NCVS Viola Pandemonium Sessions continue in 2021:
May 2, 2021 - hear practice tips from our YVC violists:
These five excellent young players from Northern California who performed in our Young Violist Competition finals share strategies for learning repertoire and building technique. We are excited to showcase our 2021 Young Violist Competition finalists
in a new way: as teachers! Learn from five of the most talented and
wonderful young violists in our region.
April 2021, Molly Carr on Dounis Daily Dozen for Violists
In a conversation with viola in hand, Molly walked us through and generously shared her years of experience with this extensive and interesting warmup routine. Around 10 years ago, Molly's viola teacher Steven Tenenbom of the Orion Quartet, along with
his quartet colleague violinist Daniel Phillips, each gave presentations
to her studio class at Juilliard on the fascinating ways that the
Dounis philosophy can change the brain/body connection and ultimately
improve one's ease and facility on the instrument. Molly says, "With so
many respected musicians around me suddenly raving about the benefits of
this philosophy of playing, I decided it was high time I looked into
this 'Dounis'. And wow. I'm so glad I did!"Molly had been transposing the violin exercises down a fifth in daily practicing and having her viola students do the same. But now, with the gift of time during the pandemic, she was able to finally transpose these exercises officially into the world of the viola.
Feb 2021, NCVS's 2021 winning composer Andrew Wilson on composing life in lockdown and beyond. Escape to the English countryside with us!
Naturally we discussed his work and the winning composition, a fantasia for solo viola, VIOLA & CESARIO. Andrew talked about the Shakespearian inspiration and the intricacies of the Twelfth Night references in the music. Don't forget that you can hear it premiered by our NCVS Young Violists Competition finalists on March 7th. We are thrilled to introduce it to you.
During the conversation, we were also transported by a recording of Andrew's piece, TROS AN TREYS, which means dancing in Cornish, or literally "The sound of the feet". Written for string orchestra, which instantly evokes the beautiful English countryside in the vein of Elgar, Stanford, Vaughn Williams and Holst.
Jan 2021 - Nuts & Bolts, Strings, Bridges and Frogs: what it takes to keep instruments responding smoothly and what the player can do to help with Joan Balter Watch here
What kind of strings should I use? Can I mix and match? When do I need a rehair? What is the best rosin to use? Why is my bridge tilting and what can I do about it? Local luthier Joan Balter, the proprietor of Balter Violins in Berkeley, California will talk to us about the nuts, bolts, bridges and frogs of our treasured instruments. We will get insights into looking for an instrument and bow, basic maintenance that you can keep an eye on at home, and maybe even hear a viola joke or two! Joan is our official viola joke teller at ViolaMania, our viola gathering held every couple of years in Berkeley.
Clifton Harrison talks about the Viola d'amore & more Jan 2021
Violist Clifton Harrison, a Midwesterner by birth, has been in the UK for more than 10 years leading a multi-faceted musical career. In this wide-ranging conversation, he discusses his instruments and bows, the musical journey that led him to London, and how he has adapted during lockdown. He will introduce the viola d'amore and discuss some of the intricacies of developing facility on the instrument. Repertoire for the d'amore, some listening suggestions and some fascinating stories are along the way. Join us for this discussion with this wonderfully engaging and unique performer and learn something about the characteristics of the viola d’amore!
Watch Clifton's Session here:November 2020, celebrating Kató Havas at 100
Northern California Viola society invites you into November with 3 more online sessions on Sundays@5pm pacific time. It is Kató Havas and the New Approach all month to honor her - November 5th would have been her 100th birthday. Five wonderful teachers will lead us in specific exercises and also help you understand her approach. Those of us who worked with her know that all during her lifetime she adamantly resisted the idea that New Approach be called a "method" or "system". There are often misconceptions about what it actually is! Katò Havas’ New Approach gives us a comprehensive system using movement and balance which leads to ease in playing. With the guidance of musicians who studied with Havas in Oxford, participants will learn strategies unique to the New Approach, including the concepts of “no violin,” "the giving left hand," “no bow hold" and bow distribution through the right arm "hinges." Katò Havas’ teachings have guided generations of musicians in their quest to play with physical freedom and wellness. Register via eventbrite links below. You must register to participate. The sessions are free and open to violists from anywhere and we encourage a variety of ages and skill levels. Please attend any or all three this month and spread the word. If you would like to support our efforts with a membership, renewal or gift, we would welcome your support. All donations will benefit the Young Violists Competition and Composer Competition. We are a 501(c)3 and your donations may be tax deductible.
