Story Published:
Jun 1, 2010 at 4:14 PM CST
Story Updated:
Jun 1, 2010 at 4:14 PM CST
Cookeville welcomes some 90 high school musicians for the 16th annual Southeast Chamber Music Institute May 30 through June 4 and celebrates them with several evenings of professional chamber musical performances.
The institute is held at the campus of Tennessee Tech University for a week each summer. Throughout the week, young instrumentalists rehearse in chamber groups of string quartets, brass quintets, wind quintets and a jazz combo. TTU faculty members provide coaching and individual musical instruction.
In addition, students learn about music composition with TTU’s composer-in-residence Greg Danner.
Michaela Cundari, a junior at Station Camp High School, attended the institute last year and is returning because the institute is a wonderful opportunity for young musicians wishing to develop their skills. “Last year, besides making a ton of new friends, I learned how to play in a chamber ensemble. I also loved staying on the TTU campus!"
The “Summer Evenings of Chamber Music” concert series is presented as part of the institute. Each evening, a different professional chamber group will be featured. The concert series is free and open to the public. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. in Wattenbarger Auditorium of the Bryan Fine Arts Building.
Summer Evenings of Chamber Music schedule:
Monday, May 31 The Cumberland Quintet performs some favorite original quintets and arrangements, including a Divertimento by Haydn and music by Stephen Sondheim. The group begins its 38th year as an ensemble. Current members are Roger Martin, flute; William Woodworth, oboe; Anne Thurmond, clarinet; James Lotz, bassoon; and Jeremy Hansen, horn.
Tuesday, June 1 The Brass Arts Quintet again presents an entertaining and informative program of works from all eras of music. This concert features the world premiere of Joshua Hauser’s arrangement of “Sweet Georgia Brown.” Members include Charles Decker and Chris McCormick, trumpet; Greg Danner, horn; Joshua Hauser, trombone; and Winston Morris, tuba.
Wednesday, June 2 Faculty Strings features Wei Tsun Chang, violin; Idalynn Besser, viola; Dan Allcott, cello; and Catherine Godes, piano. Music will include pieces by Rachmaninov, Paganini and Debussy.
Thursday, June 3 Faculty Jazz promises to present an exciting mix of jazz favorites. The group features Phil Barham, saxophone; Chris McCormick, trumpet; Lonnie Breland, piano; Mark Smith, bass; and Eric Willie, drums.
The institute’s students perform the chamber music they have prepared on Friday, June 4. These concerts are also free and open to the public. They begin at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Wattenbarger Auditorium.
Contact Anne Thurmond at 931-372-6087 for more information.
