Bass Fest to add ‘pre-professional’ session
Kieran Hanlon (far left) will be joined by guest artists John Clayton and Dr. Patricia Weitzel at Bass Fest.
Fredonia Bass Fest, a full day of performances and classes geared to high school and college students, teachers, adult learners and professional musicians along with opportunities for networking and bass fellowship, will be held at Mason Hall, home of the School of Music at the State University of New York at Fredonia, on Sunday, Feb. 5.
Associate Professor of Double Bass and Jazz Kieran Hanlon directs Bass Fest. Serving as guest faculty will be Dr. Patricia Weitzel, who is an assistant teaching professor of double bass at Penn State, and internationally recognized bassist and pedagogue John Clayton.
“Patricia Weitzel and John Clayton are not only amazing educators and performers, but offer compelling examples of the modern and evolving approach that it takes to be successful in the music industry.” - Kieran Hanlon
"We are once again thrilled to welcome world-class guests to campus for Fredonia Bass Fest 2023. Patricia Weitzel and John Clayton are not only amazing educators and performers, but offer compelling examples of the modern and evolving approach that it takes to be successful in the music industry,” Mr. Hanlon said.
“I am so excited for Fredonia students to spend time with these incredible individuals," he added.
New to this year’s Bass Fest is the unique Pre-Professional Intensive (PPI), a separate morning session designed specifically for high school-aged bassists who are interested in exploring possible career paths in music. Students accepted into PPI will meet School of Music Bass Fest faculty, play for faculty and receive feedback, ask questions and learn about collegiate and professional music worlds.
Prospective students interested in the PPI session must apply for consideration and be invited to participate based on submitted application materials. There is no additional cost to enroll in the PPI session, but Bass Fest registration is required.
For PPI session consideration, students are to submit a recording of their playing that lasts no longer than 5 minutes and describe their musical interests (uploaded as unlisted YouTube video and emailed to Hanlon), along with a 300- to 500-word statement that explains why they want to be considered for the program and how participating in it would support and inform their specific goals as a pre-professional.
The deadline to apply for the PPI session is Friday, Jan. 20. The application deadline for Bass Fest is Wednesday, Feb. 1.
Register for Bass Fest online.
Bass Fest is made possible thanks to generous support from the Carnahan Jackson Fund for the Humanities Fund of the Fredonia College Foundation, as well as Fredonia Bass Society and Fredonia Jazz Workshop, both Student Association groups; Erie Philharmonic, Michael Griffin of Luthier's Care and the Fredonia School of Music. Fredonia is proud to partner with the International Society of Bassists.
