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Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts

Caramoor – A Beautiful Oasis for Music and Art

August 16, 2024 by Ella Ilan

(L-R): Caramoor’s Marc Lowenstein, Adina Williams, Edward J. Lewis, III, Jessa Krick, and Olivia Ottinger
Photos by CAROLYN SIMPSON

Sitting on 80 scenic acres in Katonah, New York, is Caramoor, a historic estate, generously gifted to the public by its founders, Walter and Lucie Rosen. Caramoor is known for its music concert series, but many people do not know there is a historic site that is part of the venue as well. If you have not yet visited this haven for music and the arts, you should plan to attend a concert or take a tour. Even if you have already visited, the staff at Caramoor is consistently expanding Caramoor’s offerings, so there is always something new to experience.

Caramoor History

Walter Rosen, a successful lawyer and banker, and his wife Lucie Bigelow Rosen, were great lovers of art and music. The Rosens regularly hosted friends and family for intimate musical performances and lavish parties at Caramoor, their country estate.

World War II took a toll on the family. The couple was devastated when their son, Walter, a pilot for Royal Canadian Air Force, died in a wartime plane crash in 1944. Ten months prior, Walter Sr.’s sister Jeanne, who lived in France, was sent to Auschwitz and murdered. Wrestling with their grief, they chose to turn their tragic loss into something positive. In 1946, they graciously opened their house to the public, beginning what became Caramoor’s year-round music program.

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Welcoming A Broader Audience

Historically known for its classical music performances, Caramoor has now expanded to include many other genres, such as latin, jazz, roots, and global music. In recent years, Caramoor’s board and staff have focused their mission on growing their audience by both serving the desires of the community and by better reflecting the nature of the community through their programming.

Edward J. Lewis, III, President and CEO of Caramoor, joined in May 2021 with the charge “to make Caramoor more open and accessible to a broader and more diverse community that’s reflective of the county in which we sit.” Lewis, a Chappaqua resident, brings to the table his expertise gained from a remarkable career as a professional classical musician, an arts educator, administrator, and two decades of non-profit management and fundraising. “From these experiences and my lifelong passion for the arts, I bring this ability to help institutions find that essence of themselves and inspire a broader constituency to engage with it.”

“Over the past several years we have broadened our music programming to include more jazz, roots and global music while maintaining our core classical programming.” Lewis explained. “We also try to include a broad range of lived experiences in all the artists and genres we present to help ensure that our expanding and increasingly diverse audiences can hear themselves in the music and see themselves reflected back from the stage.”

World Class Performances

Marc Lowenstein, Director of Marketing and Communications, was brought on two years ago to assist in that mission. A common message that he has heard is “I’ve heard about Caramoor, but I’ve never been,” or “I don’t think they have the music that I’m interested in.” “In some ways it’s a challenge but it’s also a huge opportunity for the marketing department here knowing there’s this population that for whatever reason has not availed themselves of Caramoor.”

“The thing that makes it so special, other than the music and the art, which is certainly world-class on any level, is just the experience of being at this beautiful place is unrivaled by any performing arts center in the area. People ask me what show they should come see and I say, just pick a nice night when the weather is good, you may not know the artist…but I promise you, come early, bring a picnic, make a night of it, enjoy the music, and you will have a positive experience,” says Lowenstein.

Adina Williams, Director of School Programs and Community Engagement, was also recruited a few years ago to execute the new mission, redesign Caramoor’s educational offerings, and embark on their first intentional community engagement work. Williams channels her background as a former New York City public school teacher and her impressive career in arts administration and music management into her role at Caramoor.

“Caramoor advocates inclusive arts and education exploration,” says Williams. “We believe in an intercultural arts practice that actively involves artists and communities from a range of national and international ethnic and cultural groups, a breadth of physical and mental abilities, languages, social classes and gender identifications so that the voices and stories of the multiple publics that we serve are heard, expressed, and celebrated.

Our educational vision is bringing to life Caramoor’s extraordinary artistic heritage and future to as broad a spectrum of people, young and old alike, ages 0 to 100 plus.”

Williams designed the innovative Caramoor Kids program for elementary and middle school classes where students take a field trip to Caramoor and a Caramoor teaching artist visits their school based on an interdisciplinary curriculum. The immersive curriculum is available in both English and Spanish and can be tailored to meet a school’s specific educational goals.

