SPRING RECAP // VAP AWARD WINNERS // CURRENT VAP NEWS // VAP ALUMNI NEWS VOCAL QUARTET NEWS // SPOTLIGHT: SARAH SYLVESTRE // UPCOMING EVENTS
SPRING 2012 RECAP
Collaborative Youth Concert students at Symphony Hall for performances of Beethoven Eroica
Members of Young Men’s and Young Women’s Choruses at Symphony Hall alongside H&H Period Instrument Orchestra and Chorus for performances of Bach St. Matthew Passion
Performances of Beethoven Eroica on February 17 and 19 each began with a special student performance of the Gloria from Mozart’s Coronation Mass in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Educational Outreach Program’s Collaborative Youth Concerts, led by John Finney. Reviewers praised H&H’s young singers for their “exemplary energy, intonation, and diction” (The Boston Classical Review). Special thanks to H&H Assistant Conductor John Finney and VAP conductors Alyson Greer and Joseph Stillitano for their efforts in preparing the Young Men’s and Women’s Choruses for Bach St. Matthew Passion on March 30 and April 1. The VAP students performed eight chorales with the H&H Period Instrument Orchestra and Chorus under the direction of Harry Christophers. Harry Christophers called St. Matthew Passion “the greatest work in classical music ever written” and was very enthusiastic about sharing his musical gifts and expertise with H&H’s students, almost all of whom were singing in Symphony Hall for the first time. On March 27, the Youth Chorus performed works of Schubert and Papoulis, as well as a Georgia Sea Island song, at the Massachusetts ACDA Big Sing East at St. Cecilia’s Parish, Boston. Choral adjudicator Dr. Christine Noel wrote that she was “mesmerized by [the] singers. There is an energy in their faces and in their delivery that communicates their love for performing and for singing together...an interesting and varied program that was performed beautifully. Bravi!”
2012 VAP AWARD WINNERS
Congratulations to the following 2012 Vocal Apprenticeship Program Award Winners selected by H&H’s Education and Cultural Diversity Committee:
Candace MacMillen Achtmeyer Award
Candace MacMillen Achtmeyer Award
VAP Musical Encouragement Award
Evangelyna Etienne Award
Lynea German, soprano, is a senior at the Pathways Early College Innovation School. She joined the Youth Chorus in 2007 and has been a member of VAP Soloists and Young Women’s Chorus since 2008. She has studied voice with Murray Kidd and Clara Sandler, cello with Mary Carfagna, and vocal chamber music with Barbara Winchester. She was the third-place winner in the 2011 National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Vocal Competition.
Rachel Steinberg, mezzosoprano, is a senior at Beaver Country Day School. She has been a member of the Young Women’s Chorus since 2009 and a VAP Soloist since 2010. She has studied voice with Kristen Watson and Clara Sandler and vocal chamber music with Barbara Winchester. In 2011, Steinberg participated in the Boston University Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Vocal Program and has been invited to return this summer. She spent her senior year participating in From the Top’s Center for the Development of Arts Leaders, organizing collaborative concerts at the Hope Lodge and recording a “CD of Hope” for cancer patients and their families to take home with them.
Michelle Klevsky, soprano, is a senior at the Walnut Hill School. She has studied voice with Angela Gooch and Clara Sandler and piano with Bert Yocom since 2008. She joined the Youth Chorus in 2007, was a member of the Young Women’s Chorus from 2008– 2011, and has been a VAP Soloist since 2008.
Samuel Feinstein, bass, is a sophomore at Peabody High School, where he enjoys playing jazz string bass. He has been a member of Young Men’s Chorus since 2009. He volunteers weekly for the Peabody All-City Chorus and has also volunteered with the North Shore Teen Initiative. He spent his February 2012 school vacation building houses with Habitat for Humanity in North Carolina.
The Barbara E. Maze Award for Musical Excellence was not awarded in 2012.
