News Archives

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Friday, January 30 2009 Masquerade Waltz - Karen to play!
9:00 pm to 12:30 pm

Music by the “Valse Café Orchestra”, held at the magnificent Century Ballroom at the south end of Capitol Hill.  Dance waltzes and an assortment of other couple dances to a live orchestra including violinists Karen Iglitzin and Claude Ginsberg, mandolin player Dave Bartley, plus cello, accordion, clarinet, bass, percussion and vocals.  Just who might you want to be for one romantic night? Must wear a mask to be admitted!  (Of course, we’ll sell simple masks at the door! )

Elegant Refreshments and drinks will be available for purchase. And, there will be a moment in the evening when the whole room of dancers gets to unveil and expose their true identities… Other highlights will be surprise performances of various cabaret or musical numbers!

centuryballroom.com.

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Friday Feb.6th at 3:05pm until 4:00pm-Chamber Music Concert by Outstanding school ensembles 

The public is welcome to attend a special, informal concert by five outstanding school string chamber music ensembles.

The event will be held at Lake City Presbyterian Church.

3841 NE 123rd St.  Entrance is on NE 40th.  Click here for map

The concert is offered for free.

This is through a program of “Chamber Music Madness” school outreach program, and is the culminating concert after a day of instruction the students will receive that day from 9am-3pm from Karen Iglitzin and Irv Eisenberg, former violinists with the Philadelphia String Quartet.  

These workshops for school groups have been offered since 1987, 2 or 3 times a year, and have included ensembles from as far as Spokane and Eugene.  This year, 32 students and 5 teachers will participate –this time will hail from schools as follows:

Olympia High School-String Quartet
(Beethoven String Quartet op.18 no.1)

Mukilteo-Kamiak High SchoolChamber Orchestra  (“Kammerstreich”) - 16 members) (Joseph Suk: Serenade)

Washington Middle School  String Quartet
(Dvorak “American” String Quartet)

Shoreline -Shorewood High School-String Quartet
(String Quartet by Edvard Grieg)

Olympia High School-String Quartet
(Borodin Quartet no.2)

Karen Iglitzin
Director, Chamber Music Madness

The Camp Nirvana 2008 Student Participants 
Private teachers are listed in italics.

More information about the Volunteer Group Development Sessions      

NEW WORKSHOP LOCATION! Chamber Music Madness workshops have a new home base -- still in north Seattle.   It is a wonderful, spacious and pleasant place.  The location is walking distance to the Burke-Gilman Trail for walkers and bike riders, a flat, scenic route with a view of Lake Washington!
Instead of Wedgwood Community Church, our workshops will be held at

LAKE CITY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

3841 NE 123rd Street
Seattle, WA 98125

Click here for location information

Saturday July 21st 1:00pm Camp Nirvana Concert

Presented by Chamber Music Madness

20 teenagers selected from around the Northwest participate in this two-week residential camp.  The camp culminates in a festive concert of classical string quartet masterpieces.

Entry by donation. Suggested donation: students $5; Adults $15.

Location:  Bastyr University Chapel

Click HERE for '07 camper list and students and concert program

Directions:  http://www.chambermusicmadness.org/maps.htm

Saturday June 30th 7:00pm Chamber Music Mania Day Camp final concert
Director, Leslie Marckx.  Camp Mania is an affiliated program of CMM.
Students between the ages of 12-18 perform masterpieces of the string quartet literature after a week of study with Leslie, Karen I. and Irv E.

Location: St Peter United Methodist Church, 17222 Ne 8th St, Bellevue, WA 98008

More information: email plmarckx@mindspring.com

Friday June 15th & Saturday June 16th The Gothard Sisters in Edmonds
Click here for more information

Saturday June 16th 2:00pm  Becca Young, violin, Junior Recital
Becca is a participant in Chamber Music "Ultimate Madness"
Ann Raphael will accompany on the piano and Tobin Schindler will play cello.
Location: St John's United Lutheran Church, 5515 Phinney Ave N.

