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Apr 08

Solofest and Recital Update

By Melanie Alpert | Events , violin , voice

Congratulations to all Alpert Studio students who participated in this year’s San Bernardino County Solofest; each one of you performed beautifully. I have seen such growth in each and every one of you; it’s makes me so proud!
Special congrats go out to those students who advanced to the finals: Mackenzie Orr, Elementary division, Kaitlin Orr, Michael Sturgis and Mercedes Machado, Junior High division (we swept this category!) and Cesar Quintero, High School division.
Our finalists will be competing this 10:00 a.m. Saturday, at the Cal State San Bernardino theater. Please come out and support your fellow students!

Also a quick note to studio voice and violin students: The date for our Spring Recital has been set. PLEASE SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, June 7, 4:00 p.m. at the studio recital hall.

Mar 27

When Less is More

By billalpert | Music Picks , violin


Nathan Milstein – Perpetuum Mobile by Novacek.

One can find just about anything on YouTube. This clip from 1957 fits into the “sublime” category. Violinist Nathan Milstein gives us an absolutely sparkling rendition of Novack’s Perpetual Motion, a piece I’ve recently discovered. It’s a wonderful technical study, also worthy of the concert stage.

The challenge in music like this, indeed when learning anything new, is making it effortless. To that end, it appears that Milstein is barely working during this highly technical selection. Indeed, in this case it is the economy of motion and simplicity in approach that makes lets the music shine.

Violin (and voice) is frequently about working less, removing tension and preparing the music to a cellular level. When applied diligently, this philosophy can bring about stunning results, as I’m sure you’ll appreciate if you’ll invest three minutes and watch the video. Enjoy!

Mar 15

From String Quartets to Acting Lessons

By billalpert | The Kitchen Sink

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Downtown Albuquerque, NM
I’d be remiss if I let too much time pass without thanking my studio and group students for allowing me the time to visit the recent American String Teachers Association conference in Albuquerque. I made the trip along with my dear friend and orchestra colleague, cellist Kyle Champion. Also making the trip were something like 2000 string teachers and students from across the USA and beyond, including fellow FSS instructor Wendy Waggener, and Redlands Symphony harpist Mary Dropkin.

New Mexico was beautiful and sunny; the workshops and concerts were inspirational as was the camaraderie and spirt surrounding the event. Certainly string teachers are a diverse group, yet within that group one can find a spirit of generosity and dedication to a common purpose.

Of special note: a recital by violinist Joshua Bell and pianist Jeremy Denk. I heard Josh Bell play a the Mendelssohn Concerto with the LA Phil a couple of years ago; it was indeed an impressive concert. But this recital, which included works by Tartini, Prokofiev, Schumann and Saint-Saéns was even more so. Bell and Denk donated their time to ASTA, and were equally generous with the playing. I can’t remember any musician with as much celebrity as Bell putting so much energy into an evening of music, from first note to last. This while the duo needed to pack up and catch a red eye back to the east coast the very same evening. The music was transcendent; one could have heard a pin drop during the quiet moments in the packed full Kiva Auditorium.

Bell made many an ASTA attendant beam when he thanked the organization from the stage. His big break came after winning an ASTA competition in Minneapolis. A year later he was playing with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Another surprise from the stage: Bell dedicated his encore: March from the Love of Three Oranges, to “his idol” Jascha Heifetz, who penned the venerable Prokofiev arrangement. To me it was a surprise comment from a young player whose extroverted approach seems so different than that of Mr. Heifetz.

Another notable concert: that of the Shanghai Quartet. This virtuostic and innovative group didn’t draw the the big crowds of Bell’s recital. Too bad for those who missed another spectacular evening of all out, take-a-lot-of-chances music making. Perhaps string quartets have an undeserved reputation for being a bit cerebral. Certainly that wouldn’t apply to this group of four young musicians, now resident at Montclair State University in New Jersey. Check out a recording of violinist Yi-Wen Jiang’s quartet arrangements of traditional Chinese folk songs; they are gorgeous and ravishing, expertly written.

Dozens of musicians, artists and educators presented workshops. Mark O’Connor talked about (and demonstrated!) his “New American Classical Music.” My own idol, violinist Darol Anger, led several sessions on jazz and alternative styles. He’s every bit the musical genius that Josh Bell is, in his own unique way. Somehow he manages to touch the deepest part of me, every time I hear him play, even if it’s just a simple old fiddle tune. And there were the youth honor orchestras and ensembles; it’s impressive to see these kids playing so well and excelling in their lives. Kudos!

As my friend Kyle pointed out, a recurring theme for me was attending sessions that focussed on Yoga, Alexander Technique, acting exercises, singing, shoulder injuries and custom fitted chin rests. More and more, I’m realizing the skills of using the body properly, releasing tension and being “in the moment” are vitally important to me and my students. Students: you’ll be hearing more about this in the studio soon!

So again, thanks to all my students, as well as my very first teacher violin teacher Marjorie Marth, who covered my Suzuki group classes while I was gone, and of course to the dedicated folks at ASTA, who put on one of the best conferences ever!

Mar 03

Exciting News!

By Melanie Alpert | Events , The Kitchen Sink , voice

There have been many exciting developments in the Alpert Studio family recently. First of all, let us all congratulate several Studio students for their notable accomplishments.

Michael Sturgis and Cesar Quintero were selected as semi-finalists in the SCVA Vocal Solo Competition and advanced to the next round which will be held this Saturday. Good luck to you both! Cesar was also a semi-finalist in the non-classical division of the LA Music Center Spotlight Awards. Way to go Cesar!

