From left to right, Mac Merchant, Tasha Athman Fain, Rachel Fellows-Schnackel and Joel Schnackel stand with their instruments in the Schnackels’ sheep shed converted to a practice studio. Photo by John Dowd.
by John Dowd
Covid-19 changed the way everything works and reset expectations and priorities for nearly everyone in the world. A five minute search on the internet will produce article after article on the ways it influenced businesses, meetings and schools. However, something less talked about, but arguably no less important, is how it affected the arts. The ripples of the pandemic caused many artists to lose their jobs or be completely unable to present. For professional musicians Joel Schnackel and his wife Rachel, this was very much the case. As Rachel explained, “All the music in my world just stopped.”
The couple was living in Georgia prior to the outbreak. Joel is from the Bitterroot, and decided to take a trip home to visit family with his wife during their mandatory time off. Being home, according to Joel, redefined what they wanted to do as musicians. “We really felt a calling.” The couple decided they wanted to try to find ways to bring classical music to the valley, and to do it in a way that was more personal, would speak to their audience in a more meaningful way and, most importantly, would allow them to play again.
To do this, they started the Regal Ensemble. The group quickly grew into a quartet, bringing on two other musicians. “We are all local professional musicians,” said Joel about the ensemble.
The quartet is composed of a double bass, a piano and two violins. One of the violinists also provides a soprano voice. The ensemble is also something that the couple hopes to use to build upon “this whole aspect of coming together for music,” as Joel explained. They wanted a way to engage with the audience more intimately, with smaller gatherings and by speaking on the history and importance of each piece. They also plan to interact with the audience before and after each performance. The group wants to be able to speak about their drive as musicians, and share what they do and why they love it.
Joel has a PhD in Historical Musicology and is principal bassist with the Symphony and String Orchestra of the Rockies, in Missoula. Rachel has performed with several symphonies and was concertmaster for John Mauceri’s American premiere of Korngold’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” which received an Emmy.
The couple brought on Mac Merchant, who is a piano accompanist for students at the University in Missoula. Joel and Rachel both explained that he was the obvious choice to take on as the pianist. According to Merchant, it felt like a promotion, in a way. He explained that he loves working with the students, but this is something much more. “They are great, but this is a whole other caliber,” said Merchant.
The other musician who plays both violin and sings is Tasha Athman Fain. Fain plays with the Schnackels in the Missoula Symphony, and both Fain and Rachel are violin teachers in the valley.
“I’m excited because I haven’t done a lot of chamber music,” said Fain. “So this is a great way to broaden my horizons!”
Their performances as the Regal Ensemble are a form of chamber music, which is more intimate than orchestral music. Instead of having sections of instruments, each musician may be playing the parts of several instruments. Their performances are also for smaller crowds, usually in personal homes or smaller venues. “Chamber is relational, both with the musicians and their patrons,” said Rachel. This style helps the musicians “communicate with the audience, both vocally and musically.”
“I think this area is ready for this and needs this,” said Joel. The group all have a passion for their music and for bringing it to people. This year is the Regal Ensemble’s inaugural first season, and they have already been performing recitals and public concerts. During this season they have been performing works by J.S. Bach, Mozart, Richard Strauss and Florence Price. Of all their pieces this season, the one they are most proud of is their full version, with all 14 movements, of “The Carnival of the Animals,” by Camille Saint-Saens. During the performance, each instrument takes on the role of an animal at the carnival and each instrument has a solo. “It’s really quite spectacular,” said Joel. According to him, this particular piece really lends itself to this form of collaborative chamber music and this ensemble. Their skills are put to the test as, contrasting with a quartet, the carnival is generally performed with nine people and two pianos.
More information can be found at www.regalensemble.com. Additional information on the ensemble can also be found on their facebook page, Regal Ensemble, or by calling (406) 375-5001. The Regal Ensemble plans to have up to four concerts a year for the Bitterroot Valley.
A former Bronx charter middle school music teacher has admitted to sexually abusing five girls — one of whom was as young as 12 — while they were his students around two decades ago, federal prosecutors said Tuesday. Jesus Concepcion, 50, will face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison at his sentencing for the years-long scheme to groom and abuse the girls when he taught and was the orchestra conductor at the KIPP Academy Middle School from 2000 […]
