October 22, 2013
xxxxÊÓÆ” Students Learn the Art of Engagement
The Art of Engagement seminar returns to xxxxÊÓÆ”âs Mixon Hall on Monday, October 28 at 4pm. The seminar is based on an innovative program that gives Conservatory students a chance to weave public speaking and audience engagement skills into the fabric of their musical development. It provides the public with a âbehind-the-scenesâ glimpse as the Cavani String Quartet coach xxxxÊÓÆ” students on the ability to communicate with audiences of all ages and get them excited about live classical music.
The Art of Engagement features fun commentary by Peter Salaff, members of the Cavani and special guests such as Chris HaffâPaluck, director of community outreach at xxxxÊÓÆ”. The speakers stress the importance of learning how to create a fun and interesting childrenâs program that will captivate young audiences.
âMost people arenât aware of the extensive preparation necessary to create and present this kind of program successfully,â said Haff-Paluck, who arranges dozens of outreach performances for xxxxÊÓÆ” students in area grade-schools, retirement homes and libraries annually. âThe Art of Engagement is a unique opportunity to observe the results of some of the educational training xxxxÊÓÆ” students receive as they create and develop fun musical presentations before they take them into classrooms, senior residences and other areas of the community.â
The Art of Engagement seminar was conceived of and is now coordinated by Cavani member and first violinist Annie Fullard. It launched at xxxxÊÓÆ” in 2007.
âI wanted to integrate the experience of creating outreach programs as part of the training of our wonderful xxxxÊÓÆ” students,â Fullard explained. âThe tremendous, positive reaction from them has been the driving force. Theyâre learning the importance of providing opportunities for more LIVE performance, more âengagementâ with our audiences and more funâŠall while sharing some of the greatest masterpieces of Western Art...itâs a win for everyone!â
The Cavani utilize props, costumes and pop culture music, such as the theme song from Jaws, to make the instrumentation accessible to children who likely havenât had much exposure to classical music. As the children begin to recognize the sounds the instruments make, and become comfortable, ensemble members weave in Beethoven, Mozart and even BartĂłk. The resulting response from the children is nothing short of extraordinary.
This seminar, and its resulting childrenâs programs, provides an excellent chance for folks to witness a somewhat âlighterâ side of xxxxÊÓÆ” students and faculty. âItâs worth it just to see the Cavani burst upon the stage in baseball caps with fiddles in hand, and hear their heartfelt and eloquent words,â said Haff-Paluck.
Previous participants in the Art of Engagement seminar include Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition Winners the and string quartets â and although the program is led by juggernauts of the string chamber music world, participants have also included brass ensembles such as and woodwind ensembles like Basoon4.