September, 2024
By Kaylor Jones / Photo by Claudia Johnstone
Five local creators on the role of classical art in the modern world
Though life has changed dramatically over the centuries, some things remain constant – people will always make art. From music and sculpture to dance and theater, much of the art created hundreds of years ago continues to leave an indelible mark on culture. Here, meet five local artists who are sharing and adapting classical art for the modern world – because some things are classics for a reason.
Cassie Walck
Associate principal/3rd horn, Phoenix Symphony
After growing up in the world of gymnastics, Cassie Walck put down her leotard and picked up a French horn – and 27 years later, she still hasn’t put it down.
“I joined the middle school band and fell in love with the sound of the French horn immediately,” Walck says. “I actually insisted that I play it despite the fact that my school didn’t allow you to start on the horn!”
Now, Walck is quite literally living the dream – from being a full-time musician with the Phoenix Symphony to experiencing once-in-a-lifetime moments like performing with Adele and being conducted by her music hero, John Williams.
What do you enjoy most about performing with a symphony? Being part of such a large collaborative experience. Sitting on a stage with 100 other musicians can send chills down your body as dynamics shift from fortissimo to piano or vice versa. Everyone is individually important, and we may have our own ideas of how a piece should sound, but everyone has to feel it together and come to an unspoken agreement while playing or it will never translate to the audience.
What makes classical music such an enduring genre? There’s just something about music that can express things where words fail. I listen to popular music all the time, but listening to a symphony with no words can make me process emotions I didn’t even know I was feeling. I’ve had multiple experiences where I just start crying while playing and think, “Where did that come from?”
Why is music education for the next generation is so important? Learning an instrument takes resilience, constant self-reflection and tons of work ethic. My dad always said that gymnastics taught me how to fall, and I think music taught me how to fail. There were times when I wanted to give up, but the reward of playing music is worth all of the hard work.
Read Article
Read Digital Issue
