May 2005 IN THIS ISSUE 2 2006 Orchestra 8 PULL-OUT POSTER: America National Honor Orchestra of Festival: Application America Deadline June 17, 2005 10 Ahn Trio: Classical Music Lives Ahn! 4 2006 Honor Orchestra of America 11 Summer Symposium Student Benjamin Zander, Registration Form Conductor Ahn Trio 13 Christian Howes: Making In concert at the 2005 Summer Christopher O’Riley, Music and Sharing Life Symposium, p. 10 Soloist Lessons 5 Conductor, Teacher, Speaker: The Art of Possibility with 14 The Orchestra Division at the Benjamin Zander 2005 Summer Symposium: Highlights, Curriculum, 6 From Radiohead to Faculty, Evening Concerts and Rachmaninov to “From the Events Top:” Christopher O’Riley Benjamin Christopher Zander O’Riley Conductor, 2006 Piano Soloist National Presenting Sponsor Honor Orchestra 2006 Honor of America Orchestra of 1.800.848.2263 • www.orchestraamerica.org America Orchestra America NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION 39 W. Jackson Place, Suite 150 U.S. POSTAGE PAID Indianapolis, IN 46225 PERMIT NO. 2145 INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46206 Christian Howes On the faculty at the 2005 Summer Symposium, p. 11 NEWSLETTER www.bands.org • 1 ORCHESTRA Application Packet enclosed with this AMERICA newsletter • Application requirements • Festival Package prices NATIONAL • Frequently Asked Questions • Festival and Honor Orchestra of America FESTIVAL Application Form. ® Also, download from www.orchestraamerica.org or presented by call 800.848.2263. March 23-25, 2006 Indianapolis, IN Hilbert Circle Theatre Hyatt Regency Downtown, Offi cial Hotel Presented in cooperation with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra 2006 Application Deadline: June 17, 2005 Passion for music, drive for excellence and the desire for a positively life-changing educational experience for your students–the Orchestra America National Festival may be just what you’ve been looking for. Th e Orchestra America National Festival is a non-competitive national festival for outstanding high school full and string orchestras, held in cooperation with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. The Orchestra America National Festival is a celebration of musical excellence, combining performance in a world-class concert hall and evaluation opportunities with an exhilarating atmosphere of camaraderie in music. The non-competitive atmosphere of the Orchestra America National Festival provides a place for growth, cooperative encouragement and mutual respect among school orchestra programs, students, parents and administrators. Orchestra directors select their own programs and there is no required repertoire. There are no ratings or rankings, so directors www.bands.org • 2 and their orchestras are free to stretch Scheduled Observation themselves, reaching for new heights, Concert observation time is scheduled Festival Evaluators striving for innovation, growth and and required for each orchestra, excellence, instead of focusing on a ensuring that all orchestras perform Richard Aulden Clark rating or placing. for a sizeable, appreciative audience. Director of Instrumental In 2006, Orchestra America will Scheduled audience time also Activities at Butler Univresity’s select a maximum of eight orchestras offers guaranteed opportunities Jordan College of Finae Arts that reflect the highest standard of for orchestras to enjoy outstanding and conductor of the Butler musical achievement and excellence performances by their peers at the Symphony Orchestra. Mr. for invitation to the Festival. Festival of quality literature. Clark is founder, conductor Preparation for the Festival–both Participants adhere to a dress code and artistic director of the Manhattan musically and in personal conduct–can and code of conduct that enhances the Chamber Orchestra. One of the youngest have a bonus positive effect on your world-class atmosphere. conductors ever to appear on the stage program. Participation is a credential of Carnegie Hall, he was previously worth having. Master Classes on the faculty of Rutgers University’s All students participate in Mason Gross School of the Arts and the The Application Process instrumental master classes, led by Manhattan School of Music. The Orchestra America National Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Festival audition process offers a members and leading university Franz Anton Krager unique opportunity for a wealth of faculty and professional musicians. Associate Professor of Conducting and Director of input into your program from a panel Social Events for Students and Orchestras at the University of respected music educators and is a Directors of Houston Moores School tool you can use to take your program The Festival social gives students the of Music. Mr. Krager is also to the next level. chance to relax, have fun and get to Artistic Director for the All auditioning ensembles know students from other orchestras Virtuosi of Houston, Director of Orchestral receive taped and written and other parts of the country. Studies & Resident Conductor for the critiques from the evaluation The Director/Evaluator reception Texas Music Festival, Artist-in-Residence panel. The tape listening is “blind”– and evening hospitality suite offer at Th e Kinkaid School, and has been a orchestras are only identified to informal interaction with colleagues. evaluators by number. summer lecturer-in-residence at the Italart Evaluators recommend the Gala Awards Banquet Santa Chiara Study Center, near Florence, orchestras that demonstrate an The “black-tie-optional” banquet Italy, since 1987. exemplary level of excellence to for students, directors, parents and receive an invitation to perform at the evaluators culminates the Festival Larry J. Livingston Festival. with the first-class standards that Professor of Conducting distinguish the Orchestra America and Dean of the Thornton National Festival. School of Music, University Festival Highlights Guests enjoy a plated dinner and of Southern California, presentation of participation awards 1986-2002. Mr. Livingston Concert Performances & Clinics recognizing each ensemble. is a distinguished educator, Invited orchestras perform a concert lecturer and administrator. He frequently before a knowledgeable audience Director “Fam” Trip appears with festival, collegiate, and all- including the Festival evaluation A mandatory familiarization trip for state orchestras in the United States and panel, music educators, fellow directors of all invited orchestras abroad. orchestra members and music takes directors on a site inspection enthusiasts. Orchestra directors of the performance hall, warm up Anthony Maiello receive taped and written comments room, clinic room, and the Festival Professor of Music and from the evaluators. Orchestra hotel. The philosophy of the event, Director of Instrumental directors also receive taped and Festival schedule, organization and Studies at George Mason written input on their conducting costs are thoroughly discussed. The University. Mr. Maiello has from one of music’s most revered “Fam” Trip for the 2006 invited served as Associate Conductor conductors. orchestras will be Sunday, Nov. 13, of the McLean Orchestra. Following the performance, each 2005 in Indianapolis, Indiana. His travels as conductor, clinician and orchestra has a private clinic with one Transportation and housing for the adjudicator have taken him to Europe, of the Festival Evaluators/Clinicians. “Fam Trip” is at the participating Mexico, Canada, the Bahamas and orchestra’s expense. throughout the United States. Additional Evaluators forthcoming. Visit orchestraamerica.org for the latest information. www.bands.org • 3 2006 HONOR ORCHESTRA OF AMERICA • Honor Orchestra of America post- Benjamin Zander concert reception for members and Boston Philharmonic Orchestra and families New England Conservatory Youth • Personalized Certificate, Patch Philharmonic Orchestra and exclusive Honor Orchestra of America member lapel pin Christopher O’Riley • Video and Compact Disc recording Piano Soloist of the Honor Orchestra of America “From the Top” Radio Show Host Concert • The “credential” of membership The Honor Orchestra of America in an elite “family” that annually is a unique full orchestra, drawing includes only a select number of the outstanding young musicians from nation’s most outstanding young across the nation. Members are selected musicians by video tape audition. Auditions are open to all outstanding high school- Requirements for Application aged string players. The 2006 Honor • Only un-edited video recording on Orchestra of America will rehearse VHS video tape or DVD-R will be and perform Mar. 23-25, 2006 accepted in Indianapolis as part of the • Audition video tape or DVD- Orchestra America National R must contain the required See the Honor Festival. audition excerpts. Get the list of audition excerpts online at Orchestra www.orchestraamerica.org Repertoire will include (subject to of America change): • Since this is the only chance for the application in Fantasy Overture from Romeo and Juliet– student to be heard, the quality of Tchaikovsky the recording should be of utmost the enclosed Piano Concerto No. 2, Mvt. 1–Rachmaninov consideration Orchestra Symphonic Metamorphosis–Hindemith • The un-edited recording must be America submitted with this completed Highlights include: application National Festival • Written evaluation of of the • Applying student MUST be a Application/ audition tape for all Honor member of their school orchestra Audition Packet Orchestra of America applicants program if school has an orchestra (Evaluations and announcement of program. Home-schooled