2019 at Eastman is drawing to a close, as always a year of great student and faculty performances, brilliant guest artists, camaraderie, fun, and incredible music. Here are some favorite photos of 2019 moments, including comments by Eastman’s Senior Creative and Design Manager, Michelle Martorell.
EWE at Severance Hall
On May 7, the Eastman Wind Ensemble performed in Cleveland’s beautiful Severance Hall, the home of the Cleveland Orchestra. Eastman student Andrew Bockman performed as a percussionist in the concert, and wrote of the experience: “It was a pleasure to play in Cleveland. The energy and attention from the crowd was palpable, and everyone in the ensemble responded with passion. Everyone felt immense pride in their work.” Andrew took this photo of the full EWE and conductor Mark Scatterday from the balcony of Severance Hall.
Don Giovanni
Eastman Opera Theatre’s spring production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni, directed by Stephen Carr, was an imaginative 21st-century “#metoo movement” take on a classic with 18th-century costumes! Nic Minetor’s production photo captures the drama.
Alumni U.S. Army Field Band
Our alumni in the U.S. Army Field Band performed in Kodak Hall on April 9: Staff Sergeant Joel Ciaccio ‘05E; Sergeant First Class Thad Crutcher ‘07E; Staff Sergeant Pam Daniels ‘09E; Staff Sergeant Amy Houck ‘13E; Sergeant First Class Rob Marino‘05E; Sergeant Major Reis McCullough ’00E; Sergeant First Class JG Miller ‘06E; Sergeant First Class Sarah Schram-Borg ‘04E; Staff Sergeant Jennifer Zhou (‘14E); and Sergeant First Class Michaela Shelton ‘13E (MM). Bassoonist Randy Lee Fultz ‘19E joined the U.S. Army Field Band following his graduation in May.
Summer@Eastman 2019
Summer@Eastman 2019 brought students of all ages from 38 states and seven countries to our school (and a few to New York City and Paris) for six weeks of classes, lessons, institutes, concerts, and more – a total of 46 programs and 67 concerts.
Gateways Music Festival
The Gateways Music Festival took place August 6 through 11, bringing 125 professional musicians and composers of African descent to Rochester for concerts and other presentations, which wound up with a final concert with star mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves.
Class of 2023
Behold Eastman’s Class of 2023! Our Residential Life Office helped coordinate this year’s first-year students for the annual group photo in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. Photograph by John Schlia.
Move-In Day
The last week in August brought Eastman’s Class of 2023, and their families, for the momentous move into the Student Living Center.
Inauguration of President Mangelsdorf
On October 4, the university gathered to witness the inauguration of the University of Rochester’s eleventh president, Sarah Mangelsdorf. Her remarks echoed the philosophy of George Eastman: We are not just a university in this community, we are a university of this community.”
Inauguration Featuring Jeff Beal
The Eastman School of Music provided plenty of music for the ceremony, including a piece written for the occasion by Emmy-winning alumnus Jeff Beal and performed by the Ying Quartet.
“I happened to walk into Kodak hall to see the Ying Quartet practicing for the president’s inauguration ceremony. I started taking pictures and then noticed who was giving them pointers … Jeff Beal! A little awestruck, I just tried to keep out of the way, but still captured some good collaboration moments.”
Rainbow over SLC
After a late-afternoon storm on October 22, a magnificent rainbow appeared in the sky over downtown Rochester. Greg Thompson of our Technology and Music Production Department caught it at a perfect moment over the Student Living Center.
Eastman Collaborates
A new lunchtime concert series, Eastman Collaborates, began on November 8 with the goal of bringing Eastman students and their studio teachers together in performance.
“During the Collaborative Concert I got into trouble for getting in the way of the performers trying to get good pictures, but it was worth it to take this picture of teacher Tony Caramia and his students all at the piano at the same time. All the hands going at once. It was wild!”
Holiday Sing
Eastman’s longstanding, beloved tradition took place on December 13, bringing students and faculty members together to make music of all kinds for the holidays. This year Michelle got some “backstage” shots, asking students to “cheese it up” as they warmed up for their performances. “These chorus singers were having a blast just goofing around and I was able to take their picture mid-beatboxing, posing for pictures, and just having a great time.”
Winterfest
The Eastman Community Music School’s counterpart to Holiday Sing is Winterfest, which took place the following day, December 14. ECMS soloists and ensembles, consisting of musicians of all ages, performed at halls throughout the Eastman School.
“This little guy was so cute. During the Virtuosi Violin Strings performance he played (on the smallest violin I have ever seen) a world premiere of original music written by his grandfather for this occasion. His grandfather awarded him with a prize right afterwards. “
They ended up putting ALL the students on stage which was an accomplishment in Hatch Hall.
“This kid was amazing. He definitely could play very well and he seemed so small next to his voluminous music score.”
Michelle adds that some of 2019’s best “Eastman moments” were candid and informal.
“I was able to catch this impromptu high five between Chris Azzara (Professor of Music Teaching and Learning) and one of his students. I was happy about that catch!”
“NOTE: It is not easy to get musicians when they are not performing and just having a good time. They are so trained to be focused that they don’t let loose very often when I am around taking photos. They can perform in huge crowds but when they are off stage they are mostly shy. Go figure!! I had to tell them to smile in this picture.”
Meliora Weekend
During Meliora Weekend’s food truck rodeo, I was able to spot the Beals about to choose a food truck line. I asked them if they would mind a “paparazzi moment” and they enjoyed it immensely, as you can see by the happy faces:
“This was an amazing picture that I happen to walk into after shooting an orchestral rehearsal in the East Wing studio. The bassists were just sitting perfectly under the spot lights and in a gorgeous light. I just had to take the picture and they were happy to stay put while I shot a couple of shots.”