News 2011

SeiOttavi star as the leading characters in a book for children in Abruzzo

15th December 2011

SeiOttavi are involved in an initiative which sees them take on a new role as leading characters in a book called "Un arcobaleno di note" (A Rainbow of Notes). The book by Giovanna Tonelli, with Paola Fontanari's drawings and a foreword by Franz Cioccio (Aereostella - Milan, 2011) presents SeiOttavi and their CD InOnda in a story that connects fourteen tales about music and musical instruments. The stories were written by children and young people to help other children and teenagers. The proceeds will be handed over to the association "Insieme per l'Abruzzo", who will use it to rebuild school facilities in the earthquake zone.
Last year, for the first anniversary of the earthquake in L'Aquila, Giovanna Tonelli and a group of children, wrote the booklet "Carezze per il cuore" (Caresses for the Heart). It was written and published to give thanks to those scholars who donated their own books for the destroyed library within the University of Abruzzo. The same children who participated in this first volume, have also taken part in this new initiative. "Un arcobaleno di note" was published at the end of October and is now available in all Italian bookshops and online stores (including: Aerostella).

Auditions: SeiOttavi are looking for new singers

27th October 2011

SeiOttavi are auditioning new singers for the group. The auditions are open for sopranos, mezzo sopranos, altos, tenors, baritones and basses. Ideal candidates should possess versatility in classical music, jazz and pop. The singers must be able to sing without vibrato and keep a light sound throughout their whole range. The voice cannot be purely lyric.
Other essential skills for the audition are: score reading, excellent timing and pitch.
Candidates should have experience using a microphone (live and studio work) and good movement skills.
The live repertoire will always be performed from memory and choreographed. Each singer will sing both as part of the ensemble and as a soloist. The candidate must be willing to travel in Italy and abroad.
Interested singers are kindly asked to send to info@seiottavi.com within and no later than 27.11.2011:

• - CV/ biography
• - 2 photos (face and whole body)
• - audio/video demo of at least 3 pieces of different styles

For files over 10 MB please send a link to download the files.

Successful candidates will be invited to an audition with the Group and their artistic production team. Details of this stage will be given to successful candidates in due course.
Candidates’ material will remain in the group’s archive.
All candidates will be informed of the outcome of the first phase of selection.

SeiOttavi and Mazzamuto's Quintet present "Overstep"

11th July 2011

"Overstep" is a new musical adventure that involves SeiOttavi in a collaboration with the ethno jazz group “Mazzamuto's Quintet”. The project includes a concert and the recording of an album. The two groups are working together to record the tracks that will become "Overstep", the CD resulting from this co-production and collaboration: the two groups will put together their expertise to create a work with an international sound that doesn't betray the Sicilian mood of the two formations. The album will contain original music by Giuseppe Mazzamuto, ethno jazz compositions which emphasize the magical sound and the technical complexity of vibraphone, and songs interpreted by SeiOttavi, for example Pat Meheny's well known "Letter From Home" and "Air on the G string" by Bach. The Jazz improvisation will be part of a musical journey that starts from Chick Corea's famous masterpieces “Spain” and “Eternal Child” and ends with ethno jazz compositions of other Sicilian composers like Ruggero Mascellino.
“Overstep” is also the title of the double concert SeiOttavi and Mazzamuto's Quintet, which recalls the historical one the Swingle Singers held with the Modern Jazz Quartet and Milt Jackson's superlative vibraphone. The concert will take place on 22nd July 2011 for the Seacily Jazz Festival (The Brass Group – Palermo).

SeiOttavi at Teatro Massimo (Palermo): Charity Concert

23rd March 2011

The year 2011 opens for SeiOttavi with a participation at the "Charity Concert for Biagio Conte." The Money raised from the concert on Monday 28th March 2011 at the Teatro Massimo of Palermo, at 20.30, will be donated to the "Hope and Charity Mission." The community of Biagio Conte is an organization that offers solidarity to immigrants, as well as to all those who find themselves on the margins of society. The mission not only offers material support but also human support. Biagio Conte's work began about two decades ago and has brought to life three centers in Palermo, which today give hospitality to about 900 people. Thanks to funds raised on the concert a "Caravan of Hope" will be bought. This multi-purpose van will improve two important voluntary service organized by the Mission: the "Night Mission for vagrants" and "Accompanying the disabled to hospital".
The first half of the concert presented by Pino Caruso and programmed by Donatella Sollima (artistic director of the evening) will be dedicated to jazz. Together with SeiOttavi will be on stage Francesco Buzzurro (guitar), Sal Bonafede (piano) and the Mediterranean Philharmonic Brass, directed by Michael De Luca. The second half, dedicated to classical music will show on stage the young virtuoso Andrea Obiso (violin), Maria Theresa Monterosso (piano), Filomena Schettino (soprano), Donatella Sollima (piano), Simone Alaimo (baritone) and Salvatore Scinaldi (piano ).

Julie Kench: SeiOttavi's new artistic dircetor

7th January 2011

The new year brings great news for SeiOttavi: Julie Kench, soprano of the Swingle Singers until 2009 (www.swinglesingers.com), joins the team as artistic director. After different collaborations for projects such as "Cinematica" (show and CD) and "Mons Regalis," Julie and SeiOttavi start a joint technical and artistic path, whose first goal will be the preparation of "VocalMente", the new concert SeiOttavi will present 24th May 2011 at the Teatro Politeama Palermo (79th Season of the “Associazione Siciliana Amici della Musica”).
Julie Kench brings into the team not only the experience of one of the best vocal groups of the world, but also the professional experience gained at Trinity College of Music in London. She has sung numerous operas (The Magic Flute, Rigoletto, Cosi fan tutte, etc.) and performed with conductors such as Zubin Mehta and Antonio Pappano. She sang as a soloist in numerous oratorios and sacred concerts held around the world, including La Scala in Milan and the Esplanade Singapore. "Welcome on board, captain Julie!"