Summer/Fall 2012
FANFARE HARRISBURG SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | STUART MALINA, MUSIC DIRECTOR
CONTENTS
Summer/Fall 2012
Message from the Maestro Acting Concertmaster Announced
Mark Your Calendar 4
Stuart Sets the Season HSO Season Opening Celebration
On the Cover: HSO Musicians outside Strawberry Square in Harrisburg: Lisa Welty, violin (pink case); Chaerim Smith, violin (blue case); Fiona Thompson, cello (striped case); Barb Downs, viola (red case)
Noteworthy News 5
New HSYO Conductor New Chairman of the Board Messiah College Building Project
New Home of the HSO
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Major Gift Announced
Families at the Symphony 7
Musical Chairs Welcome to the Concert
Symphony Society News 8
Symphony Showhouse Wrap-up New Society President
Musician Auditions
9 HSO Audition process HSYO Auditions
Summer Concert Series
10-11 Photos of our 6-day journey
Romantic Rhine
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Photos from the HSO Rhine Trip
HSO Musician Updates
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Stuart Malina Music Director
Gregory Woodbridge Assistant Conductor
Jeff Woodruff
Maestro’s Message 3
HSO STAFF
Happenings with our HSO Musicians
Executive Director
Susan Klick
Director of Operations and Orchestra Personnel
Ted Reese
Director of Development
Kim Isenhour
Director of Marketing, PR and Graphic Design
Alice Anne Schwab
Director of Education and Office Manager
Carlin Luz
Patron Services Manager
Debra Tocks
Finance Manager
Sherry Andersen
Development Associate
Gail Perez
Finance Assistant
Linda Farrell Librarian
Tom Acri
Stage Manager
Pasquale Fera
Assistant Stage Manager
YOUTH SYMPHONY Gregory Woodbridge
Music Director/Conductor, HSYO
Krista Kriel
Music Director/Conductor, JSYO
Alice Anne Schwab Administrator, HSYO
800 Corporate Circle, Suite 101 Harrisburg, PA 17110 Phone: 717.545.5527 HarrisburgSymphony.org
Concert Previews
14-17 Interesting information about upcoming performances 18 New Day at the Youth Symphony 19 Carnival of the Animals
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Back Page
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Parking Details and Staying Connected with us
The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra is supported in part by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency, which is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. The official registration and financial information of the Harrisburg Symphony Association may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within PA, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
MAESTRO’S MESSAGE In just a matter of weeks the HSO will be returning to the Forum stage to open our 2012/13 season, my 13th as Music Director! We’re all very much looking forward to presenting another season of wonderful music and gifted guest artists. On the Masterworks Series, we’ll perform symphonic masterpieces by Schumann (No. 3), Shostakovich (No. 6), Nielsen (No. 3), Rimsky-Korsakov (“Scheherazade”), Mahler (No. 5), and Beethoven (No. 6, ‘the “Pastoral” Symphony). Guest Artists will include pianists Alon Goldstein and Jeffrey Biegel, violinist Chee-Yun, cellist Julia Rosenbaum, and HSO principal harpist, Rebecca Kauffman. We’ll take another plunge into the world of opera with concert performances of Giuseppe Verdi’s most popular opera, La Traviata. There’s more! Visit the HSO website for all the details (HarrisburgSymphony.org). On the Capital BlueCross Pops Series, four tremendous shows are on tap. We’ll open with a multi-media tribute to George Gershwin featuring some of his greatest songs and concert music (including “Rhapsody in Blue”), interspersed with photos and rare video. Not to be missed. In January, the world’s most popular brass ensemble, the renowned Canadian Brass, will dazzle us with their virtuosity and showmanship. In March, the
Peter Sirotin Named Acting HSO Concertmaster
2012/13 “Live the Music” Season to Open in October spectacular “Cirque de la Symphonie” show comes to Harrisburg with their amazing acrobats, aerialists, illusionists and jugglers, all accompanied by the HSO. We’ll conclude the Pops season in April with a journey through space and time as we perform some of the best music from science fiction movies, including Star Wars and Star Trek. I promise this will be our best Pops season ever! In December pianist Rich Ridenour, the Messiah College Concert Choir and the Susquehanna Children’s Chorale join the HSO for “Mistletoe Magic,” a musical celebration of the holidays. We invite you to bring the whole family to enjoy this special concert of favorite seasonal music at family friendly pricing.
There will be a new face sitting in the concertmaster chair this season. Following the retirement this past spring of longtime concertmaster, Odin Rathnam, the orchestra has appointed Peter Sirotin to the position of Acting Concertmaster. No stranger to HSO audiences, Peter joined the orchestra in 1996 as Associate Concertmaster. Peter Sirotin is well known in musical circles in Central Pennsylvania, both as a performing musician and also as the Artistic Director of Market Square Concerts, the well respected Harrisburg-based presenter of chamber music. A native of Ukraine, he studied at the Moscow Conservatory and the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where he received graduate diplomas in both violin performance and chamber music.
