2009 CMSA Convention

[M2Lou]

I'm pleased to announce that the Classical Mandolin Society of America will be holding its 2009 Annual Convention in Dayton Ohio. The convention will run from Wednesday, October 28 - Sunday, November 1.

Marilynn Mair will be performing and teaching at the convention. In addition to performing 2 concerts and leading workshops, Marilynn will be leading the Mandolin Teacher's Workshop on Tuesday night, October 27 and Wednesday morning, October 28.

In addition, Don Stiernberg and his Trio will be performing and teaching at the convention. Little known fact - Dayton Ohio is a "hot spot" for jazz.

Stay tuned to the CMSA website (www.ClassicalMandolinSociety.org) and the Dayton Mandolin Orchestra website (www.DaytonMandolin.net) for additional details.

[M2Lou]

More breaking news -

Don Stiernberg has confirmed that he will be accompanied by Larry Harris on piano and Jim Cox on bass. This is the same trio that played at the recent Mando Magnificat.

These guys will really raise the hairs on the back of your neck!

[M2Lou]

More great news -

I am pleased to announce that the En Masse Orchestra will be conducted by Dr. Jim Bates. Jim will also be leading workshops at the convention.

To those of us in the CMSA world, Jim needs no introduction. Jim is an outstanding conductor who has led numerous music groups. He has conducted the CMSA En Masse orchestra multiple times and was the conductor and musical director of the Louisville Mandolin Orchestra. Dr. Bates is currently the Director of Orchestral Activities / Assistant Professor at Otterbein College in Westerville Ohio.

Jim's conducting and teaching took my personal orchestral performance to a new level. It is always an honor and a pleasure to perform under his baton.

[John Goodin]

More good news indeed! Lou, this is shaping up to be a great convention. Keep filling us in as things develop.

John G.

[M2Lou]

More great news -

Bob Martel has agreed to attend, perform, and teach at the CMSA Convention. He will accompany Marilynn Mair for both her classical and choro concerts, he will teach 1 or 2 workshops, and, hopefully, the En Masse Orchestra will perform one of his compositions.

Bob played guitar (all genres) for over 10 years, became a tuba player for about 20, and then returned to his classical guitar roots. He has performed and soloed with the Providence Mandolin Orchestra, the AMGuSS orchestra, and the CMSA En Masse Orchestra. Bob is a noted composer for mandolin orchestras. His music has been performed and recorded by many groups in the U.S. and internationally.

Stay tuned for another major announcement later this week:grin:

[Eugene]

I'm looking forward to at least occasional attendance.

[M2Lou]

I've been waiting for a week to receive more background information but I can't wait any longer:grin:

I received an e-mail from Annika Luckebergfeld and Fabian Hinsche accepting our offer to attend the convention.

They will play two classical concerts, lead workshops, and will both play in the En Masse Orchestra. Annika and Fabian will also lead the sectional rehearsals for the First Mandolins and Guitars respectively.

I have two of Annika's CDs and they are awesome.

With this, we were able to “land” 100% of the Dayton Host Committee’s “wish list” performers.

This is shaping up to be a great convention!

[kathrynrene]

Please visit the Dayton Mandolin Orchestra web site for more information about Marilynn Mair, Bob Martel, and Don Stiernberg: http://daytonmandolin.net/Announcements.html. We update frequently.

We look forward to seeing you in Dayton! We'll be "Playing the Wright Stuff", as Orville Wright, our illustrious local son, played a Washburn bowl back which he took to Kitty Hawk. It is now on display in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. If you are interested in more information about Orville and that mandolin, visit http://www.nasm.si.edu/wrightbrothers/index_full.cfm and follow the Orville links.

Kathryn Hitchcock

[eightmoremiles]

Daytonians!
The LMO (Louisville Mandolin Orchestra) stands ready to help make your convention efforts a success. We hope to have a healthy contingent up there this fall, and invite your requests for whatever it takes to bring off another successful CMSA convention in the Ohio valley.

