ROCHESTER, NY — The Eastman School of Music heats up this summer with six weeks of outstanding music. The School will present more than 50 concerts and performances as part of its annual Summer Session (June 28-August 6). This year’s featured performers include members of the Eastman Community Music School faculty, Eastman’s collegiate faculty, special guest artists, and summer program participants.
Of special note this summer is a 150th birthday celebration concert for George Eastman on his actual birthday (July 12) in Kilbourn Hall. A complete and up-to-date concert schedule is included in this mailing and is available at www.rochester.edu/concerts. Most concerts are in Kilbourn Hall (unless otherwise noted) and begin at 7:30 p.m. All are open to the public, and the majority are free. Tickets for concerts that require paid admission are available in person at the Ticket Express Box Office (875 Main St. in the Auditorium Theatre), by phone at 232-1900, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. They also may be purchased at the hall box office one hour before each concert. For up-to-date program information, patrons should call the School’s 24-hour MusicLine at 274-1100.
Among the many performance highlights this summer:
“Practical Harpist” recital · Monday, June 28 · 7:30 p.m.
Eastman faculty harpist Kathleen Bride and guest harpist/alumna Courtney Hershey-Bress will perform in this opening recital for the weeklong “Practical Harpist” workshop for talented college and high school harpists and young professionals. Guest harpist Kerry Renzoni will also perform on Wednesday, June 30, at 7:30 p.m. as a part of this exciting workshop. The final participants’ recital will be held in Eastman’s Howard Hanson Hall on Friday, July 2, at 7:30 p.m.
Dave Rivello Ensemble · Tuesday, June 29 · 7:30 p.m.
Direct from the spotlight of the Rochester International Jazz Festival, Eastman’s Dave Rivello brings his acclaimed ensemble back to Kilbourn Hall for an 11th consecutive summertime concert not to be missed!
Eastman Jazz Faculty Quartet · Friday, July 2 · 7:30 p.m.
The summer of great jazz continues as four of Eastman’s finest jazz faculty members — pianist Harold Danko, bassist Jeff Campbell, drummer Rich Thompson, and trumpeter Clay Jenkins — present another outstanding evening of jazz music. This year’s program will also feature a special two-piano segment featuring Danko and Eastman student Mamiko Kitaura performing many of their own compositions.
Bob Sneider, jazz guitar · Monday, July 5 · 7:30 p.m.
Another local jazz great and Jazz Festival headliner, Eastman’s Bob Sneider and friends present his annual summer music celebration in Kilbourn Hall, featuring a great mix of original works and jazz standards.
Eastman Summer Sings · July 6, 13, 20, 27 · 7:30 p.m.
Singers of all ages and ability levels are invited to take part in four Eastman “Summer Sings” — a series of choral music reading sessions held on Tuesday evenings in Kilbourn Hall. Each program features one great choral work led by a prominent conductor. This year’s concerts feature A Summer Opera Gala, led by William Weinert (July 6); Brahms, Schicksalslied, Nanie and Liebeslieder Walzer, led by Eastman student Mark Bartel (July 13); Haydn, Harmoniemesse, led by William Weinert (July 20); and Mozart, Requiem and Ave verum corpus, led once again by Weinert (July 27). Summer Sings are free and open to the public, although a $5 donation is suggested. Hundreds of singers from novice to pro have taken part in this relaxed and wonderful summer music-making tradition.
Paul Hofmann, jazz piano · Wednesday, July 7 · 7:30 p.m.
The Eastman Community Music School’s jazz pianist Paul Hofmann presents a recital featuring duets with Eastman colleagues Howard Potter (vibraphone), Christopher Azzara (piano), and Bob Sneider (guitar). Selections will include duets with Sneider from their recently recorded album, original jazz and blues music by Hofmann and his students, and works ranging from pop tunes to Alexander Scriabin.
Gene Bertoncini, jazz guitar · Thursday, July 8 · 7:30 p.m.
Jazz fans won’t want to miss the legendary jazz guitarist Gene Bertoncini in his annual summer concert in Rochester. General admission tickets are $10; $8 for University of Rochester faculty and staff; and free for students with ID.
“Between Worlds — Folk Meets Classical” • Petar Kodzas, guitar · Friday, July 9 · 7:30 p.m.
The Eastman Community Music School’s faculty guitarist Petar Kodzas presents a unique evening of music featuring the works of Bach, Rodrigo, Duarte, Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Bartok, and Mertz. All pieces are inspired by or composed in the style of folk music and represent the nations of Spain, England, Italy, Serbia, Hungary and Romania. With traditional selections combined with some of Kodzas’ own arrangements, this evening promises to be a true exploration of folk music throughout many styles and nations.
“Happy Birthday George!” · Monday, July 12 · 7:30 p.m.
This special tribute concert on George Eastman’s 150th birthday features intriguing commentary by School historian Vincent Lenti, along with performances by Eastman faculty and students.
Deborah Brown and Friends · Wednesday, July 14 · 7:30 p.m.
Pianist Deborah Brown of the Eastman Community Music School will present another terrific summer concert in Kilbourn Hall.
