Monday Musicale with the Maestro – November 30, 2020 – Maestro Curry Speaks To Young Musicians
Maestro Curry Speaks To Young Musicians
A few days ago, on Thanksgiving, my brother and I had a phone conversation about how lucky we were that so many excellent public music school teachers took a serious and sincere interest in us. I have always been grateful for those teachers. And from the start of my professional career at the age of 21, I’ve remained determined to follow their example.
Over the next 40 years, I conducted over 20 youth orchestras across this country, taught music appreciation as an adjunct professor at William Peace University, lectured for adult classes sponsored by Duke University and NC State, mentored young composers and conductors, and held the North Carolina Symphony’s record for conducting the most young people’s concerts ever with that orchestra (almost 700)! I have never turned down an opportunity to share what I love with young music-lovers.
So, when DSO violist Corrie Franklin first asked me to work with her wonderful orchestra at Chapel Hill High School in February 2019, I was delighted to do so. On February 26, 2020, I returned there during Black History Month to talk about the Durham Symphony Orchestra and some of the African American composers we have performed, including Scott Joplin. The pictures below are from that occasion.
During these days of social distancing, teachers have had to be quite inventive to remain in contact with their students. When Corrie asked to tape an interview with me that would be shown to her students in December, I was once again pleased and honored to accept her request. I am told that, in a few weeks, I will be able to receive the student’s feedback, comments, and questions after they have viewed it. I look forward to responding to them!
Corrie Franklin is a great violist, teacher, conductor, and friend. And as you’ll see in this video, she’s also a great interviewer!
Durham Symphony Orchestra Maestro William Henry Curry Interview with Corrie Franklin – YouTube
At my request, Corrie has graciously provided an inspiring account of her own journey from young musician to music educator. We are grateful indeed to have her as part of the DSO!
‘Music is powerful. I never realized how powerful until I started becoming interested in majoring in music in college. From the first time I worked with students from an underserved population, I saw how powerful music can be. I knew I loved teaching music, but I knew even more so that I could use music as a tool to empower, inspire, and bring joy into the lives of others. My original plan was to become a performance major and play for a symphony one day, and maybe teach on the side. But from my first internship experience, I knew that my heart was in the classroom. When I graduated from UNC Greensboro and moved to Raleigh for my first teaching job, I was consumed with being a new teacher and found myself really missing performing with an orchestra. A year later, I moved to Chapel Hill for my current job and auditioned for the Durham Symphony, which has been my symphony “home” now for the past nine years. Being a part of the DSO has made me a better musician and also a better teacher. I find myself learning so much from watching Maestro Curry and learning about new and exciting works, such as the music of Florence Price and other modern composers. I also find myself soaking up the great classics and challenging myself to find time to practice after a long day of teaching.
Our 2020 school year has been shocking and challenging to say the least. I teach orchestra at Culbreth Middle School and Chapel Hill High School, and we have been fully virtual since mid-March. Our numerous field trips (including our spring trip to NYC), concerts, and special events have all been canceled. Students are playing on mute twice a week while I do my best to show them techniques and lead them through assignments. I started a new group of beginners and have taught them how to hold their instruments and tune over video calls. This has undoubtedly been a year that has challenged both me and my students. We miss our orchestra community and the joy of playing together each day.
When the school year first started, I wanted to find ways to enrich my students’ musical experience since so many of our regular opportunities have been canceled for the foreseeable future. I had the idea to interview a guest of the week. Each Wednesday my students learn through assignments I post for them to complete for credit. Our weekly interviews have been a highlight of our year. We have talked to guests from all over the United States (and Scotland) about all topics in music ranging from the Sphinx Organization, music therapy in Hospice Care, electric instruments, chamber music, and more. I was thrilled when Maestro Curry agreed to be our guest and share his experience as a conductor. Many of my students have little knowledge of conducting and ask questions about what conductors really do besides “wave a stick.” I also value Maestro Curry because of his honesty, his inspirational spirit, and his willingness to share difficult conversations about race and the challenges that many of my students are facing in our time. Although we would rather have him visit in person, I am very grateful to have him inspire my students during our virtual learning.’
Be safe, be well—be hopeful!
William Henry Curry
Music Director
Durham Symphony Orchestra
Celebrating Maestro Curry’s 50 years conducting
& 11 years with the Durham Symphony!
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Funding is provided (in part) by the Durham Arts Council’s Annual Arts Fund, the N.C. Arts Council (a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources), and a grant from the Triangle Community Foundation.
