BELLOWS FALLS — Eugene Friesen's String Institute which runs from June 21 to 24 in Bellows Falls, features Celtic harpist and vocalist Aine Minogue and Pakistani singer/bandleader Arieb Azhar.
Now enrolling for its fifth season, the String Institute is an intensive, small-group workshop for string players and other classical musicians who are interested in exploring improvisation. Grammy award-winning cellist Eugene Friesen will lead a weekend of classes and improvisations in Emmanuel Episcopal Church (the Stone Church), a magnificent space with warm acoustics and a nine-foot Steinway grand piano, as well as other locations in Bellows Falls.
The String Institute program includes class and private instruction, audio and video recording and evaluation, introduction to contemporary practice technologies, custom study materials, performance opportunities, jam sessions, and ensemble work, discussions, food, and social time with musicians from around the globe.
The weekend will feature a Friday afternoon workshop and evening Stone Church concert with Azhar, who is currently touring the United States. On Saturday, Minogue will offer a class in “Celtifying” your music, adding idiomatic embellishments and phrasing to convey the Celtic style to melodies and improvisation.
Following the workshop, the String Institute will present “A Celtic Summer Solstice,” a public concert at the Stone Church featuring Minogue, Friesen, and selected camp participants.
“The 21st century calls for a new breed of musical artist. Whatever a player's background - classical, bluegrass, jazz, Celtic or Old Time - contemporary culture demands musicians who are creative and collaborative,” said Friesen, who founded the String Institute.
His new book, “Improvisation for Classical Musicians: Strategies for Creativity and Expression,” recently published by Berklee Press is the first text specifically written for classical musicians exploring the world of improvisation.
For more information and registration materials, follow the link from www.celloman.com, or call 802-380-0032.