In this issue
FROM THE PRESIDENT
David Elderkin
Come on Spring! Let's give Mother Nature a nudge with this beautiful picture from Longwood Gardens. (Photo courtesy Longwood Gardens) And the Symphony is doing its part with a full slate of Spring programs and events.
We are delighted to begin a new relationship with Lincoln University with a Free Family Concert in their new International Cultural Center. This Saturday, March 20 afternoon performance is in addition to our regular Sunday, March 21 afternoon performance at West Chester University.
Spring explodes on the scene in April with our first ever SymphonyScape, an event that combines horticulture and music. Then we have two performances of the Mozart Requiem at Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Chester. We share our preparations for the 2010 version of the Classics at Brantwyn, plus give you an early peak at our 70th Anniversary 2010-2011 season, opening with Beethoven's Ninth in October.
This issue's "Beyond the Music" story highlights the contributions of two interns from West Chester University who are working to support the Symphony. We also share an update from Dr. Kristen Albert, Artistic Director of the Kennett Symphony Children's Chorus. We continue Monica Buffington's "Living Music" profiles of the professional musicians in the Symphony with Bill Cain, Principal Timpanist.
From the musicians, staff and volunteers of the Kennett Symphony: Thank you for your generous support and Hurry Up Spring!
NEW PERFORMANCE VENUE
Lincoln University International Cultural Center
The Kennett Symphony is delighted to announce its first performance in the beautiful new International Cultural Center at Lincoln University, shown above. On Saturday, March 20, 2010, the Symphony will bring its Free Family Concert to Lincoln with a performance of Babar the Elephant! The Symphony plans to announce additional concert dates at Lincoln later this year.
This 1000-seat concert hall is the product of 19 years of work by Dr. Ivory V. Nelson, Lincoln University President. In addition to superb acoustics, comfortable seating and state-of-the-art sound and video systems, the hall is easily accessible by wheelchair patrons. It is located on the Lincoln University campus in western Chester County, which is near Oxford, Avondale, New London, West Grove and Jennersville. There is ample, free parking. Directions
Since its inception in 1854, Lincoln has attracted an interracial and international enrollment from the surrounding community, region, and around the world. The University admitted women students in 1952, and formally associated with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1972 as a state-related, coeducational university. Lincoln currently enrolls approximately 2,000 students. More information
On Wednesday, April 14, 2010, a new event, SymphonyScape, debuts at the Mendenhall Inn.
This symposium on Gardens and Design benefits the Kennett Symphony and the Beautification Committee of Kennett Square. Highlighting the day-long symposium will be presentations by two highly regarded speakers. In the morning session, Mr. Paul Redman, the Director of Longwood Gardens, will share insights and anecdotes on the fascinating history of Longwood Gardens. The afternoon speaker will be Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill, an internationally known lecturer, author, and Interior Designer. Lady Spencer-Churchill will speak on the house and gardens of Blenheim Palace, the home of her family and the birthplace of Winston Churchill.
The morning will begin with registration at 10:00 AM and a continental breakfast of pastries, teas and flavored coffees in the atrium of the Grand Ballroom at Mendenhall. There will be educational displays and consultation times available from Master Gardeners, Arborists, and Landscape Architects, answering your gardening questions. Shoppers will find a wide variety of vendors and suppliers with everything from organic soil and exotic orchids to a Woman’s Boutique and books from the speakers. Guests will be able to purchase tickets for a tempting variety of rare and elegant raffle baskets. Music will be provided by musicians from the Kennett Symphony throughout the day, as well as a continuous slide presentation of Longwood, Blenheim, local garden activities, and Kennett Symphony photos. A Springtime Lunch buffet of chicken and tuna croissant sandwiches plus salad selections will be served midday. The speakers will be available to sign books in the atrium at the end of the day, 3:00 PM Details
MARCH CONCERTS
Free Family Concert - Babar the Elephant!
It’s Spring, and the Kennett Symphony’s annual free Family Concerts are doubling! We are delighted to present this popular, fun and informative program for children and their families at Lincoln University and West Chester Universities at 2 pm on Saturday and Sunday, March 20 and 21, 2010, respectively. This year we feature Francis Poulenc’s charming setting of Babar the Elephant! accompanied by actor Michael Boudewyns. Additionally, we’ll accompany performances by two young, gifted musicians – violinist Antonia Schickel, a winner in our Instrumental Competition, and 11 year old pianist Janet Wu, fresh from performing with the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Bring your children, grandchildren and neighbors to these free concerts…and stay for the "Instrument Petting Zoo!" Details
APRIL CONCERTS
Meet the Music: Mozart Requiem
Last April the Kennett Symphony introduced Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony for 30 minutes, retuned, and performed it in its entirety at our first “Meet the Music” concert. Our audience loved it, and gained more understanding of that monumental work. This season, we’ll “Meet the Music” again at Westminster Presbyterian Church, with Mozart’s moving Requiem, joined by the renowned Westminster Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir, under the direction of Bob Morris.
