• 2017 San Diego Classical Mandolin Camp

    2017 San Diego Classical Mandolin Camp

    San Diego, Calif. — The 2017 San Diego Classical Mandolin Camp, led by classical mandolinist, composer and educator Chris Acquavella, will take place July 24-30, 2017 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Mission Valley.

    The 6th Annual San Diego Classical Mandolin Camp will explore the depth and breadth of the classical mandolin, from baroque to modern times, through five days of classes, orchestra rehearsals, and evening concerts.

    SDCMC is very excited to welcome German virtuoso, Annika Hinsche, as the SDCMC special guest artist. Annika Hinsche studied mandolin with Prof. Marga Wilden-Hüsgen, Prof. Caterina Lichtenberg, Prof. John McGann and Gertrud Weyhofen-Tröster. As performer with an international concert career she regularly visits Europe, Asia and the US as a soloist, with the Mare Duo, as well as in other chamber music formations. Annika teaches as assistant professor at Universität zu Köln, and was assistant professor at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln, Standort Wuppertal. She was guest-lecturer at Berklee College of Music in Boston/USA and is regularly invited to national and international festivals around the world.

    Also joining the SDCMC artist staff this year will be master luthier, Brian Dean. Brian has been quietly building for some of the finest talents in the mandolin world. He is one of North America’s premier instrument builders and artisans. Brian’s desire and willingness to look outside the box but still respect tradition makes him one of the most creative luthiers today.

    SDCMC strives to create a fun musical experience for mandolinists of all ages and abilities. Chris and Annika are both fantastic teachers and performers. They will lead you through a well thought out curriculum of the classical mandolin's technique and repertoire, as well as music history. Throughout the week, there will be featured artist concerts with the final evening culminating with the SDCMC orchestra performance. This year, SDCMC will be joined by the San Diego Pro Arte Voices for a fantastic chamber choir concert.

    Tuition for the SDCMC is $450, which includes breakfast, all classes, orchestra rehearsals and performance, music/class materials and evening concerts. All participants will also receive a free SDCMC T-shirt. Tuition cost does not include lunch/dinner or lodging. The Crowne Plaza Mission Valley is offering a special room rate for SDCMC participants. Please visit the San Diego Classical Mandolin Camp website for more information and to register online.

    NOTE: Full tuition scholarships are available for participants under the age of 20 years old. Please contact Chris Acquavella directly through his web site to inquire. If you would like to donate to the scholarship fund, please visit the SDCMC website for more information.

    Class syllabus and schedule, as well as orchestra repertoire will be announced on the SDCMC website and Facebook page soon.

    2017 San Diego Classical Mandolin Camp Instructors

    L-R: Camp Director Chris Acquavella, Annika Hinsche, Brian N. Dean.

    Camp Director Chris Acquavella, Annika Hinsche, Brian N. Dean

    2016 SDCMC Artist Bios

    Chris Acquavella - Graduated First Class Honors from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance. Chris mandolin studied under the instruction of Alison Stephens and composition with Andrew Poppy. He won the Wolfsan Foundation Music Award in 2004 and the TCM Trust Silver Medal in 2006. Chris is a member of the Ger Mandolin Orchestra and performs world-wide in a solo and chamber music capacity. He has concertized with various ensembles such as Duo Acquavella, Detmold Landestheater, Ensemble Lippe Barock, GER Mandolin Orchestra, Bach Collegium San Diego, San Diego Opera and the San Diego Symphony. He has been an instructor at the River of the West Camp, the 2011 & 2013 Mandolin Symposiums and several CMSA Conventions. Chris is a published composer of new mandolin repertoire. His works are available on Joachim-Trekel-Musikverlag, Hamburg and Astute Music Ltd, UK.

    Annika Hinsche - Annika Hinsche (Lückebergfeld) is a sought-after performer, teacher, judge and conductor. She is winner and prize-winner of numerous national and international competitions such as the Torneo Internazionale di Musica/Rome and the renowned Yasuo-Kuwahara-Competition. Annika teaches as assistant professor at Universität zu Köln and was assistant professor at Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln, Standort Wuppertal. She is conductor of the JuniorZupfOrchester NRW and the Hessisches Landeszupforchester (HZO). Annika has recorded several CDs such as her Solo-CDs Aproximação and 12 Preludes for mandolin solo by Carlo Domeniconi, with ensemble Mare Duo - Crystal Tears and Mare Duo plays Frank Wallace, Impressioni with ensemble Quartetto Colori and a CD with the famous German pop group Söhne Mannheims for MTV Unplugged.

    Brian Dean - Brian Dean of Labraid has been quietly building for some of the finest talents in the mandolin world. His philosophy is simple: "don't complicate it." Each mandolin is brought to life from the rawest of lumber and metals, shaped unhurriedly by hand tools, and tuned to resonant golden standards by self-taught methods. He is one of North America's premier instrument builders and artisans. Brian has a growing list of professional musicians such as Joseph Brent, Chris Acquavella and Julien Martineau, who perform on Labraid instruments with pride. Brian's desire and willingness to look outside the box but still respect tradition makes him one of the most creative luthiers today. His skilled work is very original, unique and earthy, soulfully organic and powerful in tone and volume. Each instrument he builds is elegant and has a unique voice. Brian is a real down-to-earth, humble craftsman and artist. Brian Dean holds a Bachelor's degree in Wood Science from Virginia Polytechnic, 2000, cum laude.

    San Diego Pro Arte Voices - The San Diego Pro Arte Voices is dedicated to presenting innovative performances as an individual chamber choir and as a larger collaborative partner in the arts. Established in 2013, the San Diego Pro Arte Voices enjoys performing in both traditional and non-traditional venues bringing the arts to as many people as possible. The organization is passionate about maintaining the integrity of music and art, and increasing awareness that artists make a living through their craft. The San Diego Pro Arte Voices as a professional chamber choir focuses on repertoire from all time periods, providing performing opportunities and supplemental career options for professional vocalists in San Diego.

    San Diego Pro Arte Voices

    San Diego Pro Arte Voices

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