THE CAPE GATE MIAGI CENTRE FOR MUSIC - CMCM

Cape Gate MIAGI Centre for Music – CMCM - an architectural pearl by Monty Sack at Morris Isaacson High School, Mputhi Street, Central Western Jabavu, Soweto

Videos from the Opening Ceremony on
29 May 2011 at 15h00

http://vimeo.com/24502080 Members of the African Youth Ensemble welcoming the guests into the Centre Hall.

http://vimeo.com/24501803 Members of the Morris Isaacson High School Choir busking at the party hosted by the donor of the building, Cape Gate Holdings.

Thank you to the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund - Principal MIAGI Funder - for generously helping MIAGI equip the beautiful Centre!

We would further like to thank the Goethe-Institut for your generous contribution to the CMCM!

Background

In the beginning of 2008, late Mr. Mendel Kaplan (renowned philanthropist and Head of Cape Gate Holdings) agreed to fund the construction of a music centre on the premises of the Morris Isaacson High School in Soweto through his foundation - the Kaplan Kuschlik Education Foundation.  The building, the first of its kind in any South African township, will serve as a centre for music education as well as a community centre. The building has been completed and will be ready for operations starting with the first school term of 2011.

The building is on a property, owned by the Gauteng Department of Education.

Motivation

Much has been written about the interdependency of sustainable development and the flourishing of culture, and about how music can help bridge cultural divide.   The implementation of music education at a very early age has proven to be an extremely valuable tool towards achieving the following:

• Structured music activities reduce violence and drug abuse among children – music acts as a form of therapy, it helps children cope with negative stress and feelings
• Focused musical study improves all round academic performance in schools – music training is an ideal form of exercise for the brain
• Music education awakens creativity – music increases interaction between the right and left brain hemispheres
• Music study promotes collaboration, cooperation and problem solving skills, contributing to peace and social tolerance during times of social stress – social adaptability and skills are trained especially through participation in  ensembles, orchestras and choirs

Article from 'The Strad' Magazine - August 2010

Governance

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between the following partners

1. The Morris Isaacson Centre for Music - Association Incorporated under Section 21 (2009/010066/08) trading as “The Cape Gate MIAGI Centre for Music”
2. The Trustees of the Kaplan Kuschlik Education Foundation
3. Music Is A Great Investment - MIAGI (An Association Incorporated under Section 21, Reg. No. 2001/015788/08)
4. The Governing Body of the Morris Isaacson High School (MIHS)
5. The Department of Education of the Gauteng Provincial Government

To co-ordinate the relationship between Morris Isaacson High School and its Governing Body on the one hand and the Company, MIAGI and the Music Centre on the other hand, a joint committee has been established.  This committee is composed from members of the above mentioned bodies.

The Board of the Section 21 Company that was established for the purpose of the centre will oversee the activities of all partners.

Sustainability

MIAGI has received an adequate amount from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) to set up and furnish the centre.  The amount also covers the purchase of instruments as well as the initial running costs for the first twelve months.

The Section 21 Company has qualified for income tax exemption and section 18A approval (PBO Ref. No. 930031852).

One of the main tasks of the Section 21 Company will be to fund raise and build a special fund for the ongoing operations of the centre.

The Gauteng Department of Education has agreed to enter a partnership with CMCM.  The initiation of this partnership is the agreement from the GDE to assist by allocating a number of music teacher posts for the centre.

The centre management will also generate income through a minimal financial contribution by its pupils.  This contribution is subject however to affordability. 

The centre will be the base for interaction within the community, not only for musical development but for community development as well.

The Hall

Planned Activities at the Centre

• The CMCM will be offering general and practical music tuition, including music theory tuition for the children in Soweto and surrounds.

There are currently eight private music education initiatives in Soweto.  Most of these private initiatives have none or very poor facilities to their disposal. The CMCM will endeavor to act as a facilitator to better co-operation between these private music education initiatives.

