BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Welcome to the American Viola Society! - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Welcome to the American Viola Society!
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Welcome to the American Viola Society!
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/New_York
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20260308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20261101T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20270314T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20271107T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T170000
DTSTAMP:20260410T191937
CREATED:20260207T035903Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260303T225840Z
UID:46997-1780473600-1780506000@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:Registration
DESCRIPTION:We are so excited to welcome you to the 2026 American Viola Society Festival! \nCheck in and pick up your festival credentials\, materials\, and swag bag! Registration is the first step in your American Viola Society Festival experience at James Madison University. Attendees will receive their badge\, program schedule\, and all the one-of-a-kind Festival merch. Our team will be available to answer questions and help you get oriented so you can make the most of the performances\, masterclasses\, lectures\, and special events ahead.
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/registration-4/
LOCATION:Lower Lobby (Forbes\, Downstairs)
CATEGORIES:Registration
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T083000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T113000
DTSTAMP:20260410T191937
CREATED:20260207T035854Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T002045Z
UID:47007-1780475400-1780486200@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:AVSF Collegiate Solo Competition
DESCRIPTION:Join us for the exciting final rounds of the American Viola Society Festival Collegiate Solo Competition\, where outstanding finalists take the stage in pursuit of top honors. Experience inspiring performances that showcase exceptional artistry\, technical mastery\, and the future of viola performance.
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/avsf-collegiate-solo-competition/
LOCATION:Room 1115 (Forbes)
CATEGORIES:AVSF Competition
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T083000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T113000
DTSTAMP:20260410T191937
CREATED:20260207T035859Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T002001Z
UID:47001-1780475400-1780486200@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:AVSF Junior Solo Competition
DESCRIPTION:Join us for the exciting final rounds of the American Viola Society Festival Junior Solo Competition\, where outstanding finalists take the stage in pursuit of top honors. Experience inspiring performances that showcase exceptional artistry\, technical mastery\, and the future of viola performance.
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/avsf-junior-solo-competition/
LOCATION:Recital Hall (Forbes)
CATEGORIES:AVSF Competition
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T123000
DTSTAMP:20260410T191937
CREATED:20260207T035849Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260207T035849Z
UID:47014-1780486200-1780489800@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:AVSF Opening Ceremony
DESCRIPTION:Join us as we officially welcome participants to the American Viola Society Festival at James Madison University. The Opening Ceremony marks the beginning of our shared celebration of the viola\, bringing together artists\, students\, and guests for a warm welcome and an inspiring start to the days ahead.
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/avsf-opening-ceremony/
LOCATION:Concert Hall (Forbes)
CATEGORIES:Ceremony
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T180000
DTSTAMP:20260410T191937
CREATED:20260207T035845Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260303T230124Z
UID:46999-1780491600-1780509600@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:Exhibitor Open Hours
DESCRIPTION:We invite you to explore the exhibitor hall and connect with distinguished luthiers\, bow makers\, publishers\, and vendors from across the viola world. Discover exceptional instruments\, browse sheet music and accessories\, and enjoy the opportunity to meet the experts who support and inspire our vibrant musical community.
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/exhibitor-open-hours-4/
LOCATION:Forbes Lower Lobby (Downstairs) and Grand Lobby (Upstairs)
CATEGORIES:Exhibits
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T143000
DTSTAMP:20260410T191937
CREATED:20260207T035831Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T031119Z
UID:47027-1780493400-1780497000@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:The Few\, The Proud\, The Violas: The State of the Union
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] \nPresenter: Alice Sprinkle \nThis lecture provides an overview of the current state of the viola world from both practical and psycho-sociological viewpoints. This draws upon research from my PhD thesis (2026)\, which utilizes ethnographic data and a constructivist-interpretivist approach to identify and assess key issues within today’s viola world across a range of themes\, including perceptions\, repertoire\, pedagogy\, stereotypes\, jokes\, health\, identity\, personality\, instrument construction\, and more. For this study I collected data from sixty participants through interviews\, observations\, and questionnaires – including one distributed to AVS Festival attendees in 2022. The participants cover a sizeable array of perspectives\, such as young viola students\, university students\, professors\, schoolteachers\, performers\, and other key informants with unique positions in the viola community. In this lecture\, I will present each theme\, drawing upon scholarly literature alongside my own data. Where problems are identified\, I will provide potential solutions aided by this evidence. By the end of the lecture\, I will have provided a thorough picture of what our viola world is like today – much like a State of the Union address. \n\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/the-few-the-proud-the-violas-the-state-of-the-union/
LOCATION:Room 318 (Music)
CATEGORIES:Lecture
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T143000
DTSTAMP:20260410T191937
CREATED:20260207T035836Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T031051Z
UID:47021-1780493400-1780497000@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:Explosive Viola Music!  Find it\, play it\, Help make it.
