JAVS Summer 1998

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on 14 June as part of the ongoing Music in the Redwoods series. For the past three years this group has been exploring the repertoire for clarinet Qohn Zorn), viola (Tom Heim berg) and piano (Peter Grunberg), as well as taking advantage of the opportunity to play other ensemble combination and solos. On this evening the large work was Reinicke's compelling Trio, Opus 274 (yes, the one for french horn or viola). And I got to play Schumann's always beautiful, but never easy, Miirchenbilder. CVS is exploring the possibility of holding this event at the Chicago Symphony's new home, the Symphony Center. CVS is also planning a viola series at Northwestern Uni versity, including performances for guitar and viola with Philadelphia principal violist Roberto Diaz and a chamber music program with Marlise and Alex Klein in February. New officers include President-elect, Marlise Klein; Secretary, Mary Kay Hoffman; and Student Representative (a new position) Doyle Armbrust. Other officers and board members include President, Peter Slowik; Treasurer, Lisa Hirschmugl; and Richard Fer rin, Claudia Lasareff-Mironoff, Vincent Oddo, Rami Solomonow, Robert Swan, and Richard Young. Karen Armbrust was named the CVS Vol unteer of the Year. She hosted three outstand ing receptions last season and is the mother of three CVS members-Doyle, Kyle, and Rose. Part of the season's success was due to the participation and support of its business sponsors. They are Bein and Fushi, Kagan and Gaines, Performers Music, Mark Russell, SHAR Products, Kenneth Stein Violins, and Thompson and Seaman Violins. Finally, CVS was pleased to present Life time Achievement Awards last season to four Chicago viola legends-Milton Preves, William Schoen, Harold Klatz, and the late Irving Ilmer. Each had a division of the Solo Competition named in his honor.

The event was so successful plans are al ready in action for next year; rooms have been reserved and there is a list of potential partici pants. May they all join the Viola Society! While we are speaking of plans for the next year: Geraldine Walther and Roy Bogas intend to perform more of their duo recitals this fall and early in 1999. They might also be producing a CD. The Bliss Sonata and the Bloch Suite figure large in their plans. The Redwood Ensemble performed at the beautiful Portola Valley Presbyterian Church

Chicago Viola Society Turns Two, Plans New Season of Events by Les Jacobson

The Chicago Viola Society is tuning up for a second stellar season of musical and edu cational activities. Last year's first season at tracted 140 members (almost 100 new to the AVS) and included the Midwest's first major viola competition, recitals, and a well-attended community play-in. A viola recital featuring members of the Lyric Opera's viola section will kick off the second season scheduled for mid-September at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. (Details of this and other upcoming events can be found on the CVS information line, 312/409-6609, or on its website, http://nsn.nslsilus.org/evkhome/violasoc). The second annual CVS Solo Competi tion will be held 10 January 1999, at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill. There will be four contestant divisions: ages 19-25, 16-18, 13-15, and 12 and under. The contest is open to residents of Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Iowa, and Indiana; more than $6,000 in prizes will be offered. Flyers with more information will be mailed out to CVS members, string teachers, and others in early September. A community play-in will be held next spring, featuring Vivaldi's transcribed con certo for four violins and Bartok's duos. The