[joebrent]

Annika's playing is well known to many of you, but for those who don't know her, she's a student of Caterina and a recent winner of the Kuwahara Competition. She also has her own school in Dusseldorf and leads the JugendZupfOrchester of Northrhine-Westfalia. She's also one of my personal favorite mandolinists, a true virtuoso of the highest calibre and a musician of impeccable taste. I met her when she was at Berklee for a year, studying American mandolin styles with John McGann. She and Fabian (a world class virtuoso in his own right) even came to New York last year to do a recital with me and Bridget.

So, try to imagine a cross between Caterina and John, and there's Annika. Wish I had time to make it to Dayton for this convention, I'm sure her presentation will be spectacular!

[kathrynrene]

Louisvillians!

Better be careful! We just might find something for you to do! Thanks, really, for the offer. The DMO host committee meets next week and I'll share your greetings with them. We look forward to meeting you!

Kathryn

[Bob Knysz]

Greetings Lou and Dayton CMSA Planning Committee!
Congrats on lining up a Great 2009 CMSA Convention.
The Atlanta Mandolins will have a good contingent at this years convention.
Hope you have a slot at one of the showcases for us!
We are looking forward to a Great time!!!!!
OK Montana and Denver, Milwaukee, Seattle and Minneapolis how about you guys? Lets make this one of the best!
See you in Dayton
Bob Knysz
Atlanta Mandolins

[M2Lou]

Late Breaking News -

We have finalized an agreement with the Masonic Center in Dayton to hold our Saturday concert at their facility.

This is a great facility for concerts and is well known in the community.

Hopefully, this will greatly aid ticket sales:)

[violmando]

The Masonic Temple is an Historic Building, built during the Depression, and is nearly all original....it IS handicapped accessible, yet maintains its era with wrought iron sconces, beautiful wood trim, and lots of marble. The auditorium has the audience in the round, with a center floor section near the stage. Those either attending the concert OR participating it in it will LOVE it!
Yvonne, one of the CMSA Planning Committee members
PS We were privileged to get a tour of almost the entire building---PHENOMENAL!!

[wundo]

Any more news on the Convention?
I'd like to get started on the en masse music.
thanks

[M2Lou]

To all -

We are diligently working on registration and hope to open registration in the next couple of weeks.

Work on the En Masse Orchestra music is almost complete. We should be in a position to send out the En Masse music as soon as registration opens.

On another note, we have retained the services of Mr. Max McCullough to be the emcee for both concerts, both Open Mic sessions, and the Playing Contest. For those of you who have had the pleasure of seeing Max in action in his tuxedo, he is a great!

[M2Lou]

Hot off the presses -


2009 CMSA Convention En Masse Music


Music for Play by Claudio Mandonico

Preludio Sinfonico by Ugo Bottacchiari

Waltz for Bill Monroe by Butch Baldassari

Evening Sky by Bob Martel

Sky-Colored Lake by Bob Martel

Rondo Vulgaris by Srdan Ribarovic

[wundo]

Will the en masse music be posted on CMSA website?
thanks

[violmando]

I think so; I believe that Sept. 1st is the goal to have it up and ready. It really takes awhile because I think the pieces have to be typeset into Finale or Sibelius; that's how our Dayton Mandolin Orchestra does it and in the case of older pieces, it is not easy! You cannot scan them because they do not come out clearly. I'm sure some one's working on it, just as we DMO folks are working out the details here. Yvonne

[MnRoss]

Lou and other CMSA goers. I've spent loads of time in Dayton in my past career and still love the town. Dayton is a fun place and they have a great scene not only jazz but a very good bluegrass scene. I believe Frank Wakefield is from there and also I know Red Allen is to name a few. I'd be going just to hang with other mando folks and would love to see Dayton again but to many other festivals have zapped my festival funds for the year.

[M2Lou]

CMSA is pleased to announce the "all star lineup" of Section Leaders for the En Masse Orchestra -


SECTION LEADERS

First Mandolin - Annika Luckebergfeld

Second Mandolin - Lou Chouinard

Mandola - Antonina Nigrelli

Mandocello - Yvonne Wingard

Guitar - Fabian Hinsche


With the exception of the M2 slacker, all are professional musicians and/or music educators;)

[M2Lou]

Registration is now OPEN!

