Join Minnesota Public Radio’s Kyle Wesloh for a fun and interactive discussion of recording techniques, trouble-shooting tips, listening ideas, and humorous anecdotes from his years as a classical recording engineer. Have you been struggling to get  “CD-quality” recordings and wonder why your recordings don’t quite compare to the those produced by the major labels? Well, you’re not alone. But recent improvements in low-cost recording equipment and some pointers from a seasoned pro can bring you a lot closer to your goals.

This workshop will look at the equipment available to stations and engineers at a number of different budget levels, and examine the microphone techniques used by the pros–not just MPR, but also Telarc, Dorian, ECM, and others. Is it their equipment, the halls, the musicians, or their own “golden ears”? You’ll also peek through the stage doors at some of the best engineers of our time. Session photos and audio examples will  illustrate key points.

You’ll also have an opportunity to have suggestions made about your own work. Is there a particular hall that you find difficult to work in? Are you concerned that your microphones may not be appropriate for the task at hand? Worried that your 8-track tape recorder may no longer be state-of-the-art? Feel free to bring photos, CDs, and your most difficult problems. Whether it’s an outdoor venue in the rain or a wealthy patron’s living room, Kyle has probably been there and lived to tell about it.

Kyle Wesloh is the Technical Director for the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and works on many other shows for MPR. He has recorded performers such as Joshua Bell with the SPCO, Viktoria Mullova with the Minnesota Orchestra, Mark O’Connor and his Trio, singer-songwriter Tracey Bonham, and the Anonymous 4. He has also served as Broadcast Engineer for several of MPR’s live talk-shows, including In the Loop, Stage Sessions with Heather McElhatton, and Talking Volumes. He has mixed documentaries for American Radio Works and is also Technical Director for the Minnesota Opera.

Kyle has run his own recording and production company for the past 16 years, recording several CDs for Naxos, Warner-Nonesuch and independent labels. Artists include Ned Rorem, Fred Hersch, Kenneth Boulton, The Eaken Piano Trio, The Boston Modern Orchestra Project, and others.

In his spare time, Kyle likes to hike with his wife, two children, and their husky, Cricket.
 
 

The American Youth Harp Ensemble made its international debut performing in the Maastricht Music Festival (Netherlands) and has had other notable performances in the Edinburgh Music Festival, at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Washington, D.C., the 34th American Harp Society National Conference, The Paris Music Festival (France), and the opening concert for the International Harp Therapy Conference. In April, 2001, the Ensemble debuted in an invited performance at the Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall, New York City.

The ensemble has brought world-class music to enthusiastic audiences in the U.S. and abroad through hundreds of performances, recordings, television and media features most recently on CNN, The Edinburgh Evening News, The Scottish Daily Record (Scotland), ABC, PBS, and NPR.

The aim of the ensemble is expressed in its Mission Statement: "The American Youth Harp Ensemble strives to use Music Education as a means to develop children by developing programs and performance opportunities for children and youth, regardless of financial means, and utilizing the harp as a catalyst for personal growth and community service."

For more information about the Ensemble, visit http://www.americanyouthharpensemble.org/Home%20Page.htm.
 

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Reception
Monday, February 19, 6:00 p.m.
Pink Martini World Headquarters

Portland-based Pink Martini invites you to a reception at their World Headquarters, 728 Southwest 1st, just a short walk from the Embassy Suites Hotel, and only a block from the Broderick Gallery, where the KBPS reception begins at 8:00 p.m. They will screen their recent PBS special, Pink Martini Live-Discover the World, and will make copies available to you and  provide copies of their two CDs. You'll also get a mini-collection from their newest recording, due out in May. 

They are strong supporters on Public Broadcasting and their infectious music fits a variety of formats. Come enjoy some beer, wine, and munchies, and hear some great music with Pink Martini!

The group Pink Martini is somewhere between a 1930s Cuban dance orchestra, a classical chamber music ensemble, a Brasilian marching street band, and a Japanese film noir. Pink Martini is equally at home performing its multi-lingual repertoire on concert stages and in smoky bars, and draws a wildly diverse crowd. 

The ensemble made its orchestral debut with the Oregon Symphony Orchestra in 1999 and has also performed with the symphony orchestras of Seattle, Nashville, New Jersey, Charlotte, San Antonio, Kansas City, and Jacksonville, among others. The group performed for three nights with he Hollywood Bowl Orchestra in 2000 and two nights with the Los Angeles Philharmonic on a co-bill with Sergio Mendes at the Hollywood Bowl in 2002.

Monica Huggett

Robert McBride

All Classical 89.9, KBPS, invites conference attendees to a private concert and reception. Violinist Monica Huggett, artistic director of the Portland Baroque Orchestra, will perform, as will guitarist Scott Kritzer and clarinetist Todd Kuhns, a member of the Oregon Symphony. Two principal dancers with Oregon Ballet Theatre will also perform, one dancing to a work written by Robert McBride, announcer/producer at KBPS, and both dancing a romantic pas de deux to Scott Kritzer's arrangement of Puccini's Nessun Dorma. 

