Author Archives: Ames Asbell

Announcing the 2024 Texas State ViolaFest!

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The Texas State Viola Studio is thrilled to announce our Second Annual Texas State ViolaFest on Saturday, September 7, 2024!

Please click here to register!
Extra t-shirts have been ordered, and registration will remain open through Saturday. Onsite registration will be available.

Join us for a day full of viola, learning, friends, and fun! Violists age 11 and up are invited to participate in a full day of sessions including warm-up and technique classes, TMEA All-State prep sessions (grades 9-12 only), special topics classes, and masterclasses. Everyone will also play in a viola ensemble appropriate to their level which will rehearse during the day and perform in the final recital.

Registration is just $25 for the full day and includes a t-shirt and pizza lunch. Please register by Friday, August 30 to ensure you get your desired t-shirt size. (NOTE: If you are unable to attend due to the registration fee, please email viola@txstate.edu for reduced registration.)

If you are interested in playing in a masterclass, please register by Friday, August 23 and indicate with whom you would like to work. A recommendation from your teacher will be required, and a $25 masterclass fee (in addition to registration) will apply. Piano accompaniment is not required, and will not be provided.

Faculty:
Lenny Schranze – University of Memphis & Interlochen Arts Camp
Daphne Gerling – University of North Texas
Kathryn Steely – Baylor University
Ames Asbell – Texas State University
Ruben Balboa – Southwestern University
Stephanie Phillips – Improvisation & Composition
Dwight Pounds – American Viola Society Historian
Sara Driver – Driver String Studio
and more!


Schedule:
8:45-9:15  – Registration/check-in
9:15 – Welcome and orientation
9:30 – Ensemble warm-up/rehearsal
10:15 – All-State Prep and Special Topics classes
11:00 – Technique Classes
12:00 – Pizza lunch, faculty Q&A
1:00 – Technique Classes
2:00 – Masterclasses
2:45 – Special Topic Classes
3:30 – Ensemble Rehearsal
4:30 – Break/Recital set-up

5:00 – Closing Recital, Evans Auditorium

Special topics classes include:
TMEA All-Region/All-State Preparation
Body Use and Setup for Violists
Warmups for every level
Improve Your Sightreading
Improvisation for Violists
Effective Practice Strategies
Using Creative Imagery to Enhance Technique and Performance
…and much more!

Viola Ensembles we will play this year are a tribute to legendary violist-composer Michael Kimber!
Advanced ensembles – Dancing Viola Suite
Intermediate Ensemble – Traveling Music
Early Ensembles – Cheerful Bells, Bells of San Marino
…and to celebrate the joy we feel when performing together as violists, we’ll close with Ode to Joy!

General Information
All classes will take place in the Texas State School of Music main building at 101 Pleasant Street, San Marcos, TX 78666. The final concert will be held in Evans Auditorium. Free parking adjacent to both venues will be available on campus during the event. You will receive an email with full details, including directions, parking, payment, etc a few days before the event.Thanks so much for your interest in this year’s ViolaFest! Please email me at the address below if you have any questions, and we look forward to seeing you there!Dr. Ames Asbell
viola@txstate.edu

Texas State ViolaFest – Register Now!

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Register now to be sure you get one of our cool shirts for the First Annual Texas State ViolaFest! Our first-ever ViolaFest will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023, 9:00am-6:00pm at the Texas State University campus. and features a stunning faculty of viola teaching and performing artists from across Central Texas. This is a can’t miss event for all violists and viola lovers!

All violists who have been playing for 1 year or more are invited to register and enjoy sessions including warm-up and technique classes, TMEA All-State prep sessions (grades 9-12 only), special topics classes, and masterclasses. Everyone will also play in a viola ensemble appropriate to their level which will rehearse during the day and perform in the final recital.

Register by September 1 to be sure you get an event t-shirt!

Registration is $25 for the full day and includes a pizza lunch and a t-shirt. Please register by Friday, September 1  to ensure you get your desired t-shirt size.  Beginners (less than 1 year of playing experience, non-violist siblings, or other guests are are welcome to attend and observe all events for a $10 guest fee. (NOTE: If you would like to attend but would be unable to due to the registration fee, please check the appropriate box below to be considered for a reduced registration rate.)
If you are interested in playing in a masterclass, please be sure to register by Friday, September 1 and indicate with whom you would like to work. A recommendation from your teacher will be required, and a $25 masterclass fee (in addition to registration) will apply. Piano accompaniment is not required, and will not be provided.
Faculty:
Kathryn Steely – Baylor University
Ames Asbell – Texas State University
Ruben Balboa – Southwestern University
Martha Carapetyan – Austin Viola Workshop
Daniel Gee Cordova – Austin Suzuki Music School/Greater Austin Suzuki Institute
Sara Driver – Driver String Studio
Schedule:
9:00 – Registration/check-in
9:30 – Ensemble warm-up/rehearsal
10:30 – Technique, All-State Prep and Special Topics classes
11:30 – Technique, All-State Prep and Special Topics classes
12:30 – Pizza lunch with faculty Q&A
1:30 – Masterclasses
2:30 – Masterclasses
3:30 – Ensemble rehearsal (prepare for recital)
4:30 – Break/Recital set-up
5:00 – Closing Recital, Evans Auditorium
Special topics classes include:
TMEA All-State prep
Choosing a Bach Edition
Body Use and Setup for Violists
Warmups
and more!
All classes will take place in the Texas State School of Music main building at 101 Pleasant Street, San Marcos, TX 78666. The final concert will be held in Evans Auditorium. Free parking adjacent to both venues will be available on campus during the event. You will receive an email with full details, including directions, parking, payment, etc a few days before the event.
Thanks so much for your interest in our first-ever ViolaFest! Please email me at the address below if you have any questions, and we look forward to seeing you there!
Dr. Ames Asbell
viola@txstate.edu