Lastly, on May 21 I’ll join with some of my colleagues from the orchestra for the annual Stuart and Friends concert. We always look forward to this evening of chamber music in the intimate confines of the Rose Lehrman Arts Center at HACC. I hope to see you at the Forum!
Stuart Malina
Auditions for a permanent concertmaster will begin in __ the spring of 2013. 3
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Maestro Stuart Malina Sets the Season in September Be sure to join us at the Midtown Scholar Bookstore on Thursday, September 13th at 7 pm. Join Maestro Malina and friends of the HSO for a sneak preview of the upcoming HSO Masterworks season. Ever wonder how a Masterworks season comes to life? Here’s your chance to have an inside look at how the Masterworks series is programmed. Meet HSO Music Director, Stuart Malina, for an informal, fun and informative gathering of fellow HSO concert goers listening to excerpts of the 2012/13 Masterwork Season. Stuart will add his clever commentary and he may even play a little keyboard to illustrate his points! Admission is free and off-street parking in the lot behind the store is also free. Located at 1302 N. 3rd Street across from the Broad Street Market, north of the State Capitol.
THE HARRISBURG SYMPHONY PRESENTS
Stuart Sets the Season Thursday, Sept 13th - 7 PM Midtown Scholar Bookstore 1302 N. Third St. Harrisburg, PA 17102
Season Opening Celebration Kicks off 12/13 Season Do we have a party for you! The HSO will kick off its season with a pair of pre-concert fundraising events at the East Wing of the Capitol that you won’t want to miss!
Estate of
Marie Graupner Elias
Visit HarrisburgSymphony.org for ticket buying and menu details! Join us for fabulous food, beverage and entertainment at our Season Opening Celebrations in the East Wing of the Capitol prior to either the Saturday or Sunday Performances. Advance ticket purchase required.
Film-Short Premiere
The Musicians 20 12
OCT 6 & 7 The East Wing of the State Capitol
SATURDAY: 5:30 - 7:30 pm SUNDAY: 12:30 - 2:30 pm
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$125 per person: Season Opening Celebration $150 per person: Season Opening Celebration and a Concert Ticket
This fun Season Kick-Off includes the premiere of THE MUSICIANS, a silent film-short featuring our HSO musicians… with a glimpse into what happens backstage at the Forum.
Come on Saturday night, October 6 or Sunday afternoon, October 7 to enjoy fabulous food, fun and the premiere of the HSO’s very own film-short, “The Musicians.” Both events will end in plenty of time for you to take the short walk across Commonwealth Avenue to the Forum and enjoy the HSO’s first Masterworks performance of the season, “Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody.” “We haven’t done something like this in years!” said Ted Reese, the HSO’s Director of Development, when he described pairing these parties with the opening concerts. “Opening night is always exciting for the orchestra – full of anticipation, nervousness and energy – and it’s always more fun to be anxious when surrounded by friends, right? These events will be fundraisers for the HSO and will help to support the rest of the concert season and our educational programs.” Party attendees will get a preview of the 2012/13 Masterworks and Pops season and even catch a glimpse of the HSO musicians preparing for the concert in a whimsical film short that is being produced just for this event. This is a ticketed event with limited seating, so reserve your spot today by calling 717.610.4963 or visiting HarrisburgSymphony.org. You can attend either party for $125 and, if you don’t already have a ticket for the concert, you can purchase a “party & concert” package for $150.
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
Gregory Woodbridge Takes Over Youth Symphony & HSO Assistant Conductor Duties Gregory Woodbridge takes over as Music Director and Conductor of the Harrisburg Symphony Youth Orchestra this fall and also becomes Assistant Conductor (to Stuart Malina) with the HSO. Greg is well known in Central Pennsylvania music circles. Since the fall of 2000 he has been the Director of Orchestras at Hershey High School, where he has built one of the most dynamic music programs at the high school level “I have had the great fortune to work with in the Midstate. He is Conductor of many of our talented youth in this region at the York Youth Symphony, the Central festivals, summer music programs and with the Pennsylvania Youth Orchestra in State Wednesday Club Youth Orchestra. I know the College, and the Pennsylvania Regional possibilities that exist for excellent music-making Ballet. He also leads the York Symphony through HSYO, and I’m excited and honored in their annual children’s concerts. In the that I’ve been asked to lead them.” past he has held conducting positions at As for working with the HSO, the Central Pennsylvania Symphony and Woodbridge added: the Wednesday Club Youth Orchestra. “Having covered for Maestro Malina before, I Greg Woodbridge is a graduate of Penn am thrilled that I can also play a part in the HSO State, where he earned two Bachelor performances. This orchestra is a real treasure Degrees - one in Music Education (violin) in our area, and I always learn something from and another in Piano - and a Masters watching Stuart rehearse and perform.” Degree in Orchestral Conducting.
