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


AMERICAN VIOLA SOCIETY EXECUTIVE BOARD ANNOUNCEMENT
 
The Executive Board of the American Viola Society is inviting applications for the position of AVS Webmaster. This is a non-voting Executive Board position appointed by the President of the AVS and requires Professional Membership in the AVS. The AVS Executive Board is seeking an advocate of the viola who has skills, training and experience in web design, management and implementation. The AVS Webmaster works in conjunction with the AVS Executive Board and the Technology and Publications sub-committees. This is a voluntary position, which is the case of all positions on the Executive Board. However like the Editor of the JAVS, the individual appointed to this position will receive a small annual stipend. The position offers valuable professional experience and an opportunity to help shape the future of the AVS, both through the expansion of our online services and as an active participant on the AVS Executive Board.
 
Job Description:

The Board wishes to encourage individual creativity and personal initiative as much as possible. However, there are certain ongoing responsibilities associated with the job and immediate needs which will need to be addressed. These include:
 
1)      Construction of a new website. In order to streamline current content and to expand features and capabilities, a new site will need to be developed in a more easily manageable and updatable web design program. The Technology and Publications sub-committees of the AVS Executive Board are available to assist in the development of a survey which can be distributed to AVS members for their feedback and input.
 
2)      Maintaining the new AVS website. Generally, this involves keeping the content up-to-date in the various sections, fixing problems as they arise, and serving as the primary contact person for the Board and the membership on all issues associated with the site.  The current AVS Webmaster has agreed to maintain the old site during the construction phase of the new site.
 
3)      A knowledge of the tools available to easily allow specific Board members to edit/manage portions of the site (e. g. persons such as the AVS E-Newsletter Editor and persons in charge of updating job announcements or concert listings).
 
4)      Overseeing and implementing the continued development and expansion of the new website. The nature and scope of this part of the job will largely depend on the interests and abilities of the new Webmaster, as well as on his/her available time.
 
5)      Serving on the AVS Executive Board. While this position is currently a non-voting position assigned by the President, it is important that the individual participate in email discussions and/or online meetings and attend the annual Board meeting whenever possible. Currently, the AVS Board does not reimburse expenses for the annual meeting; rather, these expenses are the responsibility of the individual as is currently the case with all positions on the AVS Executive Board.
 
6)      Commitment to a five-year length of service in this position. As with the Editor of the JAVS, the Executive Board will evaluate the individual appointed to this position after one year in order to maintain an open line of communication between the two entities and for recommendation of continuation of the length of service.
 
APPLICATION DEADLINE: JULY 1, 2009
APPOINTMENT DATE: SEPTEMBER 1, 2009
 
For more information, please email the AVS President, Juliet White-Smith, at vlaprez@comcast.net. If you are interested in applying for this position, please send an email to the AVS President summarizing your experience and qualifications.
 
For more information about the AVS and for online membership application, please visit www.americanviolasociety.org.



 

Special Topics Classes for ViolaFest Los Angles.

The special topics classes for ViolaFest Los Angeles are now available online at our website. Please go to http://violafest.com and click on "special topics" to see what will be available at each level.

We are also pleased to announce that Richard O'Neill and Vivian Fan will be performing the Schubert Arpeggione Sonata and the Rebecca Clarke Sonata at the gala concert at 2:15.

Josephine Liu Moerschel, DMA
Associate Director, JCM LA Branch

http://www.josephineliumoerschel.com
http://juniorchambermusic.org

The Strad magazine has started a free service to help reunite stringed instrument owners with lost or stolen instruments. If your viola has been lost or stolen in the last few months, go online to www.thestrad.com/lostandstoleninfo and fill out details to be added to the database. The information will then appear to the public on our website from May on, so that readers of The Strad and visitors to www.thestrad.com throughout the world can be alert and aware of lost/stolen instruments if and when they surface.


2009 International Viola Congress - Stellenbosch South Africa

The 2009 International Viola Congress brochure is now available. Click here for a congress brochure or visit www.miagi.co.za/viola%2009.html for more information.


Maurice Gardner Composition Competition

The American Viola Society announces the first biennial Maurice Gardner Composition Competition.  Compositions should be unpublished, a maximum of 15 minutes in length and must be for solo viola or viola and piano or electronic media.  Submission deadline is November 1, 2009.  An application fee of $25 (Check or Money Order only, payable to American Viola Society) to help cover expenses must be included with the submission of scores and CDs.

Click here for more information


Gilad Karni Releases the Miklós Rózsa concerto on a Naxos CD.

Recent reviews from BBC Music Magazine and Gramophone Magazine:

The celebrated Israeli violist , plays the Rózsa Concerto, a piece that deserves to stand along-side Bartok and Waltons' concertos, with conductor Marius Smolij and the Budapest Concert Orchestra MAV.
Gilad Karni's account of the ambitious four movement Concerto by Rozsa was both intimate and earthy, authentically Hungarian and sombre in colouring.
           