• Instruments that will be taught include the following: voice, violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, trumpet, trombone,  general percussion, saxophones, guitar, piano and keyboards

• Specifically African instruments will include: marimba, all forms of African percussion instruments, mbira, pennywhistle and a variety of bow instruments such as the umhruhbe
• Music Theory: music literacy will be accompany the practical tuition – linked to the UNISA curriculum
• Ensembles: orchestra(s), jazz formations, choirs, indigenous music groups
• Tutors: The services of devoted and highly competent tutors will be sought, also  in co-operation with existing tutors within the private music education network in Soweto

• The Centre will interact with the Morris Isaacson School - the youngest at this school are already advanced (grade 8 youth. For them, choir and jazz ensemble programmes, as well as other group instruction programmes, keyboard, guitar, marimba, and voice coaching, will be created

•  In order to identify younger students, the Centre will connect with primary schools in the area

• The Centre will so eventually offer the children in these schools a second education plan with stress on music and the arts, but that will strictly connect to and interact with the South African schools curriculum in general
• In this way it will be a centre for excellence that will also connect the students academically to the Morris Isaacson School and later to the SA Universities

• The main activities at the Centre will be taking place after school and during week-ends and holidays

• The Centre will be arranging a wide variety of concerts and workshops to  the benefit of entire community

• The Centre will host a parents organization

• The Centre will intensely collaborate with existing music education structures.

SYLLABUSES AND ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION

The CMCM education plan will follow the UNISA curriculum. The children and youth will be taking part in the graded music examinations offered by the University.

The Directorate Music of the University of South Africa is an Examining Body which offers a system of graded music examinations. Learners can gain recognition at school leaving level for Music studied through and resulting in examinations completed with UNISA; accreditation can be provided by the Department of Education for a National School Leaving level subject, if the requisite theory and practical aspects of music are successfully fulfilled. On the whole, students that have Gr V theory and Grade VI practical can get into university. 

Another important point is that getting in to university to study music is not only a question of music talent/level of skill/qualifications – it is also a question of the matric (old terminology – now National Senior Certificate) marks in general, and the particular combination of subjects studied. That is why the interaction with the Morris Isaacson School academically, will be a very important factor.

Student records will be kept at both the centre and at UNISA. UNISA’s system of record-keeping of candidates’ results is well established – they’ve been running these exams for more than 100 years now.

Building the Centre

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The 37th International Viola Congress, 27 July to 1 August 2009 - Thank you to all our wondeful guest artists from over12 different countries from all over the world!

Judging from your feed-back you enjoyed your stay with us - the 37th International Viola Congress was a special and enjoyable event- the first of its kind in South Africa!

The congress ended with the Festive Gala Banquet on the evening of 31 July at Morgenhof Wine Estate... congress photos below...

Morgenhof Wine Estate, situated on the slopes of the Simonsberg mountains outside Stellenbosch, falls under the Simonsberg appellation. This area is renowned for the production of the highest quality grapes producing top quality wines. At the end of 1998, Morgenhof was granted “Estate”, status. “The dedication of the Morgenhof Team, to making quality wines for consumption worldwide, begins in the vineyards, following through to final production.” www.morgenhof.com

The Congress took place at the campus of Stellenbosch University, just 45 minutes’ drive from Cape Town offering an assortment of events for viola enthusiasts and professionals, from master classes and lectures to recitals and orchestral concerts. Participants were introduced to a wealth of South African indigenous music, and much focus was placed on local developmental education initiatives (please see the full congress programme at this page).

The University of Stellenbosch itself has a proud music history, an outstanding music department, and hosts a number of music festivals on the South African musical calendar. The Endler concert hall is famous for its exceptional acoustics (read more here: University of Stellenbosch).

Situated among the winelands of the Boland (literally “upper country”), the picturesque town of Stellenbosch offers the visitor a very central position from which to explore the entire Cape Peninsula.

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Congress Photo Potpourri

Cape Lemons

The above and following photographs - courtecy of Björn Carlén from Norrköpings Symfoniorkester (SON). Visit the SON violas' lovely blog - http://sonviolas.blogspot.com/!

 ...PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION...more photos will follow...

The SON VIola Group

Members of the SON Viola Group with congress colleagues

Madosini Latozi Mphaleni and Nosindi Mtimkulu

Kenneth Martinson

Kolwane Mantu, Sheila Masote and Michael Masote

Shoshanguwe Octet

Csaba Erdélyi dancing to some inspiring folk music from Sweden

Valery Andreev - Dwight Pounds, Kobus Malan and Anthony Caplan

Christine Rutledge - Master Class with Jerzy Kosmala

Mass Viola Ensemble rehearsal

David Dalton

Cape Lemons again...

