ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, October 5, 1996 TAG: 9610070105
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: MOUNTAIN LAKE
SOURCE: SETH WILLIAMSON SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
MEMO: NOTE: Also ran in October 10, 1996 Neighbors.
Saturday night, Sept. 21: I'm on the front row of the Sauerkraut Band as we're about to kick off our annual Oktoberfest at Mountain Lake Resort.
I'm scared. I mean, this isn't exactly the Budapest String Quartet, but everyone here plays better than I do, and when you splatter a note on the euphonium, the whole county hears it.
Not for the first time comes the thought that it's easier to be a concert reviewer than a performer.
But Ed Schwartz bounds onstage with a broad smile under his red beard.
"Eins, zwei, drei, vier!" and we're off to the races on "Ein Prosit der Gemutlichkeit," the German beer tent perennial.
In the corner of the room, a gray-haired lady starts doing polka steps by herself, and the crowd, packed to the rafters, is singing along. These folks are ready for serious partying, so maybe a nervous band rookie won't be noticed too much.
Ed Schwartz - what can you say about the guy?
Phrases like "force of nature," "indefatigable energy" and "perpetual motion" come to mind.
Flamboyant trombonist, co-founder of the New River Valley's Summer Musical Enterprise, founder of the Sauerkraut Band, founder of the Riverboat Ramblers Dixieland band, founder and director of the Blacksburg Community Band, opera singer, founding editor of the arts journal "Expressions" and "Art Beat" magazine, director of Blacksburg's annual July Fourth band-chorus-and-artillery patriotic extravaganzas, champion of community-based arts projects.
Don't forget to mention a whiz at his real job of helping Tech professors use technology in their classes, a topic on which he's published two books. Did I mention he's not at home very often?
"Guten abend, mein sehr verehren damen und herren." Schwartz is introducing the band and welcoming the crowd to Oktoberfest. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Oktoberfest at Mountain Lake Resort."
Before I know it we're into number 49A in the Sauerkrauts' book, "Jetzt Gehts die Party Richtig Los."
The steins are foaming with dark Munchen Spaten beer, steaming plates of sauerkraut and sausages are vanishing like promises after Election Day, and Schwartz is working the crowd like Paganini played the fiddle. With a little luck, maybe I can get out of here tonight without serious humiliation.
Wednesday night, Sept. 19: In the bandroom at Blacksburg High School, Schwartz is rehearsing a Disney medley with the Blacksburg Community Band and grinning at the trumpet section. "Guys, you're rushin.' This is AMERICAN music, not Russian -let's try it again!"
I have played in wind ensembles, symphony orchestras and bands, but I've never come across a director as good as Schwartz at communicating with a musically diverse group. We've got rank beginners, and we've got musicians who perform with Opera Roanoke and the Roanoke and New River Valley symphonies. Some days we sound pretty good, some days we definitely sound like amateurs, but never have I seen Ed Schwartz lose his temper. He carries his own blue sky with him wherever he goes.
This is a good place for a little truth in advertising. I admire this guy tremendously. Which is why I didn't try to write this piece as an unbiased profile. Better to admit up front that I'm one of thousands of people whose lives have been enriched by Ed Schwartz. He is the finest example I've ever met of someone who prefers to light candles rather than curse the darkness.
When he came to Virginia Tech as a specialist in educational technologies in August 1988, he thought the area needed more community-based music and art. Unlike some Southwest Virginia transplants, he didn't complain that we were a cultural Sahara. Instead, he got to work.
"I saw talent all around me and I knew it just needed a little focus," said Schwartz. "In order for a community to be the kind of place I want to live, I need to do everything I can to make it that way. I don't appreciate people thinking we can take the arts for granted."
He started the Blacksburg Community Band in January 1989, about the same time he was also singing in the Southwest Virginia Opera Society chorus. The Sauerkrauts and the Riverboat Ramblers also came in 1989.
The first community musical was "The Music Man" in 1992, which was the beginning of the Summer Musical Enterprise, whose annual productions have since included "Oklahoma," "Mame," "Fiddler on the Roof" and "South Pacific."
The first issue of the arts journal "Art Beat" appeared in 1992, spotlighting everything from ballet and folk art to local galleries and recording studios. His current arts journal "Expressions" is now three issues old.
Leslie Mellichamp, professor emeritus of intellectual history at Virginia Tech, recalled that you couldn't miss Schwartz's arrival in the New River Valley. "He burst upon us in full Tyrolean costume, handlebar mustache, and a fast-emptying beer stein in hand. He was boisterous, he was flamboyant, he was irrepressible. We didn't know at first that beneath that plumage was a bandleader and teacher of rare ability and a superb musician.
"I was amazed at his ability to inspire both bumbling beginners and accomplished artists. The arrival of Ed Schwartz in our community was one of the best things ever to happen to those of us who love music."
Saturday night, Sept. 28: At Mountain Lake Resort, the Sauerkraut Band's second Oktoberfest night has just finished. I'm in the parking lot, letting the cool mountain air dry the sweat on my face and listening as departing revelers laugh on the way back to their cabins.
Across the lake an owl hoots in the black Appalachian woods, a wild and primitive cry. Back in the beer tent, faintly, Ed Schwartz is boisterously singing a bluegrass song with the resort staff who are cleaning up. Virginia's former poet laureate Carlton Drewry wrote that in the forest of time, the leaves are always falling. This moment is a golden leaf whose descent I wish I could halt forever, all of it: the winey tang in the autumn night wind, the owl, the distant happy singing from my friend and the resort workers.
I can't stop any of it, of course. All I can say is - Ed Schwartz, thanks from all of us.
Seth Williamson, who lives in Floyd County, is a familiar voice to classical music fans in Western Virginia as one of the announcers for 89.1FM WVTF, the public radio station in Roanoke. He also writes music reviews for The Roanoke Times.
The Oktoberfest at Mountain Lake Hotel and Resort in Giles County continues each Friday and Saturday in October offering authentic German cuisine. Music is by the Sauerkraut Band. The dinner and dancing extend from 5 to 10 p.m. The cost is $25 per person. Children 12 and under are $12.50. Alcoholic beverages are extra. Reservations are required by calling 951-1819.
LENGTH: Long : 125 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ALAN KIM/Staff. 1. Schwartz and Floyd High School Bandby CNBdirector Dean Chiapetto (left) exchange notes during the rehearsal.
2. At the Blacksburg High School band room on Wednesday evening, Ed
Schwartz pauses for a photo during a joint rehearsal between the
Floyd High School and the Blacksburg Community bands. color. 3. Seth
Williamson plays the euphonium during rehearsal at Blacksburg High.