If you are now or have been a CMSA member in the recent past, you should have received your 2009 Dayton registration materials in the mail.

Due to the extraordinary efforts of our fine webmaster, Dave Betts, on-line registration is also operational. Please go to www.classicalmandolinsociety.org to sign up on-line.

Early registration rates are good until Monday, September 28 so register early and save $50

Also, on-line membership sign up / renewal is also available on-line - with or without convention registration.

To make hotel reservations at the Crowne Plaza hotel, please go to https://resweb.passkey.com/go/CMSA or call 1-888-233-9527.

[wundo]

It isn't working for me.
I got this message after I entered my name and email. ???

Microsoft VBScript runtime error '800a000d'

Type mismatch: '[string: "disabled"]'

/asp/signup.asp, line 712

[Linda Binder]

Wundo, I go that same message twice when trying to register on line but just now it went through. You might want to just try it again.
-L.

[wundo]

I just tried again, still not working

[M2Lou]

Drat!

We worked for a week trying to find all the bugs:(

I passed this information on to the web-meister to track it down.

Thanks for letting us know about the problems!


We do have the official Welcome Letter and Registration Materials on the CMSA website. Go to the website, click on Features, click on Upcoming Convention News, and you will find the link.

The Welcome Letter includes a bunch of good information.

If you want to register for the convention by mail, just download the Registration Forms and send them in.

[M2Lou]

To all -

On-line registration has been up and running for a couple of days now.

If you were unsuccessful before, please try again.

I have my fingers crossed that we have banished all the process gremlins:grin:

[wundo]

fyi,
The website continues to not work for me, either from home or
work computers.
I'll snail mail the forms today.

[David Westwick]

The online forms worked for me. Perhaps it's a browser issue. I'm running Firefox on a Mac, FWIW.

[violmando]

Online worked for me, too. Music looks great, but I wondered if anyone has a source recording for the Rondo Vulgaris by Srdjan Ribarovic; can't seem to find out much about it, especially in English! Thanks, Yvonne

[kathrynrene]

Here's the Welcome Letter with lots of information.

WELCOME TO THE CMSA CONVENTION 2009
DAYTON, OHIO
Playing the “Wright” Stuff


The Classical Mandolin Society of America and this year’s host, the Dayton Mandolin Orchestra, invites you to attend the 23rd Annual CMSA Convention – October 28-November 1, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Dayton, Ohio.

Features of this year’s convention include:

• 2009 En Masse Orchestra
o Dr. Jim Bates conducting
• Dayton Mandolin Orchestra
o Mr. Dave Voyles conducting
• Performances by
o Marilynn Mair with Bob Martell
o The Don Stiernberg Trio
o Annika Luckebergfeld with Fabian Hinsche
• 9th Annual Norman Levine CMSA Playing Contest
• 6th Annual Mandolin Instructor’s Workshop • Open Microphone Performances
• Gala Buffet Banquet
• Vendors
• Seminars and Workshops
• Jamming
• Networking

The convention will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 28 and conclude at noon on Sunday, November 1.

To register on-line or to get additional convention information, go to: www.classicalmandolinsociety.org

To register by mail: Fill out all the enclosed forms and send them to the CMSA mail box listed on the registration forms.

Early registration rates end on Monday, September 28. Save $50 by registering early!

Hotel Information: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 33 East Fifth Street, Dayton, OH 45402
You can make hotel reservations at the CMSA Convention Rate of $109 / night until October 6, 2009. For on-line reservations, go to https://resweb.passkey.com/go/CMSA or call 1-888-233-9527.

Any full-time student is encouraged to apply for a CMSA Convention Scholarship. For information, go to www.classicalmandolinsociety.org

If you would like to be a convention volunteer, please send an email to Kathryn Hitchcock at DMO@DaytonMandolin.net.

We look forward to seeing you at this year’s convention!

The CMSA Convention Committee
The Dayton Mandolin Orchestra

[John Goodin]

I just succeeded in using the online registration and it worked great.

