Featured Stringfest performer, Jason Anick
by Jen Oemig
CHELMSFORD – Chelmsford Public Schools’ Music Department will host Stringfest, which connects its orchestra students in grades 5-12 with world class musicians for instruction and performance, on Thursday, Jan. 9.
During Stringfest, professional musicians and educators who specialize in a certain style or genre of string music come in to work with Chelmsford student-musicians.
Students are grouped by age and ability level for these workshops.
Fifth graders participate in a beginner workshop, sixth and seventh graders will collaborate during an intermediate workshop, and eighth graders will join high school students for an advanced workshop.
Stringfest, which is sponsored by Chelmsford Friends of Music, will conclude with a performance by the guest artists, which allows for the student-musicians to hear the style of music they have been practicing in action.
This year’s featured performer will be Berklee College of Music Professor Jason Anick, who has “earned a reputation among string players as an imaginative improviser, versatile composer and insightful educator.”
According to his website, jasonanick.com, Anick grew up playing fiddle tunes with his family and classical music with local orchestras, which grew his passion for improvisation and ultimately led him to study jazz and classical music at Hartt Conservatory.
Friends and families are welcome to attend the free guest performance by Anick and friends at 6:30 p.m.
