Couple shares their musical backgrounds, stories

Joan and Dane Burg share a common interest in music. Both have deep roots in it going back to their childhoods, he on the piano and she on the bassoon.

Dane Burg, the pastor of worship arts at First Baptist Church of Lodi, uses his skill regularly at the church. For Joan Burg, her musical ventures take her to places such as the Napa Valley Symphony and the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra. Because of her wide span of travels, the two joke that she is a member of the Freeway Philharmonic. Joan Burg hopes her efforts land her a chance to sub with the San Francisco Symphony or the San Francisco Opera.

"You have to be ready to work hard with your craft and be on top of your game," she said.

The couple, who recently performed together at a local concert, shared this as well as their other musical experiences on a recent afternoon.

How and when did each of you get your start in music?

Dane: I started around the age of 10, which is actually old for a pianist. Most of my friends started at like age four. I developed really quickly and was competing by 13 or 14. When you hit success really early on, there's a desire to continue.

Joan: I had older brothers who played instruments. I started the piano at age five and then became interested in the bassoon in junior high. I started winning local competitions in high school. Then I realized that's what I wanted to study in college.

The Burgs at a glance

Names: Joan and Dane Burg.

Ages: Joan, 45; Dane, 46.

Family: They have been married for 23 years and have four children.

Occupation: Dane, pastor of worship arts; Joan, freelance musician.

Education: Dane, master's degree from Manhattan School of Music; Joan, master's degree in music performance at Julliard School of Music.

Hobbies: Dane, cooking; Joan, reading, gardening, spending time with family.

What do you feel is the easiest instrument to learn?

Dane: I'd say the piano is the most versatile. Even as a singer or with other instruments, you have to pass piano at a basic performance level. The piano is always the main instrument at a competition.

Joan: When you hit a note on it, it always has the same sound. On other instruments like the brass, it will sometimes have a different pitch.

What is the most amazing piece of music you have ever played?

Dane: Joan deals mostly with orchestral pieces, mine is more soloistic. For me, it's the Ravel Concerto for the Left Hand. It was written for a concert by a person who had his right hand blown off in World War I. I'm left-handed. It became a trademark piece for me in my college days.

Joan: Mine would be the Verdi Requiem. It's so beautifully written and well-orchestrated. It's one of my favorite pieces.

What intrigues you most about instruments?

Dane: Both of us like to do ensemble work. When you enter into it with other people, it's kind of like a dance. There's always that give and take you have with music.

Joan: For me, regardless of the genre, I just love hearing anyone who is skilled on their instrument. I find it really inspiring. It makes me want to play better.

Have you ever had an embarrassing moment while playing?

Joan: Playing when you are sick is always interesting. I've played with strep throat and the flu.

Dane: There are some horror stories. It's sort of a cliché to say, "The show must go on," but you play regardless.

How do you handle nerves?

Joan: For me, I pray. That's really helpful. If I'm carpooling, I talk it out with my buddies. It's like therapy.

Dane: I'm a more competitive person so I kind of thrive on it. It was never a big issue for me, except for sweaty palms. As soon as that starts, it's a vicious cycle. But, I always have a tissue that I keep tucked away in the piano.

What would be your advice to someone going into a musical career?

Joan: Ooh, practice, practice, practice. If you're very serious, get access to the best teachers you possibly can. You have to have a real passion for it.

Dane: Get as much diverse experience as you can. You have to be called for it and not want to do anything else.

What advice would you give a parent who wants their child to learn an instrument, but they don't want to sit down and practice?

Joan: I think having exposure to musical instruments is an incredible benefit to children. I think it's OK to encourage kids for a period of time.

Dane: I teach piano at the church and I always ask, "How interested is the child?" There has to be an initial love for it. You have to pre-determine the goal.

Do you guys plan to perform together again?

Dane: Yes. Quite honestly, the whole piano-bassoon is very rare. Most have not heard of a bassoon.

Joan: At the church, we had a chamber music series in the past. It's on hiatus now, but we hope to start again sometime.

How do you feel about today's music?

Joan: I think there's a lot of great music out there. I like listening to new music. It's a lot of fun to hear something new.

Dane: As far as today's music, it may look different but you're always going to find it's similar. For us, the danger is when you get so stuck in one sound that becomes the end-all-be-all. You have to still grow.

Reader Feedback

Comments on this story are now closed.

Archives

Story Tools

Indexes