Hudson Journey, Day 4: Listening Excursion along the River
The Luzerne Music Center, a renowned music camp and retreat located along the shores of Lake Luzerne, is undergoing a series of exciting upgrades. One of the most significant changes is the creation of a new bandshell for the orchestra's weekly, open-to-the-community public performances. This bandshell will enhance sound projection and cover the orchestra, improving the overall experience for audiences.
This project is part of a broader ongoing overhaul of the camp's facilities, which also includes air conditioning and new cabin accommodations for staff and campers. Notably, the practice rooms at the Luzerne Music Center are pre-assembled wood trailer/cabins from Pennsylvania Amish country, divided by an interior wall. Acclaimed acoustician, John Storyk, is contributing to making these practice rooms sound better through affordable acoustic fixes.
John Storyk, who played clarinet in the Princeton band, is looking forward to returning to the Luzerne Music Center in the future. He had a casual lunch with Elizabeth Pitcairn, who is the President and Artistic Director of the Luzerne Music Center. Pitcairn was a camper at the Luzerne Music Center in 1988 and 1989.
The Luzerne Music Center has been hosting four-week sessions since 1980 for rising orchestral performers from around the world. These performers audition for admittance to the Luzerne Music Center and are world-class players headed for major orchestras around the globe. The first four weeks are for "juniors," ranging in age from about 8 to 14, and the next four weeks are for "seniors," ages 15-18.
The upcoming weeks promise an exciting event as the seniors at the Luzerne Music Center will perform a Dvorak Symphony on Sunday, August 3. This performance will feature a clarinet solo that is John Storyk's favorite.
The Luzerne Music Center has also recently added a new performance space called The Octagon, designed by WSDG. The centre has been awarded a $1.8 million New York State Capital Project grant to create a multi-functional expansion or improvement, though the exact details beyond the bandshell and practice rooms have not been fully outlined in the found sources.
John Storyk and longtime friend Howie Schwartz will be attending performances of Tosca and Sunday in the Park With George at Glimmerglass near Cooperstown. Storyk considers Tosca his favorite opera.
In summary, the Luzerne Music Center is undergoing a series of upgrades, including the creation of a new bandshell for the orchestra's public performances, acoustic improvements to practice rooms, and overall facility upgrades such as improved cabins and air conditioning. These upgrades are supported by a $1.8 million state grant for these capital improvements.
- The new bandshell, a part of the Luzerne Music Center's upgrades, is expected to significantly improve sound projection during the orchestra's public performances, transforming the home-and-garden setting into an entertaining venue with enhanced audio.
- John Storyk, an acclaimed acoustician and clarinet player, has shown interest in incorporating music into his lifestyle, as he looks forward to returning to the Luzerne Music Center, where he plans to enjoy performances of Tosca, his favorite opera.
- The upcoming performance of a Dvorak Symphony by the seniors at the Luzerne Music Center will not only showcase their musical skills, but also highlight the improved audio capabilities of the new bandshell and The Octagon performance space, making for an enriching entertainment experience.
