The Denis De Coteau Fellows are Hard at Work
The Denis De Coteau Fellowship is a joint program between SF Ballet and the SF Conservatory of Music (SFCM), designed for violinists, violists, cellists, and/or double bassists in SFCM’s Professional Studies Certificate program. The fellowship is named after former conductor and Music Director Denis de Coteau whose leadership of the SF Ballet Orchestra spanned three decades.
This year’s Denis de Coteau fellows Armando Atanda (viola) and Manny Vouse (violin) have been practicing and performing with the SF Ballet Orchestra in productions of Raymonda, Manon, and Frankenstein. They are also participating in chamber concerts, leadership training, and activities with local schools. As part of the SFCM certificate program, each fellow will participate in advanced, focused studies that emphasize individual instruction and preparation for a performance career.
Last week Armando and Manny joined SF Ballet Orchestra Members Craig Reiss (violin) and Saul Richmond-Rakerd (cello) at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy in Sausalito for a live concert and music education opportunity for the kids. We caught up with violinist, Craig Reiss on the concert.
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How did you work with the Music Fellows to plan and prepare this concert?
Craig Reiss: Our Denis de Coteau Fellows, Armando and Manny, created the theme for the program, wrote the script and organized the music for these concerts. The theme this year is “Orchestra Musicians play many different kinds of music!”
During this concert we planned to play selections from Mozart and Copland to Britney Spears and Carlos Santana! Additionally, we save time to teach the kids about basic musical concepts, an opportunity to conduct the group and accompany us with percussion. They’ll also get a chance to try playing a string instrument.
This was the second year in a row to have a concert by the Fellows at this school, and we hope to continue this wonderful partnership.
What were some highlights of the concert?
Craig Reiss: The concert went really well! the concert opened with Hoedown from Rodeo and we spoke about how it’s music for a ballet about the old West! The kids were super attentive, clapped in time to our conducting demonstration and had a lot of fun conducting us to music from Harry Potter, playing percussion to music of Carlos Santana, and dancing to tango music of Astor Piazzolla!
They also asked great questions like how long it takes to learn to play our instruments and what we like best about performing in the SF Ballet Orchestra. Their music teacher and Principal were very supportive and encouraged us to return again next year!
Why are programs like this important for the Fellows and Orchestra to be a part of?
Craig Reiss: It’s a great chance for us to perform for kids who may never have heard a live string quartet. Hopefully they are inspired to try a musical instrument and bring more music into their school.
It’s also a great way to represent SF Ballet and SF Conservatory giving back to underserved communities in the Bay Area. This performance is also a great opportunity for our Fellows to create an educational experience for young kids.
Hear Manny and Armando with the sf ballet orchestra this season in Frankenstein and the Frankenstein Encore performances.