from Doug Johnson:

Good day!

Composer and brand new radio host Seth Boustead has just started a radio program on WFMT 98.7 classical radio called Relevant Tones, which is a weekly exploration of a vibrant and continuing classical music tradition as it thrives in the 20th and 21st centuries. Part of our second CD, Symphonie Improvisé, will be played on today’s July 16 show, which explores musicians and the art of improvisation. The show will be aired at 5pm today, and can be heard on 98.7 FM as well as streamed live on the WFMT web site (http://www.wfmt.com/). Please show your support for this new program!

We are also slated to perform Friday, July 22, at Morseland, which is located in Rogers Park. We’ll be sharing the bill with two fantastic groups, Freakjar and Matt Ulery’s “Loom”. Music starts at 10pm. $5 cover, 21+

Morseland
1218 West Morse Avenue
Chicago, IL 60626
(773) 764-8900

Lineup for Morseland, July 22:
Steve Roberts: guitar (electrochordophone)
Randy Farr, Steve Rutstein: drums (membranophones and idiophones)
Michael Hovnanian, Tom Mendel, Douglas Johnson: basses (arcoelectrochordophones and pluckoelectrochordophones)

Our two CDs are not only available at CDBaby, iTunes, and other e-purveyors of music, but also at Laurie’s Planet of Sound, a fantastic independent music store in Lincoln Square. You’ll have to ask for Gunnelpumpers CDs explicitly because they keep them behind the counter.

Laurie’s Planet of Sound
4639 N Lincoln
Chicago, IL 60625
773-271-3569

We recently had a short review of our debut CD, the nth wave, in the Illinois Entertainer:

“Falling somewhere between world music, tribal-ambient, and improvisational jazz, The Nth Wave is definitely a distinctive collection. Performed by Gunnelpumpers, the seven instrumentals were recorded during a single impromptu session, with “The Whirling Magnificent” and “Ticks And Asps” standing out as the most intricate tracks. Though none of the tunes are overly innovative, they’re ideal for relaxation and contemplation.”
– Jeff Berkwits

Speaking of “the nth wave”, we’re expecting it to finally go live on Pandora Radio in the next few weeks.

Dear Members of the Bass Community,

Saludos from South Texas!

I would like to share with you some of what is coming up in the next few days.

On July 18-23 we will host the first edition of the Pan-American Double Bass Summer Institute.

It is very exciting to host an event that lasts for more than a couple of days – in comparison to our already traditional ¡Viva el Bajo! South Texas Double Bass Masterclass in the spring semester.

This time around our students will have plenty of time to experience in depth the different aspects of playing the bass, as there will be technique classes, scales and arpeggios sessions, solo and orchestral master classes as well as Texas All-State workshops and individual coaching sessions with a resident pianist.

Even more exciting is being able to host Tony Parry as resident guest artist. Tony is a past-winner of the ISB Orchestral Competition and is currently a member of the Louisiana Philharmonic and instructor at Tulane University. Tony will perform a solo recital during the Institute and will work with the students individually and in group.
Save the dates of July 18-23 and encourage your students to apply! Check out http://vivaelbajo.org/Summer_Institute.html
The enrollment is limited and there are a few endowed scholarships available!
Thank you,
George Amorim

Rock Island Boathouse

Hi folks,

Amidst the often hot and loud celebration of our nation’s independence, we invite you to join Gunnelpumpers in one cool spot this Tuesday night, July 5. We will be playing sets at 10 and 11pm at the Whistler, already a must-see place in this fair city. The original, custom-made cocktails that change every night are legendary, and it’s hard to beat raising your spirits along with some compelling live music. No cover charge. 21+.

the Whistler
2421 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
ph: 773-227-3530

We have created a new logo! You can see on our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/Gunnelpumpers. Let us know what you think.

We are also slated to perform Friday, July 22, at Morseland, which is located in Rogers Park. We’ll be sharing the bill with two fantastic groups, Freakjar and Matt Ulery’s “Loom”. Music starts at 10pm. $5 cover, 21+

Morseland
1218 West Morse Avenue
Chicago, IL 60626
(773) 764-8900

Our two CDs are not only available at CDBaby, iTunes, and other e-purveyors of music, but also at Laurie’s Planet of Sound, a fantastic independent music store in Lincoln Square. You’ll have to ask for Gunnelpumpers CDs explicitly because they keep them behind the counter.

