Monthly Archives: April 2010

Marimba 2010 International Festival and Conference on Minnesota Public Radio

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It has been awhile since my last blog post because I have been at the hospital for the birth of our son Owen Sass! For photos and other exciting news look for that on my Facebook page. But this is a marimba blog so let’s talk marimbas!

Tomorrow is the beginning of the Marimba 2010 International Festival and Conference! In preparation for this fantastic event, I moved my Marimba One to the Cathedral of Saint Paul. There are at least 20 marimbas over there for the concert with VocalEssence this Friday night! Listening to a marimba in a cathedral is a pretty moving experience. I can only imagine what it will sound like with all of these marimbas and voices in one of the greatest acoustic halls here in Minnesota.

There is a great article on the VocalEssence page talking about the events this weekend as well as an interview on Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) with Fernando Meza! Enjoy them as we will really get started tomorrow when the festival begins!

Intermediate Masterworks for Marimba – Reviewed by University of Maryland Curator

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The Intermediate Masterworks for Marimba has been reviewed by the University of Maryland Curator Vincent J. Novara. This was a great review. He classified the performers into 3 categories:

“The recording features expressive performances by several of today’s acclaimed marimbists, including current virtuosos (Ivana Bilic, Thomas Burritt, and Beverley Johnston) and established masters (William Moersch, Gordon Stout, and Zeltsman). Jack Van Geem and Jean Geoffroy also deliver fine performances.”

I am not exactly sure why Jack Van Geem and Jean Geoffroy are separated here. I would have put them in the “established masters” section. The rest of the review is quite well done and it is interesting to note the pieces the were his favorites (they are different than my favorites).

It is great to see this collection getting traction out there at Universities!

Marimba One discount at Marimba 2010 International Festival and Conference

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Ron Samuels of Marimba One will be attending the Marimba 2010 International Festival and Conference in Minneapolis Minnesota April 28th to May 1st and will be bringing one of the new 5-octave marimbas with Basso Bravo resonators and Enhanced Traditional Voicing.

This height-adjustable instrument will a set of cases will be for sale at an over $2500 discount. There is only 1 available so contact Marimba One now if you are interested in this fantastic deal.