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The Heifetz 25-Year Advent Calendar

Day 11: 2013 - A Violist's Turn at a Cello Masterwork
Welcome to December! For our final-month celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Heifetz Institute, we’ll be sharing audio, video, images, and programs from across the decades of the Institute. Check back each day from Dec. 1 – Dec. 25 as we share some memorable moments from each golden year of the Institute!

July 31, 2013: Staunton, VA

“How do you annoy every cellist at the Heifetz Institute at once? Perform Elgar’s Cello Concerto on the viola!” quips viola student William Bender during his introduction at a 2013 Stars of Tomorrow concert.   Today, Elgar’s concerto is a much-beloved standard repertory work for aspiring cellists.  Though it had a rather inauspicious debut itself in 1919, as the composer and the performers did not have adequate rehearsal time.  The Cello Concerto turned out to be the last major composition of Elgar’s notable career, but it was largely forgotten until 1965, when 20-year old British cellist Jacqueline du Pré recorded it for EMI with the London Symphony Orchestra and John Barbirolli, bringing her (and the piece) much deserved acclaim and recognition.

Heifetz 2013 strudent Will Bender admirably steps up to the challenge or performing this piece on viola, and has continued to to make his mark in his years since studying in Staunton. After earning degrees at The Juilliard School and Cleveland Institute of Music, he joined The Philharmonia Orchestra in London as Assistant Principal Viola under the direction of Esa-Pekka Salonen. Concurrently, he regularly performed chamber music concerts as part of the Philharmonia Chamber Players and worked on new compositions through the orchestra’s “Music Of Today” series. And just last month, he joined the viola section of The Cleveland Orchestra!

Stay Connected!

Did you attend the Heifetz Institute? If so, you’re part of an exclusive group of musicians who have explored their full creative potential through the advanced private lessons, unrivaled concert appearances, and the unique Performance & Communication Training method. We believe that the one-of-a-kind Heifetz training prepares our students to become not only more effective communicators and performers, but also more confident and dynamic in all facets of life. Now we want to reconnect and hear more about how you’ve put your Heifetz experience to use – both on and off stage!

Fast Away The Old Year Passes!  The Heifetz Institute has been in the business of helping brilliant young talents blossom for 25 years now, the last two of which have required us to work even harder, smarter, and better to pursue our trailblazing mission. As you consider your year-end giving, please consider supporting our mission to enable the world’s most promising young musical talents to realize their artistic and communicative potential.