The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

music

Choral Music Concert To Celebrate 175th Anniversary of St. Stephens Church and Founding of Armonk

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Britain’s favorite composer Paul Mealor
PHOTO BY CHRIS O’DONOVAN

North Castle residents are in for a treat at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on Sunday, October 29 at 4 p.m. A concert of choral and instrumental music featuring Vivaldi’s Gloria and additional works by Handel and Parry will be included in the concert to celebrate the founding of the church and the town of Armonk 175 years ago. The concert will also introduce a world premier commissioned by St. Stephen’s from acclaimed British composer Paul Mealor titled “How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place.”

Mealor rose to fame in the U.K. after composing and performing Ubi Caritas et Amor  at the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011. His song “Wherever You Are” performed by the Military Wives Choir became a #1 single in the U.K. and he has worked with choirs and orchestras all over the world.

St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, located in the historic Mile Square center of Armonk, is celebrating 175th year, with a year-long series of special events and concerts. Rev. Nils Chittenden stated “In 1842, a small group of Episcopalian Christians founded a parish in the town of North Castle, built a beautiful sanctuary in the Greek Revival style and, in so doing, established a community that led to the founding of modern-day Armonk.” Armonk, which means “the fishing place between the hills” derived its name from the word Armonck, the name used by the Native Americans known as the Siwanoys who were based on the Byram River.

The piece by Mealor is an adaptation of the New International Version translation of Psalm 84. “A psalm was chosen so as to be as inclusive as possible to all of Armonk’s faith communities: both Christian and Jewish. We invite everyone to join us as we celebrate all of the good that St. Stephen’s has brought to Armonk,” noted Rev. Chittenden.

Tickets for Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’ are $15/$10 online at www.ststephensarmonk.org or $20/$15 at the door. The concert will take place in the church from 4p-6p.

A reception follows the concert and is included in the ticket price.

Cyrille Aimée and ‘Love Art’ Exhibit Open Exciting Fall Season at Chappaqua Performing Arts Center

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Love Art pop up gallery at ChappPac featured works by (L-R) Geoff Stein, Frank Foster Post, Cindy Press, Cabell Molina, Julie Headland, Bruce Horan.
Cyrille Aimée

By Grace Bennett

To those just arriving, the ‘Love Art’ pop up gallery titled Revolution – Art for Positive Social Change” and reception inside the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center offered visual relief for troubled times. Leave it to accomplished and awake artists to capture many of the prominent issues of our day through striking and heartfelt paintings and collages. Visit loveartgalleryandstudio.com to view these impressive collections and theinsidepress.com which will feature additional works that day. Plus: While I had a conflict and couldn’t stay for Cyrille Aimée’s performance, for a glorious few minutes, I heard the incredible celebrity jazz songstress and her fellow musicians rehearsing during a sound check before the show; it took nanoseconds to feel the passion and power of Aimée’s voice, and knew everyone was in for a treat.

A town release later described the official ribbon cutting and “a magnificent evening and an auspicious way to mark a new milestone in Westchester County’s continuing cultural evolution.” Aimée, winner of the 2012 Sarah Vaughn International Jazz Competition, later treated the audience to a number of well-known standards, dazzling originals and a selection of songs that crossed a wide array of genres including a jazz arrangement of Lerner and Loewe’s “I Could Have Danced All Night,” a touching take on the Beatles’ “Blackbird” and a special rendition of Tito Puente’s “Oye Como Va” had the crowd enthralled and chanting for more.

Duvian Montoya’s “They are Watching.”

“We couldn’t be more delighted with this new beginning,” John Fanelli, ChappPac’s theater manager commented. “In the years to come, this arts center will bring this community exceptionally diverse and distinctive programming, one that’s rich in music, theater, comedy, film and family attractions. This was a grand beginning, but indeed, it is, after all, only the beginning.”

RESERVE SOON!

