An air on the air, thoughts about going on the radio tomorrow

Well, tomorrow is going to be really interesting. I have been invited to speak (and play) on the radio, to discuss upcoming events that will be happening with Kara's Hope Foundation. You are probably wondering how on earth I found myself in this exciting situation.

A few days ago, I was putting together a few press releases announcing the first of three recitals that pianist Juliana Han and I will be performing. (For more information about the recital taking place on Sunday, March 13, 2016 at 2 PM, please click here:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1056353064428658/) I sent the releases out to a few of the local newspapers in my hometown on Long Island. Within minutes, I received an email back from the editor of one of the papers, inviting me to speak on behalf of Kara's Hope Foundation on Long Island News Radio, 103.9 FM. (For those of you who are native Long Islanders, this used to be WRCN, a classic rock station.) Originally the thought was to call in to give an update on what Kara's Hope Foundation is doing.

My original thought was, "Wow, this is really exciting!" Anxiety quickly set in, as I was scrambling to think of what I should say. (For those who don't know, Kara's Hope Foundation was a non-profit organization established in my sister's memory. Take a look here at the website, http://www.karashopefoundation.org)  

Kara and me in a Williams sibling reading session (circa 1998)

To what degree do I talk about Kara and her life? Which events organized by the Foundation do I discuss? Will calling in be the best way to get the message across, or would it help for me to be in the room where the radio show is airing?

As discussions continued to determine when I would make my radio appearance, I offered an idea, "I could perform on air if you would like." Since the original press release was announcing a viola recital, and figuring live viola is a rarity on radio stations on Long Island, that might be the best way to balance the conversation. The idea was warmly received, and I was invited to come in tomorrow morning.  

So, if are interested in listening to me as I wear three hats at once (as Kara's older brother, as Vice President of Kara's Hope Foundation, and as a violist), please tune into http://linewsradio.com/john-gomez/ tomorrow, (103.9 FM) Monday, February 15, 2016, at 12 PM. I plan to play Alan Hovhaness's Chahagir, for solo viola, and discuss the upcoming events that are being organized by Kara's Hope Foundation.

A New Month, and A New Mindset

Whoever said that life was over once you hit 30, either didn't know what they were talking about, or was not a musician! My thirties have been monumental so far, with each year breaking new barriers. I suspect 32 will be on a similar path forward! My practicing regimen is more thorough and consistent than it ever was before, and I have learned to listen to myself more critically. I am trying to be more careful about my sleeping habits, and I am more mindful of what I ingest and how I exercise. Perhaps it is an internal sense of having higher stakes, or a recognition that I can be successful if I do "x, y and z."

January 2016 was a month of a some memorable performances and projects!  After the holidays, I was on tour with the Strauss Orchestra of America, performing with several dear friends in Philadelphia, New Brunswick (New Jersey), New York, and the outskirts of Washington, D.C.  It was a real thrill performing with ballroom and ballet dancers, and some phenomenal opera singers.  I was also fortunate enough perform with some fine colleagues at Carnegie Hall (on my birthday, no less).  I had a chance to return to the Cornelia Street Cafe, performing Elvis Costello and the Brodsky Quartets song cycle, The Juliet Letters, with Lisa Flanagan, a fine soprano, and the Archipelago Quartet.  While the snow marred some plans, it gave me a chance to regroup for an awesome recording session for Rhymes With Opera.  I had the privilege of working with some really awesome musicians (and dear friends), while recording the orchestral part of Ruby Fulton's opera titled Adam's Run.   To find out more about this project, please take a look at their website, www.rhymeswithopera.org, or at their Indiegogo campaign site, https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/adams-run-a-rhymes-with-opera-video-production#/.

(Rhymes With Opera recording session. Photo courtesy of Ruby Fulton.)

Now that January is out of the way, I can return a majority of my focus to practicing and working on the Dissertation.  As I have become entrenched in the writing process, I am realizing that the two do have to go hand in hand, at least to some degree.  My writing as able to improve and grow when I am feeling confident about my playing, and vice versa.  February is going to be a relatively calm and quiet month, which will enable me to be productive.  I may not surface as much this month, but I encourage you to reach out and say hi!  An occasional coffee with a friend or two will definitely be welcomed!

And now for the exciting part... I am thrilled to announce a series of recitals that I am organizing.  I will joining forces with Juliana Han, a fine pianist, for three performances.  The first will be on Sunday, March 13, 2016, at 2 PM at the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library in Shirley (NY), and will be hosted by Kara's Hope Foundation.  https://www.facebook.com/events/1056353064428658/ For those of you who do not know of this organization, Kara's Hope Foundation is a non-profit organization that was established in honor of Kara Lynn Williams, (my younger sister) a senior at William Floyd High School who passed away suddenly in 2010.  Kara's Hope Foundation hosts an annual 5K Run/Walk for Scholarships every May in Southaven Park.  For more information, please visit www.karashopefoundation.org.

The second recital will take place in LeFrak Concert Hall, at the Aaron Copland School of Music, CUNY Queens College on Thursday, March 24th at 7:30 PM.  https://www.facebook.com/events/185833641774478/  If you haven't been to LeFrak, I highly recommend exploring it, as it is one of the finest concert halls in New York City (especially outside of Manhattan), and it is a real thrill to return there.  The third recital (which also happens to be my last degree recital at the CUNY Graduate Center) will take place at the Elebash Recital Hall at the CUNY Graduate Center, at 5th and 34th Street in Manhattan.  The performance will be Monday, April 4, 2016, at 7:30 PM.  https://www.facebook.com/events/717762368359380/  This performance will be live streamed, (for those of you who are out of town) and will give you a glimpse of the music of the composer that I have been researching for my Dissertation, Günter Raphael.  I will be performing Raphael's Sonata for Solo Viola, Op. 46, No. 4, along with Hans Gál's Sonata for Viola and Piano, Johannes Brahms' Sonata for Viola and Piano in F minor, Op. 120, No. 1, Alan Hovhannes's Chahagir for Solo Viola, and Miklós Rózsa's Introduction and Allegro for Solo Viola.  

Stay in touch, and be on the lookout for a few more exciting announcements in the weeks and months ahead!

-Greg Williams