AllOtsego.com: SAM GOODYEAR

SAM GOODYEAR

11/13/09

Mr. Ubiquitous

ART BEAT

For a young man who grew up in 28 states and has conducted a pit orchestra in 35 cities, in addition to studying at various universities and winning multiple awards from coast to coast, Mr. Ubiquitous is a

richly deserved sobriquet.
I am quite sure you have seen Jason Curley. You may not have known his name, but now you do.
He is the guy who teaches conducting and French horn at Hartwick College, organizes concert/feasts to support groups like Doctors Without Borders, Oneonta World of Learning, and the Food Bank of Oneonta, is on the board of Foothills Performing Arts Center, plays in the Oneonta Community Concert Band, and has taken up the baton to conduct the Catskill and Utica Symphony Orchestras (organizations in which he also performs) for an ailing Charles Schneider.
He is everywhere. During a lunch interview at the Autumn Café in Oneonta recently, it was no surprise to me that he was being greeted right and left (literally) by people who know him and appreciate the immense role he plays in the community, culturally and otherwise.
Besides his talent and pit of energy, Jason Curley is notable for his exceptional commitment to the whole notion of “community.”
Where some seek to stir up controversy and exercise empire and exclusivity, he wants to bring organizations, purportedly in existence for the good of the community, together to provide just that.
He seems to have an inexhaustible supply of ideas and potential projects and sees everywhere where connections can be made, collaboration can be implemented; and always for the benefit of others.
His appearance is as kinetic as his activity: very short spiky hair, hip contemporary pop culture attire, an electric gait, rapid-fire speech (like his thinking), a generous winning smile, which he flashes constantly, and constant movement – one can almost see the lines of energy found around the more animated characters in a comic strip.
He has put together what will be sure to be a bracing evening: Musical Madrigal Dinner, featuring the several chamber ensembles of Hartwick College.
To wit: Concert Choir, Brass Ensemble, Flute Choir, Saxophone Quintet, Clarinet Choir and String Ensemble.
It will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1, in the First United Methodist Church on Chestnut Street in Oneonta. Consistent with his deep commitment to others, the event will benefit Nursing Students Without Borders and FUMC Jamaica School Mission. Tickets are attractively affordable for all. For information, call: 431 4800 or 432 4102.
Mr. Curley has been in Oneonta only 18 months. He feels, however, like a venerated institution. When you see him at the concert, exhort him to stick around for a long, long time. We urgently need people like him.

Labels: 11-20-09, art beat