Residency at New York Public School 161
In Partnership with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Institute
During the Spring of 2010, Toomai String Quintet holds a residency with students in the strings program and New York Public School 161. Toomai will make five visits to the school, where we will conduct a composition/ performance project focused on Cuban music. The students will learn about Cuban song forms, Afro-Cuban rhythms, improvise, and compose their own melodies. The residency culminates in a final performance where the students will perform their newly created music side-by-side with Toomai!
Songs of Synastry and Solitude
In 2008, Toomai began a friendship with violist and composer Jessica Pavone, which has resulted our recording or a collection of her music, “Songs of Synastry and Solitude,” for an unconventional version of a string quartet (violin, viola, cello, and bass). We have performed these songs venues such as NYC venues such as The Kitchen and Roulette, and the album was released on John Zorn’s Tzadik record label in October, 2009. Stay posted for future performances!
Reviews: http://exclaim.ca/musicreviews/generalreview.aspx?csid1=138&csid2=847&fid1=41512
http://speakeasy.jazzcorner.com/speakeasy/showthread.php?p=845684
Carnegie Hall Musical Connections
Toomai String Quintet is proud to have won a position on the roster of Carnegie Hall’s new program, “Musical Connections.” Carnegie Hall sends Toomai out to hospitals, shelters, and other alternative care facilities throughout the New York area to perform interactive concerts.
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Past Projects
Residency at 92nd St. Y: Traveling with the Toomai Quintet
In 2007, Toomai String Quintet won the 92nd Street Y’s Music Unlocked! Competition for emerging ensembles interested in outreach. Toomai worked intensively with members of Music Unlocked! to create the interactive program, Traveling with the Toomai Quintet. This program is aimed toward K-2nd grade audience and explores the different ways a listener can experience a “journey” through music. Toomai gave four performances for groups of 400 children at Kaufmann Concert Hall at the 92nd Street Y, and continues to perform the program in schools throughout the New York City area.