
Musical education for children of all ages
IGUDESMAN & JOO’s unique education program is designed for any musician who wishes to widen their horizons and approaches to creating, learning, rehearsing, and, performing music. “8 To 88″ explores often– ignored and less-practised aspects of music making and encourages musicians to be more open to such aspects, which may include improvisation, choreography, theatricality, psychology of performance, stage manner and presentation, different styles of music, classical and non-classical rhythm, composition, dramaturgy, and humour.
Musicians are invited to bring their own instruments, and any other instrument they might play, and are encouraged to bring along any own compositions, sketches (musical, or theatrical), and to share any “hidden talents”.
IGUDESMAN & JOO’s “8 To 88″ is available to all musicians, and while it is certainly not exclusive to string players or pianists, violinists and violists would benefit from working with Igudesman’s various “workouts” in different styles, alternative sound production, and, non-classical ornamentation.
The content and direction of the program can vary dramatically depending on the enrolled participants on any given day, which follows IGUDESMAN & JOO’s organic and reactive coaching style that addresses each situation and individual.
Students come away from “8 To 88″ inspired and invigorated, and many leave some of their fears and inhibitions behind. The over-arching emphasis is on being able to have fun with music, and feeling inspired and confident to be creative and break new grounds for their own musical journeys.
In August 2014, IGUDESMAN & JOO will offer guidance to the participants of “A Feast of Duos”, the first competition for duos of violin and piano at the Sion Festival. Going beyond the usual boundaries of music competitions, IGUDESMAN & JOO will act as both jurors and coaches for the duos. The spirit of “8 To 88” is carried forward to the environment of a first-class music competition.
What others say
“The funniest show on music and the life of musicians I have seen since the great Victor Borge. I couldnt stop crying of laughter for the whole evening. Go see these gifted musicians. What they show is life at its funniest side. It isn’t just entertaining, it is hilarious! “
“Igudesman and Joo are not only musical virtuosi but also comic maestros. Any thing they touch turns to gold and I am enchanted by them every time I see them. Definitely one of the funniest and most entertaining shows I have ever seen and I can’t wait to see them again in action!“
“Describing the Igudesman & Joo humor in detail would be to deflate its brilliance. For the put-upon Igudesman, think Jack Benny and Jascha Heifetz rolled into one. For the zany Joo, try an unholy Chico Marx, Vladimir Horowitz and Jerry Lewis mash-up […] The Igudesman & Joo anthem is Gloria Gaynor’s ‘70s hit song “I Will Survive.” Igudesman begins it as if singing a Russian folk song, and he electrifies it by playing on the violin strings with an electric swizzle stick (on a priceless 1717 Santo Seraphin violin, no less). Ultimately, it survives – barely and hilariously — as an unclassifiable audience sing‐along. But the idea of surviving is also a serious business with these two miraculous performers“