In the final episode of Opus 3, “Play It Like Chamber Music,” Justin and Willie share a conversation with Mr. Dennis Bourret. This conversation is the complete and unabridged version of the interview heard in the episode. This episode explores the intersections between large and small ensemble playing. In the history segment, Brandon discusses the development of the first orchestral music and it’s origins in chamber music. Next Sarah teaches how to adapt chamber music techniques to large ensembles such as band, orchestra, or choir. Mr. Bourret was a perfect guest to interview in this episode. He has led a fantastic youth string orchestra program in Tucson, Arizona since 1970. Mr. Bourret trains the students in all six levels of orchestras in Tucson Junior Strings to perform without a conductor. TCC host Willie grew up playing in TJS for eight years and the experience still has a large impact in his career as a musician and educator.
Dennis R. Bourret has directed Tucson Junior Strings since 1970. He received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degree in performance from Colorado University, and a BME from Denver University. He has conducted All-State, Regional Orchestras and All-City and Festival Orchestras in Nevada, Idaho, Kansas and Arizona. He has been principal violinist and violist of the Tucson Symphony, Arizona Opera, and Tucson Pops Orchestra. He has been guest conductor for the Southern Arizona Symphony and was a founding member of the piano quartet, Cremona Collage which traveled to Sao Paulo, Brazil for a performance tour in June 1995. Currently he is affiliated with Ensemble Gaudeamus which initiated the Big Horns Chamber Music Festival in Sheridan, Wyoming in 2000.
As Mr. Bourret shared in the interview, he has a number of books that are either already published or will be soon. Here is a set of his poetry, “Off Highway 20: And Selected Poems” published in 2016. We look forward to reading his future books when they are published as well!