The Lengths

I'm always amazed at the dedication and sacrifice that's involved in being a part of a chamber music group. I'll take it a step further and say that to be a member of a contemporary music ensemble takes extra courage and conviction. You have to believe in what you're doing to go to the lengths we sometimes go through. I believe that musicians such as we three wear these lengths as a badge of honor - as we should!

I'm on an Amtrak train right now with my new smart phone that allows me to do janus business while underground (Yes! Productivity!). Today's travel experience has me reflecting on some of the sacrifices we make to further the success of this trio we call our own. So instead of catch up on the "after-hours" janus emails and work, I'm drawn to contribute a blog entry about the lengths we each go through to accomplish the obvious, simple and expected job we've taken on and are dedicated to: playing in a trio.

To sum up my day, it started at 6am (coffee ready to be turned "on") with my bags already packed the night before ready to arrive at my destination of Marlboro, VT later this evening. Before heading to the second of this week's janus rehearsals I went to my other job as a pilates instructor (my alter-ego - and not a bad way to stay in shape for those long recording sessions ahead!) for 4 hours. Of course between work and rehearsal, I had to stop by the "Bakeri" in Williamsburg to pick up the day's finest pastries for our rehearsal break later that day (a self-elected job I deemed necessary to add to my janus tasks long ago as I tend to be the 1/3 of the group who travels BY FAR the least out of the 3 of us! And so the least I can do is provide for the sweet tooth!)

I digress...

An hour subway ride from north Brooklyn to south Brooklyn takes me the 4 full miles to Nuiko's brother's apartment where we hold our NYC rehearsals. After 4 hours of working through all new works for this Princeton show on 9/22 (thanks for coming out to Parkside Cameron and Konrad!), I'm ready to jump back on the subway and head up to Grand Central to catch one of two more trains that will eventually (soon I hope!) leave me off in Springfield, Mass. where I'll be picked up by a volunteer driver (thanks in advance, Jesse!) who will bring me finally to Marlboro College where I'll spend some days working on a project with a few French choreographers and an "NYC-based" composer.

there I went digressing... but it's so blogging easy!

I'm stuck on all the details of the day, however, today's adventures are by no means exceptional when considering the lives of the fine young women of the janus trio. As the more NYC-central 3rd of this group, I'm always inspired by the distances and hurdles my two colleagues will sometimes overcome just to make it to a 5 hour rehearsal, only to turn right back around and do it all over again in reverse! I know this sounds like an exaggeration to some of you, but I can not tell a lie (really, try me).

It's always funny when we're asked about where we live or, when we're touring, "where does your trio comes from?" It's the same for most musicians of course. You grew up here, then you moved away to school, then you transferred to a music conservatory, then another school for your masters, and again for your doctorate... and eventually you're not really sure how to answer this question! Of course it's fun to have so many possibilities. When it comes to janus, we have a few options as well. We are a "Brooklyn-based trio" or depending on the venue "NYC-based". However here's how it really goes...

Amanda and Beth met when Amanda was at Yale (CT). Amanda moved to NYC and Beth to Brooklyn (NY). Amanda won her position at the Coast Guard Band and moved to Mystic (CT). Beth met Nuiko in Aspen (CO) - side note: Nuiko was living in Houston (TX). Nuiko, still living near Rice, came up to play with janus while she was also living part-time in Chicago (IL). Nuiko won her job at the Pittsburgh Opera (PA) and also moved part-time to Brooklyn (NY).

For the record, I didn't digress.

These are the three states that we live in: CT, PA and NY. And that's being conservative, really, considering summer music festivals, etc. So, you can imagine the lengths that are taken to create a rehearsal schedule, plan a tour or recording session, or even just get together and talk over a few beers! We've never tried to rehearse over the phone but I imagine groups like ours might take it into consideration in dire straights! So far, we've managed just fine and with grace. Considering any of these simple questions like "where is your trio from?", "how was rehearsal today?" or "what does it take to survive in these financial times?" :) I can't help but ponder the lengths.

So, as I await the piercingly-loud announcement for Springfield, I feel like I'm joining my colleagues in a normal day's work. I'll keep bringing the baked goods, ladies.

-B