JazzMando fave, John McGann, Berklee College of Music Professor and member of the Wayfaring Strangers, Rust Farm , and Boston Edge will be part of the Berklee Summer String Festival on July 18-21, 2009.

From the Berklee Website:
"The last decade has seen an explosion of talent and creativity in all the musical worlds inhabited not only by violin, viola, and cello, but also banjo, mandolin, and related instruments. Young players now view it as their goal to learn jazz and classical as well as bluegrass and various other folk styles. Modern string virtuosos such as Bela Fleck, Mark O'Connor, and Chris Thile have set an enormously high bar in terms of instrumental craft, compositional sophistication, and chamber music and band skills.

This year, Berklee unveils the Acoustic String Festival to recognize these advances. The program will build on the core curriculum of past String Fling programs, teaching improvisation to violin, viola, and cello players, but expanding that teaching to admit other instruments traditionally found in a bluegrass band such as acoustic mandolin and guitar. Players will have the opportunity to study with and be coached by world-renowned mandolinist John McGann, and be trained in musical elements necessary to perform at a high level in a wide range of roots music styles."

McGann will be joined by instructors: Eugene Friesen, cellist with the Paul Winter Consort and one of the world's greatest improvising cellists; Matt Glaser, chair of Berklee's String Department, author of four books on contemporary string styles, and well-known teacher and performer; Chris Howes, versatile violinist/composer who has performed and/or recorded with Randy Brecker, Jack DeJohnette, Les Paul, Lenny White, and others; Rob Thomas, fantastic modern jazz violinist and bassist who has performed with the String Trio of New York and the Mahavishnu Project, among others.

Each day, teachers will help you with topics such as harmonic development, sight-reading, rhythmic development in jazz, improvisational considerations, and string quartet coaching. At the end of the program, you will have the opportunity to perform in one of the college's recital halls, in either solo or quartet settings. Space is limited and those wishing to secure campus housing should act now. For additional information, requirements and registration information, see the festival web site.

Additional information:
Festival web site

Posted by Ted at March 23, 2009 7:14 AM