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Mark O'Connor String Camp in NYC
The Mark O'Connor String Camp in NYC is a Big Success with 220 Students!
Violin/Fiddle, Viola and Cello students attend Conference from 36 states and 7 foreign countries making for the largest gathering of string players in New York City!
Dear Friends and Fans,
I really enjoyed hosting the 17th annual String Camp in NYC this summer! We had 220 students in our final tally, 50 of those were teacher trainers signed up for the O'Connor Method Course on Books I and II. (we gathered a portion of the class for a teacher trainer picture led by Pamela Wiley below). The full camp group photo in Central Park was fun to do! The pictures were taken by our friend Jesse Newman and his team, Film & Color LLC who will also produce the String Camp's first professional video EPK! I have always wanted to do this - the sights and sounds of "Fiddle Camp." I will host it on my new YouTube channel as soon as it's ready! The crew was able to capture some beautiful images for this 5:00 min. promotional Camp video.
A Who's Who of String Playing For Our Faculty This Year
For 17 years, the MOC String Camp features a wide array of techniques, styles, and literature. This year was no exception. The four pillars of string playing were fully represented: Classical, Jazz, Folk Fiddling, and World Music.
-Kenji Bunch (violist and composer)
-Martin Hayes (Irish fiddler)
-Christian Howes (jazz violinist)
-Federico Britos (Cuban Jazz violin legend)
-Casey Driessen (modern bluegrass fiddler)
-Matt Haimovitz (Classical cello)
-April Verch (Canadian, stepdancing fiddler)
-Kelly Hall-Tompkins (classical violinist)
-Kevin Burke (Legendary Irish fiddler)
-Maya Beiser (Classical cellist)
-Lev Zhurbin (violist and composer)
-Sebastian Baverstam (new classical cello talent)
-Patrice Jackson (new cellist with O'Connor Quartet)
-Jim Chancellor (Texas Fiddling World Champion)
-Byron Berline (Bluegrass fiddling legend)
-Rachel Barton-Pine (Classical and Heavy metal violinist)
-Pam Wiley and the O'Connor Method Teacher's Class
-Matt Glaser (Berklee's Jazz violin professor)
-Joe Deninzon (Rock and Fusion violinist)
-Yale Strom (Klezmer violinist)
Guest Speakers
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg (Violin great)
William "Bill" McGlaughlin (Host of Saint Paul Sunday)
Gilbert Hetherwick (Former President of Sony/BMG)
The majority of the Camp's activities took place at the historic 150 year-old Society for Ethical Culture Concert Hall. This is such a perfect fit for our camp. It is classic, beautiful wood everywhere, plenty of free flowing space, an inviting atmosphere - easy to feel at home. Inspirational for the musicians.
*****
The Daniel Pearl instrument collection receives a new member - a cello made by Jon Cooper.
From left to right: Sarah Chaffee, Jessica Emery (last years recipient), Jonathon Raveneau, Jon Cooper, Malachi Provenzano, Jonathan Russel (last years recipient)
Our student body was superb. The recipients of the Pearl instrument loans this year were violinists Malachi Provenzano, Jonathon Raveneau and cellist Sarah Chaffee.
Dear Mark,
We would like to extend our thanks to you for being a part of the Pearl Peace Project Memorial Concert that was organized by Daniel Pearl Memorial Violin winner, Jessica Emery...It is very touching for us to learn that the concert was not only a great success, but that it truly embodied the vision of the Daniel Pearl Foundation with its diversity and message.
We hope you will join us again this October in the world's largest symphony for peace: Daniel Pearl World Music Days. Any event with a musical component can become a part of this global initiative that carries a message of tolerance, peace and borderless humanity. All that is required is a dedication either spoken from stage or written in the program, and a simple registration of your event on www.danielpearlmusicdays.org. Once registered, each event is then featured on our site's calendar of events with an artist page to promote the event and feature your valued participation.
Pablo Casals once said: "Music must serve a purpose; it must be part of something larger than itself, a part of humanity." We hope you will continue to join us in this quest, sending a message of hope that transcends differences and empowers audiences in a quest for a better world.
