Schedule

9am – 11am: Pre-Convention Workshops Continue

The pre-convention workshops pick up where they left off last night.

• Chris Acquavella: (cont.)
  The Leftist Digits of the Classical Mandolin: Left-hand Techniques
  Although tuned the same as the violin since c.1740, the mandolin is indeed its own instrument, with its own repertoire and techniques. This includes the left hand on the fingerboard. Classical mandolin instructors since 1768 have laid down a pathway to smoother shifting and understanding of the instrument’s fretboard; giving us multiple ways to shift, fret passages based on classical RH techniques required and achieve more harmony within passages. This class will focus on techniques for the left hand. We will look at various ways to understand and view the fingerboard. Left- and right-hand coordination; building left hand dexterity and flexibility; strengthening & coordinating 4th finger exercises; and warm up routines to get the left hand ready for action.
  Bristol/Oxford
• Fabio Giudice:
  Mandocello Technique
  Day 2 of the workshop.
  Calhoun
• René Izquierdo:
  Guitar technique
  Day 2 of the workshop.
  Edinburgh / London

11:30am – 1:00pm: First-timers’ Lunch

If this is your first time attending a CMSA convention, this event is for you. Come have a light lunch on us, and let Jim Bates and Sarah Curtis sooth your nerves and reset your expectations.

Cedar

1:30pm – 2:45pm: Workshops Begin

The convention starts for all attendees now! Whet your fingers and imagination with an opening session.

• Jim Bates:
  Take the Leap! – Begin to Teach
  An interactive discussion intended to encourage mandolin family instrument players to teach others. One barrier to fostering more North American classical mandolin playing is a shortage of MF teachers. This workshop will inspire confidence and provide tips for beginning the teaching journey, including Q&A/discussion of materials/approaches/differences for various age groups.
  

  L/D, AI, AL

  lecture/discussion, all instruments, all levels

  Bristol / Oxford

• Lou Chouinard:
  Mandolin Bootcamp v7.0: Learning
  the Fretboard Using Left-hand Shapes/Finger Patterns
  The mandolin is tuned in 5ths, allowing us to use standard shapes and finger pattern to move around the fingerboard and play the right notes. We will cover shapes & patterns to play scales/arpeggios in 1-3 octaves – up and across the neck. Do you want to play more correct notes, use that 4th finger more, be more comfortable up the neck, and generally impressing your friends and family by ripping that 3-octave run? Then this workshop is for you!
  

  P, L/D, M, MDL, OM, AL

  playing, lecture/discussion, mandolin, mandola in C, mandola in G, all levels

  Edinburgh / London

• Fabio Giudice:
  Short Hands, Big Instrument
  A life-safe approach to our beloved instrument – principles to enjoy the music with just the right effort, and basic techniques and specific approaches to individual difficulties.
  

  P, L/D, MC, LC, OM, AL

  playing, lecture/discussion, mandocello, luito cantabile, octave mandolin, all levels

  Calhoun

3pm – 5:30pm: En Masse Rehearsal

Don’t be late for the first rehearsal! We’ll figure out seating and Maestro Bates will lead us through our “first reading.” Practice your part ahead of time so it’s not literally your first reading.

Grand Ballroom

8pm – 10pm: Welcome Party

Come meet your colleagues over hor d’oeuvres and aperitivi. Dress casually, but be sure to wear your best smile.

Great Room / Main Lobby

10pm – 11:59pm: Bach After Hours w/Ken Luk

A session to honor the music of J.S. Bach! We will begin the night with several CMSA members playing music of Bach as solos, duos and trios. We will end the night with a play-along of the Air on the G String, so bring your instrument! You will find the parts and further information for Air on the G String here.

Bristol / Oxford

8:30am – 9:45am: Sectional Rehearsals

Begin your day with your section mates and your instrument. Your section leader will provide technical details regarding your en-masse part.

• Mandolin 1: Edinburgh / London
• Mandolin 2: Grand Ballroom
• C Mandola: Bristol
• G Mandola: Oxford
• Guitar: Cedar
• Mandocello: Calhoun
• Bass: Nokomis

10:00am – 11:15am: Workshops

• Olivia Hamilton:
  Learning Self Accompaniment: How We Sing and Play
  This beginner-friendly workshop will explore a variety of basic techniques to get you singing and playing simultaneously. Any stringed or chordal instruments are welcome, and any level of singing experience (including no experience) is perfect.
  

