The performances on this CD are superb. Rebekah's tone is wonderfully warm and expressive; it sounds to me as if she has really internalized this music and connected with it deeply. As a result, the work comes across with greater depth and conviction than is often the case.
Final exams are rapidly approaching, which means lots of studying and lots of quiet. However, sometimes the quiet becomes…too…quiet…
Rebekah Chesnes’ new album, Introducing Rebekah Chesnes, is a great way to break the silence while continuing to study. Chesnes, a classically trained flautist, showcases her talent on compositions by Bach and Mozart with piano accompaniment by the renowned Melody Lord. While some classical music can be old and stuffy, Chesnes breathes new life into these masterpieces with her skill and smooth style. Her sound is always very “real,” but on this album it is not hard to imagine sitting in a pew just a few feet away from this talented young artist. Furthermore, the ambiance of the historic Chicago church in which Introducing was recorded brings unique warmth to Chesnes’ tone.
In addition to being a proficient player, Chesnes is an adept entrepreneur. She released Introducing on her own imprint, Street Symphony Artist Alliance. She aims to discover and support other young classical and jazz musicians, helping them develop long lasting careers. Furthermore, Chesnes is using her music to support societal change. A portion of the proceeds from every album sold will go to a variety of charities.
While some may still balk at classical music, Rebekah Chesnes is an up-and-coming artist to watch who brings some cool to classical.
Every artist begins with a dream of what is possible. Classical flutist Rebekah Chesnes, a 2002 graduate of Sycamore High School, realizes that is takes more than just wishing to make things happen.
Chesnes has been playing the flute since she was 12 years old. She studied and worked with dedicated musicians and teachers. While still in high school, she played in both the marching band and concert band at Sycamore as well as the CYWE, BAYSO, District 14 Honor Band and the Southwest Regional Orchestra.
She became serious about her music. While still at Sycamore, she studied with Kyril Magg, the principal flutist of the Cincinnati Opera and current Jane and David Ellis chair of the Cincinnati Symphony.
In 2006, Rebekah graduated from the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music where she was assistant principal of the USC Concert Orchestra and worked for Classical KUSC Radio, New Line Cinema, Origination Studios, and Warner Bros. Records. While in LA, Rebekah studied flute privately with Gary Woodward, the principal flutist of the LA Opera.
She returned to her home in Symmes Township to launch her career. In June of 2006, she formed a music production company, SSAA. Combining her skills in production and performance with talent, she's released her first CD, "Introducing Rebekah Chesnes." Her sounds on her flute accompanied by piano are delightful. Chesnes' debut album was recorded in the historic Universalist Church on Montgomery Road in Olde Montgomery. A collection of standard flute compositions by J.S. Bach, Mozart, Bizet, Faure, and Chaminade, the album is a contemporary performance of flute repertoire from a variety of different eras.
Rebekah is excited to be accompanied on her first album by Chicago-based pianist Melody Lord, a dedicated musical educator and flute accompanist. Lord was an accompanist with the Chicago Symphony for 25 years.
"Introducing Rebekah Chesnes" is just the beginning. First she wants to establish her work and herself as a good musician. Her next albums will have more original and creative music. Her goals also include signing other innovative, young, classical and jazz musicians.
"I'd like to perform and record, but I'd also like to produce with my company, give other performers the opportunity that I'm giving myself," said Chesnes.
"Young people see the industry a lot differently than people who are running the record companies," said Chesnes. "There's a generational divide between management and artists. We latch onto technology much faster and are more able to modify to what the market needs." She feels the record companies need to change their business model to fit the current industry.
Even so, Chesnes is aware of the uphill battle she's fighting. Only 4 percent of the entire music market listens to classical music right now. Her goal is to get her name and her music out there by word of mouth and grassroots marketing. With her generation much more likely to tune into the internet, her music is available for downloads at the iTunes Music Store and CDBaby.com.
Chesnes hopes to find a network of people who have a passion for music. "I want to create a team connected by talent, dedication to their profession, and excellence in the arts, and friendship," said Chesnes. "The Alliance was created to bring peopel together to create both art and global change."
She plans to contribute a portion of the alliance's profits to organizations like St. Jude Children's Hospital and Soldier's Angels Organization. One dollar from every copy of "Introducing Rebekah" sold is donated to the Soldiers' Angels non-profit organization which supplies care packages, plane tickets, calling cards, medical care, and other items to American soldiers currently serving and for those who have served.