Performing arts scene in region is terrific
(Letter to the Editor, The Independent, April 8, 2008)
I live, during the week, in New York City. I go to the theater twice a week. I see some great plays, some mediocre plays and some very bad plays on a regular basis.
I listen to concerts in the same classes. Because I live in New York City, I can be very chauvinistic about the performing arts. There is this little voice that tells me that great performances exist only in New York City. I know the voice is outdated, but it keeps talking to me.
Thinking about two events that happened back-to-back last week made me realize that Columbia County is blessed with an abundance of great performing artists. We should support them not only financially, but emotionally as well by being present to hear the work.
Gwen Gould gave me a recording of the concert she conducted with her Columbia Festival Orchestra. I slipped the disc in and was treated to an incredibly big and exciting concert. Gwen has an extraordinary gift; her fans have known that for many years. So why was I surprised? That little voice again, making me feel surprise.
My voice needs to change its message to say: Yo! extraordinary talent has migrated to Columbia County.
Think of the theater groups and I only mention a few: Walking the Dog - its avant-garde, serious approach to unique and interesting work; Stageworks - its support of new voices in its one-act festival and its annual season of excellent plays. The Ghent Playhouse and Spencertown Academy - not to mention the Hudson Opera House that keeps the space enlivened with dozens of events and performances every year. Clarion Concerts, PS21. As you read this you will fill in where I have left off.
Last weekend, I had the good fortune to have a reading of one of my plays directed by The Two of Us Productions. It was performed by a sterling group of actors at the Hudson Valley Academy of Performing Arts in Taghkanic. I knew that the church on Route 82 had been converted into a Performing Arts Center, but I didn’t expect to see such a wonderful space. There’s that chauvinism again.
I didn’t know Connie and Steve, who are The Two of Us Company, and I wasn’t sure what to expect at my reading, since I had not attended any rehearsals. (It’s that time in my life as a playwright where my plays are leaving the nest, and I don’t know everything that’s going to happen to them like the kids getting their drivers’ licenses. It’s nerve wracking, and equally as rewarding.)
There’s so much to do in Columbia County, it is difficult to keep up with all the events. But you don’t have to take the train to New York to get great theater and music. It’s right here. Support it so it stays alive and well. As a recipient of its grace and power, I suggest we all make an effort to be in a seat or two during the coming season.
Kate McLeod
Stuyvesant
Apr 10, 2008
Virginia Martin said:
(Her letter was published in the Independent and the Register Star)
To the editor:
After last weekend’s incredible performance by the Columbia Festival Orchestra at PS/21 in Chatham, I just have to thank everyone who played a role in bringing that amazing event to us:
Gwen Gould and all her musicians, including of course the extraordinary vocalists;
Judy Grunberg and all the volunteers who helped make the event come off;
Everyone who’s helped support the CFO and PS/21 in any way, shape, or form;
Leonard Bernstein (why not?) and whatever energies conspired to compel him to create that magical music; and
The authors, traditionally acknowledged and otherwise, who brought us the stories behind Candide and West Side Story.
What a gift that evening was. I was humbled by it. Thanks, many times over, to all of you. Encore!
How great to hear the CFO again and to experience Gwen’s superb conducting. One of the players during intermission told me how much the musicians enjoy playing with her because she creates a respectful environment in which they can express their personal creativity. Not all conductors can do this and still maintain control, but Gwen was definitely at the helm as she led the orchestra through all of those tricky rhythmic passages. This is difficult music and the orchestra played with flair and enthusiasm.
I miss the CFO. We lost something wonderful. Let’s reincarnate it for Columbia County.
Thanks to Gwen Gould and Judy Grunberg for bringing back the CFO in a wonderful performance of Leonard Bernstein’s work. The soloists were fabulous and Amanda Boyd’s courageous and beautiful rendition of Cunegonde in Candide brought down the house. I was also most impressed by Gwen’s ability to bring together the musicians, probably on short notice, in the demanding West Side Story’s orchestral pieces. Altogether, a great, inspiring evening.
