Loose Leaf Notes

The following first appeared in The Floyd Press on April 25, 2013.

Music lovers and supporters of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Music Festival (VBRMF) were treated to “Classics Around the World” in a final pre-festival concert to benefit the upcoming festival, scheduled to take place at various venues in Floyd from May 30 to June 9^th.

 Held in the Celebration Hall at the Floyd EcoVillage, the Thursday evening concert presented a range of musical masterpieces from classical composers around the globe.   Influences from Japan, Germany, Italy, France, Ireland and the U.S. were represented and were played with masterful style and inspiration by the festival’s artistic director/conductor Maestro David Wiley on piano and principal festival musicians Akemi Takayama on violin, Julee Hickcox on flute, John Smith on bass and Al Wojtera on percussion. 

 Wiley, who currently serves as the director/conductor of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and New York’s Long Island Philharmonic, was joined on stage by Takayama—a celebrated violinist and concertmaster of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra–  for the opening number.  Together, they performed The Sea in Spring, which Wiley dedicated to the families affected by the recent tragedy in Boston, saying the piece was about new beginnings.   

Wiley spoke with enthusiasm about the upcoming festival, dubbed Classics in the Blue Ridge.  It will feature an academy of pre-professional musicians (ages 18 – 30) and professional musician mentors who will perform a variety of chamber and orchestral concerts, concerto solos and more in both grand and intimate settings, as well as street performances. Speaking about the caliber of the student applicants, Wiley said, “Here in this amazing place, we will celebrate the stars of the future.” 

“It’s real. It’s really happening,” he continued, “and it wouldn’t happen without all of our sponsors and donors.”  Wiley thanked VBRMF sponsors and volunteer board members.  He expressed gratitude to EcoVillage founders, Jack Wall and Kamala Bauers, for the use of the state of-the-art hall, which overlooks a pond and pavilion, the setting of future festival music, Wiley noted.

Among the composers featured at the concert was Amy Beach, a 19th century pianist and child prodigy from New England, who was the first female composer to have a symphony performed by a major symphony orchestra.   Beach’s piece “Romance” filled the hall with a romantic spirit.  It was followed by a rousing piece by Italian composer Vittorio Monti, a rendition which Wiley described as having a “fiery gypsy flavor.”

Following the intermission, an up-tempo Jazz Suite performance prompted Wiley to quip, “Who says classical musicians can’t swing?”  Concert goers also enjoyed contemporary compositions penned by Wiley.   The musicians received a standing ovation at the close of the concert.

A dessert and coffee reception, provided by Natasha’s Café and Red Rooster Coffee Roaster, took place in the lobby, where attendees met the musicians, purchased Music Festival passes, made Silent Auction bids on donated items, and shared their excitement about the quality of music and the opportunities the festival will to bring to Floyd.

Wiley encouraged the crowd to spread the word, saying, “This is for the whole region and is something we will all be proud of.”

Note: Festival passes ($99 and $49 for students) to all events, which will include 11 concerts, are available online at VBRMF website and at the Jacksonville Center for the Arts.