Music Company Orchestra |

The Music Company

2019

OUR 45th YEAR

The Music Company Orchestra, incor- porated in 1974, is a 60-piece volunteer community orchestra. Its members come from all walks of life and many different backgrounds. Conducted by Dr. Gerald Lanoue, the orchestra plays a wide range of light classical and pops repertoire.

The MCO is dedicated to bringing the excitement of live orchestral music to audiences of all ages and economic backgrounds, and enthusiastically plays venues throughout the greater Capital Re- gion, ranging from traditional concert halls to public parks, community events, schools, retirement centers and nursing homes.

The MCO performs most concerts free to the public, and also offers schol- arships to music students at three capital district high schools.

The MCO is a not-for-profit organiza- tion .

Gerald Lanoue Conductor & Music Director

Gerald Lanoue, bassoonist and conductor, is a Bennington, Vermont native. He performs throughout the capital region and Vermont with the Middlebury Opera, Pro Musica Orchestra, Hubbard Hall Opera Orchestra, Sage City Symphony and Funf woodwind quintet. He is the Conductor and Music Director of The Music Company Orchestra and Associate Conductor of the Sage City Symphony. After completing studies at the Crane School of Music. Dr. Lanoue received a Masters and Doctorate at the University of Southern California. He studied bassoon with the late Stephen Mayxm, former principal bassoonist of the Metropolitan Opera. Conducting studies were under the batons of Douglas Lowry, former Dean at the Eastman School of Music, and John Barnett, the former associate conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Dr. Lanoue has instructed at the University of Vermont, Bennington College, Riverside Community College and Santa Monica College. He has served as Principal Bassoonist for the Bakersfield Symphony, Los Angeles Classical Ballet, Redlands Symphony and the American Youth Symphony. Notable performances have been with Daniel Lewis, Yehuda Gilad, Jerry Goldsmith, Michael Kamien and Zubin Mehta.

