Life > November 1, 2007

By Elizabeth Martin | Staff writer

One generally considers the fiddle player in overalls sitting on a hay bale the polar opposite of the distinguished concert violinist onstage in a concert hall.

After all, what can Mozart possibly have in common with the “Orange Blossom Special?”

Some have dared to blur this boundary.

Time for Three, or Tf3, is an energetic string trio made of three students slightly different than others at Curtis Institute of Music.

Nick Kendall was a drummer and enjoyed his hip-hop and rock, who also played the violin. Zackary De Pue was a fiddle player who grew up playing bluegrass with his three older brothers and had a knack for the classical as well.

Ranaan Meyer was playing jazz shows in New York City, but was also a whiz when it came to classical bass.

All three ended up at the Curtis Institute of Music.

While hundreds of other students were buried in the typical Beethoven sonatas and Bach partitas, Kendall and De Pue were playing bluegrass. Meyer added his jazz improvisation skills, and now, while the violinist in the practice room next door is running between wedding gigs and sitting 13 in the NYC philharmonic, these guys are touring the country and having a blast.

Kendall stressed the importance of their ability to improvise, a talent rare even among musicians of the Curtis Institute standard. He spoke of the freedom that freestyle brings to one’s playing, explaining how the ability to “use (one’s) ears to make music” allows one to be “soulful,” and just “be yourself through the music.” The music flows from the heart, as if the notes spontaneously come alive from within; they are free from the strict confines of printed notes on a page.

When asked about the group’s unceasing energy and enthusiastic spark, Kendall said they all seriously reflected on why they play their instruments.

The key was to lose the “headiness” that comes from solely focusing on technique and perfection, and figure out how to best communicate the energy of the piece.

“Every note and sound and nuance has meaning,” Kendall said.

In July 2003, there was a concert by the Philadelphia Orchestra at Philadelphia’s Mann Center for the Performing Arts.

Lightning caused a power failure, and the concert was unable to continue until the power was restored.

The formal audience sat in silence with distinguished anticipation of the evening of the group’s profound symphonic stylings that would soon continue.

Suddenly, a violinist (Kendall) picked up his instrument, and daringly broke the silence … with a fiddle tune.

He was quickly joined by a certain bass player, and the music only grew more vigorous as they progressed through a spirited set of music including “Ragtime Annie” and “The Orange Blossom Special” that left the previously composed audience wild with enthusiasm.

This is the group the Secrest Series is bringing to the university. Come out 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8 in Brendle Recital Hall to hear a concert you will never forget.