BWW Interviews: Bill Schermerhorn & Liz Callaway - Free to Dream

Bill Schermerhorn is probably best known for the songs he's written with Doug Katsaros for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the annual Fourth of July festival. But for two performances on Monday, he'll finally get a full-length concert at Joe's Pub dedicated to his work, with stars like Anthony Rapp, John Tartaglia, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Karen Mason and Liz Callaway singing his songs. Presented by the New York Pops, "Free to Dream" will not only be Schimmerhorn's first full concert-it will also serve as a benefit for the Pops' Music Education Programs, and will feature young singers from Camp Broadway.

The project, Schermerhorn says, evolved over several years. "Doug and I started writing 10 years  ago for Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade," he remembers. "I always wanted to do evening of our work. The stars need to align, and this was the perfect occasion." When the New York Pops were looking to raise funds for their educational programs, Schermerhorn and Katsaros came on board with their repertoire and connections, ready to try something different with their music. "It all fell into place quickly when we found Joe's Pub," he recalls, adding that after the thrill of hearing his music played at Carnegie Hall, he appreciates the smaller stage for its own unique qualities. "The music can wrap around audience in a way that's more immediate." On that angle, he adds, another benefit of performing at Joe's Pub is reminding music fans that the New York Pops "is more than Carnegie Hall."

Callaway, meanwhile, has worked with Schermerhorn several times over the years, and was eager to be a part of this new step in his musical career. "I like things like that-take a chance, do something you've always wanted to do. And have it be a benefit as well!"

The benefit angle was important to both Schermerhorn and Callaway. "Art is so important for young people," Callaway says. "It's the first thing to get cut in schools. It's a sorry state when schools don't have art or music programs. There's nothing like it. It brings people together. Music is very powerful. Anything that encourages arts for young people is vital."

Schermerhorn concurs. "Educating the next generation is important," he says. "I find it hard to fathom that there aren't music programs in public schools." The New York Pops' school programs are a way to connect with young people and instill a love of the arts early on. "They're the performers who will be at Carnegie Hall," Schermerhorn says enthusiastically. "They'll be on Broadway. If you don't reach them at an early age, it'll all fall apart. That's what this benefit means."

When asked what she would like the next generation of singers to learn, Callaway pauses for a long moment before answering. "The important thing for young people to learn is to be yourself and not be like anyone else," she says thoughtfully. "When you're young, you want to be like everyone else. But it's important to find what makes you unique and cultivate that and know that it's the best thing of all if you're not like everyone else. Be original." That value extends beyond mere personality to techniques. "Sometimes when you hear kids singing, you know they're listening to other singers, and you can't help but sing it the way they sing it. It's important to get away from that...It's important to sing the lyric first. Tell the story and find out how you relate to the story and the song. Be a storyteller. Be yourself."

While several young singers will be part of Monday's concert, Callaway regrets that she won't have time before the concert to work with them and share her expertise. Still, she says, she is looking forward to working with them. "I admire these kids who are singing. I couldn't do that when I was young. I didn't perform until I was in high school, and I was nervous. You never totally get over it. You get more confident the more you do things. I was physically ill to sing in front of other people. I've come a long way."

Part of that nervousness, the Tony-nominated actress says, is the challenge of performing without a character to serve as a mask. "You always get nervous when you're you. It's easier being a character. Not so much now, but when I started doing cabaret, it was daunting being myself and seeing the audience. It's easier with spotlight because you don't see audience." Now, she adds, when she is performing in a concert or cabaret, she'll ask for lights to be brought up so she can see the audience's see faces. "In a play or musical, you perform opposite other actors. In cab and concerts, the audience is the partner, and you're collaborating with the audience. I've come to enjoy it, but that used to scare me. You never stop growing and you never stop learning."

The Camp Broadway students will perform the final two numbers in the concert, ending the evening with a demonstration of what trained young singers can accomplish. "I believe in putting kids in shows whenever you can," Schermerhorn says. "They are the future of the artform. I'm thrilled they're there." There are no more inherent challenges in working with young performers than with adults he adds-and, in fact, there are some benefits. "Kids have enthusiasm. They're thrilled to be working with Liz Callaway and Anthony Rapp. These are the geeks. They're thrilled to be working with the people they've idolized."

As a benefit for such an important cause, this concert has much more riding on it than merely a stage debut. "I hope it leaves an impression," Schermerhorn says. "I hope people are surprised by what they hear." Most importantly, he hopes the benefit will live up to its name. "There's a responsibility we have to make dreams come true," he says.

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Free to Dream will run at Joe's Pub on Monday, August 2 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.