Speaking of ... College of Charleston
Produced by the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina, “Speaking of… College of Charleston” features conversations with faculty, students, staff, alumni and supporters who bring prestige and positive recognition to the university across a wide array of academic endeavors, professional interests and creative passions.
Speaking of ... College of Charleston
The College of Charleston Orchestra to Play at Carnegie Hall
On Wednesday, February 26th, the College of Charleston Orchestra will have the experience of a lifetime performing on one of the most prestigious stages in the world — Carnegie Hall. Their performance, together with performances by the Charleston Symphony and Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra, will give a taste of the cultural jewels of Charleston.
Under the direction of Yuriy Bekker, conductor of the College’s orchestra, these artistic powerhouses will pay tribute to Charleston’s exceptional musical legacy and connections to New York City. The College’s ensemble will play Antonín Dvořák’s New World Symphony Finale, which premiered at Carnegie Hall in 1893; Professor of Music Yiorgos Vassilandonakis’s Corsaro, which will have its world premiere; and former CofC music professor Trevor Weston’s Subwaves. Music Professor Edward Hart’s A Charleston Concerto, will be performed by the Charleston Symphony.
On this episode of Speaking Of…College of Charleston, we speak to Yuriy Bekker and two of his students, Rj Grant and Isaac Hill about the performance at Carnegie Hall. We talk to Bekker about emigrating from Minsk, Belarus when he was ten years old and his journey from studying music to teaching and performing. Grant and Hill share stories about their passion for playing music and their plans for the future.
Resources from this episode:
More information, including ticket and donation links that support this student journey can be found at go.charleston.edu/carnegie-hall.
DETAILS: Watch the CofC Orchestra perform on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. at the Sottile Theatre, 44 George St. Tickets are $25-$45 for general admission with discounts available for CofC students/faculty/staff.
Info and ticket links: https://calendar.charleston.edu/event/college-of-charleston-orchestra-concert
OR buy tickets from George Street Box Office in person at 44 George St., by emailing gsbo@cofc.edu, or calling (843) 953-4726.
[00:00:00] On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, the College of Charleston Orchestra will have the [00:00:20] experience of a lifetime performing on one of the most prestigious stages in the world, Carnegie Hall. Their performance, together with performances by the Charleston Symphony and Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra, will give a taste of the cultural jewels of Charleston.
[00:00:37] Under the direction of Uri Becker, [00:00:40] conductor of the College's orchestra, These artistic powerhouses will pay tribute to Charleston's exceptional musical legacy and connections to New York City. That's why on this episode of Speaking of College of Charleston, we invited Uri Becker and two of his [00:01:00] students, R.
[00:01:01] J. Grant and Isaac Hill, To talk to us about their upcoming adventure at Carnegie hall. Thank you all for joining us in the studio and for bringing your instruments. We're excited to get a taste of your talents, but first we want listeners to get to know you. Yuri, [00:01:20] you are a critically acclaimed violinist and conductor and a mainstay of the Charleston symphony orchestra for 17 years.
[00:01:29] You're also a violin professor and conductor of the college of Charleston orchestra. And have performed worldwide as a celebrated guest, concert master, [00:01:40] avid chamber musician, and critically acclaimed soloist. And those are just a few of your many talents. Can you tell listeners a little bit about your journey?
[00:01:50] what drew you to music and what inspires you to, to continue playing and teaching today? Well, thank you so much for such a sweet introduction and for inviting [00:02:00] us, on your program. music has always been a big part of my life. I started playing violin when I was seven years old.
[00:02:06] I was born in Minsk, Belarus. My, great grandfather was a conductor and a trumpet player. He was from Ukraine. He was, and, and, and well, well known, uh, conductor. So let's skip a couple of generations. [00:02:20] And, my family, it's a, it's a very long story, an interesting story, and, maybe I don't go into many details now, but my came, my family came to U.
[00:02:30] S. in year 92 as, refugees. We settled in Brooklyn, New York. We sold everything we had, uh, and, uh, [00:02:40] yeah, everything we had. You were how old at the time? Ten years old. Wow. And it was equivalent to 70 U. S. dollars. Wow. So my mom was an educator. She was, a teacher of Russian literature and language, and, she loved books.
