Pictured below: Singers from the Vocal Apprenticeship Program in concert.
Karen S. and George D. Levy Educational Outreach Program Summer 2010 Newsletter Published May 2010
Since 1985, the Handel and Haydn Society’s Karen S. and George D. Levy Educational Outreach Program has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to innovative music education. The program serves approximately 10,000 children in communities throughout eastern Massachusetts each year with initiatives that give children meaningful opportunities to experience and perform classical music: Vocal Quartet performances, Collaborative Youth Concerts, the Vocal Apprenticeship Program (VAP), the Heartstrings program, coaching, and masterclasses.
VAP Family News Youth Chorus Julianne Freeman will play Princess Pamina in North of Boston Art Center’s version of The Magic Flute. Cristina Gallo won third place in the First Annual Talent Show sponsored by the Turtle Lane Playhouse in Newton. She sang “Meadowlark” from The Baker’s Wife, music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Taylor Giannino will play the Fairy Godmother in Masconomet Middle School’s production of Cinderella (performances in June). Sydney Smith will be a Counselor-in-Training for the second year at Community Music Center’s SummerARTS program June 28-July 23.
Young Men’s Chorus/ Young Women’s Chorus/ Soloists Tarik Auguste, Jeffrey Hammonds, Mark Joseph and Kareem Robinson were in Brockton High’s production of Hello Dolly! May 14-16. Mark played the role of Horace. Michael Buckhout received the Outstanding Sophomore Musician Award at Haverhill High School’s choral banquet on April 30. Lyndsey Charette will sing with the High School Chamber Singers in New England Conservatory’s Vocal Vacation
Spring Auditions
Urban Choral Arts Festival on July 17 in Jordan Hall. Ella Cohen will play violin at the Summit Chamber Music Festival in New York this summer. She is a violinist in the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra (BYSO) Repertory Orchestra. Katherine Corneilson played the Maid and sang in the ensemble for Medford High School’s production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood April 8-10. She also received a Medford High School Headmaster’s Scholastic Achievement Award on May 5. Katherine will be in the cast of Magic Circle Theater for six weeks this summer Eric Doyle’s a cappella group Town Criers (11 male singers) took third place at the National Championships on April 23. The top three groups (including Town Criers) opened for the international collegiate championships held on April 24 at Lincoln Center in New York City. Samuel Feinstein will spend five weeks this summer at the BIMA Institute, a residential art and Jewish experience program held at Brandeis University, where he’ll play electric bass. He was featured in a video and presentation led by Jen Moros and Michael Giannopolo at the 2010 Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) Convention demonstrating the benefits of students involved in multiple music programs and opportunities. Sam sang “Razzle Dazzle” from Chicago during an
Pictured above: Lisa Barone, Jenna Lorusso (foreground), Emory Paine and Demeyer Lauture, Jr. (standing in background) at the 2009 VAP Soloists recital. Lisa and Jenna performed a duet by Purcell at the Society’s Board of Governors meeting on May 13.
MMEA discussion by Gordon College Professor Dr. Kenneth Phillips on teaching young males with a changed voice. Gia Greene’s rock band, the Ferrets, performed on May 8 at the West Medford Open Studios. Annina Hsieh will attend the Vocal Arts and Operetta program at Interlochen Academy June 26-August 9. This is her second year in the High School program (fourth season overall). Diana Hughes will be a volunteer in the scheduling department for her second summer in the Governor’s Internship Program, Women’s Bar Association. She will also be a Counselor-in-Training/Lifeguard at C-A-M-P, a theatre camp in Maine.
Kurt Pfrommer earned the rank of Black Belt in Uechi Ryu style of karate this spring. Rachel Steinberg won second place at the Stoughton “No Place for Hate” Local Idol Talent Show. She sang “Meadowlark” from The Baker’s Wife. Lum-Bih Tashi played Evillene (Wicked Witch of the West) for Lowell High’s production of The Wiz April 30-May 1.
VAP Graduates of 2010 Congratulations to our college bound seniors: Nachelis Cuevas (Marian Court College); Melissa Ennulat (University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, art history and music double major); Mark Joseph (Berklee
VAP High School Soloist auditions will be held on June 19, 2010, at the New England Conservatory, starting at 9.30am. To schedule an audition, contact Robin Baker at rbaker@handelandhaydn.org, or call 617 262 1815, ext. 126.
