to some poignant responses to the First World War from composers who served or stood witness, as well as works by composers killed in action.

We had the privilege of meeting with Brendan Slocumb, author of the best-selling novels The Violin Conspiracy and Symphony of Secrets, in advance of his talks at the Champaign Public Library on October 12. Hailed by the New York Times as “A maestro of musical mystery,” Slocumb, a violinist and music educator as well as novelist, has brought classical music to the masses through his thrilling novels centering on diverse voices.

We met up with soprano Elena Negruţă to discuss her recent success as the winner of the American Prize in Vocal Performance for Women in Opera. Originally from Moldova and having trained as a folk singer, Negruţă first came to study opera at the University of Illinois School of Music in 2012. Since then, she has built a steady performance schedule across central Illinois and beyond, covering a broad range of repertoire and styles. Read on to learn more about this dynamic artist and to hear select recordings.

Please welcome to the Clef Notes Blog Vincent Trauth, host of The Evening Concert. Read on for a review of The Flower of France, a brand-new album from pianist Quynh Nguyen. The record features the piano music of French composer Germaine Tailleferre (1892–1983), the only female member of the group of compsers known as "Les Six." The Flower of France presents works originally for solo piano, as well as transcriptions and excerpts from ballets and film scores, many of which are rarely performed or recorded.

This fall, the University of Illinois School of Music and the Illinois chapter of the American Choral Directors Association are sponsoring an exciting mentorship program. Now in its second year, the Lift Every Voice Symposium aims to support young choral conductors from underrepresented groups. Last year, the program focused on female-identifying conductors. This year, Lift Every Voice will serve conductors of color. Six students nearing the end of their undergraduate education have been selected to come to the U of I campus to work with world-renowned conductor–teachers at no cost to them. Read on to learn more about this important initiative from Dr. Andrea Solya, Interim Director of Choral Activities at the University of Illinois.

Out this month on PBS Great Performances is Leonard Bernstein's "Kaddish" Symphony performed at the 2022 Ravinia Festival in Highland Park. Bernstein protégé Marin Alsop conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, United Voices Chicago (formerly Chicago Children's Choir), narrator Jaye Ladymore, and soprano Janai Brugger. Clef Notes Editor Katie Buzard happened to be among the chorus that night and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what went into preparing and performing Bernstein's haunting work.

We sat down with Dave Ivy, music director for the Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company’s upcoming production of The Music Man. Meredith Willson’s six-time Tony Award-winning musical comedy has been entertaining audiences since 1957 and is a family-friendly story that all generations can enjoy. Read on to learn more about Dave Ivy and what it’s been like preparing the show.

John Frayne Classical Music Graduate Student Work Experience Fellow, Julia Escobar, writes to us about her adventures in sunny Italy, where she recently spent over a month playing flute and piccolo at two summer music programs. Read on to hear more about Julia's experience, see some pictures, and listen to her perform an arrangement of Lili Boulanger's "Soir sur la plaine" with her festival colleagues.

In honor of Independence Day, we’d like to introduce you to an American composer you probably haven’t heard of before. Edmond Dédé (1827–1901) was a violinist, composer, and conductor. Born in New Orleans, Dédé eventually saved enough money working in a cigar factory to book passage to France, where he studied with professors at the Paris Conservatoire. For various reasons, Dédé’s biography has been clouded by misinformation and half-truths. Fortunately, historian Sally McKee cleared up some of the biographical inaccuracies in her 2017 book The Exile’s Song, giving us better insight into Dédé’s life and achievements. Read on to learn more about the fascinating story behind this little-known composer whose works are just now being rediscovered.