“My resume really throws people for a loop. All I can say is that I have many interests.”
John Fowler
Published 00:30, June the 18th, 2009
On the rebound
In the midst of the financial crisis, a former corporate lawyer finds new opportunities and challenges in classical music
Here’s a piece of wisdom that may be hard to imagine telling your children: Make sure to have a music degree to fall back on, just in case corporate law doesn’t work out.
Recently laid off from his position as a tax attorney, John Fowler — a local baritone singer — has been relying on his classical music training to work sporadically for the Philadelphia Singers, the Macy’s Festival Singers and various church choirs. He has even gone so far as to co-found his own group of chamber musicians — the Buxtehude Consort — which will debut on Wednesday at Saint Mark’s Church, and marks a concerted effort by these musicians to create performances for themselves in a time of dwindling opportunities for trained musicians.
“Obviously I have a great passion for the music, but part of the reason I did this is that the engagements for professional music have tapered off as a result of the financial crisis,” he says, sitting in La Colombe on 19th street. “That’s because fundraisers for all of the various ensembles go out and shake the tree, and what’s coming down? Not much right now. So we’re saying musicians in this situation need to do the work themselves, go out and say, ‘here I am, come hear me.'”
In truth, singing isn’t nearly the only option for Fowler. His skill-set is quite extensive to say the least, with law degrees from both Duke and NYU, and a master’s degree in Russian from Middlebury College, not to mention his music degree from Oberlin College. Oh, and he also plays viola at a professional level and serves as board president of the Bach Festival of Philadelphia.
But perhaps only a true renaissance man could be so interested in uncovering the work of 17th century baroque composer, Dieterich Buxtehude. Known in large part to his influence on Bach, Buxtehude is rarely performed anywhere, and almost never in Philadelphia.
“A lot depends on audience response to this concert. If we get 200 people, we’ll definitely do more. If we get 80, it’s going to be more difficult to convince people that this is worth doing from a financial perspective,” says Fowler in a serious tone. But then he thinks for a moment and says, “Although he’s an important composer and no one else is doing it, so it’s really exciting for musicians. Who knows what could happen.”
The Buxtehude Consort
St. Mark’s Church
1625 Locust St.
Wednesday, 8 p.m.
$10 - $50, 215-715-0180
www.buxtehudeconsort.org