- Bryon Harris
Pauline Frechette - Interview
The W.A M. Awards celebrate the year’s most outstanding independent artists from around the world in multiple genres and categories. "Best Song" and "Best Album" nominations were based on Artistry, Musicianship, Originality, Professionalism, Diversity, and Excellence. W.A.M. stands for "We Are the Music Makers.' Pauline Frechette's "Jewel Box" was the 2020 W.A.M. Award Winner for Best Song in the Instrumental music category.
What got you into music?
I started singing on my dad's Chicago radio show WJOB when I was four. Then I began piano at five and violin at seven.
What is your favorite part about being an artist? Is it songwriting, performing, recording, something else?) Tell us why. I think "being an artist" is not something I decided to be, it's just who I an and always have been. So, by definition, everything I do in life is an extension of my art. Living is an art. My favorite part of being an artist is collaborating with other artists to create something wonderful that we can share with others. Create whole universes with music. I think that's why I've always loved composing music for orchestras or ballets or the theatre and songs to be a part of musicals. Being part of a creative team of artists is the best!!
Can you tell us what being in the recording studio is like for you?
I love recording and through the years have had the privilege of recording in some of the very best studios. It has made me aware that depending on the type of song or composition, a specific studio room suits that piece better than some other studio. For instance, I love recording at Capitol Studios in Hollywood, but the piano in East West and the room it's in was best for my piano/cello suite that we just recorded. Then, surprisingly enough, the vocals I recorded for my "Colors of My Heart" album, were done at a friend's tiny studio. But he had great microphones and acoustics! So we got great vocals. Studios are great but the other very important part of the equation is the Engineer!! When I have both - I am in heaven!!
As a songwriter or musician, are there any obstacles you have had to overcome or obstacles that you are facing right now in your career?
As a composer/musician, there are always obstacles, that's just a part of any game! It would be boring if there were no obstacles. Right now, the Pandemic has been putting the obstacles there - my tour was cancelled, the premiere of the ballet I composed has been postponed, my concert in Hawaii was postponed etc. So, I'm doing little live-stream concerts on YouTube and continuing to get my music out there on internet radio stations and in-store radio platforms.
Who do you admire most in the music scene today and why? The person I admire most in the music scene today is Gustavo Dudamel. He has energized the L.A. Phil to becoming foremost in the world. Dudamel comes from Venezuela and is a product of something called El Sistema — The System. It's a music education program for the country's poorest children helping more than 700,000 children turning hopelessness for many into hope — and free lunches. Now, Dudamel has created a similar program for under privileged children called YOLA. Youth Orchestra Los Angles. The program is, without question, a phenomenal success. "All the children in the world must have access to beauty." ~ Gustavo Dudamel I feel the same!!
To date, what do you think your best song is? Can you describe the song for us? To date, probably "My Father's Song" is my best song. I have never released it commercially because I always felt it was too much of a "Broadway" song. Like a classic, deep emotional Broadway ballad, so I was waiting to release it as part of a show. I did, however, make a simple guitar/vocal recording of it at home and it was nominated for a W.A.M. award. And I always perform it live as an encore and tribute to my father who was a great musician. Audiences are always very emotionally moved by this song and I feel it's one of the finest songs I've ever written.
Are you working on any new material right now or what's in the works for the upcoming year?
My husband, David Campbell, and I are working on an album for the Grammys 2022 which will include: a full orchestral recording of "L'essence du Printemps" (the ballet that I was commissioned to compose for the New West Symphony and the Pacific Festival Ballet); my piano/cello suite "The Seasons", performed by myself and cellist, Paula Hochhalter; a string quartet "Entanglements" composed by David Campbell and performed by the Lyris Quartet; and a few other pieces. The album will be titled "The Poetry of Earth" and is scheduled for release in Feb. ’21.
Tell us where fans can access your music?
Stream on Spotify. For more information on Pauline Frechette, please visit her website.
About Pauline Frechette Pauline Frechette is a contemporary composer/performer. Her music is best definied as “Neo-classical” miniatures. DEF. “The use of modern techniques within the classical form composing music that reflects one’s own compositional voice.” Her work has been performed by the Baltimore Symphony, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, New West Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, National Symphony at the Kennedy Center and at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Pauline has sung on film scores and with many legendary artists including Paul McCartney, Beck, Cher, Willie Nelson, Neil Diamond, Muse etc. As a performer she is a a contemporary poet-musician who takes her audience on an emotional journey, moving effortlessly from her original piano compositions to romantic jazz and humorous theatrical songs. Pauline’s albums "Colors of My Heart” and "An Intimate Story” received rave reviews and debuted at #3 on Billboard’s Jazz, Classical and Classical Cross-over charts. Her music is currently played in over 150 countries to millions of listeners and has over 10 million hits collectively on Spotify, Soundcloud, Reverbnation, iTunes and Amazon. Pauline won the 2020 “Best Instrumental” W.A.M. Award for her song, “Jewel Box.”
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