Greetings and welcome to the December 2022 Vibraphone Project Newsletter. This edition is a preview of VPI’s Winter Vibe Fest, which is taking place on December 10 at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania!
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Winter Vibe Fest Schedule
Clinic: Extended-Range Vibraphone History and Repertoire Lecture by Brian Graiser
A lecture/performance, which dives into the surprisingly early history of the extended-range vibraphone and the music written for it, which asks the question, “Is the current standard ‘professional’ vibraphone range of three octaves enough?” Demonstrations will be given on the instruments from the Center for Mallet Percussion Research’s unique collection, and will include excerpts from works by Alban Berg, Havergal Brian, Darius Milhaud, and more.
Clinic: Extended Technique and Advanced Bowing by Stephen Solook
This presentation will cover my process of determining how to select and expand vibraphone techniques. I will cover my three and four bow technique, bending pitches up and down, non-white noise prepared vibraphone, and using external items as resonators and reflectors. Excerpts from my “Vibraphone Etudes for Expanding Technique Volumes 1 & 2” will be used for musical examples.
Panel Discussion: Call for Scores, Pieces, Performers, and Composers
The performers and composers involved with the Vibraphone Project’s 2021 Call for Scores will discuss their general approaches to composing and/or performing new works for the vibraphone, and will preview the specific works to be featured at the 2021 Call for Scores Showcase Concert.
Call for Scores Showcase Concert
Concert Order:
Mizmor - Brian Graiser
Performed by Brian Graiser
O-Rings - Stephen Solook
Performed by Stephen Solook
Songo Lucido Notturno (Lucid Night Dream) - Carlo Tosato
Performed by Chandler Beaugrand
Place of Worship - Gavin Goodrich
Performed by Lindsey Eastham, Boyce Jeffries, and Matthew Lau
Color Shape Texture Form - Brian Jeffs
Performed by Boyce Jeffries
Vibraphone Project Roundtable
A candid discussion with officers members of The Vibraphone Project, detailing the organization’s birth, growing pains, and activities past, present, and future.
Concert: Alonso Alejandro Acosta Flores and his band - “NOCTURNE and More Songs”
“Nocturne” examines the experiences of an artist as they go out to the work, return home, and begin another day again. This concert features selections from Alonso’s upcoming album and other songs.
Evening Concert
This concert will be in two halves. The first half will be works performed by Matthew Lau. During the second half Brian Graiser will host the Legacy Awards, then there will be world premiere of VPI’s two commissioned works by Pamela Z and Robert Honstein, performed by Steph Davis and Abby Fisher with Bergamot Quartet respectively.
Program Order:
Linde (1995) - Daniel Almada
La Céleste (1994/2004/2022) - José Manuel López López (American Premiere)
Vermont Counterpoint (1982) - Steve Reich
Ritratti Surreali “Surreal Portraits” - Massimo Lauricella* (World Premiere
-Intermission-
Legacy Awards - Gary Burton, Christopher Deane, and Milt Jackson
Only if it’s Asked For - Pamela Z
performed by Steph Davis
Continuous Interior - Robert Honstein
Performed by Abby Fisher and the Bergamot Quartet (Ledah Finck and Sarah Thomas, Violins; Amy Huimei Tan, Viola; Irène Han, Cello)
Location and Pricing
We are pleased to be presenting this event at the Kutztown University, Pennsylvania in conjunction with the Center for Mallet Percussion Research at Schaeffer Auditorium. Below is a link to google maps for the address and to help provide directions.
The day time events are $15 (students tickets are $5). This includes all events before the evening concert. Tickets for the day time events can be purchased following this link: Daytime event tickets
The evening concert is a separate $30 (student tickets are $10). Tickets for the evening concert can be purchased following this link: Eventing concert tickets
We look forward to seeing you in this weekend!
Vibraphone Project Chairs
President - Brian Graiser
Vice President - Lindsey Eastham
Business/Admin - Harlan Graiser
Call for Scores - Boyce Jeffries
Commissions - Gloria Yehilevsky/Lindsey Eastham
Legacy Awards - Brian Graiser
Newsletter Editor - Stephen Solook
Online Competition - Matthew Lau
Pedagogy/Education - Jerry Tachoir
Podcast - Patrick Overturf
Research Project - Quintin Mallette/Brian Graiser
Members
Sean Andres, Dimitris Angelakis, Anders Åstrand, Andrew Baldwin, Jim Bailey, Aaron Butler, Rosie Cerquone, Lindsey Eastham, Matthew Geiger, Mucsi Gergő, Behn Gillece, Josh Gottry, Brian Graiser, Harlan Graiser, Jade Hails, Boyce Jeffries, Matt Jordan, Matthew Lau, Tanner Leonardo, Terry Longshore, Quintin Mallette, Jen Martinez, Jon Metzger, Tony Miceli, Tessla Michael, Marciano Moreno, Ben Norton, John Mark Piper, Oscar Roca, Joshua Smith, Stephen Solook, Shilo Stroman, Jerry Tachoir, Saverio Tasca, Joey Tierney, Joseph Van Hassel, Morgan Walbridge, Gloria Yehilevsky
Get Involved
Donate - The Vibraphone Project is always accepting donations to support our cause. All funds received will go directly into projects that support the vibraphone; such as commissions, performances and event, and educational endeavors. Your support is appreciated! Visit www.thevibraphoneproject.org/donate to learn more.
Share - Let us know about your vibraphone-related performances, commissions, and projects! Our goal is to uplift the entire vibraphone community, and we do that by promoting all projects related to the instrument. Email us at vibraphoneprojectinc@gmail.com
Volunteer - We are always on the lookout for passionate people, eager to donate their time to The Vibraphone Project. Our volunteers gain practical experience working within a music non-profit organization, while supporting the vibraphone community. Click here to learn more.