Steve Wilson Residency Postscript

"CSPAC is the Disneyland of Presenting"
By Laura Hartman, LVanHart Artist Productions
Manager and tour coordinator for Steve Wilson

May 6, 2009
I have finally had a little time to go through the photos that I took during our stay at the Clarice Smith Center this past March. Going through them brought that week back to me and reminded me that Steve Wilson, Bruce Barth, Adam Cruz, Michael Bowie, and I all had a fantastic time during our stay. Steve and I have done many residencies in the past, and hands down, this was the very best one on every front!

From our first meeting with the Center's artistic staff, in January 2008 at a booking conference in New York, we felt completely comfortable. Throughout the planning process I was very impressed with the cooperation between the presenting program and the School of Music. That doesn't always happen – in fact it's rather exceptional!

While we were there, each faculty member – Gerry Kunkle, Thomas Baldwin, Lee Hinkle, and of course, Chris Vadala – was so welcoming and truly pleased that Steve and his quartet were able to work with their students. And, the response from the students was quite wonderful as well! They asked insightful and intelligent questions. And, it was quite impressive to see that some of them sought extra time with Bruce and Steve. They took great advantage of having them there and, for me that really made the week special. We covered a lot of bases with this residency, Steve working and performing with Chris' ensemble (that was the first time I got to hear "A Joyful Noise" live!), Gerry and Thomas' combos, and Adam Cruz working with Lee's percussion students.

And, one of the highlights for us was visiting the Hyattsville Middle School and watching those kids soak up what Steve, Bruce, Adam, and Michael had to offer. They were incredibly hip kids and were just so attentive! I loved hearing them improve right before my eyes. Their music director, Carlos Castrillon, obviously, does an excellent job with them. Though he admits he's not a jazz player, he has made incredible accomplishments. And, thanks to the Center for offering those students the tickets to hear Steve's concert. It was amazing that 40 of them took advantage of those tickets!

One of the most important parts of the residency was Steve working with the University of Maryland School of Music string students. Nathan Bontrager's enthusiasm was definitely caught by Allyson Clark, Julia Frantz and Christina Wan. They approached the music with gusto, open mindedness, and they had so much fun. It was very rewarding for Steve to see the smiles on their faces. They did an excellent job on the music and added a great deal to the performance.

Steve and I very much enjoyed talking with the students from the university's Business of Music program. Having never had that kind of opportunity when I was in college, I feel it is important for people in our position to take time with students and give them a real idea of what working in this business is like. The Business of Music program is very lucky to have access to the facility and programming that the Center offers. They have one of the best models in the business in one of the finest facilities in the country.

And I don't want to forget the CSPAC staff. From the moment we arrived on campus -- when Ruth Waalkes, Madeline Bell and Elizabeth Doerr met us at the backstage door -- we felt welcome. Every request we made for rehearsal space, practice space, coffee, Fig Newtons, restaurant suggestions, water, copies, was handled so graciously. And all of this while cellist Steven Isserlis was on campus as well! The technical crew, run by Aaron Muller, was first class. A special thank you to Jamie O'Connell for the recording of the concert.

I have worked with Steve and his quartet for 12 years now. And I know they are the best in the business. I can trust when I send them anywhere they will give 200%. When everything works, as it should, everyone does their job, and everyone enjoys what they are doing, it makes them even better. As a manager, to have been part of making this all happen, this week was one of the most rewarding of my career. On behalf of Steve Wilson, Bruce Barth, Michael Bowie, Adam Cruz and myself, thank you all for a wonderful experience. CSPAC is the Disneyland of presenting. It's the happy place to work!

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