ABOUT THE ARTIST/ENSEMBLE

The Lua Project has been called a ‘cultural pollinator’, and was formed by David Berzonsky and Estela Knott after they returned to Virginia to raise children after almost a decade of travelling, performing, and recording, throughout the Western hemisphere, in places as far afield as Lima, Peru, Veracruz, Mexico, Recife, Brazil, and Berkeley, Ca.

In so doing, they have found musical adventure and a diverse cross-cultural experience right here in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains where the backdrop of life in a multi-ethnic community serves as a wellspring from which Lua Project draws subject matter and inspiration, which is then blended into a music that it describes as Mexilachian.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Cultural Crossroads: A Musical Journey through Mexilachia- 45 minutes-1 hour: bi-lingual assembly for high schools and colleges, includes musical performance and discussion of Appalachian and Mexican culture, song, and poetry. An excellent way to expose your students to Spanish language performance. Can also provide workshops and residencies. Contact artist for details.

Gathering Musical Goodness for the Global Village, The songs and stories of Mexilachia— A bi-lingual journey into Spanish language music for younger children, elementary, and middle school students; focus on songs and stories, and an introduction to Mexican and Appalachian music, instruments and dance.

CONCERT/PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTION

With an artistic commitment to go deep inside their own families’ cultural roots, they meticulously thread together the narrative of their history— Appalachian, Mexican, Jewish— into a completely original yet seamless journey through styles and centuries. They write gorgeous melodies, punctuated by Estela’s soaring voice and the band’s complex and subtle arrangements.

The stories they tell— of bonds both familial and communal, and the intoxicating natural beauty of their homeland in the Virginia foothills, are refreshing, disarming, joyous, and haunting. The current lineup features Matty Metcalfe and Christen Hubbard, two limitlessly talented and utterly authentic musical co-conspirators, who have travelled widely but have settled deeply in the shadow of the Blue Ridge. They are emerging masters of Appalachian fiddle tunes, Irish music, Argentinian tango. The Lua Project’s shows are engaging, soulful, celebratory, and captivating. They are truly blazing their own musical trail, filled with surprises and wonder. And they represent the best of a new breed of Virginia artists, grounded in tradition, yet with a syncretic musical intelligence that beckons the whole world into their musical village— to build bridges across cultures and pathways into the human soul.

About the Artist

BRASS 5, one of America’s most successful educational ensembles has been an active part of the MidAtlantic arts scene for 29 years. The “5” offer a vast repertoire from Renaissance, Classical, Dixieland, Swing, Jazz, Rock to Country and more, they easily have something for everyone, young and old alike. BRASS 5 performances have been featured on numerous television and Public Radio and TV programs and have been broadcast live on National Public Radio. Eager to create exciting music, Brass 5 has been featured in concerts throughout Europe and the Mid-Atlantic area.

Every place is a potential performance hall for BRASS 5. In addition to public performances, BRASS 5 also presents excellent curriculum based educational programs that your area music teachers can utilize in their classrooms. BRASS 5 has been included in the Virginia Commission for the Arts, Arts-in-Education Residency Program. BRASS 5 develops an educational program each year to be presented at the pre K-12th grade levels. By utilizing the public school teaching experience possessed by members of the ensemble, they relate the material in the program to the specific grade level’s curriculum. BRASS 5 has also performed educational programs as one of Young Audiences of Virginia performing ensembles. BRASS 5 has performed more than 3600 concerts and educational programs for over a half a million students in the eastern United States and Europe. Letters, pictures and phone calls received clearly indicate the ability of this ensemble to excite the audience of not only students, but also teachers, parents and administrators. Think ahead, it is never too early to plan your event – a large demand and a limited performance schedule can make it difficult to secure that important date for your special event. BRASS 5 is currently accepting engagements for their 2019 and 2020 concert seasons.

Educational Programs

The Science of Sound

This 90-minute program is offered to 5th graders only.
Program is only available in the morning.

This is a special Science & Sound Unit based on Virginia 5th grade Science SOLs. In this 90 minute in-class program, two members of the Brass 5 team talk about and explore the elements and characteristics of sound and sound energy. We present new vocabulary and concepts of the elements of sound, promoting a general understanding with practical applications. We will actually show first hand how an oscilloscope and decibel meter work as they are not usually available to classrooms. We also use a variety of materials to demonstrate the properties of sound that we have discussed. We will actually make an instrument from each of the four families of instruments to show how the physical properties of the materials work in conjunction with the basic characteristics of sound. Some of the vocabulary and concepts covered are: energy, sound wave, amplitude, wavelength, decibel, frequency and oscilloscope.

About the Artist

The unique sounds of the Caribbean steel drums can now be heard in the rolling hills of Virginia. From classical to calypso, the Island Music Trio has emerged as one of Virginia’s premiere multi-cultural performing arts ensembles.

