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.

Del Sol On Tour; Del Sol on TV

Del Sol has an exciting month ahead -- touring for university residencies and concerts in Boston and Albuquerque during March. Then, in April, Del Sol appears on local TV -- "KQED Spark." Don't miss a chance to enjoy Del Sol from the comfort of your living room!

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Newsletter Contents
1. Residency at Northeastern University
2. Residency at University of New Mexico
3. KQED Spark features Del Sol - April 11

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1. Del Sol goes to Boston!

Del Sol appears in residency at Northeastern University from March 22-23 where the quartet will coach student composers in workshops, record String Quartet No. 2 "Nostalgia" by Ronald Bruce Smith (b. 1961, Canada), and perform a free public concert featuring works by George Antheil, Marc Blitzstein, Ruth Crawford Seeger, and Ronald Bruce Smith.

For March 22 concert details in Boston, click here.


2. On to Albuquerque!

From Boston, Del Sol travels on to a residency at the University of New Mexico (March 26-28). The quartet will perform works by Hyo-Shin Na, Richard Hermann, and Curt Cacioppo at the 36th Annual John Donald Robb Composers' Symposium. Then on March 30, Chamber Music Albuquerque presents Del Sol at its "Chamber Music X" Concert Series at the Albuquerque Academy, featuring works by Jose Evangelista, Lou Harrison, George Antheil, Gabriela Lena Frank, and Paquito D'Rivera.

For Albuquerque concert details, click here.


3. Del Sol featured on TV -- "KQED Spark" -- April 11, 7:30 p.m. and April 13, 11 p.m. (repeat)

KQED TV's "Spark" program features Bay Area artists and arts organizations, taking audiences inside the creative process to witness the challenges, opportunities, and rewards of making art. Del Sol is thrilled to be featured, and we hope you are able to tune in!

More info on the KQED website

Bay Area Performances in January and February 2007

Contents
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1. DSSQ at Papa Toby’s Revolution Café and Art Bar
2. DSSQ in Concert at the UUSM
3. Fremont Symphony presents “Musical Treats: String Fling with the Del Sol String Quartet”
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1. DSSQ at Papa Toby’s Revolution Café and Art Bar

We will be playing the opening set at Revolution Café’s weekly Sundaynight Classical Jam. Program to include Ronald Bruce Smith’s String Quartet No. 2 “Nostalgia” (2002/2006) and Jose Evangelista’s Spanish Garland: 12 folk melodies from Spain (1993). It’s a fun and informal setting where you can sip something hot or cold while you enjoy the music. Free admission, and the music and merrymaking will continue
until midnight!

Sunday, January 21st, 8:00 PM
Papa Toby’s Revolution Café and Art Bar
3248 22nd Street,
San Francisco, CA
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2. DSSQ in Concert at the Unitarian Universalists of San Mateo

The Universalists of San Mateo will be presenting us in an afternoon concert. Suggested donation $20, free for students.
Program:
Marc Blitzstein Quartet for Strings "The Italian" (1930)
Ronald Bruce Smith Quartet No. 2 "Nostalgia" (2002/2006)
Lou Harrison String Quartet Set (1979)
Jose Evangelista Spanish Garland (1993)

Sunday, January 28th, 2007, 3:00 PM
Unitarian Universalists of San Mateo (UUSM)
400 East Santa Inez (@ North Ellsworth)
San Mateo, CA

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3. Fremont Symphony presents “Musical Treats: String Fling with the
Del Sol String Quartet”

A Family Concert at the Fremont Symphony, we will be playing the “Del Sol Express”, a musical journey through Latin America. Fun and educational for kids of all ages.

Sunday, February 11, 2007, 2:00 PM
Jackson Theater,
Gary Soren Smith Center for the Fine and Performing Arts
Ohlone College
43600 Mission Boulevard
Fremont, CA

Other Minds 12 Concert Reminder

Other Minds 12-Festival of New Music, is taking place this weekend (Dec 8-10)! We are very excited to participate in this wonderful event and hope to see you at the performances.


