JAVS Spring 2024

From the President

Jaime Laredo. This spring, we will also launch our second Educator Mini-Grant program, designed specifically to support teachers. If you have pedagogy training you would like to pursue or need funding for a studio project, be sure to apply! Over the past forty years, the Journal of the American Viola Society has grown from a simple mimeographed newsletter into a full-featured research journal. There have been many milestones along the way, including the addition of an online issue, and last year, a browsable digital archive with all issues available on the AVS website. Through it all, the JAVS continues to deliver a high standard of viola research, news, events, and more directly to your mailbox (or inbox). This year, the AVS celebrates forty years of the J ournal of the American Viola Society (1984-2024) by going FULL COLOR ! The summer online issue has been in full color since its inception, but starting with this issue, all print issues will be in full color as well. To me, full color printing is a beautiful metaphor for the great diversity of our membership—including teachers, students, amateurs, professionals, orchestral players, chamber musicians, luthiers, and aficionados from a broad variety of backgrounds, all united in our love of the viola. That also means we want the JAVS to represent you. If there is a topic you would like to see in the JAVS or if you are interested in submitting your own research or writing, please let our team know at editor@ americanviolasociety.org. Congratulations to all JAVS editors and staff, past and present, whose work has contributed to this tremendous milestone. Here’s to forty more years! In addition to celebrating the legacy of our journal, I’m sure you will enjoy the contents of this first full-color issue. In feature articles, Caroline Castleton provides a fascinating look at a favorite violist composer, Rebecca Clarke, and Sami Seif introduces Shibho Llhaw , his new viola concerto based on an ancient Aramaic hymn—with the score is now available in the “Scores’’ section of the AVS website! We are also proud to present feature articles by two David Dalton Viola Research Competition winners, Gabriel Forero and Catherine Ziegler. Thank you so much for supporting the AVS through your membership and donations. They are both vital to making all of these events and initiatives – from the AVS Festival to the Greenroom events to the journal – possible. If you are enjoying your membership, please tell a colleague, student, or friend. We are stronger together!

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Warmest greetings during this coldest time of year! Although a polar vortex is currently bringing frigid temperatures to many of us throughout the country—including Texas, where I’m based— spring will be on the horizon by the time you receive this, and we’ll be looking forward to warming weather and making plans for summer travel and fun.

This summer, I hope you’re planning to join us at the 2024 American Viola Society Festival and Primrose International Viola Competition ! On June 19-22, emerging viola stars from all over the world will gather at the Colburn School in Los Angeles to compete in the Primrose, while the AVS presents a concurrent four-day festival filled with presentations, recitals, masterclasses, workshops, exhibits, competitions, and much more. I’m getting excited just thinking about the knowledge, inspiration, and camaraderie I take home from every AVS Festival I attend – not to mention the festival swag, sheet music, and other vendor purchases crammed into my suitcase! A combined AVS Festival/PIVC won’t be held again until 2030, so don’t miss this incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in the best of viola performance, research, pedagogy, and community. This event will also be especially meaningful as it is dedicated to the memory of David Dalton, a leading light of the viola world for over 50 years. Registration is open on the AVS website, and early registration discounts end April 1. I look forward to seeing you there! This has been a busy season indeed at the AVS. While our festival team has been occupied with festival planning and Primrose Competition pre-screening, other AVS board committees are working to select winners for the 2025 AVS Presents recording call and collect nominations for the 2024-27 AVS board cohort. We also enjoyed a wonderful January AVS Greenroom with Masumi Rostad and host Steven Tenenbom. Please be sure to explore the incredible library of past AVS Greenroom conversations on our website and look for announcements of future special guests such as Antoine Tamestit and Advertiser Index Anderson Musical Instrument Insurance Solutions. . . . . . . IBC AntiquusStrings.....................38 AVS History & Reference Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Connolly Music Company/Thomastik-Infeld. . . . . . . . . BC

Yours in alto clef,

Ames Asbell President

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Journal of the American Viola Society / Vol. 40, No. 1, Spring 2024