July, 2008

String Players!

Are you are experimenting outside of traditional classical music these days? Do you find it exciting to play fiddle, jazz, rock, or other alternative styles? Have you thought about putting together your own band!? If so, we'd like invite you to participate in an extraordinary two-part event to be held Wednesday, January 21, 2009 on the campus of Fort Hays State University:

Battle of the Bands Competition

In the afternoon, up to seven Alternative Strings Bands will join in a showcase competition, performing two pieces for our judges and an audience made up of their peers. Groups will be judged on technical skill, originality, visual presentation, professionalism, and overall entertainment value, and will receive written critiques of their performances. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three bands, and the first place winner performs as the opening act to a concert by Barrage that evening. Bands participating in the competition are invited through an audition process outlined in the attached details. Band applications, demos and fees are due October 25, 2008.

Barrage Workshop and Concert

Following the competition, the staff of the sensational fiddling group Barrage will run a two hour workshop and rehearsal for participating students, teaching their alternative strings style and rehearsing a piece that the students will perform with them at their concert that evening. Music for the workshop will be sent out in advance, and should be memorized. Students who are participating in the Battle of the Bands Competition are automatically enrolled in this part of the event. Other (non-band) string players may also register to observe the competition and participate in the Barrage Workshop and Concert.

We hope to keep the entire day fun and active! In addition to the competition, workshop and concert, we will have the Yamaha Experiment Room set up with electric instruments (strings and guitars), amplifiers, special effects devises, and drum kits, where students can try out the latest equipment. We'll also be having a drawing for a Yamaha SV-130 electric violin, and other prizes.

Cost for the entire day is only $10 per student, and includes the Battle of the Bands Competition, the Barrage Workshop and Concert, and afternoon refreshments.

Please feel free to contact me with questions. We hope that this first-ever event will inspire young string players throughout Kansas to explore new ways of making music.

Sincerely,

Cathy Drabkin
Executive Director
FHSU Western Kansas String Academy
(785) 628-5363; cadrabkin@fhsu.edu

600 Park Street
Malloy Hall, Department of Music
Hays, Kansas 67601