The Counterpoint Club

In the final ENCORE Interview for Opus 2, Willie and Justin speak with violist James Dunham. This conversation is the unabridged version of that heard in the fourth episode: How to Train Your String Quartet. This episode diverges from our standard TCC format, featuring a series of conversations about chamber music pedagogy, the methods used to teach chamber music. In addition to the interview with Mr. Dunham, the episode also features a conversation with violinist Annie Fullard of the Cavani...

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In this ENCORE Interview for Opus 2 Brandon and Justin speak with violinist Annie Fullard. This conversation is the unabridged version of that heard in the fourth episode: How to Train Your String Quartet. This episode diverges from our standard TCC format, featuring a series of conversations about chamber music pedagogy, the methods used to teach chamber music. In addition to the interview with Fullard, the episode also features a conversation with violist James Dunham, former member of the...

In this ENCORE Interview for Opus 2 Sarah and Brandon speak with violinist Rachell Ellen Wong. This conversation is the unabridged version of that heard in the third episode: “Performing From The HIP.” In this episode, Sarah guides us through a history of HIP, which is an acronym for “Historically Informed Performance”. In the technique portion, Brandon explores some of the ins and outs of how Skyros approaches repertoire written in a different era, using a score of a Corelli Trio Sonata as...

In this ENCORE Interview for Opus 2 Sarah and Justin speak with violist Molly Gebrian, assistant professor of viola at the University of Arizona. This conversation is the unabridged version of that heard in the second episode: No Time to Practice. In this interview we talk about new approaches to practicing that go against convention, and move our ideas forward into the future based on scientific evidence. Support the show (http://www.chambermusicguild.org/thecounterpointclub/donate/)

In this first Opus 2 ENCORE interview episode, Sarah Pizzichemi and Brandon Vance are joined by the internationally-acclaimed Gothard Sisters. The Gothard Sisters are originally featured in Opus 2 Episode 1, Got Folk?! In Episode 1, we explore the ways that folk music has influenced chamber music, both in composition and in performance. In the history lesson, Brandon discusses ethnomusicology and the ways that composers have incorporated folk melodies in music meant for the concert stage....

Unlike other genres of Western classical music like orchestras or solo performing, women have always had an important role in the development of chamber music. Sarah describes the history of women in chamber music and steps toward a more equitable future. Willie guides us through the steps we take in Skyros Quartet to include diversity in every program and resources to help others do the same. Sarah has a conversation with composer Kaley Lane Eaton about the challenges and opportunities for...

Chamber music had its roots as a pastime for amateurs relaxing together in their homes and palaces, so how did it become a career path for professionals? The culture of chamber music has been through a seismic shift since its early days, largely because of how the tradition has been passed from one generation to the next. We look at the renaissance of this transfer of knowledge in the past few generations by talking with some of the performer pedagogues who are fundamental to its evolution....

Sarah guides us through what HIP is all about, and why Skyros Quartet likes to use HIP to influence our own early music playing. Brandon leads us on an analysis of a Corelli Trio Sonata with some practical applications of style from the time period. We interview Rachell Ellen Wong, a violinist on the forefront of the baroque and early music movement. Rachell recently became the first ever baroque artist to receive the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant. Support the show...

Our second episode of The Counterpoint Club Opus 2 is all about maximizing efficiency in practice sessions. Willie tells the surprisingly colorful story of the metronome in the history segment. All four members of Skyros share practice techniques to help you get the most out of your practice time. Practice guru and violist Molly Gebrian joins us in our interview, offering her advice and thoughts on the time we spend alone with our instruments. Support the show...

The Skyros Quartet begins the journey into a new Opus of The Counterpoint Club by exploring the ways that folk music has influenced chamber music, both in composition and in performance. In the history lesson, Brandon discusses ethnomusicology and the ways that composers have incorporated folk melodies in music meant for the concert stage. In the technique segment, Sarah explores methods for researching these influences and how to inform an audience to their usage and existence. With...

Just like Opus 1, this series will feature 5 episodes, each centered on an important theme or aspect of chamber music. Support the show (http://www.chambermusicguild.org/thecounterpointclub/donate/)

Episode 3 of the podcast features a segment of Sarah and Justin's interview with John Largess, violist with the celebrated Miró Quartet. The full interview with John - available below - explores intonation tips and techniques used by the Miró Quartet to create beautiful chords and harmonies and much more. Skyros Quartet members also share fond memories of studying with John in their formative years as musicians and find out about his current range of interests including musical history,...

Listen to the full interview that Skyros Quartet did with Shaunyce Omar, part of which appears in Opus 1, Episode 1 of The Counterpoint Club. Support the show (http://www.chambermusicguild.org/thecounterpointclub/donate/)

Episode 4 of the podcast features a segment of Sarah and Willie’s interview with Hyeyung Yoon, violinist for 18 years with the highly-regarded Chiara Quartet. In the full interview, you can learn about her journey exploring ways to bring chamber music closer to its audiences, the Korean music performance tradition of madang, and her work presenting the stories and music of Asian musicians in America. Along the way, she shares her personal advice on grounding and releasing energy while...

In Episode 2, Brandon Vance and Willie Braun talk with Mari Yoshinaga and Garrett Arney of arx duo, a fantastic percussion ensemble based in Seattle. Yoshinaga and Arney are known as some of the leading pioneers in the percussion chamber music community. We were thrilled to have them join us for this conversation about pulse and all the incredible ways that the arx duo creates music. You can listen to the entire interview with the arx duo. Support the show...

Episode 5 of the podcast featured a portion of Willie’s interview with Alyssa Saint. Alyssa shares the story of her career journey from music school, where she met Willie, to her current position as Associate Director of Admission at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She shares her advice and observations on applying to a music degree program, the differences between a conservatory setting and a university, and how a degree in music can open up many careers and job...

Episode 5 of the podcast features a segment of this full interview with internationally celebrated concert violinist, Augustin Hadelich. Mr. Hadelich is one of the great violinists of our time. The winner of numerous awards and prizes, Mr. Hadelich is known for his wide-ranging and adventurous repertoire and is often referred to by colleagues as a "musician's musician.” He is consistently cited around the world for his phenomenal technique, soulful approach, and insightful interpretations....

The final episode of The Counterpoint Club’s first series, Opus 1, explores the wide variety of careers in the music industry. Justin first looks at the history of professional chamber music ensembles in America. Willie interviews Alyssa Saint, violinist and Associate Director of Admission at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, about her advice to high school students on the application process and what to look for in a university music degree program. Special guest, internationally...

The fourth episode of The Counterpoint Club explores the history and technique of musical performance. Willie looks at how classical music concerts have changed over the last several centuries, from the perspectives of both audience and performer. Sarah takes a page from sports psychology to guide an exercise on centering before performance, to let go excess performance energy. Our special guest is violinist Hyeyung Yoon, who teaches us about the fascinating Korean musical performance space...