Sometimes you have one of those weeks where you are so busy that you just have to do the work, and discuss it later! This has been one of those weeks!
On Wednesday, February 19th, I had the privilege of hosting the 4th annual Aaron Copland School of Music Viola Day at Queens College, CUNY. There were about 3 dozen violists (Middle School, High School, College & Graduate students, Professional and Amateur Violists) from all over the New York Metropolitan area (including two people from New Jersey). Several current students from Queens College as well as a couple of alumni were on hand. I was blown away by the level of commitment of our students from Queens College who were steadfast in their efforts.
Additionally, in case you missed the link, the YouTube link from Wednesday’s concert is here:
I am attaching a copy of the concert program for you to follow along!
I am attaching a copy of the concert program for you to follow along, if you would like! The first half of the concert begins with the second movement of ACSM Professor Emeritus Joel Mandelbaum’s Sonata for Viola and Piano, with my colleague Javor Bracic as my collaborator on piano. The program continues with several viola students (and recent alumnus on Garth Knox’s Marin Marais Variations…) in performance; and concludes with the Junior Viola Ensemble, followed by the Intergenerational Viola Ensemble, and then the two groups combined!
As soon as Viola Day concluded, I was onto the next major project of the week, which was preparing for today’s Parlando Concert (at 3pm in Merkin Hall near Lincoln Center). I am honored to be working with several amazing colleagues- where we will be performing Ralph Vaughan Williams’s Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis (where I am honored to play some really juicy viola solos), Bryce Dessner’s Aheym, and Olivier Messiaen’s Trois petites liturgies de la prèsence divine, with Suzanne Farrin playing the note-often-heard ondes martenot (an electronic keyboard instrument that sounds a bit like a theremin at times, giving a sort of extraterrestrial feel), and Sophiko Simsive on piano. Parlando’s concerts are always a spectacular event, and this one certainly won’t disappoint if you are able to make it. For details about the concert please visit https://www.parlandonyc.org/events.
Life begins to return to “normal” tomorrow, but I am looking forward to savoring today’s performance!
Gregory K. Williams 