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] \nPresenters:\nMichael Delfin\nMichael Hall\nThere is a myth among both musicians and audiences that the viola can only play elegies. Too often it seems like composers bring their troubles to the viola. Much of our repertoire does a fantastic job of exploiting the rich\, dark\, and melancholy characteristics of the viola. But we are capable of so much more. \nIn this lecture recital\, I will introduce two works written for me on which I collaborated closely with composers to feature the explosive\, kinetic\, and high octane expressive abilities of the viola. \nThese works are:\nKrakatoa (2018) by Stacy Garrop\nA viola concerto portraying the largest volcanic eruption in modern history – Krakatoa in 1883. Three segue movements 1. Imminent\, 2. Eruption\, 3. Dormant.\nI’ll present the viola/piano reduction version\, just published by Theodore Presser. \nZing Boom (2021) by Michelle McQuade Dewhirst\nA work I commissioned using my pandemic stimulus check. Zing Boom portrays the explosive swing of emotions felt from falling in love at first sight. The composer was inspired by Bjork’s legendary first appearance on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson\, singing\, “It’s all so quiet.” \nI will demonstrate how the composers and I collaborated to enhance the explosive characteristics of the music\, provide lists of other recently composed viola works displaying explosive and highly kinetic vibes\, as well as provide violists in attendance with tools to approach\, commission\, and collaborate with composers. \nThe lecture will include complete performances of Krakatoa (15 mins) and Zing Boom (3 mins) to both introduce the pieces. The session closes with a Q & A session on commissioning.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/explosive-viola-music-find-it-play-it-help-make-it/
LOCATION:Room 142/Choir Room (Music)
CATEGORIES:Lecture-Recital
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T143000
DTSTAMP:20260410T191937
CREATED:20260207T035840Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260321T232702Z
UID:47009-1780493400-1780497000@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:AVS Shared Recital: Portrait de femme
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] \nPerformer:\nDiane Phoenix-Neal\n  \nRomance\, by Germaine Taillefaire (1892-1983)\, [arr. Phoenix-Neal] \nSonata Movt. 3\, by Modesta Bor (1926-1998) \nRhapsody No. 2 for solo viola\, by Jessie Montgomery (b. 1981) \nVietnamese Love Song\, by Rachel Eubanks (1922-2006) \nMulti-Cultural Songs\, by Chihchun Chi-sun Lee 李志純 (b. 1970) \nRhapsody for Viola and Orchestra\, by Dorothea Franchi (1920-2003)\, [piano reduction by Grant] \nAfrican Dance\, Margaret Bonds (1913-1972) \nWondrous!  (World Premiere)\, Johanna Selleck (b.1959) \nDiane Phoenix-Neal\, viola; Sherry Grant\, piano  \nPROGRAM NOTES: \nThis collaborative recital includes works by eight female composers of the 19th through to the 21st century\, from six different countries around the world: France\, New Zealand\, Taiwan\, United States\, Venezuela and Australia\, including one world premiere. Three of the composers\, Chihchun Chi-sun Lee 李志純 \, Jessie Montgomery\, and Johanna Selleck are living composers. This program invokes cultural traditions such as dance\, songs and poetry and is curated in the form of a multimedia presentation\, where portraits of each composer and matching poems with English translation are woven into the music. Germaine Tailleferre’s Romance\, originally for piano\, opens the recital with charm. The dance-like 3rd movement of the Sonata para viola y piano by Modesta Bor is playful in nature. Two rhapsodies are selected: Rhapsody No. 2 for solo viola by the 2024 Grammy award-winning composer Jessie Montgomery was transcribed from the violin version by the composer herself. New Zealand composer Dorothea Franchi’s unique Rhapsody for Viola and Orchestra (winner of the 1950 Lionel Tertis Prize) is a relatively unknown work\, presented complete with a new piano reduction by Sherry Grant (2025). Chihchun Chi-sun Lee’s Multi-Cultural Songs\, originally for mid-range voice and piano\, “incorporates folk tunes from Korea\, Russia\, Japan\, China and Indonesia. This music travels from country to country within a seamless path regardless of the language.”  Vietnamese Folk Song by Rachel Eubanks uses the melody of the popular 1958 song Kiếp nào có yêu nhau (In Which Lifetime Did We Love Each Other?) by Phạm Duy. Margaret Bond’s African Dance is a trio for voices and piano\, transcribed two violas and piano. The program concludes with a world premiere of Wondrous! by Australian composer Johanna Selleck for violin\, viola and piano\, about the wonder of nature. The entire program takes the audience on a global journey\, promoting a message of unity and intercultural partnerships. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/avs-shared-recital-portrait-de-femme/
LOCATION:Recital Hall (Forbes)
