Month: March 2020

Vera Quartet and Meng-Chieh Liu Offer Live-Streamed Recital on March 13

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PHILADELPHIA—March 12, 2020— The string quartet in residence and a prominent faculty performer from the Curtis Institute of Music, in collaboration with the Chamber Music Society of Detroit, will offer a live-streamed performance on Friday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET. A preconcert talk with David Serkin Ludwig, chair of composition studies at Curtis, will begin at 7 p.m. ET. The live stream will be available at Curtis.edu/YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIDffmGiHP0).

Touring artists include alumnus and faculty member Meng-Chieh Liu (’93) on piano and the Vera Quartet, now its second year as string quartet in residence at Curtis. The Vera will perform Quartet No. 4 in C minor, Op. 18, No. 4 by Beethoven and Quartet No. 4 (“Silent Temple”) by Bright Sheng, Curtis’s 2019–20 composer in residence. Mr. Liu joins the group for the luxuriant Piano Quintet in F minor by César Franck to finish the program, which was prepared for a three-part United States tour.

The touring artists previously performed this program at venues in Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts in November 2019 and in Florida in January 2020. Of a recital in Rockport, Mass., the Boston Musical Intelligencer wrote, “Meng-Chieh Liu…wove magic into every note (or bundle of notes) he sent our way,” and “The [Vera Quartet] made the most of Beethoven’s dramatic contrasts.”

Due to declarations of a state of emergency as coronavirus cases increase, Curtis on Tour has cancelled the third leg of this tour, including in-person performances in California, Michigan, Chicago, and Washington D.C. originally scheduled throughout March 2020. The decision was made out of concern for the health and well-being of the artists, and aligns with Curtis’s school-wide modifications to operations.

The Chamber Music Society of Detroit (CMSD), which was to present three performances in the greater Detroit area, has collaborated with Curtis to offer this live stream and has invited interested local patrons to view it collectively in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. Visit chambermusicdetroit.org/curtis for more information about the screening in Michigan.

The Vera Quartet is in its second season as quartet in residence at the Curtis Institute of Music. In 2019–20 the quartet appears with piano faculty member Meng-Chieh Liu in performances across the United States for Curtis on Tour, the Nina von Maltzahn global touring initiative.

The Vera Quartet shares the uniquely democratic dynamic of a string quartet with diverse audiences, both within and beyond the concert hall. Winner of the 2018 Astral Artists National Auditions, the quartet has also received grand prizes at the Plowman Chamber Music Competition and the Chamber Music in Yellow Springs Competition for Emerging Professional Ensembles, top prizes from the M-Prize Chamber Arts Competition, and the St. Lawrence String Quartet Prize from the Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition. In 2017 the group participated in the Robert Mann and Juilliard string quartet seminars, and was selected by NPR’s Performance Today as Young Artists in Residence.

The Vera Quartet has attended the chamber music residency program at the Banff Centre, the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, the McGill International String Quartet Academy, and the Center for Advanced Quartet Studies at the Aspen Music Festival and School, where they worked closely with composer Augusta Read Thomas and gave the local premiere of her Selene. The quartet previously held a residency at the Beethoven-Haus in Bonn, Germany; and served as the graduate quartet in residence at the Jacobs School of Music, where they worked with the Pacifica Quartet, collaborated with the IU Latin American Music Center and the IU New Music Ensemble, and partnered with the Musical Arts Youth Organization.

A recipient of the 2002 Avery Fisher Career Grant, pianist Meng-Chieh Liu first made headlines in 1993 as a 21-year-old student, when he substituted for André Watts at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia with three hours’ notice. His acclaimed performance was followed by a recital at the Kennedy Center, among other highly praised appearances.

