Senior Music Education major, Lizzie Brodt, is looking forward to her recital this Sunday, October 16th, when she'll perform before family and friends.
Lizzie is from Coplay, PA, and attended Whitehall High School. She hopes to teach elementary school and continue performing once she graduates.
She began playing clarinet playing in 4th grade, and has enjoyed it ever since.
Today, Lizzie has taken some of my questions, letting us see her passion for her music.
Q: What has playing clarinet been for you, throughout your childhood?
A: Well it was just a fun thing to do as a kid. In high school though, I participated in a lot of festivals and competed, and I was motivated to get better. It taught me self discipline for practicing. I also discovered that I loved performing and wanted to make that part of my career.
Q: So, how did you decide on pursuing music education as a career?
A: Music Education runs in my family. My father is a music teacher. Also I’ve always had a passion for teaching, and I taught private lessons when I was in high school, and I liked watching them get better and succeed. I also had great band directors, who inspired me, and I wanted to affect students in that way, and wanted to get students to enjoy music just like I do.
Q: How have your studies in college for the past three years helped you get better?
A: My clarinet teacher, Deborah Andrus has pushed me in many ways that I didn’t know I could be pushed. I learned so much of music interpretation. I have grown as both a teacher and a student. Being drum major in band, I’ve dealt with many challenges, but I’ve come up with more solutions and I’ve learned how to deal with situations more effectively and maturely. I’ve also learned that I cannot compare myself to others, only be compared to myself in both schoolwork and music.
Neil Wetzel (a faculty member in the music department) recently told me that I should be doing my best for myself, rather than focusing on whether I have the approval of others.
Q: How did you select the repertoire for your recital?
A: I selected my repertoire this summer, I ordered the pieces and began working on them. Having a full recital is a lot of work, so I really had to start early. I knew I could do it though. Recently I’ve been doing a lot of running of the full show to build my endurance. I also have to practice the atmosphere, because there are certain moods for certain pieces, so I have to become a part of the music rather than just react to what is on the page.
I wanted a varied range. I love German romantic pieces, so that is why I choose the Baermann. I’ve recently grown fond of French impressionistic pieces, like Delmas. I knew that I wanted to do a duet, and I am doing one with my teacher. Dr. Andrus introduced me to the Copland Clarinet Concerto--it’s a very challenging piece, but she said that I could rise to the challenge.
Q: How do you feel about doing a full recital? (Recitals are required of all senior music education majors, however they usually do and are only required to do a half recital and share the hour time slot with another student. A full recital is one hour long)
A: When I was first introduced to the idea I was nervous because it was an entire hour. But then I thought, I love performing, and I have a large set of repertoire that should be showcased.
Q: What can the people who attend you recital expect to hear?
A: They will hear charming and romantic pieces, and new and innovative works. I hope they enjoy the concert, as much as I’ve enjoyed preparing for it.
Q: Are you nervous?
A: I don’t think nerves are a bad thing. But, it seems like a lot of pressure for all this work the past few months to be represented in just one hour!
Lizzie’s recital is this Sunday, October 16th. I know I’m looking forward to it, and hope to see you all there!
If you go:
When: Sunday, October 16th, 4 p.m.
Where: Peter Hall, Moravian College
Cost: $0 (free for everyone!)
Interested in other concerts and recitals at Moravian?
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