The following photographs - courtecy of Dwight Pounds, violist, historian and photographer for the American Viola Society  ...PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION...more photos will follow...

Cape Landscape

Member of the Shoshanguwe Viola Octet

Korey Konkol

The Congress Foyer

Jutta Puchhammer-Sedillot

Violina Anguelov, Jutta Puchhammer-Sédillot and Elna van der Merwe

Welcome speakers - Hester Wohlitz, Robert Brooks and John Roos

Dawne Haddad, luthier

Sasha Mäkilä enjoying the view at a Cape fish restaurant...

Jeanne-Louise Moolman

Csaba Erdélyi

Shoshanguwe Viola Octet

Congress Sponsor

Sheila Browne, Congress Orchestra with Sasha Mäkilä

 ...PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION...more photos will follow...

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FAQ: "Who is Who?"

Reply: MIAGI is offered its administrative and technical expertise for the congress. MIAGI facilitated congress related meetings and was in charge of the design & contents as well as the continuous updating of the Viola 09 page at the MIAGI website. MIAGI addressed funders and sponsors, co-ordinated logistics at the congress venue, and managed the congress participants' data base.

MIAGI further handled the congress marketing & PR (including designs of bookmarks, posters and the congress souvenir programme). MIAGI collected and wrote the content for the newsletters and the souvenir programme with invaluable assistance from Marina Louw from the South African Viola Society (SAVS). Together with Hester Wohlitz, SAVS President and Marina Louw, MIAGI handled the congress invitations as well as the artistic and other programme planning and co-ordination.

The Congress Team (in alphabetical order):

Brooks, Robert - MIAGI: Director

Chumi, Sisa - MIAGI: Logistics

Coetzee, Marius - MIAGI: Viola 09 - Project Co-ordinator

Hedlund, Ingrid - MIAGI: Creative Manager & Webhost

Homola, Ann and GP Wentzel - The Ghoema Route: Viola 09 - Hospitality Host

Louw, Marina - SAVS: Viola 09 - Artistic Co-ordinator

Wohlitz, Hester - SAVS: President - South African Viola Society

Ann and GP Wentzel facilitated the catering, accommodation, tours and transport related to the congress. Thet assisted with arranging ‘prior, during and after the congress day-trips’ - wine-tasting throughout the Boland and surrounds, whale-watching at Hermanus, sight-seeing in Cape Town and surrounds, historical sites and much more. The Ghoema Route also tailor packaged excursions to other African countries. In collaboration with partners in the tourism industry, the Ghoema Route was able to offer special congress rates.

The following links helped the congress delegates, from over 12 different countries, in making the most of their visit with us

South Africa Explored

Welcome to Cape Town and Western Cape

Western Cape Travel Guide

What is the weather like in Stellenbosch?

Weather forecast Stellenbosch

Here you can find the up-to-date answers to all your questions concerning South Africa and travelling to South Africa (to all questions that we can think of, and to many more!):

2010 Fifa World Cup - South Africa info

Thank you!

Hester Wohlitz, President, South African Viola Society (SAVS)

Robert Brooks, Director MIAGI

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About the Congress Programme

The Congress offered an assortment of events for viola enthusiasts and professionals, from master classes and lectures, to recitals and orchestral concerts, here a few of the high-lights:

CONGRESS CONDUCTOR

The young Finnish conductor Sasha Mäkilä (34), assistant conductor of the Orchestre National de France, received his education through some of the most renowned conducting schools in the world; the St Petersburg State Conservatory in Russia and the Sibelius Academy in Finland. The beginning of his career included frequent performances as guest conductor of Russian and Finnish orchestras such as the Vaasa City Orchestra, the Jyväskylä Sinfonia, the student orchestras of the Sibelius Academy and the Helsinki Conservatory, the Karelian State Symphony Orchestra, the St Petersburg Chamber Philharmonic and the orchestra of the St Petersburg State Conservatory. In 2006, Mäkilä came to prominence after winning third prize in the 6th International Vakhtang Jordania Conducting Competition in the USA.

