Pre-existing chamber groups are encouraged to participate. Individual players will be formed into groups at the festival. The festival is open to High School string players.
Participating students will also have the opportunity to hear the Florida ASTA with NSOA 2004 Solo Competition Winners concert, which will be held on December 5th, at 3:00 pm in Clarke Hall. Winners are eligible to advance to the regional and national competitions. The University of Miami’s Strings for Kid’s Preparatory Program will also give a Gala Concert on December 6th in Clarke Hall.
The University of Miami String Faculty is well known for excellence in performance and teaching. The Bergonzi String Quartet (comprised of faculty members Glenn Basham, Scott Flavin, Pamela McConnell, and Ross Harbough) has made numerous recordings and will perform in Carnegie Hall in November of 2003. They have also been recognized by ASTA for their contributions to string education in the state. Pamela McConnell chairs the University’s String Department, Strings for Kids, as well as ASTA’s State Competition. In addition to teaching viola at the University, she is also Principal Violist of the Miami Bach Society and the Miami Chamber Symphony. Glenn Basham, professor of violin, has been recognized by ASTA for his leadership in the field of string jazz education. He is a member of the International Association of Jazz Educators and is the chair of Extreme Strings, held at the Frost School of Music. In addition, he is concertmaster of the Naples Philharmonic. Ross Harbaugh, cello professor, is Principal Cellist of the Miami Bach Society and the Miami Chamber Symphony. As president of the Florida Cello Club he is a regular clinician in the United States and presented a workshop entitled “Tai Chi and Cello Playing” at the 7th American Cello Congress in Tempe, AZ. Scott Flavin, violin professor, is concertmaster of the Florida Classical Orchestra, Florida Grand Opera and the Miami Bach Society. He is a recording artist in great demand. Kevin Mauldin is the principal bassist of the Naples Symphony and the bass professor at the University of Miami. He has a broad background as a classical and jazz bassist and has made several recordings. Robert Rozek, violin professor, maintains an active performance and recording career in the United State and Europe. He has served as concertmaster of the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra and the Winterthur Orchestra and has studied with Ivan Galamian and Nathan Milstein.
The faculty looks forward to working with young string students from all over the state, and to providing all participants with a unique and exciting educational experience.
Individual and group coachings will refine technical, musical and interpersonal skills required for making great chamber music. The Festival will include two bonus jazz improvisation sessions with artist faculty Glenn Basham, and a final Gala concert. A bass ensemble, unique to the festival, will be coached by artist faculty Kevin Mauldin. Concerts by the Florida ASTA Solo Competition Winners and students in UM Strings for Kids will also be included in the festival.