Two Weeks of Classical Music to Grace Eureka Springs' Auditorium Stage

June 22, 2011 - PRLog -- Classical music will step to Eureka Springs' podium this summer for two weeks of world-class performances when the CICA 2011 Summer Music Festival brings internationally renowned instrumentalists and teachers together with gifted students from around the world.

The musicians will gather for classes, workshops, individual instruction and a series of 13 public performances in Eureka Springs' historic City Auditorium. July 25 - August 6.

The performance series includes symphony concerts and chamber music, and opens with an international concerto competition on Monday, July 25, 7 p.m. Students 16-25 years old and students 15 years old and younger will vying in two separate competitions; the first place winner of each group wins a prize of $500 and the chance to play solo with the orchestra in concert. Fifteen students are entered in this year’s competition. The winning students will perform with the symphony orchestra at the Saturday night events.
   
Violin and piano recitals, chamber music, and faculty recitals in violin, viola, cello, bass, harp and flute will grace the state at the Aud. Composers featured are Mozart, Vivaldi, Sibelius, Chopin and Haydn.   
   
Tickets for the Thursday - Sunday shows are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Monday-Wednesday tickets are $5 for adults and free for children and students. All concerts begin at 7:00 p.m.
   
The performance series takes place during the Suzuki Summer Institute, which offers the Suzuki string program for young children, as well as classes for parents so they can help their young music students practice. The parents are also taught how to create a better music environment for the child.
   
Courses for all levels of students will be available for strings, piano, woodwind and brass, guitar and voice. Vocational and semi-professional courses for strings, piano, woodwind and brass, voice and instrumental conducting will be given. Teachers and musicians seeking short term summer training in instrumental performance or violin pedagogy will find courses created for their needs. According to Thomas Chun-yu Chen, program director, the course will also help high school graduates interested in teaching music “become wonderful teachers.”
   
The summer program also provides a Suzuki violin teacher training course, during which teachers observe other teachers and take master classes.
   
Workshops on violin history, construction and maintenance will also be offered.
Chen said he expects the event to provide inspiration and enrichment to the city and the whole NW Arkansas area, and bring music lovers and scholars to the area.
   
Chen is an international concert violinist, symphony orchestra conductor, and violin maker who has won international awards for his instruments. He donated the funding for this event, he said, and “invited many of his musician and artist friends from different countries to participate.”

“A good education and a good artistic environment will enrich the community and help the younger generation develop their musical abilities,” he noted.
   
Chen added, “I invite local business owners to support the event by sponsoring a student with a scholarship to attend.”   He can be reached at 901-219-3931 or cicaviolin@yahoo.com. More information can be found at CICAmusicfestival.org.
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