ARTiculate
JOSEPH DUDZINSKI 10 of my Favorite Things
WITH MARLI GUZZETTA BY MARLI GUZZETTA
New addition to the community of artists and creative thinkers on island, Joseph Dudzinksi - music director at St. Paul's Episcopal Church - has a rich and studied musical background that is part old guard and part new.

MICHAEL GALVIN/The Independent

Holding two master's degrees in music - one in choral conducting from George Mason University and another from Catholic University of America - Dudzinksi has lived all over North America, impacting each musical community in which he's participated for the better.

In Canada, he founded the Harborfront Chorus of Toronto.

In Maine, he served as the artistic director of the Maine Gay Men's Chorus.

While in Washington, D.C., he taught music at the elementary, secondary and adult levels, received the Melton Music Teaching Scholarship at George Mason University and also founded the "Pipe Dreams Project" outreach program at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. The outreach program was multi-pronged - resulting in the restoration of an historic pipe organ, the launch of a musical arts series and the beginning of a scholarship music program for inner city youth. While in the capital, he was also active in Dignity Washington and conducted its chorus at the World Health Organization's 1996 World AIDS Day Concert.

Now, he's bringing new ideas and energy to St. Paul's since moving to Nantucket last October from Toronto.

"I've been trying to create as much chaos as I can since I've been here," joked Dudzinski, who has, in addition to providing music for Sunday services and conducting the adult choir, initiated a musical arts series and re-organized a hand-bell choir and a youth choir.

"It seemed like there was enough energy in providing music above church services," said Dudzinksi, whose first "extra-curricular" musical event was called Lessons in Carols, held in December. The hand-bell choir currently has 10 people signed up to be ringers, and they have already met for practices. Earlier this month, 13 kids attended the first meeting of the church's youth choir.

"So far, participation or reception has been above average. It could flop in my face later, but at the moment people seem interested," he said.

Dudzinksi has three Concert Spiritual performances slated for February, including a concert of African-American spirituals meant to honor Black History Month and the African-American and Caribbean island communities on Nantucket. The concert will include South African freedom songs and Caribbean songs.

"One of the goals I had was to introduce new styles of music in a way that would be appealing. … Because it's always been my thing to build as much diversity as possible," Dudzinksi said. "I've come from cities and places where I worked in black churches, where I was one of the few white people involved. I want to introduce music that supports the idea that the world is a little bigger than what you might happen to see on a daily basis." TEN OF JOSEPH'S FAVORITE THINGS

Growing up in Erie, Penn.

"There was a lot of snow, beach, family, church and the experience of being raised by a 'village.'"

My mom, "almost always"

"She and I are all that's left of my original immediate family but we're too much alike and get on one another's nerves from time to time. I do call her every night as she lives in assisted living in Penn. and sometimes gets lonely."

My partner and spouse, Bill, of 11 years

"We met in church. I was the choir director, he a choir member. The rest is the story of a good relationship of love and learning. We are fortunate to have one another and to be married in Mass. since that benefit now exists."

My pets

"Tam and Penny are a Lhasa-Poo and a Jack- Beagle, respectively, and the old cat, Nathan, is a 16-year old fellow, who just keeps going."

Conducting choral music

"I appreciate the opportunities I've had over the years, including at present, the opportunity to work with singers, to make music and shape sound in group settings, usually with amateurs. It's challenging and rewarding. I do what I can to enable good

singing but also try to foster a good environment

for music and people."

My job as a church musician

"I've been doing this work for 20 years. I feel like it's made for me and vice versa. Though I've tried leaving it, I always return."

Coffee in the morning

"I like to get up with enough time to enjoy a cup of coffee, instead of rushing out."

Red Wine

"Well, only once or twice a week. I used to like white but 'converted.'"

Stars

"I can see the stars on Nantucket, unlike the large cities I've lived in (D.C. and Toronto). Very

nice!" I

AFRICAN FREEDOM SONGS AND

CARIBBEAN SPIRITUALS CONCERT

When: Saturday, Feb. 17, 6 p.m. Where: St. Paul Episcopal Church, 16 Fair Street Cost: Free, but suggested donation is $15 For more information, call 228-0916.