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phoenixphest virtual

Education for Happiness (EFH) has partnered with the Bayberry String Quartet to create a new online PhoenixPhest chamber music festival utilizing accessible digital platforms. EFH and Bayberry will be dedicated to exploring the depths of online learning and creating.   At the PhoenixPhest Virtual, P2V, students will learn new technological tools so they can continue nourishing their creativity, their love of music, and enjoy camaraderie with their fellow musicians, even though they cannot meet in person. 

The Bayberry String Quartet has created a curriculum that is engaging, challenging, and satisfying.   The virtual Phest curriculum for chamber music ensembles will provide a transformative weekend of music study and exploration, introducing new technologies for creating music in an online studio, while encouraging students to build observational and listening skills, empathy and patience for their peers, and engage in self-reflection for personal growth and professional success.  The approach is equally structured to care for a student’s wellness as it is to nourish their musical creativity. Compassion and mindfulness are essential to building a supportive community. At PhoenixPhest we nourish the whole musician in each of us.  Bring your own chamber group or let us form one for you!

Friday 5:30-8pm ET | Saturday and Sunday 10:30am-5pm ET | $350

Quotes from the Virtual Chamber Music Pilot Weekend June 5-7, 2020:

“This tool (BandLab) is a tool, but over this weekend, you’ve shown us the process.  That’s the part we needed.  It’s totally clear to us how we can work together and circle back to all our other pieces, whatever we want to do.  It never ends, we can circle back to all these pieces and work out all these details because we have a process.  That’s the gift you’ve given us.  And that’s awesome.”

“I was very resistant and  frustrated with the technology at first and now I’m on fire because it’s an obvious tool to connect with my quartet and keep working even though we can’t get together.  If you can convince me, you’re on the right track.”

“I’ve had a very amazing experience! Thank you all so much for making this possible!!!!”

“This was very enjoyable and we’re thinking about continuing finish the whole piece sketch and move on to something else :D”

“I wish we could just have a little more time, but I had an amazing time. And I mean, AMAZING!!”

Daily Schedule Includes

  • Class/Rehearsal: 5 hours daily- A balanced mix of time with teacher, ensemble, and solo practice

  • Lunch Hour: Virtual with your ensemble or off-screen breaktime

  • General good time: Bond with fellow Phesters through guided activities

  • Individual breakout times with Teacher

PhoenixPhest Focus on the Whole Musician

  • Wellness: finding happiness in the learning process

  • Active listening: learning to be moved by others.

  • Excellence through compassion

  • Mutual trust & collaborative problem solving

  • Independence and confidence building

  • Life-long love of music (both as audience member and player)

  • Core group skills: rhythm, group sound, expression, and intonation

  • New!  Technology for Musicians

              ” Classical and Jazz Ensemble Recording for the 21st Century”