CELEBRATE WITH SINGING:
25
TH ANNIVERSARY
THE KAREN S. AND GEORGE D. LEVY EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAM
Above: Students sing in this spring’s Collaborative Youth Concert at Boston Latin School.
SPRING 2011 IN THIS ISSUE: Winter VAP Concerts Recap Upcoming VAP Concerts Collaborative Youth Concerts VAP News Audition Information
HANDEL AND HAYDN SOCIETY
INSPIRING KIDS TO SING, LEARN, AND SMILE FOR 25 YEARS
Established in 1815, the Handel and Haydn Society is America’s oldest continuously performing arts organization, with a history of innovation. The Karen S. and George D. Levy Educational Outreach Program is an example of such innovation and is now in its 25th year of offering handson music education and unique learning opportunities to nearly 10,000 youths each year in Greater Boston and beyond.
With three main initiatives the program teaches and inspires countless youth: The Vocal Apprenticeship Program (VAP), in which students learn music theory, sing in choirs, and perform alongside Society musicians; The Vocal Quartet’s free in-school visits, during which the Society’s professional singers relay music history to youngsters in an educational and interactive way; and Collaborative Youth Concerts, in which choirs from different Massachusetts schools team up to present performances in their communities with Society musicians. As part of its mission, the Handel and Haydn Society strives to provide quality learning opportunities.
WINTER 2011 RECAP THE SOCIETY BALL
Over 70 students from Singers, Young Men’s Chorus, and Young Women’s Chorus entertained patrons during H&H’s gala benefit on February 12 at the Mandarin Oriental, Boston. The event celebrated 25 years of the Educational Outreach Program and honored legendary music educator Phyllis Curtin. The Vocal Quartet performed excerpts from What’s an Oratorio? and Meredith Lustig, VAP alumna, winner of both the Achtmeyer and Maze Awards, and current graduate student at The Juilliard School, sang a piece by Daniel Pinkham in honor of Ms. Curtin.
2011 YOUNG MEN’S CHORAL FESTIVAL
Young Men’s Chorus hosted its fourth annual Young Men’s Choral Festival at Boston Latin School on February 19. Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s Men’s Glee Club, members of the MIT Chamber Choir and Boston Children’s Chorus, and students from Boston Arts Academy and North Quincy High School participated. MIT’s a cappella group The Logarhythms led a workshop, all the men rehearsed together, and the day culminated in a joint performance under the direction of MIT and The Boston Conservatory Choral Director William Cutter.
EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAM 25TH ANNIVERSARY RECEPTION
There was an excellent turnout of VAP families and alumni, musicians, teachers, and Board members at the February 20 reception at The Colonnade Hotel. Sponsored by the Education and Cultural Diversity Committee of the Society’s Board, the reception showcased the Youth Chorus and included a great slide show organized by Overseer Julian Bullitt. The guests surprised Robin Baker (Director of Education) with a commemorative album honoring her 25 years of service to H&H.
YOUNG WOMEN’S CHORAL WORKSHOP
Young Women’s Chorus visited Wellesley College on February 26 for an extended workshop day in Houghton Chapel, led by conductor Lisa Graham and the Wellesley College Concert Choir. The women rehearsed, socialized, shared lunch, and took a campus tour. Special thanks to the Wellesley College Department of Music and Lisa Graham for sponsoring this wonderful opportunity for YWC.
Members of the Young Men’s Chorus with Artistic Director Harry Christophers and Society Ball Mistress of Ceremonies Paula Ebben.
VOCAL APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM AT THE
MASSACHUSETTS MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND FESTIVALS Young Men’s Chorus (Joseph Stillitano, conductor) was selected by audition as one of only three choruses statewide featured in this year’s MMEA Annual Conference Concert Hour on March 25 at the Seaport Hotel. YMC performed works by Handel, Grieg, Tallis, Van Morrison, and folksongs and received four standing ovations. Congratulations to those accepted to the MMEA Junior District Festival: Alana Despres (soprano) and Kurt Pfrommer (tenor) in the Northeastern District Choruses, and Amy Lipman (flute) in the Eastern District Band. Bravo to Michael Buckhout, Zachary Burrage-Goodwin, Ty Cuipylo-Watkins, and Lucy Page (All-State Chorus), and Alison Fisher (All-State Orchestra), who performed in the Massachusetts All-State Festival on March 26 at Symphony Hall. VAP music theory instructor Christopher Martin was this year’s All-State Chorus Chairman. Susan Dudka (soprano) and Samantha Wagner (flute) performed in New Hampshire’s All-State Festival on April 9.
