Double Bass master teachers from across the region to converge in Fredonia for Bass Fest

Bass Fest, a one-day event bringing master players and teachers from around the area to enrich, instruct, and inspire the bass community, will be held on Saturday, Feb. 27 in Mason Hall.

The day will be full of hands-on classes, lectures, and performances by world-class faculty, and will include a solo competition for high school students with cash and scholarship prizes. Bass Fest will also feature vendors from the region specializing in double bass instruments, music, and accessories.

Brett Shurtliffe	Kieran Hanlon

The Double Bass Solo Competition is designed to recognize the best young students in the region. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, and the winner will be invited to perform their solo piece in the evening concert at Bass Fest, alongside the faculty performers. Competition prizes include: 1st place: $250 cash, $1,000 scholarship to attend the Fredonia School of Music; 2nd place: $100 cash; 3rd place: $50 cash. Additional prizes will be announced. The competition is open to all high school students, up to age 18. The first round of the competition will be recorded.

Applicants must submit the online competition application along with a $10 fee and a recording. The deadline to enter is Jan. 1. Finalists will be notified by Jan. 18 if they will be invited to the final round of the competition, a 10-minute live performance with piano (a Fredonia accompanist will be available) on the morning of Fredonia Bass Fest in Rosch Recital Hall.

Bass Fest faculty includes James VanDemark from the Eastman School of Music, Daniel Pendley, Principal Bassist of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra; and Brett Shurtliffe and Kieran Hanlon of the Fredonia School of Music.

A sample of Bass Fest Details about the event and competition are online.