Composers of all nationalities have set the text to the Roman Catholic Requiem Mass for centuries – much as they wrote symphonies. Each movement has its own character, tempered by the personality of the composer. Settings by Mozart, Brahms, Verdi and Bernstein are hugely different, but all wrestle with the dilemma of human mortality.
Mozart’s Requiem – a giant within the repertoire of Western music – was the last piece he wrote. We hear his greatness in the quiet opening Requiem aeternam, through the turmoil of the Dies irae’s final judgment, the majestic Rex tremendae majestatis, the grief of the Lacrymosa, the uplifting Osanna, the radiant Agnus Die, and the final Lux aeterna – Eternal light, recalling the opening measures. Please join us for this extraordinary presentation.
There will be two performances of this program at 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM on Saturday, April 24, 2010. Details
The Classics at Brantwyn 2009, like the 2008 event, was unanimously acclaimed as an artistic, gastronomic, and social success. Most importantly it was a great financial success - which will allow the Kennett Symphony of Chester County (KSCC) to preserve its mission of presenting great music and maintaining community outreach programs.
So we thank you - car owners, guests, volunteers, donors, and sponsors - for keeping the music alive by supporting The Classics at Brantwyn. It has become, in two years, a key fund-raising event for KSCC and we have great plans for growing the event in future years. The Classics at Brantwyn 2010 committee is hard at work planning another spectacular event for Sunday, October 3, 2010. Once again the event will feature thirty exotic vehicles plus a surprise or two. 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 will keep things lively with his rendition of the “Blues” on the guitar and harmonica. A “Peoples’ Choice” ballot for the Best of Show award and the drawing of the winning Classics at Brantwyn raffle ticket will end the festivities in mid-afternoon.
Please call the Symphony office to reserve your place now. We are already 50% sold out with seven months to go!
2010-2011 SEASON PREVIEW
Save the Dates
Here's a quick glance at our 2010-2011 Season:
- Saturday, October 16, 2010. 8:00 PM. Emilie K. Asplundh Hall, West Chester University. Beethoven's Ninth.
- Saturday, December 4, 2010. 8:00 PM. Kennett High School Auditorium. Ring in the Season!
- Saturday, April 16, 2011. 8:00 PM. Westminster Presbyterian Church. Meet the Music: Rite of Spring.
- Saturday, June 25, 2011. 7:30 PM. Longwood Gardens Open Air Theatre. Bolero!
- Saturday, August 20, 2011. 7:30 PM. Longwood Gardens Open Air Theatre. Celebrate Freedom!
We will shortly announce repeat performances of several of these programs.
INTERNS
Tarra Campbell and David Stoverschlegel
College internship programs are becoming an increasingly popular method for students to integrate classroom learning and real world experience. These programs are often acknowledged as one of the most valuable experiences of a student’s academic career. Interns contribute new skills and fresh energy to an organization, typically in a volunteer or minimally paid capacity. The Kennett Symphony is fortunate to have the benefit of two West Chester University student interns this semester. This has become one more way that the Symphony attempts to reach out “Beyond the Music”.
Tarra Campbell, a public relations and marketing intern, comes to us through the generosity of the Chester County Community Foundation and the support of CCCF Vice President and Kennett Symphony Board member, Pam Carter. Tarra is one 8 interns at the Foundation and has been working with Pam on developing group sales opportunities for the Symphony and promoting the Beethoven’s 9th concert next October. She holds an associate’s degree in graphic design from Delaware County Community College and will complete her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design at WCU in 2011. Some of Tarra’s interests include gardening, photography, yoga, crafting and traveling. She leads a local group called the West Chester Tree Tenders. Other favorite things include her pup, a Shepherd/Setter mix and spending time on the beach or on a rocker with a book on the porch of her shore house (or anywhere outdoors!).
David Stoverschlegel, a West Chester University student pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, plus a minor in music history, came to us through Dr. Kristen Albert, a WCU professor of Music Education and the KS Children’s Chorus artistic director. David was seeking opportunities for his Capstone Honors Project, where students are asked to identify and investigate a problem in a community business or nonprofit agency and then actively work to solve the problem. David intends to develop a system to communicate with West Chester public and private schools in order to facilitate the distribution of free or discounted KSCC concert tickets to the students. A violinist in the West Chester Symphony Orchestra and a section leader of the West Chester University Mastersingers, David has performed in numerous other music groups and currently is a freelance musician for weddings and other functions. He also enjoys reading, painting, and photography and is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a professional music fraternity.
