Studio News

Congratulations Students - String Festival Competition 2012 Winners

Ryan Sweeney — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:00:30 +0000

Please join me in congratulating the following winning students from our studio the 2012 MTAC Pasadena String Festival Competition

GRAND PRIZE WINNER - Meredith Urschel

EDWARD A. PFEIFFER AWARD

For Most Promising Talent

American Youth Symphony Evening Concert at UCLA

Ryan Sweeney — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:55:55 +0000

Enjoy an evening with Ronald Leonard

Sunday January 29, 2012

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Royce - Auditorium

See below for additional information.

Admission

Free and open to the public. Advance reservations required.

Contact

American Youth Symphony
(310) 470-2332

Website

http://www.uclalive.org/calendar/event_detail.asp?id=19...

Additional Information

Alexander Treger, conductor. Ronald Leonard, cello.

Stucky: Ancora. Elgar: Cello Concerto Op. 85, E minor. Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor, “From the New World”.

PYSO Winter Concert and Silent Auction

Ryan Sweeney — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:51:10 +0000

Southwestern Youth Music Festival Results

Ryan Sweeney — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 21:54:46 +0000

Several students from our studio participated at the Southwestern Youth Music Festival in the end of July with great success!

Sabrina An

1st prize | Cello Open Solo - Category 2
2nd prize | Cello Baroque Compositions - Category 1

Andrew Mecum, 2nd prize | Ensemble - Category 1

Aileen Ro

1st prize | Cello American Compositions - Cateogry 2
4th prize | Cello Open Solo - Category 3

Kevin Wei, 2nd prize | Cello Qualified - Category 26

Alex Yeh, 3rd prize | Cello Qualified - Category 7

Nick Yeh, 4th prize | Cello Qualified - Category 12

Summer Movie Night: Itzhak Perlman

Ryan Sweeney — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 12:28:20 +0000

It's that time! Summer Movie Night will begin with a film of Itzhak Perlman performing the Beethoven Violin Concerto.

from netflix.com:

Master violinist Itzhak Perlman performs Beethoven's "Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D op. 61" and Brahms's "Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D op. 77" in this 1992 concert at Berlin's Schauspielhaus, with Perlman's longtime friend Daniel Barenboim conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. The Israeli-born virtuoso is filmed from different angles, providing a close-up look at his masterful bowing and fingering techniques. [...click here for more info]

Don't miss this great opportunity. See you there!

String Visions from Ovation Press

Ryan Sweeney — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:21:47 +0000

My former teacher, Hans Jensen, has launched a blog through his music publishing company, Ovation Press, that is geared towards exploring and discussing issues that are important to all contemporary classical musicians.

One recent entry that I found particularly interesting was on the subject of bow angle or 'skewness'. I've shown the very begining of the entry below, but to get the full effect it is best to visit the website and read the fascinating comments made by the readers as well.

from stringvisions.ovationpress.com:

To play parallel or not? You might not realize it, but this is very controversial topic.

To play parallel to the bridge is an aspect of string playing that has often been misunderstood – one that results in some heated discussions among teachers and performers of stringed instruments even today.

Here at String Visions I would first like to write a series of articles about this topic from different perspectives, and then to open up a discussion forum. Please get involved and write comments about my articles and feel free to write a longer article yourself on this topic and let us know what you think. The factors involved in these issues relate to the biomechanics of the body, natural motion, and movement patterns of the bow arm and the physics of the vibrating string. [...read the rest of part I]

[part II]

[part III]

Student Success: PYSO String Orchestra

Ryan Sweeney — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 12:40:00 +0000

Congratulations to the follwing students for being being accepted into PYSO and the PYSO String Orchestra.

PYSO
Hester Liu

String Orchestra
Andrew Mecum
Taleen Mitchell
Nick Yeh

As a member of the PYSO family, students will grow and enhance their musicianship through weekly rehearsals, hands-on training and performances. As part of the Pasadena Symphony Association, the PYSO has unique access to world class professional orchestra, the Pasadena Symphony and POPS.

Way to go students on a job well done!

Student Success: Sabrina An, Nick & Alex Yeh

Ryan Sweeney — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 21:23:00 +0000

Join me in congratulating students Sabrina An, Nick Yeh and Alex Yeh on receiving prizes at the ASTA Area VI & I Competitions. Congratulations on a job well done.

PYSO on Glee

Ryan Sweeney — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 19:48:27 +0000

from pasadenasymphony-pops.org:

Students from the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra have been chosen to perform on Glee. Last night was the first of 3 episodes taped so far in which they backed up Gwyneth Paltrow. Our kids are really playing – grades 6-9! It was a great learning experience for them.

Congratulations PYSO!

PYSO: Pre-Audition Masterclass

Ryan Sweeney — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 05:15:18 +0000

PYSO Rehearsing in Colorado Springs for a concert with the Air Force band, Blue SteelMr. Sweeney will be holding a masterclass on Sunday, May 8th from 3-4:30pm to help applicants to the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra in their audition preparation.

The class is meant for any prospective student who would like to get some additional coaching and advice before the auditions that are to be held May 21st & 22nd.

The class will be limited to 6 participants, but will be open for any additional students who would like to audit.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Mr. Sweeney via email at ryansweeneycellist@gmail.com

PYSO Pre-Audition Masterclass

Sunday, May 8th 3:00-4:30pm

Barth Community Room

Crowell Public Library, San Marino

Free Admission