AMBASSADOR
American Suzuki Talent Education Center
University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point
College of Fine Arts and Communication
November 2004
Changing lives by providing the best in performance,
creativity, and expression
6. Following the recital, take the time to tell the
musicians just what you liked about the performance.
One quick vocabulary hint, instrumental numbers are
referred to as pieces, where as vocal numbers are called
songs.
From the Director’s Desk
By Dee Martz
ASTEC teachers carefully explain and rehearse all
aspects of the recitals to the performers. In addition to
preparing the music, each student knows what to wear,
how to bow and where to stand or sit. The performers
are ready for the concert experience, at least the
experience that they have while on the stage. What
about the people in the audience? Who prepares them?
How are they to know just what kind of behavior is
expected at a concert? How can they tell just when to
applaud or when it is okay to leave?
I hope that this information will help you to be more
comfortable when you attend concerts. Following these
pointers will help performers and listeners enjoy the live
music experience together.
The world of music is filled with traditions and
expectations. I have made a brief list of some of these to
help you feel more comfortable at concerts.
Chamber Music Weekend
Applications for this year’s Chamber Music Weekend
have been mailed to those students who fit the program
criteria. Applicants must be 11-14 year’s old. String
students must be in Book 4 or above, and piano students
must be in the last piece of Book 3 or above. The event
will be held January 21-22, 2005, and requires a
commitment from the participants to be in attendance
from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm on Friday, January 21st, and
from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm on Saturday, January
22nd. Remember that applications must be returned on or
before Monday, November 8th.
l. Arrive early, find your seat and get ready to enjoy the
whole concert.
2. Whenever someone is performing, be absolutely quiet
and stay in your seat. It is just fine to talk quietly between
performers.
3. If you must leave before the concert is over, do so
only between pieces. It is permissible to leave while
someone is actually performing only in the case of a
crying baby or a very disturbing cough.
4. Greet the performers with applause as they enter the
stage. Show your appreciation for the performance by
applauding after the completion of the piece. In the case
of a performer who plays more than one movement from
the same composition, it is traditional to wait to applaud
until all the movements have been completed.
Voila Viola
By Dee Martz
5. At professional concerts, it is not acceptable to take
photographs or to video or audio tape the performance.
However at school concerts and ASTEC recitals, this is
all right. Make sure to wait until the very last note to take
any pictures with a flash as the light will disturb the
performers ability to concentrate.
I just listened to a fabulous recording called Romantic
Fantasies for Viola. The liner notes state that in her
search for unpublished repertoire for viola Jutta
Puchhammer-Sedillot encountered two German romantic
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among 15 other serious contestants playing strings,
piano and woodwinds from around the state. Her special
award will be to perform as soloist, performing
Symphonie Espagnole by Lalo, with the Madison
Symphony at the Youth Concert in the new Overture
Center in Madison on November 23rd.
fantasies and this led to the production of this CD which
includes works by Carl Reinecke, Philipp Sharwenka,
Joseph Joachim and Robert Fuchs.
Although these works are not among the most important
in the viola literature I do recommend this particular CD
for families that want more viola music in their
home. With the wealth of important 20th Century viola
music that challenges the listener with music that
includes complex rhythms and unfamiliar harmonies I
think that it is important to identify some listening
opportunities that include music that is warm and inviting.
With this particular CD the listener is surrounded by rich
viola sounds and lyric romantic writing. You can order
this and many other viola CD’s online at places such as
amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, or cdnow.com.
Ami started violin at age three in a Suzuki program in
Nagoya, Japan. In 1998 her family moved to Madison
where she continued her study with Maria Rosa Germain,
and then with Kyoko Fuller. For some time Ami enjoyed
the ASTEC Marathon with her brother, Keisuke, until they
both joined the Madison Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Ami was also a member of the Dolce Strings for several
years. She was chosen to be a member of the 2002
National Suzuki Teacher’s Conference Youth Orchestra
in Minneapolis.
Happy listening.
Other activities that Ami enjoys include tennis and
swimming. She also studies piano, plays flute with the
school band, and sings in the choir at Winniquah Middle
School. At home she continues to work on Japanese
studies. One of the judges of the Madison competition
wrote to her, “you had excellent energy!” And that is the
way Ami conducts her daily life.
