CELEBRATE WITH SINGING:
25
TH ANNIVERSARY
THE KAREN S. AND GEORGE D. LEVY EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAM
Above: Students pose together at this spring’s VAP Soloists Recital.
SUMMER 2011 IN THIS ISSUE: Spring VAP Concerts Recap Student Profiles VAP News VAP Graduates VAP Award Winners
HANDELANDHAYDN.ORG/EDUCATION
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, now in its 25th year, demonstrates this innovation by providing meaningful opportunities to experience and perform classical music to nearly 10,000 children in Greater Boston and beyond.
The program teaches and inspires countless youth with three main initiatives: 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.
SPRING 2011 RECAP SPRING VAP CHORAL ENSEMBLES CONCERT
LOWELL MASON CELEBRATION
The May 16 VAP Choral Ensembles Concert featured all four choruses performing music by Lowell Mason, Mozart, Nick Page, Queen Lili’uokalini, and Vaughan Williams, as well as international folksongs, spirituals, and a cappella pieces. Young Women’s Chorus and conductor Lisa Graham premiered William Hawley’s Life of Life with two horns and harp. Mr. Hawley was present. H&H commissioned Life of Life in honor of the Educational Outreach Program’s 25th anniversary and the musical inspiration of Dr. Graham. Students and faculty paid special tribute to Dr. Graham, who joined the faculty in 2002 and is departing at the end of this season.
On May 22 the Young Men’s Chorus was featured in a musical celebration following the relocation of renowned music educator Lowell Mason’s historic house in Medfield. The program, a fundraiser for the Lowell Mason Foundation, was held at St. Edward the Confessor Parish, Medfield and also featured the Medfield High School Concert Choir and other guest singers and instrumentalists. Mr. Mason, considered the father of music education in America, first served H&H as a music editor, then joined the Board in 1821 and served as President from 1827–1832.
STUDENT PROFILE:
EMORY PAINE
BASS, YOUNG MEN’S CHORUS
“I like songs that really get people energized, both the listeners and the performers. A lot of these are a cappella songs, where the chorus really gets into the music and everybody enjoys the experience.” Why I like to sing: I like singing in YMC because songs allow me to express things that simple words never could, both to others and to myself. It’s often said that music is the universal language of the world, but I think it’s more than that. I think it’s truly one of the only ways that you can express to yourself what you feel as well.
When I’m not singing: I like to play the viola and violin in orchestra and play tennis. I’m also a big fan of videogames, so when I’m not hanging out with my friends or playing matches with the tennis team I like to play on the Xbox or waste away my time on the computer!
From Emory’s father: Singing in the Young Men’s Chorus has provided Emory with the experience of participating with a group of gifted singers who tend to push their level of performance to a higher level. There is also the camaraderie of being in a group of other young men. [Joe Stillitano], who has led Emory through his participation over the years, has helped him understand how a group led by an experienced leader can achieve great things—this is a valuable life lesson. Of course, the great venues, including Symphony Hall, are unforgettable!
KAREN S. AND GEORGE D. LEVY EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAM
CONGRATULATIONS:
HANDELANDHAYDN.ORG/EDUCATION
STUDENT PROFILE:
JEFFREY HAMMONDS TENOR, YOUNG MEN’S CHORUS
“My favorite kind of songs to sing are classical pieces such as Schubert’s Erlkönig or Handel’s Israel in Egypt tenor solos. However, anything with a great piano accompaniment is worth trying.” Why I like to sing: I like singing in YMC because it is a different experience from singing in the SATB choir at my high school. I enjoy the ability to be further divided into TTBB vocal ranges that better suit some of us young men who are not exactly tenors or basses or don’t feel comfortable hitting the notes in the extreme ranges.
If I didn’t sing with H&H: If I wasn’t singing I would probably be playing piano because music is my life and I cannot and will not see myself doing anything other than that.
CURRENT VAP NEWS YOUTH CHORUS Cindy Nguyen was on the High Honor Roll at Pope John Paul II Academy, Dorchester, and will attend Boston Latin School next fall.
YOUNG MEN’S CHORUS, YOUNG WOMEN’S CHORUS, AND SOLOISTS Samuel Feinstein received the Outstanding Solo award from the 2011 Music Showcase Festivals for his upright bass performance; the rhythm section of his Peabody High School Jazz Band won the Outstanding Rhythm Section award. Besides playing in the Jazz Band, Sam is a student leader and accompanist (on upright bass) for the Peabody Elementary School All-City Chorus.
