Daniel Ching of the Miró Quartet conducts Island Sinfonia during a Master Class.
“What a tremendous experience we all had thanks to the Miró Quartet!” Ned Griffin, Conductor of Island Sinfonia, said. The community musicians had looked forward to their master class with the world famous Miró Quartet, and on a rainy December day at Emmanuel Episcopal Church Parish Hall, the workshop took place.
The Miró Quartet, featuring Daniel Ching, William Fedkenheuer, John Largess and Joshua Gindele, was on island performing for Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival’s “Leaves of Gold” Fundraising Concert. Island Sinfonia, comprised of both adult and student musicians, has orchestra members from Orcas, Lopez, Shaw and San Juan Islands. They selected two works to perform for the coaching session: Dvorak’s Czech Suite and Copland’s Variations on a Shaker Melody. The Miró Quartet then offered guidance to the musicians, emphasizing technical, practical and listening skills. “I am so grateful for the insights they gave us to improve our playing. Besides being consummate musicians, they are such personable people. I look forward to putting their suggestions to work at our rehearsals,” Griffin said.
Moana Kutsche, flute player, added “We were playing better almost immediately. The gentlemen of the Miró were exceptionally perceptive and helpful, and kind as well. We gained a much greater awareness of what to listen for across the ensemble, and how the different parts combine to construct the whole piece.”
The class was made possible with support from the 2012 Chamber Music America Residency Grant, in partnership with Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival. OICMF’s Artistic Director Aloysia Friedmann joined the coaching session, as well as lending a hand in the viola section. www.oicmf.org
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