Calum MacDomald / BBC Magazine

Gilad Karni's ardent interpretation of the Viola Concerto is especially welcome. A fine player and former Lionel Tertis Competition prize-winner, Karni audibly relishes the work's dark colours and rich writing. The Concerto had a difficult genesis (for Rozsa), taking four years to complete with several interruptions by film work which the composer later claimed ruined the flow. Yet the finished result does not betray this, its four movements holding together as if written in a single burst of inspiration. Karni proves a fine advocate and the Budapest Concert Orchestra provide excellent support.

Guy Rickards /Gramophone Music Magazine


 

 

Below is the letter from the website of Absolute Zero Viola Quartet. This talented group of violists have made numerous arrangements of various repertoire for multiple violas. 

If you are interested in subscribing to their website and/or purchasing their music arrangements please read their letter and click on links imbedded in the text of their letter below.

Dear fellow violists,

Welcome to our website www.absolutezeroviola4.com. We have pleasure in attaching our latest sample of sheet music for your enjoyment: A Pavan by Claude Gervaise, dating from the 16th century and, in our opinion, long overdue for revival as a viola quartet.

When we of Absolute Zero Viola Quartet opened our website in 2007 to provide the 'virtual shop window' for our new CD Album, we had no idea it would get noticed by anyone. Then, as things started to take off, we began receiving emails from other violists around the globe asking where our repertoire came from. Of course, as it was mostly of our own creation there were few royalty or copyright issues, so we were able to publish the music from the album tracks. This was followed by yet more requests for further pieces from our private library. Since then we have been despatching not only the CD album but also the two Sheet Music CDs to 26 different countries thus far, and we've made many friends and contacts all over the world. Who'd have thought there is so much viola life out there?

So, as well as giving us the opportunity to send this music direct to you, this mailing list could allow you the means to share, with other like-minded violists, important viola-related events: You might be putting on a concert, a workshop, or other event, or you may wish to draw attention to some other interesting information.

Send us an email, and we could include it in a Future Events Section in the next mailing.

It is always a pleasure to hear from you.

With kind regards from all the team.

http://www.absolutezeroviola4.com


To The American Viola Society

Please be informed that my concerto for viola and string orchestra is now available on SibeliusMusic.com.

This site enables you to view the score, listen to it, and print score and parts.

The concerto was composed in 2000 and the first public performance given on 29th June 2002 by Heather Birt (Viola) and The University of Leicester Sinfonia conducted by Michael Sackin.

In 2008 I made minor revisions to the original two movements and added a third to give the concerto an up-beat and joyous conclusion. It has yet to be performed in its completed form.


Bill Somach's official First Edition of "ACCIDENTALS HAPPEN!  A Compilation of Scales" is available for purchase. 

There are three versions of the book: VIOLA, VIOLIN & CELLO.

You can find it at my new website: WWW.SOMAXMUSIC.COM

To purchase, go to the PURCHASE page. 

I have written a fair number of things on this page, one involving a Volume Discount at the bottom of the page, below the "Add to Cart" buttons. Please read these when you visit this page.

This is the culmination of a project I started almost two years ago. 

Of course, all of you have various rough copies of the viola version of the book and for most of you, it is the roughest, barest version of all. For those of you who got the June version at the International Viola Congress, which is almost all of you, much has since been improved and added.

To each of you who will work with this official version of book and develop your own ways of using it, once you have had time to work with it, I would be very interested to get feedback on how the book is working for you, what features you find really work well or things that you feel would need improvement in a future edition. To send me any feedback on the book by direct E-mail, on the website, go to the page "E-mail Contact", which has an E-mail form you can fill out.

For those of you who are on FACEBOOK, I have created a group called "ACCIDENTALS HAPPEN! The Scale Book". 

This can serve the same purpose for feedback. 

Of course, you can send me a direct E-mail on FACEBOOK if you look for me in the group. If you go to the group, you will notice that I have created an expanded purpose beyond just straight feedback. I am encouraging sort of a "marketplace of ideas" between people working with the book to compare and exchange tips on the ways that they are utilizing the book. One thing I figure is possible is that there may be interesting tips to compare between teaching-focused and performance-focused users of the book. I figure that maybe people can make comments on the Wall about what they're doing with the book. 

Many thanks for your counsel on various aspects of the book and your patience as I went through many maddening proofreadings and other details to get ready for this launch. I look forward to a continuing exchange of ideas on this book as it enters and works its way into the music community. 

And please do tell your colleagues on violin & cello that this book is also for them.

Meanwhile, happy scaling!

                                


New Work for Viola:  "Lament with Ghosts"

'Lament with Ghosts' was written for Helen Callus and her viola studio by UCSB Professor of Composition, Joel Feigin. 

