The Phoenix Ensemble offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself in an intensive week of chamber music, individual lessons and scheduled practice time, general music education and, if you choose, jazz and improvisation. Read More...

1st prize $1,000 and a featured performance with the Marquette Symphony Orchestra February 12, 2010
2nd prize $500
3rd prize $250 Read More...

July 12 – 23, 2010
9:30 – 12:30 or 1:00 – 4:00
Monday through Friday Read More...

Soo Theatre Arts Resource Studios (STARS) is a vibrant community arts center offering instruction in music, dance, theater and yoga for over 400 students of all ages. STARS is a program of the Soo Theatre Project, housed in the historic Soo Theatre complex in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, across the river from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. Read More...

Violin Book II and III Apprentice Courses for Spring 2010 at Suzuki Royal Oak have been announced by Teacher-Trainer Mark Mutter. Read More...

a one-day intensive workshop on string techniques and orchestral performance
Register Now – space still available Read More...

A six-hour introduction to the Suzuki Method will be taught Thursday, January 21 in Grand Rapids, as part of the Michigan Music Conference.
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The “Tuesdays with John” workshops with John Kendall begin October 6th in Ann Arbor.
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A one-day intensive workshop on string techniques and orchestral performance held at Eastern Michigan University. Downloadable brochure and application available here. Read More...

“Every Child Can” Course
Saturday, September 26th
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Part 1
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Lunch
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Part 2

Violin Book 1 – Apprenticeship Course
Nine – Three Hour Sessions
October 17th, October 24th, October 31st, November 7th,
November 21st, December 5th, December 12th, January 9th and January 23rd
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
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Arts and  Humanities Conference Call

Americans for the Arts is pleased to be able to extend the following invitation from the White House to all our member local, state, and regional arts agencies, community-based arts organizations, and national partners. Below is a letter
from Kalpen Modi, Associate Director for the White House Office of Public Engagement. Read More...

The economic stimulus bill, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, includes a number of expanded funding opportunities that could be available to assist arts education providers. This resource guide outlines the programs and policies to help arts education advocates understand and access stimulus funds.

Accessing Stimulus Funds for Arts Education offers details about each program that was funded through the ARRA stimulus legislation, details of arts education’s fit within each program, and guidance on accessing the funds.

http://www.AmericansForTheArts.org/ArtsEducation/Guides

Family-friendly and suitable for both runners and walkers, our inaugural 5k event will raise money to support arts education in Michigan’s schools. More than just a race, the day will be a celebration of the arts – featuring live performances, on-site installations, and the opportunity for team participation and fundraising.

Click here for more information/ Read More...

STRING/CHAMBER ORCHESTRA CONDUCTOR POSITION
Oakland University (Rochester, MI).

Adjunct Instructor. Responsibility to serve as conductor of a new university string/chamber orchestra comprised of Oakland University string majors, minors and interested/qualified non-majors within the general campus community. Successful candidates must demonstrate a willingness to assist OU instrumental faculty in the recruitment and development of a string/chamber orchestra.

Master’s degree and previous orchestral conducting experience required. String teaching experience preferred. Please send letter of application, CV, and list of references to: String/Chamber Orchestra Conductor Search, Oakland University, Department of Music, Theater, and Dance, Rochester, MI 48309.  Deadline: June 30, 2009.

On March 8, 2009 the Richardson String Award Competition was held in Okemos, Michigan.
The first place winner ($1500) was Marta Bagratuni, cello, second place ($750) Elizabeth Soukup, double bass.  Read More...

13-year-old Ian Poland, a seventh-grader at Okemos' Chippewa Middle School (and student of MASTA member Sunny Cirlin) is chosen as the violin-playing lead in an Independant film set in 50’s Siberia, made in Grand Rapids. Read More...

Hannah Linz, 17, is a violinist from Okemos, Michigan where she studies with Sunny Cirlin. She will be performing with the BBSO on May 10th, 2009. She was the First Prize winner of the 2008 MASTA Solo Competition’s Junior Division.

Hannah is a member of the Michigan Youth Symphony, and is Concertmaster of her school’s orchestra.

Recently, Hannah was the Concertmaster of the All-State Orchestra at the 2009 Michigan Music Conference in Grand Rapids. She will also perform as a soloist with the Ypsilanti and Lansing Symphonies as the winner of their concerto competitions. An avid chamber musician, Ms. Linz is a member of the Presto Quartet which was selected out of State of Michigan competition to perform Ravel’s String Quartet at the Michigan Youth Arts event in 2008.

She has attended many summer festivals including Rocky Mountain Summer Conservatory, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Summit Music Festival, and The Quartet Program. Hannah plans to pursue a career in music performance and is currently auditioning for conservatories.

For information on the BBSO, including ticket info and the other 2009 competition winners, please visit their website.

Information on the other 2008 MASTA Solo Competition winners can be found here.

The “Tuesdays with John” Kendall workshop classes have announced the schedule for remaining workshops this year:

• February 3, 11am-1pm, Northside Community Church 929 Barton Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
• March 3, 11am-1pm, Northside Church
• April 1, 11am-1pm, Northside CHurch
• May 5, 11am-1pm, Kendall Home

contact Wendy Azrak for information regarding classes, fees, and directions to the May 5 session
The format is a master class with 3 students the first hour and a session with the teachers (violins necessary) with John the second hour as he covers various teaching points with us.

Proceeds of these classes go toward the John Kendall Scholarships for a young violin student and teacher trainee needing financial assistance to attend the Blue Lake Suzuki Family Camp each June.



