Ethan has been accepted into the AIMS summer festival as a collaborative pianist
A message from Ethan: "Following the first season of the Lookout Valley Art Song Series, which I organized, I've decided to pursue my interest in art song and especially German Lieder further. One step in that direction is attending AIMS in Graz 2023. This is a summer program in Austria, organized by the American Institute of Musical Study. I will be in the collaborative piano program, and I look forward to the opportunity to meet new people, collaborate with singers, delve into German Lieder repertoire, and learn more about coaching singers—with an eye toward applying what I learn to future seasons of the Lookout Valley Art Song Series and other song-oriented projects."
Here's a video overview of the AIMS program:
Fundraising
At this stage, Ethan needs to raise $4,525 toward tuition and housing for AIMS (anything raised beyond that amount will be applied to airfare, meals, and transportation within Austria). The deadline for this is May 15, 2023. Donations of any amount are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated! Below is our tiered system of rewards for various donation amounts:
Any amount: You'll have the option to be added to an exclusive email list to receive updates from Ethan during his time at AIMS
Level 1: $30-$49: A signed copy of Ethan's CD Silver Songs, featuring the UT Chattanooga Chamber Singers (also available digitally)
Level 2: $50-$99: The reward for level 1, plus a signed copy of Ethan's CD The Invitation, featuring tenor Benjamin Jenkins (also available digitally)
Level 3: $100-$499: The rewards for levels 1-2, plus admission to a VIP dinner and concert (featuring Ethan) at the home of Jim Bailiff in Chattanooga on June 3, 2023, at 6:30pm. Your name will be listed as a benefactor on that evening's program and on Ethan's website.
Level 4: $500-$999: The rewards for levels 1-3, plus Ethan will present a private house concert or dinner music for you and your guests on a date that works for you in 2023. (You provide the venue. The repertoire for this has already been set, so Ethan may not be able to accept requests for specific musical selections.)
Level 5: $1000 or more: The rewards for levels 1-3, plus Ethan will compose an art song just for you! An art song is a musical setting of a poem for voice and piano. You'll consult with Ethan to choose a poem and voice range for the song, which will be dedicated to you—or, if you prefer, to someone else as a gift, or in memory of someone who has died.
Donations should be sent to directly to AIMS, rather than to Ethan. Click the button below to donate via the AIMS website. During the checkout process, you must enter "Ethan McGrath" in the field marked "Participant's Name."
If you'd like to donate but are unable to do so online, send Ethan a message via our contact form, or attend our forthcoming benefit concert:
Benefit Concert
Sunday, May 7, 2023 | 3:00 P.M.
First Baptist Church | 401 Gateway Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Ethan McGrath, Pianist & Organist | Ben Van Winkle, Cellist | Jordan Otis, Mezzo-Soprano
Free admission | Donations accepted
Ethan will present a concert of piano and organ works, as well as a selection of art songs and works for cello and piano, featuring guest musicians Jordan Otis and Ben Van Winkle. The concert will include works by Schubert, Liszt, Mendelssohn, and others, alongside a selection of Ethan's own compositions. A reception will follow in the narthex.
Ethan McGrath
Jordan Otis
Ben Van Winkle
The photo of Graz at the top of the page by Mfield, Matthew Field, http://www.photography.mattfield.com - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4244557