As part of Caramoor’s community outreach initiative, Williams has organized roundtables with teachers, parents, conservatories, and community members, such as Neighbors Link, that help inform the programming. “Our mission is to have a deeper understanding of the value proposition of Caramoor to our many communities and how we can be a very rich resource for them, especially historically underserved communities in the region.”

This summer, Caramoor welcomed the community for a successful Juneteenth event, celebrating African American freedom and achievement. The free event featuring Charles Turner & Uptown Swing brought in about 1500 people for a fun-filled day with hands-on activities.

Caramoor also brings jazz performances to those incarcerated at nearby correctional facilities. “We want to be a conduit in which all of our community can live an art-filled life,” says Lewis.

“It’s all about equal access and not your life narrative, whether tragic or happy…and hopefully providing life changing experiences through arts and culture,” adds Williams.

Inspired by the Rosens, Caramoor’s leadership is clear-eyed in their mission. “We need to balance the reverence for and relevance of Caramoor,” says Lewis. “We have this rich storied history and if we remain true to the vision of our founders, this is a place where visitors can be refreshed and renewed by that convergence of exceptional music performances, the beauty of the art-filled historic home, and the gorgeous gardens and grounds. The Rosens left this legacy for us all to enjoy and I believe that together with our board, staff, artists, and volunteers, we all partner together as stewards of their legacy, and we revere its past. Our job, as I see it, is to assure that Caramoor continues to resonate with audiences and visitors of today and tomorrow.”

The Rosen House

Visitors can enjoy the Rosen House by taking a tour, booking an Afternoon Tea, or attending a concert in the Music Room or Spanish Courtyard. The Rosens were great hosts and the Caramoor staff continue in that great tradition.

Jessa Krick, Director of Interpretation, Collection, and Archives for the Rosen House, is also a recent addition to the Caramoor team, just having passed her second anniversary. Krick is responsible for the vast art collection and a trove of archival documents related to the family’s history. Krick is doing her utmost to make sure the collection is better known, and people realize they need to visit the Rosen House when they come for a concert.

Re-energizing the tours this year, Krick spearheaded the 2024 Focus Tour, highlighting works in the collection by women artists that previously never received much attention during their regular tours. “It has been fantastic fun to do the research for this and our docents have appreciated the chance to add new material to their tours. It has been so rewarding over the last year discovering the stories of these women artists. They existed in the archives, but surfacing their stories through our focus tour has been so exciting. I love it when people say, “I never knew that” – those are the comments we really love to hear.”

Dedicated Staff & Supporters

The consensus among the people that make this hidden gem run is that Caramoor is a great place to work. Box Office Manager Olivia Ottinger, who is also a talented opera singer, began her relationship with Caramoor after Caramoor musicians visited her high school for a master class and she thereafter joined their esteemed mentorship program. She says one of the most special things about Caramoor is the staff. “I have been lucky enough to end up with some of my best friends here. Two of us were just bridesmaids at the marketing manager’s wedding.”

“It’s a lot of hard work but there are always one or two shows a season where we get to stand in the back and watch everything we created come together. It’s nice to step back and experience it and think, ‘cool we did this,’” reflects Ottinger.

“It’s fun to be part of someone’s vision that was such an impressive human being [Lucie] and also to progress with the times and do it well,” says Events Operations Manager Aarti Gilmore. Gilmore manages much of the logistics and scheduling of volunteers, security and emergency personnel. “I make sure we deliver on what we promised, and everybody is comfortable and feels safe. My mission is to make people love Caramoor as much as I do and to ensure their experience is as worry-free as possible from the second someone engages to buy a ticket at the box office or online.”

“Our volunteers, ranging from high school age to retirees, are great ambassadors for us. They’re available throughout the property to answer any questions, including where their favorite spots are and where is the best place to take a photo.” One of Gilmore’s favorite spots is the peaceful Cedar Walk, a well-maintained pathway which holds the t(ch)ime sound art installation.

Caramoor is a nonprofit organization. The programming and the beautiful facilities offered are supported by concert attendance, individual donations, a dedicated board of trustees, and generous sponsors.

