Fall/Winter Newsletter 2003
Dear Friends and Families of NSM, I'll be straight with you - we are blown away with how many of you have come to NSM this fall! With all of the bad news about how the economy has been devastating to businesses and non-profits in particular, we braced ourselves for a quiet beginning to our semester. I am pleased to say, our staff was busy to a point of frenzy through September and October! As our schedules have fallen into place, I stand back in some degree of shock and with a great deal of optimism.
Despite the climate of budget cuts, MCAS exams, and society's general lack of "spare" time, you have come to NSM with renewed enthusiasm. I believe that more and more people are seeing the arts as a crucial part of life, not an occasional add-on. In particular, I'm touched that more adults are getting involved in our school. I have great trust that there will always be parents who view music as a life-long gift that they can give to their children. But to see adults decide that making music is the best way to spend their all-too-precious free time is inspiring. For so many of our students, music is about community, about personal expression, and for some, it is their dose of spirituality for the week.
We are among the fortunate to be an organization with the responsibility of keeping the arts in peoples' lives. We are doing all that we can to hold up this responsibility: we welcome all who choose to come to our school regardless of their musical background. We have increased our scholarship program, we continually set up more MusicReach programs with the public schools, we hold our monthly free concerts series, and we have added a program, Family Fridays - a great way for families to enjoy each other's company while making music.
At NSM, we can do more. You have come to us, now is your chance to help us reach out to more children and adults in the community. Spread the word about the New School of Music and your other favorite arts organizations. Let your representatives know that arts are important to you - that they're important to society. And most important of all, keep making music. Sing with your child, join an orchestra, or go to concerts. It's good for us all.
Sincerely,
Anne Riesenfeld
Anne Riesenfeld and Sadie Danforth hosted hosted the Sing For Your Supper on October 17th. Join us for a holiday sing-along on Friday, December 5 with Curious George Goes to Wordsworth Bookstore and a special Valentine Sing for Your Supper on Friday, February 13.
NSM WELCOMES NEW FACULTY
Sadie Danforth (Music Together, Music Discoveries, Young Musicians): Sadie has a BA from Wesleyan University and studied at the Prague Conservatory. She is a Masters Candidate in Piano Performance at the Longy School of Music and recently helped lead Sing For Your Supper on Oct. 17th at NSM.
Sandi Hammond (voice, Women's Singing Group, Basics of Music, Intro. To Singing): Sandi is a prominent performer and recording artist in the Boston area (www.sandihammond.com). Her wide-ranging experience and talents are reflected in her broad range of NSM offerings this year.
Pei-Chun Lin (piano & flute - Suzuki, jazz): Pei-Chun comes to NSM with many different skills - two instruments (flute and piano) and two styles (classical and jazz). She received her BM from Berklee College of Music and her MM from Longy School of Music and teaches both traditional and Suzuki methods.
Tali Morgulis (piano): Tali is working on her DM at NEC and is an exciting addition to our piano faculty. The America-Israel Cultural Foundation has supported her studies for the past ten years. On Dec. 13th, she will present a free solo recital at NSM.
Eleanor Perrone (piano): Ellie has her BM and MM from Boston University and is an active soloist and chamber musician throughout New England and Europe. In September, Ellie made her NSM debut performance with a captivating solo recital.
SPECIAL PROJECTS AT NSM
In addition to the critical support for our annual fund, we occasionally seek donations for specific projects. This year, we are hoping to raise funds for repairs to an exceptional Steinway grand piano. The Steinway, which currently resides upstairs in Room B, has the potential to become a marvelous performing piano for our concert room. We also hope to continue the work begun last year of revamping our teachers' rooms.
When you give to our annual fund this year, please consider an additional gift to these worthwhile pet projects of the NSM faculty and staff! All donations are tax-deductible.
We are continually accepting other items to improve the appearance of our school, including: furniture (tables, coffee tables, sofas, bookcases, frames, small filing cabinets, lamps, clocks and children's books. We ask that you only donate these items only if they are in good shape. Call NSM at 617-492-8105 if you are interested in donating. Thank you!