The Music Company Orchestra Dr. Gerald Lanoue—Conductor & Music Director

VIOLIN VIOLA FLUTE TRUMPET

Heather Chan Karl Brosch Judy Bachorz Paul Houpt

Concertmaster Louise Dickinson Elizabeth Day Kathy Hargis

Anna Benninger Peggy Gerardi Jean Hayes Carol Kniskern

Louise Binns Edith Kliman Kenneth Tucker

Carol Blom Kitty Vondrak OBOE Martin Zavadil

Bob Brannon Sharon Wormwood Allison Piracci

Jennifer Cornell Jeannette Storch TROMBONE

Mary Cosey CELLO John Boyer

Irene DeGraff Carol Douglass CLARINET Janet Gerbino

Shannon Dietz-McCann Dawn Hobbs Dale Douglass Harmon Tunison

Elizabeth Karns George Jolly Alan Holmes

Daniel Knorr Alex LoDico FRENCH HORN

Bud Lindner Jennifer Stratton BASSOON David Civale

Andrea McConnelee Maria Westbrook Laura Carham-Lunde Doug Long

Carol Meyer Jennifer Fullam Nancy McPhaul

Christine Neumann BASS Charles Thompson

Samantha Patron Tim Albright PERCUSSION

Ann K Seidman Kristine Leyden Kathleen McNerney TUBA

David Wilkinson Amy Reichardt Jake Reiter

Jane Yoon Beth Smith

Tim Albright, bass, is a Social full-length violin recital as her senior Studies teacher in Greenville NY. capstone project at Siena. The perfor- Tim was a member of the Indiana All mance featured repertoire represent- State Orchestra in high school. He is ing an array of time eras and cultures the father of two, and a grandfather, and included two works by female and lives in Scotia NY. Tim’s parents composers. Additionally, Anna has were both musicians, his father a for- worked as a student conductor for the mer musical performance professor. Siena College Chorus and Chamber His parents have both passed away Singers and is currently a teaching and he dedicates his playing to their assistant at the Cathedral of the Im- memory. maculate Conception for the "Treble" Judy Bachorz, flute, joined the children’s choir. Anna’s goal as a violin MCO in 1977. She has served on the instructor is not only to teach her stu- Board of Directors as treasurer, pub- dents the technical skills required to licity chairperson and vice president. play the violin well, but also to teach She is a member of the Memorial them to become skilled musicians and Concert Band of Colonie, the Capital lifetime lovers of music. Area Flute Club and the Adirondack Louise Binns, violin, studied music Flutes. In addition to her musical at Boston Music School and with S.J. activities, Judy volunteers at a local Leibovici of the Boston Symphony. food pantry and is a RISE reader for WMHT. She is a retired elementary She played with the Quincy Youth teacher, a proud grandmother of Orchestra, Boston Conservatory Or- three and lives in Malta. chestra and the Glen Falls Symphony. Anna Benninger, violin, is a recent She taught strings at Granville and graduate from Siena College (Summa Hartford NY. She is also a cake deco- Cum Laude) with her bachelor's de- rator specializing in novelty and wed- gree in creative arts and minor in Eng- ding cakes. lish. As a scholar of music with a con- centration in violin and sacred music, Carol Blom, violin. Growing up on she has enjoyed working with popula- Long Island Carol began her musical tions of all ages and currently teaches studies in the Hempstead Public violin lessons. Anna has played the Schools. She attended Muskingum violin for fifteen years and has per- College Conservatory, receiving a formed in venues throughout the Bachelor of Music in Oboe perfor- Northeast, such as Jordan Hall, Kodak mance. Continuing studies at Ohio Hall, and Troy Music Hall. Anna has studied violin under the direction of University, Carol received a Master of Ann-Marie Barker Schwartz, Artistic Fine Arts in Oboe. After teaching in Director of the Musicians of Ma'al- Catskill, NY Carol and her hus- wyck, for five years and organized a band moved north to the Saratoga Kennedy Massage Associates

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Springs area. She directed the nies, numerous town bands, and the South Glens Falls High School and SUNY Cobleskill Jazz Ensemble. He then High School and Middle School is a charter member and former con- Orchestra programs, regularly work- ductor of “A Pretty Good Band” in ing with County and Area All-State Lake Pleasant, NY. Music Festivals. Carol is a member Bob Brannon, Violin, grew up in of the National Evaluation System Spartanburg, South Carolina. He Music consulting team and as such began violin in 7th grade orchestra assesses prospective Music Teach- and continued through High School. ers for New York State. She is a While attending Wofford College, he member of Sigma Alpha Iota Wom- joined the Spartanburg Symphony en’s International Music Honor Socie- Orchestra. After graduating with a BS ty. Carol is also the Registrar for the in Physics, he went to Clemson Uni- Greater Saratoga Area Girl Scouts, versity, where he played in the Ander- being a Lifetime Scout herself. Retir- son symphony and earned a Ph.D. in ing in 2002 after 20 years of teaching Physics in 3 years. Bob moved to stringed instruments Carol joined the Central Ohio to work as a Senior Union College Community Orchestra Research Scientist at The Owens in 2002 and the Music Company Corning Research Center. He played Orchestra in 2005. in the Welsh Hills Symphony, The John Boyer, trombone, grew up in Land of Legend Philharmonic and the Salamanca, NY, where he performed South East Ohio Symphony while with the Salamanca Tower Musi- working at OC for over 21 years. He cians, a brass ensemble specializing moved to southern Ohio to work on in both Renaissance and Civil War Government projects with the US era music. He holds Bachelor and Army, Air Force, Navy and the DOT. Master of Music degrees from SUNY While there, he played in the Northern Fredonia, studying trombone with Kentucky Symphony. Bob now lives Richard Fote and Edward Bahr. In near Mayfield, NY, and plays with the addition to teaching instrumental Union College Orchestra and the music throughout his career, he has Sage City Symphony. He continues to been a trombonist with many area work in the field of Composites and is groups including the Rex Pryor Or- the North American Technical Direc- chestra, the Mohawk Valley Sym- tor for the world’s third largest manu- phony and Brass Quintet, the Sche- facturer of Fiberglass. Bob’s other nectady, Catskill, and Utica Sympho- passion is Astronomy! He has an