Messiah College Building New Worship & Performing Arts Center
New Chairman: HSO Board of Directors
Construction is ongoing and on schedule at Messiah College for the new state of the art Calvin & Janet High Worship and Performing Arts Center. Stuart Malina and Jeff Woodruff were recently given a tour of the site by Messiah College President & HSO Board member, Kim Phipps, and Messiah College Concert Choir & Susquehanna Chorale conductor, Linda Tedford. The gleaming new facility is scheduled to open in early 2013 and discussions are underway with the college for an appearance by the HSO in the spring of 2014.
William Lehr Jr. has assumed the role of Chairman of the HSO’s Board of Directors, effective July 1. Mr. Lehr succeeds Mr. Joe Lewin (President & General Manager of WHTM-TV abc27), who served as Board Chair for two years. Mr. Lehr is active in several nonprofit organizations, including Americans for the Arts and the HSO. Mr. Lehr recently retired as CEO of Capital BlueCross, but remains chairman of the organization, a position he’s held since 2004. Before working for CBC, Lehr was senior vice president, secretary and treasurer of The Hershey Co., where he worked for 28 years. He also was the lead director of the publicly traded Hersha Hospitality Trust, which has offices in Philadelphia and Harrisburg.
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FUTURE HOME OF THE HSO Stuart Malina, Margaret and Derek Hathaway
“It was really Margaret’s idea to offer the property to the orchestra and I immediately agreed. We have been big fans and supporters of Stuart and the HSO for many years and we see this gift as something that will greatly help the orchestra strategically for decades to come. We believe that the benefits that will come from the visibility and accessibility of the property are really incalculable. We’re so pleased that they’ve agreed to accept the gift.” Derek Hathaway, retired CEO of Harsco Corporation
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Derek and Margaret Hathaway Donate Front Street Property to the Harrisburg Symphony Derek and Margaret Hathaway and the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra have announced that the Hathaways are donating a prime parcel of real estate on North Front St. in Susquehanna Township to the Symphony. The parcel, located at 3405 N. Front St., includes a three-story house and a free-standing garage. The Symphony plans to adapt the property for use as its administrative offices. The timing of the move from the Symphony’s current offices at 800 Corporate Circle in Harrisburg to the Front St. address is pending a determination of what needs to be done to prepare the house for occupancy by the orchestra’s staff and how the improvements are going to be financed. “We are thrilled with this generous gift from Derek and Margaret. This is really a gift to everyone who supports the symphony and enjoys our performances. The house at the corner of Front & Montrose is a beautiful, historic property in a prime location. Ideally, we’d like to move in sometime next summer.” Jeff Woodruff, Executive Director of the HSO.
FAMILIES AT THE SYMPHONY Above and bottom right corner: families are introduced to a piano theme for the January 2012 “Welcome to the Concert.” The program featured Grieg’s “Piano Concerto” and guest pianist, Di Wu. Right, children are introduced to the French Horn and our homemade “Hose Horn.” Some even created their own paper horns for the concert that featured Schumann’s “Konzertstück” performed by the HSO Horn Section. Below, children are introduced to the cello as Junior Youth String Orchestra cellist Sara Malina (yes, the maestro’s daughter) demonstrates and explains her cello prior to the concert featuring Strauss’s “Don Quixote”
Musical Chairs is new HSO Young Audience Initiative The goal of the HSO Musical Chairs program is to grow and expand our young audiences as we introduce and educate them about classical music. We offer extremely discounted Masterworks subscriptions in seating areas 101, 102, 103, 209, or 308 to students kindergarten through 12th grade. For just $35.00 per subscription, students and accompanying adults are able to attend SEVEN Masterworks concerts. “The new Musical Chairs program is the single best thing we do as a non-profit arts organization,” stated HSO Director of Education, Alice Anne Schwab. “It’s a super bargain and a fabulous opportunity for Central Pennsylvania families who want to enhance their child(ren)’s educational and cultural experiences.” Musical Chairs also provides a very affordable family activity. A modest $35.00 investment offers a lifetime of benefits. Our Welcome to the Concert program is a free add-on pre-concert activity for Musical Chairs Families to help them prepare for the concert they are about to experience. It gives children insight into the theme of the concert and gives them an opportunity to learn about a featured instrument and musician. We feel these connections will help to develop and build our classical music audience for the future.
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SYMPHONY SOCIETY NEWS
Serenity on the Yellow Breeches 2012 Harrisburg Symphony Society Showhouse and Gardens
Symphony Society Celebrates Successful Showhouse Back in 1997 the Harrisburg Symphony Society came up with the idea of doing a complete makeover of a house and then opening it up to the public and charging admission as a fund raiser for the orchestra. The idea had been successful in other communities but never in Harrisburg. That first Showhouse at the Ashcombe property in Cumberland County was such a resounding success that the Society has been doing one every three years since. This past spring the most recent Showhouse, entitled “Serenity on the Yellow Breeches,” took place on a magnificent piece of property
overlooking the Yellow Breeches Creek in Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County. Again, the concept was an outstanding success, raising in excess of $155,000 for the Symphony. Over the years the Symphony Society has raised more than $1,250,000 for the HSO! The job of organizing and executing a Showhouse is a monumental undertaking requiring countless hours and involving literally hundreds of volunteers. We salute Mrs. Shirley McCormick and Mrs. Stephanie Otto, Co-Chairs of “Serenity on the Yellow Breeches,” for orchestrating another remarkable success.