Laurie’s Planet of Sound
4639 N Lincoln
Chicago, IL 60625
773-271-3569

We recently had a short review of our debut CD, the nth wave, in the Illinois Entertainer:

“Falling somewhere between world music, tribal-ambient, and improvisational jazz, The Nth Wave is definitely a distinctive collection. Performed by Gunnelpumpers, the seven instrumentals were recorded during a single impromptu session, with “The Whirling Magnificent” and “Ticks And Asps” standing out as the most intricate tracks. Though none of the tunes are overly innovative, they’re ideal for relaxation and contemplation.”
– Jeff Berkwits

Finally, our friend and composer Seth Boustead has just started a radio program on WFMT 98.7 classical radio called Relevant Tones, which is a weekly exploration of a vibrant and continuing classical music tradition as it thrives in the 20th and 21st centuries. The program airs each Saturday at 5pm CST. There is reason to believe a part of our second CD, Symphonie Improvisé [sic], will be played on the July 16 show, which explores classical musicians and the art of improvisation. The show will be streamed live on the WFMT web site. Please show your support for this new program!

Lineup for the Whistler, July 5: Michael Hovnanian, Tom Mendel, Douglas Johnson: basses, Randy Farr, percussion
Lineup for Morseland, July 22: TBD

Please let me know if you no longer care to receive these emails.

Happy 4th!
Doug Johnson

http://www.whistlerchicago.com/

http://www.lauriesplanetofsound.com/

http://illinoisentertainer.com/2011/04/around-hear-may-2011/

http://www.wfmt.com/

CDBaby: http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/Gunnelpumpers
iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/gunnelpumpers/id375107758

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Gunnelpumpers
Twitter: http://twitter.com/gunnelpumpers
ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/gunnelpumpers
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/gunnelpumpers
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/gunnelpumpers
Last.fm: http://www.last.fm/music/Gunnelpumpers

Dear Mr. Heath,

We are thrilled to announce that Joseph Conyers, Assistant Principal Bass of The Philadelphia Orchestra, will be teaching private bass lessons this year at The Philadelphia International Music Festival, and there are still a number of openings for bass students from eight years of age through college (and beyond)!

Depending on the program selected, bass students will receive between one and three lessons weekly with Mr. Conyers, and will participate in either our Symphonic Program – open to students of all ages and skill levels, our Solo Preformance Preparation Program (for students 13 and older, by audition only), or the PIMF College Auditions Preparation Program – open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors preparing for upcoming college auditions.

The dates of our two-week program are: June 18- July 1, 2011. Our seven-day programs are conducted June 18 – June 24, and June 25 – July 1, 2011.

For additional information, please visit our website at: www.PhiladelphiaMusicFestival.org, or phone: 856-875-6816.

Eric Camarota
Philadelphia International Music Festival
www.stringscamp.com
www.PhiladelphiaMusicFestival.org
Telephone: 856-875-6816

Sponsored in Part by Cunningham Piano Company of Philadelphia

The heart of the heartland, Kansas City, will be beating with excitement when ASTA holds its 2011 national conference, March 16-19. For ASTA members, there is nothing that compares to the atmosphere and excitement of this one-of-a-kind string event. Where else can you expand your knowledge, gain confidence in your abilities, learn new skills, and improve technique? And if that isn’t enough, you will be inspired by fellow musicians and have the opportunity to hear extraordinary performances by Mark Wood and Friends, Benny and Eric Kim, the Kansas City Symphony, and other talented guests.

Click here for the latest conference information. If you are planning to come before the conference or stay later, click here for a list of free things to do in the city.

Butler-Midwest Bass Day
Saturday, February 12, 2011
9am-5pm
Lilly Hall
Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana

The day will start at 9am with a recital by students (college and HS), then master classes at 11 and 1, as well as presentations at 11 and 1 (lunch break at noon), then a mass bass ensemble read through at 2, with clinicians performing at 3 -should be over by 5.

Hans Sturm (Ball State), Diana Gannett (U. of Michigan), and Phillip Serna (Valpo) will join me, David Murray, and Nick Lloyd (luthier from Cincinnati) will be here, too.

