"Germino has spent her time introducing students to new contemporary music composers and techniques while challenging them every step of the way. Working with a studio already well-versed in contemporary music, she pushed the students further into the realm of new music by assigning works by composers such as Donnacha Dennehy, Annie Gosfield, Louis Andriessen, Vanessa Lann, and Philip Glass.
In early November, she coordinated and moderated a special violin studio class in Barness Hall with live sound and technical support from the USF Composition department. All 18 members of the violin studio introduced their pieces – which ranged from Ives and Boulanger to new music spanning the 1980s to the present – before performing them live with any complementary soundtracks and amplification.
Students saw firsthand what it is like to engage with music in an intensive setting with the guidance of a challenging, supportive, and experienced musician. Some even sang while playing violin, a method of performance that has come to characterize Germino's own professional work.
"What I love about her is she is bringing it right to the students," said Scott Kluksdahl, professor of cello and chamber music. His students often collaborate with the violin studio for chamber music pieces. He calls the recent studio class "a real glimpse into how an artist engages in the creative process ... Everybody had to go outside their comfort zone and do something that was in the realm of the unknown."
Germino's presence this semester has advanced the musicianship of violin students at USF and will leave a lasting impression on both student performers and composers alike. "To have an established new music performer who's not only passionate but also really good and well-recognized is really useful," said [Logan] Barrett [a third-year music composition student]. "It's reassuring and directly helps us because it gets the violinists more into what we do."

AMERICAN WIZARDRY / Monica Germino: violin / voice / kick drums & Frank van der Weij: sound design

Plus: exclusive for Ostade A'dam! live preview of the new video clip of Michael Gordon's INDUSTRY to be released soon on Cantaloupe Music 

GET TICKETS HERE

AMERICAN WIZARDRY explores the wizardry of transformation. This new program features American composers as the wizards working with Monica Germino and Frank van der Weij to transform sound and exploit new technologies. The show celebrates the intriguing collaboration of composer-performer-sound designer, with works for violin and sound design by Missy Mazzoli, Julia Wolfe, David Dramm, Annie Gosfield, Michael Gordon, and a world premiere by Molly Joyce. 

 

"...In her fiery performance of composer Michael Gordon's "tour-de-force of slowly rising intensity" [The Daily Telegraph], violinist Monica Germino revels in pushing the signal-processed limits of her instrument in collaboration with sound designer Frank van der Weij. Filmed and edited by video artist Marcel Wierckx, Industry captures a bold, futuristic and ultimately high-voltage vision of one of the most challenging works in new classical music."

This BRAND-NEW music video on Cantaloupe Music will be available soon for download through Cantaloupe Music and Bang on a Can, as well as all major online distributors.

Music: Michael Gordon. Video: Marcel Wierckx. Adapted violin: Monica Germino. Recording & sound design: Frank van der Weij.

 

The crisscrossing paths Frank and Monica have taken over the years have led to many an unexpected destination. Each new piece catapulted the duo into a next round of discoveries. Besides performing brilliant new works for violin and sound engineer, Monica and Frank aim to increase audience awareness of the thrilling 3-way collaboration of composer-performer-sound designer. The duo continues to document and share the working process with the audience through pre-recorded (audio or video) composer introductions preceding each piece. This additional layer unites the past with the present, and brings the composers into the forefront alongside the performers. The duo began recording composers in 2007, and the ever-expanding project has grown into a fascinating collection of composer insights.

10 APRIL - DOUBLE BILL @ Korzo Theater in The Hague (NL)

20.30 AMERICAN WIZARDRY / Monica Germino (violin/voice/kick drums) and Frank van der Weij (sound design)

21.30 Six Views from the Edge / Brendan Faegre Edge Ensemble

 

AMERICAN WIZARDRY / Monica Germino & Frank van der Weij 

GET TICKETS HERE

The music: Missy Mazzoli, Julia Wolfe, David Dramm, Annie Gosfield, and a world premiere by Molly Joyce.

Plus, on 11 April only*: NEW RELEASE celebration & presentation of the video clip of Michael Gordon's INDUSTRY.

*NEW RELEASE: this BRAND-NEW music video on Cantaloupe Music will be available for exclusive download through Cantaloupe Music and Bang on a Can, as well as all major online distributors. Music: Michael Gordon. Video: Marcel Wierckx. Adapted violin: Monica Germino. Recording & sound design: Frank van der Weij.

 

The crisscrossing paths Frank and Monica have taken over the years have led to many an unexpected destination. Each new piece catapulted the duo into a next round of discoveries. Besides performing brilliant new works for violin and sound engineer, Monica and Frank aim to increase audience awareness of the thrilling 3-way collaboration of composer-performer-sound designer. The duo continues to document and share the working process with the audience through pre-recorded (audio or video) composer introductions preceding each piece. This additional layer unites the past with the present, and brings the composers into the forefront alongside the performers. The duo began recording composers in 2007, and the ever-expanding project has grown into a fascinating collection of composer insights.

 

10 April: Uitkrant (in Dutch)

11 April: Uitburo.nl (in Dutch)