Questions?  Contact youngc@u.washington.edu

Monday June 18th 7:00pm  Simone Wacker, violinist, performs the Glazunov Violin Concerto with Garfield HS. Concert Held at Lincoln High School in Seattle. Simone is a participant in CMM "Ultimate Madness"

Questions:  Contact dswacker307@hotmail.com

Wednesday June 20 7:30pm Ariana Nelson-Iglitzin, cellist will perform Tchaikovsky’s "Rococco Variations” as a the soloist with Eckstein Middle School Orchestra, Brad Smith, conductor. Ariana has been principal cellist of the Eckstein Senior Orchestra for the last 2 years, and this concert, her last as an 8th grader, will include all 4 of the Eckstein Middle School orchestras. Ariana has been in Madness programs since age 8.
Site: Roosevelt High School, 1410 NE 66 ST. Seattle, WA 98115

More information: contact Karen at 206 366-1211

Saturday May 19th 3:00pm Jonathan Schooler, violinist, SENIOR RECITAL. Works by Tchaikovsky, Paganini, Bartok, Shostakovich and Balakrishnan. Jonathan has been a longtime CMM student for 3 years, participating in Anti-Contest, school workshops, “Madness” Sundays and Camp Nirvana 2006.
Site: Olympia High School, 1302 North Street, Olympia, WA 98501
Directions at http://olympia.osd.wednet.edu/information/directions
Questions? Email to joanschooler@comcast.net, or call Chip, Joan or Jonathan at 360-943-2317

CAMP NIRVANA 2007  (for string quartets!)

Announcing!   Now open for applications!  Now in its 8th year, this dynamic 2-week residential summer camp has as its core the study of the string quartet, enhanced by everything from fiddling to contradancing to ultimate frisbee. Faculty: Irwin Eisenberg, violin; Leslie Marckx, cello, Karen Iglitzin, violin/director

Camp dates: Sunday July 8 to Saturday, July 21st, 2007.

Bastyr University, on the shores of Lake Washington, near Seattle.

Concert: Saturday July 21st at 1:00pm  2007   Bastyr University Chapel

Tuition: $1,485    

Eligibility: Students of the violin, viola and cello, who will be age 15-20 by the time of camp.  20 students will be accepted and formed into 5 string quartets.

Applications due: deadline March 1st 2007

Audition videotapes due: March 1st (for those from out-of-state, who cannot make it to a live audition)

Live Auditions in Seattle (Note your requested date on the application)

For more info please click on Camp Nirvana information

Other News....                                                                  

Kegham Bedoyan, Graphic Designer
Kegham Bedoyan, a 15 year old cellist from Pullman, Washington, attended Camp Nirvana for String Quartets this past summer. His quartet played beautifully at the concert. In addition to his cello talents, Kegham is also a talented graphic designer. After camp, Kegham designed a superb logo for Camp Nirvana. In addition, he designed the cover art for the CD that was produced of the final concert (click here to view). He spent tens of hours producing a variety of design options, and in communication with Karen and Leif to select and adjust the final choices. This is far from Kegham’s first graphics job, and he even has a company name: “Fire Graphics”. (see below) We are sure that Kegham has a bright future ahead of him - in a number of areas!

Sunday Dec. 3rd 3:50pm

"Sharing/Open House"  for families and other guests

Ultimate Chamber Music Madness

Wedgwood Community Church • 8201 30th Ave NE • Seattle, WA 98115

Please click here for location info. http://www.chambermusicmadness.org/maps.htm

Concert Tuesday Dec. 5th

Joanne de Mars, cellist, UW Senior Recital

(Camp Nirvana alumna 01, 03, and Activity Director for Camp '06)
Click here for Recital information

Sunday Nov. 12th 4:00pm

"Sharing/Open House" for families and other guests

Mini and Beyond Chamber Music Madness

Wedgwood Community Church • 8201 30th Ave NE • Seattle, WA 98115

Please click here for location info. http://www.chambermusicmadness.org/maps.htm

2004-2005 season volunteers and supporters:
Susan Leslie, Bookkeeping services
Mary Chalker, Volunteer Coordinator
Neal Schindler, Website
Laura-Mae Baldwin, Marife Maliksi, Karen Rivenburgh for workshop assistance.
Tom Pratt, Lee Talner, Photography.
Kristi Schooley, past EE board member: caterer for special events

And thanks to the many parents and others who help out by bringing snacks, helping with set-up at workshops, and pitching in at concerts!