The remainder of the 2017 Inaugural Fall Season in October had also featured: TIM KUBART & THE SPACE CADETS and Sō PERCUSSION; a Lobby Art Exhibit METHOD & MELODY sponsored by Northern Westchester Artists Guild and SOULSHINE: AN ALLMAN BROTHERS EXPERIENCE, a rock tribute performing ABBA favorites; and still coming at press time: the ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, a film cult classic on October 27 (showtime 8 p.m.; tickets are $20) Film: A Cult Classic; and on October 28, ECHOS OF SINATRA, a musical celebration on the life of Frank Sinatra.

Renee Pfefer, On Tour P.R. &  John Fanelli, Theater Manager at ChappPac

PLANNED FOR NOVEMBER & DECEMBER:

Thursday, November 2, MATT SCHOFIELD
Acclaimed UK-based blues guitarist.
Showtime: 8 p.m. Tickets: $17.50, $25, $35

Saturday, November 11, THE GREATEST PIRATE STORY (N)EVER TOLD!
Musical adventure for all ages with audience participation.
Showtime: 2 p.m. Tickets: $17.50

Friday, December 1, WHAT FRESH HELL LIVE!
Comedians Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson, hosts of popular parenting podcast
Showtime: 8 p.m. Tickets: $20

Saturday December 9, RAGTAG THEATRE’S CINDERELLA
Winner of 2016 Off Broadway Alliance Award for ‘Best Family Show.’
Showtime: 2 p.m. Tickets: $17.50

Sunday, December 17, 2017 ELF
Film: Modern-day Christmas Classic starring Will Farrell.
Showtime: 2 p.m. Tickets: $20

For more information, visit www.ChappaquaPAC.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChappaquaPerformingArtsCenter/

Byram Students Shine in Music & Art

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The Byram Hills school district has many good reasons to tout the accomplishments of its music and art students.


BHHS senior John Skiera was recently invited to play the cello as a member of the All-National Symphony Orchestra.

“It is an honor to be selected for this group and I understand it is somewhat rare. I am looking forward to playing in the orchestra and with other students from around the country. It will be quite an experience,” he said recently.

This year’s students (L-R) are Shea Gordon (Mixed Chorus), Dominique Karanfilian (Treble Chorus), and Brent Perlman (Symphonic Band).

The All-National Honor Ensembles performers represent collaboration and creativity in its highest musical form. The All-National Honor Ensembles consist of a concert band, symphony orchestra, mixed choir and jazz ensem-ble. Students were chosen through an audition process.

Three BHHS students have also been selected to participate in New York State School Music Association All-State Ensembles. They will perform in concerts to be held at the Eastman Theatre in Rochester, New York and work with renowned conductors and educators during the annual Winter Conference of the NYSSMA to be held from December 1-4. Students were selected based on their All-State solo performances which were adjudicated by music professionals from throughout New York State.

Some of the selected art students are shown above

Finally, adjudicators from the Armonk Outdoor Art Show, a juried show of artists, selected 22 BHHS students to display their artwork at the popular annual event, which was held Sept. 23 & 24 in

All of the students selected by the AOASH are listed here: Abby Kaiser, Angelique Sarro, Kyra Aronne, Gillian Banaszek, Ben Matza, Cameron Bremner, Carley Hershaft, Chloe Perline, Sofia Corpina, Farran Horowitz, Taylor Kirkwood, Jason Knoop, Lily Moss, Michaela Milano, Olivia Johnson, Jason Roden, Rachel Ruscigno, Sarah Huang, Dina Sokol, Danielle Stein, Sydney Chilewich, Danielle Fliegel.

Classical Music on an Autumn Afternoon with Ani Kavafian

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Internationally renowned violinist Ani Kavafian will be the featured artist in An Autumn Afternoon of Music, a benefit concert on Sunday, November 12 at the Music Conservatory of Westchester. String players from the Yale School of Music will join Ms. Kavafian in a performance of Mozart’s C Major Viola Quintet, as well as other selections from the string quartet repertoire.

Also on the program will be two works by composer and Conservatory board member Mary Lynn Marx Bianco, who grew up in Westchester and studied at the Conservatory.

