Cameras are rolling on the new seasons of San Diego OperaTalk! and San Diego Opera Spotlight. Stay tuned in the coming months for an interesting and informative look at some of your favorite works.
Join UCSD-TV as we go behind the scenes of the world premiere of “Lilith.” Hear from playwright Allan Havis and composer Anthony Davis about how this new adaptation made its way from the page to the stage. Look for Making “Lilith” early this Spring.
(Press Release) For most people, memories of summer camp revolve around lawn sports, swimming and mosquito bites. But for a diverse group of musically inclined students-- ranging in age from 14 to 70+ – summer camp means days packed with workshops on jazz and nights filled with performances by renowned jazz musicians. Welcome to UC San Diego Jazz Camp, now the subject of a documentary premiering September 25 at 8pm on UCSD-TV.
This original UCSD-TV documentary explores the innovative and immersive combination of group courses, master classes, ensemble workshops, private lessons, jam sessions, and faculty concerts that make UC San Diego Jazz Camp such an unforgettable experience for students and faculty alike. Directed by UCSD-TV’s award-winning producer John Menier, the half-hour program chronicles the camp’s June 2009 session -- its seventh annual edition and the first one to be held in UCSD’s pristine new music building. In addition to the broadcast premier, the program will be available for viewing and podcast downloading at http://www.ucsd.tv.
UC San Diego Jazz Camp, a five-day summer program operated by UC San Diego Extension, offers intermediate to advanced level musicians ages 14 to adult a unique journey into the diverse world of jazz, breaking down the boundaries between "inside" and "outside” and encouraging students to experience jazz as a broad spectrum of options for musical expression. The students work closely and creatively with an extraordinary faculty of leading jazz improvisers and educators, including alto saxophonist Charles McPherson, pianists Mike Wofford and Geoffrey Keezer, drummers Willie Jones III and Gerry Hemingway, and UCSD Music professors Anthony Davis, Mark Dresser, and David Borgo. More information is available at http://jazzcamp.ucsd.edu/.
Jazz Camp Director Dan Atkinson commented, “The UC San Diego Jazz Camp has become one of the leading summer jazz workshops in the country, giving the camp’s students a rare opportunity to study with some of the world’s leading jazz artists. We are very pleased to be able to share some of the excitement of the camp experience through this documentary program on UCSD-TV.”
Watch the Entire Program:
(PRESS RELEASE) LA JOLLA, CA— UCSD-TV took home the Emmy Award in the Entertainment-Program or Special category for “La Jolla Symphony & Chorus: Philip Glass’ Cello Concerto.” UCSD-TV’s Arts and Humanities producer John Menier accepted the award — his fifth career Emmy win and UCSD-TV’s thirteenth — at the June 13 ceremony in downtown San Diego.
The award-winning program features La Jolla Symphony & Chorus’ North American premiere of Glass' “Cello Concerto” and interviews with renowned cellist Wendy Sutter, conductor Steven Schick, and the composer himself.
UCSD-TV and La Jolla Symphony & Chorus have created an ongoing partnership to produce programs that showcase performances and behind-the-scenes interviews with the artists. Two new programs will debut on UCSD-TV in July, including Evan Ziporyn’s “Frog’s Eye” with Tijuana-based dance troupe Lux Boreal, and “Passion,” featuring Elgar’s “Cello Concerto” with guest cellist Maya Beiser. Broadcast information is available at www.ucsd.tv/lajollasymphony.
Watch the Entire Program:
La Jolla Music Society and UCSD-TV have forged a unique partnership to share the magic of Summerfest with television and web audiences. We asked executive producer John Menier to tell us a bit more about the history and making of the series.
UCSD-TV: How did UCSD-TV's partnership with La Jolla Music Society's Summerfest begin?
JOHN MENIER: The exact details are shrouded in the mists of time, but I first made contact with La Jolla Music Society in 1993. At that time I was interested in one particular event, an appearance by composer Bright Sheng at the Athanaeum Music Library in La Jolla. The resulting program turned out very well, and over the next few years we gradually developed an enduring partnership with the Society.
UCSD-TV: What are some of your favorite moments from past Summerfest seasons?
JM: I’m fascinated by rehearsals, and I love documenting the creative process. As a fan of, and advocate for, new music, it’s been a particular treat to watch such creative talents as Tan Dun, John Adams, Chick Corea and Wayne Shorter refine their work with some of the world’s best musicians, and to share their processes with a wider audience. The opportunity to interview them is a rare privelege as well.
There are many favorite moments. I have fond memories of L’Histoire du Soldat with conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen, narrator John Rubinstein and choreographer John Malashock; Tan Dun’s Ghost Opera, with violinist Cho-Liang Lin and pipa virtuoso Wu Man; John Adams rehearsing his Shaker Loops; Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra rehearsing their SummerFest concert; and the blending of chamber music and contemporary choreography by Allyson Green, especially for Tan Dun’s Elegy: Snow in June, an exciting and profoundly moving piece which featured UCSD’s own master percussionist, Steven Schick.
UCSD-TV: Shooting a live performance is quite different from shooting a studio interview. What are the primary challenges and what is a typical Summerfest shoot like?
JM: The biggest challenge is reconciling the intricate demands of multi-camera television production with the presenter’s requirements for live performance. We simply don’t have the same control over the concert venue that we take for granted in the studio. It’s really a process of negotiation, with regard to lighting, camera and microphone placement, and audio recording. I work closely with SummerFest’s production staff and stage management to ensure that we get what we need without compromising the performance, or inconveniencing the concert musicians or patrons. Fortunately, over time we’ve earned the Society’s trust, which makes my job much easier, as does the quality of their staff and of our production crew. It’s been a mutually respectful and beneficial partnership.
UCSD-TV: What can the UCSD-TV audience expect from this season's performances?
JM: As in seasons past, viewers can expect SummerFest’s eclectic blend of established chamber repertoire, overlooked works by renowned composers, and new music commissioned for the festival. And, since I just can’t seem to stay out of rehearsals, you can expect behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with composers and musicians. Beginning this year, viewers may also visit our website for “bonus features” such as extended interviews, pre-concert lectures, etc. It’s all part of our determination to add value to the viewer’s experience by going beyond the concert hall.
Watch online videos and learn more about La Jolla Music Society SummerFest.
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