Eric Silberger

The Summer Music Institute wrapped up its 12th edition last night with a fantastic concert put on with the five fellows of the Conductors Program leading the NAC Orchestra.  The end of this exciting program naturally leads us all to reflect on the events of the last three weeks.  One of our students, Eric Silberger, had these thoughts to share about his time in the Young Artists Program, showing that even if the ground is shaking beneath our feet, the show must go on.  Take it away, Eric!

I thought it was time for a blog when there was an earthquake yesterday in Ottawa. I was in an elevator when the earthquake started. There was some drilling going on in the building, and it felt like someone was drilling on top of the elevator.

When I walked out of the elevator, to my surprise I saw many people shaking and realized there had been an earthquake. We evacuated the residence building in case of aftershocks, but nothing else happened. Shortly after, rehearsals, coachings, and everything else went on as normal in the Young Artists Program.

Earthquake aside, the last two days have been a very exciting experience for me at the program here. I participated for the first time in a masterclass with Mr. Zukerman, and performed the Mozart Divertimento (the longest chamber repertoire in the program) the next day.

At the masterclass, Mr. Zukerman started to play the Brahms Sonata #2 before I walked on stage. That was the same piece I was going to play for the masterclass. Normally someone would want to change their repertoire, but I used it to just take a look at which fingerings and bowings he was doing. What was interesting for me as a participant was how he was able to focus on particular aspects of my playing that helped a lot.

The Mozart Divertimento was the culmination of rehearsals and coachings throughout the entire program. Although it was the longest chamber work this year, it did not actually feel as long as it actually was. We performed at Tabaret Hall, which was particularly hot and humid that day. The heat was such, that the violin’s fingerboard actually became damp by itself. Mozart’s work was a joy to perform with the cellist Vanessa, and violist Isaac. It was definitely one of the most satisfying experiences I have had performing chamber music and music in general.