July 3, 2006
Chamber Music Madness Campaign Update
Chamber Music Madness has reached an important milestone. The organization has raised 85% ($33,900) of their $40,000 campaign goal.
The campaign will proceed through July, and August if necessary, to complete their goal by the end of their fiscal year, August 31, 2006.
Recent campaign successes include:
• The participation of 147 donors so far, a 33% increase in number of donors from the previous season.
• Tripling of donations from the previous season.
• The organization received nine "$1,000 or more" annual pledges to the cause.  This includes major scholarship donations to the "Irv Eisenberg Fund", named for the beloved violinist and teacher to generations of students in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
If you are interested in making a donation, please contact Chamber Music Madness at
206 366-1211, or click on "how to contribute".
It is now possible to donate online, with the secure services of "Click and Pledge".
Thank you for your support!

Concerts: Hillary Nordwell (piano) (Alumna of the Chamber Music Institute at the Olympic Music Festival, precursor to CMM summer "Camp Nirvana")
with Monika Gruber, violin
Friday July 7   7:30pm   First Presbyterian Church, 1111 Franklin St, Port Townsend, WA Sunday July 9th 7:00pm   Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 301 E.Lopez Ave, Port Angeles, WA

Chamber Music Madness affiliated event:
Saturday July 8th 7:00pm Concert: "Chamber Music Mini Mania" Day Camp

Director Leslie Marckx with faculty including Irv Eisenberg

Site: St.Peter's United Methodist Church, 17222 NE 8th; Bellevue, WA 98008
Free and open to the public

Click here for program

Saturday, July 15, 2006 7:00 p.m. Concert
Irwin Shung -Piano Recital (CMM graduate 2003)
Sherman Clay (Piano Store) 1000 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA.  

  Click here for more information

Chamber Music Madness sponsored event:

Saturday July 22 2:00pm Bastyr Chapel

CMM presents the Camp Nirvana Concert
Click here for performers and concert program
Location: Bastyr University in Kenmore   Click here for location information

Chamber Music Madness presents

CAMP NIRVANA

Concert of student string quartets

 Karen Iglitzin, director

 Karen Iglitzin, director

Saturday, July 22  at 2:00 pm      Bastyr University Chapel • Kenmore          

CAMP NIRVANA CONCERT.  Camp Nirvana is a 2-week residential chamber music camp held at Bastyr University.  The faculty includes violinists Karen Iglitzin and Irwin Eisenberg of Philadelphia Quartet fame, with cellist Leslie Marckx.  20 violinists, violists and cellists ages 14-19 were chosen by audition from around the USA and formed into 5 string quartets. This concert is the culmination of all their work, features some of the most wonderful music ever composed.  

The concert features works by Haydn, Beethoven, Borodin, Dvorak, Brahms, Bartok, and American composer, George Rochberg.

Highlights: Will include the beloved slow movement from Beethoven’s “op.132”, of his late period,

Russians: Dmitri Shostakovich, and Alexander Borodin

Romantics: Brahms and Dvorak.

20th Century: The wild Hungarian Bela Bartok, and a rare performance of music by American composer, George Rochberg, (1918-2005) , who had a very close relationship with the Philadelphia String Quartet. Rochberg 3rd quartet. (composed 1971)  

This concert is considered a high point of the year for the string education community.  Come and experience ‘chamber music nirvana”! 

 Supported in part by the American String Teacher’s Association of Washington, “WASTA”.

