Hi all! Today, just a quick note about the Lamar Stringfield String Camp and NS Design Instruments.
For the past two weeks, Meredith College in Raleigh, NC has been hosting the Lamar Stringfield String Camp, a day camp for students to focus on string playing, technique, and ensemble playing. Students may attend for 1 or 2 weeks and the camp is open to students ranging in age from early elementary students through high school age students. I have been pleased to be on the faculty of this fine camp for the past 3 years and had a great experience again this summer
As part of the final concert on Friday, Orchestra Conductor, Kirk Moss (President of the American String Teachers Association) programmed a really cool funk tune called Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (By Josef Zawinul, arranged by Bert Ligon, and published by Latham Music) that includes several open sections for improvisation. Kirk invited me to play on the tune and opened it up for student solos as well. As part of that performance, my son, Matt (in the photo on the right), and violinist Jacob Henderson (in the photo on the left) jumped in on the fun and performed improvised solos on their NS Design Wav violins. The performances was really well-received and the Wavs were perfect for the guys. The instruments sounded great and the kids had a ball getting their solos together and dialing in the instruments.
Thanks to NS Design for making such great instruments and making performances like this possible for so many!
Writing in the July issue of DownBeat Magazine, reviewer Jon Paul has high praise for our NXT-5 upright bass:
With the NXT5, NS design has improved upon an already successful model. With high quality Czech workmanship and better woods, this bass is still a bargain, going for only $300–$400 more than the WAV. Nothing can replace the “dog house,” but if your musical situation works with an EUB (electric upright bass), you need to give the NXT5 bass a try.
Jennifer and Jonathan Adams of Montana Skies create a “new acoustic” sound with their pairing of six-string electric cello and Spanish/classical guitar. These award winning musicians delve into music from Pink Floyd and Rush to Vivaldi, House of the Rising Sun, and Bach, as well as their own originals that have been featured everywhere from NPR to the Travel Channel. Using a wide range of effects, Jennifer Adams’ blazing electric cello and Jonathan Adams’ guitar wizardry combine to create a sound that is truly remarkable. With an extensive tour schedule which has taken them all across the US, Canada, Russia and Asia, this vibrant duo is a must see in concert with the finesse and vitruoso of seasoned classical players crossed with the energy of a rock band.
I was recently able to connect with them at their appearance at the TCAN (The Center for the Arts Natick) in Natick, MA on April 30th and was amazed by their purely flawless and excitable performance. With Jonathan reserved, exhibiting his technical prowess on guitar and mastery of technological gadgetry and Jenn dancing across the stage with her NS CR6 Cello and NS’s Original Strap System on her shoulders, these two partners sparred and blended their musical passion into a memorable night of music.
I sat down with Jenn and Jonathan via phone earlier this month and chatted with them about their early beginnings, partnership, Jenn’s experience using the NS CR6 Cello, and both Jenn and Jonathan’s view of music technology, memorable performances and what’s on the horizon for Montana Skies.
Click here to listen to an interview with Jenn & Jonathan Adams and to watch a slideshow. And make sure to check out the Montana Skies website at montanaskiesmusic.ning.com
Hi all! the following is a video that was created by the NCSSM Distance Education Department. It centers around a performance of the NCSSM Orchestra and Ligon Middle School Orchestra in Wake County, NC. This was a really cool performance and a marvelous technological and artistic experience for the students of both schools. I think that my music technology friends around the country will be pleased with this one. I hope that you enjoy the video!
NCSSM Music Instructor Scott Laird explains a collaboration with Ligon Middle School Music Instructor Ruth Johnsen. Interactive Videoconferencing was used to conduct ‘Underground Caverns for Double String Orchestra’ by composer Martha Bishop, a piece specifically written with the built-in latency of videoconferencing in mind. Student musicians from both schools got to experience a unique musical collaboration using IVC technology.
If you are interested in more information on this performance, the following is a link to an interview with Ruth Johnsen from Ligon Middle School that is posted on the WakeCounty Schools website.
Following the Frankfurt Musikmesse, Ned and I spent several days at the factory near Prague in the Czech Republic. These visits help us maintain close contact with the engineers, artisans, and production staff. NS Design instruments are unique, and uniquely demanding in the way that they are crafted. The team behind the production of our instruments is committed to Europe’s old world tradition of quality, precision, and the world’s finest bowed musical instruments.
