For this first concert of the Printempo 2021 series, saxophonist and Harriet Hale Woolley 2020-21 scholar Michael Chapa wanted to share a glimpse of a dark period for arts, while showing that hope continues.
During the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, a second wave of cases was rapidly spreading throughout France in November of 2020. Many restrictions were set in place to prevent any further spread of the virus, so all non-essential businesses and activities were closed until further notice. Similar to the rest of the world, the fine arts in Paris suffered tremendously from this. Museums, theatres, concert halls, opera houses, and many other venues were closed to the public. From a musician’s perspective, any chance of sharing music to the public was gone. One of the many reasons I wanted to study in Paris was to immerse myself in the rich culture and supportive arts community, but I happened to arrive in a period when these experiences were nearly impossible to embrace.
For this program, I wanted to share music that represented my life here so far, the emotions I’ve dealt with, and the challenges I’ve faced. Each piece of music shows a unique perspective of my experiences, and the entirety of this program reveals the internal struggle of artists living in a dark period (…d’une période sombre…)
While this theme may seem foreboding, my feelings of hope are not discounted. Living at the Fondation des États-Unis has given me a positive perspective on what the future will hold for the arts. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and collaborating with resident visual artists and musicians who have all shown a tremendous amount of encouragement and support. This program is simply a glimpse into the past and how I will move forward from it. ~ Michael Chapa
Practical Information
Date: June 15 | Time: 7:30pm | Facebook event
Entry: visitors should arrive through the garden [access map].
COVID: Mask required, please use the hand sanitizer made available at the entrance. Please respect physical distancing.
Program
Paul Bonneau (1918-1995)
Caprice en Forme de Valse (1950)
Frédéric Durieux (b. 1959)
Übersicht II (2010)
Ia Parte
Small improvisation set
Giacinto Scelsi (1905-1988)
Maknongan (1976)
Alex Buess (b. 1954)
Hyperbaton (1991)
Thierry Alla (b. 1955)
Parietal (2014)
Fabien Lévy (b. 1968)
L’air d’ailleurs – Bicinium (1997)
About the Artists
Michael Chapa, a native of Dallas, Texas, is a passionate performer and an avid music educator. He recently completed an Artist Diploma at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign under the tutelage of Debra Richtmeyer while serving as an Athletic Bands Teaching Assistant for the Illinois Bands. Previous degrees include a Master of Music Performance and Literature at the University of Illinois (2019) and a Bachelor of Music Education at Stephen F. Austin State University (2017).
Michael has performed as a soloist with the University of Illinois Wind Symphony and SFASU Orchestra of the Pines. As a chamber musician, he has performed with University of Illinois Symphony Orchestra and Illinois Wesleyan Symphonic Winds. As a member of the award-winning Khroma Quartet, Michael has traveled to numerous venues across the Midwest to perform a diverse range of music to demonstrate the varied capabilities of the saxophone and promote the array of colors the saxophone quartet can contribute in many genres.
Recent accomplishments include the first prize at the 2020 American Prize Chamber Music Competition, winner of the 2020 North American Saxophone Alliance Quartet Competition, second place at the 2019 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, winner of the 2017 Music Teacher National Association Young Artist Chamber Illinois State Competition, and winner of the 2015 Stephen F. Austin State University Concerto Competition. Newly awarded the 2020-2021 Harriet Hale Woolley Scholarship, Michael will be living at the Fondation des États-Unis in Paris, France while studying with Jean-Michel Goury at the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional Boulogne-Billancourt.
Originally from the south-west of France, Léo Lapèze started playing the saxophone at the Conservatoire de Tarbes. At the same time, he was part of the 2009/2013 promotion of the Atelier d’Initiation à la Musique de Jazz at the Collège de Marciac; then he obtained his saxophone prize in 2018 at the CRR of Boulogne-Billancourt. He is currently pursuing a double degree DNSPM at the Pôle Supérieur de Paris-Boulogne-Billancourt and Diplôme d’Etat at the Paris IV Sorbonne University. His various musical discoveries make him a versatile musician between classical and contemporary music, contemporary music and jazz.
Born in Paris in 1999, Damien Pumain began playing the saxophone in a center of animation in the 10th district before joining the Hector Berlioz conservatory, where he is currently studying for a DEM. He is also following a CPES course at the CRR of Boulogne-Billancourt. He is interested in exploring various repertoires ranging from classical to contemporary, including jazz and contemporary music.
Paul Janvier began to play the saxophone at the age of 6, at the conservatory of Amiens where he was the student of Serge Bertocchi. After a classical training, he got interested by Jazz, current musics and contemporary music. He obtained his diploma of musical studies in 2010. He is also a saxophone teacher at the music school of Conty and he goes on tours in France with several groups (Big Funk, Brass, Arythmythique). He is registered since 2017 in a class with professional orientation at the conservatory of Boulogne with Jean-Michel Goury. At the same time, he is an intern in medicine specialty within the hospitals of Paris.