He has appeared with orchestras under conductors Christoph Eschenbach, Gustavo Dudamel, and Alan Gilbert, among others. His concerts have been broadcast around the world, and Taiwanese National Television has aired a documentary on his life. A dedicated chamber musician, he has collaborated with Shmuel Ashkenasi, James Buswell, Bernard Greenhouse, David Soyer, Wendy Warner, and the Borromeo and St. Lawrence string quartets. He was artistic director of Chicago Chamber Musicians from 2011 to 2014; and has also collaborated with artists in other disciplines, including Mikhail Baryshnikov and his White Oak Dance Project.

Mr. Liu received a Bachelor of Music degree from the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Jorge Bolet, Eleanor Sokoloff, and Claude Frank. He won first prizes in the Stravinsky, Asia Pacific Piano, and Mieczyslaw Munz competitions.

Mr. Liu has been a member of the Curtis Institute of Music faculty since 1993 and also serves on the faculty of the New England Conservatory.

Curtis on Tour is the Nina von Maltzahn global touring initiative of the Curtis Institute of Music. Grounded in the school’s “learn by doing” philosophy, it offers students real-world, professional touring experience alongside celebrated alumni and faculty. In addition to performing, musicians offer master classes, interactive programs, and community engagement activities while on tour. Curtis on Tour also facilitates solo performances of Curtis students and alumni with professional orchestras and recital series. Since the program was established in 2008, students, faculty, and alumni have performed more than 300 concerts in over 100 cities in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Learn more at Curtis.edu/Tour.

In the 2019–20 school year, the Curtis Institute of Music celebrates 95 years of educating and training exceptionally gifted young musicians to engage a local and global community through the highest level of artistry. With a small student body of about 175, Curtis provides each young musician with an unparalleled education alongside musical peers, distinguished by personalized attention from celebrated faculty and a “learn by doing” philosophy. To ensure that admissions are based solely on artistic promise, Curtis makes an investment in each admitted student so that no tuition is charged for their studies. Curtis students hone their craft through more than 200 orchestra, opera, and solo and chamber music offerings each year in Philadelphia and around the world.

 


CURTIS ON TOUR LIVE STREAM: Vera Quartet and Meng-Chieh Liu


Friday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Preconcert talk at 7 p.m.

Online live-streamed performance is available at Curtis.edu/YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIDffmGiHP0

Vera Quartet, string quartet
Meng-Chieh Liu, piano (’93)

BEETHOVEN
SHENG
FRANCK		 Quartet No. 4 in C minor, Op. 18, No. 4
Quartet No. 4 (“Silent Temple”)
Piano Quintet in F minor


Curtis on Tour is the Nina von Maltzahn global touring initiative of the Curtis Institute of Music.

 

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Arts Education Month: Anthea Kreston (Violin ’93) on Learning Online

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Recently Anthea Kreston (Violin ’93) was featured in the New York Times for coaching a young violin student via Skype during the initial period of coronavirus lockdown in China. The youngster is one of several students Anthea routinely teaches using video-chat platforms. This made us curious to learn more about how this avid educator teaches her online students.

How did you find students for online lessons?

I started to teach on Skype when I met a wonderful Indian violinist in Italy during a festival. She lives in an area of India which has very few, if any, Western violinists or instructors, and so she was essentially self-taught. We decided to try Skype lessons after this, and I slowly developed a new technique for teaching online. Other students came this way as well—people I met in parts of the world where the only way to continue our relationship was online. When I moved to Germany four years ago, some of my students in the U.S. decided to continue online lessons, and when we just moved back a couple of months ago, several students in Berlin have continued. It isn’t something I actively pursue, but for some situations it is perfect.

What are some of the unique challenges of teaching online—as opposed to being in the same room with a student—and how do you work around them?

Well, first of all you must have a good sense of humor, and be very well-organized in your setup. I use multiple stands, make sure my batteries are at max, have all of my materials ready to go, and stay close to my router.  We talk about the funny things that can happen, practice some “fake freeze” moves, and realize that freezing and reconnecting will be an occasional part of the relationship. I also make use of the camera—for both me and the student—for closeups, or being at a certain angle to get a closeup of the bow hand or bow angle. You can actually get much more detailed in some ways. And depending on the country, you have to find your perfect medium—WeChat, Google Hangouts, FaceTime—they all have advantages and disadvantages. It is also a great thing that the student can easily record the lesson—both sides of it—and re-watch.