Mitzie Collins and Friends, world music · Wednesday, July 21 · 7:30 p.m.
It’s an exciting evening of world music as the renowned dulcimer player Mitzie Collins presents her popular annual summer concert that usually fills the house. Headlining the concert will be legendary blues performer Joe Beard of Rochester, who will perform his internationally acclaimed traditional Mississippi influenced blues. A dynamic, high-energy musical duo, Bayou Highway, with fiddler Susi Mills and guitarist Tom Gath also will perform traditional Cajun dance music from Southwest Louisiana. Celtic harpist Roxanne Ziegler, a specialist in the music of Scotland and Ireland, will be joined by Collins. Local performer Jim Kimball will contribute his talents on button accordion, jews harp, fiddle, bones, and banjo.
Nan Gullo Richmond, harp, and Friends · Thursday, July 22 · 7:30 p.m.
This special “All in the Extended Family” concert features a quintet composed by Kenneth Lee Richmond, featuring his wife, harpist Nan Gullo; his step-daughter, violinist Dona Noune Wiedman; her step-brother and internationally recognized flute soloist, Wissam Boustany; cellist Melissa Burton (mother of violinist Weidman); and percussionist Brian Stotz. Other selections on the program include Persichetti’s Serenade No. 10 for flute and harp; Saint-Saëns’ Fantaisie for violin and harp; and Marta Ptaszynska’s Jeu Parti for vibraphone and harp.
Canadian Brass · Saturday, July 24 · 7:30 p.m.
For the third consecutive year, the Canadian Brass — long considered the world’s leading brass ensemble — stops by Eastman for an exciting weekend workshop (July 24-25). The highlight of the group’s visit is this concert, in Kilbourn Hall this year, featuring the best in brass music that’s sure to appeal to all. Reserved ticket prices are $20, $15, and $10. As an added bonus, the brass quintets coached by the Canadian Brass during the residency will present a free performance in Kilbourn Hall at 11 a.m., Sunday, July 25.
Sophia Gibbs Kim, flute · Wednesday, July 28 · 7:30 p.m.
Join flutist Sophia Gibbs Kim, who recently returned from performing in Russia, and Eastman Community Music School staff accompanist Irina Lupynis for an evening of virtuoso music for flute and piano. Selections will include a variety of music by Russian, American, and Irish composers. On two pieces, the performers will be joined by their spouses: Clay Kim, tenor, and Oleg Lupynis, violinist.
Eastman Young Artists International Piano Competition ·
July 30-August 7
This eighth annual competition brings some of the world’s finest young players (age 14-18) to Rochester — each playing for the chance to win a scholarship to Eastman, $6000 in cash prizes, and performance and master class opportunities. As in previous years, the public is welcome to catch the spectacular performances of the young pianists in Kilbourn Hall. Preliminary rounds (August 2, 3, and 4) begin at 9 a.m. and are free; the final round of competition, featuring the top ten finalists, begins at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, August 5. The winners, announced at the end of competition on August 5, will perform in a winners’ concert in Kilbourn Hall at 7:30 p.m., Friday, August 6. In addition, pianists Alexandra Nguyen and Zarina Melik-Stepanova will present a two-piano recital at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 31. Pianist Yang Ming will present the second piano competition artist recital at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, August 1. Admission to the final round of competition, the winner’s concert, and the two guest performances, sold in advance, are $8 for the general public, $5 for University of Rochester faculty and staff, and free for students with ID.
“Lullaby of Broadway at Eastman” Student Concert ·
Wednesday, August 4 · 7 p.m. (note earlier start time)
Cecile Saine and Julia Izzo direct the culminating event of a musical theater summer workshop for s tudents entering grades 7-12 — which features special guest Broadway artist Joyce Hall, Eastman graduate and former voice teacher of Julie Andrews. Students will be ready to shine following numerous classes in character development, vocal preparation, and stage movement for singing actors. The evening’s program will include some of Broadway’s best musical scenes from West Side Story and The Secret Garden.
IMPROVfest: Organ Improvisation Workshop Concerts
Join program director Gerre Hancock and artistic adviser David Higgs for a fabulous few days of exciting improvisation on the “king of instruments.” Highlighting the workshop are three performances at area churches, featuring three acclaimed organ improvisers. Eastman’s William Porter presents a concert at the Downtown United Presbyterian Church (July 20, 8 p.m.); Rick Erickson will continue this fantastic event with a performance at the Incarnate Word Lutheran Church (July 21, 8 p.m.). Jeffrey Brillhart, a former first-place winner in the American Guild of Organists National Competition in Organ Improvisation, will present his concert at Saint Anne’s Church (July 22, 9 p.m.) to finish the three-day event. All IMPROVfest concerts are free and open to the public.
ENCORE PERFORMANCES
Geneva Concerts is presenting encore performances of a number of Eastman summer concerts. Look for “Eastman in Geneva” on the Geneva Summer Arts Festival calendar, www.genevarts.com.
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Note to editors & reporters: Additional program information and photos of some of the artists performing this summer are available upon request. Interview and feature story opportunities — both print and broadcast — are possible.