Christian Howes update

Hi all! Happy New Year!

In case you aren't a facebook 'fan' of the Creative String Players, here's an update from Christian:

Dear Creative String Players- I don't email you that often, but when someone says, "Billy Contreras", I stop what I'm doing and listen. Why? If you don't know than you need to get hip.

Billy and I recorded this followup album two years ago and it's taken two years to get around to finish mixing. Now it's here. Get Hip already! Click for a free song, but before you listen, set a pillow on the floor to stop your jaw from bruising.
And while you're at it, the Creative Strings Workshop dates are set for June 28-July 4. Billy, I, Jeremy Kittel, Mike Block and all the other party animals will be there. Here's the link for everything you need:

http://christianhowes.com/blog/2010/01/10/the-new-album-with-billy-contreras-is-finally-here-jazz-fiddle-evolution/

While you're at the blog feel free to take a look around.

take care!
chris

ASTA conference in Santa Clara 2010

Hi all,

Sorry for not post in a while. Please consider coming to sunny CA in February to the 2010 National ASTA convention. Here is a link to see all the alternative style clinicians slated to be there:

Alternative Style Clinics

I will be presenting a non-alternative style clinic on Saturday afternoon of the clinic entitled "Making the Transition: From private studio teaching to public school teaching".

To look for particular clinicians, you can use the groovy cool new ASTA Itinerary Planner by clicking here:

ASTA Itinerary Planner

Also, consider coming a day early to attend the afternoon Alt Styles intensive - it's here that you get in-depth training and an opportunity to work closely with some of the Alternative Style industry leaders.

See you in CA!

The BSO has a friend...

When you're down, and troubled...

The Boston Symphony Orchestra has James Taylor - so they always have a friend. It's not 'hugely' alternative, but I thought this was a fun Boston Globe article:

When It's Down and Troubled, the BSO Has a Friend

Mark Wood leaves TSO - TV debut

Mark Wood has announced that after 13 years he will now take a break from performing with the TSO - Trans Siberian Orchestra. He has recorded his own project that will broadcast on TV - for an article and sneak peak:

Mark Wood TV Debut

Artist profile - MOC - Mark O'Connor

For those of you who don't know the dynamo, violin and fiddle virtuoso Mark O'Connor - take a look at this incredible website:

www.markoconnor.com

As a kid, I listened to this fiddler, who was only a few years older than me, and marveled at his career as he rocketed into the musical stratosphere.

Mark is currently finishing up a week at his fiddle camp in NY - the first year he's held his camp on the East coast. There are successful MOC fiddle camps at UCLA in California and in Nashville, Tennessee.

Mark recordings, music, teaching, blogging, twittering, facebooking, and myspacing are frequent and incredible. It's easy to be musical inspired by his works - young and old alike. Join his facebook page and you get an in depth look at an artists' life (a great exercise for our students??!!)

If you ever have a chance to see Mark play live, take it - he's a dynamic performer and a marvelous ambassador to non-musical people and young musicians.
Enjoy!

EVS newsletter - a great way to stay 'connected'

Here's something to help you stay connected to the coolest equipment - sign yourself up for the Electric Violin Shop's newsletter "Currents". Not only can you stay up-to-date with the equipment that comes through their shop, but they give advice and good links to interesting sites. Here's their current newsletter link - you can sign up on this page to get the newsletter sent to your email:

EVS Currents Newsletter

El Sistema

If you've never heard of El Sistema - the incredible system of orchestral and choir training in Venezuela these past 35 years - then you might enjoy getting a glimpse into the brilliance of the man who started it all. If you know of the system (LA Phil's newest director, Gustavo Dudamel, is a product of this incredibly artistic program) then you'll undoubtedly enjoy this video of the creator of El Sistema, Jose Abreu, receiving the TED prize this past February:

http://www.ted.com/talks/jose_abreu_on_kids_transformed_by_music.html

Then, you can watch Gustavo Dudamel conducting the youth orchestra of Venezuela:

http://www.ted.com/talks/jose_abreu_on_kids_transformed_by_music.html

I personally love how much movement is encouraged by these musicians - I think that's something that's really lacking in American musical groups - orchestras and the like. I also like how in the Dudamel video they're not wearing stuffy black or colorful outfits... they're just dressed like people... neat! Enjoy!