Thursday June 14, 2012

BELLOWS FALLS -- Registration is open for Eugene Friesen’s String Institute, June 21-24 in Bellows Falls, this year featuring special guest presenters/performers Celtic harpist and vocalist Aine Minogue and Pakistani singer/bandleader Arieb Azhar.

Now enrolling for its fifth season, the String Institute is an intensive, small-group workshop for string players as well as other classical musicians who are interested in exploring improvisation. Grammy Award-winning cellist Eugene Friesen will lead a transformational weekend of classes and improvisations in Emmanuel Episcopal Church and other locales in arts-friendly Bellows Falls.

The String Institute program includes class and private instruction, audio and video recording and evaluation, introduction to contemporary practice technologies, custom study materials, performance opportunities, jam sessions and ensemble work, discussions, great food and camaraderie with musicians from around the globe.

The weekend will feature a Friday afternoon workshop and evening Stone Church concert with Pakistani guitarist/vocalist Arieb Azhar, who is touring the United States. On Saturday, renowned Celtic harpist and vocalist Aine Minogue will offer a class in "Celtifying" your music, adding idiomatic embellishments and phrasing to convey the Celtic style to melodies and improvisation. Following the workshop, the String Institute will present "A Celtic Summer Solstice," a public

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concert at the Stone Church.

String Institute founder Eugene Friesen said, "The 21st century calls for a new breed of musical artist. Whatever a player’s background -- classical, bluegrass, jazz, Celtic or Old Time -- contemporary culture demands musicians who are creative and collaborative. Musical art is born from a time and place, and while an awareness of the traditions and customs are intrinsic to our approach, we believe that innovation in the service of musical communication is an indispensable value. There is unique music in each of us. With a curriculum balanced between technique and free association, work and play, rigor and surrender, the goal is to reveal that music in you."

Friesen’s new book, "Improvisation for Classical Musicians: Strategies for Creativity and Expression," published by Berklee Press and distributed by Hal Leonard Corporation, is the first text specifically written for classical musicians exploring the world of improvisation.

For more information and registration materials, visit www.celloman.com, or call 802-380-0032.