Saturday, April 21, 2007

Recent Success and Upcoming Events

After a successful tour and television appearance, Del Sol continues to capture more attention and recognition as we head into our spring concert series.

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Newsletter Contents:

1. Del Sol returns from a successful tour to Boston and Albuquerque
2. KQED TV's Spark program beautifully captures the heart of Del Sol
3. DSSQ performs three world premieres at UC Berkeley
4. Introducing our spring concert series: "Umbilical Chords - Women Composers and the Creative Process"
5. Del Sol teaches peace through music to elementary school students
6. Composer Eric Lindsay wins prestigious award from ASCAP
7. Looking for adult amateur string players to participate in QuartetFest!
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1. Del Sol in Massachusetts and New Mexico

In late March, Del Sol traveled to residencies at Northeastern University in Boston and the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. The quartet performed for packed houses at both universities and also at the Simms Center for the Performing Arts in Chamber Music Albuquerque's "Chamber Music X" Concert Series. While in Boston Del Sol had a productive day of recording String Quartet No. 2 "Nostalgia" by Ronald Bruce Smith (b. 1961, Canada). The quartet offered workshops for composition students at both universities and also gave a masterclass at UNM, coaching a talented student quartet.

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2. Del Sol Appears on TV - "KQED Spark"

On April 11th Del Sol was featured on KQED TV's "Spark" program, which highlights Bay Area artists and arts organizations. As board chair Jane Kumin commented after the show, the "Spark" episode vividly demonstrates "how the music moves from the written parts to our ears and hearts through the collaboration of the composers and musicians. It perfectly captures the passion of the musicians, the process of communicating an artistic vision (among composers, musicians, and listeners), and Del Sol's mission to heighten the public's awareness and understanding of contemporary chamber music."

If you missed the program, it's not too late! You can watch it now by visiting this website.

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3. Del Sol Premieres Three Pieces at Noontime Concert in Berkeley

Del Sol is excited to perform three new compositions at 12 noon, Wednesday, April 25, 2007, at Hertz Hall (University of California, Berkeley). This free concert will feature the work of Robin Estrada, Jen Wang, and Nils Bultmann. Join us for a special lunchtime treat! For more information, please call 510-642-4864.

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4. DSSQ Home Season Concert Series: "Umbilical Chords - Women Composers and the Creative Process"

Creating music, whether composing or performing, is like giving birth - it's an incredible outpouring of hard work, love, and emotion to bring life to something special and new to the world. Our upcoming concert series features works by women composers and a premiere -- a biographical work about Ruth Crawford Seeger, by Mark Fish (USA). The women composers whose work we will present are Linda Catlin Smith (USA), Ruth Crawford Seeger (USA), Teresa Carreno (Venezuela), Sally Beamish (Great Britain), and Kui Dong (China). In another tribute to Ruth Crawford Seeger, who collected American children's folk songs, the featured works will be juxtaposed by some of these folk songs, arranged by Mark Fish. Mark Fish will be present at each of the concerts to discuss his work.

The series will take place on 5/27 (4pm, Pt. Reyes Station), 5/30(8pm, Berkeley), 5/31 (7pm, San Jose), and 6/3 (2:30pm, San Francisco).

For more information, please visit our website.

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5. DSSQ: Music at Kohl Mansion, Music in Schools - Teaching Conflict Resolution

Del Sol performs for elementary school students in the Burlingame and Millbrae school districts throughout the month of April. The quartet teaches conflict resolution and peace through music, demonstrating new ways of compromising with peers, listening to conflict and peace in musical examples, and sampling composers who successfully blend the music of different cultures and music composed as a means of political protest.

For more information, please visit the Music at Kohl website.

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6. Congratulations to Composer Eric Lindsay!

Los Angeles composer Eric Lindsay was recently named a recipient of the 2007 American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Awards for his quartet "Hopkin and the Wired Night" -- premiered by Del Sol last November. The Morton Gould Awards program rewards gifted young creators of concert music, and the recipients will be recognized at the 8th Annual ASCAP Concert Music Awards at Lincoln Center's Walter Reade Theater in New York on May 24, 2007. Out of 601 submissions, only 35 recipients were chosen ranging in age from 12 to 30. Bravo, Eric!

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7. Del Sol Introduces QuartetFest for Adult Amateur Chamber Groups

Del Sol invites preformed adult amateur quartets to participate in QuartetFest, a fun and intensive weekend workshop with a focus on contemporary chamber music (Sat. June 23 - Sun. June 24, 2007). Participating groups will receive over seven hours of coaching by Del Sol musicians in the intimate setting of an old Victorian home in San Francisco. Each group will perform in a final concert performance and then enjoy a delicious catered dinner at the end of the weekend. There is space for four groups only, so make your reservations soon by calling 415-374-0074, or emailing kcurran@delsolquartet.com.

Del Sol offers a similar QuartetFest for kids on May 5th and 6th. Student quartets will have fun learning contemporary repertoire with Del Sol musicians, perform in a final concert, and enjoy a potluck dinner at the end of the weekend. All spots have been filled for this event.