[00:02:56] We had a huge book collection. She, we had to sell it and get rid of [00:03:00] it and sold our furniture, just got, everyone just got two suitcases and came to the U. S. It was a very difficult adjustment, but it was a sacrifice for my parents to have a better life for me and my brother. My brother is 10 years older and he was studying.[00:03:20]
[00:03:20] But if you didn't do well, you would be drafted in the Russian Army. And we know that's not a good thing as, as we know, and especially how, what a difficult global landscape right now is in, in that part of the world. Reminds me of the reasons why my family left. Right. So I came to America and I had three quarter size violin, [00:03:40] uh, you know, there are several organizations, several organizations that Jewish American organizations helped sponsor us and we settled, in Brooklyn.
[00:03:48] And my mom being an educator, she said, you're not missing school. So in the whole process of traveling, immigration, I only missed two weeks of school. I went right to New York City public school system. I was in fifth grade. And could you speak [00:04:00] English? Barely. Yeah. Barely. I was in ESL, English as a second language.
[00:04:03] Uh, it was, uh, during that time there was a large flow of Russian Jewish immigrants from all parts of the former Soviet Union. So there are many.
[00:04:12] the high school that I went to in Brooklyn called Everett R. Murrow High School. I started going there in year 95, my freshman year. There were [00:04:20] 4, 000 students. Half of them were Russian speakers. So you immediately had a community. Not right away. I made some friends quickly. And so did my parents, but, we soon enough found a place for me to study music.
[00:04:34] And it was in New York city at, Lucy Moses school for music and dance as part of [00:04:40] Elaine Kaufman cultural center. A couple of blocks away from Lincoln center. My music days were Sundays. I would go for my theory, ensemble, violin and piano, after a quick lunch, I became, a member of the New York Youth Symphony.
[00:04:56] That was the youth orchestra that I was a member of for four [00:05:00] years. Sunday was my music day, and, our youth orchestra performed at Carnegie Hall. When you were how old? I started when I was 13. So we had three performances. So you're going home again, in a sense, playing. New York City is a place where I grew up, and, it's a homecoming, what I'm excited about is the opportunities that our students [00:05:20] and, the college student youth orchestra, the Charleston symphony will experience playing in this incredible hall.
[00:05:26] Wow. What a story. I would love to sit here and talk to you for hours just about your childhood and your poor mother having to, I am a big book lover having to give away my books would have broken my heart. I imagine that was very difficult for her.
[00:05:39] [00:05:40] So playing at Carnegie Hall is a big deal. Maybe not for you. Oh, sure it is. Absolutely. How did this opportunity for our students come about? I know it's part of a larger production but how did this opportunity for our students to be involved come about?
[00:05:56] Is it incredibly competitive? Is this once in a lifetime [00:06:00] opportunity? And I throw this out to all of you to answer, but Yuri, maybe start with you. How competitive is it? Oh, the above. Yeah, but I'll start with this. I think, our trip two years ago to Kennedy Center, our orchestra was invited to perform at the Capitol Orchestra [00:06:20] Festival.
[00:06:20] It's an annual festival that's held over President's Day, and there are five ensembles that were invited and we were there and the experience we had was incredible. This, this was in part due to a friendship and sponsorship and sponsorship of, of friends of the College of Charleston. That's Frank and [00:06:40] Peggy Oldham, who generously supported this venture because it's not so easy to pack up your bags, pack up your instruments and go to Washington DC, you know, so they really believed in our program.
[00:06:51] They saw what we were doing. They gave a contribution to help us and to uplift our orchestra. And so what I saw, what we [00:07:00] experienced, the Kennedy center was magic. I didn't experience, I didn't expect it. I knew it was special, but I didn't know how special it was until we were there. Right. And, it gave students an incredible opportunity to perform in incredible nationally, internationally recognized stage, but also it [00:07:20] brought This camaraderie between students, we were all proud.
[00:07:22] I wonder, RJ, Isaac, what are you? Yeah, that was my freshman year. Playing in an ensemble together is always a great bonding experience. But I feel like going on that trip together, spending the weekend, all working towards a common goal, really made me feel like I was part of the orchestra community.
