Life Between The Notes

Welcome back to our 22nd episode of Life Between The Notes, the podcast that delves into the lives and experiences of talented musicians from south central Pennsylvania. In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome the immensely talented horn player, Shari Gleason-Mayrhofer! As a busy freelance musician and dedicated teacher in the Lehigh Valley-Berks County area, Shari brings a wealth of insight and stories to us, including anecdotes about legendary horn players such as Bill Vermeulen and Barry Tuckwell, offering a unique perspective shaped by her own experiences in the collegiate world. Throughout our conversation, Shari opens up about the challenges and rewards of a musician's career, shedding light on the highs and lows of navigating the ever-evolving landscape of the music industry. From her esteemed role as the Executive Director of the Friends of Chamber Music of Reading to her positions on the faculties of Kutztown, Moravian, and Lehigh Universities, as well as Muhlenberg College, Shari's dedication to music education and performance shines through. We also explore the invaluable role of private lesson teaching, touching on its profound impact not only on individual students but also on the broader musical community. Whether you're a fellow musician seeking inspiration, a music enthusiast eager to learn more about the lives of performers, or simply someone who appreciates engaging conversations, this episode is sure to resonate with you. So sit back, relax, and join us as we navigate the fascinating world of music with the remarkable Shari Gleason-Mayrhofer on Life Between The Notes. Don't forget to subscribe for more enriching discussions with talented musicians. #SouthCentralPA #LocalMusicians #PAartists #MusicScene #PennsylvaniaMusicians #PodcastLife #MusicalJourney #MusicianStories #PApodcast #LocalTalent #MusicCommunity #BehindTheMusic #MusicCulture #PodcastLife #LifeBetweenTheNotes #LBTN #horn

Discover the path to a fulfilling life as a musician on the B-List. Join Kirstin Myers and Morgann Davis in this casual conversation as they discuss self-discovery and balance in the world of music. Gain insights on navigating the unique challenges of a musician's career including cultivating intentionality and finding fulfillment in your own musical journey. Subscribe to the B-List newsletter today by visiting morgannelycedavis.com and unlock your potential. Any questions or comments about this episode? Email us at lifebetweenthenotes@gmail.com

Heavily influenced by his musical father, Peter Brye has, in turn, influenced and brought joy to hundreds of other young musicians in Pennsylvania and the east coast. While he is now retired as conductor of the Reading Symphony Youth Orchestra and as professor of music0 at Millersville University, at 72 he still continues to perform with the Reading Symphony Orchestra and teach cello students in his private studio. He has been a large part of the RSO‘s history with his tenure as cellist and cover conductor spanning musical directors Louis Vyner, Sydney Rothstein and current conductor Andrew Constantine. Peter joined us in his studio to discuss his brilliant teaching and performance career. There is a lot of musical history in the Reading and Lancaster areas packed into this episode and while we go down many different paths in our conversation (sometimes arriving at the point of ridiculousness 😅), it is obvious that Peter’s energy and enthusiasm for music and life, along with his humor, is inexhaustible. Please join us for this enjoyable roller coaster ride that is Peter’s life… between the notes.

The beautifully creative spirit along with the eclectic career of Maria Thompson Corley shines in our 19th episode of Life Between The Notes. The Jamaican-born pianist was raised in Canada until her acceptance to Juilliard which brought her to the States. Maria’s creative pursuits have blossomed in her freelance career as not only a pianist but also an author, composer, arranger, voice-over artist and the music director at St. Thomas Episcopal church in Lancaster, PA. It is here we learned that Maria knew from the age of 6 that she wanted to be a concert pianist and how she didn’t let what could have been a career and life-altering car accident at the age of 17 dissuade her from pursuing her dream. Our conversation ranged from the satisfaction she gets from practicing a challenging piece to to other challenges in her life like raising 2 young adults, one of whom is a musician herself and the other a talented artist who brings great joy to those around him. Maria shares many gems in this episode, especially for those considering a path as a freelance artist including advice on not tying your self-worth into your popularity or talent. Speaking of talents, Maria’s seem to be endless, and we are so honored to have her share them here with us. We humbly present Maria’s take on music, family and life…between the notes.

