Monte Perkins, Conductor presents
A MUSICAL GRAND TOUR with oboe soloist Bonnie Cohen
April 29, 2012 3:00 PM Pabst Theater 144 E. Wells
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PROGR A M Hebrides Overture......................................................................................... Felix Mendelssohn A Walk to the Paradise Garden........................................................................ Frederick Delius Oboe Concerto in C Minor.........................................................................Benedetto Marcello Allegro moderato. Adagio. Allegro. Bonnie Cohen, oboe Intermission Symphony No. 2 “Romantic”..........................................................................Howard Hanson Adagio. Andante con tenerezza. Allegro con brio. C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S TO F C S M U S I C I A N — E D D O E M L A N D
Join us in congratulating Ed Doemland, Principal Percussionist for Festival City Symphony and retired teacher, as this year’s winner of the Civic Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement in Music award. Thanks, Ed, for your talent and your untiring dedication.
T H A N K S TO O U R S P O N S O R S Festival City Symphony would like to take this opportunity to thank its sponsors, without whom these programs would not take place.
Greater Milwaukee Foundation’s Franklyn and Barbara Esenberg Fund
United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF) for operational expenses CAMPAC – recipient of “Matching Grant” funds for operational expenses
Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, through in-kind contribution
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FCS WELCOMES SPECIAL GUESTS SUPER READERS—children who have earned free tickets for themselves and their families by participating in Milwaukee Public Library’s SUPER READERS program.
PAJAMA JAMBOREE FANS—families who attend our children’s pops concerts and earn an opportunity to sample one of our “Symphony Sundays” programs.
CIVIC MUSIC ASSOCIATION (CMA) SCHOLARSHIP AUDITION PARTICIPANTS— Young music students who have participated in CMA’s audition for scholarship awards have received a complimentary pass for themselves and their family to enjoy great music, well performed at a ”Symphony Sundays” concert of their choice.
STRING ACADEMY OF WISCONSIN—winners of this year’s Practice Competition These diligent music students earned the privilege of entering a raffle to win complimentary tickets for themselves and their families to today’s program by practicing EVERY DAY in the month of February. This year showed the largest number of participants in the history of the competition and 51 of those participants practiced every day.
***Festival City Symphony is a member organization of Association of Wisconsin Symphony Orchestras, the Creative Alliance Milwaukee, VISIT Milwaukee, an affiliate member of UPAF, and a program partner at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center. FCS made the Business Journal’s “Book of Lists” 2002 – 2007, 2010 and 2012.***
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C O N D U C TO R ’ S N O T E S “A M U S I C A L G R A N D TO U R ” photo by Joseph A. Hartle
Good afternoon and welcome to the final concert for this season by Festival City Symphony, a program we call “A Musical Grand Tour”. Today we’ll take you to Scotland, Italy, the American Midwest and even Paradise.
Two distinguished compositions were the result of a visit to Scotland in 1829 by the then twenty year old Felix Mendelssohn (1809 – 1847). His many detailed musical and visual sketches led to the Scottish Symphony and the Hebrides Overture, also known as Fingal’s Cave. He finished the Overture in December of 1830 while in Rome, but continued to revise it for two more years saying … “the whole working out smells more of counterpoint than of train oil, seagulls, and salt fish, and must be altered”. The Overture was premiered in London on May 14, 1832, and was an immediate success. Frederick Delius (1862-1934) was born in England, but spent the last forty-eight years of life in France. His music was influenced heavily by Grieg, Wagner, and American folk music. His opera A Village Romeo and Juliet was produced in 1910 by Sir Thomas Beecham at Covent Garden. It was declared to be an opera of “…great beauty, but ineffective as drama”. One instrumental section, the “Intermezzo”, was singled out for praise and was excerpted for the concert hall under the name of A Walk to the Paradise Garden. This Intermezzo depicts the dreamlike mood of young lovers in the “Paradise Garden” of a small village they stop at as they elope. The impressionistic harmonies and lyrical melodies make this work seem more French than English or German. Its beauty has kept it in the concert repertoire now for more than a century. Next we take you to Venice at the height of its dominance of Italian Baroque music. Benedetto Marcello (1686-1739) was from a prominent Venetian noble family who lived a life respected in law, public service and music. A contemporary of the now better known Antonio Vivaldi (1675 – 1741), Marcello wrote church music, oratorios, and hundreds of chamber works for solo instruments. Today we will perform his Oboe Concerto in C Minor. As soloist we are very pleased to present the long-time principal oboist of FCS, Bonnie Cohen. To conclude the concert (and our season) we take you to Boston via Wahoo, Nebraska. For