I'm wondering now who else reading this message is going to be at the '09 convention? I can make some educated guesses but I'd rather see some confirmations.

Don't be shy, stand up and be counted!

John G.

[John Kasley]

I registered online on Sept 18, about 2:50 EDT

3 out of 7 members of the Hampton Roads Mandolin Ensemble will be attending.

[wundo]

I'll be there, playing mandola this year.

[violmando]

I believe the Dayton Mandolin Orchestra has 6 mandolins, a guitar, 2 mandolas, a mandocello and a bass on tap to play....I'm really looking forward to it. I went to school with Jim Bates, the En Masse Orchestra Conductor, way back in '81 and haven't seen him since! Even with my experiences with AMGuSS, this will be a much bigger Orchestra, so WOW!!! Yvonne

[Treble in mind]

The Kalamazoo Mandolin/Guitar Orchestra has 4 mandolins, 2 dolas, 2 guitars and a mandocello registered so far. The National Mandolin Orchestra of Turkmenistan is also expected to put in an appearance.

Just kidding about the Turkmenistan part. But it COULD happen....:disbelief:

[M2Lou]

The registrations for the 2009 CMSA Convention in Dayton Ohio are going strong. Thanks to everyone who has already registered.

In an effort to make the Dayton convention on of our biggest yet, CMSA is extending the Early Registration Period until midnight on Tuesday, October 6.

You have another week to register for the convention and save $50:)

October 6 is also the deadline for making hotel reservations. (https://resweb.passkey.com/go/CMSA or 1-888-233-9527)

I look forward to seeing you in Dayton!

[John Kasley]

If anyone can provide sources for recordings of any of the en masse music I would be very appreciative.

[violmando]

I have not found the Ribarovic Rondo Vulgaris, altho' it is available on an imported CD, nor the Waltz for Bill Monroe WITH MANDO ORCHESTRA altho' there are many recordings of it in other media especially by Butch himself. But Prelude Sinfonico and the Mandonico Music for Play are both available on You Tube. My copy key doesn't work, so someone else PLEASE PUT UP THE LINKS! The two Bob Martel pieces have been recorded by the Providence Mandolin Orchestra on Songs Without Words. Does that help? If anyone finds an easy way to get ahold of the Rondo Vulgaris, please post it here--THANKS! Yvonne

[M2Lou]

Great news!

Due to a change in ownership and the economy, the Crowne Plaza hotel in Dayton Ohio has lowered their daily room rates.

Even better news!

They have agreed to share this with CMSA by lowering our negotiated convention rate from $109 to $99 per night.

If you have already made your reservations using the CMSA rate, you are all set. You don’t have to do anything to receive the lower rate.

If you made reservations not using the CMSA rate, please change your reservations to the CMSA rate. We have a number of contractual requirements based on the number of rooms booked under the CMSA rate.

If you were still on the fence about attending the Dayton convention, this is another reason to be there:)

[M2Lou]

Even more Late Breaking News –

Due to the recent decrease in the CMSA negotiated room rate to $99 / night, the Crowne Plaza hotel in Dayton has extended our cut off date for the new negotiated rate until Thursday, October 15.

If you have already registered for the convention but haven't made your hotel reservations, please make your hotel reservations now.

If you haven’t registered for the convention yet, you still have time to take advantage of the Early Registration discount rates and the CMSA hotel room rate.

[JMJ_coder]

Ugh! This is comparably close to me, but I doubt I will be able to attend. :crying:

Are only registered CMSA members allowed to attend or is it open to the public? On a tangental note, what are the benefits of joining?

[Jonathan Rudie]

Ugh! This is comparably close to me, but I doubt I will be able to attend. :crying:

Are only registered CMSA members allowed to attend or is it open to the public? On a tangental note, what are the benefits of joining?