KAREN S. AND GEORGE D. LEVY EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAM
CONGRATULATIONS:
HANDEL AND HAYDN SOCIETY
COLLABORATIVE YOUTH CONCERTS Three hundred students from Boston Arts Academy, Boston Latin School, and Brockton and Lawrence High Schools performed excerpts from Handel’s Israel in Egypt at the February 10 and 11 Collaborative Youth Concerts, with members of H&H’s Period Instrument Orchestra and the Vocal Quartet under Associate Conductor John Finney. The Boston Globe visited Lawrence High School while Mr. Finney rehearsed with students for the Collaborative Youth Concerts and published a feature article on February 13, available online at handelandhaydn.org/media. Seventy choristers from Boston and Lawrence attended H&H’s Israel in Egypt dress rehearsal at Symphony Hall on February 17. During the break they chatted with Artistic Director Harry Christophers.
“I have participated in the concerts for three years and each year has made an impact on me. The soloists were mesmerizing; I can only wish to perform at the level they do. Thank you so much for this opportunity!” —Daimanda, Chorus Member, Brockton High School
“H&H gives my kids a tremendous gift. This is a population of children who would most likely never set foot in Symphony Hall, never sing with an orchestra, and/or never attempt to learn music at this level. Now these things are part of their lives, their routines, their history.” —Nancy McGhee, Chorus Director, Lawrence High School for the Performing and Fine Arts
ALUMNI NEWS
YOUTH CHORUS
David Allen (Soloists ’08) is a junior physics major at Rochester Institute of Technology.
Elizabeth DiFraia will play the lead role of Maria in The Sound of Music at St. Joseph’s School, Medford, in May.
Fiona Buchanan (YWC ’10) is a freshman art major at Boston University. She sang in the BU Symphonic Chorus and Symphony Orchestra performance of Mendelssohn’s Elijah on April 11 at Symphony Hall.
Chadam Pires played Elaine, one of the leading roles in the play Arsenic and Old Lace at Mystic Valley Regional Charter School in April.
Abha Gallewale (YWC ’10) is a member of the Tufts University a cappella group Jackson Jills, which released its latest album, Playing with Fire, in April. Abha also sang the national anthem to open a concert at Boston University featuring the professional South Asian remix trio Culture Shock.
YOUNG MEN’S CHORUS, YOUNG WOMEN’S CHORUS, AND SOLOISTS Katherine Corneilson (as Brenda) and Bailey Lee (as Mrs. Spritzer) were featured in Medford High School’s production of Hairspray in April. Bailey was also 4th Chair Viola in Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Repertory Orchestra concert at the Tsai Performance Center in January and 9th Chair Viola in the 2011 MMEA Northeastern Senior District Orchestra. Eric Doyle will play the lead role of NankiPoo in Hot Mikado at Weston High School in May. Boston Latin School’s a cappella group The Wolftones, featuring Ty Cuipylo-Watkins and Ciaran Foley, made the final round at the Fidelity Futures Competition on April 4 at Symphony Hall. Ciaran was a soloist in a Ray Charles song, and both Ciaran and Ty also sang with the BLS Chamber Choir at a dedication ceremony for the Lowell Mason Auditorium on April 2 at Medfield High School. Ciaran will play the lead role of Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man at BLS in June. Lynea German took 3rd Place in the 2011 National Association of Singing Teachers (NATS) Vocal Competition in February. Lynea studies with Clara Sandler at NEC. Gia Greene, this year’s Achtmeyer Award winner, sang in Medford High School’s Talent Show on March 4, at an MHS Coffeehouse on April 11, and at Bandfest on April 15, reviving her Midnight Blonde band. On April 30 she performed an acoustic set at the West Medford Open Studios
Gia Greene featuring local bands. She also took 3rd Place in the NEC Preparatory Department Vocal Competition on February 16 and will be featured in a recital with the other winners at NEC in June. Katie Hopkins received individual acting awards in both the preliminary and semifinal rounds of the Massachusetts High School Drama Festival for her performance in the play And Everything In Between a Play, written and performed by Danvers High School students. She will play Fräulein Schneider in Cabaret at DHS in May. Michelle Klevsky sang the role of Madame Armchair and one of the shepherdess solos in Ravel’s opera L’enfant et les Sortilèges at Walnut Hill School for the Arts in April. Ruby Sands played Ursula in Bye Bye Birdie at Winchester High School in March. She also performed in the WHS Talent Show on April 8 and in several concerts with the WHS ensemble Octets. Samantha Wagner was in the cast of Urinetown: The Musical at Merrimack High School in April. She will present a senior flute recital in May. Samantha holds the distinction of having the longest tenure of any VAP student to date, having joined Singers in 2002—congratulations!
