Author:
Tamar
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Date Posted: 07:35:55 10/25/01 Thu
If music is the international language, then Virtuosi of Houston are the Gulf Coast's most brilliant ambassadors. The youth chamber ensemble - - the only such group of its kind - - has been wowing audiences with its professional caliber and challenging programming. This is not the gymnasium band recital you may remember from your teen years. Indeed, these local prodigies range from age 12 to 18, and have gone on to music programs at University of Houston's Moores School of Music, Oberlin, Interlochen, and the Eastman School of Music.
According to Cynthia Martin, Virtuosi's president, the roster is a "real United Nations . . . the kids come from every ethnic background, shape, size and color." She marvels at their warm and open socializing before rehearsal and during breaks. Even the musical directors of the ensemble boast an international flair: conducting duties are shared by Andrzej Grabiec and Franz Anton Krager. Grabiec, a native of Poland, is a violinist whose achievements include being a Prizewinner at the world-renowned Wieniawski Violin Competition, founding Director of the Mozart Festival Chamber Orchestra, and performances before President George Bush, Senator Howard Baker and German Consul General Wolfgang Moser. Krager, an American, has many honors himself, including current Directorships at the University of Houston, the Texas Music Festival, Great Britain's Orchestra of the Swan, and a Lectureship at Italy's Italart Santa Chiara Study Center.
The long-term goal of Virtuosi is to provide the foundation and local support to retain these talented youngsters in Texas as performers, educators, and arts advocates. However, preteens and teens in Virtuosi reap plenty of immediate benefits. The Board of Directors oversees an annual Concerto Competition Scholarship; funds are restricted for use towards a new instrument, music lessons, music camp or future college-level musical education. As any parent or teacher can tell you, music is not a cheap talent to nurture. The grants, ranging from $500 to $2,500, have been much appreciated. Anyone wishing to audition for the group should call Cynthia Martin at 713-787-9212.
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