Hello Friends, 

Here is your February newsletter, and as you can see there are some great music-making opportunities coming up. 

I want to tell you about our very first Amateur Music Network event, which took place Friday, January 20 at the historic Oakland 16th Street train station: a wonderful orchestra of 28 musicians came together to play on an episode of VIREO, a new opera composed specifically for episodic TV. It was super fun and I'm really proud of everyone for the great job they did!

Our next collaboration is a Side-By-Side with the SF Chamber Orchestra on February 26. I will be there and hope to see all you string players! Then in March, violin players should check out a workshop with SF Symphony violinist Diane Nicholeris that will be taking place at Drew School. See below for more information.

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! 

Cheers!


Lolly Lewis
Founder, Amateur Music Network

ENSEMBLE - ongoing    ♦    South Bay ♦    Feb. 1, 2017    6:30pm

Jefferson Adult School Community Band

This is the Jefferson Adult School Community Band. Originally called the North Peninsula Wind and Percussion Ensemble, this community band has been going for many years. The band rehearses Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 PM and performs a minimum of two concerts per year. Spring semester goes from Feb. 1 to May 3. The last class meeting is also the concert date. Location is at the main campus. 699 Serramonte Blvd., Daly City.

Feb 1, 2017   6:30 pm

Audition required?   No

Age Restriction? (none if blank)   18 and above

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jefferson Adult School

WORKSHOP/CLASS    ♦    East Bay 

Laney College Jazz Ensembles

Laney College jazz ensembles are open for enrollment for the spring semester. We have a jazz orchestra (big band) class that meets Monday evenings at 6pm, and a jazz combo class that meets Tues/Thurs from 3 - 5. Classes start January 23, and enrollment is open through February 5th. Feel free to email instructor Charlie Gurke with any questions: cgurke@peralta.edu.

Audition required?   No

Age Restriction?   Open to adults and high school students.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Laney College

WORKSHOP/CLASS    ♦    SF ♦    Feb. 11, 2017 9:00am and 10:30am

First Act: The Little Prince's Adventure

During The Little Prince’s Adventure, we’ll journey through this classic tale by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry as set in opera by Rachel Portman. In this workshop we’ll explore music, rhythm, visual arts and movement, designed to foster social-emotional development, increased language and fine-gross motor skills. Designed for youth ages 3-5 accompanied by at least one parent or guardian–all ability levels welcome, workshops are all-access.

Feb. 11, 2017 9:00am and 10:30am

Audition required?   No

Age Restriction? (none if blank)   3-5 years old, accompanied by at least one adult

FOR MORE INFORMATION: San Francisco Opera

WORKSHOP/CLASS    ♦    East Bay ♦    Feb. 26, 2017 5:30pm

SIDE BY SIDE with the SF Chamber Orchestra

Calling all string players! On February 26, bring your instrument to our 3:00 Main Stage Concert at Berkeley’s lovely St. John’s Presbyterian Church, and join us afterward for a fun, informal reading session with the fabulous (and friendly) players of the wonderful SF Chamber Orchestra. It will be the very first in what we hope will be a series of side-by-side get-togethers, just for the musical fun of it.

During the performance, enjoy some beautiful songs by Canteloube, a brand new work by Berkeley’s own Peter Josheff, and a string orchestra version of Schubert’s thrilling Death and the Maiden quartet. A side-by-side reading session will immediately follow the concert, then join us for light refreshments at our post-reading reception.

Music (in case you feel like practicing) and event details will be provided upon registration.

February 26, 2017    5:30pm

Audition required?   No

Age Restriction? no   

REGISTER NOW

WORKSHOP/CLASS    ♦    South Bay

RECORDER RETREATS

Next Level Recorder Retreat   ♦   Feb 24 - 28

An intensive 4 and 1/2 day workshop focusing on technique, ensemble skills and special topics with instructors Tish Berlin and Frances Blaker

Audition required?   Yes

Age Restriction? (none if blank)   
 

Next Level Recorder Retreat II  ♦   Feb 28 - Mar 2

An intensive 3-day workshop geared toward the intermediate player, focusing on technique, ensemble skills and special topics.

Audition required?   Yes

Age Restriction? None   
 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: TIbia Adventures in Music

ENSEMBLE - ongoing    ♦    East Bay

Ohlone Community Band seeking to fill some seats

Time to Register with Ohlone College Community Band (OCB), under the direction of Tony Clements. The Band plays a wide variety of Symphonic Band Literature (typically gr.3 and above). The Ohlone Community Band is open to all Musicians with Conductor approval. We rehearse every Wednesday Evening from 7:30PM – 9:30PM in the Ohlone College Smith Center – TV Studio B (Room SC-144)

Instrumentation sought:

• Percussion (2 or 3)
• Bb Clarinets
• Trumpet/Cornet (the Section all play both) - Probably 1 or 2
• Maybe a Trombone and/or a Tuba

["audition" = the conductor wants to hear you play a small sampling to be sure you play at the level of the group, not for seat placement]

Dates for Spring 2017
January 25, 2017 - Wednesday - 7:30PM - Opening Night Rehearsal for March Concert - TV Studio B (Room SC-144)

March 8, 2017 - Wednesday - 7:30PM - Mandatory Dress Rehearsal - Ohlone College Fremont Campus - Jackson Theater in the Smith Center

March 15, 2017 - Wednesday - 7:30PM - March Concert - Ohlone College Fremont Campus - Jackson Theater in the Smith Center

March 29, 2017 - Wednesday - 7:30PM - Opening Rehearsal for May Concert - TV Studio B (Room SC-144)

May 10, 2017 - Wednesday - 7:30PM - Mandatory Dress Rehearsal - Ohlone College Fremont Campus - TV Studio B (Room SC-144)

May 13, 2017 - Saturday - Noon - Concert in the Park & Pot Luck Family Picnic - Performance Pavilion in Fremont Central Park (Lake Elizabeth) at Paseo Padre and Stevenson (Free Concert) To register, follow this Link to the Ohlone College Bands Page of the Ohlone College Community Education

Register Now

$165 per Semester. We do have some money donated by fellow Band Members for “Fee Offsets”. If you need assistance – please contact Dan Smith at dansmith@ohlone.edu

Audition required?   Yes

Age Restriction? no 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Ohlone Community Band

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

WORKSHOP/CLASS    ♦    SF     ♦    March 13, 2017, 6:30pm

Let’s Make It Easier!
A Positive Approach to Orchestral Violin Playing

Northern California Chamber Music Academy presents MUSIC MONDAYS! Join us to explore ensemble playing in large and small groups. We work with esteemed local Mentors in a wide range of eclectic repertoire including contemporary Cuban, jazz, classical and more! Music will be available in advance for download upon registration.

The first workshop in our spring, 2017 series features SF Symphony violinist DIANE NICHOLERIS, and we will use a Mozart Symphony to explore technical and musical issues for violinists.

March 13, 2017   6:30pm

Audition required?   No

Age Restriction? no

REGISTER NOW
 

SAVE THE DATES for more workshops this spring:

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