NYSMF Special Programs: the Yamaha Silent Electric Strings
NYSMF/Yamaha Silent Electric Strings
Program made possible by the Yamaha Corporation of America; Ken Dattmore, Roger Eaton, Chris Manners, Naoyuki Nakabayashi
In 2006, the Yamaha Corporation of America generously granted NYSMF the full, unrestricted use of their full line of electric string instruments - known as the "Silent Electric", or SV, Strings. Two violins; a viola; a cello; and a bass (the only summer camp to receive one).
All NYSMF students were given the opportunity to use the SV Strings, whether they were just beginners trying out something new, or experienced string players looking for a new challenge.
The results were phenomenal, leading to Yamaha's ongoing grant to NYSMF. Several of Yamaha's top executives actually travelled all the way to Oneonta (one all the way from Hamamatsu, Japan!) to watch the NYSMF SV String Ensemble perform live.
This summer, students will once again be given the chance to play the most technologically advanced stringed instruments ever built. Here are some of the ways they may make use of Yamaha's generosity:
Silent String Composition
NYSMF Violin Teaching Assistant, Mr. Sean Neukom, took the opportunity to compose TWO original pieces for this set of five unusual instruments. Both were premiered at NYSMF, prompting interest from Yamaha in publishing and promoting these dedicated compositions. [VIDEO]
Silent String Ensemble
Mr. Neukom's first piece was performed by a group of extremely talented counselors; the second by an equally talented group of NYSMF students (average age: 15!). Not one of these musicians had ever played an SV string before, expanding their range and repertoire in ways they had never even considered.
Silent Jazz
Without question, the SV bass received the most attention, appearing in several NYSMF Jazz Ensembles and Jazz Combos. However, the violin and viola also both made their jazz premieres in the hands of students as young as 14 years of age!
Silent Strings in the Practice Rooms
Many students simply signed out the strings for an hour or two, and brought them into a practice room or an ensemble rehearsal just to try them out.
Silent Strings as Plot Devices
Our Original Musical Theatre Workshop used all five of the strings as key props in an original musical, written and performed by the members of the workshop. The title? "The Strings of Power", a foray into the fun and the ridiculous.
In addition, the Silent Violin appeared in one or two original short films produced by our Filmmaking Class, proving that the days of Stradivari and Guarneri wooden instruments in starring roles are coming to an end!
How Will YOU Use Them?
What would YOU, as a NYSMF student, do with the
Yamaha SV Silent Electric Strings? Whatever you want to do. The SV strings are at NYSMF for YOU to learn about the new possibilities of instrumental music, to explore their features and limits. Or just for the plain "coolness" factor.
Whatever you decide, you can be sure that the NYSMF faculty will be with you to assist, and to bring your own vision of the SV Strings to life.
We look forward to working with the Yamaha Corporation for many, many summers to come.
Click here to download an application to NYSMF 2007.
Program made possible by the Yamaha Corporation of America; Ken Dattmore, Roger Eaton, Chris Manners, Naoyuki Nakabayashi
In 2006, the Yamaha Corporation of America generously granted NYSMF the full, unrestricted use of their full line of electric string instruments - known as the "Silent Electric", or SV, Strings. Two violins; a viola; a cello; and a bass (the only summer camp to receive one).
All NYSMF students were given the opportunity to use the SV Strings, whether they were just beginners trying out something new, or experienced string players looking for a new challenge.
The results were phenomenal, leading to Yamaha's ongoing grant to NYSMF. Several of Yamaha's top executives actually travelled all the way to Oneonta (one all the way from Hamamatsu, Japan!) to watch the NYSMF SV String Ensemble perform live.
This summer, students will once again be given the chance to play the most technologically advanced stringed instruments ever built. Here are some of the ways they may make use of Yamaha's generosity:
Silent String Composition
NYSMF Violin Teaching Assistant, Mr. Sean Neukom, took the opportunity to compose TWO original pieces for this set of five unusual instruments. Both were premiered at NYSMF, prompting interest from Yamaha in publishing and promoting these dedicated compositions. [VIDEO]
Silent String Ensemble
Mr. Neukom's first piece was performed by a group of extremely talented counselors; the second by an equally talented group of NYSMF students (average age: 15!). Not one of these musicians had ever played an SV string before, expanding their range and repertoire in ways they had never even considered.
Silent Jazz
Without question, the SV bass received the most attention, appearing in several NYSMF Jazz Ensembles and Jazz Combos. However, the violin and viola also both made their jazz premieres in the hands of students as young as 14 years of age!
Silent Strings in the Practice Rooms
Many students simply signed out the strings for an hour or two, and brought them into a practice room or an ensemble rehearsal just to try them out.
Silent Strings as Plot Devices
Our Original Musical Theatre Workshop used all five of the strings as key props in an original musical, written and performed by the members of the workshop. The title? "The Strings of Power", a foray into the fun and the ridiculous.
In addition, the Silent Violin appeared in one or two original short films produced by our Filmmaking Class, proving that the days of Stradivari and Guarneri wooden instruments in starring roles are coming to an end!
How Will YOU Use Them?
What would YOU, as a NYSMF student, do with the
Yamaha SV Silent Electric Strings? Whatever you want to do. The SV strings are at NYSMF for YOU to learn about the new possibilities of instrumental music, to explore their features and limits. Or just for the plain "coolness" factor.Whatever you decide, you can be sure that the NYSMF faculty will be with you to assist, and to bring your own vision of the SV Strings to life.
We look forward to working with the Yamaha Corporation for many, many summers to come.
Click here to download an application to NYSMF 2007.
posted by NYSMF at
1:35 AM
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