Jonathan Andrew Govias

London El Sistema Event!

  The City of London might lay claim to being a place of special significance for the el Sistema international movement. After the Proms performance in 2007, the SBYO returned for an acclaimed residency at Southbank Centre in 2009, which was  followed by a Fesnojiv string quartet residency earlier this fall. Southbank Centre again will … Continue reading London El Sistema Event!

Published again, apparently

  And once again I'm delighted to say that, exactly one week following the publication of my article in The Strad, another from my pen/laptop has appeared in the September issue of Canada's classical music magazine, La Scena, as previously promised.The article is available via the above website in both PDF and Flash format, but … Continue reading Published again, apparently

Putting the Salz in Salzau

In retrospect, the last post wasn't completely different. In fact, it was rather more of the same. Performing in Acarigua always leaves me on an emotional high, with correspondingly maudlin sentiments and blog postings, and it takes about three weeks to return to my normal (I forbear to use adjectives) state. Hey look, it's three … Continue reading Putting the Salz in Salzau

And now for something completely different

Rodrigo Guerrero, the International Affairs Coordinator Deputy Director of International Affairs for Fesnojiv, is fond of telling people that I’m the only person he knows who has ever said: “I can’t wait to get back to Acarigua.” He’s joking, of course, the suggestion being that Acarigua is essentially the Venezuelan equivalent of Podunk, but I … Continue reading And now for something completely different

Seminario Acarigua – Gallery 3

Photos from the July 14th 15th Concert at the Club Social Luso Venezolano in Acarigua Araure. The evening included performances of the choir, special education groups, and the brass and percussion ensembles as led by Rey Ramirez and Karli Mason, members of the visiting faculty. Unfortunately, I have no images of the brass because I … Continue reading Seminario Acarigua – Gallery 3