Born on the east coast and raised in the Midwest, Venona “Nonie” Detrick has been living a life filled with curiosity, love and of course…music. As a young child, she was hooked on her parents Reader’s Digest LP subscription while doing the chores she detested, but it was seeing a violinist on TV’s “Miss Frances’ Ding Dong School” that reeled her in. Ten years later, after her parents lobbied the school board to start a strings program, she was finally fulfilling her dream. In this episode, Nonie relays her life with the violin, marrying her pastor husband Joe (yet also confiding that the “devil made them do it” 👀) and raising 3 boys in the Dallastown Area School District in York, PA where she also worked as a string teacher for 17 years. It was here that she met her treasured colleagues David Diehl, Anne Moul and Colette Wichert who she describes as “excellent teachers”. Nonie is the founder of the York Area Suzuki Superbowz and the No Strings Attached string quartet. She has been a member of the York Symphony Orchestra for 34 years and has played in over 15 orchestras in her lifetime in the Midwest and Pennsylvania. As you listen, you will come to understand how passionate Nonie is about not only her family, but inspiring younger generations by instilling in them a love of music just as she did with her own children. We began this episode with a posed question which was in reaction to the Super Bowl LVII game with the Chiefs vs. Eagles that was played just the night before. The coincidence that Nonie is the founder of a group named Superbowz wasn’t lost on us! This insightful conversation was just lovely and we are so happy to share Nonie’s life…between the notes.

“I need to create an audience for classical music.” Cellist Jan Dixon has carved an incredible career out for herself as not only a member of the Reading Symphony Orchestra, assistant conductor of the Reading Youth Symphony Orchestra and director of the Orchestra Zone program but also as an inspirational music educator in the Berks County area. Luckily for the musical youth of Berks County, Jan was able to overcome an ill-fated encounter with a soda a bottle she was made to play in her elementary general music class which eventually steered her away from wind instruments and led her to the cello. Jan relays stories of Louis Vyner, Wes Fisher “the musical father of all of us in Berks County” as well as her inspirational co-workers at Governor Mifflin like Skip Norcott, Paul Cusano, Bob Cooper and Kathryn Fellman. Jan also credits Paul’s wife, Ann Cusano with helping her find her first teaching job in Norristown. This episode is chock full of other great stories harkening back to days of live music her grandfather played for silent movies, smoke-filled audition rooms and secrets revealed as to how her parents finally got her to practice. 😮 We hope you love this enjoyable conversation as much as we did! Here is Jan’s life…between the notes…

Trumpet player, Philadelphia Eagles fan and former public school teacher Todd Fulginiti chats with us while in the middle of a long and diverse career. Always open to exploring many different avenues, Todd has transitioned from an elementary general music & chorus position in public school to eventually broadening his career as a freelance musician and writer. In this episode, Todd (a former student of his trumpet teacher John Hess), reveals his struggles as a college student including the weight of Music Ed’s heavy course load, the challenge of ear training and how he persevered to earn his degree…eventually learning along the way that it’s always OK to change your mind. This episode identifies heavily with the “humanness” of a diverse career and we learned that Todd’s heart shines most when his family is involved. This is most evident in his yearly holiday endeavor with the Fulginiti Family Band which releases a single every year to raise proceeds for local organizations like Music for Everyone, Meals on Wheels and most recently for Dave Castarello’s My People on the Street Project. This episode is sponsored by the York Youth Symphony whose winter concert, in combination with the York County Senior Honors Choir, is Sunday, March 12, 2023 at 3:00! Tickets can be purchased at www.appellcenter.org. Please visit yorkyouthsymphony.org for more information about the YYSO. Get ready for a fascinating take on a varied musical career. This episode has a little something for everyone (even football fans)! Please enjoy Todd’s life…between the notes.

From a childhood that included moving seven times throughout the midwest, to eventually making her home in Lancaster County, the incredibly talented and thoughtful Elizabethtown College instructor Faith Shiffer shares her story of how she fell in love with the clarinet in 4th grade and never looked back. The clarinet, which has remained a constant throughout her life, has taken her from the beginnings of playing on a metal instrument handed down from her Uncle to playing national tours for Sunday in the Park with George, Chicago and South Pacific. Throughout our wide-ranging conversation, we talked not only about her touring experience, falling in love with her future husband (trombonist Steve Shiffer) in a "pit" of all places (!) but also how she manages the stress of sometimes having 70-hour work weeks and gives great tips on how other musicians can do the same. Ultimately, though, Faith has found that the actual sharing of music has become the most fulfilling aspect of being a performer. Throughout this beautiful conversation we agreed that it is not only sharing music with others, but it is also the support we give each other as musicians that is so vital to our well-being. Thank you to Faith for her insight and sharing her life...between the notes.