"Lament is a wonderful addition to the viola repertoire and what made this project and this work

so special was its unusual beauty, drama and effectiveness in performance.
The first movement is a highly developed solo work for viola soloist and the second is the work repeated again but in a more concerto-like form with the 'Ghosts' being the 6 viola chamber players responding and communicating with the solo Lamenter. We performed it with special lighting and the entire project was a great joy!"

For more information about how to order the music please contact Nenge Publications jd@thomastudios.com


Roger Chase Releases World Premiere CD of Rare Concerti

The celebrated British violist plays works of two unjustly overlooked English composers with the BBC Concert Orchestra

Internationally acclaimed British violist Roger Chase’s latest recording showcases two rare and fascinating concerti by British composers whose names and works are virtually unknown in this country: Stanley Bate (1911 -1959) and William Henry Bell (1873 - 1946) . The CD with the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Stephen Bell is available on the Dutton Epoch label (CDLX 7216).

Stanley Bate’s Concerto for Viola & Orchestra dates from 1944-46 when he was living in the USA; the work was dedicated to Vaughan Williams, written for William Primrose, and performed by Emanuel Vardi in a broadcast with the NBC Symphony Orchestra. The New York Sun then wrote it is "... a score of much skillful design and expressive meaning, particularly in the well-written modal slow movement and swift moving finale."

 W.H. Bell’s Concerto, subtitled Rosa Mystica, was composed in 1916. Bell studied composition with Sir Charles Villiers Stanford and later became professor of harmony at the Royal Academy of Music. He emmigrated to South Africa in 1912.

Both concerti are described as “heart-warming and tuneful scores oozing popular appeal”. Filling out the disc is Chase’s own orchestration of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Romance; Bate studied with Vaughan Williams when he attended the Royal College of Music. Roger Chase plays all the works on legendary Lionel Tertis’s own Montagnana Viola, which Tertis purchased in pieces during one of his concert tours to Paris in 1920.

The varied repertoire is a marked change from Roger Chase’s recent presentations of “The Tertis Project,” a series of concerts devoted to works by important English composers of the last century which were written especially for, inspired by, or dedicated to Lionel Tertis (1876-1975).“The Tertis Project,” with pianist Michiko Otaki, (who also assisted in the preparation of the orchestral scores for the CD) was presented by the National Gallery of Art, Princeton University, the Harvard Musical Association, and in Cleveland, Toronto, London (Ontario), and elsewhere. 

Born in London, Roger Chase made his debut with the English Chamber Orchestra in 1979, and has been a member of many major ensembles including the Nash Ensemble (for more than 20 years), the London Sinfonietta, the Esterhazy Baryton Trio, the Quartet of London, Hausmusik of London, and the London Chamber Orchestra.

For further information about Roger Chase, see www.rogerchase.com


"Dave Schwartz: First Hand from the First Stand" 

Announcing upcoming release of a documentary about Southern California Viola Society's own, Dave Schwartz. Dave, in person and in his own word takes us on a journey through the amazing span of his career, sharing anecdotes about numerous musicians he was privileged to worked with. Please check out this link on youtube to view the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R41d6nH_sL0


Albany Records has released a CD of Lansing McLoskey's chamber music, called "Sixth Species" (TROY 1044).

The CD includes a large-scale sonata for viola, titled "Wild Bells". It was commissioned for violist Leticia Oaks Strong of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, who premiered the work with pianist Rimothy Durkovic at the International Viola Congress in Guelph, Canada. The piece went on to win two national composition awards.

Audio excerpts and a pdf of the score are available at:

www.lansingmcloskey.com


Keith Perreur-Lloyd recently completed and recorded (via Sibelius Software plus Roland 8850) two piano concertos, a violin, a viola, a cello, and a tuba concerto, plus a choral symphony, and a symphonic poem. 

They can be opened for review on www.musicvenue21.com.


Alturas Duo recently performed David Macbride's "No mas Muertes" (No more Deaths) for viola, guitar and Narrator. Alturas Duo will premier a new work by the Brazilian composer Raimundo Penaforte with the Empire City Men's Chorus for viola, guitar and male choir tittled "Aleluya", , more info at:
http://www.howardrandallsmith.com/default.html


Jerzy Kosmala has just returned for almost 3 months trip to Europe for judging the International Viola Competitions, teaching and performing.

Mr. Kosmala was teaching and performing at the International Interpretation Courses in Lancut, Poland, conducting a series of viola master classes at the Bled festival in Slovenia, Summer Festival in Zagan, Poland, Summer School of Music in Krakow, Poland.  In addition, he was a head of the Jury for the International Viola Competition in Bled, Slovenia, and judged the most prestigious International Viola Competition in Munich, Germany as a sole representative of the United States. He also served on the Jury of the Concert Artist Guild International Competition in New York this Spring.