CATEGORIES:AVSF Recital
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T163000
DTSTAMP:20260410T191937
CREATED:20260207T035822Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260305T182408Z
UID:47005-1780493400-1780504200@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:AVSF Orchestra Audition Competition and Seminar
DESCRIPTION:Join us for the exciting final rounds of the American Viola Society Festival Orchestra Audition Competition and Seminar semi- and final-rounds\, where outstanding finalists take the stage in pursuit of top honors. Experience inspiring performances that showcase exceptional artistry\, technical mastery\, and the future of viola performance.
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/avsf-orchestra-audition-competition-and-seminar/
LOCATION:Room 108/Large Band Room (Music)
CATEGORIES:AVSF Competition
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T163000
DTSTAMP:20260410T191937
CREATED:20260207T035826Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260331T002139Z
UID:47003-1780493400-1780504200@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:AVSF Senior Solo Competition
DESCRIPTION:Join us for the exciting final rounds of the American Viola Society Festival Senior Solo Competition\, where outstanding finalists take the stage in pursuit of top honors. Experience inspiring performances that showcase exceptional artistry\, technical mastery\, and the future of viola performance.
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/avsf-senior-solo-competition/
LOCATION:Room 1115 (Forbes)
CATEGORIES:AVSF Competition
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T153000
DTSTAMP:20260410T191937
CREATED:20260207T035812Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T030947Z
UID:47031-1780497000-1780500600@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:Rethinking Bach's Cello Suites
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] \nPresenter:\nEdward Klorman\nBach’s Cello Suites have been central to the viola training repertoire for nearly a century. Yet many basic questions about them resist straightforward answers\, and contradictory or misleading information appears in many published sources. This presentation reports on my research findings for my book Bach: The Cello Suites. I will emphasize four questions: \n(1) What is known about when\, why\, and for which kind(s) of instrument(s) Bach conceived the suites? \n(2) How might Bach have composed the suites\, and to what extent are traces of his compositional method apparent from analysis? \n(3) Why have recent studies re-evaluated the longstanding assumption that Anna Magdalena Bach’s manuscript copy (“Source A”) should be prioritized as the most authoritative? What are the implications of new scholarship prioritizing the two later manuscript copies (“Sources C and D”)\, which have long been undervalued by both musicologists and performers? \n(4) What is known about the Cello Suites’ performance history on cello and on viola starting from the earliest documented performances (c. 1860) up through Pablo Casals’s influential tours and recordings in the first half of the twentieth century? \nIn this presentation\, I will illustrate how many longstanding assumptions about the Cello Suites are being rethought in recent scholarship. For instance\, the term “violoncello” referred to instruments of various sizes and numbers of strings\, some held between the knees\, but others held at the shoulder supported by a strap. For cellists in Bach’s orbit who held their instruments at the knees\, they more likely adopted an “underhand” bow hold (similar to that used on viola da gamba) rather than the modern “overhand” bow hold. \nIn sum\, this presentation emphasizes the variety of ways the Cello Suites have been approached over the past three centuries\, with an aim of encouraging today’s violists to adopt a spirit of open-mindedness and experimentation in their own approaches to the Cello Suites.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/rethinking-bachs-cello-suites/
LOCATION:Room 321 (Music)
CATEGORIES:Lecture
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T153000
DTSTAMP:20260410T191937
CREATED:20260207T035817Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T030915Z
UID:47025-1780497000-1780500600@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:Underrepresented Twice: Spotlighting Unknown Soviet Repertoire by Female Composers and Ethnic Minorities
