I want to study the string culture. I want to find a way to make it a real thing. The music being created and the old music kept alive by performers of the craft needs to be documented, needs to be spread around the country. If more people could see how innovative our instrument can be, I think more people would be into playing it. Trying it, at least. And more people would understand the camaraderie and teamwork that comes from putting an orchestra together, or learning a tune from a master.
That means I need to look into Ethnomusicology or Sociomusicology. Something combining society and culture, and the feeling of one-ness that music creates, with the evolution of genres, styles and overall music on our instrument happening in this country in the past 100 years. Heck, even the past 40 years would be enough. Darol Anger. The Turtle Island String Quartet. Mark O'Connor's evolution from New Nashville Cat to Contemporary American Symphony Composer.
Stops I want to make along the way include:
Boston (DUH)
New York City
Portland ME (Jon Cooper's shop!)
Philly (to visit my brother!)
Indiana (University that is)
Nashville (Belmont U and Timmy Tim!)
Atlanta (To visit Mike)
Baton Rouge and New Orleans (with Ruth!)
Houston (My aunt Patty)
and Austin (Michele Alany, Berklee alum and player in many bands! I want to see the Live Music Capital of the World with my own eyes.)
Los Angeles and Riverside, CA (Kate and the next String Rev in November!)
Gearhart and Portland, Oregon (Fiddle Phil - scheming and wild fiddling will ensue)
Seattle (Connect with Ibba's crew and Julie Grebenau, the Berklee Alumni liason.)
Dun dun dun DUUUUUUNNNNN.... VICTORIA B.C.!
So time to start planning travel plans and dates and map where I need to be and by when.
This tour is for musical, educational, and emotional purposes - visiting friends and family. This tour is the beginning of the String Revolution network. I think of the places where string rev has happened as 'Chapters.' But what really makes it a chapter? Do people want a repeat performance? Do I have someone to connect with and organize things in those places? How can we keep it going, keep scheduling events? I hope to learn these things soon.