  H, P, L/D, AI, AL

  handouts, playing, lecture/discussion, all instruments, all levels

  Bristol / Oxford

• Chris Acquavella:
  The Art of Tremolo
  Tremolo is a large and tricky subject as there are lots of opinions on what makes a great tremolo and how it should be achieved and sound like. We will develop free and mathematical tremolo systems and learn how various forms can shape musical phrases/ideas. Tremolo in an ensemble can also be tricky, so we will use a few simple ensemble pieces to consider tremolo as a group.
  

  H, P, L/D, MF, AL

  handouts, playing, lecture/discussion, mandolin-family instruments, all levels

  Edinburgh / London

• Fabio Giudice:
  The Psychology of Musical Technique
  Traditional and innovative techniques for learning a musical instrument, with a view of getting the most out of your time spent practicing.
  

  H, P, L/D, AI, AL

  handouts, playing, lecture/discussion, all instruments, all levels

  Calhoun

11:30am – 1:00pm: Solo & Small-ensemble Open-mic

We’ll cheer on our intrepid solo performers.  Don’t forget to reserve a boxed lunch before October 20!

Grand Ballroom

1:15pm – 2:30pm: Workshops

• Jim Bates:
  Gesture and Communication – Effective Conducting Techniques
  A workshop for experienced and aspiring conductors, wishing to improve their stick technique for better communication – participants can bring specific questions/score examples to discuss. Bluetooth audio clips will also be considered. Emphasis on individual workshopping – bring stand!
  

  L/D, AI, Int/Adv

  lecture/discussion, all instruments, intermediate/advanced levels

  Bristol / Oxford

• Richard Kriehn:
  Topic to be announced
  Edinburgh / London
• Kristin Stiteler:
  Make a Friend with a Mandolist (or Mandocellist)!
  Don’t leave your larger instrument friends out of the loop! We will explore music that can be played with your C string buddies – duets, trios, and more! Music for Mandolin + Mandola/Mandocello. Alto & Bass clef for MDL & MC.
  

  H, P, MDL, MC, M, AL

  handouts, playing, mandola in C, mandocello, mandolin, all levels

  Calhoun

2:45pm – 5pm: En Masse Rehearsal

We’ll work through Saturday’s En Masse Orchestra program again.

Grand Ballroom

8pm – 10pm: Evening Concert

Invite your friends and family for a free concert!  The evening entertainment features…

Grand Ballroom

10pm – 11:59pm: Bet Yer Not Really Irish Either

Come to play or just listen to Celtic-adjacent music.  We’ll project music if you’re not familiar with the tunes or the evening runs longer than your confidence.

Bristol / Oxford

8:30am – 9:45am: Sectional Rehearsals

Practice makes perfect!  Wake up early to polish your en-masse part with your sectional colleagues and leader.

• Mandolin 1: Edinburgh / London
• Mandolin 2: Grand Ballroom
• C Mandola: Bristol
• G Mandola: Oxford
• Guitar: Cedar
• Mandocello: Calhoun
• Bass: Nokomis

10:00am – 11:15am: Workshops

• René Izquierdo:
  Practice with Purpose: How to Solve Technical Problems Efficiently
  This workshop presents practical strategies for organizing practice so that every minute has a clear purpose. Through demonstrations and audience participation, participants will learn methods for diagnosing technical challenges, designing effective exercises, and practicing in ways that produce lasting results.
  

  P, L/D, AI, AL

  playing, lecture/discussion, all instruments, all levels

  Bristol / Oxford

• Ashley Hoyer:
  The Musical Mando
  Learn to coax the music out of your mando. Tips and exercises to improve clarity, tone, phrasing, and coordination.
  

  H, P, L/D, MF, Int/Adv

  handouts, playing, lecture/discussion, mandolin-family instruments, intermediate/advanced

  Edinburgh / London

• Jeff Brumley & Bob Margo:
  Popular Music for Mandolin Orchestra
  Programming popular music of the day for your mandolin orchestra goes all the way back to the Golden Age. This workshop will discuss general principles in making such arrangements using 2 examples: Jeff’s arrangement of the Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever” and Bob’s version of the Police’s “Synchronicity I.”
  

  H, P, L/D, AI, Int/Adv

  handouts, playing, lecture/discussion, all instruments, intermediate/advanced

  Calhoun

11:30am – 1:30pm: Gala Banquet & Raffle

President Brumley will announce the annual awards and reveal next year’s convention location over a banquet lunch. Reserve your partner’s lunch when you register to share the fun…. AND BUY LOTS OF RAFFLE TICKETS. Proceeds support scholarships and programming at future CMSA conventions. You might win a the grand prize, a new mandolin, or take home albums, strings, or other musical accessories.

