Help Bring My Father Eitan Avitsur's Music to Life

I am raising money for a recording project in memory of my father, Eitan Avitsur. The compositions, some of which were never performed and some were never recorded, are my way of keeping my father's memory and sharing his vision. Through a grant from the Faculty Development Fund at the Hartt School, CT, I was able to start the project with an award of $3500. To complete it, I need an additional $3700, which I can't cover alone. Your support would mean the world to me and help bring my father's beautiful music to life.

On the CD, I will record my father's Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra with piano, a Trombone Trio, two Trombone Quartets, and a Duet for Trumpet and Trombone. The Trombone Trio was written in response to a challenging historical heartbreaking event, so along with my father's compositions, I will include Sue Mutter's composition for a trombone quartet, "A Trip Through A Pandemic and Out the Other Side." I participated in the quartet recording last December. As far as I know, Sue's quartet is the only composition that tells the story of the last pandemic, allowing the listener to relive their experience.

The CD will be recorded in two parts. The Duet for Trumpet and Trombone will be recorded in July in New York City. I will be joined by Tom Hoyt on trumpet. This piece, one of the most challenging in the repertoire, has never been performed or recorded. Andy Bove is the engineer for this part of the project.

In September, the other pieces will be recorded in Johnson City, TN, at East Tennessee State University. This is all thanks to the efforts of my colleague (proud moment!!), Dr. Justin Waller, Trombone Professor at ETSU. Dr. Waller will join me, along with trombonist Andrea Neumann, to record the Trombone Trio and the quartets. An additional local trombonist and a pianist will complete the ensemble for the other pieces. Justin will also be the engineer for the September recording. He will edit, and master the complete project.

The CD will be digitally released by Arabesque Records. A limited number of prints will also be available.

The funds awarded by the Hartt Faculty Development Grant, along with the funds collected here, are earmarked for musicians' fees, hall rental, recording, editing, and mastering fees, as well as post-production items such as cover design and limited printing. Any additional funds collected will be directed towards the musicians' fees, as they are going above and beyond the call of duty (haha... I said duty).

Thank you for your consideration in support of this project.

Haim