College of Music, voice major); Allyn McCourt (University of Massachusetts at Lowell, voice major); Andrew Milne (SUNY Fredonia, double major in music education and vocal performance); Evan Pappazisis (Suffolk University, studying history and law); Elissa Spinner (University of Rochester, majoring in international relations with a minor in Spanish) and Rosanna Wong (Simmons College, psychology major). Lisa Barone won second prize in the Harvard Musical Association’s High School Achievement Award Competition. Lisa was a featured soloist in the NEC Preparatory Department’s Joyful Noise fundraiser on May 1 at the Boston Center for the Arts Cyclorama. She is the winner of the Society’s 2010 Candace MacMillen Achtmeyer Award and has been accepted at the Manhattan School of Music to study voice with Cynthia Hoffman. Lisa has also been accepted to sing at Boston University’s Tanglewood Institute (BUTI) Young Artists Vocal Program July 4 – Aug. 14. Rachel Berger will direct two one-act plays for Westborough High School’s Centerstage this May and perform in a high school musical review for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. Rachel is also finishing preparations for Westborough’s Darfur Student Alliance Acappelooza fundraising concert in June. She has been accepted as an acting major at New York University, and received a merit scholarship from the Corridor Nine Chamber of Commerce. Fiona Buchanan sang in Swampscott High School’s vocal jazz ensemble on May 12 and played one of the Gemini twins in A Funny Thing Happened
on the Way to the Forum May 20-22. She will attend Boston University as a painting major next fall.
Alex Linder (’07 YWC) will be interning at Price Waterhouse Coopers, Boston in the audit department.
Jenna Lorusso has received both a Presidential Award merit scholarship and an invitation to join the honors program as a vocal performance major at Westminster Choir College in September. Jenna performed a duet by Purcell with Lisa Barone at the Society’s Board of Governors meeting on May 13 at Trinity Church.
Michael Maloney (’08 Soloists) will be the Musical Director for the second season at the Wang Theater’s Suskind Young Arts Foundation for their summer high school Sing Out Loud Workshop: Celebrate Musical Theater. The showcase will be on August 6.
Sophie Weisskoff formed, directed, and arranged music for a new a cappella group as her senior Capstone project at the Cambridge School of Weston (CSW). She will perform the role of Gertrude in CSW’s production of Hamlet in May. She was accepted to Boston Conservatory’s Vocal/Choral Intensive ’10 summer program and is also singing in Longy A Cappella. She will attend Oberlin College.
VAP Alumni Ashley Buckhout (’07 YWC) is the winner of the 2010 Barbara E. Maze Award for Musical Excellence. Ashley attended the Cleveland Institute of Music during 2007-2009, and took a year off to study diction in Italy. She will transfer to McGill University as a vocal performance major to study with Sanford Sylvan. Abha Gallewale (’09 YWC) went on tour to New York City and New Jersey over March spring break with the Jackson Jills (Tufts University a cappella group).
Deborah Pierre (’08 Achtmeyer, YWC), sang in the ensemble cast and covered for the title role in Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida on April 21 at the Berklee Performance Center.
Faculty News In April, the Vocal Quartet presented a three-hour expanded version of Voices of the Stage for morning workshops sponsored by Exploritas at three retirement communities. A participant at the Rivermead (Peterborough, New Hampshire)
program said: “We loved their choices for all three categories of music: oratorio, opera and musical comedy. Their musicianship was impressive and their voices were really well-matched. Earnest, touching, funny, dramatic, graceful, passionate by turns, they were also responsive to their audience and respectful of questions during the intervals. The people who came were thoroughly engaged, not to mention brought to tears or laughter at different points, as well as softly singing along in pieces which they themselves had sung as much younger people. They will undoubtedly tell other people at Rivermead that this is an event not to be missed.” Jodi Hitzhusen, pianist for the Vocal Quartet, will leave the Society’s education program in June after three years; we wish her all the best on her upcoming nuptials and future endeavors. Visit myspace.com/vociangelicatrio for further information.
Upcoming VAP Concerts JUNE
Bert Yocom’s Studio of Piano will present a recital on June 5, 10am at Steinert Hall, 162 Boylston Street, Boston. VAP students performing (among others) are Lisa Barone, Gia Greene, Jeff Hammonds, and Michelle Klevsky. Admission is free.
JUNE
The VAP High School Soloists Spring Recital and Awards Ceremony will be on June 16, 7:30pm at Williams Hall, New England Conservatory, 290 Huntington Avenue, Boston. Soloists will include Lisa Barone, Ashley Buckhout, Nachelis Cuevas, Lynea German, Gia Greene, Mark Joseph, Michelle Klevsky, Jenna Lorusso, Emory Paine, Kareem Robinson, and Ruby Sands. Admission is free.
