Here are some select recent clippings showing the variety of hits/mentions identifying musicians and scholars as Eastman School of Music alumni, faculty or students. (Note: Some links may have expired.)
Alicia Rosser brings unique voice to William Warfield legacy concert
(Rochester Democrat & Chronicle © 12/22/2015)
She may be only 20, but singer Alicia Rosser understands the importance of trailblazers who came before.
“For me, William Warfield was really influential in understanding the vernacular of my person, and the history of African Americans in opera,” said Rosser, a junior at the Eastman School of Music who is in her second year of holding the William Warfield Scholarship. (Also reported by the Irondequoit Post, Fairport-East Rochester Post)
(The Acorn 12/23/2015)
The shock of the terrorist attacks in Paris two days earlier was still on concertgoers’ minds Nov. 15 when they came to Walt Disney Concert Hall for the inaugural “Made in L.A.” concert by the Los Angeles Master Chorale. But the original pieces by L.A.-based composers soon comforted and inspired the audience. A composition by Agoura Hills resident Jeff Beal was among the songs that were performed.
Beal and his wife, Joan, moved to Agoura Hills 17 years ago and have one son, Henry, 20.
In September, the Beals donated $2 million to launch the Beal Institute for Film Music and Contemporary Media at Eastman School of Music. Beal will serve as artistic director and guest lecturer. “It’s been my dream that a school such as Eastman will be the center of training for the next generation of film composers,” Beal said. He and his wife are graduates of the school.
Victoria native shares love of music with world
(Victoria Advocate © 12/24/2015)
Ivan Trevino is spending his Christmas holiday writing music in his Austin home.
The Victoria native has earned a little peace and quiet after spending much of 2015 in far-flung locales, teaching and performing with his band, Break of Reality.
Born 1983 in Victoria, Ivan Trevino began playing drums at age 4. His first album was recorded soon after. After support from the community, he was able to attend the Eastman School of Music. As a freshman, he was instrumental in the formation of Break of Reality. Break of Reality has toured around the world on behalf of the State Department.
Gregory: A bucket list for the spirit
(Rochester Democrat & Chronicle 12/27/2015)
1. I’ve heard about the stunning music and beautiful interior of Christ Church at 141 East Ave. in Rochester. It’s time I stop in to listen to the Craighead-Saunders Organ, which is the reconstruction of an organ created by Adam Gottlob Casparini in 1776 — and likely the only organ in this country where I can hear the music of Bach the way he would have heard it. Each Tuesday at 12:10 p.m. the church, which also has a Hook & Hastings pipe organ, hosts free 25-minute organ concerts that feature Eastman School students, faculty and alumni.
Two drummers drumming
(Madison Press © 12/23/2015)
Those attending the Columbus Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Pops concert may not have known it, but certainly they heard it: a double dose of drumming from Madison County. Phil Shipley, long-time percussionist with the orchestra, and fellow local percussionist Chris Slagle were both on stage during the performances, held Dec. 5-6.
Slagle, 29, an alumnus of the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, and London High School, was hired freelance for the program.
Works by Eastman grads lauded
(Rochester Business Journal © 12/16/2015)
Several Eastman School of Music musicians have been named to the best recording lists of three national publications. Named to the New York Times list of Best Classical Music Recordings of 2015 are Kristian Bezuidenhout; the JACK Quartet featuring members John Pickford Richards, Ari Streisfeld, Christopher Otto and Kevin McFarland; and Brad Lubman, associate professor of conducting and ensembles, and his ensemble, Signal.
Renee Fleming’s recording with the Emerson String Quartet was named among the 10 Best Classical Albums of 2015 by the Boston Globe.
Musician Dan Nebel Returns to Perform in Los Alamos
(Daily Post 12/24/2015)
Airman First Class Daniel Nebel, a 2004 graduate of Los Alamos High School, is serving as a bandsman with the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West stationed at Travis Air Force Base, Calif. He will present a free classical concert of solo horn and piano music at noon Thursday, Dec. 31 at Fuller Lodge. The public is invited to come to the free event and, if desired, bring a sack lunch.
Following high school Nebel attended the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, earning a bachelor’s degree and performer’s certificate in 2008 as well as subbing with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. He earned a master’s degree from Wichita State University while performing third horn with the Wichita Symphony Orchestra and principal horn with the Wichita Grand Opera.
BANNING: High school senior sees no musical limits
(Riverside Press Enterprise © 12/20/2015)
Student Samira Claros, a rising star in the community, is helping teacher Thomas Finch bring jazz to Banning High School, and she isn’t stopping there.
With jazz now in the halls, she is looking to her future. Her top choice school after graduation is the Eastman School of Music in New York, for which she has already applied. Samira had to create an application packet that included a requirement to sing in three different languages and in different styles. Finch has been helping her with the college submissions.
(The Batavian 12/24/2015)
St. James Episcopal Church will hold Christmas Eve services beginning at 5:30 with a family service with Holy Communion, hymns, candlelight and children’s presentation.
This service will feature soprano soloist Emily Tworek-Helenbrook, a senior at Eastman School of Music, who recently competed at the University of Oxford, London. This competition was limited to nine singers, worldwide. She will sing “Gesu Bambino” by Pietro Yon and “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by J.S. Bach.
Greece music instructor prepares for winter show
(Rochester Democrat & Chronicle © 12/13/2015)
As parents support kids at home for upcoming holiday shows across the area, music instructors are hard at work, rehearsing students in concert bands, orchestras, jazz ensembles and choirs. Meet instructor Robert Bickford, of Greece’s Buckman Heights Elementary School, which is preparing for its winter performance.
He began playing trumpet in fourth grade, and eventually went on to study music education at the University of New Hampshire. There, he met his future wife, a French horn player who was going to attend Eastman School of Music for her master’s, and Bickford moved with her.
Over the last six years while on the job, he graduated from Eastman in 2011, earning his master’s in music education. “I’ve been really inspired by a couple people,” Bickford said. “Dr. Azara at Eastman was a big influence, as was Dr. Alexander, the previous instrumental teacher here at Buckman Heights. (She) really introduced me to the idea of teaching music like a language.”