HSO Mourns Passing of Julie Sullivan The HSO lost one of its most ardent supporters with the passing of Julie Sullivan on August 2. Julie was involved with the HSO for many years, serving most recently as President of the Symphony Society. Over the years she was a tireless worker for many of the Society’s fund raising events, most notably as co-chair of the 2009 Showhouse. She was a warm, gracious and upbeat woman and a devoted volunteer and advocate on behalf of the Symphony and other worthy community organizations and causes.
Symphony Society Welcomes New President
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Jill Smeltzer is the new President of the Harrisburg Symphony Society. Jill grew up in the Charleston, South Carolina and Decatur, Georgia areas and graduated from Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky in 1970 with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught school in North Augusta, South Carolina for 4 years and then moved to the Harrisburg area in 1976. She joined the Choir at Market Square Presbyterian Church, where she met her husband, HSO Board member and Treasurer, Jim Smeltzer. The Smeltzers
have been happily married for 33 years and have four daughters. Jill taught Sunday School at Market Square for 30 years and still sings in the Choir. She is active in Presbyterian Women and is a state board member of Church Women United of Pennsylvania. Upon accepting the leadership of the Symphony Society she stated: “I endeavor to be a conscientious leader of an organization that I enjoy and feel privileged to lead, because it supports something that is dear to my heart - the Harrisburg Symphony.”
MUSICIAN AUDITIONS The auditionee plays solo from the Forum stage.
The audition committee sits behind a screen.
Auditioning with the HSO Ever wonder how musicians become members of the HSO? As with any organization, openings occur from time to time and each fall the HSO holds auditions for any open positions in the orchestra. This fall the HSO will hold auditions for Assistant Principal Second Violin, section Violin I, and Principal Trombone. Musicians travel from far and wide - by car, bus, train and even plane - to audition for the opportunity to work with Maestro Malina and the HSO. The audition process is an interesting one. For each audition, which typically takes place in the Forum, a committee of HSO musicians plus Stuart Malina is appointed to hear and judge the audition. One by one, each auditionee is asked to perform a pre-selected list of concerto and orchestral excerpts for the committee. In the interest of keeping the audition as fair and unbiased as possible, each auditionee is identified by number and the audition committee sits behind a screen in the Forum seating area, so that the auditionee and the committee are out of view from each other. The first round begins in the morning and each auditionee performs for about 10 minutes. As the day goes on, the committee typically advances one or two or maybe three musicians from each hour to play in a second round. Eventually, a semi-final round and then a final round will take place, with a winner declared, depending on the number of musicians taking the audition, usually sometime during the evening hours. It’s a highly competitive, pressure-packed, and exhausting day of waiting, concentrating, staying upbeat, focusing, breathing, trying to relax, warming up, performing, calming down again and waiting for the results. Each auditionee approaches his/her audition differently but most sit in silence, listening to music through ear buds, studying and mentally preparing the music one last time, or texting/calling friends, teachers and loved ones with updates on their progress.
Auditioning for the Harrisburg Symphony Youth Orchestras The Harrisburg Symphony Youth Orchestras, now under new music director, Gregory Woodbridge, held auditions August 28, 29, and 30 at WITF Public Media Center. There are actually two orchestras within the HSYO. The first is the Harrisburg Symphony Youth Orchestra, a full orchestra comprised of high school age students (grades 9 – 12). Greg Woodbridge is the conductor. In addition, there’s the Junior Youth String Orchestra for middle school age students (grades 6 – 9). Krista Kriel conducts this all-strings ensemble. Students must audition and then re-audition each year for the opportunity to participate. Auditioning students from all over the mid-state are each given the same repertoire and scales to perform at their audition. Last year, 38 schools were represented within the Harrisburg Symphony Youth Orchestras. Students traveled from as far as Selinsgrove and Carlisle to attend rehearsals on Monday evenings and performances on various dates and in various locations. Check out the Harrisburg Symphony Youth Orchestras website: www.HSYO.org
Look for the first HSYOs concert of the 2012/13 season on Monday, November 12, 2012 at the Forum. Tickets for the HSYO concert are a very affordable $10.00 adults, $5.00 students. You may purchase all three HSYO season concerts at a special package rate of $25.00 per adult, $12.00 per student by calling the HSO box office: __ 717-545-5527.