Del Sol will be featured playing the following pieces:

Friday, December 8, 2006, 8pm
Peter Sculthorpe: From Saibai (1997)
Kate Stenberg, violin; Eva-Maria Zimmermann, piano
Per Nørgård (b. 1932, Denmark): Quartet No. 10 for Strings, "Høsttidløs" (Harvest-Timeless) (2004-2005) US PREMIERE
Maja Ratkje (b. 1973, Norway): Gagaku Variations for Accordion and String Quartet (2001), with Frode Haltli, accordion

Sunday, December 10, 2006, 2:00pm
Ronald Bruce Smith (b. 1961, Canada): String Quartet No. 2 "Nostalgia" (2002/2006)
Peter Sculthorpe (b. 1929, Australia): Quartet No. 16 for Strings, with didjeridu (2005), with Stephen Kent, didjeridu. WORLD PREMIERE of new version

All Other Minds 12 performances are held at:

Kanbar Hall, San Francisco Jewish Community Center,
3200 California Street, San Francisco, California

For complete concert listings for the festival and to purchase tickets, visit the Other Minds website.

Premieres Without Borders

“Premieres Without Borders”, our first home season concerts for 2006-2007, will feature three premieres by Jack Body, Eric Lindsay, and Reza Vali. KQED Spark is currently filming us for a show to air in spring 2007 on PBS. We will collaborate with Melody of China again at the Festival for New American Music in Sacramento.

Newsletter contents
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1. DSSQ Home Season Concerts “Premieres without Borders”
2. KQED Spark filming Del Sol
3. DSSQ and MOC in the Festival of New American Music
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1. DSSQ Home Season Concerts “Premieres without Borders”
We are very excited to be premiering three works by Jack Body, Eric Lindsay, and Reza Vali. Also, we’ll be presenting Marc Blitzstein’s Quartet for Strings “Italian”. Please join us for discussions with the composers after each concert.

Sunday, November 5, 2006, 4:00pm
Dance Palace Center .
503 B Street (on the corner of 5th and B Streets),
Pt. Reyes Station, CA

Tuesday, November 7, 2006, 8:00pm
Ashby Stage.
1901 Ashby Avenue (@MLK). Berkeley , CA
Filmed by KQED Spark.

Thursday, November 9, 2006, 7:00pm
Tateuchi Hall. Finn Center
230 San Antonio Circle . Mountain View , CA

Friday, November 10, 2006, 8:00pm
San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center ,
Green Room (Second Floor of Veterans Building )
401 Van Ness Avenue (@ McAllister). San Francisco , CA

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2. KQED Spark filming Del Sol
KQED Spark is a show about Bay Area artists and arts organizations, taking audiences inside the creative process to witness the challenges, opportunities, and rewards of making art. Spark is filming Del Sol this week for a show to be aired in the spring of 2007. They will be filming the show at Ashby Stage on Tuesday, November 7 (see above). We are very excited about this project look forward eagerly to the airing of the show next year.

For more info about Spark, click here.
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3. DSSQ and MOC in the Festival of New American Music
Del Sol is joining up with Melody of China again, collaborating to perform a concert for the Festival of New American Music in Sacramento . Program will include works by Kui Dong, Duo Huang, and Reza Vali.

Saturday, November 11, 2006, 8:00pm
Capistrano Hall
California State University , Sacramento , CA

Del Sol's Rich Thrift

Del Sol continues to capture more attention, and we’re set for an exciting 2006-2007 season. On the touring front, we played for a new audience in Western Canada,and we’re soon taking off to Monterrey, Mexico.

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Newsletter contents:

1. SFCV praises “Del Sol’s Rich Thrift”
2. Del Sol receives $10K from SF Grants for the Arts
3. Goodbye Canada; Hola Mexico
4. Del Sol plays w/ Joan Jeanrenaud at Music on the Hill Oct. 22
5. Del Sol’s Fall Concert Series, early November
6. www.myspace.com/delsolquartet
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1. “Del Sol’s Rich Thrift”

San Francisco Classical Voice touts our programming excellence and excitement achieved on a budget that’s just a fraction of the “big guys.”

Click here to read the article.

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2. Del Sol receives $10K SF Grants for the Arts

The San Francisco Grants for the Arts (funded by the SF Hotel Tax Fund) newly awarded us $10K for operating funds. Now that we’re on their list as a grantee, we can apply each year for a future grants, which are based on our budget size.

The more funding we raise from other sources, the more we are eligible to receive from the City, which means that your generous donations will go even further to support our programming!

