-'------FALL 2010 VOL.20 NO.1 A Newsletter for Supporters and Friends of the Symphony

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JOIN US FOR MEET THE MAESTRO

Meet the Maestro lunches are scheduled this season at a location to be announced on the Penn College campus.

Where possible, each menu will reflect the nationality of the music featured in the concert. In October, guest artist pianist Martina Filjack will join Gerardo Edelstein to talk about Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. December's guest performers are the choirs of Williamsport High School, and we hope conductor Jeff Tedford will be our guest. February's theme is Italian Connections, and soprano SashaPiastro is the guest artist. In March, we are hoping that Ian Duh (winner of the 2009 Young Artist Competition) can leave school to be with us. May brings Andrew Rammon, soloist for Haydyn's Cello Concerto in C Major. Also on that program is Beethoven's Ninth Symphony with the Lycoming College Choir and the State College Choral Society.

You may reserve a seat for individual luncheons at $25 per lunch or pay in advance for all five at $100. To reserve for individual luncheons, please call the office a week in advance at 570.322.0227 . • MEEmNlj~N~~~/~I~S~

Williamsport Symphony Orchestra I 220 West Fourth Street. Third FloorI Williamsport. PA 1770 1-6 I02 I 570.322.0227 I www.williamsportsymphony.org CONDUCTOR'S CORNER

Dear WSO Friends,

It is with great pleasure that I have accepted the position of Music Director/Conductor of the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra, and I am looking froward to many years of collaboration with this wonderful organization. I can't wait to start making music with such a fine group of musicians and to share with you my vision for the Symphony.

WILLIAMSPORT SYMPHONY This coming season is entitled CONNECTIONS, and it is my desire YOUTH ORCHESTRA CONCERT-FREE! to bring as many people as possible to our concerts. I would like to Monday .tyovemb~.!...!.!.20 !2.!J:30 pm_.m __ connect through music and share with all of you the excitement that happens on stage in every performance. Some all-time Masterworks WILLIAMSPORT SYMPHONY OROHEST are lined up for you this season and they are not to be missed! From BILLTOWN BRASS the fate theme in Tchaikovsky's Symphony No.4 to the delightful

Et:.!cJ_ay~~y.~~~~'!J.~.~.!.~J...!m:..-_~.~.••P•• -- ~ "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, we are offering music MEETTHE MAESTRO LUNCHEO that will touch your hearts and enrich your souls. Music is a universal Frid December 10, 2010 I I 1:30am language and we will connect with different cultures to bring you the best music from around the world. HOLIDAYCONNECTIONS CONC We are very fortunate to showcase in the first concert, Martina Filjak, Saturd December II, 2010 I 7:30 m who is the winner of the 2009 Piano Competition. She is MEETTHE MAESTRO LUNCHEON going to perform one of the most exciting and well known pieces for Friday February 18, 20 I 0 I II :30 am piano and orchestra: Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini. This piece is based on the famous Caprice No. 24 for violin solo ITALIAN CONNECTIONS CONCERT composed by the all time virtuoso. The concert will end with Sunday February 20,2011 I3:00pm Tchaikovsky's perhaps most popular symphony, a work which transmits many moods, from the very somber and troublesome to SPECIAL CONNECTIONS CONCERT the finale with optimism, confidence and exhilaration. Live and Let Die Symphonic Tribute to the music of Paul McCartney Friday March 4, 2011 17:30p.:..;m:...... _ New this season is The Mystery Piece! At the end of each concert we will play an encore without announcing the name of the piece. We will MEETTHE MAESTRO LUNCHEON draw the correct answer from the audience "guess box" and the Monday March 14, 20 II I II :30 am winner will get two tickets to a Meet the Maestro Luncheon.

HOllYWOOD CONNECTIONS CONCERT A concert should be a very profound and unique event, and I invite Tuesday March 15,2011 I7:30pm you to come to our concerts to experience just that! I am looking forward to seeing you there.?~ WILLIAMSPORT SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA CONCERT-FREE! Monday March 28, 2011 I 7:30pm

MEETTHE MAESTRO LUNCHEON

Fri~'!1 April 29, 20 II I II :30 am. • • •••• ••_ ••••••• m m

AUSTRO-GERMAN CONNECTIONS CONCERT Sunday May I, 20 II I 3:00pm

ANNUAL YOUNG ARTIST'S COMPETITION May 1date and time to be announced _

PLUS MORE EVENTS TO COME!

