Boston Singers' Resource News Bulletin, September 17, 2003


AN INTERVIEW WITH TIMOTHY BANKER,
CO-PRODUCER OF "FROM THE TOP"
"From the Top" is a weekly broadcast that showcases some of our nation's most exceptional pre-college age classical musicians. It is produced in association with WGBH Radio Boston and the New England Conservatory of Music. The website, www.fromthetop.org, is a wealth of information for the young performer and includes information about the show, as well as a listening library, recordings for sale, lists of educational opportunities, information for parents, a 'student lounge', reference materials, and much more. In this BSR interview, Timothy Banker talks about the history of "From the Top" and how the guests are chosen. Mr. Banker writes the script for the show - "I figure out how to interview the kids on the air, after interviewing them extensively, myself." He has a background in theater and attended the A.R.T. institute as a directing major.

BSR: What is the history of From the Top?

TB: Executive producers Gerald Slavet and Jennifer Hurley Wales came up
with the idea of creating an "old-fashioned, live radio show that celebrated America's most outstanding classical musicians" in 1996. Jennifer was working in the development department at New England Conservatory, and Jerry, a Trustee of the Conservatory and an avid supporter of the NEC's Youth Philharmonic Orchestra were both part of a brainstorming process to determine what to program in the newly renovated Jordan Hall over the Summer. That's how the idea was born. The show was initially called "Child's Play."

BSR: How did you end up choosing the fabulous Christopher O'Reily to host?

TB: With money from the U.S. Department of Education, they began to experiment with radio formats and hosts over a 2 year period. Christopher O'Riley was introduced to them because he is an alumnus of New England Conservatory and he has a wonderful career as a concertizing pianist with orchestras around the world. Jerry and Jennifer actually saw Chris on the TV show, CBS Sunday Morning where he waxed rhapsodic about the rap band, Public Enemy...that's when they knew they had found their guy. Christopher O'Riley was an early supporter of the program and he signed on to it in 1997.

BSR: When did you become a part of the production team?

TB: In 1998, the name "From the Top" was invented and in 1999, the current lead producer Tom Voegeli was contracted to produce the program. I had been directing for theater and writing occasionally. I was asked to write two pilot episodes (before the show went national) in the Spring of 1999. I enjoyed it immensely became full time that following August.

My official title is "co-producer" and I work closely with Scott Schillin (the other co-producer) who selects talent, determines repertoire and oversees the tour logisitics of the program. Scott and I both work with Tom Voegeli, the lead producer of the program. Tom is a grammy award winning radio drama producer. He has an amazing history in public radio and has launched several hit programs.


BSR: What is your criteria for choosing the performers for From the Top - particularly singers, of course?

TB: First of all, we look for young performers who are expressive musicians. The performer has to really have his or her piece beyond the "technique" point and really has to be able to communicate it. We obviously love kids who just "wow" us. This is not to say all of the kids on our show are whiz-bang prodigies. In fact, we absolutely steer away from that because we're not so much interested in kids who seem superhuman as we are interested in kids who are just passionate about music--who are listeners can relate to. As we've been on the air, the competition to be on our show has really increased and so has the musicianship level in general.

Our second criteria is the life-story of the applicant. Sometimes we'll choose a kid who has a great story even if that kid isn't quite as good technically as another performer who's story doesn't strike us as quite as unique or interesting. We have a "Getting to Know You" section of our application and we really pay attention to what the kids write... We're always looking for unique experiences...kids who enjoy life and kids who are not just closed up in a practice room. This is not to say that we don't appreciate shy or even awkward kids. To be crass, sometimes the shyest kid can come across beautifully on the radio...so that's okay, but I'd venture to say that if the applicant is shy or not a big talker, then the pressure is really on for that applicant to have an outstanding audition tape.

Concerning singers, we've had a lot more young women singers than young men singers obviously because of the way the voice matures. Our singers, predictably perhaps, are some of our most fun performers and so we're always excited when we get great applications. Singers are often more extroverted and that's fun. The criteria for singers is pretty much as it is for other performers...I think for singers, it's important that they apply with repertoire that's appropriate for them. Sometimes kid singers can sing in a rather over pretentious way... over formal... maybe forced... and of course we looking for kids who sound relaxed when they sing.

Applications can be found at our website www.fromthetop.org. Please encourage your students to apply. Applications are easy to get online at www.fromthetop.org. It's competitive, but we're always looking to celebrate kids who are passionate about music and who have interesting stories.