What are the advantages, in your view? What kinds of assignments work especially well?

I like to take detailed notes and (send the student) an assignment graph, as well as scans of any new assignments. It’s easy to keep organized sharing documents, markings, and suggestions.  I often give detailed video assignments during the week, and I can send videos of myself doing a difficult shift, or whatnot. And each student has a little video library–from serious to fun assignments—that they can e-mail to family members far away.

You’ve recently gotten attention for giving daily lessons to a student under coronavirus lockdown in China, and challenging him to learn the notoriously difficult Symphonie Espagnole. How is his “Lalo boot camp” coming along?

It’s great. Kevin is now, after 7 weeks, back to school—although it is all remote learning for them now. He is still inside for at least a couple of more weeks. I stay in touch with his dad too. We are all the way through the concerto now. He is learning so fast now, and his ability to make decisions, both musical and technical, is greatly improved. He is finding his own voice more and more every day—teaching himself, in many ways. We have daily contact, and I get at least two videos a day from him. I showed him a sample spreadsheet, and he keeps detailed records of every day, every video, and our conversations about them. He has to articulate himself in writing. It’s a good challenge. In the meantime, Kevin and his father are giving us advice on how to prepare ourselves for possible COVID-19 ramifications—they are as concerned about us as we are about them. It’s a nice family to be a part of.

Anything else you’d like to say about teaching online?

It’s a lot of fun! You can decide to show the student around your house, or teach the lesson in a silly shirt. Sometimes I show them what I am making for dinner or what the weather is outside, or they meet our new guinea pig. We send each other our favorite recordings and say hello to each other’s families. My youngest daughter takes Facetime lessons with my oldest sister Aimee, who is also a Curtis grad. I feel so lucky to have that opportunity for her. And my sister and husband are volunteer teaching friends of Kevin‘s until they are back in school.

Update on COVID-19, the “coronavirus”

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March 10, 2020

Dear Curtis community,

The Curtis Institute of Music continues to respond to the developing situation regarding COVID-19, known as the coronavirus. As we reported to you yesterday, multiple staff across Curtis are working together under guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the University of Pennsylvania Student Health Service (Penn SHS) to ensure the health and safety of our community.

There are no known cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in the Curtis community at this time. We are continually monitoring the situation, however, and have developed plans to respond if that changes. The health and well-being of our community are our highest priority, and we are carefully considering all options, including the possible suspension of operations.

While there is no known threat at this time, we are exercising caution to ensure the safety of our community and hope to reduce the school community’s exposure by modifying our operations as follows.

Extension of Curtis spring break to Sunday, March 22
We have made the decision to extend our current spring vacation through Sunday, March 22. During this period, no school-sponsored activities—lessons, coachings, rehearsals, classes, etc.—will be scheduled. Dining services will continue to be closed.

Students currently at home for spring vacation are urged to stay there, and students in Philadelphia—particularly those residing in Lenfest Hall—are encouraged to take this opportunity to return home if possible. The current understanding of COVID-19 suggests that less dense residential environments may prevent the spread of the virus. Students needing travel assistance from Curtis should contact Dean Bryan. We will continue to support Lenfest Hall residents who are unable to leave Philadelphia; those students will receive a separate message with more details. Please check your curtis.edu e-mail frequently.

For those in our community remaining in Philadelphia during the extended break, access to Curtis’s campus facilities, such as practice rooms and rehearsal spaces, will remain open to Curtis students, faculty, and staff. We kindly ask that alumni who access Curtis facilities for personal use refrain from doing so until further notice.

Modification of remaining auditions
In an effort to minimize our community’s exposure to the coronavirus, we have made the difficult decision to cancel or alter the remaining departmental auditions. Voice/opera auditions scheduled for March 12–15 have been canceled as have those in violin (March 20–21) and cello (March 25–26). Composition interviews will be conducted by Skype. Should updated information on COVID-19 permit a discussion of rescheduling any of these auditions, affected applicants will be contacted. While this is no doubt extremely disappointing, Curtis will be in contact with the applicants about options to audition next year.

Modification of public events and performances
Due to the extension of spring break at Curtis, all performances and master classes that were to take place from March 16 to 22 will be rescheduled for a later date. From March 23 to 31, in-person audiences for on-campus Curtis performances will be limited only to Curtis students, staff, and faculty, but performances will be streamed live via YouTube and Facebook for the enjoyment of our regular attendees in Philadelphia and around the world. Master classes will not be open to the general public during the March 22–31 period and will not be streamed live. In the days ahead, we will be updating the Curtis performance calendar accordingly.

Curtis on Tour performances in the Detroit area (March 13–15), Chicago (March 18), and Washington, D.C. (March 22) have been cancelled.

All Curtis performances from April 1 through the end of the semester will proceed as scheduled with live audiences, but are subject to change as we monitor the impact of COVID-19 on our operations. For questions about performances, please contact tickets@curtis.edu.

Please stay tuned
We will continue to keep you apprised of additional changes as the situation develops. Updates will be posted on our website and social media channels and will be e-mailed to Curtis community members via curtis.edu e-mail addresses.

Thank you for your participation in these measures to help ensure the continued health and well-being of our entire community.

Sincerely,

Roberto Díaz
President and CEO

Important Information Regarding COVID-19

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March 9, 2020

Dear Curtis community,

Curtis is committed to supporting everyone in our community throughout the developing situation of the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19 or 2019-nCoV. Under guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the University of Pennsylvania Student Health Service (Penn SHS), multiple staff across Curtis are working together to ensure the health and safety of our campus and to follow relevant protocols to address any cases that may arise on our campus.

At this time, there are no identified cases of COVID-19 in our community. As part of being proactive, Curtis will continue to look at any and all options to keep our students, staff, and faculty healthy.  This could include suspending all operations. This document summarizes actions that have been taken to date, outlines precautionary behaviors, and identifies further resources. Updated information will be posted as it is available.

We would like to remind everyone that while the origins of the virus were in China, the virus does not have a race, ethnicity, or geopolitical boundary. Cases have been documented in individuals of varying ages, genders, and countries of citizenship. Curtis has immense appreciation for our international students, faculty, and community members from China and other affected areas, and condemns the profiling occurring in some places in the United States. All members of the Curtis community are expected to treat each other with consideration and maintain standards of conduct.  We will not tolerate harassment of any kind.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19, also known as 2019-nCoV and coronavirus, is a newly identified virus causing an outbreak of pneumonia illness. It was first identified in December 2019 in central China and since then has spread to most areas of the globe. This new virus is a public health concern because it is new and so much about it is still unknown.

Should I panic?

No. The CDC estimates that so far this season there have been at least 15 million flu illnesses in the United States, causing 140,000 hospitalizations, and 8,200 deaths. Currently flu is a far bigger threat than COVID-19. We encourage all community members to be aware of the measures you can take, outlined below, to help protect you from contracting an illness.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms are similar to those of the flu and can range from mild to serious. Specifically, an infected person will have a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.

What should I do if I am experiencing symptoms?

Seek medical care right away. Students should contact Penn Student Health, an urgent care location in Center City, or an emergency room.

  • Call the facility first.  The provider will conduct a symptom screening over the phone, then provide further instructions.
  • Avoid contact with others. Do not travel on public transportation. Curtis will reimburse the cost of a ride-share service or taxi.
  • Any student experiencing symptoms should notify Dean Tarditi or Dean Bryan immediately. Faculty and staff should contact Human Resources.

How is it transmitted?

It is currently believed that coronavirus spreads from person-to-person, likely through droplets of saliva when someone coughs or sneezes.

How is it treated?

People infected with COVID-19 should receive health care immediately to relieve symptoms. There is no specific antiviral treatment, nor a vaccine.

What can I do to protect myself?

  1. Get a flu vaccine, if you have not done so already. Students are able to get a flu vaccine for free at Penn Student Health.
  2. Wash your hands often and well. Handwashing is the best and most effective way to prevent the spread of germs. Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol. Sanitizer stations are location in every Curtis building and common area and are always stocked.
  3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  4. Avoid contact with people who are sick.
  5. Do not share utensils, water bottles, cigarettes or vapes, reeds, mouthpieces, or anything else that touches another person’s mouth.
  6. Avoid kissing and any intimate contact with a person showing respiratory symptoms like coughing, fever, and shortness of breath.
  7. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and dispose.
  8. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces like your cell phone, computer, doorknobs, handles, and light switches.
  9. Stay home if you feel sick.

Should I wear a mask?

Masks are only recommended for those individuals experiencing symptoms. The evidence regarding using masks for prevention is mixed, as many people do not use masks correctly. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health and the CDC do not currently recommend masks for the prevention of viruses.

What if I need to travel outside of the United States?

Per the Department of State and the CDC, travel to countries with a Level 3 or Level 4 Travel Advisory should be cancelled. As of March 9, such countries include China, Iran, Venezuela, South Korea, Italy, Mongolia, and others. Travel to Japan, Hong Kong, or Russia is categorized as Level 2, which advises enhanced precautions. Curtis does not recommend travel to any of these areas unless absolutely necessary.
If you are traveling to any other country, we advise the following:

  • Stay alert to travel restrictions and advisories from the U.S. Department of State.  These are changing every day as more countries are affected.
  • Be aware of your flight path and any layovers in a restricted country.
  • Purchase refundable tickets.
  • Purchase travel insurance with trip interruption and medical evacuation coverage.
  • Check your e-mail at least daily for updates.
  • Travel with all key documents, including your passport, driver’s license, visa, I-20, and I-94.
  • Ensure you have health insurance for your destination country.
  • Practice everyday precautions to prevent the spread of germs, as listed above.
  • If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, seek medical care as quickly as possible and notify Curtis, as described above.

What actions is Curtis taking to protect the health of the community? 

Updated March 11, 2020

Multiple units across Curtis are working together to ensure the health of the community. Below is a summary of some actions that have been taken to date. Please be assured that this list will be updated as the situation unfolds. 

  • Extension of Spring Break.  The current spring vacation will be extended until Sunday, March 22.  During this period, no school-sponsored activities – lessons, coachings, rehearsals, classes, etc. – will be scheduled.  Dining services will continue to be closed.  Access to Curtis facilities, such as practice rooms and rehearsal spaces, will be limited to Curtis students, faculty, and staff only. Students currently at home for spring vacation are urged to stay there, and students in Philadelphia – particularly those residing in Lenfest Hall – are encouraged to take this opportunity to return home if possible.  The current understanding of COVID-19 suggests that less dense residential environments may prevent the spread of the virus.  

  • Auditions. In an effort to minimize our community’s exposure to the coronavirus, we have made the difficult decision to cancel or alter the remaining departmental auditions.  Should updated information on COVID-19 permit a discussion of rescheduling any of these auditions, affected applicants will be contacted.
  • Travel. Travel by Curtis faculty, staff, and students is monitored through several mechanisms. For the immediate future, there are no institutional activities or travel planned to any of the high-risk areas. To date, several competitions and student performances in China and Japan have been cancelled, and we have not had students travel to affected areas since before the outbreak. Curtis on Tour engagements are being evaluated individually and will be cancelled if deemed to pose a community health risk. 