News from Peggy's Corner

Peggy Swafford is making available a number of pieces and arrangements for multiple violas. For more information, please visit

AVS Marketplace - Sheetmusic


Japan to Launch Its First Viola Competition
Nobuko Imai fuses event to annual Viola Space

Nothing spices up a festival like a bit of competition. To add a dash of wasabi to violist Nobuko Imai's annual Viola Space in Japan, the 16-year-old festival is accepting applications for the Tokyo International Viola Competition, which has been billed as the first of its kind in the Land of the Rising Sun. [READ MORE]


Dimitri Murrath of Belgium Wins
 the 2008 Primrose International Viola Competition

On Sunday night, June 8th, in the Smith Music Theatre of Arizona State University's Herberger College of the Arts, 26 year-old Dimitry Murrath and fellow finalists Emily Deans, Lambert Jun-Yuan Chen, Wei-Ting Kuo, Molly Carr, and Barbara Buntrock appeared during the Eleventh Primrose International Viola Competition Final Round.  Over the course of the evening five Bartok concerti and one Walton concerto were performed.
 
As evening turned into morning the audience eagerly awaited results joined by listeners streaming live online from around the world.
 
Murrath was overwhelmed by his win. "This is an unbelievable moment," he said. First Prize includes $5,000 USD, a viola made by Italian master luthier Carlo Testoni, a gold-mounted Arcos Brasil bow, and select concert appearances in the United States and Europe.

Second Prize of $3,000 and an Arcos Brasil bow went to 24 year old Emily Deans of the United States; Third Prize of $1,000 and an Arcos Brasil bow went to 21 year old Molly Carr of the United States.  The Liben Music Prize for a Semi-Finalist who had the best performance of Scott Slapin's composition Recitative for Solo Viola, a piece specially commissioned for the Competition, was won by First Prize Winner Dimitri Murrath. The Linnet Music Prize for an outstanding performance of a Bach work was awarded to Barbara Buntrock of Germany.  The Primrose Prize for an outstanding performance of a Primrose transcription was awarded to YiYin Li of China and Second Prize winner Emily Deans.  The Sonata Prize for an outstanding performance of a sonata was awarded to Victor de Almeida of the United States and First Prize winner Dimitri Murrath.

The 2008 Competition jury, chaired by former Competition director Claudine Bigelow, was internationally representative and included 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 returned having served as juror for the semi-final and final rounds in 2005.
  
Leading up to the finals was a week of intense competition for 70 competitors representing 18 countries.  Live Preliminary Rounds were held June 2nd and 3rd, during which competitors were required to perform the first movement of their chosen concerto and a Primrose transcription.  At the completion of those rounds the jury selected seventeen competitors to go through to the Recital Round.  During the Recital Round competitors were required to perform Scott Slapin's Recitative for Solo Viola, a second Primrose transcription, a sonata, and a selection of Bach.  From this round, the jury chose the six finalists.  All rounds were streamed live online.

The triennial Primrose International Viola Competition, chaired this year by past winner Nokuthula Ngwenyama, aims to recognize and showcase young musicians who have achieved world class excellence through intensive hard work and unusual talent.  Founded in 1979 as the first international competition solely for violists, William Primrose served as chair of the jury for its inaugural year.  The American Viola Society (AVS), through an endowment established by memorial contributions made by friends, colleagues, artists, and admirers of the great virtuoso, has sponsored the competition since 1986.  Over the last 30 years it has established an impeccable track record for identifying the talent of tomorrow and is respected for its integrity.  Past winners are currently engaged in the highest levels of professional artistic careers.

The Twelfth Primrose International Viola Competition is scheduled to begin the end of May, 2011.
 

 


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.


It is with great pleasure to announce that I have appointed with a unanimous vote from the IVS Presidency that: Claudine Bigelow will be our new IVS Treasurer beginning sometime later this year (or in January 2009 at the latest).  She will be IVS Treasurer until December 2010, when the next IVS elections will be held. Donald Maurice will continue as IVS Treasurer until Claudine takes up the Treasurer's position.

Claudine will bring to the IVS team much experience as an event organiser, AVS board member and PIVA administrator as well as having been a presenter/performer at numerous viola congresses.  CONGRATULATIONS CLAUDINE & WELCOME TO THE IVS TEAM & thank you for taking up the Treasurer's position.

For your records - Claudine's email is:claudine_bigelow@byu.edu

Cheers,
Michael Vidulich


 

Carrie Dennis - LA Phil's New Principal Viola

Carrie Dennis, the phenomenal violist who has (by the anything but grizzled age of 30!)  already been Assistant principal violist of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Principal violist of the Berlin Philharmonic, and was just named as Principal violist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic  has a couple videos up on youtube. 

http://youtube.com/watch?v=05iUOXkzvM8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB0sqnV1-Hk&NR=1


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.