Hello Friends, 

Wow, things here at Amateur Music Network are really heating up! As you can see from all the events in this edition, the listings have really been coming in and it's exciting to see how vibrant and energized our amateur music community is!

AMN's own "Side by Side" collaboration with the SF Chamber Orchestra on February 26 was a wonderful sold-out success. Nearly 40 amateur string players came and read several pieces onstage with the orchestra under the direction of SFCO Music Director Ben Simon. Everyone had a great time!

Next up for AMN is our series in partnership with the Northern California Chamber Music Academy at Drew School in San Francisco. We have three workshops this spring that I hope you'll check out!

• on March 13 there's a violin workshop with SF Symphony violinist Diane Nicholeris .
• 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!! Just check out the list of events happening this month and coming soon. From Classical to Klezmer, there is something for everyone. I hope singers will all take advantage of the wonderful day of workshops THIS SATURDAY IN SF, presented by the SF Bach Choir: "Many Voices, One Art: A Bay Area Choral Festival." And if you just want to dip your toes in the music-making water, check out Community Music Center's CMC SUNDAY next weekend - a whole day of workshops, demos, and play-alongs.


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

WORKSHOP/CLASS    ♦    SF ♦    March 4, 2017 10am to 4pm

Many Voices, One Art: A Bay Area Choral Festival

Barbershop to Bach; Mozart to Broadway; Plainchant to Spirituals; Body Music to Beethoven; Latin to Luther 

Come sing, learn, and have fun with us as we celebrate the rich diversity of Bay Area singing!

FREE – All are welcome! No music reading or vocal training necessary. Advance registration is required; lunch available (advance purchase only).

Workshops include:

• Learn to Sing Barbershop Harmony
• Romancero! Songs of the Sephardic Jews
• Singing Gregorian Chant
• Make A Healthy Sound – Fundamental Technical Concepts for Choral Singers

              and many more!!

Work with amazing workshop leaders including:

• Kari Prindl, American Conservatory Theater
• Martha Rodríguez-Salazar, SF Community Music Center
• Linda Tillery, Cultural Heritage C­hoir

              and many more!!

Singers in attendance will also have an opportunity to sing portions of Beethoven’s Mass in C with San Francisco Bach Choir Artistic Director Magen Solomon.

March 4, 2017 10am to 4pm

Audition required?   No

Age Restriction? No   

FOR MORE INFORMATION: SF Bach Choir

WORKSHOP/CLASS    ♦    SF ♦    March 12, 2017  3pm

CMC Sunday: Free demo classes and more!

Community Music Center welcomes the public to our Mission District Branch to try out an instrument or a class for free on CMC Sundays!

Bring your instrument, your voice, your family, or a few friends – all are welcome! Here is what’s in store:

FOR KIDS:

• 3:00-3:45pm – Music for Children demo with Irene Chagall
• 3:00-5:00pm – Guitar Demo Lessons with Will Ludan
• 3:00-5:00pm – Percussion/Drum Set Demo Lessons with Javier Cabanillas
• 3:00-5:00pm – Piano Demo Lessons with Evelyn Davis
• 4:00-5:00pm – Instrument Petting Zoo: strings, guitar, and piano
• 4:00-5:00pm – Guitar Demo Lessons with Larry Dunn

