recordings

Rachel Hertz, clarinet Elijah Wilson and Eleanor Sturm, violins Frantz Kjoniksen, viola Monroe Randall, cello Performed in Bezanson Recital Hall on March 23, 2023

Rachel Hertz, clarinet Nikki Stoia, piano Performed in Bezanson Recital Hall on March 23, 2023

Performed by Rachel Hertz in Bezanson Recital Hall on March 23, 2023

Recorded in Bezanson Recital Hall on Feb 26, 2023. Juan Tovar, Eb Clarinet Romie de Guise Langlois, Dana Kelly, Bb Clarinet Rachel Hertz, Bass Clarinet

Recorded March 3, 2022. Bezanson Recital Hall. Part of my junior recital! Not perfect, but a great piece. : ) I. Allegro (0:00) II. Andante (8:20) III. Allegro Pastorale (14:54) Rachel Hertz, clarinet. Nikki Stoia, piano.

Recorded March 3, 2022. Bezanson Recital Hall. My junior recital! Not a perfect performance or recording......but I love this piece very much. I hope others can find as much joy in it as I did! Invocation (0:00) Air Slave (3:09) Rachel Hertz, clarinet Nikki Stoia, piano

As part of the 2022 Akropolis Chamber Music Institute, Akropolis and participants premiered new works by 4 fabulous participant composers. "Impulse" was composed by Brittney Benton and performed by Gretchen Hill (clarinet); Rachel Hertz (clarinet); Andrew Koeppe (bass clarinet); and Max Hammond (piano). The composer provides the following description of "Impulse" ~ "Impulse focuses on syncopation, dovetailing, and changing time signatures. Accented notes poke their way through the texture. The melodies and accompaniment are often passed between all three clarinets, blending each of the instruments together while the piano provides the rhythmic glue that holds it all together through the changing time signatures. Each of these attributes led me to the name “Impulse”, as this piece impulsively propels itself forward." Performed at John M. Hall Auditorium in Bay View, MI on August 10, 2022. Find out more about the Akropolis Chamber Music Institute here: https://akropolisquintet.org/acmi/

As part of the 2022 Akropolis Chamber Music Institute, Akropolis and participants premiered new works by 4 fabulous participant composers. "Impulse" was composed by Brittney Benton and performed by Gretchen Hill (clarinet); Rachel Hertz (clarinet); Andrew Koeppe (bass clarinet); and Max Hammond (piano). The composer provides the following description of "Impulse" ~ "Impulse focuses on syncopation, dovetailing, and changing time signatures. Accented notes poke their way through the texture. The melodies and accompaniment are often passed between all three clarinets, blending each of the instruments together while the piano provides the rhythmic glue that holds it all together through the changing time signatures. Each of these attributes led me to the name “Impulse”, as this piece impulsively propels itself forward." Recorded at Voorhies Hall in Bay View, MI, August 14, 2022. Find out more about the Akropolis Chamber Music Institute here: https://akropolisquintet.org/acmi/

"There was nothing to say, and we said nothing." by Logan Rutledge was performed by Kristen Diederichs (oboe); Rachel Hertz (clarinet); Zach Robarge (saxophone); Andrew Koeppe (bass clarinet); and Gabrielle Hsu (bassoon) at the Akropolis Chamber Music Institute on August 12, 2022 at Crouse Chapel in Bay View, MI. I. I fear the silence II. Your silence is so loud The composer provides the following notes about the composition: "Trigger warning, details of sexual assault. My first date as an openly gay adult was when I was nineteen, tinder had just come out and I was excited to give the app a try. I was in my sophomore year, trying to discover myself and figure out what I was doing in the toxic environment that was my first undergrad. During this date, I felt pushed and prodded into a corner, trying to avoid conflict with this new person. After the date was presumed to be over, I was to drive him home, I was greatly looking forward to this experience being over, between my social anxiety, this being my first date, and the looming controlling behavior signaling red flag after red flag, I just wanted to be alone. Nearing his house, he started touching me without my consent, I told him to stop, but he kept insisting and reaching further. I was driving so I was in a vulnerable position, unable to use my body to fight him off, I was left with my words. That was until he reached into my jorts and started fondling me. It was then that I promptly stopped the car in the middle of Ybor City and pushed him out of the car, speeding away before my door was closed in fear and silence. This would further stunt my ability to grow intimately with other men for quite some time. I didn't go on another date for several years, until after I got clean. I tell this story from my past because I couldn't stop thinking about this as the #metoo movement propelled forward, giving strength to survivors to come forward about their experience and feel solidarity among each other. As a comedy lover, two idols of mine had admitted to sexual assault, Bill Cosby and Louis C.K. I was devastated, I felt personally betrayed by them, I still do. My Master's Thesis would be about my feelings associated with Louis C.K.'s violation. The title "There was nothing to say, and we said nothing." comes from a podcast called "The Mental Illness Happy Hour" hosted by another comedian Paul Gilmartin. I have often found solace here, and inspiration to write a piece about my truth. It is important that when this pieces is played, it is contextualized to some extent so that people can understand the meaning behind the notes and rhythms." -- Find out more about the Akropolis Chamber Music Institute here: https://akropolisquintet.org/acmi/