CURRENT VAP NEWS
Members of Singers, Youth Chorus, Young Men’s Chorus, and Young Women’s Chorus perform at The Society Ball, H&H’s annual gala fundraiser.
YOUTH CHORUS Isabelle Bears (Northeastern district) and Sophie Fraga (Eastern district) were accepted as chorus members for the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) Junior District Festival on March 16. Bridgett Sanchez is a violinist in the Lynn Public School Middle and High School Orchestra, which presented a concert on February 8. Bridgett’s Sixth Grade Ensemble played London Bridge, and she was featured in La Bamba with the Sixth Grade Quartet.
YOUNG MEN’S CHORUS/YOUNG WOMEN’S CHORUS/SOLOISTS Kayla McDermott, Lucy Page, and Christopher Kelleher sang in the MMEA All-State Chorus and Sophie Sparrow played trombone in the All-State Band at Symphony Hall on March 3. Alison Cameron was featured in Lexington High School’s production of Urinetown: The Musical, March 3–5.
Britta Erikson played Gypsy Rose Lee (Louise) in Winchester High School’s production of Gypsy on March 8. Lucy Page and Britta are two of three cocaptains of the Winchester Chamber Singers, which hosted the WHS Madrigal Fest on March 17 at Winchester Town Hall, performing along with other high school and college a cappella groups. Michaells Fana played the title role in Dedham Middle School’s production of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on April 10 and 12. Joseph Fanning was the technical crew stage manager for Westborough High School’s production of The Pajama Game, which ran the second weekend in March. Young Men’s Chorus conductor Joseph Stillitano was Music Director. Katherine Gross was selected as a 2011–2012 member of the Winsor School’s elite Small Chorus and will appear as Lorraine in Roxbury Latin’s and Winsor’s production of, All Shook Up in early May at Roxbury Latin School. Kathryn Hopkins played the title role in Medea in the Danvers High School entry to the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild High School Drama Festival. She received a best actor award and Danvers High School advanced into the Festival semi-finals, held March 10.
Yun-Jae Lee participated in From the Top’s Center for the Development of Arts Leaders program for 2011–2012. YunJae was part of the five-member team radioWAVES at the Roland Hayes School of Music in Roxbury. The radioWAVES team organized special events, recruited guest artists, and shared their own musical talents and experiences, which included a live taping of From the Top at NEC’s Jordan Hall. Sophie Sparrow played Lady Bracknell in Lexington Christian Academy’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest in early February. Jessica Toupin appeared as Rosemary in Dracut High School’s production of How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying in March. She will compete with the DHS Show Choir and String Orchestra (with which she plays violin) at Disney World in April. Zoe Weisskoff sang the role of Antonia in the River School’s production of Man of La Mancha on February 23 and 24 at Regis College.
VAP ALUMNI NEWS
VOCAL QUARTET NEWS
Ashley Buckhout (’07 YWC, ’10 Maze Award) studies voice with Sanford Sylvan at McGill University. Last fall she covered Miss Jessel in Opera McGill’s production of Britten’s The Turn of the Screw, and in March she will appear as Amor in Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea. In April, she will present a recital of works of Mozart, Chausson, Tchaikovsky, and Puccini. This summer, Buckhout will sing the role of Helena in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Halifax (Nova Scotia) Summer Opera Workshop. Christine Duncan (’01 Soloists) sang the principal role of Lel in the US premiere of Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera Snegurochka (The Snow Maiden) with the Lowell House Opera at Harvard University at the end of March. She also performed as Lady Sangazure in The Sorcerer with the MIT Gilbert and Sullivan Players last December. Christine will move to New York City in June to pursue a career in opera. Joseph Holmes (’99 Soloists) was the tenor soloist in a performance of Haydn’s Harmoniemesse with the Orchestra of Indian Hill, Nashoba Valley Chorale, and Harvard Pro Musica, conducted by Bruce Hangen. Congratulations to Joseph and his wife Emily on the birth of their daughter, Lily Noel, on January 9. Michael Maloney (’08 Soloists) recently recorded a Christmas album to benefit Boston Children’s Hospital. He presented the hospital with a check of nearly $800 with the proceeds from his CD’s sales. He also starred in a short film, The Perfect Brew, directed by Jesse Manfra and shot in Malden. Wendy Wang (’07 YWC/Soloists) has been accepted to the Martina Arroyo Foundation Prelude to Performance Program in New York City, singing in productions of Così fan tutte and Falstaff. She will travel to Germany in midAugust through September to sing with the Lyric Opera Studio of Weimar, a summer program sponsored by the German National Theater, where she will perform in Le Nozze di Figaro. She is currently a senior in the Harvard/ NEC dual degree program and studies voice with Karen Holvik.