Factory manager Petr Vykydal (third from the right), and some of the master craftsmen and other members of the engineering team, along with Ned Steinberger (third from the left) and me (second from the left).
Ned works closely with the engineers and artisans on the fine points to ensure that each instrument is meticulously crafted and faithful to the design. Translating from a sophisticated design to a finished product requires considerable experience, and a complex understanding of the materials and the production process.
Ned and I, along with factory manager Petr Vykydal and members of the production and set-up team. This group is chiefly responsible for the many exacting details involved in the final preparation of each instrument.
NS Design is pleased to announce that Education Specialist Scott Laird has been recognized for his groundbreaking educational work with music technology. Scott is the recipient of the 2010 University of North Carolina Board of Governors and North Carolina School of Science and Math Award for Exceptional Contribution in Classroom Innovation.
The award recognizes curriculum development with emphasis on innovative technology, teaching strategies, and activities. Honorees are nominated by their colleagues and submit a portfolio to showcase their work.
Scott, who works as Fine Arts Coordinator and Music Instructor at NCSSM, has made a career of bringing his educational and musical talents to students both inside and outside the classroom. Beginning in the early 1990s, he pioneered the use of electric stringed instruments in traditional orchestra programs. In his portfolio submission, Scott wrote: “I am always seeking innovative methods of instruction that will connect with students and enhance the learning process. I believe that the aspects of music and technology that inspire me as a musician, when presented effectively, will also inspire my students.”
As Educational Specialist for NS Design, Scott has become a valuable resource for music teachers seeking to bring the benefits of electric instruments in their own students. In conjunction with NS Design’s partner, D’Addario Strings, he has produced several instructional videos for students and educators on D’Addario’s website www.thelessonroom.com. Many of these feature NS Design instruments.
“String teachers are necessarily a traditional crowd,” Scott said. “The legitimacy and quality of NS Design’s instruments appeal to those sensibilities.”
Scott is also an active electric violinist and recording artist and has appeared on the Motown, REX and Roadrunner record labels. His latest solo CD, entitled “Simple Gifts,” features performances on a variety of string instruments with an emphasis on the electric violin.
You can learn more about Scott on his website, www.scottlaird.net. From all of us at NS Design, congratulations!
Here at NS Design, we are really pleased to welcome Theresa Jenkins-Russ as a pioneer in our NS Design Artist/Educator program. Theresa is a string and orchestra teacher in the Spartanburg, SC School District, Artistic Director of the Carolina Cool Jazz Orchestra, and President-Elect of the South Carolina Chapter of the American String Teachers Association. Theresa is a fixture on the national string education scene, presenting sessions at numerous national conferences and is known for her work in the “Alternative Styles” world of string ed and for her work in promoting minority composers and musicians. At the recent ASTA national conference in Santa Clara, she presented a session on programming multicultural orchestral literature and conducted the alt styles new music reading session. Her group, The Carolina Cool Jazz Orchestra, is a professional performing group in Spartanburg that brings together musicians of a variety of ages and experience levels to perform primarily great jazz literature. They frequently feature guest soloists and are committed to promoting string instruments as an integral component of the jazz scene. Recent soloists have included Matt Turner, Martin Norgaard, Joe Dread, and me.
Theresa is now performing on the NS Design Wav violin and absolutely loves it. We had the pleasure of spending a good deal of time with her at the NS Design Booth at ASTA and look forward to a long and productive relationship. Congratulations, Theresa, on all of your good work!!
Hi all.
Today, I am the Midwest Clinic in Chicago. It is one of the largest annual gatherings of music educators and music companies. If you are a music educator and have never been to this event, it is really worth the effort to get here at some point.
The string education sessions began this morning with a nice breakfast gathering that was sponsored by the Kjos Publishing Company. It was a really nice event and I had the opportunity to reconnect with many friends from around the country. I was particularly pleased to reconnect with Marvin Rabin, one of the true pioneers in the string ed field. He paved the way for so many of us that are making our careers in public school string education and at age 93, is really getting around well. I had the chance to thank him for the impact he has had on my career. For those of you that are familiar with some of my web-teaching, he planted the seeds for many of the concepts that I teach using finger patterns. (major scales and upper positions) You can see these concepts put to use soon on the D’Addario site: www.thelessonroom.com. I believe that they will be posted very soon.