Michael Maloney (Soloists ’08) released a self-produced album, First Step, on iTunes and Amazon in February. The album features 11 original songs; Michael plays every instrument. He also was a finalist in WROL 950AM’s Irish Idol Contest in March, will be a headliner at a benefit concert on May 13 at Medford High School, and will be a featured artist at Live at BestBuy (Boylston Street) on June 18. This past year he has been teaching a music class at Snowden International High School in association with Citi Performing Arts Center’s education department. Andrew Milne (YMC ’10) sang in the SUNY Fredonia Chorus’ production of scenes from Hoiby’s opera The Tempest and Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas. Former H&H Vocal Quartet member Joe Dan Harper, now a SUNY Vocal Faculty member, directed the scenes. Tyler Smith Flynn (YWC ’08) is a senior vocal performance major at NEC and will present her senior recital on May 10 in Williams Hall at NEC. She plans to spend the next year teaching English in Korea.
KAREN S. AND GEORGE D. LEVY EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAM
CURRENT VAP NEWS
HANDEL AND HAYDN SOCIETY
VAP FACULTY AND VOCAL QUARTET NEWS Lisa Graham (YWC conductor) took the Wellesley College Concert Choir on a concert tour in the Southern US from March 18–23. They presented several concerts— including a benefit concert for the Center for Ethical Living and Social Justice Renewal in New Orleans, a performance at the Buckman Performing Arts Center in Memphis, and a collaborative concert with Vanderbilt University in Nashville—and did volunteer work in New Orleans.
Heather Tryon (Singers and YC conductor) was a guest conductor for the grades 4–5 chorus at the Plymouth All-Town Music Honors Festival. Emily Marvosh (alto) sang with the Internationale Bachakademie Stuttgart in J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion in March. She will be a soloist in the MIT Symphony Orchestra’s Opera Evening on May 6 and will perform with Seraphic Fire in Purcell’s King Arthur in May in Miami Beach.
VAP IN ACTION VAP SPRING CHORAL CONCERT Monday, May 16, 7.30pm Boston Latin School $5 General Admission
The May 16 VAP concert will feature the world premiere of Life of Life by composer William Hawley (text from Prometheus Unbound by Percy Bysshe Shelley), performed by YWC. The piece—for SSA chorus, two horns in F, and harp—was commissioned by H&H in honor of the Educational Outreach Program’s 25th Anniversary and the musical inspiration of Lisa Graham, celebrating her tenure as the YWC conductor. YWC performed Hawley’s Magnificat with brass ensemble in December 2006, a piece commissioned and premiered by Dr. Graham and the Wellesley College Choir in 2003. Mr. Hawley has also received commissions from Chanticleer, the Vocal Arts Ensemble of Cincinnati, and the Alexandria Choral Society, among others, and his music has been heard throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Tess Wakim (soprano) appeared as Iphis in Handel’s Jephtha with Boston Cecilia on March 13 at Jordan Hall and as Galatea in Handel’s Acis and Galatea with the Boston Early Music Festival in March and April on tour in Seattle, Vancouver, Kansas City, and New York City. She was also a soprano soloist in J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion with Ton Koopman and the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra on their European tour in April. Tess will be a soloist in H&H’s Mozart’s Requiem program on April 29 and May 1.