Suggested Donation:  $15 Adults, $5 Students.     Reception to follow.

Chamber Music Madness affiliated event:

Saturday July 1st 7:00pm   Concert: "Chamber Music Mania" Day Camp Director cellist Leslie Marckx with faculty including Irv Eisenberg and Karen Iglitzin

Site: St.Peter's United Methodist Church, 17222 NE 8th; Bellevue, WA 98008

Free and open to the public. Photos from 2005 camp at http://www.chambermusicmadness.org/cmcamp2005.htm

Click here for program
For more information, contact Leslie at plmarckx@mindspring.com

Thursday, June 8 7:30pm  Olympia High School Orchestras
Featuring: Violinist, Jonathan Schooler (long time CMM participant) and violist, Nathan Lee performing with the Chamber Orchestra on Mozart's Symphonie concertante. Program also includes Saint-Saens "Carnival of the Animals" with piano students Jessica and Tina Saw.
Site: Olympia High School Performing Arts Center: 1302 North Street; Olympia, WA 98501 http://olympia.osd.wednet.edu/about/loc_his.php

Thursday, June 8th 7:30pm Ariana Nelson, cellist, with violinist Hansen Chiang and pianist Kyle Romain will be the soloists in the famous "Triple Concerto" by Beethoven, 1st mvt.  Ariana is a longtime Madness participant (and daughter of Karen Iglitzin/Roger Nelson)

This is part of the Eckstein Middle School concert; and the Beethoven will be accompanied by the Eckstein Senior Orchestra; orchestra director is Brad Smith.
The concert is free and open to the public.

Site: Eckstein Middle School; 3003 NE 75th; Seattle, WA 98115

Sunday, June 11 at 3:00pm  Recital celebrating the musical friendship of Halley Cody, Zach Liao, & Jake Hanegan.

Features piano trios by Mendelssohn, Shostakovich, Turina & Brahms, plus solos.

Site: Maple Leaf Lutheran Church, 10005 32nd Avenue N.E., Seattle WA 98125.

Reception will follow. No RSVP required

Friday, June 2nd, 7:30pm Rose Hashimoto, Viola Recital
The program includes the 3rd Bach Cello Suite, Hindemith's Sonata op. 11 no. 4, and Suite from the Year 1919 by Ernest Bloch. Bloch ( 1880 –1959) was a Swiss-born American Jewish composer who ended up living in Portland, Oregon in his latter years.

Rose is an alumna of all Chamber Music Madness programs, and is in her sophomore year at the Juilliard School in New York City.
Location: University House. 4400 Stone Way North, Seattle, WA 98103

Saturday, June 3rd 2:00 PM Jesse Yukimura, viola/piano; Senior Recital
With special guests Lavena Johanson, Elissa Freedman, Estee Ward, Julian Schwarz, Rose McIntosh, and Rachel Wong
The program will feature works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Paul Hindemith, Ernest Bloch, Ernö Dohnanyi and others.
Site: McKay Chapel, on the Lakeside Upper School campus: 14050 1st Ave. NE

May 26th, 27th, and 29th 7:00pm

Three Pretty Sweet Evenings of Super Hot Chamber Music

Joelle Arnhold, violist with Chamber Music Madness, has organized and will present concerts of chamber ensembles performed by students ages 15 to 19. They will perform music ranging from Mozart to rock vocalist Elvis Costello, including brand-new works by local composer Paul Covert.

May 7, 2006 2:00pm- Ariana Nelson, cello to perform at one of P.A.F.E’s. (Performing Arts Festival of the Eastside) "Recognition Concerts"

She will be part of a recital of a variety of soloists (piano, violin, dance, voice) as an honor for having won her division of cellists in the PAFE competition which took place in early April. The concert is free and open to the public. Ariana will perform “Hungarian Dance” by Popper, her dad, Roger Nelson, accompanying.