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SUMMER CONCERTS
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HSO Summer Concert Series 2012 This past summer over the July 4th holiday, the HSO performed 6 concerts in 6 communities on 6 consecutive nights! This year there was a heat wave in early July, but no rain, so all concerts came off as planned. All concerts were FREE to the public. Thousands of people of all ages came out for an evening of music that included light classics, music from Broadway, and patriotic tunes that everyone recognized and loved! This year’s concerts took place on the campus of Lebanon Valley College (Annville), the Freemasons Cultural Center at the Masonic Village (Elizabethtown), the Dickinson College campus (Carlisle Summerfair), Juniata High School (Mifflintown), Negley Park (Lemoyne), and Metro Bank Park (the home of the Harrisburg Senators on City Island). The Metro Bank Park concert on July 4 was followed by the City of Harrisburg’s grand fireworks show. The HSO thanks the many sponsors and patrons who make these annual summer concerts possible.
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(l to r) 1. Phyllis Mooney helps pass out programs at Metro Bank Park 2. Elyssa Gilmar, Jon Fink 3. “Stuart Malina”, Jeff Woodruff 4. Lebanon Valley College performance 5. Dr. Stephen MacDonald, recently retired LVC president and HSO Board Member 6. Katie Overfield-Zook, Julius Wirth 7. Walter Choi, Carl Iba
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8. Musicians on the train to E’town concert: Julius Wirth, Darryl Hartshorne, Katie OverfieldZook, Linda Farrell, John Romeri, Derek Smith 9. Maestro Malina singing “You Went the Wrong Way Old King Louis” 10. Chris Rose & Stuart Malina performing “The Typewriter” 11. Karen Botterbusch, Janine Thomas, John Romeri, David DiGiacobbe performing “Stars 13 and Stripes Forever” 12. 3 Conductors: Stuart Malina (HSO Conductor), Amtrak Conductor, Greg Woodbridge (Asst. HSO Conductor) 13. “Backstage guys” who made our summer concerts happen: Joe Loomis, Jay Craig, Tom Acri, Pasquale Fera, John Robinson 14. Color Guard at Juniata High School Concert 15. Carlisle Summerfair audience.
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ROMANTIC RHINE
Stuart & Marty Malina Hosted Romantic “Rhine Journey” Eighteen people joined Stuart & Marty Malina for a romantic cruise on Europe’s historic Rhine River from June 9-17. The journey started in Switzerland and wound its way through parts of Germany and France, eventually disembarking in the Dutch city of Amsterdam. Travel arrangements were made through Mari Atchason at Travel Professionals in Lemoyne. Plans are underway for an exciting trip to Venice in June 2013. Call the HSO Development Office for more details: 717.612.4964.
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(l to r) 1. Marty and Stuart Malina 2. Mary Ann and Dr. Richard Morse 3. Dr. Harold Rabin, Stuart Malina 4. Ellen Hughes, Marty Malina, Nick Hughes 5. Marty Malina, Thomas Wright 6. Hilary and Jerry Simpson, Marty Malina 6. Bruce and Carol Harper and Joy and Richard Felty
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HSO MUSICIAN UPDATES
Congratulations to HSO Violinists Evelyn Estava (left), Carlos Rubio (right) and Jose Gregorio Sanchez Rodriguez (below) on obtaining their United States Citizenship! All three hail from Venezuela. We are proud of their accomplishment!
Congratulations to HSO Cellist Naomi Gray. On June 10, 2012 she married fellow musician Joshua Kovach. Josh is a familiar face on the HSO stage performing on Clarinet and Bass Clarinet. Congratulations to HSO cellist Josh Kowalsky and his wife Aga Kowalsky (former HSO violinist). On August 29th, Nathalie Florence Kowalsky was born at 11:47, weighing 8lbs, 4 oz., and 21.5 in. long. She was born on what would have been Josh’s grandfather’s 99th birthday!
New on our HSO Website This season we are highlighting our incredibly talented musicians who “Live the Music” - NEW THIS SEASON on our website we’ve created profile pages with photos and bios for each of our HSO Contract Musicians. Put names to the faces you see on the Forum Stage. Visit www.HarrisburgSymphony.org/musicians.html
HSO Musician Recordings
After 15 years of recording and performing for audiences worldwide, the Mendelssohn Piano Trio, which includes Peter Sirotin (center) and Fiona Thompson (right), is releasing the first cycle of the complete Haydn Piano Trios recorded by an American ensemble since the legendary Beaux Arts Trio. The first and second volumes, released by Centaur Records, received wonderful reviews in the US and abroad. These recordings are available through most of the major online retailers in both CD and mp3 formats. HSO violinist and internationally known electric violinist Susan Aquila has performed with the likes of Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Britney Spears and Kanye West. Her latest project, Planet Z (Jazz Rock), the first under her own name, was voted the number one most popular new CD on the Jazz Radio CMJ Add List.
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CONCERT PREVIEWS
World renowned Israeli pianist will open HSO Season
Israeli pianist Alon Goldstein’s playing was recently described by Allan Kozinn in the New York Times as “an irresistible, powerhouse performance.” A former pupil of Leon Fleisher, Goldstein is particularly highly regarded by conductors of the stature of Claudio Abbado and Zubin Mehta, and appears regularly with the leading orchestras of the world. Goldstein plays with grace and a beautiful tone. Under his fingers the music flows as naturally as breathing.