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t- " r notE'S FALL 2010

OCTOBER GUEST ARTIST.- MARTINA FILJAK

At the opening concert of this season, the Williamsport audience will be treated to a piano performance of Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini by the 2009 winner of the Cleveland International Piano Competition, Martina Filjak. From a field of 32 contestants, Filjak won - the 5th woman to win this prize.

The Cleveland competition was founded in 1975 at the Cleveland Institute of Music as the Robert Casadesus International Piano Competition and was given its current name in 1995. Held every two years, the final round is judged in a performance with the in Severance Hall after which the winner is announced. The winner receives an award package including a record deal, a $50,000 cash prize, and a recital at . Martina's recording with Naxos is expected to be out by the end of the year.

Martina was bom and grew up in , the daughter of pianists. In an interview on her website, she describes the difficulties of her early teen years when her country was at war. After an orchestra debut at age 12with the Chamber Orchestra, she graduated from the Music Academy of Zagreb and the Conservatory. Currently she studies at the Hochschule for Music and Theater in , Germany with Professor Mi Kyung Kim. Her performance resume is extensive, having played with orchestras in Zagreb, , Morocco, and Belgrade and with the Torina Philharmonic and the Chamber Orchestra of South Africa. Winning the Cleveland competition, however, opens other doors.

Williamsport audiences will remember the previous Cleveland winner, Alexander Ghindin, from our 2008 season in a performance of Prokofieff's Third Piano Concerto. After delivering a powerhouse of a performance, you may recall that he doffed his tux, came to the The mission post-concert reception in casual attire, and escaped recognition at oftheWSO first looking like a backstage technician. is to be a cultural asset In June of this year, Ghindin and Filjak played a duo-recital at Severance Hall. Critic Donald Rosenberg wrote in the Cleveland Plain to the community Dealer the next day "Ghindin and Filjak confirmed their statures as by providing victors while also proving that contestants can function as team quality players." Their two-piano selections included pieces by 20th / 21st orchestral music, century composers George Gershwin, Bill Bolcolm, and Wendell education, Keeny in addition to Rachmaninov's Suite # I. and performance Martina will join those who attend the Meet the Maestro lunch the day before the concert at le Jeune Chef. opportunities for regional talent to an rrvr ever-expanding HUDOCK GENETTI audience. Concert Sponsor • MOYER • Guest Artist Sponsor Hotel & Conference Center

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r YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITION A NOTE FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT MOVES TO MAY The WSO Board has accepted the resignation of Executive Director Stephanie Jeffreys whose last day in our employ was September 2. The date for the WSO Young Artist Competition is Stephanie's reasons were personal. Her work in the past ten months being moved to May this season. The winner will has positioned us well for a new season - and, though we will miss perform in the following season's March WSO concert. her organization and leadership, we wish her well. She has helped in Heads-up to students and teachers who are preparing transitioning the office and has worked with Executive Assistant Hind to enter. Dates for submitting applications and tapes Jabbour who is managing the office as we look to fill Stephanie's will be announced in the next newsletter or you can position. A search committee is well into the process of receiving call the office for information-570.322.0227. and interviewing applicants, and by the time the newsletter goes to press, we may have additional office coverage.

Also in August Kate Brosky, Orchestra Manager, stepped down. With a lot on her plate particularly this fall, Kate couldn't make the time for the job. She's been gracious in helping Gerardo get music to the musicians and will continue to play in the violin section. Short-term interim arrangements for this position are in place; look for more in the next newsletter.

Though the seas we've been navigating have not been smooth, be assured that the WSO ship is strong and seaworthy and she sails on.