I also had the opportunity to see Mark O’Connor present a session on his new O’Connor Violin Method. It is available exclusively through Shar Music. I think that he has hit on something really effective here and applaud his efforts to be innovative in the traditional world of string education. There were several performances by students that have studied with Mark in various capacities over the years and they were all fantastic. I am going to check this method out very closely and try it out with my own sons.
Tomorrow, I will be giving a session with Doris Gazda, Matt Turner, Sean O’Laughlin, and Larry Clark. This session is sponsored by Carl Fischer Music and, as always, D’Addario Strings and NS Design are supporting me in this session. This session is called “Teaching the Nitty Gritty: Who Has Time for Anything More?” and will cover a variety of topics related to technique, literature and enrichment to traditional skills in the string classroom. I think that this will be a lively panel discussion and look forward to sharing this platform with my friends. I will certainly have the opportunity in the session to discuss the way that I incorporate electric string technology and NS Design Instruments into my classroom teaching and guest conducting appearances. I am always proud to be a representative of NS Design to the great music education community.
Meanwhile, I have just enjoyed a lunch in my room while jotting down this post. Time to head back over to the conference to get more new ideas! More later…
We received a very nice letter from JC Magsalin, a bass player from Manila, who has been playing the CR4M bass and loving its versatility. We’re always psyched to hear how people appreciate our instruments in all corners of the globe!
Hello there,
My name is Juan Carlo “JC” Magsalin. I’m a session bass player and a member of the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra here in the Philippines. I have
recently acquired an NS CR4M Bass just last March. All I can say is THANK
YOU for making this bass. It’s been a real big help with gigs that require
me to play classical, broadway, and jazz music in one night. It’s a very
versatile instrument that i can switch to whatever sound i want for any
style of playing that i do.
Again, Thank you so much I’ve attached a picture from one of my
performances here in Manila, Philippines
NS Design announces a new designation for the model formerly called Bass Cello. We proudly reintroduce an instrument which, in bridging the electric bass guitar and upright electric bass, is now, and more appropriately, named Omni Bass.
What’s Omni Bass all about?
The NS Omni Bass breaks through conventional barriers by integrating both acoustic and electric upright bass tonality and performance capabilities (including bowing) with the familiar 34 inch bass guitar scale. When tuned in fourths, the four and five string fretless and fretted models use identical fingering to that of the conventional bass guitar, yet deliver dynamic new plucked and bowed sound possibilities for the bassist seeking to extend expressive range. In every playing application, a beautifully resonant low end response is the essence of this remarkable bass instrument.
Some of the additional exciting features of the Omni Bass which we invite you to explore include:
Familiar 34” bass guitar scale
4 and 5 string fretless and fretted models
The Polar™ Pickup System provides a natural sound with deep bass response and brilliant highs. The Polar pickup has two modes of operation: arco and pizzicato, allowing the player to control attach and decay characteristics when plucking, or to optimize for bowed response.
Custom designed EMG™ low impedance magnetic pickups give a smooth response with thundering bass output and lots of sweet midrange for the quintessential “electric” tone.
Active controls include two balance controls for unlimited mixing options for the magnetic and Polar Pickup systems. Onboard pre-amplification provides master volume, bass and treble controls.
The patented Boomerang Strap System allows the instrument to be placed in virtually any position, vertical or transverse, and makes the Omni Bass a nearly effortless extension of the musician’s body. An End Pin Stand is also available for fixed upright-bass-style vertical support.
As Educational Specialist for NS Design, Scott has become a valuable resource for music teachers seeking to bring the benefits of electric instruments in their own students. In conjunction with NS Design’s partner, D’Addario Strings, he has produced several instructional videos for students and educators on D’Addario’s website 
I’ve attached a picture from one of my
NS Design announces a new designation for the model formerly called Bass Cello. We proudly reintroduce an instrument which, in bridging the electric bass guitar and upright electric bass, is now, and more appropriately, named Omni Bass.
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