Another such person was the composer / violinist / author and educator Ben Zion Orgad, to be further elaborated later on. Q: What was was your creative journey that has brought you to where you are in your career today? A: The creative journey that brought me to where I am right now involved on the one hand events, while on the other hand people that I met. When I was 17 years old I heard a concert in which Zubin Mehta conducted young soloists. I was so moved by the whole event. It energized me with tremendous ambition to be the next young soloist that the maestro will invite. That manifested itself in my commitment to practice harder every day. The following year I got my wish.
In the earlier question I mentioned Ben Zion Orgad – together Allan Kozinn, music critic for the New York Times, The following with Leon Fleisher, both described Alon Goldstein’s playing as question/ men shaped my musical “an irresistible, powerhouse performance.” answer was thinking enormously. conducted as When Ben Zion Orgad an interview with Alon Goldstein: gave me his newest piano piece, a Toccata, asking me to add all the dynamic and Q: What or who inspired you to want to be interpretative markings, he elevated my an artist? level of awareness of what I do and why, A: Looking back, trying to relive those early to levels that I did not experience before. days when music became an integral And when Leon Fleisher asked me to part of my life, it was my late grandfather “direct his ear to what he should listen who first opened the door for me into for”, before I played for him, whether it the world of music. I was always drawn was Schubert or Chopin, he taught me to to interesting, multi-faceted people. My teach myself. late grandfather was such a person – a painter, an accomplished violinist as well as a pianist, and a great actor who could impersonate Charlie Chaplin brilliantly. In other words, he was an artist in the true sense of the word. Every minute with him was filled with music and stories. Many of the stories were of survival during World War II. Throughout my life, the people that inspired me where the ones that were multi talented, __larger than life, charismatic figures.
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Q: What does it mean to you to be an Israeli artist? A: An Israeli artist is an ambassador! This is a great responsibility, which I embrace with all my heart. It is a responsibility to show the immense creative power that emerges and is cultivated in the land of Israel. Once, following a concert with the Rhode Island Philharmonic orchestra, I was asked to shed light on the possible reasons that despite constant security
issues and existential threats Israel is still able to produce so many wonderful artists. My answer was that perhaps this is our way to bring sanity and hope to an otherwise very sad situation. Maybe it is a retreat. We need that and you need that. Together, with the help of Beethoven and Brahms we will succeed.
Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody SATURDAY | OCTOBER 6 | 8 PM SUNDAY | OCTOBER 7 | 3 PM
Prize-winning pianist Alon Goldstein makes his HSO debut performing Rachmaninoff’s everpopular Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini. Strauss’s dashing musical portrait of Don Juan and Schumann’s stirring Rhenish Symphony fill out the program. Strauss: Don Juan Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini Alon Goldstein, Piano Schumann: Symphony No. 3 “Rhenish” In Memory of David A. Elias, Jr. and Marie Graupner Elias
TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE www.HarrisburgSymphony.org or 717.545.5527
A Night of Gershwin... Who could ask for anything more? Join us for an unforgettable celebration of the Gershwin brothers’ best. Here to Stay is a multimedia concert event celebrating the greatest team of collaborators in the history of American music. Here to Stay provides unique and entertaining insight into the legendary George and Ira Gershwin and offers rare audio and video footage of them. Family photos, video clips and state-of-the-art visuals provide a distinct and unique experience. Superb Gershwin interpreter Kevin Cole, along with Grammy
Award-winning soprano Sylvia McNair and tap-dancing sensation Ryan VanDenBoom, will bring their music to life. Enjoy classic American songs, including “The Man I Love” and “I Got Rhythm,” all while viewing exclusive home-videos from the Gershwin family. Also, take in the ever-recognizable melodies and dazzling piano solos in George Gershwin’s masterpiece, Rhapsody in Blue. A night of pure Gershwin, who could ask for anything more?