observatory on his property with 4 systems engineer in the Ultrasound telescopes and work on projects with Systems Lab at GE Global Research. the Minor Planet Center and look for David Civale, French horn, has Near Earth Asteroids with teams all been performing with the MCO for around the world. Three new aster- over 24 years. He has a B.A. in His- oids were discovered in the past tory from Union College and a Doctor three years. 2019 will be his first year of Chiropractic degree from Logan playing with MCO. College in St. Louis, MO. He recently Karl Brosch, viola, has played in completed his program as Certified college /community orchestras since Chiropractic Sports Physician and arriving in the Capital District in 1977 hopes to work with Olympic athletes as a student at RPI and has played at an international level. He is cur- with the MCO since 1995. He enjoys rently a member of the Colonie Me- playing chamber music with friends morial Band and the Dead Spartans. from the orchestra. He believes the He has performed with the Empire motto “music for a lifetime, not for a State Youth Orchestra(1980-84), living” fits him well. For a living, Karl Union College Chamber Orchestra, works as a biochemist for Health Garnet Quintet, SUNY Albany Or- Research. chestra, Johnstown Town Band and Heather Chan, violin, holds a Mas- various other chamber groups and pit ter’s Degree in Violin Performance orchestras. He is a chiropractor in the and Literature from the Eastman Town of Glenville, is a member of the School of Music where she studied Scotia Rotary and is the president of with Zvi Zeitlin, and a Bachelor’s the NYS Chiropractor’s Association. degree with majors in Computer Dave also enjoys outdoor activities Science and violin performance with his dogs and spending time with where she studied with Monte Belk- his girlfriend, Mary. He lives in a nap. She also holds a Master’s De- Glenville farmhouse above his office. gree in Computer Science from Jennifer Cornell, violin, played Brigham Young University. Heather throughout high school but then set it has been studying the violin since aside while pursuing a career as a the age of 4 and has performed on chef. She started playing again after tours in Germany, the Czech Repub- a nearly 30 year hiatus after discov- lic, China and Korea. Prior to college, ering and joining the MCO in Febru- she also studied piano and flute. ary of 2015. Jennifer is so happy to Heather is currently working as a

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have found this group of talented musi- dor for teachers and education cians and to be playing again. She also throughout the State of New York. plays with the Union College & Com- She is an active member of the Na- munity Orchestra, The Etude Club of tional Network of State Teachers of Schenectady and The Music Study the Year, serves as chairperson of the Group. New York State Teacher of the Year Mary Cosey, violin, from Granville, Policy Council, and is a Clinical Su- NY, joined the orchestra in September, pervisor for SUNY Albany. 2012, and is thrilled to be part of the Irene DeGraff, violin, joined MCO group. Mary retired in September 2015 in late 2012. She inherited her love of from the Washington County Dept of the violin from her Portuguese born Social Services after 24 years of ser- father. A native of Massena, NY, vice....now she has more time to Irene studied violin for 8 years as a PRACTICE! Mary's goal with MCO is student and participated in All-State to be “the most improved player of the Orchestra for 3 years in high school. year.” After pursuing a B.S. Degree in Elizabeth Day, flute and piccolo, is a Chemistry, Irene had a long career in 14 year member of MCO and a recent- analytical chemistry and product man- ly retired teacher. She is a charter agement living throughout Upstate member of the Memorial Band of Col- New York and Pennsylvania. Retire- onie, Capital Area Flutes, and The ment and relocation to her husband’s Tempest Wind Quintet in addition to hometown in 2011 provided the op- various community groups throughout portunity to rekindle her love of the the area. She has been active in litur- violin and fulfill a retirement dream. gical music for 45 years and is current- Irene started taking lessons again in ly the organist and choir director for St. 2012 from Ann-Marie Barker Luke’s Episcopal Church in Schwartz, director of Musicians of Mechanicville. She attributes her love Ma’alwyck and violin instructor at of music to her mother who was a Schenectady County Community church organist for over 60 years. She College. She is now a staff member of thanks her Mom for showing her that this chamber music ensemble as their the music we create brings joy to the Administrative Assistant. Irene enjoys people we share it with. In 2005, the an active retirement playing pickleball State Education Department named and volunteering at church. She lives her the New York State Teacher of the in Scotia with husband, John. Year and she served as an ambassa- Louise Dickinson, viola, has been

