Nathan
Francisco
Submitted:
September 16, 2018
Awarded
: $
1000
Contact Information:
Nathan
Francisco
10250 Newton Drive
Ooltewah
TN
37363
USA
(423) 305-8232
Reference 1:
Martha Bishop
Reference 2:
Kathleen Merfeld
Summary of Submitted Materials:
Submitted Documents:
Submitted Recordings:
Committee Notes:
Project Description:
Help funding a viol bow that I purchased at Conclave from Louis Begin.
Request Amount:
$
1000
Total Project Cost:
$
Budget and Additional Funding:
Qualifications:
I am a student of Martha Bishop, been playing viol for 3 years, cello for 12 years, and organ for 10 years. I recently got first place and received the special bow prize (a new Josh Henry cello bow) at the 2018 Tennessee Cello Workshop. I've also been a recipient of a loaner viol for past 3 years (thank you Kathleen Merfeld, if it wasn't for that I definitely wouldn't be playing viol today). This bow is the first piece of gamba equipment that I actually own, thank you for your willingness to help facilitate that!
Letter of Reference 1:
Dear Lisa Terry:
This letter is on behalf of Nathan Francisco, a 16-year-old prodigy viola da gamba player who is my student. He started viol (self-taught) after the Conclave at Emory, so that's very recently. His parents are very supportive and drive him from Chattanooga for lessons. They are both musicians (Nathan is also an excellent cellist and organist) and their resources are minimal to the extent that we comp them the use of rental instruments: Nathan's bass, Ellen's treble and Jeremy's tenor. Since coming for lessons with me (maybe a half a year) Nathan has worked on a Caix d'Hervelois Suite, Bach Sonata No. 1, Marais Suite in a minor, Jenkins Division Duet No. 1, Telemann D major Solo Sonata, Telemann Fantasia No. 4, Simpson Divisions in D, Telemann Concerto for Recorder (his Father plays recorder) and Viola da Gamba, and most recently the Graun Concerto in a minor. In truth I'm working very hard to keep him in material! He was a member of this year's Consort Cooperative and though he is young, he is very mature as a person and definitely in his playing. His new bow is helping him a great deal.
I highly recommend that we help the family in buying this bow, and that we give him the maximum amount allowable. He is a tremendous talent (perhaps you heard him trying out bows at the Emporium) on many pieces he has committed to memory. Above all, he is an extremely nice person and modest about his playing, just voracious about learning!
Martha Bishop
Sept. 17, 2018
Letter of Reference 2:
Dear Grant Committee,
Nathan asked me to write a recommendation for him in support of his application for a grant for the purchase of his bass bow.
Nathan has been playing a 6-string rental bass since Conclave of 2015 in Atlanta, when I believe he was only 12 or 13 years old. I have been following his progress since that time and have viewed a number of videos that his mother has sent me. I have observed that he is extremely talented and dedicated to playing the viol. He is also fortunate to have support for his playing from his parents who are also talented musicians.
At the time Nathan first rented the bass in 2015, we determined that his family could not afford to rent and decided to waive the rental fees. We feel that this was a good investment for the development of an exceptional viol player. I believe the same rationale is true for helping him purchase his bow.
I highly recommend that the VdGSA grant his request for his bow purchase.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Merfeld
Rental Viol Coordinator