[00:07:39] Those are [00:07:40] like relationships that we built like on that trip that I still have to this day, which is really cool. I agree with that I also participated at Kennedy Center. That was my sophomore year. I really enjoyed getting to know a lot of the strings players. I never had had any conversations with them.
[00:07:56] I really only talked to my section this is RJ speaking and [00:08:00] RJ, you are a senior at the College of Charleston and you are specialty is the Flute. Flute. Okay. So thanks. Continue. Yeah, of course. I had never had any interactions with any of the strings players.
[00:08:12] Up until that trip. So it was really nice getting to know everybody, especially throughout the entire orchestra. In addition to performance, we took a bus [00:08:20] there. A touring company organized a tour for us. We stayed in the same bus and went all over different sides of Washington DC.
[00:08:28] One of those sites was, World War II memorial. And together, as a group, we went down and, and put a wreath, under South Carolina pillar in, in memory of all those people from South [00:08:40] Carolina who, fought and also perished in World War II. So I think that was, to me, one of the meaningful moments.
[00:08:45] The wreath had our colors, maroon colors. And it felt very important and meaningful. The concert itself went very well and our orchestra played at the highest level we ever achieved.
[00:08:58] You know, it was very special. It was nearly a [00:09:00] full house, pretty much full house and, we played music. I remember it was Brahms. Jenkins, Charlestonia and some more Brahms. Yeah. So did that opportunity, are you saying that lined you up, that gave you a better competitive edge to get to play at Carnegie Hall
[00:09:16] We all left on such a big high [00:09:20] and Frank and Peggy, such dear friends, and we sat down for breakfast and said, Yuri, you can't stop here. You gotta think about where you want to go. We're discussing Boston, talking about Europe. My dream, ever since I came to Charleston 17 years ago was to, showcase our culture in New [00:09:40] York and Carnegie Hall.
[00:09:40] South Carolina and Charleston, it's, a cultural jewel with, not to mention how beautiful our city is but also what we offer in our arts with here at the College of Charleston at the symphony, we have Spoleto Festival and it's not every town.
[00:09:58] In, in the nation can, [00:10:00] uh, has that. So what happened was I approached a touring company that I heard wonderful things about this was August of 23. just over a year ago. this touring company is helping organize these trips. we explored different venues and I told her about my Carnegie Hall dream she said, well, I have [00:10:20] great connection with management of Carnegie Hall and a good relationship with me.
[00:10:24] so she started working with Performa International the touring company. based out of Atlanta. So, she called Carnegie Hall and there was a date, a couple of dates that were available, not very many, because Carnegie Hall is a presenting organization that has many [00:10:40] concerts of their own.
[00:10:42] And, Vienna Philharmonic, whether it's Metropolitan Opera Orchestra or San Francisco Symphony Berlin Philharmonic, everyone goes on tour and stops in Carnegie Hall and they have their own series of great orchestras. So they offered us a date. when I [00:11:00] found out about this date, I jumped on it. And, approached, Frank and Peggy Oldham, approached President Hsu, approached the symphony, and we started dreaming and cooking things up.
[00:11:12] And so that is, so you've, you've made it happen Wednesday, February 26th is when you all will perform. What are, what's some of the music that [00:11:20] you will be performing? That's a wonderful question, and I thought about it long and hard. In New York City, you have opportunities to see.
[00:11:29] So many great orchestras. They have their own New York Philharmonic there, and other, New Jersey Symphony crossed the river, there's the Metropolitan Opera, and so if you play [00:11:40] standard literature, whether it's, Beethoven and Brahms and, right, or Tchaikovsky, it's something they heard before, but I thought it was important when you go on tour to bring your own background, your own heritage, Thus it became the title, a Charleston Celebration in the Big Apple.
[00:11:59] So we're [00:12:00] bringing, Charleston composers. our orchestra will play, a piece by Trevor Weston, a former faculty at the college. He is now a faculty at Drew University and Juilliard. He wrote a piece called Subwaves, and it's about how you travel through New York City's subway system.