Concert/Performance Description

The Island Music Trio has developed a Standards of Learning (SOL) based program suitable for children of all grade levels. Our educational programs explore the history of four continents, five hundred years, and the voice of the small island country of Trinidad and Tobago – all in a light-hearted and fun presentation!

Teacher resources are available and recommended as an enhancement of the SOL goals. The educational programs are steeped in history, cultural diversity, acceptance, and the blending of ethnic riches.

The Island Music Trio is currently performing their Sounds of the Caribbean concert for the 2023/2024 school year.

Performances only available in the morning.

ABOUT THE ARTIST/ENSEMBLE

Terra Voce concerts feature the ensemble’s arrangements of Brazilian choro, contemporary tangos, Irish, Scandinavian, and Eastern European traditional sets, works by Baroque masters and standard compositions written specifically for flute and cello. Terra Voce also offers programs with the internationally acclaimed pianist Maria Yefimova, combining works from their duo repertoire with trios from the classical repertoire.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Musical Opposites

Elementary Program | Grades PK – 5
Terra Voce’s “Musical Opposites” program is a lively and engaging concert experience designed for elementary school students (Pre-K to 5th grade). The duo of cellist Andrew Gabbert and flutist Elizabeth Brightbill takes young audiences on a musical journey that spans a vibrant spectrum of styles, from Baroque classics to the passionate rhythms of tango, the captivating melodies of Brazilian music, and the rich tapestry of European traditional folk tunes.

The program aims to deepen children’s understanding of fundamental musical concepts such as tempo (fast vs. slow), dynamics (loud vs. soft), and tessitura (high vs. low) by exploring these concepts within the broader theme of opposites.

Terra Voce’s performance is designed to surprise, uplift, and inspire curiosity among young listeners. They encourage active participation and ensure that students have a memorable and educational musical experience.

“Absolutely lovely assembly today provided by Terra Voce. I appreciated their thoughtfulness in reinforcing terms and concepts so vital to elementary music. They held the children’s attention – asking for good audience behavior when appropriate and allowing them to be loud kids at other times. So glad they came to our school.” – Gloria Howell, Oak Grove Elementary School

Musical Expression from Around the World

Middle School Program | Grades 6-8
Terra Voce’s “Musical Expression from Around the World” program is tailored for middle school students (Grades 6 to 8). During this interactive performance, students have the unique opportunity to explore a diverse range of global musical styles, composers, instruments, and even learn about potential careers in the field of music.

The program’s primary objective is to broaden the musical horizons of middle school students by introducing them to a rich tapestry of music from various cultures and traditions. Additionally, it encourages students to ask questions and actively engage with the performers.

Terra Voce’s performance style fosters a dynamic and interactive learning experience. Students can select musical selections, inquire about different musical elements, and gain insights into the world of music through engaging dialogue with the musicians.

ABOUT THE ARTIST/ENSEMBLE

Hailed as “two perfect virtuosos” at their international performance début, Kevin and Bryan Matheson of the Classic Strings Duo were received with critical acclaim at their Carnegie Weill Recital Hall début as part of the Ibla Grand Prize competition winners’ tour. The duo has been recognized for its mesmerizing and spirited performances – two perfect virtuosos, playing as one an

In November 2014 and July 2016, the Classic Strings Duo was presented in Yamaha Hall, Tokyo, Japan collaborating with piano and opera singers.https://youtu.be/gSr_cmBBAFc

Now in its tenth season, the Rainier Trio is an exciting and energetic group that captivates audiences with gems from the violin-viola-piano trio repertoire. A combination written for since the 17th century, the repertoire includes works by Mozart, Mendelssohn and Milhaud, bridging genres from classical to ragtime and tango. The trio has performed on numerous concert series throughout Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and North Carolina.

Kevin and Bryan Matheson have teamed up with pianist Brenda Wittwer, who has been accompanist for Theater Charlotte, Pfeiffer University Concert Choir and Sounds of America, a musical group which toured the 48 contiguous states. With the Wytheville Community College Choir she has performed at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall in New York City.

The Rainier Trio has performed a series of concerts in Pittsburgh and on the classical radio station WQED with Alex Jones, principal clarinetist of the Pittsburgh Philharmonic. The trio has performed at Musikfest in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and collaborated with opera singers at the Vocal Arts and Music Festival at Virginia Tech. Their CD was chosen as “CD of the week” by WQED Pittsburgh.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Bach to Bluegrass: Music of contrasting styles from Bach to Bartok and Appalachian to Arabian including discussions of what makes folk and classical music different and how sounds are produced on stringed instruments. An instrument “petting-zoo” with small-sized violins allows students to experience playing a violin and feel how the physics of stringed instruments work.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

Two music stands, concert stage lighting. For Trio, an acoustic piano tuned the day of the performance or performers can bring their own digital piano.