Yamaha Presents Nebojsa Zivkovic’s 2011 International Summer Academy for Marimba and Percussion

BUENA PARK, Calif.—Yamaha Corporation of America, Band and Orchestral Division, is pleased to support the 2011 Nebojsa Zivkovic International Summer Academy for Marimba and Percussion, which will take place at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas, August 16-21, 2011. The six-day Academy is open to advanced marimba students, percussion teachers, professional musicians and marimba enthusiasts (intermediate players are welcome to enroll in the course if they prepare at least two pieces of moderate difficulty.)

Hailed by critics as one of the most unique and expressive artists in the field today, Yamaha Percussion Artist Nebojsa Zivkovic is recognized as one of the world’s top marimba and percussion soloists. He embodies a very rare tradition: the tradition the composer and virtuoso in one person, which was common in the 19th century among famous concert artists.

The Academy will feature days filled with private lessons, master classes, lectures, and chamber music coaching – all led by Mr. Zivkovic. Additional classes will be taught by guest artist, Academy Coordinator and Yamaha Artist, Dr. Timothy Jones, of the UNLV Percussion Department.

The number of Academy participants is limited to 20. Each active participant must prepare two marimba compositions of their choice or one marimba composition and one percussion composition. If participants are interested in preparing exclusively percussion compositions, they may do so if at least one of them is a composition for percussion composed by Mr. Zivkovic. Musicians of any level are welcome to apply as passive participants. Each active participant will receive two lessons (open master class format) with Mr. Zivkovic on their prepared pieces (individual lesson length is approximately 30-40 minutes). All participants will be involved in fundamental master classes covering grip and technique.

The Academy will begin and end with concerts open to the public. The opening concert will feature Mr. Zivkovic with Dr. Timothy Jones and the UNLV Percussion Ensemble. The closing concert will feature selected students from the Academy and will be in a more casual environment in one of the UNLV percussion facilities.

The deadline to apply is July 1, 2011. For more information on the Academy and/or to apply, please visit: http://4wrd.it/EGFDB

For more information on Yamaha Band & Orchestral Division, write Yamaha Corporation of America, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622, telephone (714) 522-9011, e-mail infostation@yamaha.com or visit http://usa.yamaha.com.