Musical America Blogs

By: Edna Landau

To ask a question, please write Ask Edna.

I am often asked by artists and ensembles how they can gain recognition for themselves and build a following. The easiest way to answer them is by way of example.

Prior to March 1, 2012, I don’t think that Sybarite5 was on my radar screen. I’m sure I read that they were a winner of the Concert Artists Guild Competition in the fall of 2011 but the information just passed through my mind at the time. On March 1 of this year, I received my first e-mail communication from them in which they announced their Carnegie Hall debut at Zankel Hall, scheduled for November 13. In the relatively short newsletter, they also announced the first Sybarite5 baby (born to their bassist and his wife), a few upcoming world premiere performances, some educational workshops, and also saluted  their new friends at the Logan Series in Erie, Pennsylvania, saying: “We could not have asked for a warmer, more appreciative audience at Penn State!”  There were links to their tour schedule, their Facebook page, and their downloadable music on iTunes, cdbaby and Bandcamp. It was signed by Angela, Laura, Louis, Sami and Sarah. It was concise but personal. The next newsletter (June 12) announced a refreshing Carnegie Hall “Name that Tune” ticket giveaway contest, which was repeated in the July 13 newsletter. I include that one below because it impressed me so greatly:

Greetings from Aspen! Dear Friends & Fans,A big hello from our summer home in Aspen, Colorado! We are here performing as the Alumni Ensemble for the Aspen Music Festival and School, and are hard at work rehearsing and recording for our new all-Radiohead album! We are always thrilled to return to Aspen, where we got our start at the Aspen Music Festival that has nurtured us for so many years. We will be here until July 28, and then we will be heading to Albuquerque for the 3rd year performing on the Sunday Chatter series. Following that we head back east for our Canadian debut at the Tuckamore Music Festival in Newfoundland, Canada. We are excited to perform for the first time in St. John, the hometown of our violist Angela Pickett! On the way back to NYC we perform at the Chautauqua Music Festival on August 13 and at the Steppingstone Theater in Great Neck, NY on August 19 rounding out a busy summer season. We look forward to a packed 2012-2013 season with concerts all over the country! And, finally, this month we continue with our Carnegie Hall Name that Tune ticket giveaway contest only for our e-newlsetter fans! Entry is simple: Watch this short video here on our YouTube page. Be the first person to post the YouTube link and the name of the song on our Facebook page SYBARITE FIVE Get a free ticket to our Carnegie debut on November 13th, 2012!!! Keep reading our e-newsletter on the 13th of every month for the next chance to win tickets for our Carnegie Hall debut at Zankel Hall on November 13th! This will be the event of our season and we need the support of all our fans near and far. Tickets will be available for purchase on Carnegie Hall’s website on September 13. Stay tuned for more updates on all things Sybarite! Until August 13th, Angela, Laura, Louis, Sami & Sarah ©2012 sybarite5 | 10033

Why did this newsletter captivate me and spur me on to find out more about Sybarite5?

a)  It was warm and friendly

b)  It expressed gratitude to the Aspen Music Festival for nurturing them for many years

c)  It shared their personal and professional excitement over their upcoming performances

d)  It reminded everyone about their Carnegie ticket giveaway contest, a great way to build anticipation

e)  It made me feel that my support was important to them

From what I have read and seen on the Internet, this dynamic string quintet brings the same imagination, energy, warmth and creativity to their concert programs. They are also exciting and highly accomplished performers. I look forward to hearing them next month and to following their very promising career. They are off to a great start!

To ask a question, please write Ask Edna.

© Edna Landau 2012

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 25th, 2012 at 12:15 am and is filed under Ask Edna, Publicity and Promotion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.