[00:12:17] And it was actually [00:12:20] premiered in Carnegie Hall, a few years ago. another piece is by Professor Yorgos Vassilandonakis. He wrote this piece just recently, and it's called Corsaro. so it, he's a curr Professor Vassilandonakis is currently a professor at the college
[00:12:36] And the other piece we'll do is, Dvořák, New World [00:12:40] Symphony. short Dvorak is not really, not really Charleston, but I like this piece a lot because and it was premiered in Carnegie Hall. I love the fact there's so many spirituals inside the piece. And so I felt, there's that connection to Charleston.
[00:12:55] So that's our, program. Making that decision. does [00:13:00] that, is that involve a lot of research? what does that look like when you are trying to decide what you're going to play? It took me a long time. It took me a very long time.
[00:13:08] I could not make a decision on this. Same thing goes with the College of Charleston will have part of the concert. The other part of the is the C SSO and the youth Orchestra. And the C SSO will perform a piece by [00:13:20] Charleston's Composer, college of Charleston, composer and faculty Edward Hart.
[00:13:24] it's a Charleston Concerto for String Quartet and Orchestra this is deeply, rooted in our culture in Charleston. I thought about it for a long time and, I think this is the right decision. I think this is, you know, as [00:13:40] what I've learned in Charleston is that we have this great culture and our Charlestonians are so proud.
[00:13:45] to have ownership of what we have here. we have two students sitting here with us who have been very patient waiting for their chance to talk.
[00:13:53] in total, Yuri, there are 60 students heading to Carnegie Hall, I believe. [00:14:00] 66. 66. The College Charleston Orchestra right now, membership is 70. Wow. And 66 are going. Wow. those poor four left behind. They were invited. Nobody's turned away. Well, two of them, two superstars are here with us, RJ Grant and Isaac Hill.
[00:14:18] So I'd like, for [00:14:20] you guys to tell listeners a little bit about yourselves, how old you were when you got involved in music. Do you come from musical families? Do you have any music idols or mentors? RJ, let's start with you if that's okay. Yeah. So I got my introductory to music when I was eight in fourth [00:14:40] grade.
[00:14:40] I started playing the trombone funny enough. then, in fifth grade, when I transitioned to public school, they didn't have a band. So I switched to choir. did not enjoy that very much.
[00:14:51] So then in sixth grade, I started orchestra and band then I started playing the flute as well as a double bass. So to complete different ends of the musical [00:15:00] spectrum. I started my freshman year of high school and decided I wanted to only focus on flute and getting myself as far as I could.
[00:15:09] and you're from, we should tell the listeners you're from the, I'm from Charleston, I started at goose Creek high school in the Berkeley center for the arts. where my major was Windsor Percussion. So I focused on flute [00:15:20] to try to push myself a little bit farther.
[00:15:22] I started, switching styles more as well. I started to get into jazz. So that was where my bass skills came into play. And I started playing electric bass there. did not enjoy that one as much either, so I switched to tenor saxophone. now I play tenor saxophone with the Chucktown Sound.
[00:15:37] I play flute with the College of Charleston [00:15:40] Orchestra. And then I'm studying Arts Management with the Music Industry Concentration, as well as an Executive Fellow with Mr. Becker at the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. is it, you're making it sound like it's easy to just jump from one instrument to the other.
[00:15:55] Is that true? Or are you especially talented? Like, is it easy to go from the [00:16:00] flute to the sax or? It's difficult for, like, the way that your mouth is shaped to play both instruments is drastically different. And so for me, that was kind of the hardest part, especially because I haven't played saxophone in five years.
[00:16:13] That's kind of where I've been struggling a lot recently, but I've been getting myself back up to where I need to be. Wow. [00:16:20] That's great. And did you, did your parents play music? Were they supportive of your, or no, you just kind of fell into it on your own? I came from a sports family. So I started in sports.
[00:16:31] And then when I transitioned to the arts, my mom was a little on the side, but She was not so much anymore. I bet. Yeah, no, not [00:16:40] anymore. She loves the fact that I am so invested. So she's very supportive as well as the rest of my family. They're very supportive of my music. And how about, mentors?
[00:16:48] Is there a specific musician or anybody along the way who was especially impactful in your development? I have to say my middle school band director, Mr. Classy, he [00:17:00] really got me to where I am. also my strings director when I was in middle school, Mrs. Coda, excuse me, Mrs.
[00:17:06] Coda. she definitely helped me a lot. She got me my music theory base that I really needed. And I feel like that really helped me get. You know, advanced by musical technique and skills. Okay. So it's [00:17:20] important to remember those middle school teachers who gave me the foundation. Exactly.
[00:17:25] Now we're going to switch to Isaac. Same question for you. How did you get involved in music? Do you come from a musical family? Tell us about what you play. I've been involved with music about as long as I can remember. my mom is a violinist. My grandfather, was a [00:17:40] cellist.
[00:17:40] so I, I started out playing piano. don't really like play piano well anymore, but that was, um, like when I was in, when I was maybe five or six. once I got to middle school, and my middle school had an orchestra, I thought that sounded really interesting. I have a lot of string players in my family, so I wanted to do that.
[00:17:59] I started [00:18:00] out on double bass, um, and it was, it was fun, but there wasn't as much, solo and chamber music repertoire. and that was what I really wanted to get into. when I was 14, I found my grandfather's old cello in his basement. I took it home with me and taught myself over the summer.
[00:18:17] and fell in love with it, have been ever since. [00:18:20] So, yeah, I would say my musical background comes mostly from my family. my mentors would definitely be my mom and my grandfather. And so I imagine they're thrilled, especially being from a musical family. they. Must be thrilled about your upcoming trip.
[00:18:36] Yeah, they're very supportive They're very excited [00:18:40] for me. so so the two of you one of a group of students traveling together what does this mean to you? I mean there might be listeners who don't have Any idea what everybody knows the name Carnegie Hall, but what does it mean to play at Carnegie Hall?
[00:18:55] Like the old joke is how do you get to Carnegie hall?
[00:18:59] Practice, [00:19:00] practice, practice. And I feel like that's definitely true. I'm very excited about it. I've never been to New York, so I'm looking forward to the whole experience, honestly. But, it's also a lot of responsibility, like representing our city well. Dr. V and Dr.
[00:19:12] Hart are both my professors, and we're playing their pieces. So I, want to do them well. it's a lot of pressure, but I'm looking forward to it do you form [00:19:20] relationships amongst the group of students? Does this bring you closer?
[00:19:23] Do you lean on each other in preparation? What's the community like, especially as you're leading up to a big performance like this? we're all working towards the same goal and want to achieve the same thing. So we're all kind of in the same boat of, we want to do the best that we can.
[00:19:39] We want to [00:19:40] go even further than Carnegie Hall. So it's kind of just a community of just supporting each other. I think we're definitely going to form a lot more relationships on this trip, especially to those who weren't able to attend the Kennedy Center with us. they get a chance to go to Carnegie Hall with us now.
[00:19:55] that's the beautiful thing about playing in large or any ensemble you're really only as strong [00:20:00] as the weakest players. So, you know, like, we really all support each other and we want to sound good. So we Help each other out whenever we can. we are all very excited for you.
[00:20:09] how about for people who can't go, how can they follow? This journey, where's the best place for them to get information and follow what's happening. Well, there are two places you [00:20:20] can follow the School of the Arts and College of Charleston orchestra on social media, whether it's Instagram Facebook and websites, same goes with the symphony, we have a A wonderful partner, which is Post and Courier, and Post and Courier is going to come with us on this trip and they're going to cover how we're getting ready.
[00:20:37] Oh, great. Oh, great. There'll be tremendous [00:20:40] coverage, leading up to it. fortunately, we're how many months away, three, four months away, which is actually not that much. No. Not that long. It's going to go by. Especially with the holidays in between, people are going to be gone.
[00:20:51] So there's also a Post and Courier landing page. For people who want to do some events, before the concert, I think there's also a gathering [00:21:00] for alumni in New York City, right? A gathering for alumni and for, in, I think it will be New York Athletic Club and there is a, a donor reception.
[00:21:10] who helped make this happen at the university club and then there are other events as well. So, I'm going to ask you all to play some music in a minute, but before [00:21:20] we do RJ, you're graduating in the spring, Isaac, you have another year. Is that right? Yes. So will this performance and also your performance at the Kennedy center, will this help you launch into your career?
