If you have a news item to submit, please contact AVS General Manager Madeleine Crouch at: info@avsnationaloffice.com

ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS VIOLA COMPETITIONS TO BE
HELD IN TEMPE, ARIZONA JUNE 2-8

Phoenix, AZ - The Primrose International Viola Competition (PIVC), one of the most renowned viola competitions in the world, will take place from June 2 through June 8, 2008. 

The 11th Competition will feature the world's best young violists up to age 29.  Of the 75 entries received in 2005, competitors represented the countries of Bulgaria, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Latvia, Taiwan, Ukraine, and the United States.  The 2008 Competition awards over $30,000 USD in cash and prizes, including a viola by Italian master luthier Carlo Testoni and select engagements in the United States.  The Competition offers one week of exceptional competition, exquisite music and an exhilarating finish. All rounds are open to the public. Audiences can expect to hear a broad survey of the viola repertoire.

Renowned violist and 1993 Competition First Place winner Nokuthula Ngwenyama serves as current director of the Primrose International Viola Competition.  She is joined by former Competition director Claudine Bigelow, who will serve as this year's jury chair.  Joining the Competition as jurors for the first time will be Amir Shiff of Israel, Bruno Pasquier of France, Steven Tenenbom of the United States, Eugene Sarbu of Romania, and Ensik Choi of Korea.  Carol Rodland of the United States will return having served as juror for the semi-final and final rounds in 2005. 

Ngwenyama remarked, "This is an exciting year for the Competition.  In the past our preliminary, semi-final and final rounds were heard by different juries.  This year, our illustrious jury remains throughout all rounds of the competition.  I look forward to welcoming each of them and all the Competition's participants to the Phoenix area this year."

In addition to the performances, which will include the world premiere of a work for solo viola by New Orleans composer and violist Scott Slapin, there will be many exhibits and educational symposiums as part of the 36th International Viola Congress, taking place June 4 through June 8, 2008.

Founded in 1986 by the American Viola Society (AVS) , the Primrose International Viola Competition has continued to function as an inspiration to young artists and serves as a legacy to the great virtuoso William Primrose.  Over the last twenty years it has continued to attract the most distinguished jurors and most talented applicants worldwide.  The Competition has an international reputation for identifying the talent of tomorrow and is respected for its artistic and professional integrity.  Its laureates occupy principle seats of major symphony orchestras, act as professors in major centers of higher education, and have achieved success as international soloists.

Competition performance rounds begin on Monday, June 2 at 9:00 AM.  The application deadline is March 15, 2008.

For more information contact the Competition by e-mail at info@primrosecompetition.org or visit our website at www.primrosecompetition.org.

ALAN de VERITCH has always maintained a most unique position in viola historical circles as the very first young virtuoso of the viola.

He began his studies with William Primrose at the age of thirteen almost immediately following his first solo appearance with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. From that moment on… Primrose was often heard expressing his delight that in Alan de Veritch he had indeed found the artist to continue his life’s mission of successfully establishing the viola as a true solo instrument!

Now…almost 50 years after the start of what became a most amazing musical and personal relationship between Alan de Veritch  AND William Primrose….members of the American Viola Society will have, for the very first time, an opportunity to step back in time and actually hear first-hand this history being made!!

Through the persistence of several of Professor de Veritch’s students at Indiana University, an incredible collection of LIVE performance recordings has recently been assembled on a series of CDs. That’s right….these recordings are of live recital performances, totally UNEDITED…..made by Mr. de Veritch between the ages of 21 and 23 years old.

Although not for general commercial distribution…Alan has just graciously agreed to make this fascinating collection of CDs available to the AVS membership. Additionally he has committed to donate $2.00 OF EVERY CD SOLD  to the Primrose Scholarship Fund!!

In addition to Alan de Veritch’s legendary reputation as a performer and teacher…many of you will remember his vibrante leadership as National President of the AVS(1990-1994). One of his major accomplishments in that role was his idea for and the development of local chapters for our great organization.

For purchase information and order forms please go to: http://mypage.iu.edu/~averitch/institute.html
or you may go to the AVS CD Marketplace.

The new AVS chapter GREAT LAKES VIOLA SOCIETY was re-formed out of the Chicago Viola Society at a meeting held at the Music Institute of Chicago on Saturday October 13th.

