 "[Bruce] Lee once said: ‘You must be formless, shapeless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup…’ This is what inspires my diligence in music."—Elvin Schlanger.
Elvin Schlanger is from Wildomar, California and began studying the flute in the 4th grade. Elvin was the recipient of Elsinore High School Wind Ensemble, Most Outstanding Musician award for four consecutive years, the Elsinore High School Wind Ensemble, Most Respected Band Member award, Elsinore HS Student of the Month award for March 2016, and the Elsinore HS School Student of the Year award for the 2016/2017 school year.
He won the 2014 Lake Elsinore Rotary Music Competition and then won the 2014 Rotary District 5330 Music Competition. He was appointed principal flute at several honor bands and received Command Performance ratings at SCSBOA Solo/Ensemble Festivals, both at local and regional levels.
Elvin has just completed his second season as the principal flute of the Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra, with which he toured Spain and, the following season, performed the Reinecke Flute Concerto as a soloist. His past teachers include Kate Prestia-Schaub, Cindy Anne Broz, and Cynthia Ellis. He is currently a student with Dr. John Barcellona.
At CSULB he has been awarded a full Bob Cole Scholarship and a Music Department Scholarship.
Dr. John Barcellona writes: "Last spring, Elvin won our annual mock flute orchestral audition, which all performance majors are required to take. He also won the Principal Flute spots in the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, and University Wind Quintet! All this as a sophomore!"
Elvin is a member of the CSULB chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the San Diego Flute Guild, the National Flute Association, and is an Eagle Scout of Boy Scout Troop 2011. During his spare time, he enjoys camping, arranging music, and caring for his bearded dragon, Toot.
When did you first decide to become a musician?
When I was in the fourth grade, my elementary school introduced a music program for the first time. Our new band director, Annette Betts, who later became my high school band director as well, played a song on the instruments we would be able to learn so we could hear what they sounded like. On the flute she played "Hedwig’s Theme" from Harry Potter, and I was hooked.
How did you develop your practice habits? Or discipline yourself to study?
My philosophy of how to become a better musician is taken from Bruce Lee’s ideas of discipline in the martial arts. It is a way of life. Lee once said: "You must be formless, shapeless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup…" This is what inspires my diligence in music. You have to adapt to your environment and make the most of it. Since I wanted to study music I was willing to do anything to learn about it. I am from a small town with few musical opportunities so I had to travel far to participate in honor bands, youth orchestras, and private lessons, etc. I am very lucky to have such supportive parents who have helped me as much as they could.
Through Bruce Lee’s philosophies I have learned to challenge myself. Even if I have to sometimes struggle and fight to overcome difficulties, I will achieve my goals. I would study martial arts but I need my fingers to be in top working condition.
What kind of music do you listen to?
I enjoy all kinds of music, but mostly classical. If music is playing, even in the background, and someone is talking to me I have to focus hard in order to not tune out what the person is saying or I will concentrate on the music I am hearing.
It is difficult to pick favorites when it comes to music. They usually change daily so right now, I think my favorite composer is Carl Nielsen. Currently, I’m working on the Libermann Flute Sonata. I plan to perform it for a masterclass next spring and I am learning it very slowly to have it as thoroughly prepared as possible. Although this is a tedious process, because the work is very technically demanding, I think it’s the best way to learn a piece like this.
What are your goals and plans when you graduate from the BCCM? I would like to attend graduate school and then achieve my goal of working in a professional orchestra. It is not an easy goal and people usually ask me if I think I can do it. I don’t know how, but I am willing to do what it will take to achieve my dream. |