Teresa Wakim with Ton Koopman and the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir after a concert in the Westerkerk in Amsterdam on April 9. Former quartet member Teresa Wakim will sing Pamina in The Magic Flute with Apollo’s Fire and will embark on a US tour with the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, performing Bach’s Mass in B Minor. She recently performed with Austin Clark’s Bourbon Baroque in Louisville. Pianist Dave Robbins currently plays for Improv Asylum’s Afternoon Delights comedy show on Sundays in the North End.
SPOTLIGHT: SARAH SYLVESTRE MEMBER, YOUNG WOMEN’S CHORUS What would you tell your friends if they asked you what VAP is? VAP is a wonderful program for anyone who loves to sing. We do not just sing any songs—we sing all different types of songs in all different languages. It is amazing how much you learn from coming to the classes every Saturday. What is your favorite thing about VAP? My favorite thing about VAP is that it doesn’t matter where you are from. You can come sing your heart out. What do you like about singing? I love the way the music sounds to me. Every piece has a different meaning, and every time you sing a piece it can have a different story. Why do you want to sing? I want to sing because I love to sing. Singing makes me happy and lets me feel free. It’s a great way to start my busy Saturday of music. What do you like about learning music on Saturday? It helps you to be more aware of the world so you can understand it better. What is your favorite VAP moment? My favorite memory is when we sang goodbye to Dr. Graham last season. It was a very touching moment for many of the students who had studied with Dr. Graham. What do you like to do when you are not singing? When I am not singing in VAP, I play basketball and volleyball and run track at Matignon High School in Cambridge. I also take viola lessons and play in the orchestra at the Community Music Center of Boston.
YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE Our educational programming is 90% subsidized and is sustained by the generosity of foundations, corporate sponsors, government entities, and individual donors. Please consider making a tax-deductable gift; it is an investment in our youth and Boston’s arts community. For more information on the benefits of giving or to make a contribution online, visit handelandhaydn.org/support. Thank you for your support. For foundation and corporate giving contact: Trevor Pollack tpollack@handelandhaydn.org or 617 262 1815 x116
For individual giving contact: Emily Yoder eyoder@handelandhaydn.org or 617 262 1815 x117
INSTITUTIONS
INDIVIDUALS
Abbot & Dorothy H. Stevens Foundation Alice Willard Dorr Foundation Amelia Peabody Foundation Analog Devices, Inc. Bessie Pappas Charitable Foundation The Boston Conservatory Boston Cultural Council The Boston Foundation 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, N.A., Trustee Eaton Vance Management Esther B. Kahn Charitable Foundation The Harold Whitworth Pierce Charitable Trust John H. and H. Naomi Tomfohrde Foundation John Hancock Financial Services Kingsbury Road Charitable Foundation Lawrence Cultural Council The Ludcke Foundation Lynn Cultural Council Massachusetts Cultural Council Medford Arts Council National Endowment for the Arts Needham Cultural Council New England Conservatory Preparatory School The Parthenon Group Sacerdote & Co., Inc. Schrafft Charitable Trust Stearns Charitable Trust Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc. Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation
Allison & William Achtmeyer Carol Airasian Mark & Maura Amrich Ruthann Ardizzoni Rafael & Ana Ardon Eric & Barbara Baatz Ann & Michael Barone Mary Brown Julian & Marion Bullitt Kenneth Lam & Karrie Chan-Lam Annette & Majid Charmchi Derek Clark & Monica Bruno Robert Conners Robert & Marita Coombs Valerie Edith Cowart Matt Coyle Jessica Cross Aurelio & Michelle D’Amico Willma H. Davis Nancie & Paul DeJoie Eugene & Julie Despres Michael Diener & Barbara Soojian Linda Drugan Dan & Joanne Dudka Christine J. Duncan Lucinda Ellert Chris & Karen Erikson Edward & Eileen Faulkner Joseph M. Flynn Mark & Polly Fraga Dan & Lois Frasier Paul & Diana Gallo The Gattozzi Family Richard & Beverly Geyer The Glass Family James Goldschmidt Roger & Val Govaert Paul & Patricia Grella Don Haber & Connie Houck Nancy & Bill Hammer Andrew Hammond Suzanne & Easley Hamner
Sissel Hunt Derek & Meghan Jacoby Mary & Eric Johnson James & Mary Karamourtopoulos Susan Kerns Sarah Kelly Brenda & Peter Kronberg Michael & Angela Lafontant Waltrud A. Lampe Linda B. Lank David & Hallie Lee Yung-Joon & Eunmi Lee Karen S. & George D. Levy Family Foundation Winifred I. Li & William P. Oliver Alfonso & Kathryn Link Alex & Julia Lipman Carol & James Lydon Joseph & Gwynedd Maranzano Margaret Marshall & Anthony Lewis Jose & Barbara Mazzotti Jeff McConnell & Janet Chumley Mary & Sherif Nada Margaret & Carl Nagel Lorrel B. Nichols Nancy Nizel Fernando & Barbara Novaes Maureen & Douglas Olsen Elizabeth & David Page Maria Paiewonsky Bob Paine & Beth Fuller Winifred & Leroy Parker Carol Parrish & Paul Clark Guy & Stella Parry Maurice M. Pechet Fund on behalf of Dr. Maurice Pechet Andrew & Patricia Peterson Michael & Francesca Pfrommer Karl & Anne Rookey Michelle Savia Emily F. Schabacker Robert H. Scott & Diane T. Spencer Robert & Rosmarie Scully Charles & Sabrina Selk
John & Karen Shubin Linda & Alexander Singer-Berk David & Marla Smith Lydia Smith Malcolm & Penelope Sparrow Susan & Andrew Spence Eric, Susan & Rachel Steinberg in honor of Lisa Graham Ashley & Willis Stinson Joyce Sullivan Norman & Judie Toti Beth & Frank Waldorf Edward & Judith Walk Timothy Watkins & Donna Cuipylo Elizabeth & Robert Wax Kathleen & Walter Weld Ray Williams Kathryn Willmore Wilson Family Foundation Barbara Winchester Katie & Marshall Wolf Jean & Ron Woodward Alexander & Theresa Zagler Shelly & Maurice Ziegelman Anonymous in memory of Barbara Maze Five Anonymous Donors As of March 15, 2012.
UPCOMING EDUCATION CONCERTS APR
H&H Singers
23
Monday, April 23, 7pm Fenn School, Concord Free admission
MAY
Youth Chorus in Orff Carmina Burana
5
Saturday, May 5, 7.30 pm St. Mark’s School, Southborough With Heritage Chorale, under the direction of H&H Associate Conductor John Finney $20 general admission
MAY
VAP Spring Choral Concert
JUN
VAP Soloists Recital
14 13
Monday, May 14, 7.30 pm Boston Latin School $5 general admission
Wednesday, June 13, 7.30 pm Williams Hall, New England Conservatory Free admission
PHOTOS FROM BACH ST. MATTHEW PASSION DRESS REHEARSAL
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