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An Afternoon of
IMPROVISATION FOR STRINGS
To: Arizona's string players and teachers (Others who are interested in improvisation for strings are welcome to attend and observe the class!)
Invitation: To spend an afternoon (1-5 p.m.) with Eugene Friesen, learning the art of improvisation ... those who wish to participate should bring your instruments (!), as you will have the opportunity to actually apply the skills which are being taught and discussed. (Again, observers are also welcome!) By the end of the day, the string players present will have a chance to begin working together as an improvising string orchestra.
Note: There are no "age" requirements for participation ... those already enrolled include players from various of the symphony orchestras in Arizona, ranging from the Phoenix Symphony to some of the fine youth orchestras in the area, as well as some of the region’s fine teachers. (So far, the enrolled participants range in age from 12 to really old! <smile>) No previous experience in improvisation is required, just a hearty interest! A total of about 30 string players will be able to participate directly in the class. Direct participation will require that players have at least an intermediate-to-advanced level of ability on their instruments.
When, where: Monday, the 19th of February, 2001, at Dobson High School, 1501 W. Guadalupe Rd., Mesa, Arizona ... the class will last from 1-5 p.m. (Rich Christiansen, Director, and the Dobson HS Symphony Orchestra have most kindly offered their facilities for this wonderful teaching and learning event!) The class will be held in the Performing Arts Building, on the west side of the campus.
About the teacher: Eugene Friesen is a world-renowned cellist with the Grammy Award-winning Paul Winter Consort. He teaches improvisation and directs the improvising string orchestra at the world's leading school for jazz, the Berklee College of Music, in Boston. He is also a member of the wonderful ensemble Trio Globo, in which Eugene, Howard Levy (piano, harmonica) and Glen Velez (percussion), perform contemporary acoustic jazz (with an emphasis on world music). Trio Globo's music has its roots in jazz, classical and sacred music, as well as rhythmic influences derived from travels in six continents. For additional information about Eugene Friesen, please visit his web site: http://www.celloman.com/
Cost: Absolutely zero! (Eugene will be performing in Arizona with the Paul Winter Consort ... at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts on Saturday evening, the 17th, and in Sedona on the 18th. He has graciously offered to contribute his time to this program while he's here in the State.)
Contact: John Rice ... (480) 893-0645 ... JRice43497@ aol.com