What is a violinist? A refined musician who sits tall in a chair and
plays classical music? Sometimes. What about a refined musician who
plays classical music while singing and dancing … and also
playing a combination of jazz, rock, fiddle and other cultural sounds?
If you envisioned the latter definition, you’re familiar with
Barrage.
Barrage is a musical group featuring five violinists/vocalists, a
drummer, bass player and guitarist. Founded in Calgary, Alberta, Canada
in 1996, the show is an energizing musical experience. How many
orchestras have you been to where the violinists dance and sing
along with the music they’re already playing? It’s as though Riverdance
and Stomp got together one night and out came the world’s most
artistically talented child.
The cast consists of musicians in their 20s from Germany, Canada and
the United States. Currently they are playing a show called
Animado, which consists of music ranging from mariachi to mambo.
One of the founders, John Crozman, says they’ll also play some popular
modern music, like Coldplay covers.
In addition to Barrage’s eye-opening performances, the group
provides an educational program to get young string students educated
and motivated about the art. Crozman is a former orchestra teacher
himself. He says students can “get an experience a little out of the
ordinary” with the Barrage program. When the show comes to town on
Friday, some Tucson string students will be getting that unique
learning experience.
Crozman says the first half of a show at Sahuaro High School will be
a typical performance, but the second half will incorporate students.
One hundred-eighty students from Tucson Unified School District and
Tucson’s Opening Minds Through Arts (OMA) program will participate.
Crozman says workshop participants are sent music in advance. Then
when the group comes to town, they work with students and rehearse
together for the show. “The purpose is to share music,” he says.
Tucson-based string instrument and accessory store Southwest Strings
is a major sponsor of Barrage. Southwest Strings brought the
educational program here to support OMA, which combines arts education
with core curriculum and researches how the arts improve student
achievement in TUSD schools, according to co-founder Joan Ashcraft.
OMA’s funding is in jeopardy due to ongoing budget cuts. Friday’s
performance and student workshop will be a benefit for OMA.
Taylor Morris, a Barrage performer, is looking forward to working
with the students. Morris is from the Phoenix area and graduated from
ASU. He first saw Barrage perform at the Orpheum Theatre in Phoenix
when he was in the seventh grade. He knew the show was in his future.
Morris explains that he understands the excitement younger string
students have because he’s been in their position. Watching a
fast-paced show with violins is a big contrast to sitting still in
class practicing sheet music.
“This shows students that the violin can be cool,” says Morris.
Morris says joining the group was intimidating at first because it
is so different. After learning the music, he worked with a
choreographer to combine the playing and dancing.
“It’s a lot to put together,” he says. “I’m also singing and
remembering to be charming!”
While Morris has mastered his simultaneous fiddling and footwork, he
has a tough time describing exactly what it is he does. He says you can
watch clips online, but it just won’t do the show justice.
“You need the live experience to feel the music and the energy,”
says Morris.
This article appears in Oct 22-28, 2009.