LOOKING FOR ARTWORK: NSM is looking for pieces of music-related artwork to hang throughout the school. If you are an artist or art student, we would love to display your artwork!
NEW CLASSES AND ENSEMBLES AT NSM
NSM has created several exciting new ensembles and classes this Fall.
NSM's first Adult String Ensemble has been born! At the first meeting, conductor John Ferguson was pleasantly surprised by the turnout - eight cellos (yes, eight!), a viola and eight violins! The ensemble is open to beginners and intermediate string players and meets Thursday evenings from 7:30-9:15pm. If you are an amateur adult string player we invite you to sign up for the ensemble for Spring Term. The class begins on February 5th and you are welcome to try the first class for free. John Ferguson comments on the class: "The Adult String Ensemble has more than exceeded our expectations for participation and enthusiasm. We have ambitions of playing some challenging repertoire and preparing a concert at the end of the term. Please join us! Viola players are especially needed and welcome."
Music Together has been one of NSM's most popular classes for several years. Parents and students have expressed an interest in similar classes beyond the age of four, so several follow-up classes have been formed. Graduates of Music Together can continue their music education by delving more deeply into rhythm, note reading, and ear training in a fun, low-key class setting. We have created several classes that are perfect for children who have graduated from our Music Together program: Music Discoveries (ages 4 & 5), Young Musicians (Ages 6-8 or grades 1-3), The Basics of Music (Ages 8-11), and Introduction to Singing (Ages 8-11). Now your child can continue to learn about music in a hands-on way and in a group setting. These classes can also be taken in conjunction with private lessons and will be offered again this spring. Call 617-492-8105 to receive a catalog.
The Women's Singing Group is a fun and rewarding ensemble for beginning and amateur singers. The group is being led by Sandi Hammond and meets on Monday evenings from 7:00-8:30pm. If you enjoy singing in harmony with others, we invite you to sign up for the group this spring. The class begins on February 2nd and you are welcome to try the first class for free. Sandi Hammond comments on the class: "The Women's Singing Group is a blast. We balance learning new songs, a bit of ear training, and wholesome fun and socializing. This group does not lack a sense of humor! The warm-ups are a great way to unwind after a busy Monday, and these ladies make my Monday nights so fun! I couldn't ask for a better group of women. We're doing some Latin, Italian, English...music of Kodaly, Berlioz, Purcell and Bartok, from the 14th century to the 20th century. But don't worry - novices are welcome and supported, and we make sure it stays fun for everyone."
Sadie Danforth with students
from Music Discoveries.
FACULTY NOTES:
Last June, Emily Browder appeared in the lead role of Eve in Daniel Pinkham's Garden Party with Opera Unlimited, the new contemporary chamber opera series (collaboration of Opera Boston and the Boston Modern Orchestra). Arsis Records will release the recording next year. She will play the lusty maid, Paquette, in Candide with Opera Boston this November at the newly renovated Cutler Majestic Theatre (see operaboston.org for more info). This winter, she will travel to St. Paul, Minnesota for a 10-week training program in Voice Movement Therapy.
In addition to having her New England Conservatory merit scholarship (the Bertha L. Harris Endowed Scholarship) renewed for a second year, Oni Buchanan was also awarded the Beneficent Society Scholarship, a highly competitive scholarship given to only two NEC graduate students across all disciplines, on recommendation from their respective departments. This summer, Oni attended SICPP (the Summer Institute of Contemporary Piano Performance), and performed new works of composers attending the Institute both in master classes and in the final concert. She performed a solo recital at NSM in early September, and gave a benefit piano recital for the Grolier Poetry Bookshop in Harvard Square. Her first book of poetry, titled *What Animal*, will be released at the end of October. She currently has two poetry readings scheduled in Cambridge (in the Grolier Poetry Reading Series and the Cambridge Poetry Readings at the Advocate), as well as upcoming readings at the KGB Club in New York City, the Live From Prairie Lights series in Iowa City, and the 2004 AWP Conference in Chicago. Oni is currently recording her first solo piano CD, which will be released in Spring 2004.
