In this issue
Junior Instrumental Competition Results
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Bill Simeral
Spring represents a time of renewal and of thanks. Again this spring we are thankful that another long, snowy winter is behind us.
At the Kennett Symphony we are very thankful to all of you who have made our Annual Fund Drive a roaring success. We set our sights high and as we make our last push we are hopeful that we will surpass our high expectations. Our hopes are pinned on an unexpected gift from a new friend who has agreed to match any remaining contributions that come in during our final push to the finish line. Give now and your gift will be doubled! Thank you friends, new and old.
As we give thanks it is important to recognize some of our most critical corporate sponsors with special calls-outs to our friends at Exelon (thanks Valencia) and at Conard-Pyle and H.E.L.P. (thanks, Steve). We could not expand our outreach without their significant gifts. Additionally, I would like to give personal thanks to the 1675 Foundation who, through their most generous three-year gift, has allowed us to continue our efforts to reach new audiences in the Lincoln University area.
Finally, a special thanks to those Board members, staff and volunteers who are working so hard to keep us strong and to help us expand our reach. You know who you are and you are the best!
We hope to see you at our upcoming April concert, Rite of Spring, to be performed in the wonderful Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Good-bye Winter. Hello Spring. Thanks!
Maestra Green
MARCH CONCERTS REPORT
by Maestra Mary Woodmansee Green
What a wonderful weekend! I’ve never enjoyed Children’s Concerts more – and what priceless gifts to the community! For those who were there, you know how much excitement there was at both venues. For those of you who were not, let me tell you what you missed.
We opened with “Meet the Orchestra” – strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion –members of the orchestra introduce and demonstrate their instruments. Sounds pretty routine, but these musicians just made magic – their love for their instrument was palpable, and they are all are “hams” at heart. Each showed what his/her instrument could do and chose a particular favorite as a “demo” piece. The brass included a conch shell, Baroque un-keyed trumpet (and accompanying wig) and 8-foot hose-a-phone.
Violinist Philip Carter (2nd place winner of the Instrumental Competition) played an abbreviated first movement of Mozart’s Fifth Violin Concerto, and then we did Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf. It was a first for me – usually I have 27 cues to give to a narrator in addition to a dance company in the past, making the orchestra more-or-less incidental. This season, we had actor/storyteller Michael Boudewyns – who made the story come alive with his narration and the simplest of props. A coat tree for a “tree,” a stick with a feather for the bird (which nestled on my shoulder for a time), a woman’s purse with yarn “whiskers” for the cat, a bathroom plunger for the hunters’ guns, etc. The audience was enchanted and hopefully, the kids could go home to create their own “Peter and the Wolf.” Bravo, Michael!
We ended with Strauss’ Radetsky March, with “finger” clapping for the soft sections and big clapping for the loud. The audience loved it! After the concert, we had our “Petting Zoo” – in which the musicians demonstrate student instruments provided by Taylor Music in West Chester. They were mobbed, and I know we inspired a lot of children and their parents to begin an instrument. Additionally, Leo Jackson, a board member, organized face painting and paper crowns for kids to color and wear – great addition to an afternoon of music and fun. Thank you, Leo, the Kennett Symphony Friends Committee, the Kennett High School student volunteers, and the Kohl's employee volunteers who made it possible.
Special thanks to our musicians who played so beautifully and sincere appreciation to the League, the Board and the Volunteers for the hard work that has gone into making these concert a success.
NEXT CONCERT
Meet the Music: Rite of Spring
Paris. 1911. From Stravinsky’s “fleeting vision” of a solemn pagan rite, emerged a ballet score such as the world had never heard. “I have penetrated the secret of the rhythm of spring,” the composer wrote. “Each instrument is like a bud which grows on the bark of an aged tree.”
In this “Meet the Music” program, enjoy a discussion of the powerful music by Maestra Mary Woodmansee Green followed by a full performance of this masterpiece. Join us as we “Meet” this extraordinary Music.
