32nd Annual Vernon L. Wiscarson Young Musicians' Competition a Success

It was an exciting day Saturday as ten of the areas top young instrumental musicians took the stage at Smith Music Hall on the campus of Western Oregon University to vie in the 32nd Annual Vernon L. Wiscarson Young Musicians' Competition.  While they are all winners and deserve congratulations those who took home the top prizes were:

First Place:  Sierra Schmeltzer, senior, flute
Second Place:  Paul Lim, 6th grade, piano
Third Place (tie):  Alexander Erwig, senior, alto saxophone
Third Place (tie): Justin Yun, junior, violin

It's A Leap Day Special

Don't miss out on this fabulous special in honor of Leap Day.  http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs071/1102397697350/archive/1109412446332.html

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Mark Your Calendars for the Vernon L. Wiscarson Young Musicians' Competition

We are blessed with great talent in our region and it starts with our student musicians.  Don't miss the opportunity to hear some of the area's finest young talent as they vie for some of the top prize money in the state at the Vernon L. Wiscarson Young Musicians' Competition on Saturday, March 10 beginning at 10am in Smith Music Hall on the campus of Western Oregon University in Monmouth.

Bell Leaves the Audience Breathless

The audience was abuzz as they entered Smith Auditorium in anticipation of Joshua Bell’s performance with the Oregon Symphony.  Greeted by a small brass ensemble performing Banchieri’s Concerto Primo, the tone was set for a wonderful evening of great music.

Bell’s performance of Johannes Brahms Violin Concerto was absolutely breathtaking and his personal interpretation of the music in the cadenzas only went to punctuate his innate genius.  A technical and musical master from a young age, he only seems to become more in touch with the music as he matures, drawing the audience in to the story he is telling through his violin.

Kalmar’s placement of Handel’s Royal Fireworks Music as the answer to Bell’s performance shows a little bit of his genius as well.  His interpretation was not the usual somewhat plodding feel that you can sometimes get in Baroque music and the orchestra’s performance demonstrated that they are coming into their own as an orchestra that deserves broader recognition.

Contrary to what some might think, paired with Handel’s masterpiece, Janáček’s Sinfonietta was the highlight of the second half and while the brass were impeccable, Acting Principal Flute Alicia diDonato Paulsen’s solo passages throughout the piece were also highly deserving of great accolade. 

Joshua Bell Comes To Salem

Thank you Barbara for the great article. 

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20120108/LIFE/201080309/Oregon-Symphony-welcomes-soloist-Joshua-Bell?odyssey=mod|newswell|text

Principal Cellist Nancy Ives Works With Area Students

Our OSAS Education Program was at work with Nancy Ives, Principal Cellist, at West Salem High School in late November.  She came to work with Daryl Silberman and her orchestra students. It was a wonderful exchange of enthusiasm, expertise, joy in making music together.

The students were "spellbound" when Ms. Ives played for them, unaccompanied, "The Swan" from Carnival of the Animals. Her beautifully articulated performance of a movement from the Bach Cello Suites held them in awe. Other than the rich tone of Ms. Ives newly acquired cello, there was not a sound or motion in the room.

She talked with the students about the multi-dimensional layers of thought involved in musical performance.
She pointed out that research shows us that music study and participation activates the brain more than almost any other thought process. She went on in detail listing, discussing them specifically. She explained that effective practice compresses your "brain band width" which allows you more freedom in performance.