In Memoriam

Five years ago today we lost five incredible people, including my good friend Branden. Stepping into the job at Chi-Hi less than a month after the accident, still a "student teacher," was one of the most difficult and rewarding experiences I've ever had. Today I've been reliving memories, of that awful morning and the horrible phone call, the coming together of friends and family, the beauty of Lux Aurumque at the Wind Symphony concert that afternoon, the memorial services, and so much more. (To read more visit www.andreistrizek.com/blog)
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My Strange Love With Gershwin: Second Rhapsody

George Gershwin wrote one of his last concert hall pieces in 1931, his Second Rhapsody. It was written for piano and orchestra on a commission from Serge Koussivitsky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra (who premiered it, with Gershwin, in early 1932). (For more visit www.andreistrizek.com/blog)
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Fund the Arts, Not Sports: A Response

George Heymont, San Francisco-based arts critic, wrote a piece for today's Huffington Post reviewing two documentaries about arts programs, but it goes further and addresses the need to increase arts education funding, and in that process cut sports funding. I don't disagree that the arts need more funding (what field doesn't?), but his article is riddled with fallacies, inaccuracies, and easily disproved ideas. (And I'm not disagreeing just because he takes an easy blow at my school.) (Read more at www.andreistrizek.com)
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Conducting Videos

I just found the only video I have of me conducting, from my final semester of undergrad, Spring 2005. I worked with the University Band at UW-Eau Claire the entire semester, and thought I'd post the piece that we performed. Robert Jager's Third Suite is a jovial little piece, with the first movement alternating between 7/4 & 5/4, the limpy Waltz in 5 (ala Tchaikovsky) and an exciting Rondo to end the piece. (For more visit www.andreistrizek.com/blog)
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