Good Vibrations: Ariel Quartet hosts class at MSA

The Ariel Quartet taught Students at the Manatee School of the Arts how to play vibrato and properly hold their bows Friday as part of The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast’s “Education Outreach Program.”
Manatee School of the Arts was the quartet’s first stop in their series of sessions in Manatee and Sarasota county schools.
The world-class Ariel Quartet is comprised of young musicians Alexandra (Sasha) Kazovsky of Russia, Amit Even-Tov of Israel, Jan Grüning of Germany, and Gershon Gerchikov of Israel.
The quartet gets its title from a nickname for Jerusalem, where they attended an academy for music and dance.
Their class with the students included critiquing their work, a small concert, and a question and answer session.
Music students at the Manatee School for the arts have dreams of playing professionally.
Bassist Miles Demint, Celloist Maya Adair, violinist Seth Hall, violinist Patricia Meelian, and viola player Jada Smith had the opportunity to play for the Ariel Quartet in fromt of their peers.
Demint said he aspires to be a professional double bassist or a music teacher, and Adair said she would like to play in a symphony, perhaps even the New York Philharmonic.
The Ariel Quartet taught students how to relax and be confident when performing in front of an audience.
“When you walk on stage, there should be something magical happening,” Even-Tov said. She took the hands of one nervous student and had her jump up and down.
“Go crazy!” she said. “Scream ‘I don’t care!’ Don’t worry about mistakes.”
The quartet also encouraged the students, who inquired about playing modern music and pop on string, to appreciate classical music.
“Classical string quartet is still a popular medium,” Even-Tov said.
During their concert, the quartet explained the mood, characteristics, keys, and rhythm of each piece.
The Ariel Quartet will continue giving concerts and classes with the Perlman Music Program through next week.
Their schedule is as follows:
-A concert at the Venice Church of the Nazarene 10:30 a.m. Feb. 25
-Orchestra classes at Venice High School 12:35 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Feb. 26
-A concert at the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee 7 p.m. Feb. 26
-An advanced music class at Sarasota High School 12:30 p.m. and a master class at 1:25 p.m. Feb. 27
-String and performance classes at the Out of Door Academy in Sarasota 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and a concert with a question and answer session at 9:15 a.m. Feb. 28
For more information on upcoming classes, visit www.PerlmanMusicProgramSuncoast.org