Cristina Gallo was accepted to the Summer Musical Theater Program at Walnut Hill School for the Arts. Gia Greene and Michelle Klevsky performed solos and a duet in a piano recital by students of Bert Yocom on June 4 in historic Steinert Hall in downtown Boston. Jessica Pavlik is graduating and taking a gap year to continue vocal studies with Carlos Martinez, pursue performance opportunities, work part-time, do volunteer work, and take community college classes. She is planning on applying to colleges with interests in vocal performance, creative writing, and visual art. Megan Peterson appeared as Grace in the Mount St. Joseph Academy, Boston, production of Annie in April.
Ruby Sands performed at Walt Disney World in April with the Winchester High School Sachem Choir (advanced ensemble for upperclassmen) and a cappella group The Octets. The Octets gave several other performances this spring, including a benefit concert for Winchester Hospital. Rachel Steinberg was accepted to Boston University’s Tanglewood Institute (BUTI) Young Artists Vocal Program this summer. She was also selected for the From the Top Center for the Development of Arts Leaders year-long program next year.
VAP 2011 GRADUATES
Joseph Holmes (Soloists ’99) was the tenor soloist in Mozart’s Requiem and Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy with Harvard Pro Musica in May. Joseph received his Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from New England Conservatory and has performed with Boston Lyric Opera, Central City Opera (Colorado), Opera Boston, Opera Providence, and Opera Cleveland. He was the 2002 recipient of H&H’s Maze Award for outstanding VAP alumni.
Congratulations to our college-bound seniors!
Molly Jarvis (YWC ’08) is currently a Box Office Intern with H&H. She will be a senior Arts Administration major at College of Charleston next fall.
Alverina Berube Gordon College (Biology major)
Alex Linder (YWC ’08) graduated from Stonehill College this spring with a B.S. in Business Management. She has accepted a position at Winter, Wyman & Co. in Waltham as a human resources staffing manager. Meredith Lustig (Soloists ’04, YWC ‘05) gave her graduate voice recital on May 7 and received her Master’s degree in Vocal Performance this spring from The Juilliard School. Meredith, who made her New York City Opera (Lincoln Center) debut this spring as Giannetta in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore, was the 2009 recipient of H&H’s Maze Award for outstanding VAP alumni and gave a special performance at H&H’s 2011 Society Ball. Anna Ziering (YWC ’08) graduated from Barnard College of Columbia University this spring with a B.A. in American Studies. She was the academic speaker at the Commencement ceremony.
Richy Antoine Bridgewater State College
Jeffrey Hammonds Bridgewater State College
Tarik Auguste Bridgewater State College
Anna Lee Hirschi Smith College
Zac Bears UMass Amherst (History major)
Lauren Kelly Clark University
Zachary Burrage-Goodwin University of South Carolina (Choral and String Music Education major)
Ryan Law UMass Boston Xinlan Li Harvard University Aaron Lindenberg Sarah Lawrence College (Music major)
Ty Cuipylo-Watkins UMass Amherst (Music major)
Reed McConnell Harvard University
Erica DaRosa University of Bridgeport (Biology major, Music minor)
Olaoluwa Olukorede Framingham State University (Biology/Pre-Med major, Music minor)
Ciaran Foley Harvard University (Biology, German, History, and Music interests)
Shawn Onessimo Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Biomedical Engineering major, Theatre minor)
Phillip Gay Bridgewater State College
Emory Paine Salem State College
Michael Gattozzi Drexel University (Biomedical Engineering major)
Kareem Robinson Bridgewater State College (Clinical Lab Science and Music double major)
John Geary Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (Performing Arts major)
Emily Sumner Skidmore College
Rachel Goldberg Brandeis University Gia Greene Berklee College of Music (Vocal Performance major)
Samantha Wagner University of NH Manchester (Archival Preservation major)
KAREN S. AND GEORGE D. LEVY EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAM
ALUMNI NEWS
HANDELANDHAYDN.ORG/EDUCATION
VAP FACULTY AND VOCAL QUARTET NEWS We bid farewell to Vocal Quartet members Tess Wakim, soprano, and Emily Marvosh, alto, and Young Women’s Chorus conductor Lisa Graham at the end of this season. We are pleased to announce the following appointments to the Vocal Quartet roster: Sonja Tengblad, soprano, is currently a member of H&H’s professional chorus. She also performs with the Lorelei Ensemble and as a soloist at Old North Congregational Church in Marblehead. Sonja is a Choral Artist with the Metropolitan Opera Guild Urban Voices school program and the lead teacher for the Cantata Singers Classroom Cantatas project. She is a graduate of St. Olaf College, where she earned a B.A. in Vocal Music Education.
