118 - Katarzyna Mycka

11/08/17 • -1 min

Joining us this week is renowned soloist and "Ambassadress of Polish Percussion Art:" Katarzyna Mycka. She travels the world frequently, performing, adjudicating, and teaching. In addition to teaching in Stuttgart, Germany, she is the Artistic Director of her own academy: International Katarzyna Mycka Marimba Academy, founded in 2003.
Watch here. Listen below.
If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00 intro and hello
1:10 Our top PASIC recommendations
10:00 Intro to Katarzyna Mycka
11:45 Fernando Meza: How is the marimba received today by professional concert organizations?
13:20 The first CD - Marimba Spiritual
16:33 Favorite CD of yours?
19:20 Tracy: When picking rep., what are the traits you look for in those pieces?
21:30 Ben: Working with Anna Ignatowicz?
28:50 Laurel: Would it help the rep. if marimbas decided a standard size?
32:42 Relationship with Marimba One and Ron Samuels?
35:35 Ben: Anders Koppel
40:30 Marimba and piano combination
47:22 Tracy: Other playing you're doing/have done? How has it influenced your marimba playing?
49:20 Favorite instrument to play with along with marimba?
50:40 Casey: How do you feel about the current solo rep.? Studying other percussion?
59:00 Ben: Do you see any big differences from European and US marimba players?
1:01:35 Tracy: Future for marimba?
1:04:00 What's next for you?

Previous Episode

117 - Interviews with Patience Munjeri and Rob Sanderl

With Megan at Mizzou is Patience Munjeri, one of the only acclaimed female mbira players in the world. She's in the middle of a very long US tour, taking her all over the country as a performer, lecturer, and coach for college ensembles. It was so interesting to hear of the spiritual aspect of the instrument, as well as some of her personal stories coming of age as a woman who felt called to play the instrument. We have a slightly different format this week, with two recorded interviews as our content for you all. With us at JMU is Rob Sanderl, who presented his class on Basel drumming for our students. You can see the same thing at PASIC! He intentionally focuses more on aspects of playing than of cultural history.
Watch here. Listen below.
If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00 intro and hello
1:20 Can you please tell us about this tour?
4:17 Coming to the US to work and why.
5:40 The mbira choosing you
8:25 The physical challenge of mbira playing.
10:00 What you wear, and why, when playing.
12:00 Playing for entertainment vs spiritual playing?
16:20 Mbira is over 1000 years old.
21:30 Being a musician in Zimbabwe?
23:09 First song you ever learned?
24:21 Rob Sanderl intro and hello. Celanesen and snare rep. in Basel?
27:38 Traveling to Croatia?
30:07 What else are you looking forward to at PASIC?
31:44 Upcoming compositions?
36:15 Fasnacht in Basel

Next Episode

119 - Mindy Seegal Abovitz

Joining us this week is drummer, feminist, social activist and Creator and Publisher of Tom Tom Magazine: Mindy Seegal Abovitz.
Watch here. Listen below.
If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element 0:00 intro and hello
2:20 Gender bias
4:33 Why so few female drummers? Tom Tom Magazine
11:27 What made you start Tom Tom Magazine and the Hit Like a Girl contest?
14:10 The "sexy" drummer girls?
23:06 The need for Tom Tom and the gender gap/gender inequality
33:33 The painted drumhead?
37:14 Casey: What's the sound? Conlon Nancarrow & Disney. Black Midi.
45:40 Ben: Sheila E.
50:30 Mindy's experience with Sheila E.
55:00 More on gender
1:05:52 Megan: The Tariro Organization
1:15:25 Marcia McCants: Finding your niche in a male dominated field? Getting yourself out there?