CDs Reviews
The Patriot News - Stories of Our Neighbors
Wednesday, May 13, 2009, His key to success? 'Think the music' by T. W. Burger
“Mark Wesling sits on a chair in his apartment and makes magic with a wooden box. The box is of bearclaw spruce and Brazilian rosewood. A box, yes, but not square. It is shaped elegantly into sort of an hourglass......................"
Williamson County (Nashville, TN) Parent Magazine
February, 2009, Popcorn and Puppies! By Dana Alexandra and Mark Wesling
"Dana's friendly voice and Mark's guitar skills will build your child's imagination with songs like, "I Like Fish", "Breakfast Time" and more. The simplicity of each tune allows for young ears to follow along easily. For those who play guitar, the CD also includes lyrics and guitar chord sheets to each melody--an added bonus! A must-have for your child's music collection." --Kiera Ashford
Central Penn Parent Magazine
January, 2006, Central PA Classical Guitarist Creates Children CDs
"Not only does Central Penn Parent enjoy promoting great children’s music, we love when it’s performed by local artists. If you haven’t heard of Mark Wesling, you’re missing out. This Hershey resident has already made his mark with his classical guitar performances throughoutPennsylvania , and now he has expanded his repertoire to include children’s music. With the help of vocalists Dana Alexandria on “Popcorn and Puppies” and Liza Kawaller on “Be the Bridge,” Wesling took the elegant, intimate sound of the classical guitar and created original, fun and beautiful songs that parents and kids will love singing along to. These enhanced CDs also include data files with children’s lyrics and guitar chord sheets for original songs so children can sing along and practice their reading skills and parents can play guitar along with the songs. Wesling also gives private guitar lessons to students ages 4 through adult. Lessons focus on theory, technique, music reading and musicianship. To learn more about Wesling’s CDs and lessons, visit him at www.markwesling.com."
Wednesday, May 13, 2009, His key to success? 'Think the music' by T. W. Burger
“Mark Wesling sits on a chair in his apartment and makes magic with a wooden box. The box is of bearclaw spruce and Brazilian rosewood. A box, yes, but not square. It is shaped elegantly into sort of an hourglass......................"
Williamson County (Nashville, TN) Parent Magazine
February, 2009, Popcorn and Puppies! By Dana Alexandra and Mark Wesling
"Dana's friendly voice and Mark's guitar skills will build your child's imagination with songs like, "I Like Fish", "Breakfast Time" and more. The simplicity of each tune allows for young ears to follow along easily. For those who play guitar, the CD also includes lyrics and guitar chord sheets to each melody--an added bonus! A must-have for your child's music collection." --Kiera Ashford
Central Penn Parent Magazine
January, 2006, Central PA Classical Guitarist Creates Children CDs
"Not only does Central Penn Parent enjoy promoting great children’s music, we love when it’s performed by local artists. If you haven’t heard of Mark Wesling, you’re missing out. This Hershey resident has already made his mark with his classical guitar performances throughoutPennsylvania , and now he has expanded his repertoire to include children’s music. With the help of vocalists Dana Alexandria on “Popcorn and Puppies” and Liza Kawaller on “Be the Bridge,” Wesling took the elegant, intimate sound of the classical guitar and created original, fun and beautiful songs that parents and kids will love singing along to. These enhanced CDs also include data files with children’s lyrics and guitar chord sheets for original songs so children can sing along and practice their reading skills and parents can play guitar along with the songs. Wesling also gives private guitar lessons to students ages 4 through adult. Lessons focus on theory, technique, music reading and musicianship. To learn more about Wesling’s CDs and lessons, visit him at www.markwesling.com."
Hershey Chronicle
Thursday, March 10, 2005, Guitarist/songwriter urges children to 'Be the Bridge'
Thursday, March 10, 2005, Guitarist/songwriter urges children to 'Be the Bridge'
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There seems to be a bit of Mark Wesling in William the Monkey.
William, the subject of one of Wesling's songs on his new album, Be the Bridge, was rather a serious fellow, wearing a tie and vest, marveling at the buildings around him. As the story goes, "He'd see buildings and skylines and so many doors/ filling people with ideas galore/ So many directions he could go/ each an opportunity to increase what he'd know." At one time, musician and songwriter Wesling was like William, considering the directions he could go while being a suit-and-tie fellow himself. A native of St. Louis, Miss., he started a career in the not-so-creative financial industry. Wesling followed in his father's and brother's footsteps. "I'm very good at math and science," he explained . But his love of music pulled him in another direction. "I knew that I was getting so much support," he said. "I decided when I was in my late 20s that I wanted to pursue performing and teaching full time." So with the encouragement of family and friends, Wesling went from the world of numbers to the world of notes and rhythms. Wesling has been a music teacher in Central Pennsylvania for the past seven years, teaching students age 6 to 70. A teacher with Campbelltown Music Academy and at his home in Hershey, Wesling has drawn inspiration extensively from his young students - and his seven nieces and nephews - for the creation of Be the Bridge. |
For example, the song "Chocolate Milk" was inspired by his niece Renee, who asked Wesling to write about her favorite drink.