 

While this is not yet an official posting, we are welcoming inquiry about this position which would include a combination of high school, middle school, and 5th grade strings. Information about the Midland music program can be found here.

Any official posting is not likely to become available until late April. In the meantime, please contact Jim Huber (see below) regarding interest in this position. The target candidate should have a string background, evidence of successful teaching & conducting experience, and a strong desire/drive to maintain and improve an orchestra program that is highly regarded within MSBOA and ASTA.
 
For more information, contact:
 
Jim Huber, Coordinator of music
Midland Public Schools
Phone:  989-923-7020
E-mail:  HuberJP@mps.k12.mi.us

Louis Alexander Potter, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and teacher, left us on January 26, 2009.

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The St. Johns High School and Middle School Orchestra Position will be open this coming fall.  (2009-2010 school year)  The orchestra position is a strings only position, FULL TIME, and involves the 6th through 12th grade students.  If you know of anyone interested in the position or are interested yourself please tell them to send a cover letter and resume to Scot Henry St. Johns Public Schools Administration 501 West Sickles St. Johns, Michigan 48879 If you have any questions about the position please contact Rodney Lamar Page (517.614.1382). Resume and Cover letters are due by March 9, 2009.

If you play a string instrument, you are invited to join us for three days of intensive chamber music over Memorial Day weekend in Ann Arbor, Michigan: May 22-24, 2009.

The eighth annual Phoenix Phest! offers high-quality instruction in a supportive atmosphere infused with the joy of making music. Amateur musicians of all ages have the opportunity to play in pre-formed or Phoenix-phormed ensembles and be coached by experienced professional musicians. A low instructor-to-student ratio ensures a thorough learning experience.

The Phest models peaceful, productive cooperation in the practice of art and in the encouragement of deepened human contacts and lifelong learning. Coaching is provided by members of the Phoenix Quartet and other performer/teachers who come from around the United States. Students will spend their time working intensively as part of a small ensemble to prepare a chamber music piece and perform it. The entire Phest community of students and faculty will also rehearse and perform a large-group piece at the final concert.  

PhoenixPhest is led by violinist Gabriel Bolkosky, executive director of the nonprofit Phoenix Ensemble. The organization is beginning its second decade as a resource to artists and the educational community in Ann Arbor.

PhoenixPhest! is held at Greenhills School in northeast Ann Arbor, and the faculty and student concerts take place in Greenhills’ Campbell Center for the Performing Arts.

More information and the application for Phoenix Phest! are available on the Downloads page of this website.

The Jeremy Kittel Band will be performing in Clarkston on Friday, January 16, 2009 at the Clarkston High School Performing Arts Center, sponsored by the Clarkston Schools Instrumental Music Association. Read More...

Violin Book 2 and Book 3 Apprentice Courses, as well as the Book 4 Short Training Course, to be offered through early 2009 by Mark Mutter. Read More...

Benjamin Beilman, violin, our most recently named 2007 National Grand Prize Winner, will be joined by his sister, Elizabeth, viola, in a concert with the Dearborn Symphony on Friday, November 14, 8:00 in the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn. They will be performing Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola. Tickets are available at the door. Ben was MASTA's Junior Division First Prize Winner (Elizabeth A.H. Green Award) in 2007 and went on to win the National Competition that resulted in a solo performance with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra this past September. The concert with the Dearborn Symphony is a wonderful opportunity for our young musicians to hear outstanding playing by two individuals only a few years older.

The Metropolitan Youth Symphony (MYS), one of Michigan’s premier orchestras for school age youths, is seeking an individual to develop, teach and conduct a new young string program. MYS intends on piloting this new program in January of 2009. Read More...

Violinist, teacher, and MASTA member Gabriel Bolkosky will be leading a series of seven classes during the 2008-09 school year based on the book Practice by Simon Fischer. The series is sponsored by and held at Shar Music in Ann Arbor.

This is a series of classes to help string students (age 13+) and teachers focus in on effective and efficient ways to practice difficult repertoire. Mr. Bolkosky will take participants through a series of  techniques for easier practice based on Simon Fischer’s book. It’s a great series of classes for anyone who is feeling stuck in their practice or looking to take practice to the next level.

The first class is Saturday, October 26, 10am-12:30pm.
Remaining classes are Nov. 15, Dec. 13, Jan. 24, Feb. 7, Mar. 14, and Apr. 4, all Saturdays from 10am-12:30pm.
Classes are not cumulative, so you can sign up for one, some, or all of them. However, there are discounts for early and for multi-class registration.

Click here for full schedule and online registration
For more information, please email or call 734.358.2100.

The Lansing Matinee Musicale announces the 2009 Richardson Awards for violin, viola, cello, and bass Read More...

The Regina Carter improvisation workshop will be held from 10:00 am until noon (coffee available from 9:30 am) on October 4 in Room 110 of Varner Hall on the campus of Oakland University. Read More...

"Every Child Can" Course offers student tuition reduction of $80 over last year Read More...

First Session 11am-1pm, September 9, 2008 at Northside Community Church, Ann Arbor Read More...

The audition requirements and info for the 2009 MSBOA All-State Orchestras have been announced. Read More...

The Oakland Youth Orchestra, based in Rochester, MI, announces auditions for specific instruments for the 2008-09 season. Read More...

Every Child Can! is a one day introductory course on the Suzuki philosophy and its application to education. Read More...

The Dexter Community Orchestra will begin its fourth year in September Read More...

If you teach cello/bass, please consider a move! Read More...

"FORE!" Read More...

Music Educator Mark Stephen Setterlind passed away on June 25, 2008 Read More...