Site: Bellevue Christian Church; 10808 Southeast 28th Street; Bellevue, WA 98004

Appearing as the lovely, luscious Lilly in Swingtime Canteen,
singin' and dancin' in a lively WWII period cabaret pastiche
on the Holy Names mainstage 728 21st Avenue East, Seattle
(On top of Capitol Hill off Aloha)
Thursday 4/27    7:00 pm Opening night
Friday 4/28         7:00 pm
Saturday 4/29    7:00 pm
Sunday 4/30      2:00 pm Closing matinee

E-mail codysadis@comcast.net for directions, to save seats, questions.

Notice: ORDER BY APRIL 29th!

DVD now available of the Anti Contest/Concert !!!
A professional videographer has produced a DVD of this unique event. The 70 minute DVD is now available for sale. Please send $21.50 per DVD and mail to the CMM office, or contact us to reserve your copy. See contact info at the bottom of the page. The first set of orders will be processed for orders received by Saturday April 29th.

Click here to see photos

(Groups in the DVD are “The Glass Slipper” (Beyond Nirvana Sextet), Islander Quartet, Olympia HS Bass Quintet, “Beyond Narnia (Beyond Nirvana Octet); Central Kitsap Sextet, and the Northwest School.)

Sunday April 30th 3:40-5:00pm

Chamber Music Madness demonstration/informal concert
This is the final session of the year for the advanced level of our

coached-sightreading workshop series
2:00            Workshop – for registered students only
3:40            DEMO/INFORMAL CONCERT for parents and guests (in the Sanctuary)
4:40– 5:00   Refreshments

Come hear five chamber ensembles play pieces they've worked on for about one hour, as a demonstration of their sight-reading, ensemble and musicianship skills they've been working on over the months and years.

This also includes a brief ceremony acknowledging our graduating high school seniors.

There is no admission charge.

Location: Wedgwood Community Church 8201 30th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115
Click here for map and directions

Friday, April 21st 8:00pm at Cornish's PONCHO Concert Hall

A selection of performances including by Roger Nelson, piano, with Karen Iglitzin, violin; it's a medley of Fiddle Tunes composed by Roger. The concert features works by Cornish composers - Roger has taught at Cornish for 27 years. The program will range from chamber music to jazz to electronic music.

Tickets: $15 general, $7.50 students, seniors & Cornish College alumni.
It’s held as a benefit for scholarships for music students.

Tickets can be purchased through Ticket Window at 206.325.6500, www.ticketwindowonline.com, or in person at Ticket Window box offices

(Broadway Market, Pike Place Market, and Meydenbauer Center).

For more info, contact 206.726.5011 or events@cornish.edu

Wednesday April 5th 9:00PM:

The Juilliard School: Celebrating 100 Years
CHANNEL 9 (KCTS/Seattle)

The 31st-season opener celebrates the Juilliard School's 100th birthday with help from its past and present students, including Christine Baranski and Bradley Whitford; sopranos Renee Fleming and Leontyne Price; jazz artists Wynton Marsalis, Victor L. Goines.

Violist Rose M. Hashimoto, graduate from Chamber Music Madness and Camp Nirvana,  is now a sophomore at Juilliard School and will be performing in the orchestra.

Sunday, March 26th:  The 6th Annual Chamber Music Anti-Contest/Concert

A gala concert – with a twist! A send-up of a contest, each ensemble vies to distinguish themselves with its own theme, costume, props, and more.  The youth chamber music event of the year - and likely the only such event in existence!

This is a chamber music concert of high school ensembles performing classical music.  The students are actually playing serious music, within the context of lots of humor, creativity, and fun. 

In a concert like no other, students strive to entertain the audience with distinct themes, complete with costumes and props. Even the judges are a part of the show, showing up with false identities, and enjoying their role: which is mostly to receive “bribes” from each group!

Past groups included the Passionate Pigs, Iron Chefs, pirates, disco, Vikings, Greek gods, Lord of the Strings, Goldilocks and the 3 Bears, bullfighters, gypsies, angels, clowns, punk-grunge, Gone with the Wind, and Three Hicks and a Maiden. 

