Meaghan Stewart on Music, Life, and the Strafford Wind Symphony

If we don’t make the music, who will?”

This is something along the lines of what trombonist Leonhard Paul of Mnozil Brass talked about during a masterclass at the University of Maine just a few months ago. He got me to thinking.

A little over four years ago, something wonderful happened to me. I became a part of the Strafford Wind Symphony. The ensemble, which performs concerts in and around the seacoast New Hampshire region, is a community band that rehearses every Wednesday night in a middle school band room. The most unique aspect of this group is the variety of its members. There are musicians in the group ranging from young high school age to retired and everything else in between. While a few members are semi-professional musicians and music educators, most are involved in other careers. We are all musicians; however, we are also students, engineers, sales associates, health care professionals, teachers, parents, grandparents, accountants, restaurant owners, carpenters, veterans, and mechanics.

My former high school band director, who was also the lead conductor of the Strafford Wind Symphony at the time, was the person who first told me about the group and suggested that I join. As a 15-year old sophomore, I already knew that I wanted to become a music teacher. I knew I loved music, but I had no idea of the joy that my musical future had in store for me.

Playing in a community band was quite an adjustment from playing in my high school band. I was undoubtedly the youngest and most inexperienced member of the SWS when I started. The music was too difficult at first, and in a musical sense, I fell flat on my face…..a lot. I needed to begin taking my trombone playing and practicing more seriously but didn’t really know how to go about it. Luckily, I found myself in a supportive environment and surrounded by other musicians who wanted to see me do well. The other trombone players in the group went above, beyond, and out of their way to help me learn and grow. And as the days, weeks, and years flew by, I most certainly did grow. I found close friends who ended up being some of the best teachers I’ve ever had. I honestly don’t know how successfully I would be getting through music school today if it wasn’t for their wisdom. The best part? I still get to play with the Strafford Wind Symphony when I come home from college during the summers. While being involved in the group, I still find new chances and ways to grow. This is just one wonderful and rewarding part of being a musician.

What I think about a lot is how so many high school musicians, even those who loved music so dearly, never take their instrument out of the case or sing again after graduation day. They don’t join community groups because they either don’t know about them or they are too nervous to walk into a group of strangers and let the music flow. But then I think of the group I’m in. They’re my musical family.

The music doesn’t have to stop.

I decided to teach, perform, and share music as a career because I want to dedicate my life to keeping it alive. The music doesn’t have to end when you decide that you don’t want to be a music major—and it most certainly shouldn’t! I wish that there were more groups like the Strafford Wind Symphony in the world. What if more people could cross age gaps and career bridges to come together, make music, and become friends? I wish that these community musical groups were out in abundance and performing everywhere so that people of all ages and walks of life could see, hear, and create music together. My biggest dream is that someday, this vision will be a reality. In fact, wouldn’t it be something if everyone walking the Earth found that special thing for themselves and got together in a group to share that thing with the world?

I honestly believe that if more people created music, the world would be a better place.

Meaghan Stewart is entering her third year as a double major in music performance and education  at UMaine.

Amanda Bloss talks about street performing as a summer job.

I've had the opportunity this summer to hold a job that includes playing trombone, being self-employed, and earning around 18 dollars an hour. To the amazement of myself and others, this “job” is street performing.

I am still pleasantly surprised by the positive reactions I have received on my journey so far. Although most people express appreciation in the form of an old dollar bill or loose change, there have certainly been more interesting encounters. My first noteworthy experience involves meeting Marines who suggested I look into the Marine Corps Band. That same night, I was playing in front of some bars on the streets of Portland when a guy asked me if I wanted to play with his band in 5 minutes. I showed up to the gig and had so much fun playing (what turned out to be) really good music!

Another gift that street performing has provided me is free lessons from anybody who feels like giving me them. There have been lots of people (who do not appear to have formal education in music) who tell me how I should play the trombone. This actually ends up being very fun in the end. I believe one man told me “you should make it sound more loud and obnoxious”. All in all, it's fun to put out the sound that people want to hear, and often challenging!

Another fun experience is that sometimes street performers will even join in with each other and have a little jam-out session. I often feel a sense of community in this “business”. I believe the first time I felt like I was a part of this little community was when two older woman approached me and asked for a photograph with me. I asked why, and they explained that they were on a scavenger hunt across America. One of the things they had to do was get a photo taken with a street performer. Another odd experience I had was getting a business card from the trombone and jazz professor from the University of Montana. In fact, I've received plenty of business cards, and not all pertain to music (which is also always interesting). Conversations with the homeless, entertaining young kids, and talking about music with people all seem to be fun aspects of it all. Honestly, I wouldn't have any other job and I look forward to the unique experiences that are still yet to come.

Amanda Bloss is entering her second year as a music education major at UMaine.

Anything Goes - April Fools' concert

Dr. Laura Artesani and Dr. Dan Barrett are presenting a free concert on April Fools' Day at UMaine.

We're calling this program "Anything Goes" and it's a sort of odd mix of strange and unexpected music that doesn't fit in our other programs, with some hijinks mixed in as well.

The program will include music by Turlough O'Carolan, Ronald Williams, Jules Massenet, Antonin Dvorak, Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga, and probably much more.

The details:

Monday, April 1
7:30 PM
Minsky Recital Hall
University of Maine
Free Admission