There are two performances at 3 PM and 8 PM on Saturday, April 9, 2011, at beautiful Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Chester, PA. Details and Tickets
This program is being presented in partnership with the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA), a three-week festival inspired by the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, showcasing creativity, collaboration and innovation throughout Philadelphia’s artistic and cultural communities. www.PIFA.org
APRIL EVENT
SymphonyScape 2011
As Spring finally approaches, many of us are beginning to think about changes in both our gardens and our homes. Perfect timing for the recurrence of SymphonyScape, a symposium on gardens and design introduced last Spring to rave reviews. SymphonyScape 2011 is scheduled for Thursday, April 28, from 10:30 AM - 3 PM in the Grand Ballroom of the Mendenhall Inn. The keynote presentations will be given by Drew Becher, the newly appointed President of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, which sponsors the annual Philadelphia Flower Show, and Greg Lawrence, Vice President of Creative Affairs for Calico Corners and its new component, Calico Home. Both of the speakers are involved with innovative changes within the world of gardens and design and they will be pleased to share their fresh insights and creative viewpoints with the audience.
As the SymphonyScape guests arrive and browse among a wide variety of vendors in the Atrium (Brandywine River Museum, Waldor Orchids, Willowdale Country Store, among others), complimentary mimosas and flavored coffees or tea will be served. Educators from the Penn State Master Gardeners program and the Delaware Center for Horticulture, as well as representatives from several landscape design and tree care companies, will be on hand throughout the day. They will be available to address questions about your gardens. A noted professional interior designer will also respond to questions about home decorating. A delicious buffet luncheon will be served between sessions, with a variety of quiches, baked salmon, fresh fruit and green salads, plus cheesecake for dessert. A special component of the day will be a performance by the Copeland String Quartet, featuring musicians from the Kennett Symphony’s own elite corps.
A repeat of last year’s splendid raffle tables will be staged with merchandise and services donated by area merchants and businesses. Tickets will be sold for drawings for everything from a large assortment of tickets for local museums and cultural programs or an assortment of wines and vineyard tours around the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail to opportunities for decorating and gardening products and services. There will be something for everyone!
Participating SymphonyScape Vendors include: Waldor Orchids, Garden Accents, Willowdale Country Store, The Kitchen Sink, Brandywine River Museum, The Organic Mechanics Soil Company, LCC, Tastefully Simple and Sara’s Country Chocolates. Sponsored in part by Horizon Services, Inc.
Do plan on attending and enjoying this singular event – a perfect occasion to discover the latest in gardening and design, while supporting the worthy programs of the Kennett Symphony of Chester County and the Kennett Beautification Committee. Tickets can be purchased for $85 by calling the Kennett Symphony office at 610-444-6363 or at www.kennettsymphony.org. Patronages are also available, beginning at $300, which include recognition in printed materials and from the podium, as well as a free ticket to the event. Details and Tickets
OCTOBER EVENT
The Classics at Brantwyn 2011
The Classics at Brantwyn 2010 was called the “best ever” by several of our guests and we humbly agree. Certainly the show-car lineup had something for everyone including two 100-year-old cars, several beautiful examples from the 1920’s, 1930’s, and 1940’s, muscle cars from the 1950’s and 1960’s, world-famous race cars, and modern super-cars. A new feature added for the 2010 event was the “Cool Car Corral,” a designated parking area in front of the Brantwyn mansion where guests coming to the event could park their unique (aka, “cool”) vehicles. The “Cool Car Corral” included, among other unique vehicles, a gorgeous collection of street rods and drew almost as much interest as the main show.
While the 2010 event was an artistic, gastronomic, social, and financial success, we are not sitting on our laurels. The Classics at Brantwyn committee is hard at work planning another spectacular event for Sunday, October 2, 2011. The event will again feature thirty exotic cars, some historic race cars, and “Ruby,” a beautifully restored Porsche 356B Coupe owned by our own John and Lynda Hodgson. After a tour of Chester County, the cars will line up in a grand parade before the crowd assembled in front of the Brantwyn Mansion where Lamborghini Bellinis will be served, Symphony musicians will entertain, and each car and driver will be introduced.