Again, we would like to express our deep appreciation for the role you played in bringing about this outstanding peace concert and we hope to remain in touch.
United we can make a difference!
Sincerely,
Judea Pearl, Ruth Pearl and the World Music Days Team
Daniel Pearl Foundation
Another successful Teacher Training Course on the O'Connor Method
We had a fantastic group of Teacher Trainers for the course on the O'Connor Method led by Pamela Wiley.
Teachers from all corners of the world came for the American Styles method! We were able to certify 50 new teachers. The Viola, Cello and String Orchestra O'Connor Method Books are coming this Fall! Next summer we will feature the course on Method Books I and II again at the String Camps, with an additional smaller course on Book III which will be released next summer.
We were gratified to have two guest hosts this year for the Camp's evening public concerts in Elliott Forrest and Bill McGlaughlin. We are thankful for a grant from the Wallace Foundation to support the Camp. We also want to thank Shar Music for donating a bow and scholarship at the Camp raffle, D'Addario music for free rosin to the students, and Sharp Bows for silent auctions. The Camp is a 501C3 non profit and reliant on funding and private donors.
Mark Performs a Two-Hour Concert with Wynton Marsalis to Celebrate Django Reinhardt's Centennial Birthday
"Wynton and and Mark traded solos for an entire concert to remember the famous Gyspy Guitarist in his home country of France." (picture of rehearsal above)
The concert was filmed and a YouTube video of a selection from the concert will be available on the O'Connor YouTube Channel soon. Great musicians filled out the group; Frank Vignola, Carlos Henrique, Walter Blandly, Dan Zimmer and Ali Jackson
Rave Reviews from Strad Magazine (editor's choice) and Relix for O'Connor's Latest CD "Jam Session"
Mark O'Connor
Jam Session
OMAC
Review - August, 2010
Relix Magazine - www.relix.com
Whether it's bluegrass or jazz, isn't it always about the jam? Veteran Nashville, Tenn. Fiddle wizard Mark O'Connor taps musical associates from both genres for his latest, a buoyant blend of jazzgrass, and Djang-style gypsy jazz lifted by astonishing feats of bowing, plucking, picking and fretting. O'Connor sounds like his friend and mentor, the late Stephane Grappelli, with "Gypsy Fantastic," on which his fast and furious solo is followed by Hot Swing Trio partner Frank Vignola's melodic turn, and on Grappelli's own sweet and chunky "Minor Swing." The group also tackles other genres, including a tasty solo by ex-Nickel Creek mandolin player Chris Thile and a workout by bassist Jon Burr on "In the Cluster Blues," and grooving with simmering bossa rhythms on the laidback, color shifting "Soft Gyrations." -Phillip Booth
Mark O'Connor
Jam Session
OMAC
Review - August, 2010
Strad Magazine - U.K.
Mark O'Connor's first major musical inspirations were American folk fiddler Benny Thomasson and Stephane Grappelli, and this top-notch, string-only jam band allows him to deliver a modern take on both, as Kentucky hoedown meets the Left Bank. As with most jam sessions, everything here ends in souped-up revelry, but that's no bad thing when the improvisation is of this caliber. O'Connor and his masterful sparring partners on mandolin and guitar propel spools of unending and dazzling melody, and whether it's the spit-and-sawdust Bluegrass fizz or the enigmatic nuances of Grappellian swing, the feel is spot on. O'Connor's rapid string-crossing and spiccato is spotless, while his versatility of touch with the bow furnishes a more languid bossa sound in Soft Gyrations, and a haziness perfect for the slower In the Cluster Blues. Mandolin and guitar find space around each other's playing and drive the group forwards when not starring up-front, while the bass pads around in the back, keeping everyone honest. The quality of ensemble is capped and reinforced by a transparent, dustbowl-dry acoustic, despite the live performance setting. O'Connor claims in the booklet notes that jam sessions are an art form - it's hard to disagree in this case. - Chris Elcombe
For information on Camp, O'Connor Method, engagements, ensembles, repertoire, sheet music, CD's and Digital Music Store, please visit our website: www.markoconnor.com
Check out new Mark O'Connor videos posted on his Youtube Channel
For frequent updates from Mark on the road please visit his Facebook fan page
Violin/Fiddle, Viola and Cello students attend Conference from 36 states and 7 foreign countries making for the largest gathering of string players in New York City!
