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Back to What's New Table of Contents
March 2005 |
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MidAmerica Productions Presents the Ninth Annual Vocal Jazz Festival at Carnegie Hall, April 25, 2005
MidAmerica Productions Presents Two Outstanding Concerts at Carnegie Hall, April 24, 2005
MidAmerica Productions Presents the Serafin String Quartet in the Premiere of Drew Hemenger's Four Movements for String
Quartet, April 23, 2005
Renowned Conductor and Composer John Rutter at Carnegie Hall, April 17, 2 PM
MidAmerica Productions Presents Two Outstanding Chamber Events, Weill Recital Hall at
Carnegie Hall, April 9 and 10, 2005
Mary Alice Stollak Conducts a Selection of Children's Choruses and Lahonda sharp conducts Mozart's Coronation Mass at
Carnegie Hall, April 3, 2 PM
MidAmerica Productions Presents Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta with Special Guests Performing Chamber Music of Johannes
Brahms, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, April 3, 2005, 8:30 PM
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For Immediate Release
March 30, 2005
MidAmerica Productions Presents the Ninth Annual Vocal Jazz Festival at Carnegie Hall, April 25, 2005
New York, NY - MidAmerica Productions presents its ninth annual Vocal Jazz Festival featuring choral arrangements of jazz standard
classics by songwriting greats such as Ellington, Gershwin, Bacharach, Porter and Jobim, among many others, with conductor Phil
Mattson, vocalist Michelle Weir and MAP principal conductor-in-residence Jonathan Griffith as master of ceremonies.
Monday, April 25, 8:00 PM
Ninth Annual Vocal Jazz Festival
Phil Mattson, conductor
Michele Weir, vocalist
Jonathan Griffith, master of ceremonies
Participating choruse:
J Train, Fullerton College, Fullerton, CA
Gold Rush, Piner High School, Santa Rosa, CA
Westridge Madrigals, Westridge School, Pasadena, CA
St. Patrick-St. Vincent Jazz Choir and Jazz Tech, St. Patrick-St. Vincent High School, Vallejo, CA
VoicesIowa, Creston, IA
Nine-Ten and Badinage, Hutchinson Community College, Hutchinson, KS
Velvetones, Stephens College, Columbia, MO
Sparta Vocal Jazz and SHE, Sparta High School, Sparta, WI
Phil Mattson, director of the School for Music Vocations at Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa, has taught
at Pacific Lutheran University and Gonzaga University. His undergraduate studies in music and philosophy were completed
at Concordia College in Minnesota, and he completed his graduate work in choral literature and conducting at the University
of Iowa. Mr. Mattson has published a number of choral and vocal jazz arrangements and compositions. He has been twice
nominated for Grammy Awards for arranging and performing. In addition to establishing the curriculum for the School for
Music Vocations, he is active as a conductor, pianist, arranger, and clinician, and writes for professional vocal groups
including the Four Freshman, The Real Group, Chanticleer, Beachfront Property, Dale Warland Singers, and the Manhattan
Transfer. Downbeat Magazine honored his ensemble, Phil Mattson and VoicesIowa, as "Vocal Jazz Group of the Year."
Michele Weir, vocalist, serves on the faculty at UCLA and has previously taught at USC, CSU Long Beach, and the Phil Mattson
School. A former member of the Grammy-nominated vocal group, Phil Mattson and the P.M. Singers, Ms. Weir has also toured as
pianist for singer Bobby Vinton. Her vocal arrangements are published by the UNC Jazz Press, Hal Leonard, and Aberdeen Music,
and have been performed by numerous vocal groups, including Beachfront Property, Voice Trek, Chanticleer, Phil Mattson and
the P.M. Singers, and M-Pact. Her instrumental arrangements and compositions have been featured on the Shari Lewis TV Show
and the Holland America Cruise Line; and the Long Beach, Buffalo, Modesto, and Pacific symphonies have performed her orchestral
works. Recent jazz clinics have included presentations for the World Choral Symposium American Choral Directors Association
(ACDA) and IAJE conferences. In 1998 Ms. Weir supervised the foreign language dubs for the DreamWorks production Prince of
Egypt in Mexico, Greece, Portugal, Denmark, Thailand, and Japan. Her recent CD release, The Sound of Music, features Mr.
Weir with guitarist Bruce Forman.
Jonathan Griffith, principal conductor-in-residence with MidAmerica Productions in New York City, has guest conducted for
the Bialystok State Philharmonic (Poland), Virtuosi Pregensis Chamber Orchestra, Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra, Dvorak
Chamber Orchestra and Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonia, (Czech Republic), The European Symphony Orchestra (Spain), Manhattan
Philharmonic (New York), Mormon Tabernacle Choir (Salt Lake City), and several regional orchestras and choruses throughout
the U.S. He has served as chorus master for the Utah and Portland opera companies, founded the Kansas City Chorale and the
Jonathan Griffith Singers, and was on the faculties of the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City,
Wichita State University, Marylhurst University, and Warner Pacific College. His more than 30 Carnegie Hall appearances
include the major works of the classical repertoire. A native of St. Louis, he received his B.M.E. from the University
of Kansas, a M.M.E. from Wichita State University, and his D.M.A. in conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Over the past 20 years, MidAmerica Productions has brought together conductors, choruses, soloists, and orchestral
musicians for performances at some of the world's greatest venues, especially at New York's Isaac Stern Auditorium
at Carnegie Hall.
Under the guidance of MidAmerica's founder, Peter Tiboris, the company has presented over 730 concerts worldwide
and more than 600 in New York at Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall,
Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, and Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall.
More than 2115 American ensembles, representing each of the 50 states, have appeared with MidAmerica in New
York, as have 75 symphonic and choral ensembles from Europe, the Far East, South America, and Canada. There
have more than 300 guest conductors, 620 solo artists, and 88,000 performers who have appeared on MidAmerica's
series in Carnegie Hall.
In addition to presenting classic choral and instrumental works, MidAmerica Productions has championed the
works of contemporary composers. On MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall and at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher
Hall, there have been approximately 31 World Premieres, 16 United States Premieres, and 50 New York Premieres.
For more information about MidAmerica Productions, please contact Kathleen Drohan at 212-239-0205 or
kdrohan@midamerica-music.com
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For Immediate Release
March 23, 2005
MidAmerica Productions Presents Two Outstanding Concerts at Carnegie Hall, April 24, 2005
New York, NY - MidAmerica Productions presents an afternoon concert of works by Haydn and Mozart and an
evening concert featuring three outstanding university ensembles.
April 24, 2005
Carnegie Hall
2:00 PM
New England Symphonic Ensemble
Bruce Chamberlain, conductor
Mozart: Vesperae solennes de confessore, K. 339
Featuring choruses from Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois and New York
Jonathan Griffith, conductor
Haydn: Theresienmesse
Featuring choruses from Arizona, Illinois, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and Utah
Soloists Sabrina Vitali, soprano, Kirsten Gunlogson, mezzo-soprano, Sergio Panajia, tenor, Ethan Herschenfeld, bass
8:00 PM
Ensemble Spotlight Series
Gulliver Preparatory Concert Band, String Ensemble and Full Orchestra, Miami, FL
Ron Castonguay, conductor
Featuring works by King(arr. Glover); W. Francis McBeth; Ravel (arr. Bocook); Khachaturian
(arr. Ricketts); Mozart (arr. Dackow); Beethoven (arr. Rosenhaus); and Grieg (arr. Simpson)
Utah Valley Youth Symphony, Provo, UT
Terry Hill, conductor
Featuring works by Herold; John Williams; and Beethoven
Shepherd University Wind Ensemble, Shepherdstown, WV
D. Mark McCoy, Conductor
Featuring works by Bernstein; Hanson; Holst; Fillmore; and Frank Ticheli
Bruce Chamberlain, conductor, has appeared as a guest conductor with the Symphony Orchestras of St.
Petersburg (Russia), San Antonio (TX), Jackson (TN), the Imperial Symphony Orchestra (FL), the Concerto
Soloists Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, the Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic, the Czech Virtuosi Orchestra
(Brno), the Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra and the Festival Orchestra of Iowa. Dr. Chamberlain won the National
Conducting Competition sponsored by the Association of Professional Vocal Ensembles in 1987 and in 1990 he was
selected to conduct on the final concert of the 21st Annual Oregon Bach Festival. He made his Carnegie Hall debut
in May, 1995 conducting a world premiere with the Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic. Collegiate choral groups under
Dr. Chamberlain's direction have been featured at national and divisional conventions of the American Choral
Directors Association, commissioned and/or performed eight world premiers and have made six European tours to
perform with leading international orchestras. He has also been a guest conductor/clinician in over 18 states,
Canada, Czech Republic, Russia and Hungary.
