JAVS Summer 2026

From the Editor

Dearest friends of the alto clef persuasion, I am writing this Letter from the Editor with a full heart, a slightly emptier inbox, and a deep appreciation for the extraordinary community that makes the American Viola Society what it is. First and foremost, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make the 2026 AVS Festival in Harrisonburg such a

appear in the Fall issue. For now, we are delighted to turn our attention to another major gathering of our international viola family: the International Viola Congress, held in Paris, France this past January. In addition to our Congress coverage, this issue features four wonderful featured articles that reflect the breadth, curiosity, and richness of our field. Nethanel Pollak offers the final installment in his series on Soviet viola music, while Molly Wilkens-Reed invites us into a thoughtful exploration of inspiring curiosity and self-discovery. In “ The Deal,” readers can take an in-depth look at the philanthropy behind music through Richard Young’s advocacy and mentorship programs, while Xue Ding brings us into the world of historically informed composition practices with an exploration of a new cadenza for the Stamitz concerto. Together—along with our Departmental articles—these contributions create an issue that truly has something for everyone: modern approaches, historical research, personal reflection, advocacy, artistry, and the steady heartbeat of a community that continues to ask big questions, make beautiful sounds, and occasionally debate fingerings with great passion. As summer draws to a close, I wish each of you warmth, rest, safety, and maybe even a few quiet moments away from your own inboxes. Whether you are heading back to school, back to rehearsals, back to teaching, back to composing, or just diving forward into the unknown, may you carry with you the strength, humor, and generosity of this community.

remarkable gathering. To my incredible team—Gabi Padilla, Tony Devroye, Rose Wollman, and Lanson Wells—thank you for your brilliance, patience, good humor, and willingness to solve approximately 10,000 tiny problems before most people had finished their morning coffee. To Ames Asbell and Daphne Gerling, thank you for your tireless commitment, generosity, and sacrifice in helping make every part of the Festival not only possible, but wonderful. And to every sponsor, exhibitor, competitor, judge, performer, presenter, volunteer, and attendee: thank you . Truly. A festival is never just a schedule of events. It is a living, breathing, slightly sleep-deprived ecosystem of people who care deeply about the viola and about one another. I cannot honestly say that I am sad my inbox has returned to its normal state of controlled chaos, but I can say that the experience was one I will carry with me for a very long time. It reminds me, every day, that the viola community is—and always will be—my home and family. This Summer issue arrives fashionably late, with emphasis on both “fashionably” and “late,” as we wrapped up Festival matters and all caught our collective breath. A full Festival review, along with the announcement of all competition and EMVB winners, and a proper salute to our judges, will

And, of course, may the viola power be with you.

With appreciation (and with a slightly tired but very happy bow arm),

Dr. Ebersohl-Van Scyoc

Join the American Viola Society Your membership supports the viola community through performance, education, research, mentoring, publishing, commissioning new works and more. www.americanviolasociety.org/Join.php

Journal of the American Viola Society / Vol. 42, Summer 2026 Online Issue

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