Sat. June 23 Jazz String Workshop Sat July 28 Rock Strings and Electronic Instruments Sat. Aug. 18 Scottish Fiddling Workshop Download Extreme Strings Academy Brochure For more information contact : stevenvance@strollingviolins.com

 

Hello Everyone !  This is exciting.  We hope you are planning to join us on Saturday January 6, 2007 for the first meeting of The Extreme Strings Orchestra.  Here is a review of all of the details. Important and new information  should show up in red. 

 

The Extreme Strings Orchestra

A new offering of the Extreme Strings Academy.

In conjunction with the Centers for the Musically Talented, a program of the City of Pittsburgh Public Schools

STARTS January 6, 2007

 

SESSION TIMES : 9-11 AM every Saturday that is scheduled.  You can arrive as early as 8:45 AM

 

LOCATION : CAPA -High School for the Creative and Performing Arts  http://capahs.pghboe.net/

111 Ninth St   Pittsburgh PA  15222 Downtown at the corner of Fort Duquesne Blvd and Ninth St.

This is the building facing the river with the big video screen on the side. The entrance is on Ninth St.

PLEASE LET US KNOW THAT YOU ARE ATTENDING SATURDAY.  We'd like to have some idea of how many students will be there.  It's OK if you forget or are not sure until Saturday morning - you are still welcome to come.  Also, we want to hear from any City of Pittsburgh Public School students who are planning on coming to audition for scholarships.  Everyone, respond to this email or call 412-325-1211 and leave a message.

PARKING - There is a large parking garage directly across the street from CAPA with entrances on Penn Ave. and Ninth St.  We believe the cost is $5 for anything over 2 hours.  There are meters on Ninth St. right by the entrance to CAPA so you might get lucky there but bring quarters - it may be 25 cents for every 7 1/2 minutes or $2 per hour.  We will check on that this weekend.

PARENTS -  Our understanding is that you will be able to come into the building but must stay in the First Floor lobby area.  Some of our sessions will be on the upper floors so you will not be able to accompany your child to these rooms.  There is a security guard at the entrance who will buzz you in on arrival.

 

Parents who wish to "help out " with the teaching sessions must obtain the necessary standard PA Criminal Record Check and Child Abuse History Clearance .  Otherwise, you cannot participate in the educational sessions.  Forma are available at http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/child/childabuseneglect/003671038.htm

 

We will meet almost every Saturday through early May

 

Open to students in High School, Junior High/Middle School, and a few talented younger players from any of the City of Pittsburgh Public Schools, Suburban schools, Private schools, and Home-schoolers too.

 

Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass are the primary instruments but we will also be looking to add Guitar, Piano/Keyboards, and Drums as well.

 

We will learn to play and perform Rock Classics, Jazz Standards and Improvisation, American, Irish, and Contemporary Country Fiddle Styles as well as Cajun, Klezmer, Gypsy, Hip-Hop, Blues, Strolling, and more.

 

We will be using electronic instruments, sound effects, rhythm machines, and more.

 

TUITION is $195 for the approximately 15 educational sessions remaining in this season.

Additional students from the same family can register for $175

A limited number of scholarships are available to City of Pittsburgh Public School students based on proficiency levels.  Audition details are below.  THESE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE ONLY TO CITY OF PITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS STUDENTS. In the future, we hope to be able to offer scholarship opportunities to more students.

 

City of Pittsburgh Public School students who do not earn a scholarship may attend  by paying the tuition.

 

There will be more info soon at www.extremestrings.com or you can call 412-325-1211 and leave a message and we'll call you back as soon as we can.

 

This is a TENTATIVE plan for what to expect at our first session on January 6. 2007

City of Pittsburgh Public School students who are interested in a scholarship should be ready to audition between 8:30 and 9 AM on Saturday 1/6/07.  Be prepared to play one short piece of music.  We would prefer it be a non-classical  style but we want you to be comfortable and play your best so any selection is fine.  Don't stress out over this.  Come in and play something you enjoy.  2 minutes maximum length. There will be someone at the front door to meet you, give you the necessary forms and direct you to the audition room. We will likely do this on a first-come-first served basis only as a convenience and it will not affect your chances to be later in line.  Our expectation is have all students who audition attend the first education session which will start by 9:30 and we hope to have many scholarships awarded by the end of the session at 11:00 AM.

Suburban School, Private School, and Home-Schooled students should arrive between 8:45 and 9:00 AM.  There will be someone at the front door area to hand out registration and other forms, direct you to the correct room, and answer questions. So that we may get right to teaching please hold most of your questions until after the session.  Our staff will be available for at least an hour after, and probably longer,  to address your individual needs.

WHAT TO BRING :

You

Your instrument

A good learning attitude

A pencil with eraser

Any favorite Jazz, Rock, or Fiddle tunes on sheet music or in your head.

DO NOT BRING

Electronic gear - unless you are an Electric Guitarist or Electric Bass player. In that case, bring the smallest possible amp and keep turned down.

Electronic instruments -unless I ask you to.  We will discuss this the first week and decide who should bring what the following sessions.  It will be too busy to hook up everyone the first day and we want to spend as much time as

 

The Extreme Strings Academy was founded by Steven Vance of Steven Vance Strolling Violins and Roy Sonne of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and founder of the Pittsburgh Jazz and Fiddling Camp. possible on the music. We will be part of the long-standing  City of Pittsburgh Public Schools program called The Centers For the Musically Talented which is under the direction of Mr. Carl Jackson and Music Curriculum Supervisor Dr. James Alston.

 

We would also like to thank Dr. Cornelia Davis, Arts And Humanities Supervisor,  for her tireless efforts in bringing this program to fruition, the Buhl Foundation for it's generous funding, and Kate Bowers, Coordinator - Private Funds for the Pittsburgh Public Schools for her patience and insight.

 

Steven Vance

Roy Sonne

Extreme Strings Academy