By Leslie B. Weissman
Chappaqua has a long history of supporting the arts and nurturing its creative residents. Along those lines, The Chappaqua Orchestra (TCO), a New Castle community treasure and cultural icon since 1959, continues to evolve and stay relevant in a time of revolving musical tastes and digital downloads. Preserving its past as a prominent social and musical event while maintaining its intimate community format, TCO proves the tradition of enjoying live orchestral music is as happening as ever.
Once written about in the society columns, The Chappaqua Orchestra was attended by executives from Readers Digest, amongst others, as an après-dinner activity. Today’s Orchestra responds to mixed musical tastes as varied as the members of our community by performing a wide variety of musical genres; classical, jazz, Broadway, Hollywood, TV, pop and childrens’ themes. Over the years, the Orchestra has been a musical haven for those whose avocation is music yet whose professional careers encompass law, medicine, teaching, banking and technology. In fact, a unique combination of full time, professional musicians and individuals of distinguished musical talent bring their collective passion for performing these genres.
With a history of tutelage by many talented Music Directors and Conductors, TCO is now led by noted American composer Michael Shapiro. Shapiro, who has conducted orchestras from New Orleans to Dallas and Virginia Beach to Birmingham, England, has been at the helm of TCO since 2001. He won critical acclaim for his score of the 1931 silent film Frankenstein, which debuted at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville. As the conductor and musical director, Shapiro is cognizant of the need to stay on the cutting edge of musical innovation, as demonstrated in his own orchestral work, Roller Coaster which premiered in 2010. He looks to create an inspiring lineup of performances each season. The Orchestra’s 2014-2015 season, which runs from September to July, includes a variety of performances; Chamber concert series, The New Castle Community Sing at Bell School and a final indoor performance at Horace Greeley High School. The season also includes the summer concerts in the park at the gazebo. The full schedule and description of all The Chappaqua Orchestra concerts is available at www.chappaquaorchestra.org.
The Chamber series includes four concerts performed at the Chappaqua Library. They are organized by Pianist Cynthia Peterson, Co-Executive Director and Artistic Director. Cynthia brings a breadth of experience in chamber music, having performed at venues ranging from The Brooklyn Museum to the Garden State Center for the Arts. The chamber series is performed at the Chappaqua Public Library (see website to purchase tickets to this series or individual concerts.)
The celebratory Community Sing, which took place in conjunction with the Tree Lighting at the Historical Society in downtown Chappaqua, certainly delighted all. Performed this year on December 6th at 3:30 p.m. followed by the Tree Lighting at 4:30 p.m., this annual tradition was packed with new delights: There was an anticipated performance by the Orchestra along with Broadway star Jeanne Lehman, the debut of a new Christmas song by Director and Conductor Michael Shapiro, and music by composer Brad Ross, son of the late Morton Ross, a past leader of TCO. Fundraising is an important lifeline for the Orchestra. Aside from straight donations and enhanced ticket price options, the annual fundraising event for this season will be an evening that pairs music and community at a private home in Chappaqua. David Restivo, Co-Executive Director and violinist, anticipates a festive night including music, drinks, appetizers, and a silent auction. Tickets for this January 10th 2015 event are available on the website.
Restivo, a Chappaqua resident who toured throughout Europe playing with his college orchestra and performed with the New York Symphonic Arts Ensemble in Manhattan, along with Shapiro and Peterson, is focused on bringing new and engaging musical outreach to our community. Some of the outreach programs in the works are: involvement with the inmates and concert at the Taconic Correctional Facility; a concert competition open to local students with winners awarded prize money and a chance to play with the Orchestra; a week long children’s enrichment event focused on presenting instruments and background on orchestral music and culminating in a concert at the participating schools.
TCO’s indoor season culminates this year with a performance of excerpts from Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman. Unique again in their approach to bridging culture and community, The Chappaqua Orchestra will include local high school choruses from Horace Greeley and Briarcliff. The concert will take place on May 17th 2015 at 3 p.m. Ticket prices are $15 for students and $25 for adults.
The Chappaqua community and Orchestra share a cultural chord of strong and enduring artistic pride and support. The gift of music is something truly special, and TCO’s talented musicians are a treasure it is our privilege to enjoy.
Leslie Weissman is a local artist and business owner of Presents For Purpose. You can see her work at www.leslieweissman.com and consider purchasing a gift or gifts that give back to charity at www.presentsforpurpose.com