THE LINE-UP:

Chamber Music Madness: Mendelssohn Octet for double string quartet: Greta Gothard, Katie Kowalski, Maggie Duggan,  Tacoma; Julia Chalker, violins; Jesse Yukimura, Joelle Arnhold, violists;  Julian Schwarz, Ariana Nelson, cellists.

Chamber Music Madness: Shostakovich Quintet for Piano and Strings:  Lisa Kim, Katie Kowalski, violins; Wenhao Sun, viola; Ariana Nelson, cello; Connie Kim, piano

Central Kitsap High School: Brahms Sextet

Ballard High School Ensemble, Seattle

Islander Middle School, Mercer Island- Mozart Piano Quartet

Northwest School Chamber Orchestra: Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings

Olympia High School: Dvorak Bass Quintet

February 5th   Beyond Nirvana Concert: At the Schwarz residence. Featuring the famous Felix Mendelssohn “Octet”(a virtuosic work for 8 string players).

January 7th "Sightreading Concert" at the home of Wah and May Lui:
Click here to view pictures and program

Camp Nirvana 2005

Click here for Camp Nirvana 2005 photos

Thursday, August 11, 2005

Past Concerts of note by our students...

Saturday, July 2nd at 7:00pm, Chamber Music Mania Camp Concert - "Click here" Director: Leslie Marckx. United Methodist Church St Peter's (17222 NE 8th St Bellevue, WA 98008)

Saturday, July 23rd at 2:00pm, Camp Nirvana Summer Concert, sponsored by Expression Enterprises. Bastyr University Chapel (5 high school aged string quartets play masterpieces)

Tuesday, May 24 at 7:30pm, Pianist and cellist Sophie Beckman Lippert Free public recital at Seattle University. Beethoven's "Waldstein" Sonata and Chopin's "Ballade #3 in A-flat major" on piano; and pieces by Debussy and Hindemith on cello.Held in "Campion Hall"- at the south end of the SU campus, at 914 East Jefferson, Seattle 98122. Limited $5.00 parking at 12th Avenue and Marion.

Thursday, May 26 at 7:00pm, Hannah Pressley, cellist, Senior Recital Greenlake United Methodist Church; 6415 1st Ave NE, Seattle, 98115 featuring guests Libby and Rick Pressley (her parents!), Greta Gothard, Rose Hashimoto, viola; Emily Cole, violin; Brian Jankanish, viola, Roger Nelson, piano, and others.

Wednedsay, June 1 at 7:30pm, Paolo Maliksi, cellist, and friends Senior Chamber Music Recital, (with Greta Gothard, Sophie Lippert, Aaron Conitz) Greenlake United Methodist Church; 6415 1st Ave NE, Seattle, 98115

Thursday, June 9 at 7:30pm, Danielle Johnson will perform the first movement of the Barber Violin Concerto with the Olympia High School Symphony Orchestra at the Olympia High School Performing Arts Center.1302 North Street, Olympia, WA 98501. Performance Hall & parking lot are in the back of the school on Carlyon Street.

Monday, June 13 at 7:15pm, John Schindler, violin recital, at Calvin Presbyterian Church, 18826 3rd Ave NW in Shoreline. The church is on the corner of 3rd NW and Richmond Beach Road (185th St becomes Richmond Beach Rd as you travel west of the Fred Meyer Store.)

Thursday, June 16 at 6:00pm, Mike Korpi, violin; and Hilary Zetlen, viola, joint recital, at Calvin Presbyterian Church in Shoreline (18826 3rd Ave NW, 98117, see just above).

Friday, June 17th at 7:00pm, Rose McIntosh playing solo violin pieces, playing as part of a string quartet, and singing as well. Held at North Seattle Alliance Church-2150 N. 122nd St., Seattle, 98133.

