Violin Adventures - Kickstarter news, upcoming concerts, and more!

December 30, 2012 at 7:29 AM

PLEASE VOTE FOR ME!
The Chicago Music Awards has nominated me for Best Classical Entertainer (Category 7). Please click here to vote by December 31. Thanks!

LAST CHANCE TO BE PART OF MY NEXT ALBUM ON KICKSTARTER!

Cedille Records, one of the world’s premiere audiophile labels, is releasing my next concerto album, Mendelssohn and Schumann violin concertos with the Göttinger Symphonie Orchester. Seven-time Grammy winner Steven Epstein was the producer. The sessions went so well that we were able to add additional repertoire, both Beethoven Romances! The album is scheduled for release in fall 2013.

Sales of classical recordings, especially albums that involve orchestras, rarely if ever cover their production costs. Capturing and preserving the music of today’s great artists can only be done with the generous support of donors. Sales of downloads and CDs cover only 20% of the expenses at Cedille Records, so they rely on charitable contributions to produce their releases. Cedille is using traditional fundraising methods as well as this Kickstarter campaign to support my project, and we’re very excited about the opportunity that technology provides to share my music with a larger audience, to engage more supporters and to make classical music more accessible.

Cedille is hoping to raise $10,000 through Kickstarter, 12.5% of the projected $80,000 budget, to ensure that this project can be completed. Please visit our Kickstarter page to learn more about the project and about the special gifts you'll receive for each pledge level - starting at just $10.

The campaign concludes on December 31, and will only be funded if we reach our goal. Cedille is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, so your donation is fully tax-deductible. There are just two days left, and we’re almost there!

PLEASE CONSIDER THE REB FOUNDATION FOR YOUR YEAR-END GIVING
Your help is so important for the Rachel Elizabeth Barton Foundation’s support of young string players. Scroll down to read our newsletter. Make your donation online or by printing out our donation form. Thank you very much!

2012 KARL HAAS PRIZE FOR MUSIC EDUCATION
I’m very honored to have been commended for my work in music education by being awarded the Karl Haas Prize by the Klassix Society, joining former recipients Michael Tilson Thomas, Christopher O’Riley, Peter Van De Graaff, and more. Click here to read the press release.

NEW INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT
I’m very pleased to announce that International Creative Artists is now my representative for all of the world except North America. Click here to read the press release. Melvin Kaplan, Inc., continues to represent me for North America.

UPCOMING CONCERTS
January 12 – Sibelius Concerto with the Sacramento Philharmonic
January 13 – Chausson Concerto at the Chamber Music Society of Sacramento
January 19 – Mendelssohn Concerto with the New Mexico Philharmonic
January 27 – Paganini 24 Caprices in Washington, DC
Click here for more information and complete tour dates through August.

THREE CHANCES TO JOIN ME AT SUMMER CAMPS
I will be on the faculty of three different camps this year:
July 14-20 at the Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp near Kansas City
July 21-24 at Le Domaine Forget in Quebec
July 29 – August 4 at the Jink and Diddle School of Scottish Fiddling in North Carolina
I hope you’re able to attend!

VIOLIN ADVENTURES PODCAST IS RESUMING
My podcast, “Violin Adventures,” is resuming on Tuesday, January 1. Subscribe on iTunes or access it directly from the blog page. Watch for a new episode every two weeks, and be sure to send in your questions to be answered on “Inquiries from my Inbox.”

FAREWELL TO PROFESSOR SCHOLZ
Professor Werner Scholz, with whom I studied in Berlin in the early 1990’s, has passed away at age 86. Professor Scholz was a student of a student of Joseph Joachim, the friend and collaborator of Brahms. It was a privilege to know him and study with him, and he will be truly missed. Read the tribute on violinist.com.

NEWS FROM THE REB FOUNDATION

Dear Friends,

As supporters of the Rachel Elizabeth Barton (REB) Foundation, you are on the forefront of addressing the missing link between talented young string players and their ability to achieve their dreams.

Now in our 11th year, we have some amazing success stories to share, as many of our recipients have transitioned from talented students to young artists on the brink of their careers to becoming fully established professional string players.

One of our first Instrument Loan Program recipients, Eric Nowlin, received the use of a 1700 Gofriller viola in 2004. An instrument of this quality allowed him to fully express his artistry, leading to his receiving Second Prize in the prestigious 2006 Naumburg Competition. He subsequently won the position as Associate Principal Violist with the Toronto Symphony, giving him a steady income which enabled him to purchase a high-quality viola of his own. In addition to playing in the symphony, Eric is also on the faculty of the University of Toronto and is the violist of the New Orford String Quartet, one of the most acclaimed young ensembles in Canada. We are proud to have played an important role in helping to launch Eric’s exciting career.

Eric’s relationship with the REB Foundation continues … as one of our generous patrons! The modern viola that Eric played during his college years is on loan through the REB Foundation to Bora Kim, a talented teenage violist. We look forward to watching Bora’s career as she continues to grow and develop.

The 1700 Gofriller viola that Eric once played is now on loan to Matthew Lipman, one of the most gifted young violists of his generation, Only 20 years old, Matthew already has a biography filled with awards and performances that would be impressive for someone twice his age. In 2012 alone, he won First Prize at the Washington International Competition, Stulberg International Competition, Juilliard Concerto Competition, and the First and Grand Prize at the 2012 WAMSO Young Artist Competition. Matthew has soloed with numerous orchestras and has performed at Ravinia, Music@Menlo, and with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. He also appears as a guest artist on Itzhak Perlman’s new album “Eternal Echoes.”

Matthew’s background is an unlikely one for such an accomplished young artist. He grew up on the far south side of the Chicagoland area and began viola lessons in public school in the fourth grade. His talent and hard work quickly caught the attention of the music world and led to scholarships for his lessons. Matthew’s father currently works part-time for minimum wage and his mother is dealing with serious health issues. In addition to being supported by the REB Foundation’s Instrument Loan Program, Matthew has also been a recipient of our Grants for Education and Career, which helps him with costs that neither his family nor his scholarships could cover. Some of these expenses have included instrument maintenance, airfare to concerts and competitions, sheet music purchase, and audition recording sessions.

There are so many more stories to share: violinist Karla Donehew-Perez is currently playing in the Catalyst Quartet; violinist Joanna Frankel is the new concertmaster of the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra in Durban, South Africa; double bassist Henry Chen joined the faculty of Ball State University… the list goes on. Thanks to our generous supporters, the REB Foundation has helped so many young artists. With your help, we look forward to continuing our important work for many years to come.

The number of applications we receive from deserving young string players increases every year. That’s why we’re counting on your generosity now more than ever. Donations to a worthy cause can be the perfect gift for your loved ones. As you consider your year-end charitable giving, please remember the Rachel Elizabeth Barton Foundation, which is enhancing the lives of so many young musicians. The future of classical music depends on supporting talented students and young professional musicians during the early, formative years of their development. With your help, these young artists will inspire the next generations as they provide the world with many years of beautiful music. Your gift is truly the gift of a lifetime.

Sincerely,

Rachel Barton Pine, President

P.S. You may direct your gift either to our general fund or to one of our specific programs. Thank you. . . and best wishes for healthy and happy holidays!

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