JAVS Fall 2016

Kenji Bunch congratulates festival participants after the premiere of his Rise (and Shine) (photo credit: Carol Rodland).

he explained that viola is the bridge between the violin and cello. We need to be able to expand our color pallet to be that unifying element between the high and low string sounds. His jovial demeanor had the audience laughing and nodding their head in agreement, with the two hours in the very warm First United Methodist Church going by much faster than I would have expected. The notes I took are too copious to include here, so I would suggest that if ever you have the option to see Professor Slowik teach, take it. The only part I regret about those four days in June, is that I could not clone myself and go to every session. Choosing another session over Wendy Richman’s lecture-presentation, “Music for Singing Violist” or Michael Hall’s “Collaborating with Composers,” to name a few, was a viola nerd’s worst nightmare. Having heard Richman play-sing once before, I highly recommend you seek out the opportunity to experience her haunting and uniquely unforgettable musical performances. A few days before his session, Hall learned that his pianist would be unable to attend the Festival due to a family emergency. As perhaps only Hall could, he completely changed the repertoire of his lecture presentation, pulling from his seemingly endless collection of contemporary music.

In summation, the 2016 AVS Festival was truly spectacular. It would not have been possible without the work of local host Professor Peter Slowik, Oberlin Conservatory Summer Programs Manager Anna Hoffmann, administrative support from Madeline Crouch & Co. and of course, the tireless efforts of the AVS Board. In particular, I wish to thank President Kathy Steeley and JAVS Associate Editor David Bynog, without whom this Festival would not have run so smoothly or been nearly as engaging. In seeking to fulfill the AVS’s mission of “encouraging excellence in performing, pedagogy, research, composition, and lutherie,” this could not have been a more impeccable event. I greatly look forward to the 2018 Festival, which will take place at the Colburn School in Los Angeles, in partnership with the Primrose International Viola Competition. Start saving now, for if it’ll be anything like this year’s Festival, it is not to be missed! Dr. Katrin Meidell is Assistant Professor of Viola at Ball State University, where, in addition to her regular teaching and performing, she coaches the award winning BSU Viola Choir. She is an avid teacher and performer, and a strong advocate for new music, regularly premiering works she commissioned. She is a proud Board Member of the American Viola Society.

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Journal of the American Viola Society / Vol. 32, No. 2, Fall 2016