Musical visionary and Lancaster county professor/conductor, Dr. Brian Norcross, shares his musical life and experience in our first interview episode of 2023! The Franklin and Marshall professor and Allegro Orchestra Lancaster artistic director tells us many tales of his musical journey which began with what it was like growing up with a musical mom who helped foster his passion for music from the start. Brian's destiny seemed to be sealed from the beginning with his love for practicing and later pursuing his dream to become a high school band conductor. As life does, there were many twists and turns, but his relationship with Frank Battisti, who is described as "one of the most respected champions of music for winds in America", is what turned his direction toward the path of his current career. In this episode we learn what drives his desire to commission new compositions and what he feels would be a wonderful addition to the Lancaster county music scene for large ensembles. Weaving in humorous tales of his experiences with his primary instruments, other conductors, a doctoral dissertation that turned into a published book and what led him to ultimately becoming a collegiate wind & orchestral conductor - Brian shares the rich history of his musical life in and out of Lancaster county...between the notes.

On January 7th, 2023, Life Between the Notes was invited to be a part of the Susan Miller “Make Music!” Festival in downtown York, Pennsylvania. This FREE event was hosted by many organizations in York County including: the York Music Teachers Association, Studio 117, the YCPrep, The York County Honors Choirs, Public Disco Porch, the York Youth and Junior Symphonies, and the Shine Foundation. The entire day was filled with musical hands-on activities and drop-in sessions for musicians of all ages and levels. There were also live performances by students and professionals throughout day at The Appell Center, MarketView Arts, Heidelberg UCC, St. John Episcopal Church, Creative York, and York's Central Market House. Morgann Davis sat down that day with 22 participants ranging from ages 5 thru adulthood. Most are already playing instruments but some were at the festival just to dabble and see what there was to offer. In this episode, they experienced what it was like to be interviewed on a podcast and shared their love of music, practice tips and even how the York community is embracing the local music scene. Thanks to everyone who took the time to participate, what a great day it was for music in downtown York!

Episode #12 brings us our first co-host conversation since our premiere episode! Navigating the holidays can be difficult for anyone, but sometimes it seems even more-so for musicians who can find themselves to be overwhelmed with balancing their personal and professional life. In the thick of the holiday season, we discuss the top 5 stressors that musicians face during the holidays and ways to strategize and cope with, what is often, our busiest time of the year. Let us know in the comments, DM or email (lifebetweenthenotes@gmail.com) what your experience has been and if you have anything to add to the conversation, we'd love to know!

Frances Drost has recorded 9 solo albums throughout her career, but her 10th, which is to be released on November 4, 2022, is one of collaboration. LBTN's co-host, Kirstin Myers, approached her last December after pondering the thought of recording a Christmas album with new arrangements for the oboe/English horn and piano. After this, the rest was history - but in our 11th podcast, Frances and Kirstin share their history of this past year. From the conception of the project, traveling to Nashville to record it to waiting for CDs to arrive, they discuss not only the technical process of recording, but all the fears, hopes and vulnerabilities that go along with it. Arranged and produced by Nashville composer Phillip Keveren, "Midwinter's Gift" is a heartfelt and unique Christmas album that fills a gap in the oboe/English horn literature while also filling the listener with a sense of hope and peace. While many notes were played on this recording, listen in to this episode to find out what happened in-between them...and how it not only helped forge their friendship but how it changed these two musicians on their musical journeys.

From her early beginnings that were peppered with encouragement from her mother to play the piano, Newville Pennsylvania’s own singer/songwriter, Frances Drost, has paved a fascinating path with her musical career. During her childhood, Frances’s empathetic nature absorbed several tragedies in her family. Her intense feelings combined with her musical gifts have created a positive way of channeling her grief. In this episode, Frances discusses not only the impact her family has had on her life, but how she has been heavily influenced and inspired by Nashville artists and producers. Frances’s passion to help others has been a common thread throughout her life. This is exemplified with her involvement as a worship leader, a songwriter for Songs of Love – a nonprofit organization that connects songwriters with terminally ill children, a pianist with Center Stage at Penn State Hershey Medical Center and with her creation of an interactive Facebook show called Hit Pause during the Covid shutdown which provided inspiration for many homebound people. As you will hear, Frances exudes a love and passion for creating and performing music. This passion helped her work through not only the hurdles she encountered throughout her own life, but the challenges that the Covid shutdown presented all musicians. Her musical innovation has not only helped her career but has helped her many fans and friends navigate troubling times. We know you will enjoy getting to know Frances’s life…between the notes.