Upcoming Events

Although summer is Caramoor’s busiest season, there is plenty to look forward to this fall. Here are just some of the upcoming events. Caramoor’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, a free event, featuring the artist People of Earth, will be on September 29th. The annual cabaret show featuring Julie Benko and Jason Yeager will be on October 25th. Jazz icon Abdullah Ibrahim will perform on November 8th. The annual fall benefit on December 7th will feature American folk band Bonny Light Horseman. December will offer the immensely popular holiday tea musicales. Caramoor’s first-ever Hannukah show, featuring Nefesh Mountain Band, will take place on December 12th. For the full schedule, tickets and additional information, go to caramoor.org.

Filed Under: Cover Stories Tagged With: Caramoor, Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, Caramoor Fall Activities, Katonah, Music Venues, Outdoor Concerts, Westchester Music

Caramoor In Full Bloom This Season

April 17, 2024 by The Inside Press

PHOTO BY GABE PALACIO

Caramoor’s spectacular open-air venues, intimate indoor spaces, and world-renowned artists make it the perfect destination in Katonah for gathering outdoors with friends and family to celebrate and be renewed by the dynamic power of music and the arts. The 2024 summer season kicks off with a performance by longtime Caramoor friend Wynton Marsalis with his Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra followed by Caramoor’s annual gala (June 22). The season continues with the return of dance to Caramoor with two large-scale movement-centered events: a new street-dance infused production of Purcell’s The Fairy Queen from Les Arts Florissants led by William Christie and choreographed by Mourad Merzouki on July 20th, and the Caramoor debut of the Mark Morris Dance Group on August 1st.

Other summer highlights include The Knights and Aaron Diehl giving their first complete live performance of Mary Lou Williams’ Zodiac Suite following their recent lauded recording; two concerts with Orchestra of St. Luke’s, the first featuring guitarist Miloš and the second with pianist Jeremy Denk; and Cleveland period ensemble Apollo’s Fire performing a program of Vivaldi and Handel led by Jeannette Sorrell.

Caramoor is also excited to host the Sphinx Virtuosi for the first time on July 7th. Comprised of some of the nation’s top young Black and LatinX professional musicians, this self-conducted orchestra is the flagship performing entity of the Sphinx Organization, the leading social justice non-profit dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts. The Sphinx Virtuosi will present music by a vital group of contemporary Black and Latinx composers, much of it written for them. Later in the season, “Our Song, Our Story: The New Generation of Black Voices” with music director Damien Sneed, honors the legacies of Marian Anderson and Jessye Norman.

Chamber performances include the Calidore String Quartet with harpist Bridget Kibbey, the Abeo Quartet, and Owls, plus solo recitals from violinist Kevin Zhu, and pianists Richard Goode, Joyce Yang, and Clayton Stephenson.

In addition, Caramoor is bringing back the fireworks on July 4th along with an annual performance by the Westchester Symphonic Winds, and a Pride event in collaboration with the LOFT LGBTQ+ Community Center on June 13th featuring Jasmine Rice LaBeija and a DJ-energized after-party.

Free events include Soundscapes (6/9), Juneteenth with Charles Turner and Uptown Swing (6/16), and THE JUMP UP! with Sandbox Percussion (7/21) including volunteer percussionists from the local community who can sign up on the Caramoor website.

Popular all-day and evening festivals are also back: the American Roots Music Festival with headliner Madison Cunningham (6/29) and the Jazz Festival with headliner Matthew Whitaker (7/27). Roots events later in the summer showcase the Lost Bayou Ramblers, Ollabelle, and Rhiannon Giddens. The casual Concerts on the Lawn series returns as well featuring Grammy winners Roomful of Teeth and Time for Three, Cuban cuatro sensation Kiki Valera y su Son Cubano, and Zimbabwean Afrofusion band Mokoomba. Bring a blanket or chair, purchase a picnic, or bring your own and relax (or get up and dance!).

You can also book one of the ever-popular Afternoon Teas, bring the kids to a family program, come for Music & Meditation on a Saturday morning, and much more. Don’t forget to enjoy Caramoor’s 80 acres of gardens and grounds and discover the Sonic Innovations sound art installation throughout which includes the debut of Stephan Moore’s Promenade and Senem Pirler’s Seismic Grief, along with seven returning pieces.

Edward J. Lewis III, Caramoor’s President and Chief Executive Officer, elaborates: “Over the course of its storied 79-year history, which has seen periods of seismic societal shifts and upheavals, the Caramoor experience is timeless, remaining constant in its delivery of transformative live music performances that resonate with audiences and artists of the day. You can always count on Caramoor to be your artistic summer sanctuary.”