Since 2007 Mäkilä has been working with the Orchestre National de France as assistant to Kurt Masur. In 2008 he assisted Maestro Masur in preparing the orchestra for two complete cycles of Beethoven symphonies in Paris and in Bonn, and in 2009, for the Mendelssohn bicentennial year concerts with Orchestre National de France. The first event in this cycle took place in January, with Mendelssohn's oratorio Elias at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris. Sasha Mäkilä is a visiting lecturer at the Helsinki University and at the Sibelius Academy in Finland....read more about Sasha Mäkilä at www.sashamakila.com...

Thank you to the EMBASSY OF FINLAND for funding Sasha Mäkilä's participation!

CONGRESS EXTRA SPECIAL

37th Viola Congress ‘Extra Special’ HINDEMITH CAVALCADE: The complete works for viola by Paul Hindemith were performed during the course of the congress by students of the South African born violist, Louise Lansdown, from the Royal Northern College of Music in the UK.

To complement this unique event, Luitgard Schader gave a lecture on Hindemith as a composer, and original manuscripts of Hindemith’s works as well as his viola will be on display.

STAR PERFORMERS

The highly acclaimed British-born violist Roger Chase will give a performance of the stunningly beautiful viola concerto, Rosa Mystica, by the South-African composer W.H. Bell, and will also be heard in recital. Chase plays on the Montagnana Viola once owned and beloved by Lionel Tertis, with whom he also studied for a time. Chase has worked with many of the major orchestras and recording companies in the world, demonstrating his diverse interests by playing with a folk group on an amplified viola, as a soloist on an authentic instrument, and as an exponent of the avant-garde.

Jerzy.Kosmala.(Poland/USA), internationally acclaimed concert and recording artist, will also feature as one of the high profile performers at the congress, in addition to giving open master classes. An erstwhile student of William Primrose, Kosmala has served as a jury member of virtually all of the most prestigious international competitions, including the Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition (Isle of Man) and the International Primrose Viola Competition (USA).   World-renowned Hungarian-born viola player Csaba Erdélyi (who won the Carl Flesch competition in 1972 when it was still open to both violin and viola) is equally respected and admired for the high quality of his performances, teaching and scholarship. He will perform his acclaimed restoration and orchestration of the Bartok Viola Concerto (World premiere CD available from www. concordance.co.nz)

New viola repertoire performed by outstanding soloists with the South African Viola Congress Orchestra
-K Jacobs: Approaching Northern Darkness (première), featuring Sheila Browne as soloist.
-JG Ripper: Brazilian Concerto (première), performed by Korey Konkol.
-D Snow: Jakarta for Violin, Viola, Percussion and Marimbas, performed by Penny and Steven Kruse.
-S Grové (SA): Concertino for Viola, Flute and Chamber Orchestra. The soloists in this work will be Jeanne-Louise Moolman and Helen Vosloo.

Smaller ensembles and chamber music
-M Savikangas (Finland): Nordic Lights and Shadows for Six Violas performed by violists from Sweden.
-K Harding (NZ): Capriccio Rondo for Viola Sextet, performed by South African violists from Gauteng.
-M van Dijk (SA): Viola Sextet, performed by South African violists from Cape Town.
-GP Telemann: Partie Pieces for 2 violas and double bass, featuring violists Kenneth Martinson (USA) and Wouter Raubenheimer (SA).
–A Rolla: Viola Duets performed by Kenneth Martinson (USA) and Valery Andreev (SA).

Other ensembles included the Soshanguwe Viola Octet trained by Hester Wohlitz (SA). The Lyric Piano Quartet from Stellenbosch and a special Congress Quartet featuring Karin Wolf (Ger) completed the chamber music component of the Congress.

Recitals Among the many scheduled performances, Roger Chase (UK), Jutta S Puchhammer (President of the Canadian Viola Society) and Karin Wolf (President of the German Viola Society) were heard in recital. Viacheslav Dinerchtein (Mex/Swiss) presented the Viola Sonata by the Spanish composer Octavio Vazquez, a price-winner of the Prokofiev International Competition for Composers. Paul Elwood’s ‘Capricious Apparitions’ were performed by Juliet White-Smith (President of the American Viola Society) and Timothy Deighton (USA).