7JiaIlIle YeeliIl

5treet Light fhotograph'y

Wedding - Portrait Special Events

Photographers Stephanie Carey and Ralph Wilson

TICKETS 570-547-6224 ~ $25·45 CALL 570·326·2424 OR 800·432·9382 on the web at www.streetlightphoto.com COMMUNITY VISIT WWW.CACLlVE.COM ARTS CENTER --:,. SP 0 N S 0 RED B Y SUp"~~\~~ ~gg you at thg eonccr+I -'-----~ 00'.' FALL20lD

RUSSIAN CONNECTIONS Tuesday October 5, 2010 I 7:30pm Russian and Ludmila Overture M. Glinka, Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini s. Rachmaninov, Soloist- Martina Filjak, 2009 Cleveland Piano Competition Winner, Symphony No.4, Op.36 in FMinor P.1.Tchaikovsky I---lV1 HUDOCK GENETTI Concert Sponsor • MOYER· Guest Artist Sponsor Hotel & Conference Center

HOLIDAY CONNECTIONS Saturday December II, 2010 J 7:30pm Suite from Nutcracker P.I.Tchaikovsky,Festive Sounds of Hannukah B. Holocombe, White Christmas I. Berlin, Sleigh Ride L. Anderson, Jauchzet, frohlocket, auf, preiset die Tage from "Christmas Oratorio" J.S.Bach, There Shall Come a Star Out of Jacob F.Mendelssohn, Christmas Sing Along J. Finnegan, with special guests the Williamsport High School Choirs

'*HYSICIANS Concert Sponsor to be announced Guest Artist Sponsor , ~o R MUS I C

ITALIAN CONNECTIONS Sunday February 20,2011 .I 3:00pm The Barber of Seville Overture G. Rossini, I Crisantemi G. Puccini, Arias for Soprano G. Puccini and G. Donizetti Soloist - SashaPiastro, Preludes to Aida and La Traviata G. Verdi, Pines of Rome O. Respighi ~M&TBank wnLIAl)fSPORT Concert Sponsor Understanding what's important" Guest Artist Sponsor SUN-GAZETfE

HOLLYWOOD CONNECTIONS Tuesday March 15,2011 j 7:30pm Program includes music from the following movies: Lord of the Rings, Titanic, Schindler's List ,Star Wars, E.T., and Harry Potter, 37th Annual WSO Young Artist Competition Winner, Ian Duh playing first movement of Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto #2 in C Minor

Pennsylvania College 01Technology ~Jersey Shore Concert Sponsor PENNlii;Sr•A;:cJE"-- _ Guest Artist Sponsor ~ State Bank __~~~!R~:.~~_~~~N CO~NECTI_~NS Su..nday~.~ I, 20.~~i 3:00p_"-,_ Adagietto from "Symphony No. 5"G. Mahler, Cello Concerto in C Major F.J.Haydn oloist - Andrew Rammon, Symphony No.9 Op. 125 in D Minor L.van Beethoven Soloists - Meredith Mecum, Lorie Gratis, Tim LeFebvre, Jerry Grahame, the Lycoming College Choir, and the State College Choral Society

Concert Sponsor LYCOMING COLLEGE Guest Artist Sponsor ATIORNEYS FOR THE ARTS ~ ~o o~ _ f l -~-~ ;~" ,;' 'I "0 , ., FALL 20 I 0

