Category Archives: News

Happy Birthday John Philip Sousa!

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This morning I was alerted to the fact that it was not only Election Day (Vote!), but also John Philip Sousa’s birthday! How apropos.

So in honor of the occasion, here are some of the works of the American March King, in some very informative videos by the Marine Band. God bless our troops.

Digital high five if you can’t listen to “The Washington Post” without hearing lyrics by Sondheim.

A funny story about marches and birthdays: A beloved professor of mine’s birthday occurred on the same day we were learning about Sousa and his marches in Music History. We asked our instructor why the trio section was so named. He jokingly replied that it was in 3. Well, we believed him, and the Trio section of the March I wrote for the other professor’s birthday, was, and is, in 3!

The Wonderly Fanfare, by Nathan Hathaway Adams, performed by Dr. Anthony Moore

A Romantic Era composer, while famous for his military band marches, he also wrote operettas and was a fan of the work of Gilbert & Sullivan. He wrote an orchestration of the team’s H.M.S. Pinafore, and composed a march using the themes of Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Mikado, which is particularly interesting to me as I just auditioned for a local production of said operetta.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! I plan to keep reading about and listening to this uniquely American composer. Are you a fan of Sousa? Interested, like me, in learning more? Then drop me a line and let’s talk sometime.

Marching,
Nathan Hathaway Adams

Montreat College Student Recital

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Montreat College Student Recital
Tuesday, October 16th 7:00 PM
Chapel of the Prodigal, Montreat College
I will be reprising my duet from the Opera Scenes Workshop, singing Strephon from Gilbert & Sullivan’s Iolanthe, with Ciara Stalling singing Phyllis.

The Call of a Percussive Encore!

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To start off, the Opera Scenes Concert was wonderful. I have never felt more at ease during a performance, and I fell I did very well. It was an incredibly liberating experience vocally, and it was a true joy to watch my fellow performers giving it their all.

I am also quite thrilled to perform the G&S duet from Iolanthe again at the first Student Recital of the semester at Montreat College. I will be singing it again with Soprano Ciara Stalling to assist her in fulfilling her semester requirements for performance. It will be at 7 PM in the campus’ Chapel of the Prodigal on Tuesday, October 16th.

I have also been possessed to join the Montreat College Chamber Orchestra. Why? Because I can. I will be playing percussion. Why? Because I can?

Also, in perhaps the most exciting news, recording work for the cast recording of The Call of Cthulhu is starting to get underway! We’re beginning work on getting accompaniment tracks so we can start the process of recording the choral numbers.

Busy, busy, busy,
Nathan Hathaway Adams

P.S. Be on the look out for the new “Songs I Wish I Wrote: Madrigal Edition!”

Future Fall & Present Harvest

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Your item was delivered at 11:22 am on September 17, 2012 in GREENSBORO, NC 27402.

Scores to five of my vocal compositions are currently sitting in a P.O. Box in Greensboro waiting to be picked up by the UNCG School of Music, Theatre and Dance, for consideration as a part of my application to the MM in Composition program

I’m quite nervous to be taking my horses out of the barn down to the racetrack for the first time. I’ve of course put my music online before, but this is the first time I’ve had an outcome dependent on the reception outside of my little bowl called Montreat. And while I wait for the word, I will continue to ruminate on the next best step. Who knows? I may end up turning an acceptance letter down.

But as the new artistic year starts, lots of exciting things are beginning to happen. I just sent my first piece for the College Choir to Timothy, and I’ve started some sketches for some things that will be sung by the Soundings ensembles.

I’m about half-way through (scary!) Opera Creations’ Opera Scenes Workshop and I’m very grateful for the chance to be involved. I am learning so much, and the fact that I’m terrified that I won’t make it out alive is simply evidence of that. I’ll be singing selections from the roles of Handel’s Acis (from Acis & Galatea) and G&S’s Strephon (from Iolanthe). The performance will be at Montreat at the end of the month (details on my events page).

Waiting for autumn colors,
Nathan Hathaway Adams

#Trombonegate2012

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So last night, the tumblr Music Problems posted some Reebok Groupon copy  that they had come across.

Screen Cap thanks to @_TinaD

It read:

“Unlike playing the trombone in a college marching band, playing quarterback on the college football team requires talent, rhythm, and the ability to refrain from tooting your own horn. Get into playing shape with this Groupon.”

Yeah, that’s bullsh*t.