After the cars are in their designated spaces on the lush lawn at the back of the mansion, a scrumptious Champagne Brunch will be served and the cars will be available to be viewed (and drooled over). Mark “Muddy Harp” Hodgson on guitar and his wife Karen on vocals will keep things lively with their rendition of the Blues. A “Peoples’ Choice” ballot for the Best of Show award will end the festivities in mid-afternoon. As usual, we will include a surprise or two – including a special guest of honor. We can’t say more about that until plans are confirmed – but stay tuned!
Please save the date, October 2, 2011, and help us to preserve the mission of the Kennett Symphony of Chester County to present great music and maintain community outreach programs — something we have been doing for over 70 years.
NOVEMBER EVENT
Kennett Symphony League's Fashion Show and Luncheon
Save the date for the Kennett Symphony League Fashion Show and Luncheon on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 in the Mendenhall Inn Grand Ballroom. Gather your family, friends, colleagues and neighbors. Look forward to fashion, gourmet food, and fundraising for the Symphony’s Free Family Concerts. The event is sponsored by Graystone Wealth Management.
RESULTS
Junior Instrumental Competition
The Junior Instrumental Competition was held at Kendal at Longwood on a beautiful, sunny but cold day. Dave Gilbert once again hosted this competition by scheduling with Kendal, putting up signage throughout and helping set up the auditorium. Incredibly, we had 37 applicants ranging from grades four through eight. The instruments included 22 pianos, 7 violins, 5 cellos, 2 flutes and 1 clarinet. They all arrived very well prepared and approached the competition with enthusiasm and excitement. This kind of response encourages us that this competition is important to our community. Prizes were given in two categories: Violin/Piano, and Other Instruments.
Winners in Violin/Piano:
First Place (winning $100): Tiffaney Hsia, violin. Tiffaney is in the 7th grade and studying for two years. She played Violin Concerto in e minor, No. 1 by Mendelssohn.
Second Place (winning $50): Lawrence Lee, piano. Lawrence is in the 7th grade and studying for eight years. He played Waltz in e minor, Op. Posth by Chopin.
Third Place (winning $25): Chloe Braynen, piano. Chloe is in the 7th grade and studying for eight years. She played Nocturne in c# minor, Op. 27, No. 1 by Chopin.
Honorable Mention Certificate: Jacqueline Wu, violin. Jacqueline is in the 5th grade and studying for five years. She played Hejre Kati (Scène de la Csárda) Op. 32, No. 4 by Jenö Hubay.
Winners in Other Instruments:
First Place (winning $100): David Kim, clarinet. David is in the 8th grade and studying for four years. He played Concerto in A Major (K.622) by Mozart.
Second Place (winning $50): Rachel Rice, cello. Rachel is in the 7th grade and studying for eight years. She played Gavotte, Op. 23, No. 2 by Popper.
Third Place (winning $25): Chan Wook Hwang, cello. Chan Wook is in the 8th grade and studying for four years. He played Concerto No 2 by J. Chr. Bach.
Honorable Mention Certificate: Simon Housner, cello. Simon is in the 5th grade and studying for six years. He played Ėlègie by Fauré
The competition was held from 9 AM to 3 PM with families coming and going all day. It was run on a tight schedule with a close turnaround, giving time for warm-up and auditioning for five minutes. This couldn’t have been accomplished without the help of the volunteers and office staff. Many thanks to Barb Bullock, Executive Director; Barbara Belt, Office Manager, as well as volunteers: Donna Beech, Martha Diffey, Betsy Erickson, Eileen Hickman, Deb Rodgers who also obtained the judges, and other volunteers.
The judges were: Patricia Powell (piano), Assistant Professor of Piano & Piano Pedagogy at West Chester University; Adriana Park (strings), principal second violin of the MainLine Symphony Orchestra; and Corey Brackin (winds), teacher of Elementary Instrumental Music in the Coatesville Area School District. They were exceptional judges giving encouraging and constructive comments to all the applicants. We appreciate their willingness to judge this competition.
The children and their families as well as the judges and volunteers enjoyed the beautiful setting of Kendal at Longwood as well as the refreshments offered throughout the day. They appreciated the hospitality of our volunteers and staff and the many residents of Kendal who were interested in seeing the young children in the building.
LIVING MUSIC by Monica Buffington
Marlena Gal, Principal Cellist
Tradition: Derived from the Latin tradere, the literal meaning of tradition is to transmit, to handover, to give for safekeeping.
For KSCC principal cellist, Marlena Gal, all stages of her musical career have literally been steeped in tradition. From her earliest years, Marlena was surrounded by gifted musicians who in the process of carrying out their careers handed over to her their love of music and enveloped her life with musical sound. She traces her musical roots to her native Romania where her grandfather served as a cantor in the congregations of Bucharest. Her mother was also a musician and earned degrees in both voice and piano performance. Having spent much time in churches and other musical environments, Marlena’s earliest musical memory is finding herself conducting a choir at the age of 5 years old. While she has no memory of how she actually came to be standing in front of the choir at such a young age, she does distinctly remember hearing an error, and upon hearing it, instinctively looked in the direction of the mishap!
Marlena’s music education continued when her family moved to Germany in her early teens. As a young cellist, she took full advantage of the abundance of performing opportunities and musical performances that were offered, and later won a scholarship to study at the Musik Hochschule in Freiburg, Germany where she earned a Bachelor of Music in cello performance. Marlena served as cellist in the Gärtnerplatz Operetta in Munich, Germany, and regularly travelled and performed in Spain and Italy.
Marlena moved to the United States in 1985, settled in the Philadelphia area, and began a busy performance career. In addition to the Kennett Symphony, she has performed with numerous orchestras including the Delaware Symphony, Reading Symphony, Philadelphia Classical Symphony, Choral Arts Society, Philly Pops and Ocean City Pops.
The spirit of passing on musical traditions has come full circle for Marlena. Serving as Orchestra Director at Radnor High School for the past 14 years, Marlena conducts approximately 100 students in both string and full orchestra. At Radnor, Marlena’s mission is to handover to her students a true understanding of classical music and to foster a lifelong appreciation for and interest in the orchestral genre, with the ultimate goal of creating engaged listeners and future patrons of the arts. Her students learn and perform significant works of the orchestral repertoire including recent performances of Orff Carmina Burana, Mozart Missa Brevis, Vivaldi Gloria and Beethoven Seventh Symphony.
Be it as a student, performer or teacher, the importance of tradition has been the mainstay in Marlena’s musical life. And tradition follows Marlena in her life outside of music as well. She enjoys dance of all types and has studied flamenco, sevillanas, (a folk dance of Spain) modern, and jazz dance.
She is married to Andrei, a veterinarian and has a 19 year-old son, Julian, who is a freshman at Wesleyan University in CT.
Especially for you: Here’s what Marlena would like KSCC audiences to know about Living Music:
“Audience members often approach me expressing the joy and satisfaction our music brings to their lives. I hope they know how much our performances depend on them. The emotion they bring always influences our interpretation, and for the better.”© 2011 Monica Buffington
2010 Voice Competition Winner
NEWS BRIEFS AND EVENT CALENDAR
- The Symphony's Outreach program brings ensembles of Symphony musicians into community venues. See the pictures on our Photos page.
- Meet the Music: Rite of Spring. Saturday, April 9, 2011. Details
- Opera fans, did you know that the Kennett Symphony hosts an annual vocal competition where you can enjoy your favorite arias? Under the direction of Maestra Mary Woodmansee Green and organized by Mr. and Mrs. David F. Gilbert, the 2011 Voice Competition will be held on Saturday, April 16, 2011, beginning at 1 PM, in the auditorium of Kendal at Longwood, Kennett Square, PA. The competition is open to the public, free of charge, and offers a wonderful opportunity to hear and encourage these gifted young singers. Come hear future Metropolitan Opera stars shine in your own backyard. Details
- SymphonyScape. Thursday, April 28, 2011. Details
- Bolero! Saturday, June 25, 2011. Details
- Celebrate Freedom. Saturday, August 20, 2011. Details
- Classics at Brantwyn. Sunday, October 2, 2011
- Luncheon and Fashion Show. Wednesday, November 2, 2011