Jonathan Griffith, principal conductor-in-residence with MidAmerica Productions in New York City, has guest
conducted for the Bialystok State Philharmonic (Poland), Virtuosi Pregensis Chamber Orchestra, Karlovy Vary
Symphony Orchestra, Dvorak Chamber Orchestra and Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonia, (Czech Republic), The European
Symphony Orchestra (Spain), Manhattan Philharmonic (New York), Mormon Tabernacle Choir (Salt Lake City), and
several regional orchestras and choruses throughout the U.S. He has served as chorus master for the Utah and
Portland opera companies, founded the Kansas City Chorale and the Jonathan Griffith Singers, and was on the
faculties of the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Wichita State University,
Marylhurst University, and Warner Pacific College. His more than 30 Carnegie Hall appearances include the
major works of the classical repertoire. A native of St. Louis, he received his B.M.E. from the University
of Kansas, a M.M.E. from Wichita State University, and his D.M.A. in conducting from the University of
Missouri-Kansas City.
Virginia-Gene Rittenhouse, artistic director and principal conductor of the New England Symphonic Ensemble, is
a violinist, pianist, composer, and conductor. A graduate of The Juilliard School, Boston University, and the
Peabody Conservatory, Dr. Rittenhouse has performed as recitalist and soloist with orchestras throughout the
United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, South Africa, and the West Indies. She is the recipient of numerous awards,
including the London Associate Board Overseas Award, the New York Concert Artists Guild Award, the International
Music Guild Award, and the New York Madrigal Society Award.
New England Symphonic Ensemble was organized more than two decades ago by Dr. Virginia-Gene Rittenhouse. Since
1982 the ensemble has toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, Africa, Russia,
and Israel, and has performed frequently at Carnegie Hall under the auspices of MidAmerica Productions.
Ronald Castonguay, conductor, received his bachelor's degree in music theory and composition from the
University of Miami (Florida) in 1993 and entered the world of music education. He began directing
ensembles and teaching music in a variety of classroom situations ranging from preschool through high
school. Currently, He is the department chair for the performing arts and music director at Gulliver
Preparatory, a prestigious private college preparatory high school in Miami, Florida where he directs
the Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Full Orchestra, String Ensemble, Concert Chorus, Men's Chorus, and Jazz
Band. All of his performing groups have consistently received district, state, and national recognition
as superior ensembles. Mr. Castonguay has composed all styles of music from choral to concert band, from
jazz band to full orchestra. The premier of his first publication "Trust In The Mercy Of Your God!" was
performed by the Gulliver Preparatory concert chorus, under the composer's direction, in May of 2001and The
University Of Miami's Chorale in 2003. Mr. Castonguay is also a professional saxophonist. In 1998, he
released a self-produced jazz CD entitled "Subtle Touch," and anticipates the release of his second jazz
CD entitled "On The Right Track" in the spring of 2005.
Gulliver Preparatory School's music program consists of five ensembles, an honors music theory course, and the
Gulliver Prep Music Club. The five ensembles perform locally for seasonal concerts and at district, state, and
national music festivals. The Gulliver Prep Concert Band has been in existence since 1997. The Gulliver Prep
String Ensemble is a thirty-member ensemble that performs symphonic arrangements written for the string orchestra
medium. The Gulliver Prep Full Orchestra is the newest addition to the Gulliver Preparatory Music Department,
and has only been in existence for three years. All five Gulliver Prep ensembles have been recognized at the
district, state, and national levels as Superior ensembles. They have all received first place trophies from
such music festivals as MusicFest, All-Star Music Festival, and the prestigious Dixie Classic National Adjudicator
Invitational, where the Gulliver Preparatory String Ensemble also received the highest achievement of "Honor Award."
Terry Hill, conductor, recently retired as professor of music, and director of orchestral studies at Utah Valley
State College where he initiated the string program. Dr. Hill has since served as the assistant conductor and
recording director for over thirty years with the Mormon Symphony and Youth Chorus. During that time, he acted
as cover conductor and score reader for several PBS television specials, one of which won an Emmy. Dr. Hill
taught music in the Provo City Schools for over 24 years, and is presently a popular guest conductor and
adjudicator. Dr. Hill has toured with his orchestras to several important venues and various countries including
Carnegie Hall four times, the Hollywood Bowl, London, Spain, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary,
Austria, France and Switzerland. In addition to the Utah Valley Youth Symphony, Dr. Hill is music director of
the Civic Orchestra.
