Eastman alumnus quoted by President Biden on Inauguration Day: ‘Complete shock’ | RochesterFirst

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Rochester, New York (WROC)-This is the moment carved on the stone, it is forever recorded, preserved, and has a history.

When President Biden delivered his inauguration speech on January 20, his central theme was unity. In his speech, he quoted

"American Anthem."

Scheer originally came from Canggu, New Jersey, and received a bachelor's and master's degree from Eastman School of Music. Scheer's original goal was to become an opera performer, but he found himself an opera singer.

While working on other music careers, he spends most of his time as a freelance writer: a person who not only writes the lyrics for the opera, but is also responsible for the plot, the structure of the entire song, and has a great say. . How to tell a story.

After working in Vienna for 10 years, Scheer has gone from being a performer to having been collaborating with some of the best composers-he never wrote opera music-including Jennifer Higdon, To Tobias Picker and his regular collaborator Jake Heggie and performers such as Denyce Graves, Nathan Gunn and Rochester's own Renee Fleming.

The accidental connection with the famous stage director Francesca Zambello and the large collection of works he produced during his overseas period led him to work with Tobias Picker, who he called "the first outstanding composer to work with me".

He won many awards and praise, and his song "American Anthem" made it the way of Ken Burns's PBS documentary "War", which was written by Norah Jones (Norah Jones). ) Singing. "National Anthem" is one of his few commissioned works.

He said: "The reason I wrote this book is because I feel moved."

He was initially inspired after reading a book called "The Miracle of Philadelphia" and he found out that his father (a teacher) was selling some of his libraries.

"(This song) is begging myself to take action, to take action, not trying to persuade others to do something; it is trying to persuade itself," he said. "The whole concept of collective responsibility is at the core of this song; this gap between collective responsibility and individual freedom...this is the core of 200 years of American experiments."

This song was originally recorded by Nathan Gunn and premiered live by Denyce Graves at a federal event for then Vice President Biden.

News 8 tells Scheer about his career, life in Eastman and the moment he first heard President Biden quote his song.

For the sake of clarity, this interview has been condensed and edited.

I like this art form. I just think this is an incredible art form. I think opera is a glorious way of expressing human circumstances, human souls, ideals, joy, and the hardships of living. I think this is indeed one of the greatest artistic gifts in the history of the world. So I like working in this field, why do I like this aspect.

One thing I like about it is that it is a collaborative art form. I like the fact that it actually only exists in real time, and there is this kind of handshake between the creator and the interpreter, and all of us, we are all on the same rope trying to accomplish something special and meaningful thing.

I like the fact that all of our tributaries have poured into our collective imagination, that is, the result of our work is a by-product of our collective imagination. And, well, this is something we all do together.

I like the collaborative aspect of drama and the challenges of working with these incredible, talented, smart, and talented people.

I like to tell stories. I like the way it connects the whole experience of music and drama, and how it connects us with humans, and awakens the possibilities in our lives and our understanding of life truths.

I love Eastman. I had an incredible experience there. I think the greatest asset-I mean, there are excellent teachers and high quality standards set for all students-but the biggest thing I learned from Eastman is with all these very, very talented students The experience of living together, seeing their work ethics and the joy of making music.

Just like music, this is the language we all speak, and we all want to learn; this is how we communicate with each other. The other students I went to school with them set these standards and inspired me to continue school and hope to keep this joy.

I still have the same joy when I walk through Kilburn Concert Hall and the like when I go to the Concert Hall...Eastman is a great launch pad.

I am sitting in most countries in the United States and in many parts of the world, just watching the inauguration. I am very, very happy because I am happy that Biden has been elected. I really think this is a crucial moment for our country... So, watching my inauguration is already a happy moment for me.

The speech is in progress...I thought he was outstanding, a man of demeanor, decent, humanity and honesty...and then suddenly, he was quoting my song and I was shocked. I kind of jumped up and said, "I can't believe this is happening." It was amazing.

Then, my phone suddenly exploded, talking with friends and family all over the country. I talked to my wife (she was at work), and then I called Denise Graves. Denise Graves was the source of the success of this song and an important part of cooperation with President Biden the reason.

Denyce not only supported the song, but sang it so beautifully, and she recently sang it at the Ruth Bader Ginburg's Memorial in the Capitol. That was when President Biden and Kamala Harris (Kamala Harris) heard the song. I mean, they may have heard it before, but I think that thing is really with them.

She told me that she talked with Biden and her Vice President Harris, and Biden and her approached her after the memorial service and said that the song moved them... but they didn't tell Denise, or They did not tell Denyce that he would quote in the inauguration speech.

I think his moral compass for me is consistent with the original inspiration for this song. For me, this is a very gratifying and meaningful moment.

I have great teachers in public schools. I have great music teachers in public schools. These people who teach me music are very good musicians and they have established a very high standard. I'm all here to celebrate educators, the public school system, and their profound impact in my life.

Of course, I’m talking about music and drama. Well, of course, programs across the country have been cut. This is not only a shame, I think it’s a danger to our society not supporting school art. I think this is something that has the ability to create people who can connect with each other.

Did you know that I think of the outstanding teachers I met in Eastman, these teachers are outstanding musicians, and they are so incredible, Tom Paul is still by Rochester, God bless . He is an incredible teacher, but like many people, I will think back to my elementary and middle school teachers and their incredible impact on my life.

I will continue to work with people I admire, but it's like playing tennis. I would say to play tennis with someone better than me. It improves my game level. Then go on, um, um, do, um, interesting work, um, meaningful work for me

I am working on a new opera with Jake Heggie and I am very excited about it... I have a recording that will be recorded to Janury on the 27th. I wrote a record about these violins, which were in Auschwitz Used in concentration camps and other camps, the story behind these tools. I am very happy with the recorded album, I think it is very beautiful.

Work hard, don't wait for others to ask you to do it, just do it. Many people say that I want to write a novel, someone who really wants to be in a certain way, find a way to make this book. They get up at five in the morning and do it.

Over the years, I stayed in Vienna for 10 years and wrote 30 to 40 works to take back. This is the lyrics after the completion of a mixed music work, so... Francesca Zambello, I actually have something to share with her .

This is to do and get up and start working every day.

Catherine Chesinski, head of the Vocal, Opera, and Vocal Coaching Department of Eastman School of Music, also issued a statement to Schell:

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