• 3:00-4:00pm – Blues Jam Session with Maestro and Nola Curtis This jam session will focus on blues, American roots music, a predecessor to jazz and R&B. This session will focus on 1 4 5 changes, looking at rhythmic patterns and cadences that are emblematic of the blues. Open to instrumentalists and vocalists. This session will be followed by a composition/arrangement workshop with a focus on the blues form.
• 4:00-5:00pm – The Blues – Arranging and Composition Concepts with Maestro and Nola Curtis Using the song structure for the blues, this session will focus on how to develop arrangements for various instruments looking at melody, counterpoint, and improvisation ideas. Open to instrumentalists and vocalists. This session follows the Blues Jam Session at 3pm.
• 3:00-4:00pm – Vocal Harmony Workshop with Margaret Gordon This demo class will focus on a capella and barbershop singing styles and include some improvised singing circle exercises for group vocal development. This is open to beginners to discover their natural vocal abilities and to encourage more experienced singers to continue developing theirs.
• 3:00-4:00pm – Songwriting Workshop – What a Difference a Tune Makes with Larry Dunn Join CMC faculty member Larry Dunn in this songwriting workshop. Share your original songs and get feedback from experienced songwriter and educator, Larry Dunn. This workshop will include information on lyric development, song structure, and harmonic structure. Larry wrote CMC’s 95th anniversary song “It’s a Wonderful Day,” and more recently a song “Love is a Rising Road” and is known for covering topics of wide ranging subjects – but always with a great hook. If you’d like feedback on a piece you have already created, please bring a copy of your music and/or lyrics for this workshop.
• 4:00-5:00pm – CMC Sunday String Orchestra with Loretta Taylor Current and former students as well as community members are invited to join this pick-up orchestra for CMC Sunday. The group will play Allegro in D for Strings from Concerto for Two Trumpets by Antonio Vivaldi, arranged by Steven Frackenpol. Download the music below and bring it to rehearsal. We will sight read other music as well. Sheet music download by part for Allegro in D for Strings from Concerto for Two Trumpets by Antonio Vivaldi Violin I Violin II Violin III Viola Cello Bass
• 3:00-5:00pm – Guitar Demo Lessons with Will Ludan
• 3:00-5:00pm – Percussion/Drum Set Demo Lessons with Javier Cabanillas
• 3:00-5:00pm – Piano Demo Lessons with Evelyn Davis
• 3:00-4:00pm – Djangology Demo Class with Scott Feichter 4:00-5:00pm – Beatles Demo Class
• 4:00-5:00pm – Voice Demo Lessons with Margaret Gordon 4:00-5:00pm – Guitar Demo Lessons with Larry Dunn

March 12, 2017   3 pm

Audition required?   No

Age Restriction? None 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Community Music Center

WORKSHOP/CLASS    ♦    East Bay       ♦    March 19, 2017     2 PM

KlezCalifornia Klezmer Workshop & Jam

Workshop with teaching, followed by playing through songs with sheet music, followed by traditional jam by ear. Taught by renowned klezmer musician Joshua Horowitz.

March 19, 2017     2 PM

Audition required?   No

Age Restriction? (none if blank)   

FOR MORE INFORMATION: KlezCalifornia

WORKSHOP/CLASS    ♦    SF ♦    3/27/2017 10:00:00

Performing Arts Connection: Spring Break for Teens!

Fill your Spring Break with music, poetry, dance, theater and digital media storytelling! Discover and explore new art forms, hone current skills and inspire fresh creativity with diverse teen communities from all over the Bay Area. Teens will work with artists from SF Opera, SF Ballet, A.C.T., Youth Speaks and Citizen Film in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco to craft original works and produce a showcase for their families and the community. Find your crew – join the Performing Arts Connection today! DATES & TIME Monday-Friday March 27th-31st, 2017 10am-4pm LOCATION The Wilsey Center for Opera War Memorial Veterans Building 401 Van Ness Avenue, SF COST $0-$200 tuition for full week $10 registration fee (applied towards tuition) SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE No teen turned away for lack of funds AGES Middle and High School Students Ages 13-18 years old Community Showcase Friday, March 31st, 2017 at 6pm! Apply by March 1st: http://sfopera.com/pac

3/27/2017 10:00:00

Audition required?   No

Age Restriction? (none if blank)   13-18 years old

FOR MORE INFORMATION: San Francsico Opera Education Department

ENSEMBLE - ongoing    ♦    South Bay
Open Auditions: Year round, contact music director 

The New Millennium Chamber Orchestra emerged as the shared vision of many accomplished musicians in the Mid-Peninsula area who wanted the opportunity to share their talents playing exciting music in a chamber orchestra environment.

Our vision is to: provide a venue for local musicians to perform a broad range of repertoire empower our musicians to help plan and shape our programs give local composers the opportunity to have their works performed by a highly-skilled ensemble engage and educate young musicians on the Peninsula

History The New Millennium Chamber Orchestra was founded in February of 2012 by a small group of accomplished musicians in the mid-Peninsula area who wanted to share their talents playing exciting, entertaining music in a chamber orchestra environment. We’re a diverse group of all ages – busy professionals, teachers, students, retired persons – all with a love of playing great orchestral music together for Peninsula audiences

Music Director and Conductor: James Richard Frieman

Audition required?   Yes

Age Restriction? None

FOR MORE INFORMATION: New Millennium Chamber Orchestra

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