Notes from the Endpin
By Lawrence Leviton
On December 3rd, we will be having our first ever
combined ASTEC-UWSP Cello Choir concert! The
concert will take place in Michelsen Hall. This is going to
be an exciting concert; it will include music from the
classical era, lovely arrangements of Suzuki pieces, and
a little bit of the “blues” thrown in. In addition, we will be
joined by voice students of Mary Hofer in a piece for cello
choir and vocal ensemble. Mary Hofer will also join us for
a solo performance of the exquisite Pie Jesu from Gabriel
Faure’s Requiem.
Faculty News
Lawrence Leviton, Dee Martz and Thomas Yang
assisted Catalin Rotaru, double-bass, in his faculty recital
on October 6th.
Student News
We will be rehearsing for this concert at the next
Marathon on November 20th so be sure to attend that day.
We will also have a dress rehearsal in Michelsen Hall on
December 2nd at 6:30. Please mark these dates on your
calendar.
Kelley Rolak was a member of the Wisconsin All-State
Middle School Honors Orchestra. They performed at the
Wisconsin Music Teachers’ Convention on Saturday, Oct.
30.
The following ASTEC students were winners at the
Central Wisconsin State Fair Fiddle Contest held Sept. 6,
2004:
Student Wins Madison Youth Concerto Competition
By Kyoko Fuller
Under 12 category:
Laura Josephson - 1st place
Bryce Marion – 2nd place
Michael Josephson – 3rd place
Ami Yamamoto is a very happy thirteen year old ASTEC
student who commutes every week to Stevens Point from
Madison for her violin lessons. Pushing herself tirelessly,
she recently competed in the Youth Concerto
Competition sponsored by the Madison Symphony
Orchestra and cam away with the first prize! She was
Over 12 category
Jenika Marion – 1st place
Roy Meyer – 2nd place
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Saturday, January 22nd, Chamber Music Weekend
Concert, 3:30 pm, Michelsen Hall
Jamie Davis and Emily Gruselle played in the
Wisconsin State Honors Orchestra in Madison on
October 28th.
Saturday, January 29, Marathon Saturday
Karl Spaay will present his senior vocal recital Sunday,
November 7th at 2:30 pm in Michelsen Hall. He will be
accompanied by David Becker. Karl will perform a wide
variety of music including songs from the Baroque to
Contemporary Show Tunes. Composers include Scarletti,
Schubert, and Brahms. All are invited. A reception
follows the recital.
Sunday, January 30th, Solo Recitals, 2:00 and 3:30 pm,
Michelsen Hall
Saturday, February 19th, Marathon Saturday
Sunday, February 20th, Solo Recitals, 2:00 and 3:30 pm,
Michelsen Hall
Saturday, March 12th, Marathon Saturday
Sunday, March 13th, Solo Recitals, 2:00 and 3:30 pm,
UC Alumni Room
October 2004 Graduates
Saturday, April 9th, Marathon Saturday (piano only)
Lara Prebble, Viola Twinkle
Craig Felt, Violin Book 1
Rachel Reichert, Violin Book 3
Roshini Traynor, Violin Twinkle
Adam Qutaishat, Viola Book 2
Sally DeBauche, Viola Book 4
Lydia Anderson, Piano Book 4
Jake Kubisiak, Violin Book 6
Anjali Iyengar, Violin Twinkle
Kerry Heinecke, Violin Book 2
Joe Bartow, Violin Book 3
Michael Josephson, Violin Book 5
Sunday, April 10th, Solo Recitals, 2:00 and 3:30 pm,
Michelsen Hall
Saturday, April 23rd, Marathon Saturday (except piano)
Sunday, April 24th, String & Voice Festival Concert, 2:00
pm, Michelsen Hall
Saturday, May 14th, Solo & Ensemble Concert, 2:00 and
3:30 pm, Michelsen Hall
Saturday, May 14th, CSCO Concert, 7:30 pm, Michelsen
Hall
Sunday, May 15th, Piano Festival Concert, 2:00 and 3:30
pm, Michelsen Hall.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, November 20th, Marathon Saturday
Sunday, November 21st, Solo Recitals, 2:00 and 3:30
pm, Michelsen Hall
Thursday, November 25th, ASTEC Orchestra will NOT
meet today – Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday, December 3rd, ASTEC-UWSP Cello Choir
Concert, 7:30 pm, Michelsen Hall
Saturday, December 11th, Marathon Saturday
Sunday, December 12th, Solo Recitals, 2:00 and 3:30
pm, UC Alumni Room
January 21-22, Chamber Music Weekend.
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