AMGuSS STIMULUS PACKAGE 2009~ As y’all read in my recent email, this is our last summer AMGuSS. But we promise a party, not a wake, to celebrate all that AMGuSS has meant to so many for so long. In hopes of getting as many of you here as possible to celebrate, we’re extending the early registration discount so y’all can register now w/out the $50 late surcharge. Read about the 2009 week here: /amguss.shtml#curriculum or download an application by clicking the link here: /amguss.shtml#app and be sure to pay the lower pre-May-1st registration fee that’s listed.
June 22-28: me, Ralph, BobS, BobM, Enigmatica, Judy-&-Mark, and a cast of players– don’t miss out! I’ll be sending the orchestra music to Ralph next week, so email to let him know if you’re coming but haven’t got your application in yet, so you can get yourself on the list for orchestra music.
WHAT’S BEEN GOING ON ~ Enigmatica’s been in the studio, and our group-defining 2nd CD is approaching the mastering stage. The plan is to send it off to be pressed before I leave for Rio (in a couple of weeks). The release concert will be @ AMGuSS (a reason to come all by itself!). Even those of you who have watched Enigmatica develop over the past 8 years will be amazed at the leap the octet has made this year. Noone else could have recorded this disc or this music with such power and musicianship. You’ll need to hear it for yourself.
I played a couple of concerts– in RI & NJ– with Brazilian pianist Luiz Simas, and saw some of you at each of them. Especially fun to unexpectedly see Barry Mitterhof in NJ, as he’s the first person to introduce me to choro years ago. I hadn’t intended to be here in March/April, but snafus made me delay my trip to Rio until May/June, so, luckily, there’s been time to work on the two CD projects and hang out w/ friends.
MY NEW BRASILEIRO RECORDING ~ My new solo CD, “Meu Bandolim,” progresses as well, although not scheduled for release until the fall. I’ve been recording live-in-studio with Brasileiros on tour– Trio Águamarina for an afternoon in October, and pianist Luiz Simas for an evening in February. The disc will feature choro written by bandolimists, including 4 of my own pieces. I’m recording the final third of the project with my Rio band, Água no Feijão, in early June, and will mix and master in August. It’ll be my first Brazilian recording since I began my life in Rio, and my playing is dramatically changed, so this is in many ways a debut. So cool, after all these years as a player and teacher, to have something entirely new to present.
CELEBRATING A YEAR ~ I continue to keep my daily blog of photos, sonnets, and ideas going. Almost 500 people have visited, and if you want to read & check out the photos it’s here: http://mairmusic.wordpress.com/ I’ve heard from some of you who are scrolling back to the beginning to read the posts in order, which I think is really cool. I’m having fun with it and I hope you are too!
OFF TO RIO ~ I’ll be going back in a couple of weeks for a month. Besides finishing the recording for my new CD, I’m also working on a choro book with Paulo Sa that will be published by Mel Bay. And of course I’ll be playing in as many rodas as possible on my new bandolim. I can’t wait!
UPCOMING ~ Wednesday, May 6 @ 2:30 I’m presenting my “Rio Luz” DVD @ RWU for my colleagues & students. Y’all are welcome if you’d like to come. It’ll be held in CAS 152, the music classroom (room where we always present the AMGuSS student recital).
Mid-May to mid-June I’m in Rio; June 22-28 is AMGuSS (see above); and July 6-10 is Summerkeys http://www..summerkeys.com/mandolin.html And in the fall I’m teaching and performing at the CMSA convention in Dayton. More about those next time.
The next issue of “MARILYNN ON MANDOLIN” will be out in July. If you want to see
pictures of Rio in the meantime, log onto my blog. There’s a link on my webpage if
you can’t remember where this newsletter is buried in your Inbox. There’s also back
issues of my newsletter archived on the website, along with articles on mandolin
technique and Brazilian music, and early blogs on my musical adventures in Rio,
with pictures.
Right now we’re in the middle of the most beautiful spring I can remember here
in Providence– our compensation for a long and snowy winter. There have even
been a couple of days when it was possible to sit on the back porch and play. Enjoy
your music and your mandolin, and I hope to see many of you @ AMGuSS in June!
