Loose Leaf Notes

-The following appeared in the May 12, 2016 issue of the Floyd Press.

Virginia’s Blue Ridge Music Festival enjoyed a full house for their Mozart in May concert, performed at the EcoVillage’s Event Center on Saturday evening, May 7th.

The performing ensemble, made up of principal musicians from the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra (RSO), included concertmaster Akemi Takayama on violin, violist Kathleen Overfield-Zook, cellist Kelly Mikkelsen and RSO director/conductor and VBRMF’s artistic director Maestro David Wiley on grand piano.

“It’s wonderful to be able to make music in this beautiful setting. This is our home away from home and to be able to share this with you is a great pleasure,” Wiley said in an introduction in which he thanked the EcoVillage hosts and others for their support.

Along with the ensemble’s masterful performances of Mozart’s most beloved major chamber ensemble works – the Piano Quartet in G Minor, K. 478, and the Sinfonia Concertante in E-Flat – Wiley premiered his new piece, Waltz & The Floyd Highway Home in collaboration with dancer Katie Wells, who performed a dramatic improvisational dance while he played. Wiley described his new composition as “incorporating lots of different styles, cultures and periods,” as much of his music does.

VBRMF’s president, Randall Wells, awarded Elizabeth Shelor with the David Wiley Senior scholarship to further her goal of becoming a Suzuki violin teacher. Shelor – a 17 year-old Floyd homeschooler and member of Roanoke Youth Symphony Orchestra – was also presented with a VBRMF award to put towards the purchase of her own violin. She is a student of teacher Kevin Matheson and plans to study music theory at Virginia Tech in the fall.

“We promote classical music and have a special interest in encouraging young musicians. Last year we had a whole concert of young people,” Wells said. Violinist Aila Wildman also received a scholarship during the evening. It was presented on behalf of VBRMF for Wildman to attend the Roanoke Youth Symphony summer camp.

Shelor’s performance, which was accompanied by Wiley on piano, drew a standing ovation (as did the chamber music ensemble’s performances). When she was later asked about playing with Wiley, she said, “I just love it. He’s so much fun to play with.”

Photos:  1. RSO chamber music ensemble playing Mozart are concertmaster Akemi Takayama on violin, RSO director/conductor Maestro David Wiley on grand piano, violist Kathleen Overfield-Zook and cellist Kelly Mikkelsen. 2. Attendance was high for the VBRMF concert and extra chairs had to be carried in. Here, The audience gives performers a standing ovation. 3. Katie Wells performs an improvisational dance to the debut of David Wiley’s composition, Waltz & The Floyd Highway Home. 4. The ensemble takes a bow.

5. Elizabeth Shelor plays Dancla 5th air Varie with Wiley. 6. VBRMF president Randall Wells shook hands with concert goers from Brandon Oaks Retirement Center in Roanoke. The Brandon Oaks contingency filled the first two rows that were reserved for them. 8. Inspired by Shelor’s accomplishments, a 7th grader from Floyd (center) who is learning violin from Mac Traynham and Mike Mitchell waited to meet Shelor after the concert. Her mother is pictured far right. 9. Attendees mingle on the Event Center deck.  Watch video clips of the event HERE.