What could be better on a Sunday afternoon in July than to hear a fine orchestra and singers celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bernstein’s West Side Story? Amanda Boyd sang Cunegunde’s role in Candide, its sardonic opening as fully realized as the soaring bel canto. That she stepped in at the last minute made her soaring performance more magical. The rich colors of the exuberant orchestra complemented the six fine singers and evoked dancers in their suite. Many thanks to Judy Grunberg, Gwen Gould, and their many volunteers for making this happen.
The orchestra was in rare form for the Bernstein celebration on July 7. And the vocal soloists were extraordinary. Special mention must be made of Amanda Boyd, who jumped in to learn and then sing the Cunegonde role for the first half of the concert when Nancy Allen Lundy became ill. A superb performance by all.
Those who missed these concerts missed a season highlight. Vocalists, conductor and orchestra were in top form and the result was a thoroughly entrancing couple of hours. The accoustics of PS21 are superb and no one in the audience, no matter where they sat, missed a note. The heroine of the concerts probably was Amanda Boyd who, at a moment’s notice, stepped in and did both the very demanding Candide vocal solos as well as the West Side Story vocal work she had contracted to do. This whole musical experience was a wonderful place to be and we’re very grateful to Gwen Gould and Judy Grunberg for making this possible.
Yesterday’s Bernstein concert at PS/21 was the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon. The talented musicians conducted by Gwen Gould were obviously delighted to be working with her again. Candide and West Side Story have held up well. The orchestra gave a stellar performance and the vocalists were delicious! I think that I speak for everyone who attended when I say that I didn’t want the concert to end. Thanks, Gwen, for making it all happen.
Kate McLeod said:
Performing arts scene in region is terrific
(Letter to the Editor, The Independent, April 8, 2008)
I live, during the week, in New York City. I go to the theater twice a week. I see some great plays, some mediocre plays and some very bad plays on a regular basis.
I listen to concerts in the same classes. Because I live in New York City, I can be very chauvinistic about the performing arts. There is this little voice that tells me that great performances exist only in New York City. I know the voice is outdated, but it keeps talking to me.
Thinking about two events that happened back-to-back last week made me realize that Columbia County is blessed with an abundance of great performing artists. We should support them not only financially, but emotionally as well by being present to hear the work.
Gwen Gould gave me a recording of the concert she conducted with her Columbia Festival Orchestra. I slipped the disc in and was treated to an incredibly big and exciting concert. Gwen has an extraordinary gift; her fans have known that for many years. So why was I surprised? That little voice again, making me feel surprise.
My voice needs to change its message to say: Yo! extraordinary talent has migrated to Columbia County.
Think of the theater groups and I only mention a few: Walking the Dog - its avant-garde, serious approach to unique and interesting work; Stageworks - its support of new voices in its one-act festival and its annual season of excellent plays. The Ghent Playhouse and Spencertown Academy - not to mention the Hudson Opera House that keeps the space enlivened with dozens of events and performances every year. Clarion Concerts, PS21. As you read this you will fill in where I have left off.
Last weekend, I had the good fortune to have a reading of one of my plays directed by The Two of Us Productions. It was performed by a sterling group of actors at the Hudson Valley Academy of Performing Arts in Taghkanic. I knew that the church on Route 82 had been converted into a Performing Arts Center, but I didn’t expect to see such a wonderful space. There’s that chauvinism again.
I didn’t know Connie and Steve, who are The Two of Us Company, and I wasn’t sure what to expect at my reading, since I had not attended any rehearsals. (It’s that time in my life as a playwright where my plays are leaving the nest, and I don’t know everything that’s going to happen to them like the kids getting their drivers’ licenses. It’s nerve wracking, and equally as rewarding.)
There’s so much to do in Columbia County, it is difficult to keep up with all the events. But you don’t have to take the train to New York to get great theater and music. It’s right here. Support it so it stays alive and well. As a recipient of its grace and power, I suggest we all make an effort to be in a seat or two during the coming season.
Kate McLeod
Apr 10, 2008Stuyvesant
Virginia Martin said:
(Her letter was published in the Independent and the Register Star)
To the editor:
After last weekend’s incredible performance by the Columbia Festival Orchestra at PS/21 in Chatham, I just have to thank everyone who played a role in bringing that amazing event to us:
Gwen Gould and all her musicians, including of course the extraordinary vocalists;
Judy Grunberg and all the volunteers who helped make the event come off;
Everyone who’s helped support the CFO and PS/21 in any way, shape, or form;
Leonard Bernstein (why not?) and whatever energies conspired to compel him to create that magical music; and
The authors, traditionally acknowledged and otherwise, who brought us the stories behind Candide and West Side Story.