Dear Friends and Fans,
I really enjoyed hosting the 17th annual String Camp in NYC this summer! We had 220 students in our final tally, 50 of those were teacher trainers signed up for the O'Connor Method Course on Books I and II. (we gathered a portion of the class for a teacher trainer picture led by Pamela Wiley below). The full camp group photo in Central Park was fun to do! The pictures were taken by our friend Jesse Newman and his team, Film & Color LLC who will also produce the String Camp's first professional video EPK! I have always wanted to do this - the sights and sounds of "Fiddle Camp." I will host it on my new YouTube channel as soon as it's ready! The crew was able to capture some beautiful images for this 5:00 min. promotional Camp video.
A Who's Who of String Playing For Our Faculty This Year
For 17 years, the MOC String Camp features a wide array of techniques, styles, and literature. This year was no exception. The four pillars of string playing were fully represented: Classical, Jazz, Folk Fiddling, and World Music.
-Kenji Bunch (violist and composer)
-Martin Hayes (Irish fiddler)
-Christian Howes (jazz violinist)
-Federico Britos (Cuban Jazz violin legend)
-Casey Driessen (modern bluegrass fiddler)
-Matt Haimovitz (Classical cello)
-April Verch (Canadian, stepdancing fiddler)
-Kelly Hall-Tompkins (classical violinist)
-Kevin Burke (Legendary Irish fiddler)
-Maya Beiser (Classical cellist)
-Lev Zhurbin (violist and composer)
-Sebastian Baverstam (new classical cello talent)
-Patrice Jackson (new cellist with O'Connor Quartet)
-Jim Chancellor (Texas Fiddling World Champion)
-Byron Berline (Bluegrass fiddling legend)
-Rachel Barton-Pine (Classical and Heavy metal violinist)
-Pam Wiley and the O'Connor Method Teacher's Class
-Matt Glaser (Berklee's Jazz violin professor)
-Joe Deninzon (Rock and Fusion violinist)
-Yale Strom (Klezmer violinist)
Guest Speakers
Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg (Violin great)
William "Bill" McGlaughlin (Host of Saint Paul Sunday)
Gilbert Hetherwick (Former President of Sony/BMG)
The majority of the Camp's activities took place at the historic 150 year-old Society for Ethical Culture Concert Hall. This is such a perfect fit for our camp. It is classic, beautiful wood everywhere, plenty of free flowing space, an inviting atmosphere - easy to feel at home. Inspirational for the musicians.
*****
The Daniel Pearl instrument collection receives a new member - a cello made by Jon Cooper.
From left to right: Sarah Chaffee, Jessica Emery (last years recipient), Jonathon Raveneau, Jon Cooper, Malachi Provenzano, Jonathan Russel (last years recipient)
Our student body was superb. The recipients of the Pearl instrument loans this year were violinists Malachi Provenzano, Jonathon Raveneau and cellist Sarah Chaffee.
Dear Mark,
We would like to extend our thanks to you for being a part of the Pearl Peace Project Memorial Concert that was organized by Daniel Pearl Memorial Violin winner, Jessica Emery...It is very touching for us to learn that the concert was not only a great success, but that it truly embodied the vision of the Daniel Pearl Foundation with its diversity and message.
We hope you will join us again this October in the world's largest symphony for peace: Daniel Pearl World Music Days. Any event with a musical component can become a part of this global initiative that carries a message of tolerance, peace and borderless humanity. All that is required is a dedication either spoken from stage or written in the program, and a simple registration of your event on www.danielpearlmusicdays.org. Once registered, each event is then featured on our site's calendar of events with an artist page to promote the event and feature your valued participation.
Pablo Casals once said: "Music must serve a purpose; it must be part of something larger than itself, a part of humanity." We hope you will continue to join us in this quest, sending a message of hope that transcends differences and empowers audiences in a quest for a better world.
Again, we would like to express our deep appreciation for the role you played in bringing about this outstanding peace concert and we hope to remain in touch.
United we can make a difference!
Sincerely,
Judea Pearl, Ruth Pearl and the World Music Days Team
Daniel Pearl Foundation
Another successful Teacher Training Course on the O'Connor Method
We had a fantastic group of Teacher Trainers for the course on the O'Connor Method led by Pamela Wiley.
Teachers from all corners of the world came for the American Styles method! We were able to certify 50 new teachers. The Viola, Cello and String Orchestra O'Connor Method Books are coming this Fall! Next summer we will feature the course on Method Books I and II again at the String Camps, with an additional smaller course on Book III which will be released next summer.
We were gratified to have two guest hosts this year for the Camp's evening public concerts in Elliott Forrest and Bill McGlaughlin. We are thankful for a grant from the Wallace Foundation to support the Camp. We also want to thank Shar Music for donating a bow and scholarship at the Camp raffle, D'Addario music for free rosin to the students, and Sharp Bows for silent auctions. The Camp is a 501C3 non profit and reliant on funding and private donors.
Mark Performs a Two-Hour Concert with Wynton Marsalis to Celebrate Django Reinhardt's Centennial Birthday
"Wynton and and Mark traded solos for an entire concert to remember the famous Gyspy Guitarist in his home country of France." (picture of rehearsal above)
The concert was filmed and a YouTube video of a selection from the concert will be available on the O'Connor YouTube Channel soon. Great musicians filled out the group; Frank Vignola, Carlos Henrique, Walter Blandly, Dan Zimmer and Ali Jackson
Rave Reviews from Strad Magazine (editor's choice) and Relix for O'Connor's Latest CD "Jam Session"
Mark O'Connor
Jam Session
OMAC
Review - August, 2010
Relix Magazine - www.relix.com
Whether it's bluegrass or jazz, isn't it always about the jam? Veteran Nashville, Tenn. Fiddle wizard Mark O'Connor taps musical associates from both genres for his latest, a buoyant blend of jazzgrass, and Djang-style gypsy jazz lifted by astonishing feats of bowing, plucking, picking and fretting. O'Connor sounds like his friend and mentor, the late Stephane Grappelli, with "Gypsy Fantastic," on which his fast and furious solo is followed by Hot Swing Trio partner Frank Vignola's melodic turn, and on Grappelli's own sweet and chunky "Minor Swing." The group also tackles other genres, including a tasty solo by ex-Nickel Creek mandolin player Chris Thile and a workout by bassist Jon Burr on "In the Cluster Blues," and grooving with simmering bossa rhythms on the laidback, color shifting "Soft Gyrations." -Phillip Booth
Mark O'Connor
Jam Session
OMAC
Review - August, 2010
Strad Magazine - U.K.
Mark O'Connor's first major musical inspirations were American folk fiddler Benny Thomasson and Stephane Grappelli, and this top-notch, string-only jam band allows him to deliver a modern take on both, as Kentucky hoedown meets the Left Bank. As with most jam sessions, everything here ends in souped-up revelry, but that's no bad thing when the improvisation is of this caliber. O'Connor and his masterful sparring partners on mandolin and guitar propel spools of unending and dazzling melody, and whether it's the spit-and-sawdust Bluegrass fizz or the enigmatic nuances of Grappellian swing, the feel is spot on. O'Connor's rapid string-crossing and spiccato is spotless, while his versatility of touch with the bow furnishes a more languid bossa sound in Soft Gyrations, and a haziness perfect for the slower In the Cluster Blues. Mandolin and guitar find space around each other's playing and drive the group forwards when not starring up-front, while the bass pads around in the back, keeping everyone honest. The quality of ensemble is capped and reinforced by a transparent, dustbowl-dry acoustic, despite the live performance setting. O'Connor claims in the booklet notes that jam sessions are an art form - it's hard to disagree in this case. - Chris Elcombe
For information on Camp, O'Connor Method, engagements, ensembles, repertoire, sheet music, CD's and Digital Music Store, please visit our website: www.markoconnor.com
Check out new Mark O'Connor videos posted on his Youtube Channel
For frequent updates from Mark on the road please visit his Facebook fan page