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3. Goodbye Canada; Hola Mexico

We recently returned from Canada where we played a concert at Soiree Lane in Sooke, British Columbia. We’ll be visiting our southern neighbor in a couple weeks when we head to Monterrey, Mexico, to perform the music of Arturo Salinas.

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4. Del Sol plays at Music on the Hill Oct. 22, 2006 at 7pm

In our next Bay Area concert, we’ll be joined by cellist Joan Jeanrenaud to go ‘retro’, playing Schubert’s masterpiece Quintet in C. This concert will also feature a work by Hyo-shin Na, which contains a delightful reference to Schubert, and Marc Blitzstein’s brilliant (and unpublished) 1930 Quartet for Strings, “The Italian,” (Northern California premiere). The performance is presented by Music on the Hill in San Francisco.

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5. Del Sol’s Fall Concert Series, early November

The Del Sol discoveries in “Premieres Without Borders” could be the highlight of your musical year.

Iranian-born Reza Vali has created a fusion of Western and Persian musical systems in his work for a Del Sol world premiere. New “Zealander Jack Body, whose creativity is influenced by his extensive work as an ethnomusicologist, is represented by his 2004 work, Epicycle,” in its American premiere. Eric Lindsay (Los Angeles) is one of America’s most exciting composers under 30; he composed “Hopkin and The Wired Night” for Del Sol, inspired by an internet phenomenon based on hand-drawn posters by a Seattle child looking for his lost frog!

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6. www.myspace.com/delsolquartet

We’ve joined myspace.com and flickr.com! Check it out and tell your friends.

MySpace
Flickr photos

Del Sol at the San Jose Institute for Contemporary Art and more

The Del Sol wraps up our summer activities with “Painting Performance”, in collaboration with new media artist Clive McCarthy, as part of the ZeroOne Festival at the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art. We would also like to welcome Hannah Addario-Berry as our new cellist and Juli Weiss to the Del Sol Performing Arts Organization board.

Newsletter contents
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1. Del Sol in concert at the San Jose Institute for Contemporary Art:August 12.
2. Introducing our new cellist: Hannah Addario-Berry
3. Introducing our new board member: Juli Weiss
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1. “PAINTING PERFORMANCE”


The DSSQ will perform string quartets by George Antheil, Gabriela Lena Frank, and Lou Harrison at the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art as part of “ZeroOne San Jose: A Global Festival of Art on the Edge”. This is a project in collaboration with new media artist Clive McCarthy andwill feature live painters and video projection along with the music.

This presentation of the SJICA is free to the public and is happening outdoors at the Institute. Seating is limited, but there will be standing room available.



Saturday, August 12, 2006 at 8:30pm
San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art
451 South First Street, San Jose, CA



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2. INTRODUCING OUR NEW CELLIST: HANNAH ADDARIO-BERRY

Hannah Addario-Berry performed her first concert with Del Sol officially as our new cellist during the residency at the Walden School in New Hampshire in July.

Hannah succeeds Monica Scott, who supplied the prerequisite bass line over the last four years. We thank Monica and her husband, Dominique, for their hard work and artistic contributions.

Many of you have seen Hannah in performance with us at our recent collaborations with Melody of China, while she was substituting for Monica, who was recovering from a finger injury.

We are currently in residence at the Tahoe Music Festival Academy and Bay Area fans will be able to hear Hannah in her first local concert as the Del Sol cellist this Saturday in San Jose (please see above for details)

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3. INTRODUCING OUR NEW BOARD MEMBER: JULI WEISS

Del Sol Performing Arts Organization continues to strengthen its organizational capabilities. In June 2006, we were pleased to welcome Juli Weiss to the DSPAO Board of Directors. Dr. Weiss has extensive development and leadership experience in the non-profit arena. For the past 11 years Dr. Weiss has been a principal at Scientific Solutions in the non-profit and development sector. She has served on the Nueva School Board of Trustees since 1995. Other positions Dr. Weiss has held include Co-Founder, President and Executive Director of California Summer Music, an advanced chamber music program for young musicians ages 12-20; Executive Director of the Pacific Vascular Research Foundation; and Program Officer at the Koret Foundation.

We are excited to have Juli join our Del Sol family and look forward to working with her on future projects and the growth of our organization.