Kathryn McGuire will be spending most of her summer in Graz Austria after being accepted to the prestigious American Institute of Musical Studies.

Also several studio students are on stage this month, please support them by attending their performances:
Kari Kennedy is in the Grove’s production of Pochantas and Mackenzie Orr stars as Mary in the City of Rancho Cucamonga’s Community Theater production of The Secret Garden. I’m really proud of all of you and all the hard work you’ve done.

Finally: news of this Summer’s musical production. I’m thrilled to be music director of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, in conjunction with Broadway Experience and the Los Osos High School Theater Department. Performances are slated for July. For audition and additional information visit the Broadway Experience Website.

Feb 09

Baroque Music Concert

By billalpert | The Kitchen Sink

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The beautiful and acoustically inviting Calvary Chapel

I’d like to invite violin studio students, as well as all Alpert Studio students, families and friends to enjoy a concert of Baroque music in the beautiful setting of Calvary Church, Riverside. There will be a nice selection of vocal and instrumental music, and I’ll be playing a portion of Vivaldi’s exciting Four Seasons Concerto for violin. Please join us!

BLESSING OF BAROQUE

Orchestra, soloists and Chorus
The Lyric Symphony with Camelia Voin, conducted by Viorel Gheorghe
Selections by Vivaldi, Bach and Handel
Bill Alpert, Violin
Performing Winter from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons

At the Calvary Presbyterian Church in Riverside
Sunday February 17, 2008 at 4 pm, admission is free

4495 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501 • Directions

Jan 20

Melanie Alpert appears in The King and I

By Melanie Alpert | Events , violin

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Many of you have expressed interest in attending Melanie’s performance of Lady Thiang, in the Performance Riverside production of The King and I. Also appearing in the production are Alpert Studio students Michael Sturgis and Gracie Unger.

Evening and matinee performances are scheduled between Feb 1st – Feb 10th, 2008 at Landis Auditorium on the campus of Riverside City College.

Because your are all considered friends and family, you are eligible for discounted tickets to the performances. Just call the box office at (951) 222-8100 and mention the code “PUZZLEMENT” along with the name “Melanie Alpert.” You will receive a 20-25% discount.

I think it will be a wonderful show; we hope many of you can attend!

For additional information here’s a link to the Performance Riverside website

Jan 06

Studio 2008 Updates

By billalpert | violin , voice

Voice and Violin lessons will resume this week! Your lesson will be at your regular scheduled time, unless otherwise discussed. If you are unsure about your lesson time, please call or e-mail as soon as possible.

Note from Melanie Alpert to Voice Students:
Please try to be flexible during the month of January. Because of my rehearsal schedule, some lesson times may need to be rearranged. I’ll do my best to find a convenient time for everyone.

SCVA Participants Reminder:
This year’s competition will be held on Saturday, January 12 at 9:00 a.m. Location: at the recital hall at 10722 Arrow Rte., Suite 104, Rancho Cucamonga

Note to Violin Students from Bill Alpert:
The violin studio is going to a flat monthly tuition rate. The monthly tuition will include approx. 45 lessons per year and all recital fees. Note that the tuition rate for each month will remain the same whether there are 4 or 5 weeks in the month. For continuing students, the monthly rate will be equivalent to the cost of 4 regular lessons. Please read my complete studio policies which includes information about cancellations, studio requirements and more.

Let’s all plan and enjoy and musically exciting and rewarding 2008. See you soon!

Jan 03

An opera to save the world

By billalpert | The Kitchen Sink

The Ring Photo
A scene from Wagner’s “Das Rheingold” (courtesy Metropolitan Opera)

Richard Wagner’s epic The Ring is a collection of four operas that have inspired concert goers, film makers, film composers, artists of all manner and even soldiers in combat for 150 years. It’s twenty hours of music that encapsulate legend, love, war, incest, racism and even the creation of the universe.

Productions of this mammoth work are legend in themselves. People plan for years and travel thousands of miles to attend. The mother of all Ring productions can be experienced at a specially built opera house in Bayreuthe, Germany, where Wagner staged his original production. You’ll need to buy your tickets early, maybe a couple of years early. Seats are running about $2000 each, per opera. Yes, a trip for two including air fare should be easily doable for only about $25,000 🙂

In case you don’t have the 25K, here’s plan B:

Find a quiet hour, brew a cup of tea, pull up a comfy chair and point your browser to the WNYC public radio podcast The Ring and I. It’s a fabulous production from WNYC’s Radio Lab. I’m a regular listener to this fine series, and this particular podcast is one of the best shows about classical music I’ve ever heard. You can download the mp3 here!

It’s extra credit for all Alpert Studio students, and a great way to introduce your non-musical friends to opera. Let us know what you think!


Dec 30

Way cool news… again!

By Melanie Alpert | Events , voice

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Sarah Jackson

A huge round of congratulations to Alpert Studio student Sarah Jackson upon being selected to participate in the semi-final round in the Los Angeles Music Center’s Spotlight Competition. Sarah was selected as one of fifteen from a field of almost 200 participants in the competition’s classical category. Spotlight is considered one of the most prestigious competitions for high school students in the country. Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious, Sarah!

Sarah’s participation marks the fifth consecutive year that an Alpert Studio student has been selected as a semi-finalist in the Spotlight Awards. Let’s all give Sarah our support as she returns to the final rounds early in 2008!

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