Mark O'Connor. Photo by Erica Horn
New York, NY., — Mark O’Connor, the multi-Grammy-Award-winning composer and violinist, will kick off his inaugural New York City String Camp this month with a series of nighttime student-teacher concerts July 27-31 featuring the world’s top string players. The camp is located at the Society for Ethical Culture at 2 West 64th Street at Central Park West, a block from Lincoln Center, and Mark will be saving 500 seats for the public to use, free of charge.
O’Connor will also be conducting a series of interviews at 4:15 p.m. July 27-30 with music notables. On Monday, his guest will be Edna Landau, who has managed Itzhak Perlman, Josh Bell and Hilary Hahn; Tuesday, Roberta Guaspari, founder of the Opus 118 Harlem School of Music; Wednesday, Rosanne Cash, Grammy-winning singer and songwriter; and Thursday, Alex Miller, General Manager and Senior Vice President of Sony Masterworks. The discussions will provide insight and information to fledgling artists looking to further their education as they begin their performing careers. Members of the public may also attend these sessions free.
Detailed information on the concert performers and the interview sessions is listed below.
The Mark O’Connor String Camp in New York City features instructors ranking among the world’s top violinists, cellists, and bassists in genres ranging from folk fiddling to jazz and classical to world music. It will also offer a Teacher Training Course in the new O’Connor Violin Method, which takes an American Classical approach to modern violin playing. This year’s camp is sold out; registration for next year’s camp will begin in January 2010.
Mark O’Connor String Camp Concert Series
Concerts feature Mark O’Connor as well as students and a stellar collection of faculty from the Camp. A different lineup of students and teachers will appear each night. Admission is free and first-come, first-served for 500 members of the public. A donation box will be at the door for a scholarship fund to help send deserving students to the Camp in 2010. All Concerts are scheduled from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm.
Monday July 27
- Mark O’Connor Introduction
- Students Perform
- Darol Anger (Bluegrass, Old-Time, New Acoustic, Jazz)
- Shane Cook (Canadian, Celtic)
- Tracy Silverman (Jazz, Pop, Rock)
- Sheba (Klezmer, World)
Tuesday July 28
- Mark O’Connor Introduction
- Students Perform
- Bruce Molsky (Old-Time, Appalachian, Folk)
- David Wallace (Classical, Contemporary, Texas Style)
- Mike Block (Cello, Old-Time, Contemporary, Singer-Songwriter)
- Matt Glaser/ Gary Mazzaroppi (Swing, Jazz, Bebop)
Wednesday July 29
- Mark O’Connor Introduction
- Students Perform
- Lara St John (Classical, Polka)
- Maya Beiser (Cello, Classical, Contemporary, World)
- Manjunath (East Indian, World)
Thursday July 30
- Mark O’Connor Introduction
- Students Perform
- Sara Caswell (Jazz, Bebop, Swing)
- Rachel Calin (Classical Bass)
- Daniel Carwile (Texas Fiddle, Celtic, Old-Time)
- Yale Strom (Klexmer, World)
Friday July 31
- Mark O’Connor Introduction
- Students Perform
- DBR (Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Rock)
- Phillippe Quint (Classical)
- Kenji Bunch (Classical, American Styles)
Mark O’Connor String Camp Interview Series
Admission free. Questions from the audience will be welcome at the end of each session. All sessions run from 4:15 to 5:15 pm.
Monday June 27
Mark O’Connor interviews Edna Landau, former Managing Director of IMG Artists. Ms. Landau has managed Itzhak Perlman, Josh Bell and Hilary Hahn. Topics of discussion will be the music business and performing careers.
Tuesday, July 28
Mark O’Connor interviews Roberta Guaspari, founder of the Opus 118 Harlem School of Music. Her struggle to keep music instruction alive in Harlem’s schools inspired the documentary ‘Small Wonders’ and the feature film ‘Music of the Heart’, starring Meryl Streep; both films received Academy Award nominations. Topics of discussion will be teaching the violin, and instilling music in children’s lives.
Wednesday June 29
Mark O’Connor interviews Rosanne Cash, Grammy-winning singer and songwriter, who has charted eleven number-one singles. Ms. Cash is the daughter of the legendary Johnny Cash. Topics of discussion will be the music business, performing careers and songwriting.
Thursday June 30
Mark O’Connor interviews Alex Miller, General Manager and Senior Vice President of Sony BMG. Mr. Miller has overseen the recording projects of Yo-Yo Ma, Isaac Stern, Midori, Itzhak Perlman and many others. Topics of discussion will be the music business and recording careers.