This chapter hopes to to encompass any geographical area within
easy travel distance of Chicago.  This would include, but is not limited
to, parts of Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana.  Sel Kardan (president of
MIC and violist) offered MIC as a temporary base and also as a collabrator in the chapters long range planning.

Currently MIC faculty Sarah Bylander Montzka is coordinating the chapter
until officers can be elected at the above meeting. However - the chapter has officially started with many members joining on Saturday to re start the society. To reach Sarah please email sarahmontzka@mac.com and to join the chapter please visit:

AVS and Chapter Membership

Upcoming Chicagoland events that will be incorporated into the Great
Lakes Chapter are:


Paul Coletti, viola &  Antonio Lysy, cello
MASTERCLASS    
January 19, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Nichols Hall, Music Institute of Chicago
FREE!

5th Annual VIOLAPALOOZA!
A 2-day workshop for Suzuki violists of all ages.
For more information contact Sarah Montzka:  sarahmontzka@mac.com

Roberto Diaz, viola
MASTERCLASS    
April 5 2008 at 11:00 AM
Nichols Hall, Music Institute of Chicago
FREE!

Minnesota Viola maker Achieves Distinguished Awards

(Minneapolis, MN) -William Scott of New Hope, MN received Gold and Silver Medals at the Violin Society of America International Violinmaking Competition, held in Baltimore, MD, placing him in an elite group of makers who have achieved “Hors Concours” meaning “out of or above competition” because of consistent, highest level recognition.  Mr. Scott competed in his first competition in 1982; since that time he has earned 3 Gold Medals for viola, 5 Silver Medals for violin, viola and cello, and a dozen Certificates of Merit for tone and workmanship. This international violinmaking competition attracts hundreds of makers from around the globe, coming together every two years to compete and learn from one another.

Mr. Scott’s interest and success in violin making has focused on award winning violas. Winning his first Silver Medal for Tone for viola in 1992, he has consistently earned medals for viola tone including 2 Silver and 3 Gold Medals during the 1992, 1998, 2000, 2004 and 2006 competitions.

Earlier this year Mr. Scott was also awarded an “Alumni Achievement Award” from his alma mater, St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, recognizing his contribution to this craft.

AVS MEMBER HONORED
Hispanic Professional Network (HPN) hosts its 7th Annual Awards & National Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration themed "Honoring Hispanic Excellence in Music" on Saturday, September 23 at the Bushnell Theater for the Performing Arts' Mortensen Hall in Hartford beginning at 8:00 p.m. The historic event kicks off Connecticut's observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs Sept. 15 - Oct. 15, and features a historic concert including eight time Grammy Award® winner Eddie Palmieri's 50th Anniversary Concert. 

The Alturas Duo, which includes AVS member Carlos Boltes, is one of this year’s recipients of the Hispanic Excellence in Music Award. Other award recipients include Amor Y Cultura, Calidad, Criollo Clasico, Daniel Salizar - Guitar Under the Stars, Esteban's Latin Jazz, Insight, Jose Feliciano, Latin Heartbeat Orchestra, Mikata, Ray Gonzalez Orchestra, Sabor A Timba, Tierra Meztiza, Trovadores de America, Val Ramos Ensemble and Vinny & Ray Orchestra.
 
The Hispanic Professional Network, Inc. (HPN) is a federally registered tax exempt non-profit organization that serves as a unifying source of information, communication and cultural enrichment for the Hispanic community.  HPN's mission is to engage Hispanics in positively impacting the quality of life where they live and work. The organization seeks to strengthen and promote Hispanic contributions to society, and support professional growth and development, while fostering pride in Hispanic heritage. It accomplishes this mission through three core strategies/objectives: e-communications, the HPN Web site, and hosting cultural events. For more information, please call (860) 251-8307 or visit them on the Web at www.hispanicportal.org

NEW EDITOR JOINS AVS TEAM
Sue Temple, Colorado violist and pre-college teacher, will take over as Editor of the AVS Broadcast E-News beginning in October. All future submissions should be addressed to her at stemple@comcast.net

Sue is an active member of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the American Viola Society. She created the annual Viva la Viola! Day event for pre-college students in Colorado and Wyoming (now entering its 7th year), and she recently began serving in an ad hoc position on the AVS Education Ad Hoc Committee. Sue is passionate about teaching and is committed to making music study available to all students.