THE WILLIAMSPORT SYMPHONY This Season YOUTH ORCHESTRA- The students had a summer "retreat" and played one summer concert (this summer at Central Oak Heights) -a pops repertoire. Ensembles CELEBRATING ITS r://'ANNIVERSARY have played in the CAC lobby before the WSO concerts. There have also been side-by-side concerts - WSO/WSYO players together on U4-:e~~ the stage. New this year is a WSYO-sponsored concerto competition What do Walt Straiton, Amy Dowling, Rick and a collaboration with the Uptown Music Collective for a pops Coulter,Kathleen Mondell, Jason Hurwitz, concert, scheduled for January 8 as well as field trip to hear the Jennifer Sacher Wiley, Matt Radspinner,Jeff Northeastern Philharmonic. and Marc Thayer, and Kristin Schwanbeck This season's classical concerts will occur November I and March 28. have in common? The WSYO - at some point in its 25 years' life. The repertoire ranges from Mozart - Horn Concerto No.3 featuring William Kenny as soloist-to Dvorak Symphony No.8. The Leaders It began with Walter Straiton, then faculty member in the Williamsport Where Are They Now? Area School District who was the WSYO Director until 1993, at which News about other alumni of the WSYO as well as highlights from point Rick Coulter, a WASD Supervisor (of the Essentials,as Rick explains the past are being sought so as to ensure his responsibilities) took over through 2006 when the baton shifted to that the "history" is both accurate and Bucknell University's Christopher Para and to WASD Orchestra complete. E-mailed information to the WSO office will be welcome. Director, Jeff Tedford; and-for the past two seasons-to Jennifer Wiley, Associate Professor of Music at SusquehannaUniversity. Music IS We know that music a lifelong enterprise as is obvious from the resumes of all of the directors: education provides Straiton works for Yamaha'sEducation Division in California; Coulter lifelong benefits that go beyond the discipline conducts the Billtown Brass and oversees the WHS music program (one of the "Essentials"); Paraand Tedford remain in academe; Wiley also required. The WSYO directs the Susquehanna University Orchestra and plays with the WSO. has proven itself as an Similarly, music is a lifelong enterprise for many of the WSYO musicians. appropriate and valuable resource/byproduct of the WSO. The Alumni The brothers Thayer are connected to symphony orchestras; Marc ORCHESTRAL ROCK PROJECT.- as the Education Director of the St. Louis Symphony and Jeff, as concertmaster with the San Diego Symphony. Jeff was a WSO Guest UPTOWN/WSYO COMBINED EFFORT Artist several years ago, bringing with him the Stradivarius violin he regularly plays.Two - Kathleen Mondell and Matt Radspinner-are Save the date! The January 8th collaboration between music teachers in the Williamsport School District; Kristin Schwanbeck the Williamsport Symphony Youth Orchestra (WSYO) continues her music studies at Colorado State University. and the Uptown Music Collective will be a first for this area - a concert with rock Amy Dowling's commitment to music has taken the form of helping band and live orchestra supported in to raise funds for the WSO through its Friends organization; former part by a grant from the Williamsport- concertmistress for the WSYO in 1999 and also a violinist for the WSO, Lycoming Foundation. All performers she is helping to keep the musicians on the stage. Jason Hurwitz was will be area high school students who in town as a member of the cast of Barrage; he left to play the electric will spend the day in rehearsal and that violin with Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy and was in Atlantic City this evening in performance. Williamsport summer. Then he shifted to Cincinnati for his Master of Arts/MBA in musician Rob Byham is doing the orchestra Arts Administration studies. arrangements. The score includes The Organization music from the Beatles, Moody The student musicians audition for the WSYO; over the years, the Blues, and others. Uptown's number of musicians on stage has ranged from 45-85. In the beginning, Dave Brumbaugh and Youth the students came from the "valley"- primarily local schools; now, they Symphony's Jennifer Wiley hail from Mansfield, Coming, State College, Selinsgrove, and Lewisburg are co-directing. Proceeds in addition to the local schools; most are senior high students; most from ticket fees will be split participate in their school bands and/or orchestras. by the two organizations. r------~8 ~ •••• c '""""''0""0"'0' Nonprofit Organization US Postage I liSO I 220 WEST FOURTH STREET,THIRDFLOOR 5 X'V WilliamsportSymphonyOrchestra WILLIAMSPORT, PA , 17701-6102 PAID honvY not e W \ Williamsport. PA 1770I Permit No, 295

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fAll 2010 VOL.20 I NO.1 I NS I [) E tlitsiflii"

Meet the Maestro luncheon 20 I 0-11 Calendar of Events Conductor's Corner YoungArtist Competition Orchestral Rock Project- Uptown and WSYO New Season Concert Series WSYO Silver Anniversary

Soloist- Martina Filjak! RUSSIAN CONNECTIONS Tuesday October 5, 20 I 0 ! 7:30pm

GUESSTHE MYSTERYPIECE! Youcould 2 tickets to a Thank you Penn College- The Board of Trustees and WSO staff are grateful to Penn College for sponsoring this Fall 20/0 newsletter, Meet the Maestro luncheon Symphony Notes- A publication of the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra, 220W. Fourth St., Third Floor, Williamsport, PA 17701-6102 ($50 value)! Hear the details Phone: 570.322.0227Email: info@williomsportsymphony,com Visit us at: www.williamsportsymphony,org at our concerts! WSO Personnel-Gerardo Edelstein Music Director/Conductor, Hind jabbour/ Executive Assistant, Lee Saville-Andree/Stage Manager Symphony Notes is produced by the staff of the WSO and published four times a year,

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