Mountainside Chamber Music Programs

CELLO FOCUS and CHAMBER STRINGS

10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY !

Jeff Faragher and Olivia Walsh

Cello Focus Group 2023

Jeff Faragher and Mike Vandersloot at Cello Focus Faculty Concert 2023

CELLO FOCUS

June 7-9, 2024

"MUSICAL EXPRESSION."

Director and Cellist, Jeff Faragher is pleased to announce that he will be joined by kelowna Cellist and teacher Olivia Walsh for Cello Focus 2024. Olivia participated in Cello Focus 8 years ago and we are very excited to have her join us again this year!

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Go deeper into the realm of tone and further develop your cello sound. Building on the fundamentals of vibrato, explore the many other tools cellists use to create a wide range of tonal colours. Cellists Jeff Faragher and Olivia Walsh will guide this 3 day intensive workshop where they will discuss the foundational and subtle elements of tone such as bow usage, intonational clarity as well as cover basic and further vibrato techniques. The course will include instruction, practice and implementation in repertoire that will ensure the solid understanding of the techniques. The workshop will benefit those new to these concepts and cellists looking to bring their playing to a more advanced level through developing a richer, fuller and more intentional pallet of sound

We will be working on 3 pieces (see below) to apply the techniques and instruction we will be learning over the weekend. See Registration page for sheet music. Once you register your part will be assigned. It is important that you know your part well and are familiar with the score so your full focus will be on applying learned material.

Sessions will be arranged according to levels of experience so that each cellist will have their own needs addressed. Together Jeff & Olivia will guide the participants through an enjoyable and enriching cello journey.

We encourage all cellists within the early to late Intermediate levels. Adults and youth ages 13+

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

FRIDAY: 4:00-7:30 PM ( 30 min supper break)

SATURDAY: 9:00-4:00 ( 60 min lunch)

7:30-9 Faculty Concert

SUNDAY: 9:45-1 (15 min break)

Have a listen to the 3 pieces we will play to improve our musical expression!

Community is welcome to attend the inspiring concert by Faculty on July 11, 2023

CHAMBER STRINGS

July 8-12, 2024

This intensive and stimulating 5-day program is for String players wanting to enrich their music studies while playing w/other enthusiastic students/players of Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass.

Daily activities include partaking in string orchestra, sectionals, and a smaller chamber group. Once final registrations are recieved, players will be assigned a seat in the orchestra and placed in a string trio or quartet that best matches their level and experience based on questions answered on the registration form. Orchestra, sectionals and chamber groups are coached daily by our skilled faculty and additional time is given and encouraged for groups to play on their own. This stimulating program also offers one private lesson, a fabulous faculty concert, Fiddle Fun clinic, Picnic by the Lake, sight reading session(s) and a celebration with our final student concert.

Intermediate to Advanced Students Adult (13+

Recommended RCM grade 6 or Equivalent

FACULTY include Cellists Jeff Faragher and Olivia Walsh with Cvetozar Vutev (violin & viola) and Martine den Bok (violin and viola) . We are joined also joined Brie Hurlbert (Fiddle).

Our Faculty consist of professional musicians and excellent quality instructors of their instruments. They will all work closely with our students daily during the Chamber Strings week offering small ensemble coaching, orchestral conducting, warm-ups, sectionals, and private lessons (one 45' lesson per registrant)

ADVANCE PREPARATION

It is essential that all participants make the time before arriving at camp on Monday to learn your parts. If your part is either too challenging or way too easy please contact Sue once the music is sent out. Sometimes easier parts can give you an opportunity to master the music and spend time at camp refining the elements of ensemble playing. The goal of the coaching in ensembles is to focus on playing as an ensemble so it is important to know your part well. Time will be available during the week for further practice individually as well as with your small ensembles. Each afternoon after ensemble coaching with a faculty member, it is strongly suggested that you commit to spending some additional time with your ensemble once the structured activities are done for the day. When Lessons are happening ensembles can practice with players who are available with good success and interesting learning on how parts fit together.

MUSIC

Click link here to go to Registration page to sign up and or to view the sheet music for the Orchestra and have a listen to you-tube videos of the music we will be playing. Specific parts will be assigned by May 17th (the latest). Parts for small ensembles will be assigned and announced by May 17th once registration is complete.

FINAL SCHEDULE (TBA)

In a nutshell the daily Schedule includes morning orchestra (1.5 hr) and sectionals (30 min). Afternoon schedule includes smaller chamber groups (1.5 hr) lessons and lots of additional practice time alone or with your ensembles. There is a wonderful Faculty concert and a Fiddle Fun night and we end the week with the final student concert on Friday afternoon.

Luthier- Ross Hill from AEOLIAN STRINGS in Calgary will be on site during the chamber week and available for re-hairings, minor repairs, retail sales of instruments, bows, strings, and other accessories.

CAMP LOCATION

NELSON CONVENANT CHURCH

702 Stanley St. Nelson, BC

There are SEVERAL coaching, rehearsal, and practice spaces for students to enjoy all day and all week! Space will be available for practice from 8 am to 5pm. Arrangements can be made for earlier or later hours.