the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Boston Symphony Orchestra its conductor, Serge Koussevitzky, commissioned American composer Howard Hanson (1896-1981) to write a symphony. Hanson’s Symphony No. 2, the Romantic Symphony, was premiered on Nov. 28, 1930. As composer, conductor and educator (he directed the Eastman School of Music for forty years) Hanson believed in music’s direct connection to listeners. He wrote “Much contemporary music seems to me to be showing a tendency to become entirely too cerebral. I do not believe music is primarily a matter of intellect, but rather a manifestation of emotions. I have, therefore, aimed in this symphony to create a work that was young in spirit, lyrical and romantic in temperament, and simple and direct in expression.” It remains his most popular work and is the most performed symphony by an American composer. We certainly hope you’ve enjoyed our concerts this season and will join us for the 2012-2013 season. Our programs will include several works you’ve requested. See you in the fall. 4 Festival City Symphony
A B O U T O U R S O L O I S T— B O N N I E C O H E N Bonnie Cohen is a native of Milwaukee and has been actively working as a freelance oboist for many years. She received her music degree from the University of WisconsinMilwaukee under a full scholarship. Some of her teachers include Stephen Colburn, Paul Kramer, and Andre Ladrot when she studied at The Institute for Advanced Musical Studies in Montreux, Switzerland.
photo by Joseph A. Hartle
She has been the principal Oboist with the Festival City Symphony, formerly the Milwaukee Civic Orchestra, for the past 30 years. In addition to her Festival City Symphony duties, Bonnie has been performing as a member of the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra since 1975.
Bonnie was also a member of the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra for 26 years. She has performed with the Milwaukee Symphony, the Bel Canto Chorus, the Wisconsin Philharmonia, the Kenosha, Racine & Green Bay Symphony’s, the Skylight Theatre and Florentine Opera. Bonnie enjoys playing for Broadway road shows and traveling musical acts when she can! Bonnie presently teaches at the Concordia University Wisconsin. She also maintains a private studio in her Mequon home where she lives with her husband, Steven Meyerson. They have 3 grown children who all reside on the East Coast.
“SPRING SING”
Wednesday, May 23, 2012 7:00 PM with special guest, singer and actor Kathy Pyeatt
This final Pajama Jamboree of this season will feature versatile actress and singer soprano Kathy Pyeatt, performing popular arias and show tunes with the orchestra. Children will get to conduct the instrumental finale, Stars and Stripes Forever. Hosted by FCS Education Director Jayne Perkins, these classical ‘pops’ concerts are one hour in length and geared to children and their families. FREE ADMISSION Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Bradley Pavilion (Use the 123 E. State St. entrance) 414-963-9067 festivalcitysymphony.org
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M E S S AG E F R O M E D U C AT I O N D I R E C TO R — JA Y N E P E R K I N S photos by Joseph A. Hartle
Forty-one years ago I began my career as a music educator. Since that time, what studies of the brain have taught us about the value of music in all our lives is phenomenal. Music is the universal language in more than cultural ways. It is also the universal learning language. Intellectually, music stimulates the whole brain. The left brain analyzes the melody, rhythm, harmony, form and tone color whether you are performing or listening. The right brain reacts to the emotions evoked and the expression of the music. Studying music develops self-discipline and focus. Creativity is involved not only in the composition of music but in the thoughtful choices made in performance as well as imaginative listening.
Social skills are inherent in musical education. Students learn cooperation, leadership, compromise and patience when working together in a musical organization. Through it, they form relationships based on a common interest and purpose. Music performance at any level helps teach people how to deal with stress. At a young age this is a valuable experience that builds confidence and problem solving abilities. Learning to be a good audience is a life-long practice that everyone benefits from in all situations. Even private practice enhances essential life skills of intrinsic motivation and self- awareness. Auditory perception is vital for all children learning to speak and read. Singing and listening helps children’s ability to differentiate vowel and consonant sounds. Learning the minute difference between a short a, e, and i sound is much easier if the child can hear and sing whole and half steps. The physicality of singing or playing an instrument involves eye-hand coordination, laterality (doing different things with the left and right sides of the body), proper breathing, good posture, balance and strength. Studies have proven that students who are engaged in a musical activity are more engaged in their academic work and are not as apt to get into trouble. Through music education they learn about their own culture and those from around the world. All of the arts help develop an aesthetic appreciation and shared standard of humanity. Music and art belong as a fundamental part of children’s education and development.
