Hello Friends, 

I hope you are enjoying the advent of spring in the SF Bay Area as much as I am, and are looking forward to some wonderful music-making events this month.

Wanted to catch you up on the success of our first workshop at Drew School in partnership with the Northern California Chamber Music Academy. Mentor Diane Nicholeris led an intimate group of violinists in exploring Mozart's Symphony no. 29, working on techniques to make orchestral playing easier. 

Our series in continues this spring, with two more workshops that I hope you'll check out!

• on April 17 workshop in ensemble singing with the producer-arranger-backup singer extraordinare Larry Batiste
• on May 22 the series wraps up with a clarinet choir workshop led by SF Symphony clarinetist Jerry Simas.

But the opportunities don't stop there!! Please check out the list of events happening this month and coming soon. And it's not too early to start thinking about summer festivals and workshops - there are a few listed this month and more coming.

Please forward this email to people who might want to join the list or might want us to list their ensemble or opportunity. I know there are a lot more groups out there and I want to include them − let's grow this network, and let's keep making music! 

Cheers!


Lolly Lewis
Founder, Amateur Music Network

ENSEMBLE - one-time event    ♦    SF      ♦    April 4, 2017     7pm

Overture Workshop for Adults: All Together Now

Join us for a chance to Sing with the San Francisco Opera Chorus under the baton of Chorus Director Ian Robertson! In this interactive workshop, you will join a rehearsal of upcoming repertoire and learn about the essential role the chorus plays in opera performances.

April 4, 2017   7pm

Audition required?   No

Age Restriction?  18+

FOR MORE INFORMATION: San Francisco Opera

OTHER    ♦    SF    ♦      April 8, 2017    10:00 am

Opera in an Hour Family Movie Festival

Bring the whole family to our FREE Opera in an Hour film screenings of two Rossini classics: The Barber of Seville and Cinderella! See a screening of these timeless operas that are perfect for all ages and include a live introduction. Attend an active and exciting Exploration Workshop before each film plus crafting activities!

DATE & TIME Saturday, April 8, 2017

• 10-11am Exploration Workshop: Opera for Families!
• 11:30am-12:45pm Barber of Seville Film Screening
• 1:30-2:30pm Exploration Workshop: Opera for Families!
• 3-4:15pm Cinderella Film Screening

LOCATION The Wilsey Center for Opera War Memorial Veterans Building
401 Van Ness Avenue, SF

COST Film screenings are FREE!
Exploration Workshops are $10/person (scholarships available)

April 8, 2017    10:00 am

Audition required?   No

Age Restriction? none   

FOR MORE INFORMATION: San Francisco Opera

OTHER    ♦    East Bay     

COMPOSER OPPORTUNITY
for
INTERSECTION 2018 WORKSHOP

Left Coast Chamber Ensemble’s INTERSECTION workshop will be entering its 5th season in 2018. The workshop is designed for adult amateur musicians to experience the thrill of playing new chamber music written especially for them.

We are inviting San Francisco Bay Area composers (Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma, Napa, and Marin counties) to compose for this workshop. There is no age limit, and no cost to apply. Composers will be required to submit one original chamber music work. This work will NOT be performed at the workshop. If you are selected for the workshop, you will be required to compose a short (3-5 minute) piece for an adult amateur chamber ensemble with instrumentation TBA depending on what instruments are in the group. Instrumentation can include strings, winds and piano. If selected to compose for this workshop, composers will need to tailor their work to the level of the musicians in each group.

We will only accept 25 composer submissions. Please submit only one composition per composer. When we have reached 25 submissions, the contest will be closed and announced as closed on the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble website, and further submissions will not be acknowledged.

Left Coast will select UP TO 6 composers to compose for the workshop. Composers will be paid $250 for each piece composed; composers may be asked to compose two pieces for two different ensembles.

• Score: Each composer must submit a legible score of professional quality. No marks identifying the composer must appear anywhere on the score. We will not accept scores submitted electronically.
• Audio: If you have one, live recordings are preferred. MIDI realizations are acceptable. It is also acceptable to submit your work with no audio. Your real name should not be on your audio.
• Preparing your score: Label your score with a pseudonym (don't use your real name on your score).
• Number of entries: Composers may submit ONE work. Note that this work WILL NOT be performed at the workshop. There is no cost to apply, materials will not be returned to you.

Audition required?   No

Age Restriction?  None

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Left Coast Chamber Ensemble INTERSECTION workshop

WORKSHOP/CLASS    ♦    SF       ♦    April 30, 2017 2 PM

KlezCalifornia Klezmer Workshop & Jam

Workshop with teaching, followed by traditional jam by ear. Taught by renowned klezmer musician Cookie Segelstein.

April 30, 2017 2 PM

Audition required?   No

Age Restriction? No   

FOR MORE INFORMATION: KlezCalifornia

WORKSHOP/CLASS    ♦    East Bay ♦     July 23-29, 2017

SFEMS Classical Workshop -- Haydn: Padre, Amico e Guido

Our theme this year is “Haydn: Father, Friend and Guide,” Mozart’s reverential reference to his mentor. We will explore the rich and wonderful musical world of Haydn and Mozart, as well as that of Haydn’s students including Beethoven. We will also delve into the works of composers who dedicated their music to Haydn. The Classical Workshop invites string players, fortepianists and pairs of oboes, flutes, clarinets and bassoons to explore chamber music for strings, winds and keyboards.

The Classical Workshop is America’s only workshop dedicated to late 18th-century performance practice. We meet for one week in July to explore string chamber music of the Classical era. Morning and afternoon coaching sessions by the New Esterházy Quartet are followed each evening by informal performances of the day’s repertoire. Private instruction and colloquia on bowing and fingering complement our program. The workshop invites string players of all ages and abilities. Pre-formed ensembles are welcome too.

FACULTY: The New Esterházy Quartet – Kati Kyme, violin; Lisa Weiss, violin; Anthony Martin, violin and viola; William Skeen, cello Karen Rosenak, fortepiano, Marc Schachman, oboe. Workshop Directors: Kati Kyme and William Skeen

Workshop Directors: Kati Kyme and William Skeen

July 23 – 29, 2017 School of the Madeleine, St. Mary Magdalen, Berkeley, CA

Audition required?   No

All ages and levels of experiences are welcome.

Tuition:
Non-Member: $655 by April 30; $705 thereafter
SFEMS/EMA/ARS Member: $610 by April 30, $660 thereafter

FOR MORE INFORMATION: SF Early Music Society

WORKSHOP/CLASS    ♦    East Bay ♦    August 2 10am

2017 CROWDEN SUMMER PROGRAM
FOR ADULT AMATEUR MUSICIANS

August 2-6 Wednesday–Sunday 10:00am–3:30pm daily
Concerts Aug. 6, 12:00 and 2:00pm
Tuition: $415
Registration fee: $25
Registration deadline: April 14
Audition by appointment; Crowden will contact prospective students after receipt of registration form.

This five-day intensive workshop features daily coached rehearsals, as well as daily master classes and independent rehearsal time. Each participant plays in two ensembles, delving into chamber music’s most beloved pieces. Crowden’s renowned chamber music faculty share their passion and expertise as they guide students through a deepened development of ensemble playing skills and music appreciation, culminating in a concert for family and friends on the workshop’s final day. Group placement is based on audition. Pre-formed groups are welcome and encouraged to apply. See us online here: http://www.crowden.org/community-education/summer-programs Register online here: http://www.crowden.org/asap-test/summer-enrollment

August 2 - 6, 2017 

Audition required?   Yes

Age Restriction? (none if blank)   Over 23 years old

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Crowden Music Center