Music Together instructor and soprano Laura Bewig Chritton will appear in Opera Boston's November production of Candide. In January 2004, she will sing in the first of a series of duet recitals with baritone John Murelle at the Cape Cod Art Museum.
Shu-Fang Du toured Taiwan and Japan this summer with the Homeland Ensemble. The group played seven concerts and is invited back to play four concerts in January in Taiwan. Shu-Fang started teaching at Brookline Music School as well as a class at Boston University in September.
John Ferguson will perform Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, arranged for solo piano by Franz Liszt, on recitals in Los Angeles and San Diego this February and throughout New England in November, December and February.
Sandi Hammond is quite busy when she's not teaching at NSM. Hard at work on her first rock opera, which she reports features "gospel-style music", Sandi hopes to put the show into production this spring in the Boston area. She hosted the first read-through of the script this October. She is also in the studio recording two CD's simultaneously, one with a jazz-influenced folk style, and the other with her own unique songwriting material. "It feels great to be co-writing with other songwriters and producers," reports Sandi. "I'm getting more comfortable with my eclectic style, instead of fighting it." Sandi opened for artist Lilli Lewis, on Nov. 15 along with NSM faculty Patrice Williamson. Anything else? "I'm considering a summer tour of London!"
Elizabeth Landman has two new grandchildren born this summer: Julia on July 2 and James on Aug. 7. She recently studied piano enrichment literature with Doris Harrel at Studea Musica, a Suzuki Institute, in Orford, Quebec, and was elected President of Suzuki Music Schools, Inc. of MA (state Suzuki association). Elizabeth taught rhythm classes at the Creative Arts Suzuki Workshop, Nov. 8, in Reading, MA.
Timothy Merton is the Artistic Director of the Sarasa Ensemble. A special one-time concert to raise funds for a new Sarasa recording will feature Dominique Labelle, soprano, and Sanford Sylvan, baritone, joined by a cast of talented instrumentalists. The program, which will include well-known Bach cantatas, promises to be an intimate evening at the Friends' Meeting House in Cambridge on Friday, Jan. 30 at 8:00pm (www.sarasa-music.com). The recording will be released on Avie Records, based in London.
Tali Morgulis will be performing piano quintets by Bruch and Kalkbrenner on Dec. 1st with the Jupiter Chamber Players at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church (near Lincoln Center Plaza) in New York. She has been selected to participate in 10th UNISA International Piano Competition in Pretoria, South Africa in January 2004. On Dec. 13th, Tali will perform a free solo recital at NSM.
Eleanor Perrone made her NSM debut solo recital on Sept. 21st at the first Third Sunday Series concert of the season. The concert included works by Scarlatti, Albeniz, Chopin and Gershwin. She performed the same program at Caramoor in New York on Oct. 8th, and at the Courthouse Center for the Arts in Rhode Island on Oct. 19th. Ellie performed Rhapsody in Blue with the Billings (Montana) Symphony on Nov. 8th.
Kathleen Pickett will be performing A Christmas Carol in December at the Stoneham Theatre in Stoneham.
Patrice Williamson sang at the Regattabar last June and will return for another performance on Jan. 28th. This fall, she started teaching at Wellesley College and is coaching the jazz vocal group Body & Soul.
Esther Yau performed on June 22nd at the Zeitgeist Gallery with NSM's Ensemble in Residence, the New Piano Quartet (made up of faculty members Jennifer Schiller and Andra Voldins as well as Judith Glixon). The ensemble performed works by Harbison, Schubert and Brahms and presented the same program at NSM last May. This September, the NPQ performed works by Fanny Mendelssohn, Schnittke and Mahler at NSM and the Zeitgeist Gallery. Esther recorded a second CD in June with violinist Tsai Ming Chi, featuring Beethoven's Sonata #7, Brahms' Violin Sonata #3 and the Butterfly Lover's Concerto. This summer, Esther visited her home in Hong Kong as well as China and Thailand.