What a gift that evening was. I was humbled by it. Thanks, many times over, to all of you. Encore!
Virginia Martin, Claverack
Aug 6, 2007 | in response to A Bernstein Celebration (PS21 SEASON GALA)Sheila Silver said:
How great to hear the CFO again and to experience Gwen’s superb conducting. One of the players during intermission told me how much the musicians enjoy playing with her because she creates a respectful environment in which they can express their personal creativity. Not all conductors can do this and still maintain control, but Gwen was definitely at the helm as she led the orchestra through all of those tricky rhythmic passages. This is difficult music and the orchestra played with flair and enthusiasm.
I miss the CFO. We lost something wonderful. Let’s reincarnate it for Columbia County.
Sheila Silver, Composer
Jul 12, 2007 | in response to A Bernstein Celebration (MATINEE)Grace Wilner said:
Thanks to Gwen Gould and Judy Grunberg for bringing back the CFO in a wonderful performance of Leonard Bernstein’s work. The soloists were fabulous and Amanda Boyd’s courageous and beautiful rendition of Cunegonde in Candide brought down the house. I was also most impressed by Gwen’s ability to bring together the musicians, probably on short notice, in the demanding West Side Story’s orchestral pieces. Altogether, a great, inspiring evening.
Jul 10, 2007 | in response to A Bernstein Celebration (MATINEE)Karen Jahn said:
What could be better on a Sunday afternoon in July than to hear a fine orchestra and singers celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bernstein’s West Side Story? Amanda Boyd sang Cunegunde’s role in Candide, its sardonic opening as fully realized as the soaring bel canto. That she stepped in at the last minute made her soaring performance more magical. The rich colors of the exuberant orchestra complemented the six fine singers and evoked dancers in their suite. Many thanks to Judy Grunberg, Gwen Gould, and their many volunteers for making this happen.
Jul 10, 2007 | in response to A Bernstein Celebration (MATINEE)Vic Meyers said:
What a wonderful evening. How do they do it? Bring back the CFO!!!
Jul 9, 2007 | in response to A Bernstein Celebration (MATINEE)Rose Ross said:
How fortunate we are to live in a community that can give us the magic of a Gwen Gould and a visionary like Judy Grunberg.
The Sunday performance was nothing less than pure joy.
Jul 9, 2007 | in response to A Bernstein Celebration (MATINEE)Arther Frederick said:
The orchestra was in rare form for the Bernstein celebration on July 7. And the vocal soloists were extraordinary. Special mention must be made of Amanda Boyd, who jumped in to learn and then sing the Cunegonde role for the first half of the concert when Nancy Allen Lundy became ill. A superb performance by all.
Jul 9, 2007 | in response to A Bernstein Celebration (MATINEE)Jill & Jim Salerno said:
Those who missed these concerts missed a season highlight. Vocalists, conductor and orchestra were in top form and the result was a thoroughly entrancing couple of hours. The accoustics of PS21 are superb and no one in the audience, no matter where they sat, missed a note. The heroine of the concerts probably was Amanda Boyd who, at a moment’s notice, stepped in and did both the very demanding Candide vocal solos as well as the West Side Story vocal work she had contracted to do. This whole musical experience was a wonderful place to be and we’re very grateful to Gwen Gould and Judy Grunberg for making this possible.
Jul 9, 2007 | in response to A Bernstein Celebration (MATINEE)Mary Gail Biebel said:
Yesterday’s Bernstein concert at PS/21 was the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon. The talented musicians conducted by Gwen Gould were obviously delighted to be working with her again. Candide and West Side Story have held up well. The orchestra gave a stellar performance and the vocalists were delicious! I think that I speak for everyone who attended when I say that I didn’t want the concert to end. Thanks, Gwen, for making it all happen.
Jul 9, 2007 | in response to A Bernstein Celebration (MATINEE)