June 16, 2008 Seattle:Porter Recording Project; 2 of 4

June 16, 2008: Bastyr University: Recording Venue

We arrive at the recording venue at Bastyr University around 11:40 a.m. and meet David Sabee, the contractor/engineer. Turns out he also plays cello, composes, arranges and conducts, a real renaissance man of music. I’m sure I left out half the things he can do. The chapel is shoe box shaped with very high ceilings and beautiful stained glass windows. It’s a decommissioned church, but all the religious icons remain. The stations of the cross are beautifully illustrated along the sides of the chapel. The recording team continues to set up as I warm up and go over key sections of the concerto. Later, John joins me to review transitions. It’s a nice set up at Bastyr. Rehearsing alone, the sound is clear, warm, and not at all boomy as one would expect with a large chapel.

We eat lunch with Sabee at the vegetarian cafeteria. This is good because yesterday I had a rich dinner of sea scallops and half of Marina’s German chocolate cake. I find out more about Bastyr. The campus used to belong to the Catholic Church before being sold. Bastyr is a natural health sciences university, considered one of the best of its kind. One day a year, the senior class hosts meat day, which is very popular and supports the senior class trip.

Madonna of Bastyr Chapel