JAVS Fall 2003

Thanks also to our secretary Carol Ross and treasurer Kirsten Doctor for their continued hard work. On to a new season of scrumptious viola treats!

responses from two participating students, which we would like to share with you. "I enjoyed the OVS Workshop a lot! As I am 10 years old, I first went to a junior class, along with some other vio lists my age or younger. We played some Suzuki music, a fiddle tune and folk songs. Afterwards, I went to see some master classes that I was allowed to watch. At one of them I saw a girl I knew. At the other there was a girl in high school who plays in the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra. It was interesting to see because I could learn some new techniques the teachers taught. I noticed the reachers were extremely friendly. Following, there were refreshments and snacks. It was great!" - Sarah Poe, age 10 "My heart was pound ing as I emered room 227. I usual ly don't get nervous for perform ances, but a master class is a differ ent experience than a typical per formance. In some ways a master class is more relaxed, because the player often has the opportunity to return to and fix difficult passages in the music. On the other hand, it can be more frightening because in general those who attend the class are also players! The room slowly filled with people, and after the instructor, Roger Chase, entered the room I began to play. I had prepared "Romance" by Max Bruch, a stunningly beautiful piece that brings out the viola's rich sound. When I finished the audi ence applauded, and Roger Chase began his work. He concemrated heavily on the musicality and phrasing I needed to incorporate into my playing. He made me sing

Lembi Veskimets OVS President

Lisa Boyco, OVS Newsletter Editor also submitted the follow ing: On a fine Sunday afternoon in October the Ohio Viola Society held its fifth annual Fall Master Class Day at the Cleveland Institute ofMusic. The event has grown each year and now offers opportunities for violists of all ages and skill-levels to participate. Traditional-style master classes are offered for junior high, high school and college students. Observers are welcome, and participants are urged to sit in on another class when they are finished playing. Teachers are generally members of the OVS chapter and represent the many fine music schools and insti tutions in Northeast Ohio, includ ing Baldwin-Wallace College, The Cleveland Institute of Music, Oberlin Conservatory and the Cleveland Orchestra. We want the younger students to feel welcome and to get excited about music. A "Little Kids' Play-In" gives them the chance to play music together in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Older amateur violists are encour aged to join the "Group Technique Class" that addresses specific issues such as vibrato or bowing styles. A reception wraps up the afternoon with a chance to socialize and get to know each other better. Last year our newsletter featured

Sarah Murphy

Leah Reiter

Congratulations to all the winners! The OVS was pleased to feature the winners of Division II in a recital at the OOSTNOVS High School Viola Day, hosted by Keith Holliday at Medina High School in April. Besides preparing the fo regoing feast of events, the OVS published three newsletters for our local membership containing a variety of articles, interviews and event listings. While saying farewell and thank you to our outgoing editor, JeffWilliams, we welcome our new editor, Lisa Boyko who began her new posicion this past summer.

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