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] \nPresenter:\nNathan Pollak\nIn recent years the American viola community shared an increased interest in viola music by composers of underrepresented backgrounds\, from the present and from the past. In this lecture recital—based on my recent pioneering research of unknown original viola works from the Soviet Era—I will introduce three solo works by Soviet composers\, which never became known in the West\, and fell under obscurity in the (ex-)USSR territories\, mainly due to the composers’ background. I will start by introducing the first movement from the 1985/87 Sonata for Viola Solo by the Ukrainian Alexander Shchetynsky (b. 1960)\, who currently blossoms in Ukraine and Poland but receives a much lesser degree of international recognition. The Sonata is progressive in its style\, expressionistic\, questions traditional tonal and rhythmic hierarchies\, and as such falls under the category of ‘unofficial music’\, as defined by Peter Schmelz. Following\, is the 1967 Suite op. 2 for Viola Solo by Elena Firsova (b.1950) who currently resides in the UK and was one of the very few acclaimed young female composers in the USSR. Her early Suite consists of four short movements\, exploring different instrumental and compositional techniques\, atonal yet expressive\, celebrating the human-voice-like qualities associated with the viola in Soviet scholarship. I will conclude my lecture with the 1985 Genesis Sonata by Azerbaijani composer Khayyam Mirzazade (1935-2018)\, who was hailed in his Republic\, but never broke through the cultural glass ceiling elsewhere. Genesis is a monumental piece\, powerful in its simplicity\, perfectly tailored for the instrument\, and reflects the late Soviet peripheral tendency to compose in the style known in the West as ‘world-music’. The lecture aims to encourage violists to explore underrepresented repertoire from times of great repression\, under the light of the biblical message that humans were equally created “in His own image” (Genesis 1:27).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/underrepresented-twice-spotlighting-unknown-soviet-repertoire-by-female-composers-and-ethnic-minorities/
LOCATION:Room 204 (Music)
CATEGORIES:Lecture-Recital
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T160000
DTSTAMP:20260410T191937
CREATED:20260207T035808Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T030845Z
UID:47019-1780497000-1780502400@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:Electric Viola Workshop: Signature Artist\, Rudolf Haken
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPresenter:\nRudolf Haken\nExplore the expressive possibilities of the electric viola with pioneering performer and innovator Rudolf Haken. This engaging workshop will demonstrate the instrument’s expanded sonic palette\, including extended techniques\, electronic effects\, and new approaches to performance. Attendees will gain insight into how technology is shaping the future of viola playing across genres and artistic contexts. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/electric-viola-workshop-signature-artist-rudolf-haken/
LOCATION:Studio Theater (Forbes)
CATEGORIES:Workshop
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T163000
DTSTAMP:20260410T191937
CREATED:20260207T035237Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T030811Z
UID:47029-1780500600-1780504200@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:Violin to Viola: Developing an Efficient Pedagogy
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] \nPresenter:\nPeijun Xu\nThis research proposal presents a comprehensive approach to integrating violin and viola pedagogies that can efficiently support violinists at different proficiency levels in transitioning to violists. By adopting this approach\, students will gain professional playing and teaching abilities in both instruments\, enhancing their future career prospects as musicians and educators. \nBased on my own study and teaching experiences in transitioning from violin to viola\, I have helped different-level students do this. The proposal outlines practical strategies for leveraging the technical and musical similarities between the violin and viola\, such as posture\, bowing styles\, finger placement\, and intonation. It also addresses necessary adaptations for the viola’s larger size\, different string tension\, and deeper resonance\, emphasizing adjustments in hand positioning\, finger spacing\, and bowing techniques. These strategies are designed for easy classroom implementation\, ensuring a smooth transition for students. \nFor instance\, the presentation will demonstrate differences in violin and viola techniques for original violin and viola students\, including right-hand and left-hand techniques and clef reading. It will also cover specific repertoire and etudes that address these techniques\, organized by beginner\, intermediate\, and advanced levels. \nThe proposal advocates introducing transcribed violin works and viola-specific repertoire at appropriate learning stages\, incorporating established educational resources like the American String Teachers Association’s Certificate Advancement Program (ASTACAP). This structured framework helps assess and advance students’ skills through various proficiency levels. \nIntegrating violin and viola pedagogies facilitates smooth transitions between the instruments and enriches the student’s overall musicianship. This integration offers broader performance opportunities and a deeper understanding of string techniques\, enhancing string pedagogy with efficient strategies and developing a curated repertoire for young violists from early stages to advanced levels.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/violin-to-viola-developing-an-efficient-pedagogy/