November 15th with Bettina Mussumeli and Jodi Levitz, 5pm Pacific:
Stellar teaching artists Jodi Levitz, viola, and Bettina Mussumeli, violin, made enormous contributions to Northern California in their years here performing and teaching at the San Francisco Conservatory. With the magic of Zoom, we are able to whisk them back from their current environs in Miami to lead us in an exploration of Kato Havas' New Approach. We'll be focusing on integrating the basic principals of the New Approach with so-called “mainstream” string technique.
WATCH SESSION FROM NOV 15, 2020
Katò Havas’ New Approach is a string training pathway that focuses on
connecting physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of music making. Join Patty Heller to learn
the practice of miming, in which we first isolate movement, then combine into harmonious and effective
performance. Miming involves finding the pulse, directing movement with
the voice, working out the mechanics of bow distribution and
interval shapes.
November 29th with David Daniel Bowes, Jeananne Weber and Patricia Heller, 5pm Pacific:
WATCH SESSION FROM NOV 29, 2020
OCTOBER: Eleanor Angel's Primrose Practice Tips, October 18, 5pm PDT:
Northern California violist, educator and Bay Area treasure takes us on a journey of discovery, how to turn tricky passagework flawless using William Primrose's techniques. Using familiar repertoire, Eleanor will walk us through an exercise for
learning 16th note and triplet passages in rhythms and in all parts of
the bow. We'll leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of agile fingers
and clean string crossings! Along the way she will share stories of her
time with Primrose from her first lesson onwards. In addition to having a full studio of violin and viola students,
Eleanor is the past Assistant Director of the de Veritch Institute for
Viola, and the Founder/Past President of the Northern California Viola
Society.To watch this session: YouTube link for NCVS Eleanor video
Jeremy Cohen Tango Techniques, October 11, 5pm PDT
Jeremy Cohen has dazzled the string world for decades with his violin and he is certainly no stranger to the viola!! With his extensive background in tango, jazz, classical, country, blues, rock and funk, Jeremy will share his knowledge with us we try out tango techniques from the Arrastre to the Tambour. Don't miss out on Jeremy's Viola Duets - purchase the sheet music here and listen: Jeremy's Viola Duets on YouTube,
SEPTEMBER 13, 5pm PDT
This is going to be BIG fun, do.not.miss! With lively music and a great spirit, Cookie brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from her years of performing and teaching. We are lucky to snag her- she is usually off playing worldwide with her trio, Veretski Pass! She is an expert in Jewish violin style and has transcribed countless folk tunes from the tradition.
WATCH COOKIE'S KLEZMER SESSION
SEPTEMBER 20, 5pm PDT
Get your mind-body-spirit mojo going in this hour-long workshop. David's workshop will have as the centerpiece an experience of one of Moshe Feldenkrais' many lessons called ATM, or "Awareness Through Movement". David is celebrating his 50th anniversary of teaching music this year, having given his first violin and piano lessons when he was 16. Studying the Feldenkrais® Method seemed a natural extension of immersion in the New Approach, which constitute the teaching principles of Kato Havas, OBE.
David teaches a Feldenkrais® class every Monday at 11 AM Pacific time online. To register: David Daniel Bowes' Monday Weekly Class
Experienced music educator and clinician Dr Thomas Tatton leads us
through a series of games that are challenging but accessible to many
levels of players. No exercise book is needed as we try out the "games"
that Tom demonstrates for finding a deeper tone, developing sautillé,
shifting with a relaxed arm and building accuracy in higher positions.
With a wealth of experience in educational settings, Tom will explain
how to do the exercises and what technique is being developed. We try it
out and learn something new - pedagogy without tears! Watch here
