Memories

Twenty-three years ago, David and Linda Cerone envisioned ENCORE School for Strings, a venue devoted to violin, viola, cello and chamber music studies where dedicated faculty and students could teach, study and perform. The internationally regarded summer school was launched, accommodating the extraordinary practice demands of the students' superior talents in pursuit of their respective musical dreams.

In 1985, the Cerones put together a team of renowned teachers and performers. The first summer, July 1-August 10, included Jascha Brodsky, the Cerones, Bernhard Goldschmidt, Robert Lipsett, David Russell, and Renata Artman Knific, violin; Robert Vernon and Lawrence Wheeler, viola; Stephen Geber and Bruce Uchimura, cello; Anne Epperson and Susan Uchimura, piano; Timothy Greatbatch, composer-in-residence; and Kathryn Karipides and Kelly Holt, movement. One hundred students descended upon the charming site selected for ENCORE, Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio, prepared to hone their skills throughout the intensive six-week session. Olga Radosavljevich served as executive assistant.

The summer curriculum included lessons, chamber music coachings, abundant practice time, movement classes, and performance opportunities. Among the recitalists in July 1985 were young violinists, violists and cellists on the brink of significant careers which now include international performers, recording artists, teachers at important universities, concertmasters and co-concertmasters of major symphony orchestras and members of chamber music ensembles who appear in concert venues throughout the world.

Recitals at ENCORE were bi-weekly. Attendees from communities within a fifty-mile radius and the ENCORE students filled the lovely Chapel on the Western Reserve campus, offering their rousing applause. These concerts were recorded and syndicated by WCLV and sent to 150 radio stations throughout the country.

Keith E. Gainey, evaluator of ENCORE School for Strings for the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, claimed, "I was so impressed with the performance of the students that I returned to Hudson (not on Foundation time) to attend an evening public recital." Wilma Salisbury of the Plain Dealer stated, "Talent is the order of (the) day."

David Cerone commented on ENCORE's inaugural year: "It was a smashing success, and it emphasized once again for all of us what can be achieved within a six-week period of concentrated work. Advanced students studying the major repertoire were able to perform that repertoire at the highest level, within a matter of only a few weeks. Those less advanced impressed both the faculty and themselves with their miraculous progress the kind of progress that awakened these students to new standards and served to place them on an altogether different level when they returned home to resume regular study. Indeed, we continue to receive letters from past participants telling us of winter accomplishments and the desire to join us again at ENCORE."

Since 1985, ENCORE has welcomed students from around the world, including all fifty states, Korea, Canada, England, Bulgaria, Russia, Switzerland, Japan, Germany, China, France, Israel, Portugal, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Mexico, Hong Kong and more. All of the practice, lessons and coachings in technique have resulted in participants going on to win such prestigious competitions as the Paganini, Indianapolis and Hannover, landing principal chairs in orchestras, performing on the worlds concert stages, and releasing recordings on major labels.

ENCORE continues to thrive in its 23nd year assured of its place in the highest international level of festivals and schools. Bravo to this dynamic school where so many musical dreams are set in motion, and indeed, fulfilled!