A Violist's Vacation

Clay Pipkin: Acoustical Engineering & Music Major, Violist.

1.6 Billion people, about 25% of the world's population, don't have access to clean water- that's five times the population of the United States of America. More people die from unsafe water than from all forms of violence, including war.

On January 7th 2010, I lead an Engineers Without Borders assessment/ implementation trip with ten of my peers and four professors to a small village in Abheypur, India. For the majority of the students travelling, it their first time seeing poverty beyond that of what is seen in America.

-before EWB, this pump was the primary source of drinking water for the villagers. Women would wait in line for hours hoping for electricity to power the pump. If the power cut out before they got their share, they were out of luck.

Throughout history, NGO's and other help groups have gone into countries and communities trying to make a difference, but often do more dammage than actual good. An example would be Goodwill in the late 1970's. They offered a massive donation of clothing to various communities in Kenya. It sounds great that they could offer goods to people in need, however in doing so, they destroyed an entire clothing and farming industry.

EWB works towards trying to make sure our projects have a lasting and sustainable impact.

I'll post again sometime soon telling more about what happened on my specific trip, how we ensure our projects are sustainable, and how I felt about the work I was doing.

In the meantime, check out last year's video:

http://vimeo.com/5011683

Orchestra Rep schedule Spring 2010

The Spring Semester Rep Class will be focused by different techniques that are required to skillfully demonstrate in an audition:  bow techniques such as spiccatto, legato; how to maximize intonation; rhythm, and psychological techniques for the audition boot camp.  Students are required to obtain the Don Greene book "Performing Under Pressure."

Orch rep schedule Spring 2010

Jan 25:  legato:  Brahms 3 and Tchaikovsky 4

Feb 1:  legato: Ravel: Daphnis and Chloe

Feb 8:  fakey spicatto: a review of last semesters spiccato excerpts: Mendelssohn Scherzo, Brahms Haydn Variation 5

Feb 15: “real” spiccatto:  Mozart Haffner

Feb 22: string crossing nightmares:  Mozart Haffner

Mar 1: rhythmic issues: Daphnis and Chloe; how to practice sightreading

Mar 8: midterm, friendly audition

March 22: intonation: Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2

March 29: intonation (high): Heldenleben

April 5: Don Greene drills

April 12: mock audition (internal) using Don Greene techniques

April 19: more drills: spiccato under pressure, legato under pressure

April 26: yearly review for scary mock audition final

May 3: FINAL MOCK AUDITION

The Traveling Violist

Nerdy Violist-

For those of us who have to fly with our violas this winter, where can we find that handy piece of paper that says we are allowed to carry on our instruments?

Intonation Device

How about this kids... turn that plodding intonation work into a Guitar-Hero-like video game!!

http://intonia.com/index.shtml

Download the demo!!  Have fun.....

Ear Plugs

Hey All,
So being in the viola section in orchestra as we all know is extremely loud. Thanks is large part to our lovely friends in the brass section and even more specifically the trumpets. I want to buy some ear plugs does anyone have any suggestions for a specific brand or style that works best for orchestra playing. Love
Gabe

Viola Ensemble!!!!

There is nothing better, and I mean nothing, than the dulcet sounds of 14-16 violists playing the light classics.  It just shows viola versatility!!  We are an inner voice, an outer voice, a bass voice, a soaring melody, the rhythm section, a dessert sauce, a lethal weapon.....

Doing arrangements of things for instruments other than for what was originally written is an age-old tradition.  Even Berlioz would substitute instruments, back in the day.  As violists, if we ever want to get a shot at some of the great melodies, we have to take matters into our own hands!!!  All my students are required to do a transcription.  It can be anything from Van Halen to Van Beethoven, as long as it features the viola in some way.  This week, I'm working on the Radetzky March for the viola ensemble.  Requisite clapping will be achieved by audience members, or each violist slapping his/her stand partner upside the head with their bow.

Fingering "rules"

The following are a few rules that define how I am going to create fingerings.  Keep in mind, some rules supercede others, and the number ONE golden rule is:  You must shift according to your best strengths.  That however does not give you free permission to avoid your fourth finger!!

These will be added onto...but to get you started:

Some rules for fingering:

1. avoid shift in the middle of a tie/slur
2. only cross strings in a tie if its appropriate with the phrase
3. its better to stay on same string during a phrase, EXCEPT when it makes you sound bad
4. first position is always a safe position 
5. use ritards, string changes, open strings and slurs to hide your shift
   

Cold Hands

Dear Nerdy Violist
I have really cold hands all the time. Any suggestions for warming them up and keeping them warm.
Gabe

Orchestra Rep Class Repertoire and Schedule Fall 09

Orchestral Repertoire Class/ Audition Boot Camp mission:

The hour-long weekly Orchestra Repertoire Class prepares junior and senior undergrad and graduate students for professional orchestra auditions. Each week, one to two different excerpts are assigned. These are often coordinated with actual professional auditions that you may be taking. Every aspect of the orchestral repertoire is explored from bowings, tempi, fingerings and dynamics, to sight-reading techniques, to being an active and contributing orchestral musician. The psychological aspect of auditioning is given equal emphasis, with exercises given on how to be flexible during an audition, nutrition and sleep preparation, and how to prepare mentally for any stressful contingency. Mock auditions take place as mid-term and final exams, and once a year students participate in the “Audition Boot Camp” which utilizes techniques from the United States Navy SEALS and sports psychologists. Students participate in exercises created by Don Greene, author of books such as “Audition Success” “Fight Your Fear and Win” and “Performing Under Pressure.”

Fall 2009 Rep: (may be subject to change)

9/14 Beethoven 5 (mvmt 2,3); Mendelssohn Scherzo
9/21 Mendelssohn Scherzo; Tchaikovsky 6 (mvmt 1)
9/28 Shostakovich 5 (mvmt 1, viola section solo); Beethoven 3 (scherzo)
10/5 Brahms Haydn Variations V, VII, VIII
10/12 the dreaded Don Juan
10/19 Mozart 35 "Haffner" (complete)
10/26 MIDTERM.....FRIENDLY MOCK AUDITION
11/2 Tannhauser
11/9 Berlioz Roman Carnival; Bruckner 4 (mvmt 2)
11/16 Magic Flute; audition centering exercises
11/23 Mendelssohn Italian Symphony 4 (complete)
11/30 Brahms 2 (complete)
12/7 review and focusing exercises
12/14 FINALS...AKA UNFRIENDLY WORST CASE SCENARIO AUDITION

I'll email the music a week in advance, feel free to get it even earlier on your own. I'll try to have a complete book made before midterms.

Welcome to the new school year!!

Hello everyone! I am SO excited to meet and work with all of you. For those of you that did the Hartt Orchestra placement auditions today, great job! and boy we have work to do don't we!?!

No worries...it'll be good for you...like vegetables.

I found this great link- the blog author is obviosly a violist. Enjoy, and start researching for our viola ensemble concerts!

freestringmusic.blogspot.com