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The Fredonia School of Music's annual “String Experience,” a special event for high school violinists, violists, cellists, and bassists, takes place Sunday, Oct. 15 in Mason Hall.
A free, public recital with nationally acclaimed musicians from the SUNY Fredonia School of Music will end the day-long exploration at 4 p.m. in Rosch Recital Hall. All are invited.
“The String Experience” will feature master classes with acclaimed SUNY Fredonia instructors Janet Sung (violin), Natasha Farny (cello), Brian Walnicki (viola), and Harry Jacobson (bass). Participants will also get the opportunity to attend a discussion with internationally acclaimed special guest artist Amadi Hummings and an improvisation session with SUNY Fredonia’s Dr. David Rudge. The sessions will take place in an open and supportive environment, allowing high school students to freely explore their art and master new techniques.
To participate in “The String Experience,” download the registration form and mail the completed copy to: The String Experience, School of Music – Mason Hall, SUNY Fredonia, Fredonia, NY 14063. (A fee of $12 is required before Sept. 27 to be considered to perform in the Master classes and for non-performing participants who apply early.) After this date, the fee is $20 by Oct. 4. Registration will also be available at the door at the day of the event. Parents and teachers are welcome to attend classes free of charge and will be given the option of purchasing lunch.
The schedule starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. and includes master classes, an improvisational session, lunch, campus tour, and concert finale.
A member of the Fredonia faculty since 2004, Ms. Sung has been praised by Maestro Leonard Slatkin as a “major musical personality.” Establishing an international career, she has appeared as a soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Aspen Chamber Symphony, the Pusan Philharmonic (South Korea) and the Omsk Philharmonic Orchestra (Russia), among many others. Her performances have been aired on radio and television around the world, including numerous broadcasts on National Public Radio’s “Performance Today.” Ms. Sung has appeared at the world-renowned Lucerne Festival in Switzerland, the Aspen Music Festival, the Kennedy Center, and Lincoln Center.
Mr. Walnicki is a member of the Lexington String Quartet, performs with the Erie Philharmonic and was appointed as the principle viola for the Western New York Chamber Orchestra in 2004. He can be heard on soundtracks for silent movies issued by Turner Classic Movies and has performed with such notable acts as Vince Gill, Charlotte Church, the Irish Tenors, Mannheim Steamroller and Gino Vanelli.
Before Ms. Farny joined the SUNY Fredonia School of Music faculty in 2005, she had already distinguished herself as a significant talent among a younger generation of string artists. After completing her undergraduate studies at the Curtis Institute of Music and Yale University, Dr. Farny earned a Master of Music degree at the Eastman School and a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree at The Juilliard School.
Dr. Jacobson has been a member of the Fredonia faculty since 1978. He earned his doctorate at the University of North Texas and has also studied at Ohio State University, the Salzburg Mozarteum, Oberlin Conservatory, and the Interlochen National Music Camp. Dr. Jacobson stays active in his art as a principle bassist of the Erie Chamber Orchestra, and a member of the Erie Philharmonic. Several of Dr. Jacobson’s research papers have also been published in Bass World (the Journal of the International Society of Bassists).
Special Guest Amadi Hummings has appeared in many cities and venues across the U.S. including the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Hummings has established a career internationally, having performed across such places as Israel, Canada, South America, Central America, India, Japan, and the Caribbean. He has served as a faculty member of Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia and was awarded the Performer’s Certificate from Indiana University.
Dr. David Rudge teaches one of the country’s few non-jazz Free Improvisation courses at SUNY Fredonia. Dr. Rudge serves as the university’s conductor of Opera and as Music Director of the Orchard Park Symphony Orchestra. He has also been an Artistic Ambassador with the State Department and is a two-time winner of the International Opera Conductor’s Competition. A highly sought after guest conductor, Dr. Rudge has conducted the Boston, Columbia, Houston, and Costa Rican Youth Orchestras, as well as numerous All-State Festival Orchestras.
Any questions regarding “The String Experience” can be directed to Marc Levy in the SUNY Fredonia School of Music by calling 716-637-4628 or sending an email to levym@fredonia.edu.