Indigenous, traditional African music and intercultural works
Hans Huyssen and Madosini Latozi Mphaleni: The Songs of Madosini - Incidental music for string quartet, clarinet, mhrube, isitolotolo, uhadi, voice and narrator (work commissioned by MIAGI 2002).

Kobus Malan and Anthony Caplan (SA) gave an interesting lecture-demonstration on traditional instruments and music from SA and Africa.

Lecture-Recitals Christine Rutledge (USA) gave a lecture-recital on historically informed performance practise titled “Bach and Beyond”. Carlos Aleixo dos Reis (Braz) also gave a lecture-recital, Carlos Maria Solare (Germany) introduced the viola d‘amore, while Elmarie van der Vyver (SA) discussed the Viola Sonata by Stefans Grové.

Lectures and other events David Dalton (USA) gave a lecture on the Art of William Primrose, while Dwight Pounds (USA) talked about Changing from Violin to Viola. Myrna Layton (USA) talked on the PIVA ARCHIVE, and Michael Masote (SA) on classical music in the years of apartheid rule in SA. The South African luthier Dawne Haddad, who studied and worked in Cremona, gave a slide-show presentation on ‘Cremona’s Masters’

Master Classes for scholars, students and professionals
Jerzy Kosmala (Poland/USA), Timothy Deighton, Juliet White-Smith, and Christine Rutledge (all from the USA), and Jutta Puchhammer- Sédillot (Canada) were available to give master classes at the congress.

Viola Ensembles
Each day began with a mass viola ensemble, exploring both old and new repertoire.

The Viola Ensemble at the Bratschistentag 2008, with Emile Cantor as special guest artist

Open Master Classes

Jerzy Kosmala and Timothy Deighton gave open master classes (classes open to the audience)..

...

Timothy Deighton ....................Jerzy Kosmala

T................For information on the artists please visit http://music.arts.uci.edu/kosmala.php (Jerzy Kosmala) and http://www.music.psu.edu/prospective/faculty/strings.html#viola (Timothy Deighton)

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Closed Master Classes & Workshops

Jutta Puchhammer-Sédillot, Christine Rutledge and Juliet White-Smith

Born in Vienna, Austria, Jutta Puchhammer-Sédillot holds a diploma with excellence from the Wiener Hochschüle für Musik und Darstellende Kunst and a masters of music from the Eastman School of Music Rochester, USA, where she was a student and assistant of Heidi Castleman. Since 2001 she has been head of the string department at the University of Montréal. Jutta returns frequently to Austria where she gives recitals and chamber music concerts in her hometown Vienna. She is very active as a chamber musician and a recitalist, has recorded under the SNE, Analekta and UMMUS labels, and released a solo CD of previously unknown German romantic works.

For information on Christine Rutledge, please visit http://www.christinerutledge.com

For information on Juliet White-Smith, please visit

http://www.arts.unco.edu/

pva/faculty/bios/whitesmith.html

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Concise Congress Programme

PRE-CONGRESS EVENTS:

CONGRESS SCHEDULE (subject to change):

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Stellenbosch and the Endler Hall - our Congress Venue

The Endler Hall (completed in 1978) at the University of Stellenbosch
is famous for its exceptional acoustics and has been acclaimed as one of the finest concert halls in the world.

Renowned for its Cape Dutch buildings, university and exceptional wines, Stellenbosch lies in a fertile valley and boasts a mild Mediterranean climate. The town is surrounded by vineyards, orchards and magnificent mountains that form a spectacular backdrop to the town, which is one of the best preserved in South Africa.

Stellenbosch is affectionately known as ‘Eikestad’ - town of oaks – and the shady streets and secluded lanes with open-air restaurants and coffee shops invite people to linger and savour the delightful
atmosphere of this unique town.

