Chanel Wood, soprano, Columbia Festival Orchestra’s Young Artist 2008, will perform a short program and lead a masterclass with vocal students in the Chatham School District on Tuesday, May 20th, 8-10 am. The Chatham masterclass with Chanel Wood is an educational initiative of the Columbia Festival Orchestra. Ms. Wood is from the Graduate Program in Vocal Arts at the Bard College Conservatory of Music.

Students of Christian Ritter, vocal teacher in the Chatham High School, have prepared solos for the NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) Festival in May and will work on them with Ms. Wood in a masterclass setting. A tentative list of students and their repertoire includes the following:

Stacey Williams: Apres un Reve—Faure
Adam Harrison: O Del Mio Dolce Ardor from Paride ed Elena—Gluck
Brittney Gerber: O Mio Babbino Caro from Gianni Schicchi—Puccini
Isabelle Curran: Someone to Watch over Me - Gershwin
Katherine Minahan: Habanera (L’amour Est) from Carmen—Bizet
Michael Franklin: It Is Enough from Elijah—Mendelsohn
Dylan Kazmierowicztrimm: Lullaby from The Consul—Menotti
Kristen Bervy: Vittoria, mio Core–Carissimi
Erin Lanphear: On My Own - from Les Mis - Schönberg

Another new CFO mentoring program for student instrumentalists, “Take a Seat…in the Orchestra,” will take place during the CFO’s residency at PS21 (Performance Spaces for the 21st Century) in Chatham July 25-27, 2008. Instrumental teachers are encouraged to recommend students for this program who play orchestral instruments: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, french horn, trumpet, percussion and all strings. The deadline for submitting an application is June 1st.

Ms. Wood will perform Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915 (text by James Agee) with the Columbia Festival Orchestra on July 26 at 6 pm and July 27 at 2 pm at PS21, conducted by Gwen Gould. Other works on the program are Prokofiev Classical Symphony, Grunberg Prelude to a New Theatre (world premiere performed with student interns from “Take a Seat…” and conducted by the composer) and Beethoven Symphony No 7.

Information coming soon…

A night of classical, popular and traditional music

ARTISTS ON FIRE!—a concert of popular, classical and traditional music—will be presented at 8 p.m. on June 6, 2008, at St. James Roman Catholic Church, Rte 66, Chatham, NY. A group of artists will offer their talents to help raise funds for an up-to-date fire station to serve the Malden Bridge, Chatham Center and Old Chatham areas.

The artists for this benefit include: internationally and locally known performers Lincoln Mayorga, piano, and Franco Spoto, tenor; Sherry Bauer Mayorga, singer/song-writer; Madalyn and Cicely Parnas, two young virtuosi on violin and cello respectively; and Mary Deyerle Hack, mezzo-soprano, a resident of Hudson, NY, formerly of NYC. Rounding out the evening’s entertainers are Chatham resident Otto Gardner, bass player, and Eric Valdina, the evening’s emcee and a veteran of many stages.

Tickets can be purchased at The Chatham Bookstore in Chatham or contact Rose Ross at eddypond@fairpoint.net or phone 518 392-4614. A minimum donation of $35 includes a preconcert reception at 7 p.m. This is a tax-deductible donation. Additional donations are encouraged and welcome.

Saturday, April 26, 8:00 p.m.
Hudson Opera House
327 Warren Street, Hudson, NY
$15, $12 HOH members.

Pianist Raj Bhimani’s concerts are “virtuosic, heartfelt and eloquent,” writes New York Times critic Michael Kimmelman. Time Out NY noted him for being a “gifted and highly expressive pianist.” Mr. Bhimani performs regularly across North America, Europe and India. His performances have been broadcast on Indian National Radio and Television, Portuguese National Radio, and on WQXR and WHUS Radio in the United States. Recent New York performances include Merkin Concert Hall, the 92nd Street Y, St. Paul’s Chapel, and Saint Peter’s Church, where he performs frequently. Mr. Bhimani also appeared on the inaugural season of Baruch College’s Engelman Recital Hall, where he returned last season with clarinetist Anna Maria Baeza and cellist Eliot Bailen. Additional successes include Montreal, La Jolla, and Idaho State University, where his playing was lauded for “combining a searching intellect with emotional sensitivity and drama.”

