November 18, 2001

The Southern California Viola Society's annual performance workshop offers all society members the opportunity to hone performance skills by trying out new and/or old repertoire of every description before a live audience consisting of interested society members and the public. Every facet of viola playing is encouraged, from solo performances to chamber music, from classical to jazz, new age, world premieres, works originally written for viola or transcriptioned for viola....in short, any music with a viola in it!

Proceeds from admission contributions at this year's event went to benefit victims of September 11. A flyer describing the event and inviting society members to participate was mailed in October. Performers on the November 18th program included: Pamela Goldsmith, Karen Elaine Bakunin, Beth Elliot and her quartet, Ray Tischer, Damon Graddy, students from Don McInness' master class, Dan Weinstein and many others. ViolaFest III was designated as "The Classical Music Pick of the Week" by the LA Weekly. Pianist John Berkmann was available to accompany whenever needed.

Through the generosity of several of our members and sponsors, we instituted a competition this year intended to stimulate the performers and a raffle for everyone present (to stimulate the audience and encourage them to stay for the whole program). The audience was polled to determine the competition prize winners: 1) Best Overall Performance (Beth Elliot); 2) Most Promising Performer (Heidi Hatch); 3) Most Talented Performer 4) Most Beautiful Tone; and 5) Performer bringing the most interesting and/or worthwhile music to the attention of the audience, The Musicology Award (Dan Weinstein). The Most Talented Performer and Most Beautiful Tone categories resulted in ties. Apparently there were too many beautiful tones and too much talent in this year's event for the audience to settle on winners.

Prizes for the raffle and the performance competition included:

• Free bow rehair from Hans Weisshaar's violin shop

• Free bow rehair from Marquis Violins in Pasadena

• Set of 3 CDs from PROdigital Records of violist Peter Hatch, including "The Magic of the Viola" on Pre-release CD-R

• Set of 3 CDs and presentation proof-set of viola drawings suitable for framing by violist Karen Elaine Bakunin

• $20-Gift Certificate from Thomas Metzler's Violin Shop in Glendale

• 10% Discount on any purchase of a Berg Bow from Michael Duff

• 1-year membership to the Southern California Viola Society.

Prizes are awarded in category order with each winner selecting his prize from among the remaining prizes. Must be present to win.