NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Tamara Crawley, Public Relations
Office: (520) 682-4777
Cell: (520) 405-9806
[email protected]
Christian Howes
614-332-8689
[email protected]
www.christianhowes.com
Premiere Electric Violinist, Christian Howes, Breathes New Life to Strings
at Mountain View High School
#1 Artist in Downbeat Critics Poll challenges Mountain View students to think outside the box
September 16, 2013 (Tucson, AZ.) – On Monday, September 23, one of the world’s most
acclaimed electric violinists, Christian Howes, will visit Mountain View High School to
introduce local string students to the art of improvisation, contemporary musical styles and
modern technology.
While most classically trained violinists may excel at Mozart and Bach, few venture off the
written page of music to explore their instruments through creative improvisation or other
styles of music such as jazz, rock, and blues. "String instruments are usually associated
with classical music,” said Howes from his home in Columbus, Ohio. “But so many string
players are starting to see that we can have original voices too, and that classical music is
only the beginning of a journey to explore those creative outlets that we all need to truly
express ourselves.”
Following the intensive workshop from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., at Mountain View, on
Monday, September 23, Howes will perform at the school accompanied by a band and
featuring the students in the school’s orchestra program, showcasing his edgy and
unexpected take on the violin that combines rock, Americana, neo-soul, classical and
modern jazz. Students will be showcased in their own improvisations, and using electric
string instruments with effects and technological support. The concert is open to the public
and begins at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium.
“We are thrilled to expose our students to a new way of thinking about music, and to spark
their interest in new styles,” said Terry Alexander, Orchestra and Guitar teacher at Mountain
View High School.
Although his stay at Mountain View will only last one day, students at the school (and
around the world) can continue to study and grow with Howes through his innovative
Creative Strings Academy online membership program, through which students can benefit
from live group lessons, private lessons through Skype, video tutorials and more.
Where:
Mountain View High School Auditorium
3901 W. Linda Vista Blvd., Tucson AZ 85742
When:
Monday, September 23
Workshop: "Improvisation and Thinking Outside of the Box"
8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Open to Media
Public Concert
7:00 p.m.
$5.00 donation accepted to benefit school music program
About Christian Howes
While Howes performs worldwide, the artist has always remained committed to community
outreach and innovative educational initiatives, including an innovative distance learning
program, the “Creative Strings Academy” and an annual summer camp. “I’m trying to show
classically trained musicians how they can express themselves through music and go on
learning and doing music after they finish school, whether they pursue music as a career or
not."
As an educator, performer and composer, Christian Howes has gained great notoriety and
respect from critics and fellow musicians alike. He was recently voted among the top three
jazz violinist by the Jazz Times magazine, #1 Rising Star jazz violinist in the Downbeat
Critics Poll and nominated for “Violinist of the Year” by the Jazz Journalists Association,
Christian has been called "arguably the most intriguing young violinist in jazz” by the
Minneapolis Tribune. In 2013 he was awarded the prestigious Residency Partnership award
by Chamber Music America to work with underserved high school orchestra programs. A
former Associate Professor at the Berklee College of Music, the 41-year-old violinist is
widely regarded as a leading string educator in jazz and improvisation. Howes conducts
clinics and master classes around the world, and is the founder of the Creative String
Academy online curriculum and the Creative Strings Workshop, an annual international
music festival based in Columbus, Ohio. Howes endorses Yamaha violins and D’Addario
strings. For more information, visit www.christianhowes.com.
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