Mr. Bhimani is a champion of new music, and has developed particular expertise in French piano literature. He has worked closely with composer Henri Dutilleux, who declared him “a great artist who performs with sensitivity and intelligence.” Composer Thérèse Brenet, moved by Mr. Bhimani’s performance of her previous work, composed for him To the West Wind, which Mr. Bhimani premiered in 2001, and Never, Never More, which he premiered in 2005. She just finished another work especially for Mr. Bhimani, Avec des éclats dorés d’éspérance, which is having its premiere in 2008.
Mr. Bhimani’s upcoming CD release on the Delatour label will include To the West Wind and Never, Never More, as well as Brenet’s Océanides, Debussy’s Etude pour les arpèges composées, and Ravel’s Gaspard de la Nuit. He is also due to release a recording of works by Schubert this season on the Delatour label. Mr. Bhimani continues to work with distinguished American mezzo-soprano Alice Baker. They are currently working on two CD’s of European and American songs. Mr. Bhimani’s next solo release will include late works of Brahms.

Mr. Bhimani has built a high reputation as an educator and has taught at the 92nd Street Y School of Music, New York University and Concordia College. In addition to a very busy private studio in New York, he is in great demand across the country for his educational outreach programs, which include master classes, private coaching for both soloists and chamber ensembles, and lecture-demonstrations, as well as lectures on French piano literature. Mr. Bhimani’s teaching methods establish a strong foundation of technical and musical skills, guiding students from beginners to concert-level performers, and he is a frequent judge and lecturer on piano pedagogy.

2nd Annual Community Sing of Handel’s MESSIAH
Friday, December 19, 2008 at 7:30 pm
St. James Church, Chatham, NY
(corner of Rtes 203 & 66)

Gwen Gould, conductor
with instrumental ensemble
Solos to be sung by entire sections!

Bring your voice out of the shower and jumpstart the Holiday Season by singing Handel’s Messiah with your family, friends, and neighbors!

Tickets are $10 at the door; $8 in advance (online only)
Info: gwen@gwengould.com

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[Chatham, NY] - You are invited to join with your neighbors and fellow music lovers in a Community Sing of Handel’s Messiah on Friday, December 19th at 7:30 pm at St. James Church in Chatham, at the corner of Rtes 66 and 203.

What is a Sing? It’s when YOU, the members of the audience, become the performers. It’s what you dream about when you sing your favorite arias in the shower! All who attend will sing the chorus parts and even the solos! Listeners are welcome too.

Supported by an instrumental ensemble of strings and conducted by Gwen Gould, you will have the opportunity to sing the Christmas Portion of Messiah and end with the Halleluia Chorus. Ms. Gould has been doing “Sings” of major choral works since 1972, when she started the West Village Chorale Summer Sings in Greenwich Village and conducted Sings for the New York Choral Society for many years. In 2006, she started a series of Summer Sings at PS21 (Performance Spaces for the 21st Century) in Chatham. Ms. Gould has been an active performer around Columbia County since 1983, when she and her family bought a house in the Town of Claverack. In 1988, she founded the Columbia Festival Orchestra, a professional orchestra now resident at PS21.

“This is not a performance, it’s an event!” says conductor Gould, “and a joyful way to start the holiday season.” Scores will be provided and light refreshments will be served during the break.

Tickets are $10 at the door; $8 in advance (online only) Info: gwen@gwengould.com.

Take a Seat…in the Orchestra is a three-day program for serious-minded music students to intern and perform with the Columbia Festival Orchestra. It will take place at PS21 (Performance Spaces for the 21st Century - www.ps21chatham.org) in Chatham, New York, on July 25, 26, and 27, 2008. Each participant will be seated with an orchestra member and will rehearse and perform with them in the world premiere of Prelude to a New Theater by Chatham High School alumnus, David Grunberg. Students will have the opportunity to interview their mentors, socialize with them, and learn what it is like to be a professional musician.

Tuition is free. The application procedure is straightforward: a short form, a brief statement about why the student would like to participate; and a recommendation letter from the student’s teacher. Players of all orchestral woodwinds, strings, and trumpet, horn, and percussion are invited to apply. Applications are now being accepted. Please fill out the application form below or contact program chairman, Cristy Sisk, conductor and educator, at 518 828 4322 for more information. Deadline is June 1st.

The Performing Arts Collective of Columbia County is a group of Chamber members, both professional and community-based performing arts businesses, that have come together to promote and nurture the performing arts as essential to a healthy economic and cultural life in Columbia County. Any interested organizations are highly encouraged to contact the Chamber to become a member of PACCC.

The Business Expo will be held from 5:00 to 6:00 pm in the Gallery at Stageworks and will feature tabletop exhibits and hors d’oeuvres along with a beer and wine tasting. The Business Expo will give the business community the opportunity to learn more about the performing arts community and what’s coming up for the season. Brochures, information about their upcoming seasons and more will be available.