LOCATION:Room 318 (Music)
CATEGORIES:Lecture
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T163000
DTSTAMP:20260410T191937
CREATED:20260207T035241Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T030738Z
UID:47023-1780500600-1780504200@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:Gamifying the practice room
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] \nPresenter:\nNick Revel\nWhat if learning etudes felt like casting spells in epic boss battles? DragonScales: The Hero Levels – 25 Fantasy Etudes to Slay Evil invites violists into a fully immersive practice and performance experience where fantasy storytelling\, game mechanics\, and serious technique converge. In this lecture recital\, I will demonstrate how the Hero Levels fuse narrative\, audio play-along recordings\, and progressive etudes to create a flexible and engaging educational tool for players of all levels. \nThis unique system includes three core components: a written fantasy novella in which you\, the player\, take on the role of Hero\, a full set of technically demanding yet imaginative notated etudes\, and professionally recorded and mixed audio play-along tracks. Available in three difficulty tiers—Story\, Noble\, and Legend—for violin\, viola\, and cello\, each following the same story and using the same audio play-alongs\, the book supports both solo and multiplayer settings\, allowing teachers\, students\, and peers to level up together. \nThrough live performance excerpts and analysis\, I will showcase how these etudes function both as stand-alone technical studies and as integrated components of a storytelling journey alongside cinematic audio play-alongs. I will also explore practical applications for private studios\, group classes\, and recital settings—including adaptive multi-level learning\, improvisation prompts\, theory integration\, and cross-instrument collaboration. \nWith QR-linked resources including practice tempo tracks\, demo performances\, and a growing online community playlist\, The Hero Levels supports creative learning at every stage of development. This session will be both a performance and an invitation to reimagine how we teach and inspire with our instruments. Why not go on an adventure while learning your instrument? Materials will be provided for participants and an optional raffle book giveaway can be arranged.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/gamifying-the-practice-room/
LOCATION:Room 142/Choir Room (Music)
CATEGORIES:Lecture-Recital
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T163000
DTSTAMP:20260410T191937
CREATED:20260207T035803Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260321T233018Z
UID:47011-1780500600-1780504200@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:AVS Shared Recital: Reimagining Beethoven’s Violin Sonatas for Viola
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] \nPerformers:\nEric Wong\nJohn Paul Younes\nTanav Gowda\nNathan Cheung\n\nSonata for Viola and Piano No. 1 in D Major\, Op. 12\, No. 1  \n\n Allegro con brio\n Tema con variazioni: Andante con moto\nRondo. Allegro\n\nJohn Paul Younes\, viola; Nathan Cheung\, piano \n  \nSonata for Viola and Piano No. 5 in F Major\, Op. 24 “Spring” \n\n Allegro\n\nTanav Gowda\, viola; Nathan Cheung\, piano \n  \nSonata for Viola and Piano No. 9 in A Major\, Op. 47 “Kreutzer” \n\n Adagio sostenuto – Presto\n Andante con variazioni\nFinale. Presto\n\nEric Wong\, viola; Nathan Cheung\, piano \n**All works by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827)\, transcribed for viola by Eric Wong (b. 1986)  \n  \nPROGRAM NOTES: \nBeethoven’s violin sonatas\, here transcribed for viola and piano\, are a cornerstone of his output\, evolving from classical elegance to dramatic expression. These three selections represent distinct stages in this evolution. \nSonata No. 1 in D major\, Op. 12\, No. 1 (1798) is a youthful and sunny work. It reflects Beethoven’s grounding in the Classical tradition of Haydn and Mozart. The sonata’s graceful melodies and balanced structure are a testament to his early mastery\, a conversation between the viola and piano\, full of wit and joy. \nThe “Spring” Sonata No. 5 in F major\, Op. 24 (1801) is one of Beethoven’s most beloved works\, a masterpiece of early Romanticism\, showcasing a richer\, more expressive range while retaining classical clarity. The nickname “Spring” perfectly captures its lyrical\, pastoral character. It’s a true partnership where both instruments have equal importance\, sharing in the beautiful\, flowing themes. \nSonata No. 9 in A major\, Op. 47\, the “Kreutzer” Sonata (1803)\, is a work of immense power and scale. This sonata was famously described by Tolstoy as a work of “terrible passion.” The sheer virtuosity demanded from both performers is immense\, and its dramatic intensity and heroic scope foreshadow Beethoven’s later\, revolutionary works.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/avs-shared-recital-reimagining-beethovens-violin-sonatas-for-viola/
