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e-newsletter | Fall 2006 |
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Previous Issues
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Be a friend of Artaria In our last issue, we recounted the story of the creation of Artaria back in Beantown in the 1980's. Over the years there have been several attempts to organize a supportive web of friends that aid and abett the many projects that the ASQ undertakes. Some of those projects include the Artaria Chamber Music School, Stringwood Summer Chamber Music, Winterstrings Adult Chamber Music Retreats, and the latest addition to the family, the Saint Paul String Quartet Competition. We are excited to announce that there is now a fully functioning Friends of Artaria organization to help further those goals. We anticipate that this 501.3(c) entity will enable individuals, small businesses, corporations, foundations and large grant providers to provide financial support to Artaria's long-term music projects, increase performance and educational opportunities for the students we work with throughout the year, and allow us greater flexibility to develop collaborative performances, host masterclasses and present a wider range of music related events for the enjoyment of participants and our dear audiences. But have no fear. You too can be a charter member of this group. If you are among those who count themselves as chamber music lovers and have the means and desire to support outstanding chamber music here in the Twin Cities and on the road, now is your chance to make something happen. Feel free to contact either me (Ray Shows) or Peter Dahlen, Secretary-Treasurer of the FOA at his business address: 205 South Water Street Northfield, MN 55057 to discuss ways you can support Artaria's projects and with any ideas you would like us to consider for the Minnesota music community. ~ RS
ARTARIA Upcoming Performances: December 14 - ACMS quartets perform at Episcopal Homes 490 East Lynnhurst Ave in St Paul. 7:00-8:00pm. Free. December 17 - ACMS Winter Concert at Episcopal Church of St John the Evangelist 60 Kent St in St Paul. 7:30pm. Refreshments to follow. Free. January 20 - Artaria concert in conjunction with "Dinner on the Bluff" at the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro, MN. Dinner at 5:30pm, concert at 7:30pm . Contact Eagle Bluff at 1-888-800-9558 for reservations. February 17 - Artaria concert in the Recital Hall at Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI. 7:30pm. Works by Mozart, Ravel, and Brahms. Mary Ellen Haupert, piano. Tickets in advance and at the door. Contact Mary Ellen Haupert for details (608) 796-3770. March 10 - Artaria concert at First Universalist Church of Minneapolis, 3400 Dupont Ave S. 7:30pm. Works by Mozart, Bartok and Brahms. John Jensen, piano. For tickets contact the church at 612-649-4435. For more detailed information see our webpage.
Winterstrings takes place January 19-21, 2007. This year's schedule will include a special performance opportunity for participants at Dinner on the Bluff. Come "pre-formed" or if you're an adult chamber music afficionado and would like to spend a weekend jamming with other folks like yourself, send in an application and we will find a group for you to play with. You can go to the the ACMP website to rate yourself as a player (go ahead - it won't hurt). Then go to the Winterstrings site to fill out an application and join us for a memorable weekend in January.
Regional Competitions return for '07
The 2nd annual Saint Paul String Quartet Competition will be held in Sundin Hall at Hamline University on April 27, 2007. The Competition is open to high school string quartets from anywhere in the U.S. with cash prizes totaling over $2000. This year's competition judges are the Miro Quartet . Tapes are due on March 1, 2007 and must include three selections. The newly redesigned website contains all the rules and requirements, as well as contact information and the application form.
It's that time of year again when the ACMS quartets have hung their stockings by the chimney and await the once a year free-for-all chamber music soiree extraordinaire. This year's 4th annual Switcheroo will not only include loads of chamber music sight-reading and mix and match ensembles (bring friends who have music and a stand). It will also feature our first ever brownie bake-off and fruit juicer refresher course. Artaria will provide at least one juicer machine (they're fun and easy to use). Make your favorite brownie recipe and bring a bag of fruit (or veggies). The goal is to see who makes the best brownies, period. Oh yes, and there will also be plenty of pizza and plenty of music. Join us Saturday night, December 30th, from 6:00pm to whenever for the 2006
Column by Ray Shows Practicing - yecchk! Why do we practice? As an avid avoider of “practicing”, I must humbly admit that I am almost certainly a highly qualified commentator on this tender subject. I find that I am a virtuoso at unearthing any lame excuse to delay my presence in the practice room. I know. I can hear a chorus of you saying that you love to practice and never miss a session. Without a doubt, there are among you, a select few who actually enjoy this task and are pretty proficient at it. Most of you, however, only really love to “play” the instrument and truth be told, may not be the most efficient practitioners in the woodshed. Real practice is slow, steady and organized. Does the word repetition come to mind? From the Latin, it means to seek again. This assumes you were looking for something in the first place. I think one can achieve the most progress and enjoyment practicing when a few things occur: 1. Get into the mindset before you pick up the instrument. Practice, as a verb, means to “perform or do repeatedly in order to acquire skill or proficiency”. What you are about to do is not a chore or punishment for misdeeds. More precisely, it is a gift of your innate talent. You are the lucky ones who have the time and the means to develop yourselves in a meaningful and significant way. 2. Have a plan before you draw your bow across the string. Set a time allotment in your mind and several clear goals to achieve for that session. This should include scale and arpeggio study (mixed bowings and rhythms please), a specific etude to prepare, and of course, repertoire study with clearly delineated sections of the music for you to practice. Your plan should also include some breaks at regular intervals. Renowned pedagogues recommend a minimum of 2 to 3 hours of practice each day if you are serious about your studies and hope to feed yourself adequately someday. Unless you have a specific big project to prepare, if you need more than that, string playing may be too much work for you. 3. If you have done the first two items, reward yourself with some performing time. Remember, you are still basically practicing, so no bad habits should creep back in and you should be vigilant about good form and posture. You are now using your "performance" muscles, which include basic memory as well as stage presence. These ideas should give you food for thought. Develop your own personal practice style and be consistent and vigilant about your time in the practice space. Also, make time to do some careful listening to the recorded repertoire. And while you are at it - record yourself from time to time. It will be humbly revealing and will also speed up your progress. Good luck. ~ RS
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Thank you for your present interest and past support of the Artaria String Quartet. If you would rather not receive our newsletter, send an e-mail to music@artariaquartet.com and type "no newsletter please " in the Subject line. |
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