The afternoon will begin with a concert at 3 p.m. in the Conservatory’s Helen Demetrios and Michael Stadther Recital Hall, followed by a reception with the artists. Ticket prices are $150 for a Premium ticket, and $100 for an Individual ticket. Proceeds from the benefit will support the Conservatory’s Scholarship, Music Therapy, and Healing Our Heroes programs.

Visit musicconservatory.org

Chappaqua Performing Arts Center Presents Sō PERCUSSION October 14

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Chappaqua Performing Arts Center Presents
Modern Percussion Ensemble “Sō Percussion” October 14
Opening Reception for NWAG’s “Method & Melody Art Exhibit
CHAPPAQUA– Nothing stirs the senses like extraordinary art or the magic of a musical performance. On Saturday, October 14, the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, the newest artistic jewel in the tri-state region, will provide its guests with a vibrant night of audio and visual simulation.

The evening will feature a special concert by the internationally acclaimed quartet, Sō Percussion at 8 p.m. The groundbreaking ensemble will perform five special selections from their extensive repetroire —  “3rd Construction” by John Cage, “Springs” by Paul Lansky, “Taxidermy” from Caroline Shaw, Jason Treuting’s “Amid the Noise,”  and “Music for Wood and Strings,” a composition by Bryce Dessner of the acclaimed indie rock band The National.

Tickets for Sō Percussion are $30 – $60 and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or in person on day of the show at the lobby box office.

Patrons are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy a special a special art exhibition entitled “Method & Melody” displayed in the Center’s lobby. The installation features artwork created by the Northern Westchester Artists Guild.   The exhibit’s opening reception, co-sponsored by Sari Shaw of Platinum Realty in Chappaqua, will take place from 5 – 8 p.m. All of the work from “Method & Melody” is for sale and will be on display through November 17th.

Sō Percussion specializes in innovative multi-genre original productions, sensational interpretations of modern classics, and an “exhilarating blend of precision and anarchy, rigor and bedlam,” (The New Yorker). In the process, the company has redefined the scope and vital role of the modern percussion ensemble. Their repertoire includes works of 20th century classical composers such as John Cage and Steve Reich , as well as creative collaborations with artists who often work outside the classical concert field. In addition, the quartet composes and performs their own works, ranging from standard concert pieces to immersive multi-genre programs.

According to the group’s website, Sō Percussion’s goal is “to create a new model of egalitarian artistic collaboration that respects history, champions innovation and curiosity, and creates an essential social bond through service to our audiences and our communities.”

The quartet — which includes Eric Cha-Beach, Josh Quillen, Adam, Sliwinski and Jason Treuting – has performed with such luminaries as the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, Caroline Shaw, American soprano Dawn Upshaw and on stages ranging from the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall to such popular festival events as Bonnaroo, MassMoCA, and TED 2016. In addition, Sō Percussion has been named the Edward T. Cone Ensemble-in-Residence at Princeton University, Co-Directors of the percussion department at the Bard College-Conservatory of Music, and directors of the annual Sō Percussion Summer Institute, which provides college-age composers and percussionists an immersive exposure to collaboration and project development.

Visit Sō Percussion online:
sopercussion.com
Facebook.com/sopercussion/
Instagram.com/sopercussion/
Twitter.com/sopercussion

 

 
Located on the former campus of Reader’s Digest in a building once known as the Wallace Auditorium, the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center — or ChappPAC for short — was recently saved from demolition by the Town of New Castle and established to provide a rich blend of local and national arts presentations and cultural programming for people throughout Westchester County and the surrounding region.  The 425-seat venue celebrated its grand opening on September 23, 2017 with the first of 12 concerts, plays and performances scheduled for its inaugural Fall Season.

The Chappaqua Performing Arts Center is located at 480 Bedford Road, Chappaqua, NY 10514 just inside the gate on the former Reader’s Digest campus.

Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000

For additional information, visit www.ChappaquaPAC.org or call 914-458-5143

Follow on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ChappaquaPerformingArtsCenter/