On August 5th at 7:30 PM, I will play a concert of works from my debut recording of music for clarinet and electronics in my hometown of South Haven, MI! It’s something I’ve been waiting to do since the album’s release in 2019, but with the pandemic, I had to put this on hold.

The details: 

Date: August 5, 2022

Time: 7:30 PM

Location: First United Methodist Church in South Haven, MI (429 Michigan Ave; South Haven, MI)Price: Free

I am excited about this concert and look forward to sharing this music with so many people who have been important to me. The music on this record is really diverse, but centered around my love of experimenting with musical colors and textures. You can read more about my project at the two links below. 

The label page for the recording which has album info and track notes: https://www.ravellorecords.com/artists/andrea-cheeseman/

A short interview about the project and my influences: https://www.ravellorecords.com/news/the-inside-story-andrea-cheeseman-and-somewhere/

In November, I was selected as a co-winner of the International Alliance for Women in Music Programming Award. It’s gratifying to be recognized for my consistent inclusion of music written by women on my concert programs. I share this award with the Wisconsin Chamber Choir. Let’s all program more music by women and other underrepresented communities. It’s so easy (and important).

Growing up, I was surrounded by my mother’s abstract watercolors. How could they not influence my aesthetic and performance? The South Haven Center for the Arts interviewed my mother and wrote this nice article: Celebrating our Members: Diane Lynne Cheeseman.

The call for EMM has been posted!

I spent the last few weeks recording pieces to be included in the Great Lakes Regional College Music Society virtual conference in April. There always going to be issues with creating live recordings. Wrong notes, water under keys, early or late foot pedal triggers, etc. I am not afraid to admit that on the recordings I made, they are all there. Annoying to me? Yes. 

Also present were sounds of my dog tossing on her bed, rain, birds tapping on the metal windowsill, trucks driving by (and seemingly doing loops in the neighborhood) and artillery practice at Fort Jackson. Do I wish these things didn’t occur? Yes. 

I could have done a lot more takes to make sure my playing was perfect and there was complete silence in the house. Would that have created a better recording? Most likely. However, I feel it more accurately represents me and my environment to include these ‘errors’. I am human after all. 

I’ve heard many recordings where the playing and production are perfect. There is something nice about that. However, to me, it is usually just that. Nice. They don’t contain much passion or personality. When I am listening to a piece, whether it is a live performance or a recording, I want to connect to the composer/performer and to be drawn into the performance. I want to be invited to participate in the work emotionally. Sterile recordings or performances don’t do that for me. 

And so, in these recordings for CMS, as well as in all that I do, I want to create performances that are personally meaningful for audience members. Performances that reflect where I am emotionally. Performances that despite a few flaws are well done and honest.

I finally had a few performances after not being on the stage for nearly a year. In February, I played an in-person concert at Jacksonville University and a virtual concert for the University of Central Florida annual Clarinet Day. 

So, what were the experiences like? Different. But a lot of fun. 

It took a lot of work to be in a place to be able to perform again, physically and mentally. Face it: the pandemic has lasted too long. Way too long. When Covid first began to spread and was creating so much turmoil in the world, I was not in the mood to do much work. There were too many other things to worry about. And while I, again and again, remarked on how lucky I was to be healthy and in a stable place, it was still stressful (and still is, honestly) to read of rising infection rates and of others’ struggles. 

Early in the pandemic, I did make good use of my practicing, however. I went back to basics. I focused on things that had slipped a bit, such as finger efficiency, tone, etc. While some may not consider this ‘fun’ work, I did find playing long tones to be meditative and appreciated having a purpose in my work. 

But…these performances were scheduled. And the concert dates did creep up rather fast. It was good to have deadlines to work towards and to begin working on the music I love again.  

As I said, the concert at JU was in person. It did seem strange to be performing a concert in person during a pandemic. The audience was small, but it was great to share music with them. The virtual concert for the Clarinet Day was also great fun. The audience was really responsive, asked good questions in the Zoom chat and seemed to enjoy themselves. All that made for a concert experience that felt more interactive and engaging for both me and the audience. 

Although I am eager to be back to more ‘normal’ concert experiences, I am grateful for these chances to perform. 

It’s been awhile (thanks, Covid), but I finally will be performing again. It’s both nerve wracking and exciting. I am excited to make art again and to share it

First up: February 4th at 7:30, I’ll be performing at Jacksonville University as part of their Performing Arts Series. It can be watched on the Linda Berry Stein College of Fine Arts YouTube page.

Also in February, I’ll be a guest artist for the University of Central Florida’s annual Clarinet Day. Sadly, this event is virtual, but I am excited to take part with the other guests and students. It is February 13, 1-5 PM. More information can be found here: https://events.ucf.edu/event/2011791/31st-annual-ucf-clarinet-day/.

I am excited to be teaching again after taking about a year off. Sure…it’s remote lessons, but I am excited to meet new students and to help them meet their goals.

It was my intention that I would write about my thoughts a year after leaving academia. I am late! So much of life has changed, the pandemic being the main thing. But, gradually, I’ll fill you in about touring life, life as a freelancer and, of course, life during the covid disruptions. 

The first leg of my tour for Somewhere has been completed for a few weeks. I was very happy to spend time with friends, old and new, and their students at Ohio University, SUNY Fredonia, Penn State, Sesquehanna University, Nazareth College and Mansfield University.

The fun will resume in November. I’ll be a featured artist at Third Practice and the Electroacoustic Barn Dance. Both festivals are great fun and I get a lot of inspiration from meeting people and hearing their work.

A review of Somewhere by Sonograma: “There are many sound locations where we have never traveled. Andrea Cheeseman teaches us to discover them with her fascinating interpretations.”