When it came time to find a vocalist, Wesling sought out local talent Liza Kawaller. "She's very involved in local acting, and has volunteered a lot with Hershey High School musicals," Wesling explained, "She did a great job with the narration, singing the songs in a very dramatic, narrative way. She was very professional." His first CD, Dream Dance, was a collection of familiar classical pieces mixed with classically-inspired works he penned. "I put something together that was a nice showcase for jobs - a calling card," Wesling said. When it comes to writing, he doesn't have a set process. "I have this sense," he explained. "I don't say 'I'm going to write.' I'm inspired and have a melody, or maybe a phrase. I'll sit down and maybe write a chorus or four or five verses of a song." After Dream Dance, he set his sights on the holidays with a release of Christmas Waiting, featuring four original songs. The title track was inspired by "a child going to bed and dreaming about the next day and being near the baby Jesus." Be the Bridge was written to be enjoyed by both children and their parents. "This project was created to provide positive images of school and family relationships and importance of working together to help others," he said. "I financed the whole project," he continued. "It was sort of a leap of faith. I'm very proud of it. Every song has a good message. It helps teachers a lot." |
That leap of faith was worth it, Wesling said. "Music has inspired me to lead a creative and full life," he explained. "It is one of the greatest gifts given to us. I enjoy producing new music and helping students progress through their efforts and am blessed to be able to make a living in music."
In the future, Wesling hopes to expand the characters he's created, like William the Monkey. Possibilities include cartoon videos and stuffed toys. Wesling also includes a data file on each CD to print out chords and lyrics for use in teaching. All files are in PDF format. "A lot of music teachers have some guitar background, so they can play along with the kids," he said. "Be the Bridge" can be purchased at Borders Books and Music in Harrisburg, by calling (717) 534-2380, or from Wesling's Website,www.markwesling.com. By Matthew G. Solovey, Editor, Hershey Chronicle |
Daily Local News
Friday, January 19, 2001, A Shining Showcase for Classical Guitarist
Dream Dance
As a showcase for his thoughtful, uncompromising musicianship, Mark Wesling’s "Dream Dance" is certainly an effective marketing tool.
You could not listen to this impeccably recorded CD and not be impressed.
Wesling, who has performed extensively in the Harrisburg area, moved to West Chester recently and is beginning to make himself known here. "Dream Dance" is a lovely introduction to his reserved, respectful approach to classical guitar repertoire, spanning the instantly recognizable "Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring" by Bach to new selections by Fernando Sor (Opus 35 No. 22 and Opus 35 No. 18) and Andew York ("Snowflight" and "Willow").
His originals are similar in style. Nothing here runs longer than about three minutes, with the exception of the closing track, "Listening: Improvisation," which proves Wesling’s amazing familiarity with his instrument.
Only his solo acoustic guitar is heard, and it needs no ornamentation. Beethoven is quoted on the CD cover: "The guitar is a miniature orchestra in itself." Wesling proves that here, with 22 tracks of subtle melodies that establish a mellow mood and richly reward close inspection. Without resorting to the florid playing and overdubs that can mar acoustic music by Windham Hill artists, for instance, Wesling never overplays his hand or detours in distracting directions.
"Dream Dance" could be picked up by Windham Hill just as it is, and Wesling would hold his own with guitarists who have PR agencies and big-budget recording studios. His "Morning Song" makes the most of a lovely melody, and his eight-part "Divertimento for Guitar: Blessings of a Broken Heart" takes the listener on a meandering journey with a sure and steady hand.
"Dream Dance" is available at Chester County Books and Music, the Mad Platter and on Wesling’s Web site, www.markwesling.com
John Chambless
The Patriot-News
Thursday, February 15, 2001, Wesling Plays It Straight
Thursday, February 15, 2001, Wesling Plays It Straight
We have a special musician among us in Mark Wesling, whose sensitive presentation of much of his own guitar music holds its own anywhere. After listening to a couple of songs in this album one is struck that there are no gimmicks, either technical or musical. It is straight-ahead talent demonstrating courage with no masks. Wesling, whose has played extensively in the Harrisburg area, recently relocated to West Chester, where he writes and teaches and also displays a sophisticated talent for the graphic arts, some of which is included in the album jacket. He separates this album into three areas including popular classics, his own compositions and an 8-part Divertimento for Guitar “Blessings of a Broken Heart” which he wrote in Harrisburg in eight days. |
“It describes a day in someone’s life, what they are thinking about,” he said. “Everything that happens, happens for a reason and it leads to good things,” he said. “God has a plan.”
One is immediately struck by the love of the music and the love of life portrayed in these recordings. There is an agreement with instrument and musician with no ornamentation. Wesling plays the entire album without accompaniment. There are simple, pure lines throughout these works, like definite statements that won’t compromise their beauty. The ever-popular “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” is a celebration in song, and Wesling plays it in a way that uses the song as a blessing conferred, rather than a musical triumph. |
One of his own compositions, “For My Brother,” expresses the subtle, rich bond always sought in the verve between siblings.
There is much unstated in these works that is definitely felt. Words are not the conduits to explanation here. Moods are established each time out. Respect is a continuous byproduct in the effort. He sustains the intrinsic value of music. He reestablishes the reason we listen. The album will be available at Borders Book Store in March. Now, it's available from his Web site,www.markwesling.com Robert Ross of the Patriot News |