Kathy Schuman, Caramoor’s Artistic Director, adds: “The unique Caramoor setting continues to inspire and inform our programs, from world-class celebrated artists to rising stars, in a multitude of genres. As these genres continue to expand, I’m particularly excited about two dance-centered performances: Mark Morris Dance Group and Purcell’s The Fairy Queen. We pride ourselves on the breadth and diversity of the musical experiences we bring to our community over the summer season.”

You can check out the full summer season and buy tickets now at caramoor.org.

Filed Under: Gotta Have Arts Tagged With: Caramoor, Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, Caramoor Spring Concerts, Katonah, Wynton Marsalis

Enjoy ‘A Slice of Artistic Heaven’ at Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts

June 1, 2022 by Adrianna Cmiel-Walsh

There’s a slice of artistic heaven I knew very little about until I attended an Open House inside its stately, historic Rosen House to get acquainted with gorgeous Caramoor–and learned about their June and summer programming as well. I had a chance to hear and meet–and even snag a selfie–with Caramoor’s new genius executive director Ed Lewis, an accomplished musician himself, who explained why he is so passionate about this Katonah-based, Hudson Valley destination.

“Art has the power to change lives,” said Lewis.

I couldn’t agree more. As an artist and musician myself, I was dazzled to discover the diversity and caliber of musical performances and the beautiful venues Caramoor has to offer. 

Indeed, Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts is starting its summer strong! Offering something for everyone, Caramoor is excited to host live music events all summer! With talented performers like Yo-Yo Ma & The Knights, Las Cafeteras, Pedrito Martinez, and more, you might be hard pressed to say no to their fun and magic-filled events.

Rich in History 

Consider your own tour to completely appreciate the Rosen House–the breathtaking Mediterranean-style house was built between 1929 and 1939 by Walter Rosen. Perhaps enjoy an Afternoon Tea, hear a concert in the oh-so-plush Music Room or Spanish Courtyard, or attend a fundraising event.  

This year, Caramoor will be open to the public Wednesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 5th to August 20th for picnicking, exploring, sound art installations or for a stroll on the grounds, all free of charge. You might have to come more than once, however, so you can experience a concert at Caramoor in its different locations starting with their biggest venue: the Venetian Theater, known for its antique Verona marble columns; it offers a tented outdoor venue so even if it rains the show still goes on! 

Angelique Kidjo returns to Caramoor’s Venetian Theater Stage August 6.
PHOTO BY Gabe Palacio

Caramoor’s Friends Field boasts a new permanent stage and is a casual family-oriented area where families can enjoy a Concert on the Lawn or maybe have a picnic or just enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The Spanish Courtyard is in the center of the Rosen House and offers a great place to watch performances like classical recitals, jazz, and American root artists. 

Enjoy a Concert on the Lawn on Caramoor’s Friends Field.
PHOTO BY Gabe Palacio

Last, but certainly not least, the Sunken Garden is a breathtaking area filled with beautiful flowers, butterflies, bumblebees and so much more! This summer, Caramoor is offering three Music & Meditation in the Garden programs on Saturday mornings July 9, 16 and August 6. 

So don’t resist the impulse to save a concert date, reserve tickets, or otherwise make plans to visit and enjoy Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts. Just in time for summer, Caramoor is truly the perfect place to attend solo, with friends, or with family. For more information and for concert tickets or to reserve a tour of the Rosen House, visit caramoor.org.

Filed Under: Gotta Have Arts Tagged With: Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, Ed Lewis, Friend's Field, Hudson Valley Destination, Rosen House, Summer Arts, Summer Concerts, Venetian Theatre

Special High Holy Days Invite to Caramoor from Temple Shaaray Tefila

September 17, 2019 by Inside Press

Temple Shaaray Tefila welcomes residents of the local community, joining us for the first time, to purchase tickets for High Holiday services at Caramoor. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the holiest days on the Jewish calendar, a time when Jews throughout the world pause to reflect on the year gone by and prepare spiritually for the one ahead.

 The Temple’s High Holy Day celebrations will take place at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, formerly the estate of Walter and Lucie Rosen. Caramoor provides a beautiful and spacious setting for services, including traditional services in the Venetian Theater, Family Services in its own dedicated tent, separate services for children and teens, and an Alternative Service for those seeking something a little bit more contemporary. Child care is available on site for parents who want their own meaningful adult worship experiences. Please click here for the High Holiday schedule: https://files.constantcontact.com/30c4ef08001/df565776-7894-4d9b-be4c-0028ea66ad35.pdf

Tickets and photo identification will be required for all adults for admittance.

