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HOI 2022
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HOI Chamber Music Seminar 2022
With the Covid-19 pandemic waning, the long awaited 2022 HOI Chamber Music
Seminar finally took place in Cap Haitien, Haiti from August 21 - 27. The
chamber music emphasis of the week was a departure from our usual large
orchestral formula, but proved a terrific vehicle for both ensemble and
individual training. Lessons and coachings filled the mornings, and faculty open
rehearsals by USUO strings and winds offered a forum for higher level concepts,
discussion, and question/answer periods.
Forty String and Woodwind students chosen by audition worked with 11 Musicians
of the Utah Symphony, Haitian-born conductor Rudy Perrault, and BLUME Haiti
president, Janet Anthony.
The culminating Friday evening student recital was attended by a large audience
of students, the general public, and local leaders. The previous evening's
faculty recital featured USUO Musicians performing various works, including the
premiere of HOI commission, Madan Sara, by John Karly Menard.
Another major highlight of week was Rick Baldassin setting up the 7'6" Beckstein
grand piano which he lovingly restored in 2020. After living in storage in
Florida for two years, Royal Caribbean generously transported the piano to Haiti
where it now lives at the Cemuchca School. Among the other instruments delivered
was a professional level English Horn purchased at a generous discount from
Hanna’s Oboes.
Cap-Haitian
The second largest city in Haiti, Cap Haïtien was the
original capital of the French colony of Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti).
It is filled with picturesque colonial buildings and a large cathedral.
Nearby Milot is home to Sans-Souci Palace and Citadel Laferriere, both UNESCO
World Heritage sites. Cap Haitien has one of Haiti's two international airports
and has a current population exceeding 400,000.
The CEMUCHCA Music School is located downtown near the Cathedral, and occupies a
building space no larger than the size of a modest house. Despite its size, the
Cemuchca School serves about 250 students. As with the Dessaix-Baptiste School
in Jacmel, the Cemuchca School has strong leadership and a profound dedication
to its students.
