Julian Müller

I have just heard from Julian Müller who is now studying at Indiana University. Julian is the recipient of a scholarship from the Ferris Burtis Foundation this year.

Here are some quotes from his message: 'My teacher here is excellent. I am discovering many things about my body and how it relates to the cello. My sound has opened up and things seem as if they are going in the right direction.

I did very well on a screened orchestra audition and got into one of the two top ensembles of the University's five orchestras. I am in a Chamber Orchestra, one of four cellos which is very exposed and really exciting. I am in two chamber groups. So I am very busy and learning a lot, taking other classes, theory, piano, and a pedagogy class.'

Bravo, Julian! We cheer you on to greater heights.

Julian will play a recital for us here at Rood Hill Farm in the spring or summer when he returns from Indiana.

The Ferris Burtis Foundation welcomes your gifts to help us continue our work with young classical musicians. Checks made out to 'Ferris Burtis Foundation' may be sent to:
Berkshire Taconic Foundation, 800 North Main Street, Sheffield, MA 01257.

Elektra Ensemble

The wonderful Elektra Ensemble is even more wonderful now. Their new pianist is Anastasia Seifetdinova. She was born in the Ukraine and is a graduate of the Hochschule für Musik in Würzburg, Germany and holds a Master's Degree from the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford.

Of her Weill Hall début in 2006, the New York Concert Review wrote, 'For a critic, hearing a new pianist with a truly warm, luscious tone is like breathing the scent of jasmine blooming- a pleasure to be recalled again and again.' She is the recipient of numerous international prizes in piano.

I recently heard them in a sensational dress rehearsal for a concert in Mystic, CT. Their sense of musical unity is superb. They play as one. Anastasia adds a wonderful new dimension to this already exceptional trio.

The Ferris Burtis Music Foundation continues to support them in their on-going career.

Gifts to the Foundation are tax-deductible and may be sent to: Ferris Burtis Foundation, Berkshire Taconic Foundation, 800 North Main Street, Sheffield, MA 01257. Help us in our effort to promote brilliant young musical artists like these.

Yevgeny and Benedikt

This afternoon Yevgeny Kutik gave a violin lesson to young Benedikt Winzer in my music studio at Rood Hill Farm. This came about as a result of the Ferris Burtis Music Foundation contributing to Yevgeny's recent recording project. He offered a violin lesson to donors who gave a certain amount. I decided it was too late for me to take up the violin, so I offered it to Benedikt.

He has studied violin for five years. He is eight at present. We played the first movement of a Schubert Sonata for Yevgeny and Yevgeny went to work, helping Benedict with various technical problems. He felt that Benedict is very talented but needs to correct some physical habits before they become damaging.

He worked at relaxing Benedikt's bow arm as well as his left arm and hand. The results were obvious at once.

Benedikt hopes to work with Yevgeny from time to time. Benedict's parents, Andrea and Peter, came in for a part of the session.

Yevgeny in Prague

The Ferris Burtis Music Foundation is proud to join Prince William Lobkowicz in presenting Yevgeny Kutik in his Prague début at the Lobkowicz Palace in Prague Castle on May 23, 2012. Yevgeny has been under the aegis of the Foundation since winning the Ferris Burtis Scholarship eight years ago.

William Lobkowicz and myself

My very good friend Will is responsible for arranging this concert which will be given for 'Friends of the Princely Collections', the family's art museum located in the Lobkowicz Palace.

The Ferris Burtis Foundation is happy to accept gifts to help further our work with talented young musicians. If you wish to make a gift, send your check to Maeve O'Dea, Berkshire Taconic Foundation, 800 North Main Street, Sheffield, MA 01257.

Thank you.

Herbs new book

My newest book on singing and singers is just out. I am donating all of the proceeds to the Ferris Burtis Music Foundation.

To order a copy, send a check for $20.00 made out to Ferris Burtis Foundation, to Herbert Burtis, 53 Rood Hill Road, Sandisfield, MA 01255.

Any amount over the cost of printing and mailing is tax deductible.

I am happy to announce that Yevgeny Kutik's Kickstarter Campaign to fund his first professional album has gone over the top! Congratulations.

Yevgeny's new album

The Ferris Burtis Music Foundation has helped set in motion the recording process for Yevgeny Kutik's major new album. The recording was done in the studios of WGBH, Public Radio, in Boston with pianist Tim Bozarth.

To help Yevgeny in this project, go to http://www.kickstarter.com/ and choose 'Yevgeny Kutik's First Major Album'. You can pledge any amount from $1.00 to infinity.

In addition to the amount given by my Foundation I have also pledged an amount from my private funds. This brilliant young violinist is worthy of your support.

Please make a pledge today. He must have over $7000.00 by July 9th to complete the project.

Thank you, Herb

http://www.yevgenykutik.com/

Under Management

The Ferris Burtis Music Foundation is happy to announce that the Elektra Ensemble has been signed by Parker Artists in New York City for representation. The Foundation is helping to finance these arrangements. http://www.parkerartists.com/

This wonderful trio of superb musicians recently performed brilliantly at the Ferris Burtis Benefit Concert at the Sandisfield Arts Center on May 22nd. DVDs and CDs of the concert are available from the Foundation. To order, send a check made out to Ferris Burtis Foundation, to Herbert Burtis, 53 Rood Hill Road, Sandisfield, MA 01255. Any amount over the cost of the CD and DVD and mailing is tax deductible.



Here are Igor Lovchinsky, Melissa Morgan, myself, and Bruna Myftaraj, the spectacular Elektra Ensemble.

http://www.elektraensemble.org/ 

The whole purpose of the Ferris Burtis Music Foundation is to support young musicians in their education and early careers.

That is exactly what we are doing.

If you want to participate in this endeavor send a check made out to Ferris Burtis Foundation to Berkshire Taconic Foundation, 800 North Main Street, Sheffield, MA 01027-0400. It's tax deductible and helps young musicians like these to achieve a concert career.

Classical music needs your help!
http://www.berkshiretaconic.org/