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Thank you to all the families in the Educational Outreach Program who participated in the Luxury Raffle fundraiser this spring. With your help we were able to raise thousands of dollars in support of the education program and artistic initiatives of the Society. Congratulations and thank you to the Netland family, our top raffle ticket sellers and winners of dinner for two at L’Espalier in Boston’s Back Bay and a pair of iTunes gift cards.
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Strengthening the Society for the Bicentennial
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Individuals
Abbot & Dorothy Stevens Foundation Bessie Pappas Charitable Foundation Boston Conservatory Boston Cultural Council Brockton Cultural Council Cambridge Arts Council Charles and Sara Goldberg Charitable Trust Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. Clipper Ship Foundation David Greenewalt Charitable Trust Deborah Munroe Noonan Memorial Fund, Bank of America, Trustee Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. Esther B. Kahn Charitable Foundation Kingsbury Road Charitable Foundation Lawrence Cultural Council Linde Family Foundation The Ludcke Foundation Lynn Cultural Council Marion L. Decrow Foundation Massachusetts Cultural Council Medford Arts Council National Endowment for the Arts National Endowment for the Arts Recovery Act The New England Conservatory Extension Division The Parthenon Group Ramsey McCluskey Family Foundation Sacerdote & Co., Inc. Schrafft Charitable Trust Stearns Charitable Trust Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.) One Anonymous Donor
Janet Adachi & James Gado Mark & Maura Amrich Sarah F. Anderson & Myriam C. Anderson in honor of Robin Baker & Lisa Graham Rafael & Ana Ardon Joseph Basile & Sheelah Sweeny in memory of Barbara Maze Ann & Michael Barone Arthur Carter in memory of Barbara Maze Cynthia & Daniel Caulfield Annette & Majid Charmchi Lisa Cherbuliez & John Terry in honor of Robin Baker, Heather Tryon, & Dr. Martin Anne & David Chiriboga Bonnie Ciambotti & Eric Ziering Valerie Edith Cowart Donna Cuipylo & Tim Watkins Nancie & Paul DeJoie Eugene & Julie Despres Mary & Joseph Doyle Susan & Charles Drebing Dan & Joanne Dudka Margaret & Sean Dyer Lucinda Ellert Dorothy Fabian Carol & Daniel Fisher Beth Fuller & Bob Paine Paul Gallo & Diana Collazo-Gallo The Gattozzi Family Richard Geyer The Glass Family Roger & Val Govaert Beth Graham Don Haber & Connie Houck Adele Hoffman in memory of Barbara Maze Angela Irving in memory of Barbara Maze Cynthia Kanik James & Mary Karamourtopoulos Kevin Kelly & Patricia Belden Rima & Samuil Klevsky Shelly Kroll
As the Handel and Haydn Society’s Bicentennial quickly approaches and as we celebrate Artistic Director Harry Christophers’ first season, leaders from Handel and Haydn’s Board have launched a matching challenge grant. Any gift made between now and June 30, 2010 will be matched one for one by these Board members, up to $75,000. Please help us meet this goal with a tax-deductible contribution to the Society today. Your gift will support the Vocal Apprenticeship Program and other educational and artistic initiatives of the Karen S. and George D. Levy Educational Outreach Program and the Handel and Haydn Society. To make a gift, visit www.handelandhaydn.org or call the development office at 617 262 1815. Thank you for joining with us in building a strong foundation for our audiences, musicians, and the children in our education programs.
Linda Law David Lee Karen S. & George D. Levy Winifred I. Li & William P. Oliver in memory of Barbara Maze Ann Marie Lindquist & Robert Weisskoff Alex & Julia Lipman Jay & Julie Lustig Carol & James Lydon Peter G. Manson & Peter A. Durfee in memory of Barbara Maze Jeff McConnell & Janet Chumley Eric Mesh Beth P. Milham in memory of Barbara Maze Mary & Sherif Nada in memory of Barbara Maze Margaret & Carl Nagel Greg Netland & Kim Holliday Nancy Nizel Maureen & Douglas Olsen John W. Osgood in memory of Barbara Maze Elizabeth & David Page Winifred & Leroy Parker Gail & Frank Patania Andrew & Patricia Peterson Loumona Petroff Francesca & Michael Pfrommer Alan D. Rothstein in memory of Barbara Maze Rolly Rouse & Carole Collins Susan & Andrew Spence Claire Spinner Richard & Margaret Vidale in memory of Barbara Maze Kathleen & Walter Weld in memory of Barbara Maze Four Anonymous Donors One Anonymous Donor in memory of Barbara Maze Supported in part by: