9th Rocky Mountain  String  Bass  Festival

Saturday, October 21, 2006     9:00-6:00
University of Colorado, College of Music, 18th and Euclid, Boulder
Festival Clinicians:

Dr. Paul Erhard,  CU double bass professor  (Classical & Jazz)
Susan Cahill, double bass section, Colorado Symphony
 Ken Harper, assistant principal double bass, Colorado Symphony 


Over 30 bassists gathered for a long action-packed day of technique classes, master classes, a recital. and rehearsals and concert by the popular Monster Bass Ensemble made up of all Festival participants.  Bass players are a special family.  To see the older high school, college-aged and professional bass players gather round to help and encourage our youngest participants says it all!

Festival day events Clinician bios Festival photos Festival flier

What Festival participants have to say about the day:
Young bassist participants:

Chris (6th grader) LOVED the Bass festival.  He liked the entire program and loved seeing and meeting so many Bass players.   We felt it was an awesome learning opportunity for him.  Thank you!  
Karen and Mark (parents)

As parents, we also thought it was an educational experience for Thomas (6th grader). We were impressed with all the information presented while we were in the audience. We enjoyed the recital at the end as well.  We look forward to future events.   John & Theresa (parents)

High School participants:

I had a ton of fun today and I learned a lot, thank you so much.  Kalyn

The Bass Festival was awesome. I learned a lot throughout the day, the master classes gave a lot of good ideas on both techniques and playing styles. Working with you (Paul) was great.  I learned how to improve my intonation and have actually applied it.   The festival was great and I will definitely come back.   Adam

It was wonderful! I've never seen so many bassists in one situation, and the sound we all produced was just as beautiful as any regular orchestra.   Lastly, the Tarentella, and the Nino Rota solos were amazing, I had no idea a bass could produce such sounds. I loved it all.   Caitlin

I enjoyed this year's festival just as much as I have in past years.  As always, I picked up some really useful tips in the masterclasses, and I had a lot of fun playing the first part in the Monster Bass Ensemble way up in treble cleft.  Can't wait for next year's festival!  David S

This bass festival was amazing. It was so much fun to meet a lot of bassists and talk to them about playing the bass. I really enjoyed all of the masterclasses.  They opened my eyes to new techniques that I never even realized existed. This festival was a great experience for me and I really appreciate that you put this together.  Jarrett (and football offensive lineman)

College aged double bass students:

I thought the bass festival was great overall.  It was a great day and I think it is only going to get better with time.   Antonio 

The bass festival this weekend was lots of fun.  It's great that we got such a turnout, especially considering the weather and power outages!  I really enjoyed that you were able to bring Susan and Ken to teach- that was really cool.    Erica

Professional and High School orchestra director

Being new to the area, it was great to get to know some other bassists.   I particularly appreciated the clinician presentations.  I also really enjoyed your solo performance and choice of repertoire. 
P.S.-- Great Pizza !    Joel

Just being with other bassists of every level was so inspiring and just plain wonderful.  Ken Harper's lesson on spicatto and sautille were really fun and I hope to master them.   My practice has become more focused and more fun (from Susan Cahill’s session).   Playing in the Monster Bass Ensemble is always fun.  I don't get to play in a large ensemble very often and for me it is a great treat.   Greg

I really enjoyed the Bass Symposium this year.  For those who believe IT'S NEVER TOO LATE to learn new ideas and expand on old ones, this Bass festival was outstanding.  I am glad I made the trip up to Boulder.  Jay (classical and jazz,  high school Orchestra Director)