The Utah Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra, now in its 44th year, is a private, auditioned organization comprised
of the finest youth musicians in Utah Valley, an area located 40 miles south of Salt Lake City. In the total
music education program of the Utah Valley Youth Symphony Organization, more than 400 student musicians ages
10 through 21 perform in four orchestras and a mixed chorus. Touring is an important focus of the organization,
and the Touring Orchestra of the Organization has performed throughout the Western United States, including Hawaii,
New York City's Carnegie Hall as well as London, continental Europe and Russia. With music education as its
principal focus, the Utah Valley Youth Symphony Organization continually strives to meet the challenge of its
mission statement - "to support aesthetic, social, and intellectual development of our youth and community through
music."
D. Mark McCoy, conductor, is the chair of the department of music and theater at Shepherd University and the
conductor of the Shepherd University Wind Ensemble. Dr. McCoy holds degrees from Shepherd, The Peabody
Conservatory and the Texas Tech University School of Music. His University groups have performed throughout
the United States and Europe, including concert tours of England, France, Ireland, Switzerland and Italy. Dr.
McCoy has honorary inductions into Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Kappa Phi, the International Who's Who in Music and
Who's Who among America's Teachers. He was awarded the Teaching Excellence award in 1992 and was designated
a "National Arts Associate" by Sigma Alpha Iota in 1998. He has composed incidental music, operettas, musicals,
an opera, a symphony and many works for winds. He recently completed his first novel. He is active as a composer,
conductor, clinician and adjudicator and his works have been performed throughout the United States and Europe.
The Shepherd University Wind Ensemble is comprised of fifty-plus committed and dedicated musicians from the Shepherd
University School of Music. In great demand at home and abroad, the group recently completed a concert tour of Ireland
at the invitation of the Lord Mayor of Dublin and is currently planning a concert tour of Germany. The group performs
several concerts each season and has performed many local, state, national and world premieres. Known for its
interesting programming and high level of musicianship, the SU Wind Ensemble provides concert music of the highest
caliber and frequently serves as Ambassadors of Music for West Virginia and the United States.
Over the past 20 years, MidAmerica Productions has brought together conductors, choruses, soloists, and orchestral
musicians for performances at some of the world's greatest venues, especially at New York's Isaac Stern Auditorium
at Carnegie Hall.
Under the guidance of MidAmerica's founder, Peter Tiboris, the company has presented over 730 concerts worldwide
and more than 600 in New York at Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall,
Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, and Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall.
More than 2115 American ensembles, representing each of the 50 states, have appeared with MidAmerica in New
York, as have 75 symphonic and choral ensembles from Europe, the Far East, South America, and Canada. There
have more than 300 guest conductors, 620 solo artists, and 88,000 performers who have appeared on MidAmerica's
series in Carnegie Hall.
In addition to presenting classic choral and instrumental works, MidAmerica Productions has championed the
works of contemporary composers. On MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall and at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher
Hall, there have been approximately 31 World Premieres, 16 United States Premieres, and 50 New York Premieres.
For more information about MidAmerica Productions, please contact Kathleen Drohan at 212-239-0205 or
kdrohan@midamerica-music.com
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For Immediate Release
March 16, 2005
MidAmerica Productions Presents the Serafin String Quartet in the Premiere of Drew Hemenger's Four Movements for String
Quartet, April 23, 2005
New York, NY - MidAmerica Productions presents the Serafin String Quartet, with guest violist Ruth Frazier at Weill
Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Saturday, April 23, 2PM.
April 23, 2PM
Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall
Serafin String Quartet
Luigi Mazzocchi, violin
Kate Ransom, violin
Ruth Frazier, viola
Carolyn Ellman, cello
Barber: String Quartet, Op. 11
Drew Hemenger: Four Movements for String Quartet (World Premiere)
Plaza: Fuga Criolla
Dvorák: String Quartet in D Minor, Op. 34
This concert is dedicated to the memory of Anthony Simmons
General admission tickets to Weill Recital Hall concerts are $35. Tickets may be obtained by calling CarnegieCharge at
(212) 247-7800, by going online at www.carnegiehall.org, or by visiting the Carnegie Hall Box Office at 57th Street and
7th Avenue. $15 tickets for students and seniors (with proper ID) are available at the Carnegie Box Office. Weill Recital
Hall is located at 154 West 57th Street. For more information, call MidAmerica Productions at (212) 239-4699 or visit our
web site at www.midamerica-music.com.
Founded in 2001, the Serafin String Quartet is rapidly establishing a notable position as one of the serious chamber music
ensembles in the nation and is increasingly recognized for its unified ensemble sound and its fresh and compelling
interpretations.
