JAVS Spring 2011

Christina Olson and Ellen Cook are viola students of Michael Palumbo at Weber State University where they are majoring in music. AVS Announces Viola Bank Recipients The new AVS Viola Bank supplied loans of instru ments to three students in fall 2010: Larissa dos Santos, Ryan Harvey, and Jordyn Woodhams. For more information on applications for loans or dona tions to the bank, please visit: http://americanvio lasociety.org/resources/viola-bank/.

example, the piano has very fast segments that allow the performer to have some fun while the viola accompanies with deep legato notes. A short viola solo features motives from the first movement and a reminder of the dialogue from the second move ment. A viola cadenza gracefully brings together motives from all three movements, after which the piece ends quietly and sweetly as both piano and viola dynamics taper. Scott Slapin, the second violist to play Dreams at its joint premiere, said this about the piece: “It’s all under a Romantic context, but [Rachel] sneaks in these quick moments that are completely dissonant; [however] they don’t sound so in context. And actu ally it’s hard to put together. It’s really deceptive.” Ms. Matthews was very modest, but grateful, about winning the competition. After the dual premieres, Matthews reflected on Dreams: “It’s dedicated to Helen, but from now on, I think Scott’s going to always have a real special claim on the piece in my mind, too. I just feel so lucky to have not one but two such fabulous players to be the people to intro duce it to the world. Any composer should be so lucky.” The first biennial Maurice Gardner Viola Composition Competition was a complete success. Planning, marketing, and fundraising efforts have cleared a path that will make the next competition run smoothly. The viola world will always miss Maurice Gardner; he has given us so much by which to remember him. Let us continue to honor his name and remember his legacy as we continue to expand viola literature! We hope there are many more entries next time; here’s to the next MGVCC! Dreams by Rachel Matthews is published by Ourtext and is available for purchase at: http://www.ourtext.co.uk/. Video recordings from the congress premiere may be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp_NZa49_aA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4qSbp7fuNI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j1EVooN96c The second biennial Maurice Gardner Viola Composition Competition is scheduled for fall 2011; look for announcements soon.

Jordyn Woodhams, recipient of a Marco Gandolfi viola, donated by Sandy Robbins, from the AVS Viola Bank

Receiving this viola on loan is a miracle to me! I am so grateful for it! Practicing had become a chore to me because I could no longer make progress using my former instrument. I’m looking forward to the musical growth this instrument will allow me to achieve. I cannot adequately express my thanks to the American Viola Society for loaning this wonder ful viola to me! – Jordyn Woodhams

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