By Joann Stephens, Guest Blogger
Editor's Note: More volunteers are needed for these concerts in January, February and March. Email Jenna for details on dates and what composers will be featured at each one. These concerts are Saturday and/or Sunday nights, in the Music Hall at the American History Museum, and feature a pre-concert talk.
Rosalyn M. King, Ed.D is an academician par excellence. She is a professor of psychology and a Fulbright Visiting Scholar from the University of the Bahamas, as well as Editor-In-Chief of the ECCSSA Journal (East Coast Colleges Social Science Association), to name a few of her accomplishments.
But it is her passion for music that compels Rosalyn to devote personal time as a Smithsonian Associates Event Rep at concerts presented the Chamber Music Society, now in its 43rd season.
Joining her in this pursuit is Marilyn Jacanin, a Smithsonian Associates Bus Rep who happily steps in for last minute requests to assist Chamber Music programs when other volunteers are unavailable or become ill.
Here Rosalyn and Marilyn share why being up close and personal with master musicians and performances on Stradivari.
Instruments from the Smithsonian’s music collections bring sweet music to their ears and souls.
Rosalyn M. King
I have studied music most of my life and can play flute, piccolo, recorders, piano, and electronic keyboard. In my early life, played violin and guitar. I play for fun and relaxation rather than serious musicianship. I have a love for classical music and all other genres of music as well. I look forward to the Chamber Music concerts as it keeps me abreast, updated and active with my musical interests. I also enjoy (instead of “furthermore”) listening to the brilliance of Dr. Kenneth Slowik who gathers some of the most talented musicians and performers and create unique programs with composers who develop brilliant compositions. He always introduces new and innovative composers and compositions. What I like best is that most of the pieces performed are not the run of the mill compositions that bore lay people. They are interesting and exciting and make you listen and wonder what the composer was thinking when developing the composition. He also oftentimes lectures on either the composer or composition prior to the concert.
It is wonderful to hear the quality of really good string instruments and the other instruments in the collection. I wish I could afford one. It is great to get introduced to some of the more novel instruments that are featured from time to time.
Marilyn Jacanin
I so enjoy classical music and took cello lessons and played in high school & college informally and loved it.
Now imagine if a person could hear music the exact way people did in the 18th & 19th century? How exciting! Well, that's what happens when one goes to these wonderful Chamber Music Society Concerts to hear classical music played on the rare, Stradivarius cello and violin! What a thrill!
The musicians are so talented, and hearing the music is calming, peaceful, transcending one into another level of well being and happiness. That's what happens to me when I hear that beautiful music. I come out of the concert so fulfilled. I get so much more from volunteering and am pleased that I can help out but feel I get the better part of the deal!
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