It came as a bit of a shock when I read that 2014 marks the 50th anniversary for the Blair School of Music. Circa 1970, it was still known as Blair Academy. That is where I learned formal composition and studied piano around 1969-1972, about the same time my brother David had the Suzuki violin program experience (and vice verse) and my sister Nina studied piano there. As old and old-fashioned as studying piano and piano composition seemed at the time, the Blair Academy I knew also seemed cutting edge, as an electric piano lab was installed that allowed for group practice sessions. This when the Moog synthesizer and A Clockwork Orange were still recent phenomena. Some generous alumni are supporting The Blair School of Music 50th Anniversary Kickoff Celebration in 2014 on March 16 at 3 pm Nashville time.

Music appreciation–the understanding of composition form, balance, counterpoint, and so forth, may take a long time to manifest itself in children enrolled in classes–I speak from experience. It would be a mistake, however, to give in to the childish wishes to be free from practicing and learning music.  The opportunity to learn and embed such skills as chord progressions and arpeggios do not necessarily present themselves later in life, and these are lifelong skills that may (or may not) be valued as an adult.

Music appreciation begins with exposure, both in listening and performing.  Was it the grammar school recorder or the Cub Scouts fife-and-drum that led 40 years later to producing a classical studio album?  I don’t think so.  To be sure, playing in my high school pep band and college marching band were fun while they lasted, but it took decades of exposure to  symphonies for the understanding instilled by Mr. Higgs at Blair to bloom in a music hacker like me.

Blair has grown significantly over the years.  If you are interested in young and growing institutions, look no further than the Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia (SONOVA).  On March 30, 2014, at the George Washington Masonic Memorial Theatre in Alexandria, Virginia, you can catch SONOVA’s 3rd ANNUAL GALA CONCERT “A Celebration of North & South” featuring George Gershwin’s classic “Rhapsody in Blue” with renowned Ecuadorian pianist Juan Carlos Escudero. This organization “aims to provide high-quality classical music to Northern Virginia and the surrounding areas, while upholding our standards of outreach, education, and entertainment.”

When visiting Nashville, I look to Blair; in the Washington DC area, I look to the Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia for inspiration–and talent. SONOVA is where I have seen about half the performers on the studio recording of A Roadkill Opera. The studio recording of A Roadkill Opera was released on July 4, 2013, on Amazon.com and subsequently on  CD Baby, AmazonMP3, and iTunes. It is now available worldwide on nearly all platforms. This comic opera with music in the style of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is recommended for fans of PDQ Bach, Tom Lehrer, and The Rutles–but only if you like classical music with infectious hooks.

The first time anyone heard A Roadkill Opera in public was at the open rehearsals held at Artomatic 2012 in Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia. The idea of workshopping this new comic opera in public was inspired by the do-it-yourself ethos of Artomatic, the Washington DC area’s largest free creative arts event.

The workshop concert performance for this new comic opera was SRO–sprawling room only.  Every seat was filled, and people took advantage of the carpeted floor to make themselves comfortable. It didn’t hurt that the stage was located next to the bar! That worked thematically, too, as the story of A Roadkill Opera takes place in a bar showroom.

The workshopping of A Roadkill Opera was accomplished in the space of one week. The first rehearsal was for vocalists only, with the help of a talented rehearsal accompanist.

Rehearsal was held on the first floor, as the fire marshall was busy inspecting the floor where our performance would eventually be held–the  Cherry Crush Stage. Rehearsal times that were proposed as performances by some bands had led to a general restriction on use of stages for rehearsals, so we almost had our rehearsals canceled at the last minute.

A videographer was recruited to capture this first workshop performance. Ben Ganz flew in from Los Angeles for the dress rehearsal and performance. He recruited his assistant locally, brother Jason Ganz. The low budget setting of the story in A Roadkill Opera was carried through to the opening night performance, as these volunteers worked for food.

At the dress rehearsal, the vocalists were unhappy with the bright stage lighting.  The videographer was adamant that lighting was required for high definition video.  Fortunately, the librettist had lighting rigs from Artomatic 2010 that could be installed rapidly. We only had the stage for one hour.  Since the band that had the stage reserved in the time slot ahead of us had not shown up by half past their hour, we were able to get an extra 30 minutes to set up. We used every minute of it.

Good morning, campers!