A campus-wide alert was sent on March 5, asking all students, faculty, and staff to register Spring Break travel. If you did not yet register your travel, please do so by clicking this link to the Travel Registry. This information will enable us to assess the risk posed to our community by exposure through travel. We will continue to monitor this and will update the community on policies in accordance with Department of State and CDC guidelines. 

  • Performances.  Due to the extension of spring break at Curtis, all performances and masterclasses that were to take place from March 16 to 22 will be rescheduled for a later date. From March 23 to 31, in-person audiences for on-campus Curtis performances will be limited only to Curtis students, staff, and faculty, but will be streamed live via YouTube and Facebook for the enjoyment of our regular attendees in Philadelphia and from around the world. Masterclasses will not be open to the general public during the March 22-31 period and will not be streamed live. In the days ahead, we will be updating the Curtis performance calendar accordingly.  

Curtis on Tour performances in the Detroit area (March 13-15), Chicago (March 18), and Washington, DC (March 22) have been canceled. All Curtis performances from April 1 through the end of the semester will proceed as scheduled with live audiences but are subject to change as we monitor the impact of COVID-19 on our operations. For questions about performances, please contact tickets@curtis.edu. 

  • Facilities. The Facilities Operations staff are diligent in their care and cleaning of all Curtis buildings, which occurs daily. During this flu season, extra attention is being paid to door handles, light switches, elevator buttons, and high contact areas. Hand sanitizer stations are located in every building and common area and are always stocked, as are the soap dispensers in all restrooms. These precautions, together with vigilant hand washing, should decrease the risk of germs being spread. 

  • Human Resources. Any faculty or staff member experiencing symptoms should err on the side of caution and stay home, for your personal well-being as well as the health and safety of our community. Human Resources will be sending a message to all employees later this week detailing accommodations being put in place in the event of unforeseen absences related to COVID-19.  These exceptional circumstances will require special consideration. 
  • Academics. In the event of a campus outbreak, the decision may be made to cancel classes, lessons, and campus activities. Community members should always check e-mail for notifications. Every effort will be made to continue academic coursework with minimal interruption using Canvas and other online platforms. Any student experiencing symptoms should stay home. Course absences due to this unforeseen medical situation will be accommodated as needed. 
  • Residence Life. Following guidelines from the American College Health Association and the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International, Curtis is developing an institutional isolation plan to enact if and when an infected person is identified on our campus. This includes quarantine housing, environmental protection, and meal availability. Details of the plan will be made available when it has been finalized. 

Contingency plans are also being developed in the event that a member of the Curtis community is unable to travel to their home during a session break or over the summer holiday. This will be updated as Department of State and CDC travel restrictions are implemented and/or lifted. 

How can I stay informed of emergency alerts and updates?

Curtis utilizes the OneCall Now emergency notification system for students, faculty, and staff. In the event of a campus emergency, crisis, or shutdown, you will be alerted by call, e-mail, and text message.

Campus alerts are also posted on the Curtis Campus Alerts website: https://info.curtis.edu/alerts.

For questions about the OneCall Now system, contact Nicholas Lewis, associate dean of student and academic affairs, at nicholas.lewis@curtis.edu.

Where can I find more information?

•    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
•    World Health Organization
•    Philadelphia Department of Public Health
•    Department of Homeland Security Pandemic Readiness

Thank you for doing your part to help keep our campus community safe and healthy.If you have any questions about this document, please contact Trisha Carpino, senior director of human resources, at patricia.carpino@curtis.edu; or Meredith Tarditi, associate dean of student life and international student affairs, at meredith.tarditi@curtis.edu.

 

Curtis Opera Theatre: Albert Herring

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From March 5-8, 2020, Curtis Opera Theatre presented Benjamin Britten’s comedy Albert Herring. In addition to sparkling vocal performances, the cast delivered impeccable comedic timing in this story of May Day in a peculiar small town. Photos: WMB Photo