Grant Gilman featured in a new article
Grant
Gilman
is
the
new
director
of
orchestras
at
the
College
of
William
&
玛丽.
He
recently
answered
a
few
questions
about
his
job.
What
have
you
found
to
be
the
most
reward
ing
part
of
your
new
job
at
W&M? Hands down, the students have been the most rewarding part of my job. Not only do they come to every rehearsal prepared, but they have an attitude of vigor and are hungry to learn. I am finding this to be a characteristic all William & 玛丽 students share.
What
are
your
daily
duties? Running an orchestra is a bit like being a wedding planner. For a month or more, we work towards a concert. In rehearsal we scrutinize subtle aspects of the music and work to feel more comfortable performing together. In addition, there are many administrative tasks that facilitate the concert event itself. Public relations, publicity, community engagement, marketing, etc., All need the same amount of attention as the music.
Are
you
impressed
with
the
level
of
expertise
among
your
W&M
orchestra
members? The intelligence level in the orchestra is so high that I often wonder if the feeling is mutual. In high school, these were the students that sought excellence in every endeavor. The result is that they know not only how to play their instruments, but how to play the music in a way that moves both themselves and their audience.
Do
you
hope
to
attract
more
people
from
the
community
to
campus
musical
events? Absolutely. Music at William & 玛丽 has a close relationship with Williamsburg. We want to embody the importance of art and music that helps to enrich this great community. Certainly, this continuous process will be carried by the whole of the music department. I hope to work with the students in the orchestra to participate in that collaboration.
How
does
your
job
here
differ
from
other
positions
you
have
held? Each community—whether a city, college, or orchestra—is unique. At William & 玛丽 the students believe that this orchestra is and should continue to be an integral part of the school and their own lives. This orchestra is as much a family as it is an ensemble of top notch musicians. It is very satisfying to work with them every week.
What
about
future
goals? As the orchestra members continue to raise their expectations for the level of music making they can produce, it follows that they will be able to expand their repertoire. Integrating new pieces into their canon will further deepen the experience of each performer. In the growth that I have seen in just a short time, I am confident that these musicians are capable of many new challenges.
– Ann Efimetz
http://www.vagazette.com/
The Williamsburg Magazine, April 2012
http://issuu.com/llake/docs/wmbg_mag_april_2012/31 