On Groundhog Day a year ago, February 2, 2013, the book If You See Roadkill, Think Opera was first released for sale on Kindle and on Amazon.com. It was the first of 7 Roadkill Opera paperbacks published in 2013; the other 6 provide sheet music and lyrics for anyone wanting to follow along, play along, practice, or perform A Roadkill Opera.

The studio recording of A Roadkill Opera was released on July 4, 2013, on Amazon.com and subsequently AmazonMP3, CD Baby, and iTunes. It is now available worldwide on nearly all platforms.

The “underground opera sensation” is garnering buzz among opera aficionados and amateur musicians alike.  A January 2014 listening party in Washington DC was repeated the next night.

The energy is building; contacts have been made and discussions are under way for potential performances in Tampa, Nashville, and Washington DC in the next year.

Many thanks to the fans who have written in this past year with compliments, encouragement, and ideas. Some of the correspondence received is excerpted below:

From: Bev
Date: Thu, Jan 30, 2014 at 12:57 PM
Subject: Re: Interested!!!
To: E.J.
With that enthusiasm and your credentials, I vote for you as first chair brass.

On Wed, Jan 29, 2014 at 8:50 PM, E.J. wrote:

My daughter might be interested, too (her name is Ivy, but she goes by _______ online).

I want to be chair of the brass section.  Can’t play a lick.

 EJ

From: cece
Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2014 5:15 PM
To: bev
Subject: Re: Interested!!!

 OMG

This is fantastic. Right up my alley. Can’t wait to get the music so I can start playing it badly.

Cece
—–Original Message—–

From: Bev
To: E.J.
Cc: Cece
Sent: Wed, Jan 29, 2014 11:07 am
Subject: Re: Interested!!!

Thanks, EJ! 

About The Tampa Really Terrible Orchestra:  I just received a fakebook and CD for an opera, “Roadkill.”  I think we can begin auditions for the opera and build from there.  The composer will provide the sheet music! 

I am introducing you by inclusion to Cece, the woodwinds first chair.  

Others who listened to the studio recording have written in; here are some of the comments:

From: Roger
Sent: Monday, January 27, 2014 2:03 PM

Just want you to know that we appreciate and enjoy your Road Kill Opera track. After listening to it, I saved a copy for Jenny and I and gave the CD to my son. He is heavy into the ‘Tenors’ and Opera Vocals and immediately began playing it for our Grandson who enjoys music at 9 months old. The rich music and outstanding vocals makes us wish we were watching it live however, it is very imaginative on its own.

And this one:

From: Richard
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 10:55 PM
Subject: Roadkill

Stephan, thanks so much for the CD! A very pleasant surprise. I have listened a few times and will pass it on to Dick. I have sent the web link around as well. It is funny because two summers age in Boise I met ____ and found that like me he is a trombone player AND the leader of the Reno Jazz Orchestra. He became an engineer as he was not making it as a band leader for a while. He has since retired and is now full time with the Band. I have always told people that when I retire one of the things I planned to do was be a street musician in Portland, OR. My son lives there with his wife who is an Opera Singer (and Whole Foods Deli manager) and just went back to school for some more training. We would make a great pair out on the street.

And this one:

From: Kelly
Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2014 9:51 PM

The Roadkill Opera was amazing! Thanks for sharing the CD with us. The singing was fantastic and the lyrics were a lot of fun. My Dad said to tell you that you are a classic(al) guy! Not sure that I would ever have thought that an opera would be fun. Was there a stage show? If so, are you still performing? I’ll be back in DC in late February and would love to see the live show.

And this one:

From: Linda
Sent: Monday, January 20, 2014 2:05 PM
Subject: an opera?

Really? Can you send me a link? Eva pinged me on that. How cool. You may have forgotten I have two degrees in piano performance 🙂

And one more:

I listened to your opera yesterday while driving from Florida to Birmingham, Alabama.  I didn’t realize it would be so funny.  The performers are superb and it is a very good recording.  It would really lend itself to an over-the-top period costuming and décor.  Or at least an original style production like the retro Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Company.

Thanks again to the fans and keep the emails coming.  You can also check out the comments below from Jeff and Rod (links are below) and the comments on the Kindle version of If you see roadkill, think opera (4 and 5 stars!).

The most recent brick and mortar location to carry the line is Groth Music:

The paperback titles, authors, and original release dates on Amazon (products first created on CreateSpace, an Amazon company) are:

And the CD:

A Roadkill Opera by Stephan Alexander Parker (2013)