Camp-in-a-Day Participants

Groups who participated in this season of "Camp-in-a-Day" workshops include:

2006-2007 SEASON

Charles Wright Academy, Heidi Huckins, director---- University Place, WA

Corvallis String Quartet, Charles Creighton, director---- Corvallis, OR

Ferris High School, Carol Pederson, director---- Spokane, WA

Olympia High School Quartet, Chip Schooler, director---- Olympia, WA

Shorewood High Chamber Ensemble, Dan Wing, director--Shoreline, WA

2005-2006 SEASON

Olympia High School Quartet, Chip Schooler, director

Olympia High School Bass Quintet

Shorecrest High School Chamber Orchestra, Mark Adamo, director

Roosevelt High School Chamber Orchestra, Anna Edwards, director

Kamiak “Kammerstreich” Chamber Orchestra, Brian Steves, director

Meadowdale High School Chamber Orchestra, Myrnie Van Kempen, director

2004-2005 SEASON

Olympia High School Octet, Olympia: Quartets and quintets.
Chip Schooler, director

Shorewood High School, Shoreline; Chamber ensembles
Daniel Wing, director

Ingraham High School, Seattle, string quartet
Heidi Oveson, director

Charles Wright Academy, Auburn; Clarinet Quintet
Heidi Huckins, director

Kamiak High School, Mukilteo; chamber orchestra
Brian Steves, director

Meadowdale High, Edmonds; chamber orchestra
Myrnie Van Kempen, director

Squalicum High School, Bellingham, chamber orchestra
Chip Bergeron, director

Islander Middle School, Mercer Island, string quartet
Charles Atwood, coach

Sunnyside High School, Sunnyside; chamber ensemble
Bonny Buckley, director

North Thurston HS, Olympia, string quartet
Grant Sears, director

Saturday, March 26th, 2005 7:00pm

It's here once again...despite past allegations of corruption and generally being guilty of having too much fun in a concert...

"The 5th Annual Chamber Music Anti-Contest/Concert"

A gala concert done in the form of a mock contest

A reception with the musicians follows the performance.

The 'Anti-Contest' may be the only such event in the U.S.!!

Memories from past Anti-Contests:
Groups have attended from Sppokane to Port Angeles to Salem, Oregon, and all over Western Washington. The 2005 season featured the Wizard of Brahms (Brahms Viola Quintet), Pink Passionate Pigs (Shostakovich Piano Trio), Pirates (Tchaikovsky Souvenir de Florence), Mice, Peter Pan, Garden Gnomes, Iron Chefs, and more. Other years have included preppies, Pirates, deranged musicians, disco, Vikings, Greek gods, Lord of the Strings, Goldilocks and the 3 bears, bullfighters, gypsies, angels, clowns, punk-grunge, Gone with the Wind, and Three Hicks and a Maiden.

Many of the groups or students featured at this concert have been coached through Karen Iglitzin's "Expression Enterprises", with programs such as Chamber Music Madness and Camp Nirvana. Karen's teaching team for all their chamber music activities include Irv Eisenberg, violinist, and Leslie Marckx, cellist.

Irv Eisenberg, violinist, was named "PRIVATE STUDIO TEACHER OF THE YEAR" for 2004 for Washington. This award was given by the Washington chapter of the American String Teachers and National Symphony Orchestra Associations.
Irv Eisenberg's record of excellence and humanity was recognized in both the private teaching of violin and viola, anc chamber music coaching. The voting teachers recognized his distinguished career as a member of the St. Louis and Philadelphia Orchestras, and a founding member and longtime violinist with the Philadelphia String Quartet. The quartet came to Seattle in 1966 and with Irv, the quartet had a wide and deep impact on the appreciation and abilities of chamber music in the northwest.

See photos of past contests on our web page.