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Registration Information

Fees

International visitors:
Regular full congress registration (not a member of a viola society): €220
            (automatically includes one year SAVS membership)
Regular full congress registration for current Viola Society Member: €200
           
Student full congress registration (not a member of a viola society): €100
            (automatically includes one year SAVS membership)
Student full congress registration for current Viola Society Member:  €80
          
RSA / SADC nationals:    
Regular full congress registration (non-SAVS member): R1750
            (automatically includes one year SAVS membership)             
Full congress registration for current South African Viola Society (SAVS) members:  R1500
Student full congress registration (non-SAVS member): R750
            (automatically includes one year SAVS membership)
Student full congress registration (SAVS member): R560

Family/Chaperon/Non-violist admission

Available only in conjunction with a full registration. It allowed for full admittance as an auditor and is meant for spouses, or other people accompanying a participant: €80 and R560

Day visitors tickets at the door @ R150 (R75 for SAVS members, students and pensioners).

Meals at the congress venue
We are arranging for a special congress rate lunch service at the congress venue

Congress Banquet
Please join us for a mouth-watering Viola Congress feast at a beautiful wine farm near Stellenbosch on Friday, 31 July (€30 / R300 per person)

Gala Concert
Included for registered participants. Tickets can further be purchased at the door @ R150 (R75 for SAVS members, students and pensioners).

Friends of the XXXVIIth International Viola Congress

Those who want to support the XXXVIIth International Viola Congress - all donations are welcome (we do not have charitable status).

Account name: MIAGI
Account number: 407 187 7008
Bank:  ABSA
Branch: Pretoria
Branch code: 632005
Swift code: ABSAZAJJCPT

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The 'Viola' Accommodation

About Hester Wohlitz and the South African Viola Society (SAVS)

Hester Wohlitz, violist, conductor and teacher studied violin and viola with Professor Alan Solomon at the Conservatory of Music in Pretoria from 1972 to 1975. In 1975 and 1978 she was selected to join the National Youth Orchestra of South Africa. She holds an A Diploma in violin and viola, and a teacher's licentiate in piano from the University of South Africa (UNISA); in 2008, she became a qualified Suzuki teacher by completing a 6-year Suzuki teaching course (violin and viola) with Christophe Bossuat from the European Suzuki Association.

As a conductor, Hester attended numerous conductors' master classes, a.o. under the leadership of Karl Österreicher (Vienna). She has directed the Tshwane Youth Symphony Orchestra since its foundation in 1979 and conducted the Northern Transvaal Youth Orchestra in the years 1988 to 1995.

In the late 1990s, Hester was approached by representatives from the music community in Atteridgeville township, outside Pretoria. The children in the township were in dire need of instruments and teachers. This marked the beginning of Hester's developmental commitment. Instruments were donated by many foreign embassies and Hester travelled into Atteridgeville on a weekly basis to teach. Hester's work has since grown to include other townships, and the movement has grown to include many former students, who now in turn are active as teachers. In 2002 she was engaged to work in Shoshanguve township through the Unisa Music Foundation.

Hester's success stories are many, her viola ensemble is renowned for its exceptional skill, and her great love for the viola as solo and chamber instrument has inspired many students to successful professional careers. Today Hester’s young viola players form the core of the viola sections of the MIAGI Youth Orchestra and of the South African National Youth Orchestra.

In 2004, Hester founded the South African Viola Society and is currently President of the Society. She attended the International Viola Congresses in New Zealand (2001), Kronberg, Germany (2003), Minneapolis, USA (2004), Montreal, Canada (2005) Adelaide, Australia (2007) and Arizona, USA (2008, and was awarded the bid for the 37th International Viola Congress to be held in South Africa.

The South African Viola Society encourages the performance, research and development of solo violists and viola playing and teaching in South Africa and is one of the 12 sections of the International Viola Society. Viola Days and concerts are encouraged in all the regions and one or two newsletters, which contain national and international news, are available to all members annually.

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Marina Louw's report from the Bratschistentag 2008 that took place from 7 November to 9 November at the Robert Schumann Hochschule in Düsseldorf, Germany

Marina Louw and Tabea Zimmermann

"If our Congress in Stellenbosch can help to ignite a passion and a dream in the heart of every participant, every student, young and old, every amateur, then I think it will have been very worthwhile indeed..."(Marina Louw)

Background: 2008 is the 40th anniversary of international and national viola societies. In 1968 a protocol named the Poellau protocol, was signed by Franz Zeyringer and Dietrich Bauer. It contained a road map of activities that eventually lead to the formation of the  International Viola Research Society, the American Viola Society, the German Viola Society and many more over the years –  we now have viola societies all over the world forming the International Viola Societies (IVS) community.