The Serafins maintain a busy schedule of performances in the mid-Atlantic region and elsewhere. Their first major
Philadelphia appearance (on the Chamber Music Now series in 2003) was well received, leading to a return engagement
in 2005. Serafin String Quartet has presented lecture recitals on Beethoven, Mozart and Interpreting New Music at
Rutgers and Temple Universities, and programs on Chamber Music and The Development of the String Quartet at Wilmington
Music School. The Serafin String Quartet interprets and performs the traditional masterworks and regularly programs
less familiar works from the 18th century to the present, and has championed new works by Philadelphia, Wilmington
and New York composers. Their Weill Recital Hall debut program included the world premiere of String Quartet by Temple
University composer, David Laganella as well as New York/Wilmington composer, Peter Flint's Dance, Dance, Dance. They
also include in their repertoire Philadelphia composer, Sylvia Glickman's Holocaust remembrance work, The Walls Are
Quiet Now. The Quartet collaborates frequently with other artists, and has appeared with internationally recognized
cellist Jeffrey Solow, with the brilliant young flutist, Laura Gilbert, and with acclaimed pianists Read Gainsford
and William Ransom.
Luigi Mazzocchi, violinist, was born in Venezuela and began his musical education and professional performance
activity there. He has performed extensively in Venezuela, founding a string quartet and a piano trio, and as
soloist with the main Venezuelan symphony orchestras. Mr. Mazzocchi was also concertmaster of the Venezuelan
Chamber Orchestra. Since coming to the United States, he has continued his active schedule of performances,
including solo, chamber music and orchestral, and played in the Philadelphia Orchestra's performances of
Schoenberg's "Gurrelieder." Among the international music festivals he has attended are: Aspen Summer
Festival and School, the Pan Am Music Festival, Australian Music Camp in Sydney, FOSJA in Puerto Rico,
and summer course of the "Reina Sofia Music School" in Spain. Mr. Mazzocchi was a prize winner of the
1993 "J. F. Del Castillo" Violin Competition in Caracas, and took First Prizes in solo competitions
including the 1997 South Orange Symphony Orchestra in New Jersey, the 1999 FOSJA in Puerto Rico, and
at Temple University in Philadelphia in 1999. Mr. Mazzocchi plays a violin made in by Carlo Antonio Testore in 1740.
Kate Ransom, violinist, has a distinguished background as a professional violinist, educator and administrator. Her
performances as chamber musician and recitalist have taken her to concert venues throughout the United States, and
in Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Ms. Ransom received
high praise from New York critics for her debut recital at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in 1989. She was a
founding and six-year member of the Alexander String Quartet, which took first prize at the 1985 London String Quartet
Competition. Ms. Ransom frequently collaborates with other artists and has presented chamber music concerts with
William Preucil (concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra and formerly first violinist of the Cleveland Quartet),
with founding cellist of the Tokyo Quartet, Sadao Harada, with internationally acclaimed guitarist Eliot Fisk, and
with members of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony, National Symphony, Empire Brass Quintet, and with the
Lark, Ciompi, Blair and Vega String Quartets. Ms. Ransom was founding director of The Harid Conservatory Music Division
and, presently, she serves as director of The Wilmington Music School in Delaware. She plays a violin made in 1728 by
the Venetian master, Sanctus Serafin.
Violist, Ruth Frazier is an active chamber musician who has performed with the Danoff String Quartet, The Davidsbund
Chamber Players, The New York Chamber Soloists, and the Concerto Soloists Chamber Orchestra. She served as associate
principal violist with the Bogota Symphony in Colombia, South America, and, while there, she was a founding member of
the string trio, "Trio de la Candelaria", and toured with the ensemble. In addition, she performs with the Delaware
Symphony Orchestra, Opera Delaware, and The Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra. Ms. Frazier began violin studies at the
age of four with David Madison, former concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra. She majored in violin performance
at Temple University where she studied violin with Helen Kwalwasser for two years before switching to viola. She
subsequently studied with violists Leonard Mogill and Sidney Curtiss and graduated from Temple with a Bachelor of
Arts degree in viola performance.
Carolyn Ellman, cellist, has wide experience in a rich variety of musical repertoire and styles and has played in
symphony, opera and chamber orchestras as well as in a variety of chamber ensembles. She has played continuo in
several baroque ensembles and has provided solo incidental music for Shakespeare's The Tempest and Arthur Miller's
Broken Glass in theaters in the Philadelphia area. She is currently a member of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra. Ms.