VAP AUDITIONS YOUNG MEN’S CHORUS IN LOWELL MASON CELEBRATION Sunday, May 22, 2pm St. Edward the Confessor Parish, Medfield Optional Donation
Lowell Mason, considered the “Father of Music Education,” joined the H&H Board in 1821 and served as President from 1827–1832. Mr. Mason was the nation’s first educator to teach music in public schools. He also served as editor of the Handel and Haydn Society Collection of Church Music and other volumes for over 35 years.
VAP HIGH SCHOOL SOLOISTS SPRING RECITAL AND AWARDS CEREMONY
Wednesday, June 15, 7.30pm Williams Hall, New England Conservatory Free Admission Featuring 13 Soloists, including: Gia Greene, 2011 Candace MacMillen Achtmeyer Award Winner Evangelyna Etienne, 2011 Barbara E. Maze Award for Musical Excellence Winner
Saturday, May 21, Boston Latin School: Singers, Youth Chorus, Young Men’s Chorus Saturday, June 4, Boston Latin School: Young Women’s Chorus Saturday, June 18, New England Conservatory: High School Soloists Please contact Robin Baker, Director of Education, at 617 262 1815, x126 or rbaker@handelandhaydn.org to arrange an audition time.
Our educational programming is 90% subsidized and is sustained by the generosity of corporate sponsors, foundations, 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 corporate and foundation giving contact: Trevor Pollack tpollack@handelandhaydn.org 617 262 1815 x116
For individual giving contact: Emily Yoder eyoder@handelandhaydn.org 617 262 1815 x117
CONTRIBUTORS Handel and Haydn Society is grateful for the generous support of the following contributors who have made gifts to the Educational Outreach Program as of April 15, 2011.
INSTITUTIONS
INDIVIDUALS
Abbot & Dorothy H. Stevens Foundation Amelia Peabody Foundation Analog Devices, Inc. Bessie Pappas Charitable Foundation The 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 Eaton Vance Management Esther B. Kahn Charitable Foundation Harold Whitworth Pierce Charitable Trust Kingsbury Road Charitable Foundation Lawrence Cultural Council The Ludcke Foundation Lynn Cultural Council 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 Sacerdote & Co., Inc. Schrafft Charitable Trust Stearns Charitable Trust The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation
Allison & William Achtmeyer Janet Adachi & James Gado Carol Airasian Robert & Kathleen Allen Mark & Maura Amrich Rafael & Ana Ardon Martha H. & Robert M.* Bancroft Ann & Michael Barone Ann Barysh Joseph Basile & Sheelah Sweeny in memory of Barbara Maze Stuart & Dorothy Bless Jim & Pamela Boyer Ellen Bruce & Richard Segan Julian & Marion Bullitt Arthur E. Carter in memory of Barbara Maze Cynthia & Daniel Caulfield Annette & Majid Charmchi Anne & David Chiriboga Mr. and Mrs. J. Robert Connor Valerie Edith Cowart in honor of Susan Dudka & Thomas Radzick Matt Coyle Sharon Daniels Nancie & Paul DeJoie Eugene & Julie Despres Dan & Joanne Dudka Christine J. Duncan Lucinda Ellert Chris & Karen Erikson Dorothy Fabian in honor of Andy Napoletano Emily & Jerome Farnsworth Edward & Eileen Faulkner Joseph M. Flynn Deborah L. Freeman Paul Gallo & Diana Collazo-Gallo The Gattozzi Family Richard & Beverly Geyer Roger & Val Govaert Beth Graham John Grimes
