young musicians

Announcing! A chance for Tahoe-area young musicians to learn from seasoned professionals, gain performance confidence, and be supported by their peers.  Student will be chosen through an audition process, for more information, please see details below.

Who will be teaching? Many of the Classical Tahoe musicians hold Principal positions in their famous orchestras; and even though they are at the top of their craft, the Classical Tahoe orchestra members are just as generous and open-hearted as they are talented.  They often they teach in conservatories and universities in their home cities, and… many of them have their own kids who love music-making!

About the musicians of the Classical Tahoe Orchestra: These superb musicians are individually invited from some of the most prominent orchestras in the United States.  The musicians come to Tahoe for 3 weeks each summer to create a “place apart” in which to make great music together, and to share their artistry through performance and teaching.

When you attend a Classical Tahoe concert, one of the first people you encounter is the usher who helps you to the Pavilion and to your seat.  Here’s news! In 2018, thanks to grants from the Firefly Scientists’ Education Initiative and the Tahoe area Cymbal Foundation, Classical Tahoe is re-imagining the role of the concert usher at our concerts and in the community.

2018 is the first year of our “Young Musician’s Usher Program”, where young people in music will be trained in the responsibilities of assisting patrons.  They will also be getting an education through behind-the-scenes assistance in the world of non-profit arts production, administration, and other aspects of what makes the magic happen at a Classical Tahoe concert.  All these elements will provide them a broad base of knowledge about a career in music or music administration which will stand them in good stead for the rest of their musical lives.

The ushers will all be musicians from area high schools who have provided a Letter of Intent and have their parent’s consent. They must also be recommended to Classical Tahoe by a music teacher or administrator.  So when you next attend a Classical Tahoe concert, stop a moment to observe your usher; they just may be the next Joshua Bell!

In August of 2018, young area jazz musicians will have the chance to receive special instruction on the art of jazz performance from a true Master of jazz, Chris Brubeck.  Brubeck has a stellar reputation as a performer, composer and teacher, and will be bringing his experience gained through decades of jazz work – first through tours with his father Dave Brubeck and then through decades of work with the best in the jazz field.

The Jazz Master Class will be ongoing in future seasons as a community initiative from Classical Tahoe. In this inaugural year, the featured participants will be the Incline High School Jazz Band and Truckee High School Jazz Band, whose musicians will work with Brubeck in a workshop, attend a Classical Tahoe rehearsal of the World Premiere of Brubeck’s “Concerto for violin and cello,” and give an informal concert for parents and teachers in the concert Pavilion.

We thank the Firefly Scientists’ Music Institute Grant for the ability to provide this service to area musicians.

Wednesday, August 8th, 2018 @ 9am-12pm: Incline High School Band room located at 499 Village Blvd, Incline Village, NV 89451

Friday, August 10th, 2018 @ 12pm-2:30pm: Classical Tahoe Pavilion located on the campus of SNC at 1 Country Club Dr, Incline Village, NV 89451

Jazz Masterclass open to the musical community only; please rsvp to education@classicaltahoe.org if you’re a musician, teacher or educator that is interested in view these two masterclasses led by Chris Brubeck.

Not open to the general public.

2018 is the inaugural year of a program that invites young professional musicians to be in residence with the Classical Tahoe festival.  This season, the Graduate String Quartet will be joining the festival to perform outreach concerts, teach area young musicians, and do “pop-up” programs where they will take music into non-traditional performance settings.  You never know who you might hear when you are on a trail hike!

Rita Whitaker Haun is a professional ‘cellist with 38 years experience teaching public and private school music for ages birth to seventy.  Rita currently teaches General Music and Strings (Pre-school through Grade Five) for Washoe County School District at Incline Elementary School and her program “Music, Movement, and Me” (Birth to Five) in Truckee, CA.  She plays ‘cello with the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra and her ensemble “ClassiGals”.  Rita lives in Truckee with her husband.