Ellman's musical pursuits have taken her to France and to Switzerland where she played with the Geneva Opera, the
Neuchatel Opera (playing the rarely performed Le Devin du Village by Jean-Jacques Rousseau) and the Lausanne Chamber
Orchestra. While abroad, she also performed in master classes with Maurice Gendron, Gregor Piatagorsky and Mstislav
Rostropovich. Ms. Ellman plays an 1850 French cello made in Mirecourt by Etienne Drouin.
Since 1989, MidAmerica Productions has produced over 200 chamber concerts in Weill Recital Hall, presenting some
of the most exciting chamber musicians working today. For more information about this concert or MidAmerica
Productions contact Kathleen Drohan at 212-239-0205 or visit www.midamerica-music.com.
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For Immediate Release
March 14, 2005
Renowned Conductor and Composer John Rutter at Carnegie Hall, April 17, 2 PM
New York, NY - MidAmerica Productions presents John Rutter conducting Mozart's Requiem and his own Magnificat in Carnegie
Hall's Isaac Stern Auditorium, April 17th, 2 PM
April 17, 2 PM
Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall
New England Symphonic Ensemble
John Rutter, Conductor
Kathleen Callahan-Hardman, soprano
Gloria Parker, mezzo-soprano
Vale Rideout, tenor
Jason Hardy, bass
Mozart: Requiem, K. 626
Rutter: Magnificat
Featuring choruses from California, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey and New Mexico
Tickets, at $85, 50, 35, may be obtained by calling CarnegieCharge at (212) 247-7800, going online at www.carnegiehall.org,
or by visiting the Carnegie Hall Box Office at West 57th Street and Seventh Avenue in NYC. For more information, call our Box
Office at (212) 239-4699.
John Rutter, conductor, a native of London, is well known on both sides of the Atlantic as a composer, conductor, and
recording artist. His compositions span choral and orchestral works, carols, school operas, popular music, and music
for television. He was director of music at England's Clare College from 1975-79, later forming the Cambridge Singers,
a mixed-voice choir that has recorded over two dozen albums, many for his own label, Collegium. In the last few years,
several of his recordings have reached Billboard magazine's Classical Top 25 chart. Recently, he initiated the Collegium
Choral Series, a music publishing project aimed at making available to choral groups works performed by the Cambridge
Singers.
Kathleen Callahan-Hardman, soprano, has appeared with many fine opera companies including the Juilliard Opera Theater,
Connecticut Grand Opera, and the Santa Fe Opera. In Santa Fe she sang two seasons as an a member of the Apprentice
Artist Program and was then invited to sing a third season as a principal artist, as well as to sing Santa Fe's Gala
and Holiday Concerts. Ms. Callahan's roles include Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro, Antonia in Les Contes D'Hoffmann,
Musetta in La Bohème, Arbate in Mozart's Mitridate, Margaret in Honegger's Joan of Arc at the Stake, Lucy in Menotti's
The Telephone, Princess/ Nightingale in Ravel's L'Enfant et les Sortileges, Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute, and
Victoria/She in the American premier of Ingvar Lidholm's A Dream Play at the Santa Fe Opera.
Mezzo-soprano Gloria Parker's enormous contribution to both opera and the concert stage is defined by artistic style
and variety. She has performed with the symphony orchestras of St. Louis, Richmond, Oklahoma and Fort Myers, as well
as with the London Philharmonic. Opera performances include appearances with Washington, Vancouver, Michigan, Minnesota,
Fort Worth, Omaha, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Washington Concert Opera, Birmingham Opera UK, and Teatro di San Carlo di Napoli.
Tenor Vale Rideout has performed throughout the United States and Europe most recently in such roles as Tamino in Die
Zauberflöte, the title role in Albert Herring, Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus and Frederick in The Pirates of Penzance.
Mr. Rideout sang in the American premiere of Heinrich Sutermeister's Die Schwartze Spinne with the Gotham Chamber Opera
in the 2003-2004 season. Mr. Rideout made his American Symphony Orchestra debut this season in a program of short Hindemith
operas and performed with the Connecticut Ballet in H.K. Gruber's Gloria: A Pig Tale. He sang the role of the Snowman in
Ned Rorem's A Childhood Miracle with the American Masters and Magic Circle Repertory Opera Ensemble in celebration of the
composer's 80th birthday. Mr. Rideout's extensive experience in musical theater includes Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera
(Hamburg, Germany), Tony in Terrence McNally's Master Class, Tony in West Side Story, and the national tour of Cabaret
directed by Sam Mendes and Rob Marshall.
Jason Hardy, bass, performed Dulcamara in L'Elisir d'Amore and Bardolfo in Salieri's Falstaff with Wolf Trap Opera. Recent
operatic credits include Crespel in Les Contes d'Hoffmann with Palm Beach Opera, Sparafucile in Rigoletto with Opera Birmingham,
Don Alfonso with the Western Opera Theater, 5th Jew in Salome with Baltimore Opera, and Frank in Die Fledermaus with the Merola
Opera Program of the San Francisco Opera. Other roles have included Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Nick Shadow in The
Rake's Progress, and the Count in Manon. Mr. Hardy recently performed at the prestigious Marlboro Music Festival, having
performed song repertoire and vocal chamber works ranging from Purcell to Prokofiev. Mr. Hardy has twice appeared in Weill
Recital Hall as a winner in both the Oratorio Society of New York and Liederkranz Foundation vocal competitions and will be
presented there again in a duo-recital under the auspices of the Marilyn Horne Foundation. Among his other musical activities,
Mr. Hardy is a founding member and Programs Liaison for the Southeastern Festival of Song.
Virginia-Gene Rittenhouse, artistic director and principal conductor of the New England
Symphonic Ensemble, is a violinist, pianist, composer, and conductor. A graduate of The
Juilliard School, Boston University, and the Peabody Conservatory, Dr. Rittenhouse has
performed as recitalist and soloist with orchestras throughout the United States, Canada,
Europe, Japan, South Africa, and the West Indies. She is the recipient of numerous awards,
including the London Associate Board Overseas Award, the New York Concert Artists Guild Award,
the International Music Guild Award, and the New York Madrigal Society Award.
New England Symphonic Ensemble was organized more than two decades ago by Dr. Virginia-Gene
Rittenhouse. Since 1982 the ensemble has toured extensively throughout the United States,
Canada, Europe, Australia, Africa, Russia, and Israel, and has performed frequently at Carnegie
Hall under the auspices of MidAmerica Productions.
Over the past 20 years, MidAmerica Productions has brought together conductors, choruses,
soloists, and orchestral musicians for performances at some of the world's greatest venues,
especially at New York's Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall.
Under the guidance of MidAmerica's founder, Peter Tiboris, the company has presented over
725 concerts worldwide and more than 600 in New York at Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie
Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, and Lincoln
Center's Alice Tully Hall.
More than 2115 American ensembles, representing each of the 50 states, have appeared with
MidAmerica in New York, as have 75 symphonic and choral ensembles from Europe, the Far East,
South America, and Canada. There have more than 300 guest conductors, 620 solo artists, and
88,000 performers who have appeared on MidAmerica's series in Carnegie Hall.
In addition to presenting classic choral and instrumental works, MidAmerica Productions
has championed the works of contemporary composers. On MidAmerica's series in Carnegie
Hall and at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall, there have been approximately 31 World
Premieres, 16 United States Premieres, and 50 New York Premieres.
For more information about MidAmerica Productions, please contact Kathleen Drohan at
212-239-0205 or kdrohan@midamerica-music.com.
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For Immediate Release
March 7, 2005
MidAmerica Productions Presents Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta with Special Guests Performing Chamber Music of Johannes
Brahms, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, April 3, 2005, 8:30 PM
New York, NY - MidAmerica Productions presents the chamber music of Johannes Brahms performed by the outstanding musicians and
guests of the Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta.
Sunday April 3, 8:30 p.m.
Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall
Sara Sant'Ambrogio, cello
Laura Ardan, clarinet
William Ransom, piano and director
Vega String Quartet
Christine Sohn, violin
Jessica Shuang Wu, violin
Yinzi Kong, viola
Guang Wang, cello
Jun-Ching Lin, violin
and Brice Andrus, French horn
An All-Brahms Program:
Trio in A Minor, Op. 114 for clarinet, cello and piano
String Quartet in C Minor, Op. 51, No. 1
Trio in E-flat Major, Op. 40 for horn, violin and piano
General admission tickets to Weill Recital Hall concerts are $35. Tickets may be obtained by calling CarnegieCharge at
(212) 247-7800, by going online at www.carnegiehall.org, or by visiting the Carnegie Hall Box Office at 57th Street and
7th Avenue. $15 tickets for students and seniors (with proper ID) are available at the Carnegie Box Office. Weill Recital
Hall is located at 154 West 57th Street. For more information, call MidAmerica Productions at (212) 239-4699 or visit our
web site at www.midamerica-music.com.
Now celebrating its 11th anniversary of excellence, the Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta, under the direction of
William Ransom brings together some of the finest musicians in Atlanta with guest artists who are dedicated to performing
the most beautiful, exciting and interesting music from the chamber repertoire. The resident professional performing group
of Emory University presents an evening, a family, and a noontime concert series at Emory; and the Society tours, participates
in recording projects, the commissioning of new works, and community-outreach activities. Society members are also an integral
part of the music program at Emory, coaching student chamber music ensembles and giving private lessons.
Grammy Award-winning cellist Sara Sant'Ambrogio first leapt to international attention when she won the eighth International
Tchaikovsky Competition in Russia. A founding member of the Eroica Trio, she has also appeared as soloist with orchestras
throughout the world, and recently she collaborated with the New York City Ballet in seven highly successful sold-out concerts
at Lincoln Center performing the Bach Cello Suites. Ms. Sant'Ambrogio released her first solo album, DREAMING, in September
2004 on Sebastian Records. It is a collection of the most beloved pieces in the classical world featuring five of Sara's own
arrangements and two original compositions by frequent collaborator Paul Cantelon from their improv group Triptych.
Clarinetist Laura Ardan was the youngest principal clarinetist to join a major symphony orchestra when she became principal
clarinet with the Atlanta Symphony in 1982. She has been featured soloist with the orchestra in works by Mozart, Weber,
Debussy, Finzi, Copland, Shaw and Rossini. A student of Roger Hiller and Stanley Drucker, she attended The Juilliard School
on scholarships from both Juilliard and the Naumberg Foundation. Prior to coming to Atlanta she was the resident clarinetist
and teaching artist for the Lincoln Center Institute, and she played in the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. She regularly
appears at many Festivals including Tanglewood, Marlboro, Rockport, Mostly Mozart, Highlands-Cashiers, the Grand Teton and
Sewanee. She is a founding member of the Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta and teaches at Emory University.
Pianist William Ransom has appeared in recital, as soloist with orchestras, and as a chamber musician in Europe, Japan,
Korea, South America, Mexico, and throughout the United States. Ransom is currently the Emerson Professor of Piano and
head of the piano faculty at Emory University. He is founder and Artistic Director of the Emory Chamber Music Society of
Atlanta. Ransom is also Artistic Director of the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival in North Carolina and an
artist-faculty member of the Kamisaibara Pianists Camp in Japan.
The Vega String Quartet is one of the brightest stars among the new generation of chamber music ensembles. Their contemporary
style, silken sound and driving excitement have attracted international attention for over a decade. After the Vega made its
Lincoln Center debut in August 2001 the New York Times raved "playing that had a kind of clean intoxication to it, pulling
the listener along…the musicians took real risks in their music making…" and the Los Angles Times praised their "Triumphant
L.A. Debut" in May 2002. In the fall of 2002 they joined the artist roster of Carnegie Hall's New York City Neighborhood
Concert series, and in 2003-04 they joined the Community Concerts Association touring ensembles as the only string quartet
on their roster. In addition, they were visiting Artists-in-Residence at Emory University in Atlanta performing the complete
Cycle of Beethoven Quartets and playing and teaching throughout the community.
Violinist Jun-Ching Lin joined the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as assistant concertmaster in 1988. Prior to coming to Atlanta,
he served as concertmaster of the Augusta Symphony Orchestra. An artist affiliate on the Emory University faculty teaching
violin and chamber music, he has been a member of the Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta and the contemporary music group
Thamyris. He maintains a private teaching studio that has included many of the top young violinists in the Atlanta area. Born
in Taipei, Taiwan, Lin grew up in Boston and as a high school senior, he was one of the first Presidential Scholars in the
Arts. He holds degrees from the Curtis Institute of Music and the Cleveland Institute where he studied with Ivan Galamian,
Jascha Brodsky and David Cerone.
Brice Andrus, French horn, joined the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra while a student at Georgia State University and has been
the orchestra's principal horn since 1975, performing around the world and recording extensively with that orchestra. In
addition to teaching at Emory University, he maintains an active chamber music schedule and appeared this summer at the
Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival and with the DeKalb Symphony. As a member of the Emory Chamber Music Society, he
recorded the Horn Trio by Johannes Brahms and also performed on several recordings featuring the music of Atlanta composer
Charles Knox.
Since 1989, MidAmerica Productions has produced over 200 chamber concerts in Weill Recital Hall, presenting some of the
most exciting chamber musicians working today. For more information about this concert or MidAmerica Productions contact
Kathleen Drohan at 212-239-0205 or visit www.midamerica-music.com.
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