No charge for the day. All students, teachers, and any family members interested in the bass are welcome.

For more information, or to sign up for the recital or to play in a master class, please contact David Murray – dmurray@butler.edu or 317-940-8404.

George Amorim, professor of double bass at UTPA and director of the ¡Viva el Bajo! will host Christopher Buddo (director of the School of Music at Eastern Carolina University and former double bass professor at Baylor University and Alexandre Ritter, professor of double bass at the Federal University in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

The three-day event will be filled with technique, solo and orchestral master classes as well as lectures and a closing recital on Saturday evening. The opening session on Thursday 02/17 will be a lecture on Nino Rota’s Divertimento Concertante by Alex Ritter in celebration of Rota’s Centennial. Friday there will be sessions for high school and college students and on Saturday Chris Buddo will lead a teachers training workshop and Sonya Martinez (teacher of the ¡Viva el Bajo! Mini Bass Project) will lead the Young Bassist Program.

There will be a exhibit of instruments and accessories for the duration of the event by Guarnieri House from Grand Rapids as well as Antonio Stard Violin Shop from San Antonio.

For information and online registration check the event’s website: www.vivaelbajo.org or by email to: gamorim@utpa.edu or georgeamorim@vivaelbajo.org. You can also call the ¡Viva el Bajo! Direct Line (956)320-0815.

The day will include master classes, performances, and clinics on a variety of topics (solo playing, orchestra, jazz, early music, young bassist workshops) from Chicago’s leading double bass performers and educators, and will feature retailers of double basses, bows, music, and accessories.

Bassists of all ages are encouraged to attend. Different sessions will be geared toward different experience levels, so anyone from a total beginner or an experienced professional will find value and benefit in the offerings and atmosphere of the Chicago Bass Festival.

A complete clinician lineup can be found here, and the complete schedule can be found here.

In order to participate in the master classes, you need to submit an MP3 of two contrasting pieces and indicate in which master classes you’d be interested in participating. Any two short pieces are fine (Suzuki or George Vance pieces, Simandl Etude, or anything that you’ve worked on in the past). These will be used to determine master class placement. The submission form is available here, and the deadline for submission is Tuesday, February 1.

Marketing and Maintaining your Web Presence

Monday December 6, 2010 –

Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Blvd. (check board for room location)

6:00 – 7:30 pm The presentation will be presented lecture style.

This month’s At Work Forum, Marketing and Maintaining your Web Presence, will feature Demetrio Maguigad from the Community Media Workshop presenting strategies for creatives to make the most of their web presence — especially websites, e-newsletters, social media, and networks. This discussion targets creatives in all disciplines — music, dance, theater, literary, visual art, etc.

Learn how to make the most of what you’ve got, to grow fan base and build audience, and enhance a creative practice through enews, social media and more. This Creatives at Work Forum is part three of a web series focused on maximizing the internet as a tool to the creatives’ advantage.

Participants will leave with an understanding of: How using social media can increase traffic to their websites, marketing tips and tricks to drive folks to their website, as well as, techniques and tools to save time maintaining online efforts.

Another important note

We are continuing to collect music for the local music for the airports program. The rules are these:

Music must be performed or produced by Chicago area musicians or labels.

Instrumental music is preferred. Music should be soothing to airport patrons.

Submissions should be full CD’s of music, preferably with cover art included. (Please don’t send one or two songs)

Please include all contact information with your submission.

Submit music to:

Chicago Music Commission Attn: Paul Natkin

2746 W. Melrose Chicago, Il. 60618

Musicians at Work Forums address current issues of interest and concern for Chicago’s growing community of musicians working in all genres. Inspired by the popular Artists at Work Forums, this series invites industry professionals and musicians to discuss the current state of making a living through music in Chicago. For all Forums, venues, acts and music professionals are welcome to bring fliers, business cards and marketing materials for the audience. Come 30 minutes before the panel starts and network with your peers..

Musicians at Work Forums are sponsored by:

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago Federation of Musicians

Harold Washington College

Chicago Music Commission is a registered 501(c)3 in the state of Illinois.
2239 S. Michigan Ave. · Suite 300 · Chicago, IL 60616 · Ph: 312.298.9CMC (9262)