Joshua
Keller
Submitted:
December 1, 2008
Rejected
: $
Contact Information:
Joshua
Keller
c/o Leonard Trommel
Tresckowstrasse 2
Bremen
Bremen
28203
Germany
(+49) 017652353231
Reference 1:
Hille Perl
Reference 2:
Wendy Gillespie
Summary of Submitted Materials:
Submitted Documents:
Submitted Recordings:
Committee Notes:
Sorry, a technical note, rather than a comment on this particular application: Is anyone else having problems viewing the entirety of Josh's "needs" statement? It seems to break off in mid-sentence, and I'm wondering if it's a problem with my computer, the browser, the site, or something else.
Thanks,
JJ
Julie, you're right - it's like that in the data base. I'm not sure why it got chopped, but it was unexpectedly long-winded. Linda and I were thinking a typical entry in the "needs" area would be a sentence or two.
It all sounds dandy to me: He comes with a good set of recommendations and is a known quantity in need of a bit of cash. I think it all sounds kosher. JJ and Sarah, what say ye?
-DM
My first reaction was to think that a request for living expenses was quite a departure from our previous funding of objects (such as axes) or event attendance (workshops), but I can see that this can be considered just another way of furthering the cause, and I have full trust in the judgment of the references! My only question is whether "living expenses to enable the study of the viol" could at any time in the future set a precedent for "living expenses to enable practicing the viol" or the like, since life does, in fact, go on for all of us and people do have to juggle difficult financial times to pursue their studies.
My initial reaction was similar to Sarah's. "Living expenses to study the viol" does seem rather open to dangerous precedent. But if, as Wendy says, Josh is asking for basic maintenance until he can work legally in Germany, then at least we're talking about helping him out for a specific, finite period, which will end when he can legally work in Germany, and that makes me feel a little better about the idea. I do wonder about how long that period is supposed to be, but presumably Josh has worked out what it would take to get him through it(?)
Project Description:
Dear Grants-in-Aid Committee,
This is a formal request for aid in my viola da gamba studies in Bremen, Germany at the Hochschule für Kunste with professor Hille Perl. I must add unfortunately, that this is coming as a bit of an emergency as some other plans for financial stability have fallen through and money to live here in Germany is indeed running out soon. At first I thought it a bit odd to be asking for everyday living expenses (such as I am). However, it is true that this would only be used to further my time here with such an excellent teacher as Frau Perl and to become a greater musician and player of the Viola da Gamba and Lirone.
When I chose to come to Germany (and was chosen by Hille as well), I wasn't quite sure if it was going to work out and told myself if in fact it didn't work out, then I would just come back to the US with no problem. However, there seems to be too many reasons to try my best to stay as long as I can hold out. I was hoping to be working by now but complications with being officially
Request Amount:
$
Total Project Cost:
$
2500
Budget and Additional Funding:
Qualifications:
I have never been one of those Americans that would rather be in Europe. Truthfully, I would rather be in my home country with my freinds and family. However, since I have been here in Bremen, already I have played music I did not previously know about, had break-through lessons with Hille Perl, played projects which I had been dreaming of for two years, been to more countries in two months then I ever did in my whole life in the US, and have participated in and watched master classes with notables such as Richard Cambell, Richard Boothby, Reiko Ichese, and Allison Crumb. Not bad for three months.
I received my Master's Degree from Indiana University with Wendy Gillespie in 2007. After graduating from IU (where I learned from the very talented music staff of the Early Music Institute) I spent a year living in Bloomington and working as much as I could. I was able to work as a soloist on several occasions, and also as accompanist on the gamba and lirone for groups in Seattle (of which I was invited to play lirone for Seattle Baroque following my performance), Mexico, many upstart groups in the cities of Louisville, KY and Indianapolis, IN, as well as local projects within the Bloomington area.
As far as my main goals for the upcoming months, the opportunities seem of great substance. I now have a trio that explores the very latest repetroire for the viola da gamba by composers such as Zycha, Fiala (or Hammer), and Andreas Lidl. We have entered into a competition set for late January. Hille Perl has told me she has recommended me to play viol and lirone for the Cavalli opera to be performed in the City Theatre here in Bremen. Also, the gamba class will be performing one of my compositions in the next consort recital set for February, a very large honor. Another plus for studying here is the group effort with the gamba class to learn improvisation of which I also have a part in teaching as well because of my experience in that field. As you can see, there are enough things going on here that would make any gambist want to stay for quite a while not to mention a loving and supporting international class (representing five continents!) of talented gambists. Your help would make many things possible at this time and I thank you for your consideration.
Letter of Reference 1:
This, I'm told, is all I need to do to recommend Josh for a GiA. He is asking for basic maintenance until he can work legally in Germany. Josh is, of course, a very talented viol player and seems to fit the bill nicely for someone who will contribute to the future of the viol, so it is just a question of whether his request is the sort of thing we want to support. I recall people getting grants to go to workshops or help with tuition; this request is more basic. The amount he's asking does not seem unreasonable. I have to admit that I do not understand in what way Andreas Lidl is "the very latest repertoire for the viola da gamba," but I suppose we have not awarded previous grants based on the quality of the application rather the apparent worthiness of the applicant. Josh is certainly one of the better young players out there, and the current economic climate is hard on everyone; I just hope he's thought it all through enough to know how far this money will take him. I have no idea whether he can carry out his plan without the assistance, but am guessing it would be difficult.
Letter of Reference 2:
Prof. Hille Perl
Hochschule für Künste
Dechanatstr. 13-15
D- 28195 BREMEN
Germany
To the
Viola da Gamba Society of America
Recommendation
To whom it may concern
Hereby I recommend the gambist Josh Keller for a YOUNG PEOPLE’S GRANT from the VdGSA. Josh is currently studying in Bremen at the Academy for Early Music in the University of the Arts. Already a highly accomplished player, he is trying to improve his practical and theoretical abilities and will finish with a Diploma from our school by summer 2010. Event though there is no tuition, he is fighting to support himself, and until his skills in German improve it will be hard for him to find work as a player or teacher. Undoubtedly he will in the end be able to support himself, and it is because I strongly believe that to be the case, that I recommend him for your grant. His musicianship is already very advanced, he brings along a fine education that he received in the United States, and it would be a great psychological and practical encouragement for him to receive the grant.
Winkelsett, Germany, December 2008 Hille Perl