Greetings Fellow Bloggers, Music Lovers, Friends, Family, and Colleagues:
It’s Been One Year…and, We’re Still Here!
Live Room Under Construction
Yes, Ravensworth Studios is celebrating a birthday! We’ve been officially open since September 2011. Lots of news since our last post…it’s been a very busy summer around the studio! Many thanks to all who contributed to a great first year! Looking back at some of the construction photos, we’ve come a long way…and, we couldn’t have done it without your support!
Live Room Finished! For more photos, news, and info…please visit Ravensworth Studios on facebook!
Let’s see…nearly 50 audio/video projects under our wing this past year – large, small, and everywhere in between. All genres, including several full-length album projects. Would like to highlight a couple of projects of particular note, that represent the breadth of our recording experiences this past year…
Single Release: A fantastic country/pop hit…”You and Me” by Ashley McMillen and her full band…already getting good airplay on local radio and internet stations. You can take a listen to (and buy!) the song via Ashley’s excellent website: http://www.ashleymcmillen.com
Full-Length Album: Diamond Heart (Michael Scambos), the ethereal sounds of Native American flute. Please support this amazing artist: http://soundcloud.com/diamond-heart
Joey Vagus, lead engineer and audio-post specialist at Ravensworth Studios, tracked and mixed both of the sessions. Joey is also a member of Scottsville-based band, The SeeDz; as well as, Ferocious Fungi, who recently released an EP and have a music video in the works. As you can tell, we work with a lot of genres, from “Cello to Metal”…and, everything in between!
The SeeDz, Live at Scottsville’s Batteau Festival by Elizabeth Schoenborn
Would also like to introduce you to our resident artist, Ethan Hamburg, a very gifted keyboard player and composer who has worked on some selected projects at our studio, including session work for both of the above projects with Ashley and Michael. He has also performed as a featured guest for multiple artists at Victory Hall Theater, an intimate concert hall in Scottsville. (See below for more news about this great performance venue, now booking LIVE MUSIC!)
Ethan at 12 Stones Concert Victory Hall in Scottsville by Elizabeth Schoenborn
If you’re looking for keys, Ethan has 88 of them..and, he can make any sound imaginable! He also has thousands of songs he can play from memory. He is a classically trained, world-influenced, professional…with international touring experience. While he particularly enjoys working with all genres of Classic and Contemporary Country…from 1930’s Western Swing…to the sounds of Django Reinhardt…to the sounds of today’s Nashville artists, he is very comfortable with Fusion, World Music, and some Classical – Purcell anyone? He is an expert improvisational accompanist – almost any genre – and can immediately slide into most any performance environment.
Greg Schoenborn (guitar) and Ethan Hamburg (keys) by Elizabeth Schoenborn
Ethan is available for touring (if the deal is right), local gigs, occasional fill-in player work, studio sessions, original compositions, film score, commercial work, private events, dance studio accompanist…and, most any situation that calls for a high-caliber, well-seasoned pro. For a very quick video peek of Ethan tickling the ivories of our beautiful baby grand, please check out this link: Ethan Hamburg Demo
Ravensworth Studios is very excited about our current partnership with historic (c. 1918) Victory Hall Theater, an intimate performance venue, managed by Scottsville Center for Arts and Nature (SCAN), a nonprofit organization whose mission is a place for Art, a place for Nature, a place for Everyone. Elizabeth Schoenborn (Co-Owner of Ravensworth Studios and writer of this blog) is a volunteer member of the Board of Directors for SCAN. Ravensworth Studios is the booking agent for great local and regional LIVE MUSIC at this community treasure, at 401 Valley Street in the heart of the historic district, Scottsville, Virginia. Call 434.286.7200 or email Ravensworth Studios here.
Victory Hall Theater by Elizabeth Schoenborn
Back in the day, Victory Hall was on the circuit for many up-and-coming musicians such as Patsy (before she was Cline). The Carter Family (with June Carter) were regulars, as was Sunshine Sue (with the Old Dominion Barn Dance). We have a great music schedule for the rest of the year, including a Sunday Bluegrass Series. The theater also offers a variety of community programming: ballet classes, strings instruction, writer’s workshops, art classes, and more!
Please check SCAN’s website for events, tickets, information, news, and photos: http://www.scottsvillecenter.org
We have also been active with various community and charitable organizations, in support of the arts, both around Central Virginia and within our quaint little town. We are supporters of an organization that has been recently established, Central Virginia Health Alliance for Musicians (CVHAM).
Sharing the word about the “CVHAM 2012 Kick-off Musicfest”, a special fundraiser event with 12 hours of music, fun, and food on Saturday October 27th at Fry’s Spring Beach Club in Charlottesville. Their goal is, to not only raise money, but awareness for their mission: providing low-cost primary healthcare, basic dental care; as well as, mental health counseling to uninsured professional working musicians in the Central Virginia area. On-site health screenings will be available at the event. If you know of a fellow musician in need (who lives in the immediate vicinity of Charlottesville, VA), please spread the word! Volunteers and donations are welcome! Please visit their website for more information: http://cvham.org
With even more economic development happening around Scottsville, our fair town is becoming a year-round, vibrant community of thriving, forward-thinking businesses, filled with friendly and creative-minded people. Even in the three years that we’ve lived here, there have been so many wonderful changes…all leading to a long-overdue fiscal and cultural boon in the quintessential “Smalltown, USA” that we are proud to call home.
Support_Local_Artists
Best in Music,
Gregory and Elizabeth Schoenborn
Elizabeth and Greg Schoenborn – Caricature by Robin Hoffman