At 6:00 pm following the Business Expo a special presentation will be given in the Stageworks theater by keynote speaker Philip Morris of Proctor’s Theatre who will address the audience about the economic impact of the arts. Morris was recently named New York State Tourism Executive of the Year by the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association. Morris was honored for his contributions to Schenectady’s downtown arts district which includes a multi-million dollar renovation and expansion of the historic Vaudevulle theater, revamped programming at Proctors’ multiple venues, and a power plant that provides low-cost energy to the city’s downtown. Morris is credited with helping to bring 350,000 visitors to Schenectady in 2007.

The program is pleased to welcome Assemblyman Marc Molinaro as the guest emcee for the event. Assemblyman Molinaro was elected to the Tivoli Village Board of Trustees in 1994. He is the youngest person ever elected to office in New York at the age of 18. The very next year, he became the youngest mayor in the United States. He was re-elected mayor five times and elected four times to the Dutchess County Legislature. Assemblyman Molinaro has many priorities as he enters his first term in state office. His main goal can be easily summarized by the statement that he wants to make New York – and especially the Hudson Valley – a better place to live, work, and raise a family. He was elected to the New York State Assembly in 2007 and represents the 103rd District which includes parts of Columbia and Dutchess Counties.

Stageworks/Hudson is located at 41 Cross Street in Hudson. Parking directions for Stageworks/Hudson are to access parking through the municipal lot opposite Amtrak. Handicap parking is at 41 Cross Street.

There is no charge for this event, but attendees are encouraged to contact the Chamber for a reservation at 828-4417. There is also a special opportunity to bring along your children to this event. Tracy Schober, owner of Imaguration will be on hand to provide children’s activities while you attend the event. Imaguration is a full-service event company offering themed parties and events that promotes the imagination, experimentation, social interaction, creativity and physical activity in children. They provide themed events for children’s birthday parties, children’s parties during weddings or adult events bridal showers, baby showers and more. Tracy is trained in adult infant and child CPR and standard first aid. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, an Associate’s Degree in Recreation Leadership and is a student at Russell Sage in the Gerontology Masters program. This service is free for the event, but reservations are required by April 25.

The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, with its 850 members, is the leading voice of business in Columbia County, providing advocacy, promotional and benefit solutions for its members. Those seeking more information concerning the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and membership can contact the Chamber at (518) 828-4417 or visit the website at www.columbiachamber-ny.com.

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West Village Chorale Summer Sing
Verdi’s Requiem
at the Church of St. Luke in the Fields
487 Hudson Street, New York, NY
at 7:30 pm

Gwen Gould, conductor
Amy Grable, soprano
Mary Hack, alto
Rob Zimmerman, tenor
bass TBA

Gwen Gould will conduct Verdi’s Requiem in a West Village Chorale Summer Sing on July 14 at 7:30 pm at the Church of St. Luke in the Fields, 487 Hudson Street, New York City. Ms. Gould founded the West Village Chorale in 1971 and established the WVC Summer Sings in 1972. She was Artistic Director/Conductor for 27 years. The chorale is resident at the historic Church of St. Luke in the Fields in New York City’s Greenwich Village, where Ms. Gould served as an organist in the church and teacher in the school.

For information about the West Village Chorale, CLICK HERE

WHAT IS A “SING?”
It’s when YOU, members of the AUDIENCE, sing the choruses of this magnificent choral work with professional soloists singing the solos. Bring your voice out of the shower and join with your neighbors and fellow choral singers in this favorite masterwork. Music is provided and light refreshments are served at the break.

The Columbia Festival Orchestra announces Chanel Wood, soprano, to be CFO’s Young Artist 2008.

Ms. Wood, from the Graduate Program in Vocal Arts at Bard, will perform Samuel Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915 with the CFO on its 20th anniversary concert, July 26-27, 2008, at PS21 (Performance Spaces for the 21st Century) in Chatham, NY.

We are grateful to the David G. Whitcomb Foundation for supporting our Young Artist 2008, making possible the appearance of Ms. Wood. For more information about this event, please click on the following links:

Chanel Wood, soprano

CFO 20th Anniversary Program

On Saturday, March 29th at 6 pm at First Presbyterian Church, 369 Warren Street, Hudson NY, Mary Hack & Nina Fine, mezzo-sopranos, and Gwen Gould, pianist, will present MezzoMezzo! to benefit the Friends of First Presbyterian Church’s preservation fund. The concert will include selections from American Musical Theater and Opera. Suggested donation is $15. Click here for program.