Dr. Jon Moyer, originally from Butler, Pennsylvania, is a performer, teacher and professor who eventually navigated his way further east when he landed his job in the Central York School District. A former student of Harding "Corky" Whitacre while in high school and Mark Lusk during his time at Penn State University, Jon credits both of his applied music teachers as both great inspirations and excellent teachers who helped shape him into the musician he is today. In this episode we discuss how it often "takes a village" to support a musicians' lifestyle and how his family's support, in particular his wife Angeline, is how he has managed to accomplish all that he has in his career thus far. Jon's involvement in the Nittany Trombone Quartet and other local groups has created a busy schedule in addition to his CYSD job as their beginning band and lesson instructor. We discuss his philosophy on a student's initial instrument choice and why a solid foundation in these beginning skills is so crucial. We also touch on the challenges of the Covid shutdown and how it not only affected his numerous jobs but how it changed his outlook on the rest of his career. If being a performer and teacher isn't enough, Jon was formerly an adjunct professor at York College and is currently teaching trombone and is involved as a member of the graduate school's music education faculty at Messiah University. We discuss the dichotomy of his beginning band and university jobs as well as his thoughts on the challenges that face education today. There are many takeaways in this episode, especially for young music educators - thanks for listening!

Dr. Willis Rapp, undoubtedly one of the finest educators and musical visionaries in our region, has enjoyed an illustrious career as a professor in higher education, an author of 500+ publications, principal timpanist of the Allentown Symphony, conductor of the Reading Pops Orchestra and guest conductor, recitalist and clinician. His musical journey has taken him from Pennsylvania to Louisiana to Iowa to Washington D.C. as well as to several provinces in Canada. Despite his travels, he has made eastern Pennsylvania his home and continues to have a widespread impact on the musical community here. In 2013 Will retired from Kutztown University with the distinction of Professor Emeritus which included receiving the KU Faculty Research Award in 2007 and the Arthur and Isabel Wiesenberger Faculty Award for excellence in teaching in 2009. In addition to these accolades, Will was also awarded the Percussive Arts Society Lifetime Achievement in Education Award in 2019. Will credits his high school band director, Ronald Demkee (Associate Conductor of the Allentown Symphony), for giving he and many other students an early exposure to great band literature. Fred Hinger of the Philadelphia Orchestra was also a great influence on the trajectory of Will's career. In our interview he also acknowledges colleagues who have been great influences and inspirations such as Dr. Samuel Bellardo, a colleague at KU, who made an impression with his gifted teaching style and patience with all students. For many, retirement is a time to relax and reap the rewards of their well-earned accomplishments. However, Will has taken on what he considers a "Legacy Project". For the past several years he has made it his mission to give the Center for Mallet Percussion Research a tangible home. Not just any home but a 13,000+ square foot building that rests on the campus of Kutztown University. This state-of-the-art construction will include a 2100 sq. ft. performance space, artifacts, music, photos and will also house over 60 vintage mallet instruments that will be available to see and even play. The Wells-Rapp Center will also feature a section honoring the women of mallet percussion. Construction of the Wells-Rapp Center for Mallet Percussion Research is to be completed in October of 2022 and it's grand opening will take place the first weekend in November. The grand opening will include concerts featuring the Heartland Marimba Quartet on November 5 and again on November 7 where they are featured with the Reading Pops Orchestra. Information about the Kutztown University Foundation can be found at www.kuf.org and The Center for Mallet Percussion Research is found online at www.kucmpr.org This podcast episode is sponsored by the Reading Musical Foundation: www.readingmusicalfoundation.org

Please join us as Mike Vitale invites us on a tour of his life as a freelance musician in not only the Lancaster area, but throughout ALL of Pennsylvania and cruise ships around the world 🛳 🎶 🌎 Mike shares his very early experience with piano and a brief ill-fated encounter with a woodwind instrument 👀😯 that eventually led him to his true calling as a double bassist. Mike credits Dave Rentschler, a former Director of Music as well as elementary principal with the School District of Lancaster, as his greatest inspiration for learning more about the bass. Peter Brye, a prominent cellist in the area and former professor at Millersville University is also significantly credited for jumpstarting his college career at Millersville. Mike’s steadfast dedication to his profession is exemplified in his willingness to put himself on the line in a variety of ways. From jumping headfirst into gigs where many people would be uncomfortable to working through months of physical therapy to overcome a severe injury that could have been catastrophic to his career. Mike is perseverance personified and we are so glad he took the time to share his life with us…between the notes… 🎵

