Local festival seeks musicians

Applications for Green Valley chamber music event due by March 1

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Green Valley Chamber Music Festival founders Enrico Elisi and Shakeh Ghoukasian set out to create a student-oriented chamber music festival in the Las Vegas Valley a few years ago.

Last summer, Elisi and Ghoukasian held a festival at UNLV for about 35 students who play string instruments or piano.

"It's as if people have been waiting for this for a long time, and finally they have the opportunity," Elisi said.

This year, the pair is looking for musicians age 14 through college to participate in the festival in August. The application is due March 1, with an audition on March 25.

Ghoukasian explained that unlike other music festivals in the valley, the Green Valley Chamber Music Festival focuses on duets, trios and quartets rather than a large group.

"It takes students from different levels and gives them the chance to get started," she said.

Elisi said the students learn to listen to others more than they would in a solo situation or large group.

"A lot of festivals are oriented toward private lessons. We really stress ensemble music," Elisi said.

Ghoukasian said that in addition to a concert and rehearsals, the students learn music history and the technical side of music. Students had the opportunity to work with four faculty members last year. This year, Ghoukasian said a musician and professor from Utah State will be in Las Vegas to work with the students.

She said the level of responsibility among the students was impressive.

"When you see a group of teenagers who can really rise above the norm, I really think it's wonderful to know there's more than just the bad things about teens you see in the news," she said.

Elisi said that he felt a vibe of excitement at last year's final concert.

"They were all so engaged. You could feel the vibes. You could see it physically, not just by looking," he said.

By the end of the week, Elisi said the group had developed a sense of camaraderie. Last year's festival carried over throughout the year, resulting in more performances from the various groups and a mailing list with which they kept in touch, networked and sent out job opportunities.

The organization also is looking for businesses or individuals to donate toward the Green Valley Chamber Music Festival. Elisi said all donations would be tax-deductible.

"We would like to offer scholarships to the students," he said.

Fees for each musician are $250, with a $20 deposit. Private lessons and a secondary instrument require additional fees.

The festival is open to all students in the Las Vegas Valley. Currently, the festival takes place at UNLV, but the pair, who both perform and teach music in the area, said they would like to expand the program in the future.

"There's a lot of very good students and parents who support music in this town," Elisi said. "We would like to see more people come and listen and support us."

For information, visit www.greenvalleychambermusic.org.