Seven studio members (Calvin, Christine, David, Isabel, Joseph, Katie, and Nathan) participated in the Speedy Tolliver Fiddle Fest at the Madison Community Center this past weekend! This number just seems to keep growing from year to year. Special applause goes to Christine for participating for the first time. We all know how much nerve it takes to get up and perform for a large crowd!
For the first time in the studio's history of participating in this event, studio members swept the awards in the Novice category. Congratulations go to Isabel for First Place, Nathan for Second Place, and Calvin for Third Place! Really well done guys! For those students who haven't gone to this event, or have gone but haven't participated, we are looking to increase our presence next year. Be prepared though - I think that several of our repeat performers might consider moving up to the Old Hands category to make room for some new fiddlers! Show 'em how it's really done....
Congratulations to Nathan, Ryan, and Joseph for being accepted into the 2009 - 2010 American Youth String Ensemble (AYSE) as second violin, first violin, and second violin, respectively! Congratulations also go to Eleanor for being accepted into the 2009 - 2010 American Youth Symphonic Orchestra (AYSO) as a co-concertmaster! All four of these students worked hard to prepare their audition materials and it clearly paid off, in a year when there were no sure bets! I am extremely proud - well done!
Congratulations to Eleanor Love for being accepted into the Fine Arts Apprentice Program! Eleanor survived two
rounds of auditions requiring a recorded submission, multiple references, a detailed musical resume, a live
audition, and an interview. Only a small handful of music students ranging from rising 10th to 12th graders are
accepted each year. As a participant in the program, Eleanor will be able to attend special dress rehearsals for
groups like the NSO or Washington Opera, master classes led by famous violinists (in past years, it has been
Midori and Pinchas Zuckermann), and other hard-to-come-by musical opportunities. Fantastic work, Eleanor!
Congratulations to David and Isabel for their successful participation in this years Suzuki Association of the
Greater Washington Area's (SAGWA's) Festival. They worked hard to review all their pieces from Book One
through Book Four and despite a shockingly fast tempo on Vivaldi's a minor Concerto (Third Movement), by all
reports, they held it together beautifully! To top the whole experience off, David and Isabel tracked down Ms.
Barbara Barber (yes, the very same!), who taught at the festival as a clinician, and got her autograph and
stories to tell for years to come!
April 26th, 2009:
Congratulations to Tessa on her Book Three Graduation Recital! Tessa performed at her home with family and friends in attendance and all joined her afterward for a lovely Sunday brunch. Tessa did a fine job, particularly when an attempt to steal the spotlight was made by the family dog, Kali! Tessa maintained her composure and her memory and continued to play extremely well. Great work all around!
April 17th, 2009:
Eight students participated in this year's Solo and Ensemble Festival, hosted by Hughes' Middle School. Two students participated in more than one performance, involving ensemble work to great success. The results are still trickling in, but so far, it seems that everyone knocked one out of the park! Katie, Ryan, Lauren, Rebecca, Tessa and Joseph received a Superior rating for their solos. Sage (who performed with other orchestra members from her school) and George received Superior ratings for their ensemble performances, too!
March 28th, 2009:
Congratulations to Calvin and Nora on their March 28th Graduation Recitals from Book Three and Book One! Nora and Calvin performed a joint recital at their home for family and friends. Nora completed Book One, and Calvin completed Book Three. Other studio members in attendance included Addie and Nathan. The event was made particularly special by the attendance of Nora and Calvin's grandparents who traveled from Massachussetts for the occasion. Congratulations to you both for a job well done!