Announcing the First Annual Texas State ViolaFest!

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Register now for the First Annual Texas State ViolaFest, to be held Saturday, September 9, 2023, 9:00am-6:00pm at the Texas State University campus. All violists who have been playing for 1 year or more are invited to register and enjoy sessions including warm-up and technique classes, All-State prep sessions (grades 9-12 only), special topics classes, and masterclasses. Everyone will also play in a viola ensemble appropriate to their level which will rehearse during the day and perform in the final recital.

Click here to register!

Violinists are also invited to attend an be a “violist for a day.” A limited number of violas may be available to be borrowed for the day, and if there is sufficient interest we’ll look into renting instruments for the day. Please register so we can plan accordingly!

Registration is $25 for the full day and includes a pizza lunch and a t-shirt. Please register by Friday, September 1  to ensure you get your desired t-shirt size.  Beginners (less than 1 year of playing experience) and non-violist siblings are welcome to attend and observe all events at no charge. (NOTE: If you would like to attend but would be unable to due to the registration fee, please check the appropriate box below to be considered for a reduced registration rate.)
If you are interested in playing in a masterclass, please complete the information below by Friday, September 1 and indicate with whom you would like to work. A recommendation from your teacher will be required, and a $25 masterclass fee (in addition to registration) will apply. Piano accompaniment is not required, and will not be provided.
Faculty:
Kathryn Steely – Baylor University
Ames Asbell – Texas State University
Ruben Balboa – Southwestern University
Martha Carapetyan – Austin Viola Workshop
Daniel Gee Cordova – Austin Suzuki Music School/Greater Austin Suzuki Institute
Sara Driver – Driver String Studio
Schedule:
9:00 – Registration/check-in
9:30 – Ensemble warm-up/rehearsal
10:30 – Technique, All-State Prep and Special Topics classes
11:30 – Technique, All-State Prep and Special Topics classes
12:30 – Pizza lunch with faculty Q&A
1:30 – Masterclasses
2:30 – Masterclasses
3:30 – Ensemble rehearsal (prepare for recital)
4:30 – Break/Recital set-up
5:00 – Closing Recital, Evans Auditorium
All classes will take place in the Texas State School of Music main building at 101 Pleasant Street, San Marcos, TX 78666. The final concert will be held in Evans Auditorium. Free parking adjacent to both venues will be available on campus during the event. You will receive an email with full details, including directions, parking, payment, etc a few days before the event.
Thanks so much for your interest in our first-ever ViolaFest! Please email me at the address below if you have any questions, and we look forward to seeing you there!
Dr. Ames Asbell
viola@txstate.edu

Congratulations to our Graduating Seniors!

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Congratulations to our Spring 2023 graduating SENIORS! We’re so proud of their progress and grateful for their leadership!

Tiana Moritz – BM Viola Performance
Matt Velasquez – BM Viola Performance

Tiana will be attending the Brevard Music Center this summer, and taking a gap year before applying to Master of Music programs.

Matt will be attending Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX on a graduate fellowship and will continue his viola studies with Ellen Rose.

CONGRATULATIONS!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxm4w8FR634

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P982GvFA9-w

Welcome, TODA Friends!

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Good morning!

So excited to be giving a presentation at this morning’s TODA Online Convention about “Advanced Viola Pedagogy – Reaching New Heights Through Fundamentals.” I can’t wait to meet with a wonderful group of orchestra directors and string teachers to talk about viola pedagogy – one of my favorite subjects! I’ll be rolling out that content here over the next few weeks, so if you weren’t able to go to TODA  – or want a refresher – just check in here, and bookmark this page to stay up to day on all of the viola happenings at Texas State!

Thanks so much to the wonderful TODA board and convention organizers for having me today. Please be sure to check out all of wonderful convention offerings!

https://www.todaweb.org/events/2020-toda-convention

AA

We’re back!

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Hi Everyone!

Given the current trend toward online content because of the continued spread of the coronavirus, this seemed like the perfect time to resurrect the Texas State Viola Studio blog! Watch this space for more posts in the coming days, weeks and months as we share viola technique tips. repertoire and fun stuff, and keep you up to date on what’s happening with the Texas State Viola Studio!

Stay tuned!

2019-20 Viola Studio