Tough Times
It's hard to comprehend how quickly things are evolving as the Coronavirus reaches into our lives and communities. Life-changing restrictions, isolation, fear of what might be come, are all hard to bear. Add to that, the bright light in our lives, playing chamber music with others, has all but been snuffed out for many. At this difficult time, we want to offer support to help players feel connected and share some ideas for chamber music players when connecting in-person is a not possible. I also want to let you know that the Livestream Masterclass planned for April 11 won't go ahead in the way it was planned but we will still hope to do a livestream event on a reduced scale on April 11 at 2:30pm Eastern. Members of The Jasper String Quartet will explore a piece in real time on Facebook and viewers can post questions and comments. More details to follow. Here are some chamber music ideas:
Stay in touch with your regular ensembles and playing friends. Open a free Zoom videoconferencing account and assemble on a regular basis online and stay connected (participants can also phone in). It's hard to play music together from different locations simultaneously on this platform but why not get together, share thoughts on music you've heard and would like to play, and plan ahead. Share insights about what you are practicing or playing on your own. Maybe set a theme for your meetings.If you can get together with at least one other person, take advantage of the virtual ACMP home coaching program. Find a coach in any location, set a time and repertoire, and plan a session via Skype or Zoom (you'll need reliable internet, a microphone and speakers - and test them out first). ACMP will pay 50% (up to $300 per year). Check out the ACMP coach and teacher database for suggestions of coaches.Check out the online lecture series at the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. This Beethoven Quartet Cycle series is fascinating. Or check out the wind quintet session with horn player Radovan Vlatković.Get some interpretation tips from the Benjamin Zander, Lessons for Life series on YouTube and search out videos to play along with. Watch A guide to rehearsing chamber music by the Ying Quartet at the Bowdoin International Music Festival, June 2017" (you'll need to adjust the volume)Catch up with some music-themed reading - check out the recommended reading lists from ACMP members: June 2018 Summer Reading, Oct 2019 updateMusic Minus One can be fun - packs come with a score and CD. Quality can vary. (Recommendations welcome if you've found some good ones.) These are available on Amazon.com and Sheetmusicplus.com (Sheetmusic Plus ACMP 10% discount code for March: QUARTET20. Note that this discount is applicable for a total purchase price only once a month. A new code will apply for April.)Watch the ACMP mini-coaching series, winds or strings (strings videos up to 20,000 viewers on Facebook).Let us know if you need help accessing any of these tools or have others to share. Joseph and I are working remotely but we have access to phone messages and e-mail. We'll be in touch again soon with an update about our Facebook account which will make it easier to share photos, videos and comments with the ACMP community. In the meantime, visit us at ACMP - Associated Chamber Music Players. Finally, if you have renewed your membership by check and then receive an e-mail message saying you have not renewed, just let us know and we'll make the update. We're unlikely to be able to get to the mail for a little while. All best to you all, Jennifer Clarke Executive Director jclarke@acmp.net
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