Carrie Cheron, alto, holds degrees from Indiana University (B.A. Voice with a minor in French) and New England Conservatory (M.M. Vocal Performance). She was a music teacher for AileyCamp Boston and is the alto soloist at Old South Church, Boston. Carrie has performed with Boston Baroque, Boston Secession, Exsultemus, Philovox, and Vox Consort. Former Quartet tenor Samuel Martinborough Founder and Artistic Director of Mssng Lnks, was profiled in the Boston Globe on April 27 for his April 29– May 1 production of Scott Joplin’s rarelyperformed opera Treemonisha at Roxbury Center for the Arts. Mssng Lnks, a nonprofit organization for aspiring teenage minority vocalists, and Opera Boston collaborated on the production, the Boston premiere of the 1910 work. Sam is the Choir Director at
Community Music Center of Boston and S.E.E./Amigos & Boston Collegiate Charter School and was the American Choral Directors Association Chairperson for Ethnic and Multi-Cultural Music from 2005–2009. Mezzo-soprano Clara Sandler, VAP faculty and Co-Chair of the NEC Preparatory School Vocal Program, will present a recital with James Busby, piano on Friday, June 17 at 8pm in Brown Hall, NEC. The program will include music by Ginastera, Guastavino, Hahn, and Satie, and text by García Lorca. Free admission. Former Quartet pianist Yukiko Ueno-Egozy, her husband Eran Egozy, clarinet, and Mike Hawley, piano presented an all-Brahms concert at the new Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport on March 13. The concert was part of an analysis of the Center’s acoustics by writer and acoustician David Griesinger (all three performers are scientists, as well).
AWARD WINNERS
CANDACE MACMILLEN ACHTMEYER AWARD
BARBARA E. MAZE AWARD FOR MUSICAL EXCELLENCE
Gia Greene, soprano, is a senior at Medford High School. She joined Youth Chorus in 2005 and has been a Young Women’s Chorus member and High School Soloist for the past four years, studying voice and vocal chamber music with Barbara Winchester and piano with Bert Yocom. Gia sang in the MMEA Northeastern Senior District Chorus from 2009–2011 and in the Massachusetts All-State Festival Chorus in 2009 and 2010. She also sang in a masterclass with Sir Peter Maxwell Davies in 2010 during the NEC Contemporary Music Festival. Gia tied for third Place in the 2011 NEC Preparatory School Vocal Competition and was featured in a recital with the other winners on June 11. She will attend Berklee College of Music as a Vocal Performance major next fall.
Evangelyna Etienne, mezzo-soprano, is a Music Education major at Gordon College, where she studies voice with Susan Brooks. She is also the Music Department Admissions intern and attends All-State and All-Eastern Conferences as an exhibitor for Gordon. Evangelyna was one of only four winners nationwide (and the only alto) of the Eric Whitacre Scholarship and sang under his direction at Carnegie Hall in 2010. She joined VAP Singers at age 10 and progressed through Youth Chorus and Young Women’s Chorus; as a High School Soloist she studied voice with Barbara Winchester and was a co-recipient of the 2008 Achtmeyer Award. Evangelyna will travel to Salzburg in 2012 and study at the Mozarteum through Gordon College.
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
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 June 1, 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 The 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. & 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 & 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
Lorrel B. Nichols 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 Eric, Susan, & Rachel Steinberg in honor of Lisa Graham 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 *deceased
KAREN S. AND GEORGE D. LEVY EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH PROGRAM
YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
HANDEL AND HAYDN SOCIETY:
2011–2012 SEASON
Mozart in Vienna September 23 & 25, 2011 Symphony Hall Harry Christophers, conductor Kristian Bezuidenhout, fortepiano Pergolesi Stabat Mater October 28 & 30, 2011 Jordan Hall at New England Conservatory Rinaldo Alessandrini, conductor Liesbeth Devos, soprano Emily Righter, mezzo-soprano
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 2011–2012 Season includes Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, featuring the Young Men’s and Young Women’s Choruses; a rare US appearance by conductor Rinaldo Alessandrini; and the H&H solo debut of new concertmaster Aisslinn Nosky in Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.
Handel Messiah December 2–4, 2011 Symphony Hall Harry Christophers, conductor Sarah Coburn, soprano Lawrence Zazzo, countertenor Tom Randle, tenor Tyler Duncan, bass A Bach Christmas December 15 & 18, 2011 Jordan Hall at New England Conservatory Steven Fox, conductor The full season, subscriptions, and more information are available at handelandhaydn.org.
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) handelandhaydn.org
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Watch online: Education Program videos are available online at handelandhaydn.org in the Media Center section.