The South African violist Marina Louw represented the South African Viola Society and MIAGI at the Bratschistentag 2008 that took place from 7 November to 9 November at the Robert Schumann Hochschule in Düsseldorf. The German Viola Society had programmed its annual convention, the Bratschistentag, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of viola societies, and had invited representatives from all IVS sections over the last 40 years to this special occasion. The Walter Witte Viola Contest was held alongside the Bratschistentag, Tabea Zimmermann, by many considered the most outstanding violist in the world today, appeared in concert and the Orpheus Quartet, featuring Emile Cantor plus guest artist Karin Wolf closed the event.

The report:

The official list of delegates gave 76 names, which included the three hosts, Professors Lila Brown, Emile Cantor and Jurgen Kussmaul from the Robert Schummann Hochschule, and 20 exhibitors (music and instruments). Most delegates were from Germany, but there were also delegates from Poland, Italy, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, the United States and then of course one, me! from the Republic of South Africa!!

Exhibitors
There were some really wonderful exhibited instruments, and they got played a lot! There were many students, and quite a few professors who might be on the lookout for instruments for their students, so it was surely worth the exhibitors' while, even if just for the exposure. Prices were in the region of EUR 10 000 to 13 000. There was also a fair selection of music, not huge, but I was able to find a couple of things I needed – I think the bookshops did very well.

Opening Ceremony
After a very fine rendition of the Telemann Viola Concerto by Rudiger Spuck, there were a few words of greeting by the Chairperson of the German Viola Society, Prof. Karin Wolf. Dr Schmidt (Vice Chairperson) was the master of ceremonies, and he introduced all the other speakers, such as Uta Lenkewitz-von Zahn, Dr John White and Dr Michael Vidulich (President of the IVS). The IVS is the umbrella organisation that governs and supports existing and future national and regional organised group of violists. The Society is a non-profit organization that promotes and supports activities that serve the common good for all friends of the viola.

I gave Dr Schmidt the letter of congratulations from the South African Viola Society, and he asked me to read it aloud at that meeting, which was great because then everyone knew who I was, so during the next days, many people came to me to speak about the Stellenbosch Congress. The letter ends with an invitation to the SA Congress, which was then echoed by Dr Vidulich!

Opening Concert
Students of the many professors of viola who were involved at the congress gave a combined concert, which was great at many levels; they got great exposure, they got to hear one another and make connections, and many new works (including a premiere for solo viola) were presented. The standard here was obviously not as high as the viola competition (more later) but still impressive. Some of the new works are almost unplayable – one does want to ask whether all the effort to learn some of them is justified by the artistic merit of the work? But there were also some lovely works such as Contemplation for Two Violas, by Isang Yun. All of these modern works were interspersed with Telemann Fantasias, which convinced me that both I and my students should be playing more of them!

Viola Ensemble
About eight of us got together to play in a viola ensemble every day, which was great fun. Our instructor was Gerhard Dierig, a violist with the Kölner-Gurgzenich Orchestra, and a really lovely, fun person! He is also a tenor of note, and his trio “Joj...” performed a cabaret on the last day, all around the themes of love, betrayal, gypsies and violas...good, and very funny, and he played among other things Monti’s Czardas on the viola at quite a breakneck speed! The viola ensemble was sort of woven into the cabaret, so we got to play (after sight reading the music the day before) for all the brilliant young violists who we had heard in concert, and for their professors....

The Walter Witte Competition
When we were not playing in the viola ensemble or listening to a concert, we could listen to the viola competition which was taking place at the same time. No first prize was awarded, but there were three second prizes, and two third prizes. I thought the standard was quite high and two of the competitors really stood out for me: Corina Golomoz, a student of Prof. Karin Wolf, who has a really lovely, flexible technique and is intensely musical. Peijun Xu really impressed with her Biber Passacaglia, which she played with a baroque bow and with superb artistry! I have not heard anything like this in South Africa – it would be amazing for our students to hear this kind of playing, because it opens your ears to listen in a new way. I think if our 37th International Viola Congress 2009 in Stellenbosch can open a window in the minds of our students we will have achieved a lot.

