Members of the Eastman Viola Ensemble with Professor Carol Rodland (fifth from left)
Eastman viola students (and their teachers Carol Rodland and George Taylor) were in the spotlight several times during the 2016 American Viola Society Festival, which was held this year from June 8 through June 11 at Oberlin College Conservatory. Four of the five finalists in the collegiate division were Eastman students: Alexander McLaughlin, Sergio Munoz, and Daniel Spink from Rodland’s studio, and Joyce Tseng from George Taylor’s studio. First prize in the Festival Competition went to Alex McLaughlin, and Honorable Mention to Sergio Munoz.
In addition, the Eastman Viola Ensemble, with soloist Alex McLaughlin and conductor Peter Folliard, performed French composer Nicolas Bacri’s Piccolo Concerto Notturno (Little Nocturnal Concerto), a work co-commissioned by Eastman and first performed here in October 2015. The Ensemble led the sections for the world premiere of Kenji Bunch’s Rise and Shine.
The Eastman Viola Ensemble under Peter Folliard with soloist Alex McLaughlin in Bacri’s Piccolo Concerto Notturno
Professor Carol Rodland was also featured with her sister, the organist Catherine Rodland (MM ’88, DMA ’92), in The Rodland Duo; their recital included the premiere of Ballast by David Liptak, of Eastman’s composition faculty.
To quote Carol’s summing-up: “Fantastic week for all involved!”