2009 CMSA Convention - Page 3

kathrynrene · 10-31-2009, 05:30 PM

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 · 11-01-2009, 02:54 PM

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 · 11-01-2009, 08:09 PM

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.

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 · 11-02-2009, 08:04 AM

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 · 11-02-2009, 04:00 PM

[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 · 11-02-2009, 11:09 PM

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 · 11-03-2009, 07:50 AM

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 · 11-03-2009, 02:56 PM

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 · 11-03-2009, 07:25 PM

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 · 11-04-2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Goodin

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.

10-31-2009, 05:30 PM	#51
kathrynrene Katydid Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Yellow Springs, Ohio Posts: 6	Re: 2009 CMSA Convention 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

11-01-2009, 02:54 PM	#52
violmando Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Yellow Springs, OH Posts: 501	Re: 2009 CMSA Convention 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. __________________ "There are two refuges from the miseries of life--music and cats" Albert Schweitzer

11-01-2009, 08:09 PM	#53
John Goodin Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Decorah, Iowa Posts: 427	Re: 2009 CMSA Convention 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. 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.

11-02-2009, 08:04 AM	#54
wundo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: wisconsin Posts: 56	Re: 2009 CMSA Convention 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.

11-02-2009, 04:00 PM	#55
jblanchard Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ellicott City, MD Posts: 16	Re: 2009 CMSA Convention [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

11-02-2009, 11:09 PM	#56
John Goodin Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Decorah, Iowa Posts: 427	Re: 2009 CMSA Convention 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.

11-03-2009, 07:50 AM	#57
vkioulaphides Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: New York Posts: 3,322	Re: 2009 CMSA Convention 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 __________________ Friendship dances around the world... (Epicurus)

11-03-2009, 02:56 PM	#58
kathrynrene Katydid Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Yellow Springs, Ohio Posts: 6	Re: 2009 CMSA Convention 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

11-03-2009, 07:25 PM	#59
David Westwick Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Calgary, AB, Canada Posts: 145	Re: 2009 CMSA Convention 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.