18 December 2011

Upbeat

Renaissance Man Looks to the past for Inspiration

Wayne Hankin of Local 802 (New York City) has made a name for himself playing and composing for preclassical woodwind instruments. His fascination with Renaissance music began after his high school teachers introduced him to it. "I heard all of these fantastic colors. I had never been so attracted to something musically. I wanted to have those instruments," Hankin says. That passion grew and he now plays more than 400 instruments from the Renaissance and medieval periods. Though he says, modestly, that he can only play about 80 of them "on a very high professional level," he's performed on them in concerts all over the world. However, today he is on a new mission. "We have to save music as we know it," he says. He is currently in Hollywood, California, working on projects to redefine and bring music back, not only in the classroom, but to the community and the family. To Hankin, it is essential that the public cares about the decline in live music performances, which he thinks are suffering because of the public's general lack of understanding of music today. "Most orchestras are playing it safe, trying not to alienate anyone," Hankin says. Since the public doesn't have a developed understanding of music, orchestras stick to playing only the classics that the audience will recognize, rather than anything new. Talented musicians suffer as a result of this," he explains. Along with this, musicians are relying on technology to make artificial music, which is taking away from the deep culture music once enjoyed. "It's a great way to save money, and it's a great way to fire people," Hankin remarks. It is disappointing to Hankin that many people cannot read music, and therefore cannot appreciate its roots. "It's like a foreign film with no subtitles," he adds. To that end, Hankin has taken up acting and works with animators and producers to make films that teach people to read, write, create, and perform music. Hankin is not wasting any time with this plan. He has already created his first documentary, 7 Solos, a "self-portrait about an artist roaming the world trying to find his place in it." The film features Hankin playing seven instruments- the hornpipe, clay flute, hümmelchen, baroque, alto recorder, trump, double pipes, and bone flute-as he wanders searching for his place in the world. The film has done quite well, winning best short subject at the World Music and International Film Festival in Washington, DC. It can be purchased at Hankin's website and all proceeds go to another of his projects-The Striking Voice, a program for Johns Hopkins to enable nonspeaking people to regain their

alexandria Davis, providing Musical Happiness to Others

In October, Alexandria Davis of Local 447-704 (Savannah, GA) received a request for her service at a surprise party for an elderly Scottish couple. The 25-year-old Highland bagpiper arrived at the party to the delight of the surprised husband, and performed her first contracted gig as a member of the AFM. "It was one of the proudest days of my life," says Davis. This talented young singer, bagpiper, bugler, and percussionist has served with several organizations, including the Savannah Philharmonic and Chorus and the West Fargo Veterans of Foreign Wars. She is also completely blind. At a young age, Davis discovered the power of music and found that she possessed great skill at ear memorization and tuning. Today, Davis finds peace and encouragement in music and uses it to extend her reach into the lives of others. Not only does she spend her time performing music, she is also an avid volunteer for organizations such as the Savannah Central Labor Council and an auxiliary for the United States Coast Guard and Air Force."I feel like I am helping so many people when I play, like I am making so many people happy, and that I escape from my disability," Davis says. "I feel like I can see when I play, like I am normal." Yet, music did not always bring total solace for Davis. "I think one of the biggest struggles in music with my disability is being accepted by other people," Davis explains. "A lot of times I go to audition for musical groups and they automatically turn me away because of my blindness." It was her passion for music that kept Davis struggling and fighting to gain the respect of the general public and other musicians, and it has greatly paid off, even changing her world. "I think, when I was younger, I went to music as a way to get away from the world. Through music I could forget about my disability. But now, it's a way for me to make people happy voice using the trump (or jaw harp). Hankin, who has been a member of the AFM since the early '90s, says that the union has been very helpful to him throughout his career, advising him and offering support along the way. Wayne Hankin of Local 802 (New York City) hopes to develop user-friendly ways of reading music. and even serve others," she says. Davis joined the AFM this year and through the union she has found a community of individuals who do not see her as simply a blind musician, but as a musician who has the same hopes and dreams as themselves. "The union has made a huge difference in my life," says Davis. "I have been in so many organizations that did not want me because I am totally visually impaired, but in the AFM, I was welcomed with open arms." As for the future, Davis plans to continue extending volunteer services to the community, as well as performing as a freelance bagpiper. She hopes to always find and provide happiness through music. "I get inspired from my everyday life. Just from the blessings that I find and the beauty inside people," she says. "I am so proud to be a member, and my family is so proud of me too. I never dreamed I'd make it this far."

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