So many took to twitter responding @Reebok & @Groupon, using the hashtag #Trombonegate2012, expressing their distaste at what had been posted. When I woke up this morning, it had been changed to the milder:

“Shoes are the foundation of any outfit, just as a pile of skeletons is the foundation for any lake house. Tread confidently with this Groupon.”

Sigh of satisfaction.

I got rhythm,
Nathan Hathaway Adams

Recital Reflections

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How do I begin? It was beautiful. I don’t think I can express to you exactly how wonderful it all was, or how much it meant to me. I have only begun to understand that myself! I have gotten such wonderful feedback from the whole experience, and I’m sure I’ll continue to get more as I process the evening and the work that led up to it.

So far the only pictures from the evening, I hope my friend won't mind my sharing them!

And my work is still yet to be performed this semester! The College Choir will be singing my setting of “Psaume 23″ at their concerts, and my dear friend Stephen Long will be singing my setting of “Sonnet de l’Absinthe” by Raoul Ponchon at his Senior Recital!

Stephen Long, Baritone, Senior Recital
Saturday, April 28th, @ 7 PM
Chapel of the Prodigal, Montreat College

Montreat College Choir Concert
Friday & Saturday, May 4 & 5, @ 7 PM
Chapel of the Prodigal, Montreat College

Giddy,
Nathan Hathaway Adams

Nathan Hathaway Adams, Composer, Senior Recital

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Announcing the Senior Recital of

Nathan Hathaway Adams, Composer

Featuring the world premieres of all original music performed
by the faculty and students of the
Montreat College Music Department

Including
*Hymn Suite for Montreat, String Quartet
*The Call of Cthulhu, Dramatic Cantata

And more!

Chapel of the Prodigal / April 17th /  7 PM / Reception to Follow

Magnetic Midnight @ Magnetic Field

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This winter, a new performance venue opened in the Asheville River Arts District.

The Magnetic Field is a full-service bar, cafe and performance house, featuring original attractions in theatre, music, comedy and more.

I think my favorite word in the above description is “original.” The Magnetic Field is a venue that seems genuinely interested in fostering new work in the Asheville area. To that end, they have introduced Magnetic Midnight.

How about I let them describe it for you . . .

Magnetic Midnight is a magical, mysterious, monthly event (the first Friday of each month) in which the best of The Magnetic Theatre meets the best of you. Arrive at 10 P.M. to participate with an original script, song, dance, or routine no more than 5 minutes long, or if you wish to act or direct. Up to 12 acts accepted as they appear. The hunt for the great is on!

Regrettably, the first Magnetic Midnight was plagued with snow. But luckily, thespians are plucky and adventury and decided that the snow show must go on!

Being familiar with the format, the patrons settled in nicely. Two wonderful actors made a bit from one of my recent plays come alive, and it was a delight to watch. One of the actors had been persuaded to come earlier that night when she stopped by the bar for drink! Having a bar next to a theatre is a wonder and a joy.

Also, in addition to the 12 five minute spots, there is a ten minute slot worked into the evening for invited artists to come and workshop longer pieces. It’s these touches that really excite me about the Field as a place for new theatre and artistic pursuits. For example, they also have something called the “Synergy Story Slam.” Which, in the words of Spock, sounds fascinating.

This place really excites me. Their first two productions are both original works! I’m hope to get out there and see what happened “When Jekyll Met Hyde.”

The Magnetic Field

Nathan Hathaway

Poetry Slam Asheville

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This winter, I ventured out one cold night with my sister Artemis and made my way to the Masonic Temple in Downtown Asheville. The purpose of this outing was to attend Poetry Slam Asheville.

I had never attended a Poetry Slam before, and I had no clue what to expect. I was amazed at the talent that was showcased that night, in both the writing and the performance. I performed a poem in the open mic section, and felt very warmly received. The guest slam teams were incredible, and it was nice to be shown a wide variety of the possibilities with spoken word.

It was a long show to be sure, and after an intermission, the slam (the competition section) began. What astounded me here was the complete and total honesty that was laid bare in the auditorium. Topics that people are afraid to discuss in private were performed openly for total strangers. The entire time the slam was going I was being hit with inspiration for poems, and I definitely plan on participating in the slam in the next few months.

Spoken word is a refuge for pure performance. Just like Homer or the choruses of the Greek Theatre, the poetry slam touches on a very basic style of communication, one that we don’t often see in today’s society. Without the bells and whistles, we still have each other.

Poetry Slam Asheville

Nathan Hathaway