BSR: Have you found any similar background or personality traits among your guests?

TB: The fabulous thing about interviewing all these kids is the wide variety of backgrounds of kids who play classical music. All across America, rural, urban, rich, poor, black, white or purple...you'll find kids who can't be kept down...they have to play classical music...they have to become great! That's really the inspirational truth and I think we reflect that on the air. We seek out diversity because diversity is interesting.

A big thing that a lot of the kids have in common is that their parents actually practiced with them in the early years. I think this is really significant. Beyond that, the families are so different and what pushes the kids to be great varies. Sometimes it's a fantastic teacher...sometimes it's loneliness...sometimes it's a parent who is tougher and meaner than steel, a parent who demands excellence...sometimes it's for the sheer joy of the music...sometimes it's because it's fun socially--chamber music, youth orchestra...sometimes it's purely for the thrill of winning competitions and has nothing to do with music...sometimes kids are great despite their parents total disinterest...and sometimes kids are just naturally great and they don't even practice that much... (annoying huh?)


BSR: I did not know that YOU actually interview the students and outline someof the questions before Mr. O'Reilly talks with them. Christopher O'Reily, of course, is wonderful and sounds perfectly spontaneous and natural all the time. What do you usually ask and look for in these "pre-interviews?"

TB: Chris is fantastic about making the writing sound spontaneous. He always adds in his own quips. He has a tremendous wit. I'd say what you hear on the air is about 60% written for him and about 40% his own charisma....He makes everything I write for him funnier.
My pre-interviews with kids last about 1 hr. 1/2 and I ask a zillion questions... Most of them are related to the specifics of their application...like "You write here that you're absolutely petrified of dogs...why?" I work really hard to make them feel listened to. I listen. I have basic questions like... Why do you work so hard at music, what's the payoff. ...What do really look forward to, what's fun for you... What's been difficult for you, what's frustrating for you, what have you really had to get struggle through... Looking back over the last six months, what sticks out in your mind as something really fun you did...How's school... I let the conversation flow and I react.


BSR: Do you have any favorite interview stories to share?

TB: Oh my God....so so so many. I recently interviewed a French Horn player from Turkey who started playing music by herding sheep with a Shepherd's Pipe at the age of 9 in rural turkey. Years later, he escaped from an abusive house and was adopted by an Italian Family in Cleveland who had never met him before. He contacted that family through the internet and through a meaningful exchange of emails, they agreed to let him move in. That was an amazing story.

I interviewed an incredibly shy violinist who would hardly say anything to me until we stumbled on the subject of the most obscure physics and the subject of anti-matter and then I couldn't get her to shut-up.

I had a hysterical conversation recently with a teenage guitarist who is obsessed with the TV show, The Simpsons.


BSR: Any advice for aspiring young performers?

TB: Remain curious. Remain positive. Remain flexible. But believe that what you're doing is worthwhile. Try not to feel too isolated. There are tons of kids who are as into music as you are. There's a community out there and it's really fun.

Timothy Banker
From the Top
Producer
295 Huntington Ave, Suite 201
Boston, MA. 02115
www.FromtheTop.org

"From the Top," is officially radio's most popular classical music program. Hosted by acclaimed concert pianist Christopher O'Riley, "From the Top" features the stories and musical performances of outstanding, young classical musicians.
***JOIN THE "FROM THE TOP" E-MAIL LIST*** Get the latest on broadcasts, tapings, talent recruitment and more! Go to www.FromtheTop.org and click on 'Register.'

BSR
NEWS BULLETIN
Click here to enjoy reading about BSR members featured in past issuesof the Bulletin:
MEMBER
HIGHLIGHTS

OTHER ARTICLES AND SPECIAL FEATURES:

NEW: 2004 Director's Meeting minutes! A two hour forum with 17 leading NE area directors transcribed for your perusal.

An Interview with Timothy Banker, Co-Producer of "From the Top" weekly radio shcw.

Exposure and Encourgement
Ed Justen interviews invesigates the joys and challenges of keeping kids singing in today's busy world.

The Boston-NYC Connection:
Contributing BSR members offer stories and advice about commuting to New York regularly for singing. A list of NYC resources and member biographies follows the article.

Strength in Numbers;
A feature article on BSR reprinted, with permission, from Classical Singer Magazine.

The Japan Journal:
BSR member, Rich Bissell, shares his month-long experience as an american opera chorus ringer for "Peter Grimes" in Japan, 2002.

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