Hi Christopher,

There are many benefits to CMSA membership. Just to name a few . . .
The CMSA holds terrific annual conventions and workshops; the excitement of playing in the en mass orchestra. CMSA provides access to top notch teachers and education programs, and provides access to music composed for mandolin and mandolin family of instruments. CMSA provides you an opportunity to interact with, hear and learn from world class musicians. The CMSA not only affords its members an opportunity to meet kindred spirits and to gain life long friends, but joining the CMSA affords an opportunity to improve your technique, tone quality, tremolo, duo style, no matter what type of music one wishes to play or learn. Join the CMSA and become a better mandolin player and better musician. The Classical Mandolin Society of America also delivers an exciting newsletter four times a year with your $35.00 membership. It's just one of the many good reasons for belonging to our organization. Articles are submitted by CMSA members and include everything from record reviews to technique tips and convention information to instrument care. It's a mandolin players dream! I encourage you to join the CMSA and attend the convention.

Jonathan (CMSA Vice President)
__________________

[M2Lou]

One last time - it is getting late if you want to take advantage of the CMSA rate at the Dayton Crowne Plaze hotel.

October 15 is the deadline. Information on how to make reservations is in a posting above.

[violmando]

I'm one of the Daytonians...wondering what people will be jamming. Any world music out there? I have a bass domra and was wondering if anyone would be doing any ethnic stuff so I could use it (altho' my mandocello does equally well) or if it would do any good to bring my fiddle either....I know anyone flying in won't have room to bring anything extra. If anyone needs a loaner instrument, let me know, I have some other things, too. Yvonne, your Registration guru.
I am SO looking forward to this--it's my first CMSA!!!

[Treble in mind]

If past CMSA conventions are any guide, the type of jams will depend upon who shows up. There have been bluegrass jams worthy of BG festivals, jazz complete with fake books for all, the expected classical jams where you sightread music placed in front of your head, and some ethnic (e.g., French Canadian, Irish) stuff, too. You just never know, and to me, that's another reason that it's fun.

If you live close by it shouldn't be a problem, in that you can find out pretty quickly what people are into, and grab some appropriate instrumentation for the remaining evenings.

Got any "World Music" music? Bring it on!

[KristinEliza]

Wish I could make it this year...but it's just not in the cards for me. :crying: I'll keep my fingers crossed for 2010!

Dues sent, however!

[violmando]

We'll miss you. I, on the other hand, will probably not make it 2010, unless I have a BIG change in my finances. Too far away. But I can hope for a change....
Yvonne

[Tracy Tucker]

Had the pleasure of attending the concert last night, and perusing the vendors' wares this morning. Fabulous!

The Dayton Mandolin Orchestra
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=591&pictureid=4157
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=591&pictureid=4156
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=591&pictureid=4158

Annika Luckebergfeld & Fabian Hinsche
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=591&pictureid=4159

[Tracy Tucker]

Next set of pics:

Marilynn Mair & Robert Martel
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=591&pictureid=4160
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=591&pictureid=4161

Don Stiernberg, Jim Cox (bass) & Larry Harris (piano)
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=591&pictureid=4162
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=591&pictureid=4163
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=591&pictureid=4164

[kathrynrene]

Thanks for posting pictures, Tracy. Glad you could come and see the vendors. Glad you "crossed over" from the bluegrass world and stepped into the "readers" world. Sometimes we much divided when we have this wonderful instrument in common.

Don Stiernberg was pretty high on the host committee's wish list. Marilynn Mair was, too, and will be playing choro tonight which I am looking forward to with much anticipation. Annika and Fabian will play music of a composer who lives in S. America but has a German name. I've heard some of his music before and liked it, so I am doubly blessed. On top on that, I've had my first experience of playing in an en masse orchestra of 100 plus players. We've have four rehearsals of diverse styles of music, including the Waltz for Bill Monroe by Butch Baldassari to celebrate Butch's contribution to the mandolin community. Butch was truly a bridge between the classical and bluegrass traditions.

Kathryn

[violmando]

It was PHENOMINAL to have Jim Bates as the En Masse Orchestra conductor and to play in an Orchestra of 90+ instruments....including 21 mandolas!!!!! The sound at Dayton's Masonic Temple was AMAZING! Hope someone has some pics to post; I'd LOVE to see one of the whole group....Yvonne, a first timer to CMSA.

