CutTime Players’ First Tour a Big Success

December 1, 2000

CutTime Players successfully completed a first trip outside of its Southeast Michigan home. More than 3,400 residents enjoyed classical music programs during six evening concerts, eight school workshops and side-by-side workshop with the local youth orchestra. Services took place in and around the Petoskey area of Michigan including as far away as Beaver Island between November 13 and 20.

Sponsored by both the Crooked Tree Arts Center of Petoskey and CutTime Players sister company CutTime Productions, audiences seemed to be incredulous at CTP’s ability to convincingly perform masterpieces written for a full symphony orchestra.

The repeated classical program included Russlan and Ludmilla Overture, the España Rhapsody, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, the menuetto movement from Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4, Für Elise and Peter and the Wolf featuring local narrators such as Mr. Howard Ellis of East Jordan whose “mmmeeowwing” and style were awarded distinguished honors by the musicians.

The popular Bolling jazz program was performed once in Petoskey and considered a big hit. Undoubtedly given the extensive jazz backgrounds of CutTime Player substitutions New York City freelance flutist Marco Granados and Colorado Symphony principal clarinetist Bil Jackson, lots of spark and a vivid freshness were added to the program.

The players were able to persevere when the year’s first major snow storm pushed through early and threatened to prevent flying both players and percussion in two shuttle planes out to Beaver Island. However, the morning of the flight brought the only good day of weather that week and the free concert took place in St. James Catholic Church with two hundred people attending. Once they heard the music, children ran up during the opening work to sit on the floor and closely watch the players work their magic.

CTP did not confine its music to schools, churches and auditoriums however. Director Rick Robinson led half of his troupes thru an impromptu jazz session during Open Mike night at the City Park Grill, the haunt of novelist Ernest Hemmingway. The unofficial review indicates they shouldn’t quit their orchestra jobs but many enjoyed the attempt by classical musicians to play straight jazz without music or keyboard. And Rick opened with the title theme from Schubert’s Death and the Maiden for unaccompanied bass.

Besides enjoying the local scenery, shops and restaurants, and even a Thanksgiving Day parade, the players report having fulfilled its mission to bring understanding of classical music to new audiences. Violinist Geoff Applegate said, “I feel like we really made a difference being there.”

Here's a letter from one fan in Boyne City.