End of 2010-2011 The Arts at Grace Concert Season

The Arts at Grace is offering a unique musical event to end its 2010-2011 concert season with a flourish. You will not want to miss the twenty-two member New Violin Family Orchestra (NVFO) in a concert at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 24 at Grace Episcopal-Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, 13 Court Street in Cortland. The Ithaca-based NVFO is the only orchestra in the world whose members perform entirely on instruments of the New Violin Family.

What is the New Violin Family? It consists of eight unique types of violins that range in size from the very small piccolo violin to the seven foot tall contrabass. Soprano, mezzo, alto, tenor, baritone and bass violins are other voices in the ensemble. The group is often praised for its powerful, rich, balanced sound.

Since the typical violin, viola, cello and bass are not found in the New Violin Family, NVFO members are provided with the instruments they play. About half have been made by well-known Central New York violin-maker Bob Spear, the originator of the orchestra. Others were constructed overseas according to his designs and specifications. Spear will open the concert on July 24 by introducing the instruments to the audience. Additional information can be found on the orchestra’s web page http://octavivo.org/nvfo.html

The 2011 NYVO conductor is Erik Kibelsbeck. Educated at Eastman School of Music and Ithaca College, Kibelsbeck coordinates the Ithaca College music facilities and publicity. He is music director of the Onondaga Civic Symphony and music director/organist at Ithaca’s St. Luke Lutheran Church. Under his baton on July 24, the NVYO will play works by Telemann, Bach, Mozart, Respighi, Raff, and Winer.

After the concert concludes, audience members are invited to stay for a reception where they can meet the players and conductor to hear more about these unique instruments and the challenges inherent in working with them. Bob Spear also will be available to discuss the process of creating instruments of the New Violin Family.

The Arts at Grace is a community outreach effort of Grace Episcopal/Holy Spirit Lutheran Church assisted by the Wilkins Foundation, individuals and businesses from the greater Cortland community, and New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Grants. Admission to all Arts at Grace events is free, but voluntary donations are welcome. For more information, call (607) 753-3073 during business hours.