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M E E T F E S T I VA L C I T Y S Y M P H O N Y M U S I C I A N — J UA N I TA G R O F F Juanita Groff has played violin with Festival City Symphony for about 15 years. Birthplace: Milwaukee Education: Ron Melby, who currently works with MYSO, first recruited and lit a fire under me! I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in music education from UW-Milwaukee. After graduation I studied violin with Larry Shapiro, at that time a member of the Fine Arts Quartet. His warm and encouraging teaching style nurtured my love for the violin and played a major role in shaping my approach to both teaching and performing. What I enjoy most about playing the violin: The stresses and sorrows of life all melt away while I am engrossed in making music. What I find most challenging about playing the violin: Organizing my time well enough to fit in sufficient practice and “body maintenance” (stretching, applying heat, acupuncture, etc.) to feel happy and comfortable while playing. Other instruments I play: I am currently renewing my acquaintance with that funny clef, teaching a sweet, young viola student. Other musical involvements: The first time I played a wedding “gig” with a string quartet, I was sure I had died and gone to heaven! I spent the evening playing music with my friends, eating prime rib and cake, and drinking (not too much) champagne. They gave me a check at the end. It doesn’t get any better than that! I am a very longtime member of the Milwaukee String Quartet and a longtime member of Chamber Music Artists, a flute, violin and cello trio - still happily playing music with my friends! My home becomes a buzzing private studio in the evenings. My Brussels Griffon, Buster, is the beloved mascot. He occasionally lets out a groan when someone plays a particularly high and/or squeaky note. Non-musical activities: Walking and spoiling Buster Preventing water from leaking into places in my house that it doesn’t belong Watching late night reruns of hospital and crime shows Music I play on my iPOD, CD player: My taste in music is fairly eclectic, but I listen primarily to music I am currently teaching and performing. Favorite musical memory: An intense, exciting season playing with the Dallas Opera Orchestra. Advice to someone considering a career in music: If you can’t imagine yourself in any other field, and if you are willing to work really hard for a modest income, then go for it! The non-monetary rewards are spectacular!
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F E S T I VA L C I T Y S Y M P H O N Y Conductor/Artistic Director................................................................................Monte Perkins Executive Director.................................................................................................. Linda E. Jones Education Director...................................................................................................Jayne Perkins Artist and Development Coordinator................................................ Lesley Conger-Hatch Librarian................................................................................................................... Christine Treter Assistant Librarians........................................................................Robert and Martha Kriefall Board of Directors Franklyn Esenberg, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Theodore Zimmer, Secretary/ Treasurer JoAnn Norris • Charlane O’Rourke • Robert Stack PERSONNEL FIRST VIOLIN Robin Petzold Concertmaster Catherine Bush Ass’t Concertmaster Marvin Suson Christine Hauptly-Annin Sharon Slattery Mary Stryck Erin Dupree Jakubowski Al Bartosik Isabel Escalante Carol Christensen SECOND VIOLIN Ellen Scott Principal Juanita Groff Andrea Buchta Melissa Mann Cheryl Ann Fuchs Shannon O’Leary Hilary Mercer Tassia Hughes Emily Stodola VIOLA Christine Treter Principal Olga Tuzhilkov Lynne Fields Jenna Dick Julie Roubik Sarah Christie Mary Pat Michels CELLO Tom Smith Principal Ingrid Tihtcheva Elizabeth Bender 8 Festival City Symphony
Martha Kriefall Carol Wittig Sacia Jerome Jared Snyder BASS Kathryn Jursik Principal Aliscia Benetti John Babbitt Larry Tresp FLUTE Lesley Conger-Hatch Principal Heidi Knudsen FLUTE/PICCOLO Kristen Fenske OBOE Bonnie Cohen Principal Suzanne Swenson Assistant Principal Suzanne Geoffrey ENGLISH HORN Suzanne Geoffrey
BASSOON Lori Babinec Principal Steve Whitney Robb Seftar CONTRABASSOON Robb Seftar HORN Wes Hatch Principal Nancy Cline Anne Maliborski Kathryn Krubsack TRUMPET Gerry Keene Principal Joe Burzinski William Dick TROMBONE Mark Hoelscher Principal Jonathan Winkle Keith Hertig TUBA Paul Haugan
CLARINET Dan Roberdeau Principal Linda E. Jones
TIMPANI Robert Koszewski
BASS CLARINET Christopher Zello
PERCUSSION Ed Doemland Principal Robert Kriefall HARP Ann Lobotzke