Reflections on a Day of Alternative String Styles
Submitted by Lisa Leonardi

Teachers and students converged upon Huntington High School on Saturday, November 7, 2009 to partake of an alternative string style extravaganza, offered by the New York American String Teacher's Association. Participants chose four clinics to attend, with choices including jazz, fiddling, Arabic and rock. Clinicians Michael Block, Bridgid Bibbens, Reynard Burns, Curtis Stewart, Michael Coffey, Steven Uh, Matthew Gelfer and Nicholas Orifici offered presentations that were both varied and quite packed with knowledge. All of them performed in the culminating concert and many invited their participants up to the stage to jam with them, so that the audience could truly experience what it was they had learned throughout the day. During down time, participants could try out the electric instruments provided by our sponsors, The Violin Shop and Connolly Music.
This was a groundbreaking festival that will be developed further to meet the needs of an ever-expanding string world. We had a great time and hope to see many more students and teachers turn out for this refreshing event next year! Here are some of the quotes from this year's participants:

"It isn't "alternative" so much as it is a glimpse into the future of the craft."

"An awesome rockin' good time!"

"My students and I had a great day experimenting and discovering new ways to express ourselves on our stringed instruments. The clinicians' classes and their culminating performances were outstanding!"

"It was refreshing for me to get out of my personal comfort zone and hear others do the same, all with good results."

"What a wonderful day it was. My daughter enjoyed the classes she attended and she got the opportunity to see what other schools offer. We will attend next year. Thank you NYASTA."

"A great day full of fun learning opportunities for musicians of all ages."


Cello Fest at Syracuse University

Approximately 50 cellists from throughout Central New York attended the Cello Fest with Jeffrey Solow as guest artist. Cellists from 8 years old to professional artists were brought together to experience a day of enjoying their instrument.

Morning sessions were conducted by Muriel Bodley, Joe Brin, Jackie Darvill, Greg Wood, and Jeffrey Solow. After lunch, Mr. Solow gave a fascinating lecture/demonstration followed by a Grand Finale Concert, which ended with a rousing rendition of all Cello Fest participants playing "Bile Them Cabbage Down".

It was great fun for everyone. But it didn't end there. Approximately 25 students came back that evening to hear Mr. Solow's solo recital, and joined him on stage at the end for an encore performance of the group tune.
Feedback was 100% positive with participants asking if Cello Fest was coming back every year