Jack Schrage

Jack Schrage (Photographer and Musician)

...About Jack's Photography

Jack Schrage is Nicholas Schrage's Father. Now retired, he worked as a professional photographer for more than fifty (50) years.

Jack Schrage's interest in photography started in the early 1940's and his vocation/avocation began in 1946 when he was offered a job in a photo lab in Rock Island, Illinois. In 1952 he was offered a job as a lab technician at Deere & Co. in Moline, Illinois. Schrage advanced to advertising/editorial photographer and retired from Deere & Co. in 1985 with 33 years of service. After moving to Fort Collins he worked two labs and officially retired in February 1998.

During his career Jack Schrage continued an active interest in the art of photography, participating in 14 exhibits (as of 1998) as well as teaching "Photographic Seeing" at Augustana College for six years in Rock Island, Illinois.

The picture (below) is the advertisement photo Jack used for the 1998 Art Show (The Eye of One II) held in Colorado (June 20 - November 1, 1998), at the Loveland Museum and Gallery, Loveland, Colorado: The show represented the creative journey of fifty years that Jack followed during his professional career, the exhibit highlighting his work from 1946 to 1998.

Ad Photo from the Eye of One II Art Show in Loveland, Colorado (1998)

During his lifetime, Jack maintained a personal interest in photographic projects, which include landscape and abstracts. His unique eye for the visual canvas and patience have allowed him to encapsulate a slice-of-time, capturing things which many miss. These are the things which many people take for granted as they go about their daily lives. Jack depicts a visual essence which only he can see. Because of his hyper-focus, diligence and interest in the discipline of media arts, much of his work remains—his thoughts and creativity are captured in his photos. Nicholas retains a personal collection, which he hopes to (one day) distribute, given the proper amount of time, money, and contacts.

...About Jack's Music

(unknown to most) Jack is also an accomplished pianist (in a vague sense) whose projects are centered around the Electronic Music genre.

It is uncertain exactly when and how Jack began to formulate his musical talent, however it is clear that he remains an enigma to the rest of the world. Of the two vinyl recordings which he created and recorded with Lew (Demetri) Corelis, were published and distributed, under the River Musik Werks name, the collaboration is known simply as "Musik Werks.". They released two albums 'Songs You've Never Heard Before' (Recorded 1979 - © 1981) and 'Intersketches,' (Recorded 1979 - © 1979). These two record albums, although obscure, were never intended for the mainstream popular crowd who listens to the radio to their three-minute weekly hits, instead the work holds a certain something, which others would understand who make and listen to soundtracks and other similar media types. This music wasn't made for dancing, but rather listening...

Jack Schrage

Lew (Demetri) Corelis

Songs You've Never Heard Before (RMW 1)

Musik Werks first album (1979/1981)

(below is taken from the liner notes)

"Most of the sounds on this album are electronic. We believe in making full use of modern technology. With tape recorders and various electronic instruments, you can be composer, arranger, performer and conductor."

"Our music is based more on emotions than structure. We're exploring the whole tapestry of sound...dynamics, texture and tone color. many of the things we're doing are in the stream of consciousness...running with an idea...playing with it."

"We would like to get people to hear again. We're so bombarded with noises and distractions that we have to put a cicada on a record before people will hear it again. Play this album above the normal noise levels and let it assault your senses. You should feel not only the emotion but the sound pressure. We believe music contains an energy flow that is endless in scope and universal in its appeal.

Intersketches (RMW 2)

Musik Werks second album (1979/1981)

(below is taken from the liner notes)

"Welcome to album two of the continuing saga of Musik Werks. For those of you who aren't familiar with Songs You've Never Heard Before, it is more or less a sampler of our earlier compositions. We learned a lot from that album and have continued to progress in our musical ideas. Again we must state, "Our music is based more on emotions than structure. We're exploring the whole tapestry of sound...dynamics, texture, and tone color. Many of the things we are doing are a stream of consciousness...running with an idea...playing with it." This album in particular is more introspective. Each piece is the product of our feelings at a certain time. Nearly all were realized in one day. We find that the initial impetus and emotion is there for only a short time and we must capture it THEN.

"All of the sketches or pieces are interrelated because they reflect our growing maturity of abilities, style, perceptions, and spirituality. We would like to share with you or explorations and emotions in the hope that we would be able to help further the beauty and hopefulness of music. The future is ours. Let us build it on love, sharing, and beauty. Music is a means to this end."

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