<div dir="ltr"><div><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">Dear String Colleagues,</span><br></div><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr"><div><div><font face="arial, sans-serif"><br></font><span style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);display:block"></span><span style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235)"><font face="arial, sans-serif">I hope you had a great start to the new year!</font></span></div><div><font face="arial, sans-serif"><br></font><span style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);display:block"></span><span style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235)"><font face="arial, sans-serif">I'm thrilled to share exciting updates about the <b><font color="#9900ff">2025 MASTA Chamber Music Festival & Competition</font>,</b> which will take place on <b>Monday, March 3, 2025</b>. This year, we're introducing some significant changes to enhance the experience for all participants.</font></span></div><div><font face="arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="arial, sans-serif"><b>New Location</b> - </font><span style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235)"><font face="arial, sans-serif">First, we're moving to a more central location, Michigan State University in East Lansing. This change aims to make the event more accessible for participants from across the state.</font></span></div><div><font face="arial, sans-serif"><br></font><span style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);display:block"></span><span style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235)"><font face="arial, sans-serif"><b>Rule Revisions -</b> We've also made some important revisions to make the competition more inclusive. </font></span><span style="font-family:arial,sans-serif">These adjustments were made to encourage greater participation and provide a supportive environment for students to experience chamber music.</span></div><div><span style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235)"><font face="arial, sans-serif">1.  Festival-only participants will be invited to attend the final competition performance as audience members instead of being required to perform for the public. This will give them a chance to hear and support their peers and get inspired for future participation.</font></span><span style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);display:block"></span><span style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235)"><font face="arial, sans-serif">2.  Additionally, the competition participants can now enter with a broader range of string repertoire, including both standard works and pieces by living composers. </font></span><span style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);display:block"></span></div><div><font face="arial, sans-serif"><br></font><span style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);display:block"></span><span style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235)"><font face="arial, sans-serif">Please share this information with your students and encourage them to apply. This event offers a fantastic opportunity for young musicians to develop their skills, collaborate with peers, and perform in a nurturing setting.</font></span></div><div><font face="arial, sans-serif"><br></font><span style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);display:block"></span><span style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235)"><font face="arial, sans-serif">If you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to contact me directly (<a href="mailto:jkim@albion.edu">jkim@albion.edu</a>). I'm here to help ensure your students have all the details they need to participate in this exciting event!</font></span></div><div><span style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235)"><font face="arial, sans-serif"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235)"><font face="arial, sans-serif">Sincerely, </font></span></div><div><span style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235)"><font face="arial, sans-serif">Ji Hyun Kim </font></span></div><div><font face="arial, sans-serif"><br></font><span style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);display:block"></span><div><br><img src="https://www.albion.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/ac-logo-2.png" width="200" height="27" style="color:rgb(0,0,0)"><br></div><font face="garamond, times new roman, serif"><b><font size="4"><font color="#000000">Ji Hyun Kim</font>, D. M. A.