Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Summer 2024 5 Music Notes Janice Gockel's 35th Anniversary with Music Center of the Northwest F ounded in 1989, the Music Center of the Northwest (MCNW) is Seattle's premiere community music school, serving students of all ages and abilities. Music Center is a member of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts, an association of 200 schools serving over 300,000 students nationwide. The programs are available to all. They do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, age, sex, or economic status. When Janice Gockel first began to think about a Seattle community school, she visited with Charles Farmer of the Community Music Center in Portland, OR, and followed some of his ideas. Thinking of her days in Compton, CA and studying with Ralph Matesky, she remembered he put students together in small ensembles after one year of study. Janice offers the same at MCNW. Music Center of the Northwest nurtures excellence, creativity, community, and personal growth through musical participation, and is dedicated to providing this to any and all who seek it. MCNW serves the entire community; their instruction, activities, and performances are open to anyone. MCNW has an Honors Recital each year for students of all performance levels to showcase their music abilities. Janice and MCNW began with four instructors, and there are now 35. She has built a tremendous organization. She was the Executive Director for 13 years and is now Director Emeritus. From Janice: "It's amazing. Folks who recognize me at concerts or other events come up and say 'Thank you for starting Music Center!' Sometimes it's a senior whose life has been enriched by their musical experiences. Once it was the parent who participated with their infant in our Music Together Babies class. And then there was the mom at the Greenwood Concert Band concert that pointed out her son in the band who got his start at Music Center. To the dreamers and to the music makers: here's to the next 35 years and beyond!" Some material for this article was taken from "Spring 2024 Play On! Celebrating 35 years of Music Center of the Northwest" and another MCNW brochure asking the questions: "Why Make Music? What Does Music Center Offer the Community? and How Do I Get Involved?" Janice was initiated in 1965 into Delta Tau chapter at Augustana College, in Rock Island, IL. Janice is currently VP Ritual of the Seattle Alumnae Chapter, an office she has held since 2019. She served as President from 1984-1986 and again from 1997-1998. She holds the Sword of Honor, Rose of Honor, Ruby Sword of Honor, Rose of Dedication, and received the Province Leadership Award. She plays viola and violin. Her husband, Larry, has been active and supportive of Janice's endeavors. She is also a superb baker, having won many ribbons at county, regional, and state fairs. — Submitted by Nancy Matesky, Seattle Alumnae Chapter SAI National Arts Associate James Adler states that his Global Music Awards - Silver Medal Winning album at Star in the Picture is "an homage to Stephen Sondheim's contributions to Musical eater" in recognition of their long association and collaboration (they had known each other from 1978 until Sondheim's passing). Listeners can clearly detect that association throughout the album which features excerpts from Adler's musicals rescored for a more intimate setting. Recorded live at New York's Yamaha Artist Services Studio, the album features artists Michael Buchanan, Shana Farr, Kennedy Kanagawa, Victoria Livengood, Perry Sook, and Elizaveta Ulakhovich. Each track is a gem with well-craed melodic lines, rich sonorities, and creative chamber orchestration. e musicians deliver wonderfully expressive performances and collaborate beautifully. Of particular note are the tracks "What About Tomorrow?" and "Pie Jesu," from Memento Mori: An AIDS Requiem, but the album is remarkably consistent in sound and mood. is album is a wonderful listen for fans of Art song and late 20th century musical theater. — Written by CW3 Robert Bruns, SAI Friend of the Arts James Adler Wins Silver Medal

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