Raised in the heart of Lancaster County, saxophonist Ryan Kauffman of Millersville University's Tell School of Music, shares his musical journey with us in our sixth episode! A graduate of Lancaster Mennonite HS, Ryan credits his teacher Phil Smith for pushing him forward in his saxophone studies which eventually transported him to Eastern Mennonite University and West Chester University. Listen in to find that surprisingly enough, he didn't begin his collegiate career on the saxophone... Ryan describes how immersion in his craft is what took him to another level and how no matter what avenue he travels musically, it all comes back to jazz. The influence of John Coltrane is discussed as well as his continued involvement in the local nonprofit group Naked Eye Ensemble, of which he has been a member since its inception. Musical and visual art has always been a passion of Ryan's and you will find that his desire to create has been woven into the fabric of his life in many ways. Here is Ryan's life, between the notes...

Jennifer Schoener, a Lancaster County native and dynamic Director of Educational Programming at the Upper Darby Arts & Education Foundation, sits down with us to share a multitude of aspects in her musical life. Jen shares the fascinating story of how her parents met at WGAL8 as well as what it was like to grow up next door to Millersville University where she would later earn her Music Ed degree. She also reflects on her involvement with New Holland Band and the Elizabethtown Summer Music Camp and how they both had a great impact on her trajectory as a musician. Great musical influences in her life included Jack Colangelo and Jean Romig from Millersville and Jere Fridy at Octorara HS who she accredits in an incredible (or incredulous?) story as the reason she didn't fail student teaching. Listen to Jen's incredibly inspiring story of how her late husband's drive and passion helped fuel her own. She relays how the Brad Schoener Memorial Fund they created a month before his passing is the foundation from which the Music Man Academy was built. The Schoener Music Man Academy is a 7 week-long summer camp that includes a variety of affordable music workshops and lessons in the Upper Darby area. Jen also retired in 2021 from the ELANCO school district after 30 years in her roles...inititally as their HS band director and eventually shifting to her role as elementary band director in the district. We hope you enjoy Jen's incredible story!

A veritable icon in the York county music scene, pianist Gretchen Dekker has impressed both local and international audiences since her teens. A current professor at York College of PA, Gretchen has been a featured soloist with the Peabody Chamber Symphony, the Harrisburg Symphony, the York Symphony Orchestra, the Hershey Symphony and the York Oratorio Society among others. Gretchen is a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore and was also a recipient of the Distinction in Performance Award from the New England Conservatory in Boston while working on her Masters. In this episode, Gretchen shares how grateful she was for teachers such as Randy Yoder at Northeastern School District who she describes as the "consummate professional" and relays the incredible importance of our school music teachers. She also describes being drawn to the piano as a young girl, however we also learn this was not the only instrument she has a passion for! Gretchen reflects fondly of her time in Amsterdam and Boston and how jumping in to the work she had there was partially out of naiveté but in turn provided some wonderful experiences. We also discuss the insecurities of musicians and how she personally de-stresses from stressful situations. This episode was made possible by the York Youth Symphony and the York Music Teachers Association. Gretchen also shares her ties to the YYSO and the important role it played in her life and for other students. Bonus Material! In the beginning of this episode you will hear an excerpt of Gretchen's most recent performance with the York Symphony Orchestra, the cadenza from Beethoven's Choral Fantasy. This performance is referred to within our episode and if you stick with us to the end, you can enjoy the cadenza in its entirety. We hope you enjoy this special episode with Gretchen!

Oboist Kim Webster, a pillar in the Berks County music community, shares with us how she (accidentally?) started playing the oboe and the great influence Wes Fisher had on her professional career. We also discuss what she wishes to impart to her private students as well as her many years of involvement with the Reading Symphony, the Reading Pops Orchestra and the Reading Musical Foundation. What a fun conversation this was, we hope you enjoy learning more about Kim! If you would like to contact us, please message us at lifebetweenthenotes@gmail.com