KENNETT SYMPHONY CHILDREN'S CHORUS
Dr. Kristen Albert, Artistic Director
Old man winter hasn’t gotten his grip on the Children’s Chorus. Despite the weather’s affect on rehearsals, our winter performances have been and continue to be a wonderful addition to the cultural calendars of Lancaster and Chester counties! Please join us!
On February 14, 2010, the Kennett Symphony Children’s Chorus participated in the world premiere of the orchestral suite Jack in the Beanstalk, in conjunction with the Immaculata Symphony under the direction of Ovidiu Marinescu, conductor. Children and adults alike enjoyed this whimsical orchestral adaptation of the popular fairy tell, narrated by Allan Carlson, of the musical theater faculty at the Music School of Delaware.
On March 14, 2010, the Tyros, Ensemble, Chorus, and Youth Chorale will participate in the 7th Annual Children and Youth Music Festival at 4:00 PM at the the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 750 Greenfield Road, Lancaster, PA. Performing along with the Good Shepherd strings and choirs, and the Fritz Elementary Orff and Drum Ensemble, this concert is a celebration of children and music. Details
Finally, the KSCC Youth Chorale will be performing for the third annual Jonathan Beech Memorial Concert on Saturday, March 20th, 2010 at the Kennett High School Auditorium, 100 E. South Street, Kennett Square, PA, 19348. The Kennett HS Chorale and the Delaware Children’s Chorus will also be performing. Suggested donation is $15 for adults, and $10 for students. All proceeds will benefit Camp Sunshine of Casco, Maine. Details
We hope you will be able to join us for these upcoming events. Thank you for your continued support of the Children’s Chorus of the Kennett Symphony of Chester County!
LIVING MUSIC
Bill Cain, Principal Timpanist
KSCC principal timpanist William Cain comes from deep musical roots – the kind that take hold in families over generations, grow to encompass many musical genres, and joyously enliven many a community.
Bill traces his musical roots back to his great-grandfather who founded the Lime Ridge Cornet Band (PA) in 1885. The band would prove to be a unifying musical force through generations of Bill’s family with great-grandfather, grandfather, grandmother, aunt, father and son playing in the band at some point in history. A particularly intriguing story passed down through Bill’s family is the remarkable account of great-grandfather conducting the band in a parade during which he suffered a heart attack. The band respectfully pulled off course to await word of their leader’s condition. They subsequently marched themselves to the nearest watering hole where they honored their fallen founder with a number of toasts, after which they continued on the parade route. When the very sad news came that their leader had not survived, Bill’s grandfather took the helm as director. Many years later, Bill’s first hands-on musical activity would be in that same band, keeping time on the bass drum while standing on a big box so he could reach the instrument. He was 7 years old.
Like all great stewards of familial history, Bill has taken the strong roots he inherited, and has branched out in many musical directions including performances in classical, jazz, big band and classic rock genres. A graduate of Temple University, Bill is principal timpanist with the KSCC, and has played section percussion with the Philly Pops, The Strauss Orchestra of America, Delaware Symphony and Princeton Chamber Symphony. He has performed as a member of the USO Big Band, plays vibraphone in jazz trios, and plays drums and provides vocals for Cherry Lane, a classic rock band known for their covers of the Beatles, Steely Dan, The Eagles and Van Morrison. Bill is also an educator, and has served as Director of Bands for Wissahickon Middle School for 26 years. He has built a strong music education program where he conducts a full curriculum including wind ensemble, concert band, parade band, two jazz bands, and multiple chamber music groups.
When not teaching or performing, you will find Bill out on the open road, either riding his Harley-Davidson Road King motorcycle, or driving his red Corvette convertible. When asked where he gets his joie de vivre, Bill again points back to family roots saying he gets it from his father, who at 83 still rides his motorcycle, too.
ESPECIALLY FOR YOU: Here’s what Bill would like our KSCC audiences to know about LIVING MUSIC:
“I bring everything I have to every performance. I want every time I play to be magic. I make sure that I’m true to whatever I do, and that I have fun along the way.”
- Want to get in the mood for Mozart in April? See the film Amadeus at the Kennett Flash on April 11 at 2:00.
- Don't forget our summer concerts at Longwood Gardens Open Air Theatre. On Saturday, June 26, 2010, join us as David Kim plays Tchaikovsky. The famed Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra plays his specialty, the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto. And on Saturday, August 21, 2010, the 15-member Brandywine Harps join the Symphony for a Highland Fling!
- As a musician, Robert Rada played trombone for many years with the Kennett Symphony and Hilton Head Orchestra. As a Board member and Board President, Bob was "instrumental" in recruiting Mary Woodmansee Green as Music Director and converting the Kennett Symphony to an all-professional ensemble. Read a great story about Bob's trombone by John Ilika on the North Carolina Symphony blog.