Don Haber & Connie Houck Nancy & Bill Hammer Andrew Hammond Suzanne & Easley Hamner Joyce & Michael Hanlon Adele Hoffman in memory of Barbara Maze John & Mariel Hough Angela Irving in memory of Barbara Maze Derek & Meghan Jacoby Mary & Eric Johnson Susan Judy Cynthia Kanik Peter Karle & Carole Ackerman Mark & Judith King Brenda & Peter Kronberg Paul Laferriere & Dorrie Parini Butler & Lois Lampson Linda B. Lank Linda Law Michael Lawler Patrick & Katie Leahy David & Hallie Lee Karen S. & George D. Levy Family Foundation Winifred I. Li & William P. Oliver in memory of Barbara Maze Ann Marie Lindquist & Robert Weisskoff in honor of Robin Baker and Lisa Graham Alex & Julia Lipman Carol & James Lydon Peter G. Manson & Peter A. Durfee in memory of Barbara Maze Joseph & Gwynedd Maranzano Margaret Marshall & Anthony Lewis Kathleen McQuillan Eric Mesh Beth & Russ Milham in memory of Barbara Maze James Millea & Mary Ellen Bresciani Stephen Morrissey Mary & Sherif Nada in memory of Barbara Maze Margaret & Carl Nagel
Greg Netland & Kim Holliday Anne & Robert Nesbit Nancy Nizel Maureen & Douglas Olsen Elizabeth & David Page Maria Paiewonsky Andrew & Patricia Peterson Loumona Petroff in memory of Barbara Maze Francesca & Michael Pfrommer Robert & Deborah Polansky Hadley & Jeannette Reynolds Alan & Natalie Rothstein in memory of Barbara Maze Robert & Jane Sabin George & Carol Sacerdote Emily F. Schabacker Robert H. Scott & Diane T. Spencer Robert & Rosmarie Scully Robert N. Shapiro John & Michele Simourian Susan & Andrew Spence Claire Spinner Ashley & Willis Stinson Joyce Sullivan Nancy & Michael Tooke Richard & Margaret Vidale in memory of Barbara Maze Timothy Watkins & Donna Cuipylo Elizabeth & Robert Wax Kathleen & Walter Weld in memory of Barbara Maze Janet & Dean Whitla Virginia & John Wieland Ray Williams Wilson Family Foundation Katie & Marshall Wolf Jean & Ron Woodward Bertram & Laima Zarins Five Anonymous Donors One Anonymous Donor in memory of Barbara Maze
KAREN S. AND GEORGE D. LEVY EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAM
YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
HANDEL AND HAYDN SOCIETY:
UPCOMING CONCERTS
Mozart’s Requiem April 29 & May 1, 2011 Symphony Hall Harry Christophers, conductor Mozart’s final moments are reflected through Requiem, his masterpiece of drama, intensity, and depth.
STANDING THE TEST OF TIME — 2015 BICENTENNIAL A principal leader of Boston’s arts community since 1815, the Handel and Haydn Society is preparing for its Bicentennial in 2015. As part of the celebration, each new season will incorporate works that are significant to the Society’s history as well as those never before played.
The Bach Experience May 12 & 15, 2011 The Memorial Church at Harvard Mary Greer, conductor Hear three uplifting Bach Cantatas led by Bach specialist Mary Greer. These works will be performed by members of the Handel and Haydn Society Period Instrument Orchestra and Chorus in the glorious setting of Harvard’s Memorial Church.
Tickets and more information are available at handelandhaydn.org.
The 2010–2011 Season includes Handel’s vivid tour de force Israel in Egypt, a Boston premiere by the Society in 1859, as well as the Society debut of Telemann’s Viola Concerto featuring principal violist David Miller. See the whole season at handelandhaydn.org/concerts.
Handel and Haydn Society Horticultural Hall 300 Massachuetts Avenue Boston, MA 02115 617 262 1815 617 266 4217 (fax) www.handelandhaydn.org
Connect with the Society: facebook.com/handelandhaydn twitter.com/handelandhaydn youtube.com/handelandhaydn
Watch online: Education Program videos are available online at www.handelandhaydn.org in the Media Center section.