LOCATION:Recital Hall (Forbes)
CATEGORIES:AVSF Recital
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T163000
DTSTAMP:20260410T191937
CREATED:20260207T035232Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T030545Z
UID:47033-1780502400-1780504200@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:Integrating Pop Music and Diverse Composers into the Beginner Viola Studio
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] \nPresenter:\nJohanna Beaver\nToday’s young violists want to play music that reflects their world—and too often\, our teaching materials don’t. While there’s been progress in programming works by women and underrepresented composers\, studio repertoire still leans heavily on the classical canon. My students often ask for pop songs\, yet most available arrangements are awkwardly keyed\, lack accompaniment\, and fail to connect emotionally. \nThis session introduces a new teaching resource: beginner viola-friendly arrangements of pop\, jazz\, and contemporary tunes by women and underrepresented composers\, each paired with a specific technical or musical goal. Modeled on the Suzuki Book 1 sequence\, these pieces complement traditional methods while offering inclusive\, recognizable\, and motivating repertoire. \nInspired by Rachel Barton Pine’s Music by Black Composers\, the collection features clear notation\, comfortable beginner keys\, readable rhythms\, and optional piano or digital tracks—making it practical for both private and group settings. \nThe 25-minute presentation will showcase selected arrangements\, demonstrate teaching strategies\, and share the pedagogical reasoning behind each. A brief Q&A and feedback form will invite attendees to help shape the project’s next phase. \nSample works in progress:\n• “You Belong With Me” – Taylor Swift (Hooked bowing\, D major)\n• “Empire State of Mind” – Jay Z/Alicia Keys (Syncopation\, G major)\n• “What Was I Made For?” – Billie Eilish (Phrasing\, A minor)\n• “ABC” – Jackson Five (String crossings\, D major)\n• “My Shot” – Lin-Manuel Miranda (Subdivision\, 4/4) \nThis resource is about more than pop—it’s about giving every student music that feels relevant\, joyful\, and worth practicing.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/integrating-pop-music-and-diverse-composers-into-the-beginner-viola-studio/
LOCATION:Room 321 (Music)
CATEGORIES:Lecture
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T190000
DTSTAMP:20260410T191937
CREATED:20260303T230616Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260303T230616Z
UID:48822-1780509600-1780513200@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:Exhibitor Break: Catered
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] \n\n\n\n\nJoin us for a late afternoon bite and browse\, with our catered Exhibitor Break. We invite you to explore the exhibitor hall and enjoy the opportunity to meet the experts who support and inspire our vibrant musical community while refueling with refreshments after our Day 1 of 2026 AVSF! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/exhibitor-break-catered/
LOCATION:Forbes Lower Lobby (Downstairs) and Grand Lobby (Upstairs)
CATEGORIES:Exhibits
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260603T210000
DTSTAMP:20260410T191937
CREATED:20260207T035227Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260317T054420Z
UID:47017-1780513200-1780520400@www.americanviolasociety.org
SUMMARY:Signature Artist Concert: Victoria Chiang — Elegance and Expression Across Centuries
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””] \nPerformers:\nVictoria Chiang\nDavid Perry\nLynne Ramsey\nDr. Kira Omelchenko\n2026 AVSF Chamber Orchestra\nString Quartet of Northern Virginia\nRenowned violist Victoria Chiang is joined by guest artists Lynne Ramsey (viola) and David Perry (violin)\, the Northern Virginia String Quartet (AVSF Quartet in Residence)\, and the festival chamber orchestra under the baton of Dr. Kira Omelchenko for an evening celebrating the viola’s rich voice across the Baroque and Classical eras. The program features Bach’s masterful Brandenburg Concerto No. 6\, Telemann’s expressive Viola Concerto\, and Mozart’s luminous Sinfonia Concertante. This signature concert highlights the viola’s unique role as both soloist and collaborator\, showcasing artistry\, elegance\, and musical dialogue at the highest level. \n[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://www.americanviolasociety.org/events/signature-artist-concert-victoria-chiang/
LOCATION:Concert Hall (Forbes)
CATEGORIES:AVSF Signature Artist Concert
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR