The Counterpoint Club

Just like Opus 1, this series will feature 5 episodes, each centered on an important theme or aspect of chamber music.

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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, books, and cooking.

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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.

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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 practicing and performing.

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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.

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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 opportunities.

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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. Hear Mr. Hadelich, Sarah, and Justin in their engaging conversation about necessary skills beyond musical artistry to be a successful performer, how he is inspired, and his thoughts about social media and creative outlets in this time of pandemic restriction.

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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 renowned violin soloist Augustin Hadelich, talks with Sarah and Justin about becoming a successful performer, what inspires him, social media, and much more.

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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 called madang.

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The third episode of the Counterpoint Club is all about intonation. Sarah guides a history lesson through different tuning systems used in all kinds of music. In the technique lesson, Brandon discusses tuning exercises that the Skyros Quartet uses in rehearsal, and how you might use them in your rehearsals. Our special guest is John Largess, violist of the Miro Quartet and Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music.

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