Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

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2. Music To My Ears. Middle Years; Antioch College. Adding a bit more from High School, I was serendipitously introduced to jazz. (1956). The Newton High School was performing the 'Connecticut Yankee' musical. After the final successful performance on that Saturday evening, I was encouraged and invited to go to someone's home, Taking my upright double bass with me and jamming! I had never done such a thing--just extemporaneously playing by ear. I knew all my musical keys, so knowing such with each tune, I thought I might be able to 'fake it' somehow. In fact, it really worked and that was the beginning-- I performed jazz, along with the classical through Grad School ! Well, I arrived (1959) at Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio. I jumped right into classes--music, science, literature, religion. Of course, I joined the orchestra, led by David Epstein, A good, clear conductor and later, I would learn, was a violinist. We had many hours (and years!) of playing together. One quarter, it was announced that David would temporarily have leave And Donald Keetes, music history professor, would take his place. Keetes was a light, indecisive conductor, So I almost immediately switched to choir! It was for only the quarter, and I missed my bass, But I learned much about using my vocal cords, Rather than fingering on large gut and steel strings. The following quarter, I met Keetes again as professor In a music history class--no singing notes, just notes. He was a student of Hindemith and very knowledgeable. My term paper, being deeply into religion and seeking a personal god, Was a comparative study of the Masses of Mozart, Beethoven, and Stravinsky. I remember hiding away to write at Lady Alice Bingle's apartment downtown. She had nursed my father during his illness while he was A student at Antioch, years previously. I trepidatiously handed in my paper to Keetes, Who surprised me with a big, fat A! During my fifth and final year (I had taught in Switzerland for a year abroad), David Epstein came to me after one of our rehearsals, Asking if I would conduct a movement of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto #3, While he performed the solo violin part in its designated musical movement. Remembering my one opportunity in High School And how wonderful the experience turned out to be, I immediately said 'yes' and got to work, studying the score. A real score, so complete, with one page containing the entire ensemble. So you can imagine, the pages were turned quickly! The graduation concert, including my conducting debut, went very well. At this point in my life, I was struggling with career choices Between religion, music, and biology to earn my future keep in the world. After much thought, I chose biology, which, as it turned out, was a wise decision. Music, however, continued to be a large part of my life. Frank Maurer 19 November 2023 1500 Hours.