Grand Ballroom

1:45pm – 3:00pm: Workshops

• René Izquierdo:
  Beyond the Notes; Listening, Leadership, and Ensemble Musicianship
  Playing well with others requires skills that go far beyond technical proficiency. This session explores communication, listening, phrasing, balance, cueing, and rhythmic flexibility – practical tools that help musicians be more responsive and compelling ensemble partners in chamber music, orchestra, or collaborative performance.
  

  P, L/D, AI, AL

  playing, lecture/discussion, all instruments, all levels

  Bristol / Oxford

• Joel Hobbs:
  Discover the Secret of the Muses
  Lute repertoire from Medieval to Renaissance to Baroque holds a treasure trove of resonant and courtly melodies suitable for mandolin consorts. We’ll explore opportunities and challenges in adapting these silverly intabulations for your ensemble and sample some fresh arrangements.
  

  H, P, L/D, AI, AL

  handouts, playing, lecture/discussion, all instruments, all levels

  Edinburgh / London

• Joan Griffith:
  Improvisation: How to Get Started
  This workshop will focus on how to use melodic embellishment, rhythmic patterns, and a song’s harmony to build an improvised melody.
  

  H, P, L/D, AI, AL

  handouts, playing, lecture/discussion, all instruments, all levels

  Calhoun

3:15pm – 5:30pm: En Masse Rehearsal

It’s a lot of work to prepare 120 plucked-string musicians for the En Masse Orchestra performance, but more importantly, it’s a lot of fun.

Grand Ballroom

8pm – 10pm: Evening Concert

Invite your friends and family for a free concert!  The evening entertainment features…

Grand Ballroom

10pm – 11:59pm: After-hours w/….

Late night programming to be announced…

TBD

8:30am – 9:45am: Sectional Rehearsals

It’s the last day to buff those rough edges from your technique with your colleagues.

• Mandolin 1: Edinburgh / London
• Mandolin 2: Grand Ballroom
• C Mandola: Bristol
• G Mandola: Oxford
• Guitar: Cedar
• Mandocello: Calhoun
• Bass: Nokomis

10:00am – 11:15am: Workshops

• Ashley Hoyer:
  Compose a Tune
  Using techniques and texture that work most effectively on the mando, this workshop will write a new piece as a class. Discussion to including finding one’s musical voice, characteristics of various genres, and compositional techniques.
  

  H, P, L/D, MF, Int/Adv

  handouts, playing, lecture/discussion, mandolin-family instruments, Intermediate/Advanced level

  Bristol / Oxford

• Chris Acquavella:
  Working on Techniques Through Etudes
  Using a recently published collection of 30 etudes for his students, this workshop will examine this new work and the various techniques that are featured. You will learn how to break down etudes, focusing on essential technical information and then rebuilding with phrasing, tone, and dynamics. Working on etudes can be fun and helpful for building good technique, stamina, and a relaxed RH.
  

  H, L/D, M, OM, AL

  handouts, lecture/discussion, mandolin, octave mandolin, all levels

  Edinburgh / London

• Mark Davis, Beverly Davis, & Bob Margo
  The Hampton Trio Ensemble Workshop
  Polish your ensemble skills with the Hampton Trio working through 2 pieces from our repertoire – Mark Linkins’ “Variations on an Ancient Irish Theme” and Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Canta, Canta Mais.”
  Calhoun

11:30am – 1:00pm: Large-ensemble Open Mic

Cheer on the large-ensemble open-mic participants over lunch.  You can reserve a boxed lunch before October 20.

Grand Ballroom

1:15pm – 2:00pm: General Membership Meeting

Do you want to know what your CMSA Board Members do all year? Do you have questions for them? Do you have ideas for furure activities? Come attend the General Membership Meeting!

Calhoun

2:45pm – 5:15pm: En Masse Rehearsal

It’s a dress rehearsal in name only…. except that you must dress! Just don’t worry about the black shirt and slacks/skirt/dress until the evening. We’ll run through the En-Masse program once more before the final concert.

Grand Ballroom

8pm – 10pm: Evening Concert

The featured event of the convention is another free concert beginning with solo sets from …. The headliners are you — the CMSA En Masse Orchestra, and directed by Dr. Jim Bates. En Masse performers, the dress code is black. Download the evening’s program here.

It’s a free show, but CMSA appreciates (tax-deductible) donations taken at the door. We’ll have a cash bar to help your audience celebrate.

Grand Ballroom

10pm – ???: After Party!

We’ll keep that cash bar around for the after party. Unwind with your colleagues and new best friends and enjoy the exhilaration of completing the convention program with your fingers intact and mind only slightly overflowing with new melodies and rhythms.

Grand Foyer