Tabea Zimmermann
Well, this was definitely the highlight – what a wonderful concert! She played the Schubert Arpeggione Sonata, a new work by Hans Werner Henze, a Solo Suite by  Max Reger, and finally the brilliant Viola Sonata by Rebecca Clarke. What can I say – such masterful playing! Every note she plays, LIVES. Her sound is exquisite, rich, powerful, but also tender, with life and breath in every bow.

After the concert Tabea Zimmermann was awarded the Silberner Bratschenschlüssel by Dr Vidulich. Her encore was Romance Oubliée by Liszt, a real treat. Her pianist, Daniel Heide is also excellent!

Tabea Zimmermann receives the Siberner Bratschenschlüssel award from the President of the IVS, Dr Michael Vidulich

Orpheus Quartet
On the last day we had a concert by the finalists of the competition, and in the afternoon the cabaret with Gerhard Dierig – but I have already told you about that.

There was yet another wonderful treat in store...the final concert on the Sunday night was given by the Orpheus Quartet, of which Prof, Emile Cantor is the violist. Prof. Karin Wolf joined them for a performance of a Mozart Quintet. Afterwards she told me that it was ‘such fun’ to play with them!

The Orpheus Quartet gave a brilliant, shimmering performance of the Haydn Quartet, Op 20 no 6. And then the ‘Harp’ Quartet by Beethoven....words fail me. Such an amazing sound, such a perfect blend, like layers and veils of transparent sound – it was utterly magical and heart-piercingly beautiful.

I left the congress reminded once again of why it was that I chose to make music my career, and chamber music in particular. I left with a dream revived in my heart, and inspired to reach for that dream every day that I teach and play.

If our Congress in Stellenbosch can help to ignite a passion and a dream in the heart of every participant, every student, young and old, every amateur, then I think it will have been very worthwhile indeed...

Marina Louw

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Interesting Viola Links

The International Viola Society (the "IVS" or "the Society") is the umbrella organization that governs and supports existing and future national and regional organized groups or "National Sections" of violists. The Society is a non-profit organization that promotes and supports activities that serve the common good for all friends of the viola.

American Viola Society offers an infinite variety of viola promoting services, inluding a Journal, published twice a year in print format and once per year as an online journal. It is addressed primarily to violists for the promotion of viola performance and research. Articles are written by performers, teachers, and historians for the interest of the wider community of professional and amateur violists, students, makers, publishers, and string enthusiasts.

The Viola d'amore Society of America was founded in 1977 in response to a growing interest in the viola d'amore, its music, its history and its place in contemporary musical life.  Since the 1950s early music has experienced a healthy revival, with the viola d'amore appearing more frequently  in ensembles specializing in music of the baroque and classical periods, where players perform on restored instruments and use instruments intended by the composers. The Society's website and newsletters offer valuable information to viola d'amore players, such as books and articles by scholars in the field, location of newly-discovered viola d'amore music in libraries or collections, information about newly-published music, news of concerts, notices of instruments and bows for sale, and periodic International Viola d'amore Congresses.

The New York Viola Society was founded in 1992 by Rosemary Glyde (1949-1994). Included among its members are noted professional violists, teachers, students, amateurs, viola and bow makers, repairers and dealers, and friends of music. Each year NYVS presents a series of concerts with programs of depth and imagination, offering new and rarely heard works along with more standard repertoire. The NYVS serves violists, professional and amateur, especially in the greater New York area. At the NYVS webiste you find information on scholarships, events, concerts, recordings, teachers, viola makers and much more!

The Australian Strings Association (AUSTA) is a professional association of players and makers of bowed string instruments which promotes excellence in  all aspects of performance, teaching, conducting and string instrument making. AUSTA aims to inspire and support students, amateurs and professionals and also to facilitate communication at local, national and international levels.

Canadian Viola Society the Canadian section of the International Viola Society, is a society for violists and viola enthusiasts! Among the members are many well-known professional violists as well as those who play solely for their own enjoyment.

The German Viola Society - The members of the society, be they professional musicians or amateurs, are united by their special interest in the viola. Numerous viola d'amore players are also members. As member of the International Viola Society, the German Viola Society encourages active international exchange.

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