2009 Season

Dr. Rindfleisch,
Thank you very much for allowing us to take part in the Cleveland Recording Institute this year. This experience was truly informative and learning the real world implications of producing a commercial quality classical recording will stay with me.  The caliber of performers that participated and how intimately they learned all of our pieces was remarkable. I had never heard anyone play any of my compositions with as much integrity as Rolf Schulte performed my solo violin piece.  I hope the program will continue into the years to come as any emerging composer will no doubt gain valuable insights into the recording and performing world. Thank you again for this experience.
Ryan Manchester

Dr. Rindfleisch:
I wanted to drop a note of appreciation for the Cleveland Composer's Recording Institute and the positive impact it has had on my career.

Being an artist out in the world is a bit like starting one's own business, yet I (and so many of my composer friends) have found that music education tends to gloss over some of the important career essentials. At the CCRI, Andy and Dave taught me technological skills that help me realize and share my music. I gained a deeper understanding of how the recording process works and how to efficiently use studio time. I've quickly employed these concepts back at home, trying some splicing with recent concert recordings to get a product that is most representative of the score. And It was incredible to work with such talented musicians; their feedback helped strengthen my piece.

In addition to the educational component of the course, the studio recording is simply put, invaluable for my career. It is perhaps the only recording in my portfolio for which I feel that the listener can completely and absolutely hear the music as I intended it. It's been a wonderful asset in representing myself as a composer.

The collaborative atmosphere of the Institute was invigorating and it was wonderful to see composers from very different sides of the stylistic spectrum so enthusiastic about each other's work (literally walking around the halls singing each other's pieces). Your CSU students were excellent hosts and made us all feel very welcome.
Oliver Caplan