 For High Holiday tickets please visit www.shaaraytefila.org. For additional information and inquiries, please contact Temple Shaaray Tefila at 914-666-3133. Located in Bedford Corners in Northern Westchester, Temple Shaaray Tefila is a Reform synagogue with a traditional spirit and has a thriving Early Childhood Center and K-12 Religious School. Temple Shaaray Tefila serves more than 650 families in Bedford, Mount Kisco, Katonah, Chappaqua, Somers, Armonk and surrounding communities.

Filed Under: New Castle News Tagged With: Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, High Holy Days, Temple Shaaray Tefila

Caramoor’s Summer Schedule Spans Musical Genres & Delights Audiences

June 1, 2018 by Amy Kelley

PHOTO BY GABE PALACIO

While Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts in nearby Katonah needn’t be compared to anywhere else, some visitors do see favorable similarities between Caramoor and a certain other renowned site for music in the Berkshires. Does Tanglewood come to mind?

But music aficionados need not battle traffic to the Berkshires. Caramoor, located on an historic estate owned by Walter and Lucie Rosen, is one of northern Westchester’s great cultural treasures.

A look at the summer calendar–available at www.caramoor.org–reveals a tremendously wide selection of musical events.  From Mozart’s The Secret Gardener, which will be performed in Caramoor’s Sunken Garden, to American Songbook, classical and world music and even sound art installations, there’s a summer full of music planned from many eras and genres.

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Family-Friendly Fun

Caramoor’s schedule includes, as always, many events for families that are truly kid-friendly and a perfect introduction to music for little ones. One perennial favorite is Dancing At Dusk. “It’s a really lovely family program,” Barbara Prisament, who handles outreach for Caramoor, said of the program, now in its 10th year. “It’s from late afternoon to early evening and it’s very reasonably priced.” This summer, favorites from other years will be featured. Dancing At Dusk will be held on Wednesdays, June 27, July 18 and July 25 at 5 p.m., and includes music and dancing; tickets are $14 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under.

The Knights, an orchestral collective from Brooklyn, will perform a family concert at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 17. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children. “That’s going to be great,” Prisament said. The group includes a “steel pan virtuoso.”

On July 1, Caramoor will host a free slate of activities, including, at 4 p.m., a performance of an outdoor percussion work called Inuksuit by prize-winning composer John Luther Adams. The work will include more than 60 percussionists, and promises to be interesting to all ages.

“It’s meant to be performed outside–it has been performed on a mountaintop, and on the border between the US and Mexico,” Prisament explained recently. “You can come and walk through the grounds and hear the sounds of the percussionists mixed with the sounds of nature.” Children can also take advantage of a special percussion activity at 2 p.m. that day.

The event is free with reservations.

July 14 brings another family concert, at 11 a.m.: Bridge to Broadway, a journey from the music of Mozart through today’s Broadway musicals that will include the work of Schubert and Cole Porter, Verdi and Irving Berlin. Tickets are $14 for adults and $7 for children.

New Programming Director This Season

Adams is only one of 22 living composers whose work will be performed at Caramoor this summer under the new head of programming, Kathy Schuman, who is vice president, artistic programming and executive producer.

Schuman has said she intends to take advantage of the beautiful grounds at the 90-acre estate by featuring more “site-specific outdoor work” as well as more early music, world music and new music–as well as continuing to offer opera, jazz (in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center) and also sound art. “It’s her first season and we’re really excited about that,” Prisament said.

The new is well-balanced with the classics, though, and visitors can come for a performance of Handel’s Atalanta by the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra or hear Tchaikovsky performed by the Orchestra of Saint Luke’s.

This season also features an American Roots Music Festival on June 23 and a Jazz Festival on July 21, both of which feature multiple performances. “It’s such a pleasant place to be with ample free parking, and you can bring food for a picnic or order ahead from our caterer,” Prisament said. “It’s a lovely way to spend a summer day or evening.”

Filed Under: Cover Stories, Gotta Have Arts Tagged With: Caramoor, Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, Cultural Treasure, culture, Events, families, Katonah, music, Music Genres

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