</font></b><b style="font-size:large"> </b></font><span style="font-family:garamond,"times new roman",serif">(she/her)</span><div><font face="garamond, times new roman, serif"><a href="https://namedrop.io/jihyunkim" target="_blank">[Hear my name]</a> </font><div><div><div><font face="garamond, times new roman, serif" color="#000000">Director of Orchestra and String Studies<br></font><div><font face="garamond, times new roman, serif" color="#000000">Assistant Professor of Violin and Viola</font></div></div><div><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:garamond,"times new roman",serif">President, Pi Kappa Lambda - Epsilon Mu Chapter of Albion College</span><font face="garamond, times new roman, serif" color="#000000"><br></font></div><div><font color="#000000"><font face="garamond, times new roman, serif">Phone: (517) 648 - 5744</font><font face="garamond, times new roman, serif"><br></font></font></div><div><font face="garamond, times new roman, serif" color="#000000">Email: <a href="mailto:jkim@albion.edu" target="_blank">jkim@albion.edu</a><span> </span>| <a href="mailto:orchestra@albion.edu" target="_blank">orchestra@albion.edu</a></font></div><div><b><font face="garamond, times new roman, serif" color="#000000"><a href="https://www.albion.edu/departments/music/" target="_blank">Albion College Music Department Website</a></font></b></div></div></div></div><br></div><div><span style="box-sizing:border-box;border:0px solid rgb(229,231,235);display:block"></span></div><div><font face="arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span id="m_-7635609940017784446m_-5873121131877934593m_-8316074384557369384gmail-docs-internal-guid-2f71fc7b-7fff-c50e-65a0-d2520a61475a" style="color:rgb(0,0,0)"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.44;text-align:center;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-weight:700;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><a href="https://astamichigan.org/events/chamber-music-festival/" target="_blank">2025 MASTA Chamber Music Festival & Competition </a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.44;text-align:center;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Monday, March 3, 2025</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Michigan State University</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The 34th Annual MASTA Chamber Music Festival & Competition will be held on Monday, March 3, 2025, at our new location: Michigan State University, East Lansing. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">We are excited to welcome the ConTempus Quartet and MSU College of Music Faculty as this year’s guest artists and coaches. Each participating ensemble will attend a faculty concert, receive a one-hour coaching session, and attend two enrichment classes (Alexander Technique/Music Entrepreneurship) designed to inspire and enhance their musical journey.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The festival is open to students in grades 7-12, and the competition is open to students in grades 9-12. Advanced ensembles interested in competing must prepare a movement from a substantial string chamber repertoire. The day will conclude with the final competition, which is open to the public. The winning group will receive a $200 monetary award and an invitation to perform at the MSBOA Spring Honors Recital.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Join us for an inspiring day of chamber music, where you can refine your ensemble skills under the guidance of world-renowned faculty! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Please use the links below to download a printable flyer, more detailed rules and information, and registration and payment information. <u>The registration and payment are due Friday, February 7, 2025. </u></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__drive.google.com_file_d_1WhwHxwuvW-2DpjEvHd1O1oSXwmsJ0sDUri_view-3Fusp-3Dsharing&d=DwMFaQ&c=t1KneP5CA95qj21Jnj2QJw&r=MbmOq_NJQsmZ45hBiyAlhA&m=21crI0zCOw-ua1QxL_P88a1cBEaj3dJqBSSRM0aCP3GJ0qpEBtmsAOjkO5I6kjwo&s=Zf3JZMDSkuS3bclhDoqxG4Z9pLJWRPrvyJFh-53dN1M&e=" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-weight:700;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">2025 MASTA Chamber Music Festival & Competition Flyer </span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__docs.google.com_document_d_11qHiL6nQb7ali7-5FaABOZsuiqRNrTkUSneekRhweCu74_edit-3Fusp-3Dsharing&d=DwMFaQ&c=t1KneP5CA95qj21Jnj2QJw&r=MbmOq_NJQsmZ45hBiyAlhA&m=21crI0zCOw-ua1QxL_P88a1cBEaj3dJqBSSRM0aCP3GJ0qpEBtmsAOjkO5I6kjwo&s=7_PTWzf2GL577k5Ml1s56TkMOejjUDAEzjOh7JuB52E&e=" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-weight:700;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Festival & Competition Rules and Information</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-weight:700;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__forms.gle_G4qciJ54FdCTC1mK7&d=DwMFaQ&c=t1KneP5CA95qj21Jnj2QJw&r=MbmOq_NJQsmZ45hBiyAlhA&m=21crI0zCOw-ua1QxL_P88a1cBEaj3dJqBSSRM0aCP3GJ0qpEBtmsAOjkO5I6kjwo&s=4FuvM-j3hwVWLFRbm2ed_B8OLJXgu4REsO1xPwjJKk0&e=" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-weight:700;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Registration & Payment</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ji Hyun Kim, </span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:16px;white-space:pre-wrap">the MASTA Chamber Music Festival & Competition Chair, </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">at </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(17,85,204);font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><a href="mailto:jkim@albion.edu" target="_blank">jkim@albion.edu</a></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">.</span></p></span><font color="#888888"></font></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>
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