Special to 1812Blockhouse
Mansfield Symphony Orchestra’s concertmaster Victor Beyens gave a masterclass this Friday May 14 on the Renaissance Theater stage.
Mr. Beyens is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music where he studied with David Updegraff and William Preucil. Four High School Violinists from the Mansfield Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO) had the opportunity to perform in the class and observe a Symphony Rehearsal under the leadership of Octavio Mas-Arocas. Victor Beyens was featured as a guest artist performing the Bruch Violin Concerto.
Students performing in the class included: Faith Kaschube (Saint Saens Violin Concerto No. 1, Mvt. I); Joseph Litao (Ziegeunerweisen by Sarasate); Thomas Secrist (Barber Violin Concerto, Mvt. I); and Ella Schag (Mendelssohn Violin Concerto Mvt. I). MSYO Conductor Stephen Domka accompanied on the piano and the Renaissance Theatre sponsored the event.
The difference between a normal class and a master class is typically the setup. In a master class, all the students (and often spectators) watch and listen as the master takes one student at a time. The student (typically intermediate or advanced, depending on the status of the master) usually performs a single piece which they have prepared, and the master will give them advice on how to play it, often including anecdotes about the composer, demonstrations of how to play certain passages, and admonitions of common technical errors. The student is then usually expected to play the piece again, in light of the master’s comments, and the student may be asked to play a passage repeatedly to attain perfection.
Masterclasses for musical instruments tend to focus on the finer details of attack, tone, phrasing, and overall shape, and the student is expected to have complete control of more basic elements such as rhythm and pitch. The value of the master class setup is that all students can benefit from the master’s comments on each piece.
The Renaissance Theatre is a performing arts theater located at 138 Park Avenue West, Mansfield, Ohio. For more information about the Ren, visit rentickets.org or contact [email protected]. View behind the scenes videos and more on YouTube.
Photo: Pictured left to right are Joseph Litao, Ella Schag, Faith Kaschube, Victor Beyens, Thomas Secrist, and Stephen Domka.
Source, Photo: Renaissance Performing Arts Association