"Camp-in-a-day" Friday, February, 4th 2005 workshop 9:00am-4:00pm (details of workshop click here)

A chamber music festival for high school student ensembles and their teachers.
Faculty: Karen Iglitzin, violin; Irwin Eisenberg, violin and viola.
Location: Maple Leaf Lutheran Church

Each will have a masterclass style coaching with Karen Iglitzin, and a private coaching with Irwin Eisenberg. When groups are not being coached, they will be observing in the master class room, and have opportunity for peer critique and score perusal of other groups pieces. We'll have lunchtime bonding over pizza, and later in the afternoon, a snack break and 'mystery moment". We'll finish things off with a performance (3:10-3:50). ALL INFORMAL, FUN, SUPPORTIVE, AND MUSICAL!!

THE GROUPS FOR MARCH 18th CAMP

A Olympia HS Piano Quintet: Olympia, Mozart Piano Quintet in B-flat major, mvts 1 & 4 (Mozart: 1756-1791)
B Olympia HS Viola Quintet:, Olympia, Mozart Viola Quintet K. 515 in C major, 1st mov't
C Kamiak HS "KammerStreich" Chamber Orchestra from Mukilteo- ( Janecek ,Suite for Strings, movements 1 & 3 Leos Janacek: (1854-1928)
D Squalicum HS Chamber Orchestra, Bellingham Barber "Adagio" for strings (Samuel Barber: 1910-1981)
E Olympia HS Quartet, Olympia, Mozart String Quartet K.387, G major, 1st mov't

STUDENT CHAMBER GROUPS TO APPEAR on "ORCHESTRA SEATTLE" concerts

George Shangrow's organization, "Orchestra Seattle-", has invited some chamber groups from the community to be featured on their concerts. They held "invitational auditions" and it so happened that 3 chamber groups that we have worked with this year were chosen! The features are "cameo" appearances, not actually performing with the orchestra.

Dec.20th at 7:30pm at Meany Hall, and will feature "The Northerners" Quartet which is Rose McIntosh, Noah Frank, Ashley Bell and Kathryn Brunhaver- (from Beyond Nirvana) playing Beethoven Quartet op.18 no.2, 4th movement.

January 16th concert is 3pm at Town Hall. It will feature "Aurora Borealis" quartet- Lisa Kim, Amanda Hu, Tony Parce and Lavena Johanson. (also from Beyond Nirvana program) They'll perform Beethoven op.59 no.2, 1st mvt.

February 19th concert is 8pm at Meany Hall It will include the Kodaly Duo, 1st mvt, played by Aaron Conitz, violin; and Paolo Maliksi on cello.

The Orchestra Seattle and Seattle Chamber Singers website is www.osscs.org. Please contact Orchestra Seattle directly to confirm any of this info or to check details!

"Beyond Nirvana" Concert - November 19, 2004

Concert of "Beyond Nirvana" student quartets
Friday, November19th, 2004, 7:30 pm, MapleLeaf Lutheran Church
Admission: free; open to the public

The tone of this concert will be on the informal side. Students will be verbally sharing a bit about the pieces that they are performing, and also will communicate about what they have been learning in their working process. All family, teachers, friends, etc. are welcome to join this lively evening!

The groups and program: (not exact program order; and subject to change)

"Fuoco e Gelo" (Fire and Ice)
Beethoven Quartet op.18 no.5, mvt 3, Theme and Variations
Prokofiev Quartet no.2,1st mvt

"Aurora Borealis"
Haydn Quartet op.76 no.4 "Sunrise", Minuet

"The Northerners"
Beethoven Quartet op.18 no.2 in G major, IV mvt
Tchaikovsky Quartet no.1, op.11

------- HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US!!!-

The "Beyond Nirvana" program is for very advanced students who are dedicated to the art of playing chamber music. Similar to the structure of the summer "Camp Nirvana" held at Bastyr University, students ages 15-19 are auditioned or invited to participate, string quartets are formed from this pool of students. Some pre-formed ensembles are eligible. Each group learns 2 movements over the course of the term, and the program and coaching is directed by Karen Iglitzin. Beyond Nirvana consists of 2 semesters: each includes 5 evenings dedicated to rehearsal, coaching and performance class. This evening will be the 6th and culminating performance of the first term.

posted 11-09-04