2018 at Eastman is drawing to a close- and with it we remember incredible performances, guest artists, moments of joy and triumph, and above all– incredible music. We look back at 2018 with some of our favorite photos.
Eastman’s Spirit
I <3 Eastman Day, led by Eastman’s Advancement team, celebrated the students’ appreciation and love of the school. Photographer Michelle Martorell, Creative Manager at Eastman comments, “To capture an unscripted moment that has the look of a scripted moment is unique when you are photographing live events.” (Photograph by Michelle Martorell, Eastman)
A Singer’s Triumph
Winner of the “Friends of Eastman Opera Voice Competition”, held in February, student Mariya Vasilevskaya, captures the pure joy of singing. (Photograph by Matt Whittmeyer)
Light and Sound
Captured in a scene from one of the multimedia works presented by the Visual Studies Workshop at the EARS (Eastman Audio Research Studio) Image/Sound Festival. Here Martorell explains, “I was happy I was able to capture his expression lighted by the cell phone in his hand. It gave it that additional ‘glow’ to the lighting.” (Photograph by Michelle Martorell, Eastman)
Rochester Legend Remembered
Congresswoman Louise Slaughter was as great friend to Eastman, and Eastman’s first Luminary Award recipient. It was an honor to have our Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre filled with both our community, the Rochester community at large, and so many government officials celebrating and honoring a remarkable individual. (Photograph by J. Adam Fenster, University of Rochester)
Pulitzer Prize Winner Returns
Eastman’s celebration of George Walker’s 95thbirthday, in April 2018 was a happy homecoming. The first African American composer to win a Pulitzer Prize (for Lilacs for Voice and Orchestra,1996), Walker (seated) was celebrated by pianist Redi Llupa (far right), who gave a recital of Walker’s five piano sonatas. George Walker sadly passed away on August 23, 2018. (Photograph by John Schlia. Pictured with Walker are Assistant Professor Irina Lupines, Dean Jamal Rossi, and Walker’s son).
Commencement Joy
Outside the iconic Eastman School of Music Entrance, many of our commencement students find the perfect spot for a graduation photo-op. Pictured here is Mistylayne Drake, posing with her diploma. (Photograph by J. Adam Fenster, University of Rochester)
Jazz Goes to the Movies
The Beal Institute presented “Jazz Goes to the Movies”, as part of The Rochester International Jazz Festival. Director of the institute, Mark Watters, conducted, with Professor Chris Azzara here at the piano, with many of our students participating the evening, as well as as several venues throughout the festival. (Photograph by Grant Taylor)
Summer Learning
Summer Wind Conducting Institute, led by Professor Mark Scatterday, Director of the Eastman Wind Ensemble is just one of many summer offerings for both students and adults. Here, with institute’s participant and RPO’s musicians, Martorell explains, “It was such an amazing session to see Professor Scatterday mirroring the student’s movements as he guides her in conducting” (Photograph by Michelle Martorell, Eastman)
Music Preservation:
Summer@Eastman’s annual Music Preservation class allows professional music librarians to learn the latest techniques in restoring historical manuscripts and folios. (Photograph by Grant Taylor)
Move-In Day
Resident advisers and move in helpers are the first faces of our new students see upon their arrival to Eastman. “To get all the students to look over and cheer was no easy task, but they all finally did it and the moment now lives forever,” Martorell recounts. (Photograph by Michelle Martorell, Eastman)
A New Year Commences
Every year a new faculty member is featured as part of Convocation- celebrating the beginning of a new school year with the incoming first-year class, along with faculty and staff. This year, Associate Professor Guy Johnston (BM03) pictured here, performed, as well as Professor of Piano Marina Lomazov. Martorell wanted to capture “the true feeling of being in the moment within the performance” for Johnston. (Photograph by Michelle Martorell, Eastman)
The Next Generation of Artists
Our residential life office helped coordinate this year’s incoming class of 2022 for a group photo- seen in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. (Photograph by John Schlia).
Opera Reopened
Composer Ricky Ian Gordon visited Eastman Opera Students to help them rehearse for the fall production of his opera The Tibetan Book of the Dead. What is captured here is actually the first time Gordon had heard the opera sung in over 20 years. A tribute to his late partner Jeffrey, the opera has rarely been performed. Martorell was able to capture the moment when Gordon (seated in hat) heard the cast during its first full sing-through. (Photograph by Michelle Martorell, Eastman)
Eastman Community Music School Renovated
Eastman Community Music School (ECMS) Professor Howard Spindler teaches a young student during the October open house of the completion of the renovation of Messinger Hall. Through generous donations by Karen and Ron Rettner, The Kenlou Foundation, Richard E. and Susan B. Williams, Nancie Kennedy ‘79E (MM), The Spindler Family Foundation, members of the ECMS Community, and Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Corporation (FLREDC), the 2.8-million-dollar completed projected includes renovated ground, third, and fourth floors for ECMS including: a keyboard lab; classroom; 24 teaching studios; percussion and drum set studios; and designated waiting spaces for parents. (Photograph by Renee Vinesky)
Alumni Return Home: Meliora Weekend
Meliora Weekend is filled with moments that embody the Eastman spirit- alumni returning home to reconnect with old classmates, and current students soaking up buzz that fills the air. “I loved capturing the young student surrounded by older alumni,” Michelle Martorell shares. it “is great to see the collaboration and interaction between all throughout the weekend. (Photograph by Michelle Martorell, Eastman)
Symphony of Sound
A backstage view of a Philharmonia performance of Mahler’s 6th symphony, conducted by Neil Varon, was a highlight of Eastman’s fall concert. Shown here is a rare photo of the celesta instrument (what appears to be a small piano here in the photo, actually sounds like a set of bells). (Photograph by Michelle Martorell, Eastman)
Holiday Sing
An annual tradition, and a favorite event for alumni and community members to attend, it’s a lunchtime concert featuring several student groups, with faculty participation, highlighting holiday music, and always ending in a rousing “Dona Nobis Pacem”. (Photograph by Michelle Martorell, Eastman)
Winterfest
Eastman Community Music School’s Winterfest is an annual celebration of concurrent performances in venues across the Eastman School of Music campus. The day-long celebration features a wide array of music styles and ensemble types and includes holiday favorites on each program. “Saine’s Singers”, students taught by longtime ECMS voice faculty member Cecile Saine, gave a beautiful performance on the steps of Lowry Hall, capturing the spirit of the season. (Photograph by Michelle Martorell, Eastman)