[John Goodin]

Thanks to all the Dayton folks (and, of course, M2Lou and the CMSA Board members) for putting on a great event! I've finished my 10 1/2 hour drive home and I'm beat but in a few days I'd be ready to do it again.

There are too many highlights to mention them all but I want to concur that being in an orchestra conducted by Jim Bates is always a great pleasure. In addition to all the music playing and fine instruments to check out, I especially enjoyed two workshops: Annika Luckebergfeld presented a wonderful overview of the life and music of Yasuo Kuwahara (including brilliant live performances) and Paul Ruppa presented a meticulously researched program on the "Spanish Students" and the events that led to the beginning of the mandolin craze in America in the 1880s.

Maybe someone could pdf (is that a verb?) the programs and post them in the Mandolin Concerts of Note thread so everyone can see the cool variety of music that was played at the two main concerts?

The vendor area was one of the best in recent years and Will Kimble has posted some good pictures over in the Post a Picture of Your Mandolin thread (http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56203).

We also were treated to a slide show introduction to next year's hotel in Seattle. You left coast mando folks might start saving the dates (starting, I think, on Oct. 12?). It's going to be a good one.

John G.

[wundo]

I was one of the 21 mandola players. Such great parts to play too.
Thanks to Loren Brown for do all the transcriptions.

The open mics were alot of fun also.

[jblanchard]

[QUOTE=John Goodin;729411]

Maybe someone could pdf (is that a verb?) the programs and post them in the Mandolin Concerts of Note thread so everyone can see the cool variety of music that was played at the two main concerts?


Done. See Mandolin Concerts of Note.

Jim Blanchard

[John Goodin]

Jim, thanks very much. That's just what I was hoping to see. Those were two very rich concerts full of wonderful performances and excellent compositions.

I especially enjoyed the pieces performed by the Dayton Mandolin Orchestra that were composed by Victor Garcia and James Kellaris. Young Mr. Garcia was in attendance and he is a very nice guy in addition to being a fine composer. I had the pleasure of sharing a stand with James Kellaris during both the en masse orchestra rehearsals and the concert performance. I highly recommend both Passages through Mexico and Roads to Kalamata to any orchestra looking for well-written, tuneful new music.

Speaking of Victors, David Westwick from Calgary, Alberta and (I think) his lovely wife gave a beautiful performance of Victor Kioulaphides' Seven Ancient Greek Lyrics during Saturday's open mic luncheon.

John G.

[vkioulaphides]

Indeed, David did let me know of his (and, yes, his lovely wife's) performance of my Seven Ancient Greek Lyrics-- one more reason for me to kick myself for not attending but, on the flip side, I am truly delighted that the piece was performed.

As all composers should know, the biggest hurdle in a new work's career is the second performance, not the premiere itself, as the premiere is usually part and parcel of the request/commission from which the piece was engendered to begin with. Having spent a decade or so as an opera composer in particular, I know full well how nearly insurmountable the "Great Wall" of a second production turns out to be.

I am overjoyed vicariously on behalf of all the fortunate ones who did attend, and dream of joining you all one of these coming years.

Cheers,

Victor

[kathrynrene]

I did the programs and will post what was performed at both concerts when I catch my breath! It was a whirl wind week filled with new friends and great music.

The Dayton Mandolin Orchestra of whom I am a humble member was honored to perform both Victor Garcia's and our own James Kellaris' compositions. Who knew such a young orchestra would be performing contemporary music written for mandolin orchestra? We're so blessed.

Kathryn

[David Westwick]

I'm glad that we were able to perform the whole set at CMSA. Hopefully we'll find a way to give them a Canadian Premiere. In all honesty, we still need to solidify a couple of spots in #3 and #4, where the voice and mandolin are in 2 against 3, or vice versa.

Did anyone get any pictures of me and Pat on stage at the open mic?

David.

[mrmando]

We also were treated to a slide show introduction to next year's hotel in Seattle. You left coast mando folks might start saving the dates (starting, I think, on Oct. 12?). It's going to be a good one.

John G.
Seattle dates are Oct. 13-17. I'm on the hosting committee.