SUNY Fredonia School of Music

Full day of activities begins at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, in Mason Hall for the Fifth Annual String Experience at SUNY Fredonia's School of Music. THE STRING EXPERIENCE is a seminar for high school violinists, violists, cellists and bassists that brings you in contact with Fredonia's string faculty.

Young musicians will be given the chance to improve performance and practice techniques, interact with other string players, and attend a recital with our distinguished faculty artists. Participants will work in small sessions with conservatory-trained Fredonia faculty, developing performance skills, working on issues of stage fright and the audition process, improving technical skills such as shifting, intonation, tone production, and more.

The atmosphere is designed to be a fun, supportive learning environment for students.

This year’s special guests will be area music educators Steve Thomas (Amherst Central High School), Doug Shaw (Clarence High School), and Shana Stewart (Penfield High School). They will join SUNY Fredonia faculty in a panel discussion on “Careers in Music & the Audition Process,” exploring topics such as preparing for auditions, orchestral and solo careers in music, teaching in the public school, teaching at the university level, Baroque and Early music opportunities, and more. Mr. Thomas, Mr. Shaw and Ms. Stewart will also perform as soloists in Handel’s Concerto Grosso, part of the final concert, and will join SUNY Fredonia string faculty in talking with participants, parents and teachers at the post-concert reception.

For a complete list of upcoming events, visit www.fredonia.edu/music

Now in its fifth year, Double Reed Day at SUNY Fredonia takes place Sunday, Nov. 1, for Middle and High School oboists and bassoonists who will work with the double reed faculty members Sarah Hamilton and Mark Dubois (oboe) and Laura Koepke (bassoon) in a supportive and encouraging atmosphere.

This year, Double Reed Day welcomes special guest artist Danna Sundet (oboe, oboe d'amore, English horn), principal oboe with the Erie Philharmonic and Cleveland's Trinity Chamber Orchestra.Fifth Annual Double Reed Day

The day will include: masterclasses focusing on both solo performing and the techniques of playing, reedmaking classes focusing on how to adjust reeds so they will work more easily and successfully; coached double reed chamber music reading sessions and a final double reed ensemble performance conducted by Dr. Paula Holcomb, Director of Bands at SUNY Fredonia.

Participants will have the opportunity to visit exhibitors that will be on-site, including Carlos Coelho Woodwinds and Miller Marketing, who will have double reed instruments, double reed music, and supplies available for sale.

Also available will be free double reed repair by woodwind repair technician Brenda Small, professional woodwind repair technician and oboist. Originally from WNY, Brenda studied oboe privately with Rodney Pierce and went on to Ithaca College as an oboe performance major. Her business, Small Musical Services, is located in Buffalo. She has been repairing all types of instruments and has been a member of NAPBIRT (National Association of Musical Instrument Repair Technicians) for over 20 years.

The Registration Fee is $20 and includes lunch on campus. Parents and teachers are welcome to attend at no charge. The deadline for applications is October 15. Applicants received after this date will be accepted on a space available basis. A brochure and registration form is available online at www.fredonia.edu/music/community/drd.asp .

Private teachers and high school music teachers are welcome to bring groups of students … please contact Jennifer Darrell-Sterbak in the SUNY Fredonia School of Music at 673-3686 or email sterbajd@fredonia.edu .

For a complete list of upcoming events, visit www.fredonia.edu/music

The second Brown Bag Lecture in the College of Arts & Humanities will bring to life the thrills, chills, and backstage events involved in mounting an opera. The panel discussion entitled, “Putting It Together: The Art and Scholarship of Staging La Bohème,” will showcase selections from the opera set to open on November 12th on campus in Marvel Theatre. The talk will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 4, noon, in Diers Recital Hall in Mason Hall (this is a new location for the series).

The SUNY Fredonia School of Music Rosch Musical Art Series will present its fourth annual collaborative concert with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) on Friday, October 30, at 8 p.m. in King Concert Hall on the SUNY Fredonia campus.  The world-class symphony will be led by JoAnn Falletta, acclaimed by The New York Times as “one of the finest conductors of her generation.” YouTube carries an interview with Natasha Farny.

Tuesday, Oct. 20, In the second of a four-concert series, “The Complete Works of Beethoven for Violin and Piano,” violin professor Maureen Yuen joins forces with piano professor Sean Duggan. Part three of the series will be presented on Wednesday, November 1, and the final concert of the series will be on Sunday, January 31, 2010.