Erika

Stringed instruments are very popular in Asia. Probably more so than in the U.S., where they're currently considered a "geeky" instrument. That being said, I don't know how much I'd read into the nationalities listed. It's kind of like the Olympics, where you might live/study/work in Country A but choose to compete for Country B. Yura Lee, for example, has been in the country for probably 15 years and studied with all sorts of prominent teachers here. I think Ji-yoon Park studies in France. Classical music is a global community anymore.

This is pretty normal for a situation like that. If you remember back when the Utah Symphony played the opening of the winter olympics, they also recorded the music ahead of time. Instruments just cannot hold tune in that kind of weather. I felt bad for the military band. They were painfully out of tune in spots and there was nothing they could do about it.

It depends on how talented you are, how hard you are willing to work, and how much drive you have to succeed. I can think of a couple of people who started late: the principal cellist of the NY Phil started at 12, and the associate principal violist of the LA Phil started at 13. I know another person who started at 15 and made a decent career as a freelancer. Obviously these are exceptional people; but then generally, anyone who makes it to that level is exceptional, whether they started at 3 or 13.

Just fyi, that study has been largely debunked: Prius Versus HUMMER: Exploding the Myth Prius batteries are currently running about $3,000, although the price keeps dropping. My service dept. said there's been some high-mileage Prius (used for taxis, etc) that have gone 300,000+ miles on the original battery. I understand the next generation Prius is going to have lithium ion batteries, which will be smaller, lighter, and more powerful.

Just be aware that the seller may not want to know. When we have sold instruments, we do not want to know the name of the buyer.

I would second this. One of the advantages of selling through a dealer is that you as a seller can remain anonymous.

Around here, solid black (black dress shirt/slacks for both men and women) is almost always acceptable. The exception would be a very formal evening wedding, in which case tuxes for the men and "elegant black" (I like that description) for ladies. Floor-length black gowns/skirts for ladies are going the way of the dinosaur, IMO. It's rare to see that even in the symphony.

My husband had his custom made. He actually took his violin with him to fittings so that they could see how he moves and accommodate that in the cut. He was also able to select exactly what fabric he wanted -- they had walls of bolts of fabric to choose from. It does cost more, but if you do much playing it pays off in the long run.

Try Northwestern. They have a pretty extensive pre-college and community music program. http://www.music.northwestern.edu/precolle...y/musicacademy/

Grammy-nominated violinist Quint performs for taxi driver who recovered rare instrument The Associated Press Published: May 6, 2008 NEWARK, New Jersey: Grammy-nominated violinist Philippe Quint was playing a special concert for taxi drivers at Newark Liberty International Airport as a reward for a cabbie who returned his rare violin. About 200 cab drivers have filled a parking lot next to a highway where trucks thunder past for Tuesday's lunchtime concert performed to thank driver Mohamed Khalil. Quint left his 285-year-old Stradivari in a taxi on a ride home from the airport last month. Khalil discovered the $4 million (€2.6 million) instrument and returned it. Along with several solo pieces, Quint also has teamed with guitarist Michael Bacon - brother of actor Kevin Bacon - on a blues number that has some people dancing on the blacktop.

Svetlin was here recently as a guest concertmaster. I asked my better half what he was playing, and he remembered it as some kind of interesting composite instrument with a del Gesu (?) top. (Don't quote me on that, though, because it's possible he's mixing up that fiddle with one belonging to another guest.)

She has a del Gesu, if I'm not mistaken.

If anyone can sell Adams, it's Josefewicz. She's terrific with contemporary repertoire, very convincing. She performed Adams' concerto here and got a great reception from the audience. And trust me, this is a crowd that still thinks Shostakovich is "modern."

I appreciate most fine players, but I think Zino Francescatti was something special. He always had something to say (musically). Of the younger generation, I enjoy Phillippe Quint.

I must say, I find the backlash a little odd. Discussion of one's work is part of being a professional musician. *Especially* if one publishes clips on the Internet expressly for public consumption. Now if Dr. S had posted bootleg clips of Meghan's practice sessions and started critiquing those... well, no, that's out of line. But discussing a published performance is reasonable. I don't think it's any different than some of the discussions on this board about performances or CDs or clips by more famous musicians.