Principal Trumpet Michael Sachs (left) works with members of the CU Boulder trumpet section during the 2015 residency of members of the Cleveland Orchestra.
That old familiar fall buzz is back at CU Boulder. Students are starting new classes, meeting new roommates, finding new routes through the ever-improving campus grounds.
At the College of Music, the excitement of a new year means more than just fresh repertoire and seating auditions. This year, for the third time since 2013, members of the Cleveland Orchestra are planning a visit to the college from Sept. 11-13. The principal and associate principal players from each section of the renowned orchestra will work side by side with CU students and faculty during what has become one of the most anticipated biennial events on the college鈥檚 calendar.
鈥淭he opportunity to be coached by members of one of the greatest orchestras in the world and to sit with them, playing repertoire we鈥檙e preparing to perform, is invaluable,鈥� says Gary Lewis, director of orchestras and Bob and Judy Charles endowed chair in music. He will lead the CU Symphony Orchestra in a side-by-side rehearsal with the musicians from Cleveland.
鈥淚t鈥檚 one thing to attend a master class or play excerpts, but to have input based on your performance in an orchestra is really second to none.鈥�
The rehearsal is the culmination of three days of sectional and small-group work. It鈥檚 a unique experience that both the students and the professional performers relish.
鈥淭he side-by-side rehearsal is the best part,鈥� says clarinet DMA student Jacob Eichhorn, who was here for both of the previous residencies. 鈥淟ast time they were here, I was playing principal on Rachmaninoff鈥檚 Symphonic Dances. To my right was [now-retired principal clarinet] Frank Cohen, in front of me was [flutist] Marisela Sager and to my left was [principal bassoonist] Barrick Stees. They taught us so much about how the woodwind section could coalesce and become one unit.鈥�
Cleveland Orchestra Principal Trumpet Michael Sachs, who makes his third trip to the college next month, says the students鈥� enthusiasm is contagious. 鈥淚 do a lot of master classes throughout the year, and I love going back to places where the students are charged up and willing to try new things and evolve what they鈥檙e doing.
鈥淭hat curiosity is really strong at CU.鈥�
New on this year鈥檚 full slate of events is a special Faculty Tuesday recital featuring members of the College of Music faculty and the visiting musicians. Associate Professor of Clarinet Daniel Silver is one of the performers. A Cleveland native himself, even this seasoned performer says he鈥檚 a bit starstruck at the thought of working with clarinetist Dan McKelway.
鈥淏y any standard, the Cleveland Orchestra has for decades been considered one of the greatest in the world. It happens to be my hometown orchestra, so I grew up in the town with one of the greatest orchestras of all time,鈥� Silver says.
鈥淔aculty Tuesday will be a treat because when you combine these internationally known performers with our fine faculty, there will be a friendly rising to the occasion.鈥�
Faculty performers aren鈥檛 the only members of the college community rising to the occasion. Senior violist Allyson Stibbards distinctly remembers the extra preparation she did for 2015鈥檚 residency. 鈥淚 was definitely a little bit nervous. I got to play in the master class for strings, and I wanted to be really ready for that. But situations like that make you a better player.鈥�
And teaching situations make you a better orchestral performer, says Marisela Sager, assistant principal flute for the Cleveland Orchestra. 鈥淓ducation is definitely a priority for us. Performing shouldn鈥檛 exist in a bubble of its own.
鈥淚t鈥檚 also a two-way street,鈥� she adds. 鈥淲hen we teach young musicians, we鈥檙e there to share our knowledge, but we also get to soak up all of the energy from the students and professors. The energy exchange is really great.鈥�
For Sachs, the atmosphere at the College of Music adds to the learning experience for the members of the orchestra. 鈥淚鈥檓 always inspired when I go to Boulder, and I鈥檓 always learning. The fact that we were invited in the first place, under these unique circumstances, sets a welcoming tone that you want to come back to.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 a terrific joy to be a part of this partnership,鈥� Silver says. 鈥淚t creates a ripple effect throughout the college and in the broader community. I think most of the faculty feel a real sense of gratitude to be in a place that can pull something like this together.鈥�
The residency was made possible by a $150,000 pledge from The Clinton Family Fund. Bruce Clinton is a longtime philanthropist and supporter of orchestras nationwide. The Clinton Family Fund鈥檚 commitment supports this year鈥檚 residency and two more in the future at a higher level as part of the Daniel P. Sher Master Class Program.
Faculty Tuesday with guests from the Cleveland Orchestra is Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. in Grusin Music Hall. The recital is free and open to the public. For more information, visit .