TO TAY E R E H S
The Gershwin Symphonic Experience
SATURDAY | OCTOBER 20 | 8 PM SUNDAY | OCTOBER 21 | 3 PM
Stuart Malina conducts the HSO in a multi-media celebration of the immortal song-writing team of George and Ira Gershwin. Pianist Kevin Cole, vocalist and tap dancer Ryan VanDenBoom, and Grammy Award-winning vocalist Sylvia McNair will bring Gershwin’s music to life! Enjoy classic American songs, including The Man I Love, Summertime, and Love is Here to Stay, all while viewing rare Gershwin photos and home-videos. Rhapsody in Blue will be performed by Kevin Cole. Pops Series Sponsored by
TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE www.HarrisburgSymphony.org or 717.545.5527
Kevin Cole at the piano with Sylvia McNair and Ryan VanDenBoom
Visit YouTube for a Here to Stay The Gershwin Symphonic Experience sneak peak: http://youtu.be/-PGlgtfSGM8
“When Cole sits down at the piano, you would swear Gershwin himself was at work…Cole stands as the best Gershwin pianist in America today.” – The Chicago Tribune
__ 15 Photo Credits: Mikul Culver, courtesy MusicFest Vancouver
Catch a Rising Star competition winner Join the HSO on November 1011 for our second Masterworks concerts of the 12/13 Season. At these concerts we are very pleased to present cellist Julia Rosenbaum, a high school junior from Potomac, Maryland and winner of the Rodney and Lorna Sawatsky Rising Stars Concerto Competition held last January at Messiah College. Julia will be performing Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme, the composer’s closest attempt at writing a full concerto for cello and orchestra. Tchaikovsky was a great admirer of Mozart and this Mozartinspired piece is a light-hearted and tuneful effort to re-create the Rococo style of the late 18th century. Tchaikovsky wrote this piece for and with the help of Wilhelm Fitzenhagen, a German cellist and fellow professor at the Moscow Conservatory. The Rodney and Lorna Sawatsky “Rising Stars” Concerto Competition is held biennially at Messiah College. Members of the college faculty and HSO musicians along with Maestro Malina served as judges for the competition. The next Rising Stars Concerto Competition will take place in January of 2014. “There’s always an added element of unpredictability at the Rising Stars Competition because we welcome all orchestral instruments. We never know what instrument will take top honors. This year it was the cello and we very much look forward to welcoming Julia Rosenbaum as our soloist on November 10-11. She’s a brilliant young talent.” __ – Stuart Malina 16
Catch a Rising Star SATURDAY | NOVEMBER 10 | 8 PM SUNDAY | NOVEMBER 11 | 3 PM
The HSO is proud to present the winner of the third Rodney and Lorna Sawatsky Rising Stars Concerto Competition with cellist Julia Rosenbaum performing Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme. The high spirits of Haydn’s Symphony No. 102 and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 6 round out the program. Haydn: Symphony No. 102 Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme Julia Rosenbaum, Cello Shostakovich: Symphony No. 6 Sponsored by
TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE www.HarrisburgSymphony.org or 717.545.5527
Cellist Julia Rosenbaum, a high school junior from Maryland, was named grand prize winner in the Rodney and Lorna Sawatsky “Rising Stars” Concerto Competition held at Messiah College on January 21, 2012. The national contest was open to high school instrumentalists grades 9-12 residing in the United States. As a result, Julia will perform Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme with the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra and will receive Messiah College’s Vollmer Music Scholarship if she chooses to attend Messiah College.
SATURDAY | DECEMBER 8 | 8 PM SUNDAY | DECEMBER 9 | 3 PM
Pianist Rich Ridenour joins Stuart Malina, the Messiah College Concert Choir, the Susquehanna Children’s Chorale and the HSO for a memorable musical celebration of the holidays. We invite you to bring the whole family to enjoy this special concert of favorite seasonal music, all at family friendly pricing. Sponsored by
Ring in the Holidays with the HSO The HSO annual Holiday tradition returns again this year with pianist Rich Ridenour who takes the stage with Maestro Malina, the Messiah College Concert Choir and the Susquehanna Children’s Chorale. Rich Ridenour captivates audiences wherever he goes. A Juilliard graduate, he is equally at home with the classics, American popular music, jazz, ragtime and comedy. Rich has accompanied stars such as Carol Lawrence, Smokey Robinson, Larry Gatlin, and Mercedes Ellington.
TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE www.HarrisburgSymphony.org or 717.545.5527
INTERESTING FACTOID
Bring the family and join your friends and neighbors for this fun Holiday weekend. “When pianist Rich Ridenour stepped out ... he seemed like just an amiable guy with a red bowtie. By the end of the two-hour concert, Ridenour showed that he is much more than amiable -- he’s a keen performer in many styles and a sharp comedian. He was able to establish a great rapport with the audience and the performers. Ridenour got the audience snapping and laughing and, by the end of the evening, he even had Maestro channeling Little Richard.” – Mona Seghatoleslami Charleston, W.Va.
Trumpet Invasion is the dynamic two-man father and son duo of Rich and Brandon Ridenour. Brandon, like his dad a graduate of the Juilliard School, is a member of The Canadian Brass Dream Team. Brandon and The Canadian Brass will perform on the HSO Capital BlueCross Pops Series January 26/27, 2013. Order tickets to see the Canadian Brass: www.HarrisburgSymphony.org
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The purpose of the Harrisburg Symphony Youth Orchestras is to enrich the lives of our young people. We provide the finest possible training, practice and performance opportunities, enabling our students to learn, share and enjoy the power of music.