MEET the NSM STAFF:
left to right: Meredith Cooper (Director
of Administration), Anne Riesenfeld
(Executive Director), Kristen Watson
(Office Manager)
NSM CALENDAR
Friday, Dec. 5, 6-7:00pm: Family Friday, Sing-along with Curious George at One JFK Street in Harvard Square
Friday, Dec. 5, 8:00pm: Mixed Faculty Chamber Music Recital
Saturday, Dec. 13, 7:00pm: Tali Morgulis, NSM Faculty Recital
Sunday, Dec. 14, 2:00pm: Student Recital
Wednesday, Dec. 24 - Sunday, Jan. 4: Holiday Break
Monday, Jan. 5: Spring Registration Begins
Friday, Jan. 9, 6:30pm & 8:00pm: Student Recitals (Children & Adults)
Thursday, Jan. 15: Fall Term Ends
Friday, Jan. 16 - Wednesday, Jan. 28: Fall Term Make-ups
Sunday, Jan. 18, 7:00pm: Third Sunday Series concert, New Piano Quartet (NSM's Ensemble in Residence)
Thursday, Jan. 29: Spring Term Private Lessons Begin
Monday, Feb. 2: Spring Term Group Classes Begin
Sunday, Feb. 8, 2:00pm: Student Recital
Friday, Feb. 13, 6:30-7:30pm: Family Friday, Sing for Your Supper - Sing with your favorite Valentine! ($5 per person/$15 per family)
Sunday, Feb. 15: Third Sunday Series concert
Friday, March 12, 7:00pm: Student Recital
Sunday, March 21: Third Sunday Series concert
Sunday, April 4: Annual Performathon - All students perform, all day event!
Sunday, April 18, 7:00pm: Third Sunday Series concert, Elizabeth Landman
Saturday, April 24, Noon: Kids' Cabaret performance
SAVE THE DATES!
Kids' Cabaret April Vacation Program:
April 20 - 24, 2004
Tuesday - Friday, 9:00am - 3:00pm
Saturday, 9:00 - noon:
Open workshop at noon
for families and friends
This is a 5-day workshop for children ages 8 - 14
during the public school April vacation week.
Fee: $257
Call the NSM office at 617-492-8105 today to reserve your spot.
NSM's First Adult Chamber Music Weekend
Friday, June 4 - Sunday, June 6, 2004
This workshop is open to formed chamber music groups as well as individuals who are interested in chamber music. The weekend includes an opening reception, coachings with the New Piano Quartet (NSM's Ensemble in Residence), concerts, master classes, and reading sessions. For more info, please call the NSM office or email us.
Donating to the New School of Music
Since 1976, the mission of the New School of Music (NSM) has remained constant: To provide high-quality, affordable musical instruction to all who seek it, and to share the musicianship of its faculty and visiting artists with the community. Today, NSM has an extensive roster of activities. In addition to a broad range of catalog offerings (vocal, instrumental, theory, individual, and group lessons), the school features numerous free concerts and events throughout the year. NSM has kept its costs low, and continues to offer scholarship money to students in need. When NSM was recently awarded a prestigious Mass. Cultural Council Operational Support grant, State Representative Alice Wolf praised NSM saying, "Your devotion to the arts and your level of work is exceptional". Supplementing the New School's on-site activities is its MusicReach program, which includes a far-reaching collaboration with the Cambridge Public Schools (CPS). Six years ago, MusicReach grew out of a conversation between a New School parent whose children attend the Tobin School and Executive Director Anne Riesenfeld. The collaboration between the Cambridge Public Schools and MusicReach has expanded since 1998 to include major residencies throughout the school system, reaching over 3,000 children.
The New School of Music is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization. Please consider a donation to our annual fund. All donations are tax-deductible. For more information, please contact Anne Riesenfeld, Executive Director.
Did You Know...?
NSM has been around since 1976. That's a lot older than many of its students!
NSM's students include newborns through senior citizens - and everything in between.
NSM offers scholarships to students who need financial aid. Applications are available by clicking here or by calling the NSM office. The spring scholarship application is due on Jan. 16th. NSM prides itself on helping families to bring music into their lives.
We rent out our Concert Room (first floor) for concerts and events. We also rent out rooms upstairs for rehearsals and practicing. Please inquire by calling NSM's office at 617-492-8105 or email us.
