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It’s time for a quick reminder that the 2009 Ischia Chamber Music Festival is accepting applications- the final deadline is a few weeks off, but it is booked on a space available basis, so I’d encourage you to apply as soon as you can.

Last year was my first year at the festival, and my efforts in spreading the word about the institute had to be slightly tempered by the fact that it was my first spring there, and I could only hope that it would be a good experience.

On the basis of my week on the island last May, however, I can confidently say that it’s a stunning place, a wonderful environment for music and a great place to enjoy the best of food, weather and friendship. I’m also very excited to be working with my colleagues Byron Wallis and David Yang from Ensemble Epomeo, clarinet virtuoso, conductor and composer Giuseppe Caranante and Artistic Director Aldo de Vero. The facilities are luxurious, but affordable, and where else can you unwind after reading Brahms on the side of a volcano with a quick dip in the thermal waters?

Please visit the workshop website here for more information. We are looking forward to welcoming healthy classes of both dedicated amateurs and serious young music students at conservatory and post-graduate levels of study. The festival is also offering a full-scholarship position for a student string quartet in residence this year.

Here’s some basic information from the Ischiafestival website-

Ischiafestival 2009: Chamber music played with passion, coached professionally, in a truly stunning Mediterranean setting May 9-16.

The Location

The fabled southern Italian isle of Ischia – dreaming with Capri in the timeless blue waters of the Bay of Naples, is home to the Covo dei Borboni, an elegant, white-washed villa surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens overlooking the sea, which will again be the exclusive venue for our chamber music workshop, that will be held from Saturday May 9th to Saturday May 16th.

The Program

Ischiafestival offers a unique week: playing, studying and enjoying quality, professionally coached Chamber Music. This year’s workshop is privileged to have engaged Byron Wallis, violin, David Yang, viola, Kenneth Woods, cello and conductor, Giuseppe Carannante, clarinet and conductor,and artistic director Aldo de Vero , piano, as resident coaches. Coaching sessions will be focused on specific repertoires (String Quartet, Wind Quintet, Two Pianos) in the morning, and on Strings & Winds with Piano repertoire in the afternoon. Coaching sessions will begin Saturday the 9th at 4 p.m. Evenings after 6 p.m. will be free for sightseeing, free-playing, enjoying the wonderful food, sights and ambience of this charming island as well as being warmly welcome to enjoy listening to the three scheduled concerts during the week. The workshop will end with performances by participant musicians on the evening of Friday, May 15.

Accomodation and Meals

Coaching sessions will take place at the Covo dei Borboni, which features practice rooms, a music library, accommodation in apartments with kitchenettes, and two outdoor pools – one filled with the famed spa thermal waters so special to the Island of Ischia. Meals, services and further accommodation in single, double and triple rooms will be provided by the nearby four-star sister Hotel Grazia Terme at special Workshop rates.