Photo Credit HSYO musicians: Stephanie Dutton
In partnership with the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, parents, teachers and schools we: • Provide exposure to diverse orchestral styles under the guidance of musical professionals. • Offer the opportunity for all members to work closely with professional musicians from the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra. • Foster a sense of achievement and self-esteem through a developmental approach. • Promote self-discipline and teamwork through respect for artistic standards. The Harrisburg Symphony boasts two remarkable youth orchestras: the Harrisburg Symphony Youth Orchestra (HSYO) for 9th-12th grade students, and the Junior Youth String Orchestra (JYSO), a strings-only ensemble for 6th9th graders. This year we welcome Gregory Woodbridge as conductor of the HSYO; Krista Kriel leads the JYSO. Both orchestras offer our area’s best young musicians an opportunity to hone their technique, learn challenging repertoire, develop discipline and a sense of teamwork. Membership and placement in the HSYOs are by audition only. Each player, including all returning members from the previous year, must audition every year to ensure correct placement according to individual ability.
Harrisburg Symphony Youth Orchestras GREGORY WOODBRIDGE, Music Director
November HSYOs Concert MONDAY | NOVEMBER 12 | 7 PM
Join us Monday, November 12th at 7 pm at the Forum as we present the Harrisburg Symphony Youth Orchestra (HSYO) under the direction of Gregory Woodbridge and the Junior Youth String Orchestra (JYSO) conducted by Krista Kriel. These talented young musicians from all over Central Pennsylvania will be performing a challenging program of classical compositions that will delight all who attend!
TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE $5 STUDENTS/$10 ADULTS www.HSYO.org or 717.545.5527
Gregory Woodbridge
Photo Credit Gregory Woodbridge: Carl Socolow
New Day at the Youth Symphony
You can help support our Youth Orchestra programs! Our annual Youth Symphony fundraiser, the HSYO PLAY-A-THON, raises money to help underwrite costs of “coaching.” Each year, as part of the young musicians’ training, professionals from the Harrisburg Symphony conduct special sectional rehearsals (strings, winds, brass, percussion) with student musicians during the regular Monday rehearsal. Working with the pros can greatly enhance their technique and interpretive skills.
SATURDAY | DECEMBER 15 | Noon STRAWBERRY SQUARE
We invite you to sponsor one of our HSYO student musicians by making a PLAY-A-THON donation at the FREE YOUTH SYMPHONY CONCERT at Strawberry Square in downtown Harrisburg on Saturday, December 15 at noon. While you’re enjoying holiday music favorites you can also do a little shopping in the many wonderful shops at Strawberry Square!
__ If you are not familiar with a particular student a general student sponsorship is available. Visit www.HSYO.org for more information about our PLAY-A-THON. 18
The Carnival is coming to town again! On the heels of the sold-out 2011 performances, Carnival of the Animals returns featuring original choreography by CPYB faculty and former Boston Ballet principal dancer Laszlo Berdo for four performances only on October 20/21, “ … a menagerie worthy 2012. WITF radio personality Cary of many repeat visits… a Burkett will be back offering his fabulous script, impeccable “witty and rhyming narration.” The ensemble of musicians, and venerable Harrisburg Symphony world-class performers.” Orchestra (HSO) under the direction of – The Patriot-News Gregory Woodbridge, music director and conductor of the symphony’s youth orchestra and HSO assistant conductor, will bring 19th century composer Camille Saint-Saëns’ well-known melody of the same name to life. Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet’s whimsical production offers the perfect setting to introduce young children to music and dance. Nearly 50 eye-popping costumes including chicks, an elephant, seahorses, snails, a boxing kangaroo, and even a dancing dinosaur skeleton bring alive the vivid daydreams of young Noah Nathaniel Norris who can’t keep his mind on his piano lessons because his mother promised him a pet for his birthday. From the show’s playful choreography to its whimsical costumes and sing-song libretto, ‘Carnival’ brings out the child in everyone. Four performances will be held; two each on Saturday, October 20, and on Sunday, October 21, at Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, Harrisburg.
Carnival of the Animals SATURDAY | OCTOBER 20 | 1 & 3 PM SUNDAY | OCTOBER 21 | 1 & 3 PM WHITAKER CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND THE ARTS Funding underwritten, in part, by
TICKETS AVAILABLE 717.214.ARTS (2787)
Carnival of the Animals | Choreography: Laszlo Berdo | Music: Camille Saint-Saёns | Conductor: Gregory Woodbridge Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet with the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra
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Concert Parking Stays at $5 We are pleased to announce that the Forum Place Garage has confirmed that they will continue to offer the $5 HSO Event Parking in the Forum Place Garage (on the right side of 5th Street) for our 12/13 Season. While other garages in the City are eliminating flat-fee Event Parking, Forum Place will continue to do so for us! Parking will still be free on the streets surrounding the Forum on Saturdays and Sundays on a space available basis.
Stay Connected with the HSO! You can stay connected with the HSO through a variety of our online social media tools. Social media provides a platform from which content transforms into community, and we hope you decide to join ours. The tools we use allow us to share information with you quickly, and some, such as Twitter and Facebook, give you the option to engage in a real-time conversation with us.
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Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra | 800 Corporate Circle, Suite 101, Harrisburg, PA 17110 | 717.545.5527 | www.HarrisburgSymphony.org