[00:21:34] Do you intend? On staying involved in music, you're doing arts management. So I [00:21:40] imagine that gives you an extra edge, how will this whole experience, translate into your life after college? Yeah. So, I think it's definitely going to be a great, way cause I've only focused on, the performances aesthetically, but now I get to focus on it from a managerial perspective as well.
[00:21:58] With your arts management major. [00:22:00] Yes ma'am. I think a lot of organizations, you know, looking at that and seeing that it performed at two prestigious, stages, you know, they'll really take that into consideration. Are you hoping to work in New York City? Or are you open to I'm open to wherever.
[00:22:16] I've been looking to working with the Charlotte department. As [00:22:20] well as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Yeah. Well, if I may, I think with, with RJ, it's in his get, gets a really amazing perspective, and it comes full circle because you remember the Charleston Symphony Youth Orchestra. Now you're at the College of Charleston, and now you have the fellow, you have administrative fellowship, executive fellowship with the [00:22:40] CS, with the CSO.
[00:22:42] So you get a perspective from different kinds, from all different angles. You get to perform in the great, in great concert halls in the country. And you, you are arts management major. You're. Bye bye. Understand the business aspect of it when, when this gentleman graduates, he's going to be, everybody will [00:23:00] want, you understand what it takes from musical perspective to get, to get there.
[00:23:11] And you understand, you certainly will have the business perspective and experience. So thank you so much. both of you will have a great future and I [00:23:20] just know it
[00:23:20] What really impressed me with Isaac, second rehearsal, he starts asking me really difficult questions. what kind of chord is that and why is it going this way? then he approaches me, is there a score available?
[00:23:33] So it will help me study. And I realized, okay, he's serious. You don't often get questions. So [00:23:40] that made him stand out. And, this is your junior, right? to see you improve on the instrument. So great. It just makes me so happy.
[00:23:47] But tell us, you don't only play cello. You also, you're involved with the opera department. Yeah. I've, I actually started singing a little bit in high school because at my high school, all of the music students had to be involved in the, department choir. [00:24:00] and I just kind of discovered that it was something that I really enjoyed doing.
[00:24:03] so I came here and there was a pretty big vocal department it just seemed like a really great thing to get involved with. So I started taking voice lessons. and ever since then, I've, it's just been like a really cool thing to see how like instrumental and vocal performance.
[00:24:17] it's like kind of coming at the same thing from different [00:24:20] angles, right? Um, so just seeing that like both perspectives, I think is really helpful and they inform each other. what I want to do, after undergrad is composition, probably grad school. And then I'd like to teach.
[00:24:31] so I think that this performance opportunity is really great for that because, um, we're doing a lot of like. contemporary music. Um, so it's really [00:24:40] interesting to see like how that rehearsal process and how that kind of performance is different from like the more like classical romantic stuff that we're all kind of more used to playing.
[00:24:49] it's, a really cool thing to see, how, contemporary stuff works in practice. And then also building relationships, like networking with, professional musicians, both here and then I [00:25:00] guess hopefully at the Carnegie, at Carnegie Hall. working with, CSO musicians, working with Mr.
[00:25:05] Becker, is a really great opportunity. Well, we're excited. Excited that we have you for another year. And excited for all of you with this, opportunity. amazing experience. Um, and we've been talking about music, but the whole point of music is to [00:25:20] listen.
[00:25:20] so before we let you go, I was hoping that, each of you could maybe play something from the instruments that we made you lug all the way over here to our podcast studio. Isaac, we'll give you a minute to get set up, but you'll start us off I'll be playing the Sarabande from Bach Suite No.
[00:25:39] [00:25:40] 4 in E flat [00:26:00] [00:26:20] [00:26:40] [00:27:00] major.
[00:27:14] [00:27:20] [00:27:40] [00:28:00] [00:28:20] [00:28:40] [00:29:00] [00:29:20] [00:29:40] Thank you for listening to this episode of Speaking of College of Charleston with today's guests Yuri Becker, RJ Grant and Isaac Hill. If you liked this [00:30:00] episode, please help us reach more listeners by sharing it with a friend or leaving a review. For show notes and more episodes, visit the College of Charleston's website.
[00:30:09] You can find episodes on all major podcast platforms. This episode was produced by Amy Stockwell with recording and sound engineering by [00:30:20] Jesse Kunz from the division of information technology.