After the performance wine and desserts will be provided for all who attend, and everyone will also be given a goodie bag with some Portland treats. The Broderick Gallery is within easy walking distance of the hotel. KBPS will also recommend some good places for dinner and shopping downtown, close to both the hotel and the gallery. A few special people in Portland's vibrant performing arts scene will also be invited. Let Portland's only classical radio station welcome you to the Cityof Roses in a way you won't soon forget!

SR Sound Programming provides strategic planning and direction for stations in on-air sound, programming, announcer presentation, Arbitron analysis, station production, programming changes, and on-air fundraising. Sheila Rue is President of SR Sound Programming and is one of the most respected leaders in public radio. Sheila brings 28 years of public radio experience with proven success as a program director at four stations in small, medium, and large markets. In addition, she has 11 years experience as a professional trainer and teacher in public radio in both programming and on-air fundraising workshops. 

Regina Yeager is the Development Director at WUNC radio in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She manages a ten-person development staff at WUNC and has worked in public radio for seventeen years. While working on her Masters of Arts in Radio/TV/Film, she started her work in public radio development. She has experience in many different areas including pledge, underwriting, major gifts, direct mail, marketing and promotions. As one of DEI's first station-based advisors, Regina has worked as a DEI Pledge advisor since 1997. During her tenure with DEI, she has performed on-site assessments at DEI member stations, conducted fundraiser air-checking, served as a virtual pledge producer, and coordinated the on-air track for the PRDMC. She monitors pledge across the system for trends and ideas and is a regular contributor to eREPORT.
 

The Stolen Sweets perform vocal jazz arrangements inspired by New Orleans favorites, The Boswell Sisters, one of the hottest girl groups of the 1930s. Comprised of vocalists Jen Bernard, Lara Michell and Erin Sutherland and string syncopators Keith Brush, Pete Krebs, and David Langenes, The Sweets deliver a unique brand of vintage swing jazz, dishing up abundant doses of coy stage antics and sideways glances as they play.

Recording artist and performer Carol Rossio has been a shining light on the Northwest jazz scene since the release of her first album, 1997’s French Mix. Carol performs jazz and pop with French flair – ooh-la-la!  Her vocal styling conjures visions of a perfect Parisian night, filled with the joys and sadness of romance. A singer who makes every song her own, Carol brings taste and charm to every rendition, wringing every nuance from both classic jazz and pop songs.  Working in an intimate combo setting, Carol’s live shows enchant audiences with her range and charisma.

Carol has teamed with the Pacific Northwest’s most renowned musical artist, Tom Grant, for both recording projects and performances. Performing credits include opening for Grammy award-winning Latin jazz artist Poncho Sanchez and also for internationally acclaimed Sony recording artist and UNICEF spokesperson Angelique Kidjo, plus performing in conjunction with a special traveling Smithsonian exhibit entitled “The Jazz Age in Paris”. Carol has also sung at The United Nations and Boston Symphony Hall with the Paul Winter Consort and the Back Bay Chorale; at The Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall with famed choral conductor Robert Shaw and the Choral Arts Ensemble; and as a soloist at The Jazz Cafe and Fox & Hound in Havana, Cuba; The Jazz Spot in Edinburgh, Scotland; Auberge du Soleil in Napa, California; Rick’s Nightclub in Zihuatanejo, Mexico; Baiser Sale, Petit Journal Montparnasse, Café de Cluny and Petit Opportun in Paris and other spots throughout the U.S. and Europe. 

In Portland, Oregon, Carol performs regularly with conductor Carlos Kalmar and the Oregon Symphony as a member of the Portland Symphonic Choir (A1) and was headliner for “Bastille in the Pearl 2006” sponsored by the Alliance Francaise. She has also performed at the Nike World Master Games, The French American International School and The Portland International School, and performs at festivals, wineries, wedding receptions and for private parties and corporate events throughout the Northwest.

French Mix (a delightful selection of world-beat influenced pop originals) was produced with Paris-based musician and composer Jim Cuomo. Recorded with stellar musicians in both Portland and Paris, the French Mix cd release party was held at Café de Cluny in the heart of Paris’ Latin Quarter. 

Nuit et Jour (a charming collection of jazz standards sung in French and English) was recorded with internationally acclaimed pianist Tom Grant, bassist Dave Captein and drummer Graham Lear, including special guest appearances by Paul Elliot on violin and Nova Devonie on accordion.

For more information and sound clips visit www.carolrossio.com

Australian pianist Tahu Matheson began his piano studies at the age of five with his father, international conductor John Matheson. He is currently completing his Masters degree at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, studying with Oleg Stepanov and Natasha Vlassenko. In 1995 Tahu won the Queensland Piano Competition and he made his professional debut in 1996 with a solo recital at the New Zealand International festival of the Arts. He performed with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in 1997 and was invited to record by Kiwi-Pacific Records. Tahu has also performed widely in Australia, both with the Orchestras and solo, and has toured Australia for Musica Viva. Tahu was recently awarded the Hilda Woolmer Prize for Best Piano Accompaniment and is a recipient of the Brisbane Club award for 2000.

For more information visit http://www.lev-vlassenko.com/contest2_01.htm