playing with MCO since 2013. She mathematics. She is a former mem- grew up in a musical family and has ber of the Schenectady, Little Falls, been playing viola since the 3rd grade, Pittsfield and Stockbridge Sympho- continuing to play through col- nies. Carol has been a member of lege. She grew up in Oklahoma and the MCO for 33 years and recently Texas, ultimately getting an Engineer- joined the Esperance Town Band. ing degree at Texas Tech and moved She met her wonderful husband, to Upstate NY in 1996 for work at Dale, in the orchestra. She has two GE. She currently works as an Engi- sons, three stepsons, and eleven neering Manager for GE Power in grandchildren. Schenectady. She and her husband Dale Douglass, clarinet, has recently moved to a beautiful orchard played both clarinet and saxophone & farm in Rotterdam, NY where they since his school days in Cleveland, also manage the Hungry Chicken Ohio. He graduated from Carnegie- Country Store on their farm. Mellon University with a Ph.D in Elec- Shannon Dietz-McCann, violin, a trical Engineering. He has three graduate of Siena College, Shannon sons, two stepsons, a lovely wife and began playing piano when she was eleven grandchildren. Dale recently eight, and violin at age 12. As a stu- retired from Power Delivery Consult- dent at Guilderland High School, she ants and has formed his own compa- was a member of the orchestra, cham- ny, Douglass Power Consulting, LLC. ber ensemble and pit orchestra. After He plays 1st Alto with the Capital a 10-year hiatus from the violin, she Dance Orchestra and tenor saxo- rediscovered the joy of music. A phone with MCO's own "Red Hot member of the SUNY community or- Rhythm Royals" Dixieland Band. He chestra (1998-2002), Shannon joined also plays in the Esperance Town MCO in 2004. Band. Carol Douglass, cello, has played Jennifer Fullam, bassoon, grew up cello since she was 9 years old. She in Ohio where her father introduced retired from the NYS Teachers' Retire- her to organ lessons at the age of 6. ment System in 2002, where she had She soon followed with flute in ele- been an Actuary for 23 years. Carol mentary school, bassoon in junior holds a BA in mathematics from the high and the baritone horn in march- University at Albany and an ASA from ing band in high school. Her love of the Society of Actuaries. She taught bassoon led to a music scholarship at high school mathematics for 11 years Miami University (in Ohio) where she prior to entering the actuarial field and played in just about every music en- still tutors those who need help in semble available while pursuing a

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degree in physics. After taking a job Saint Rose, Albany, also attending with GE in Schenectady, Jenni con- Ithaca College. Learning to play the tinued her music hobby in various piano at the age of 7, Janet then groups in the area. She has recently pursued the trombone in 4th grade taken up the cello. That leaves only and played with many ensembles percussion as a section yet to ex- throughout her high school and col- plore. She continues to study bas- lege years. A big thank you goes to soon and works as a metrology engi- her sisters, parents and grandparents neer for IBM in her spare time. for their love of music, which led her Peggy Gerardi, viola, began play- to a lifelong career of teaching and ing in high school but then stopped a performing music. Janet joined MCO few years later. In the intervening in 2015 and is a former member of years she honed her skills as a pro- the Mohawk Valley Orchestra and fessional seamstress; did costuming the Shenendehowa Clifton Park Sen- for many school programs, Schenec- ior Orchestra, currently performing tady Light Opera and others. She with both the Gloversville and John- earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Eng- stown Civic Bands and the Red Hot lish and Technical Communication Rhythm Royals. Janet is the Organist from Russell Sage College; raised -Choir Director with St. Andrew’s two daughters, both of whom are Episcopal Church, Scotia. She has musicians. She began playing again one daughter and 2 granddaughters in 2001. After a few years of lessons, and lives in Scotia with husband, she joined the Union College Orches- Tom and their beautiful orange cat, tra and then MCO. She served as Tony. secretary of the MCO Board from Kathy Hargis, trumpet, retired 2008—2013, and looks forward to Elementary/Intermediate Band Direc- many more years of participation in tor from Ballston Spa CSD in 2008, the orchestra. where she taught for 22 years of her Janet Gerbino, trombone, a native almost 35 years of music teaching. of Pennsylvania, is a retired elemen- Kathy received her BA from Ly- tary instrumental music teacher from coming College in Williamsport, PA Saratoga Springs City Schools. Hav- and her MEd from Penn State Uni- ing taught music for 35 years at all versity and a MALS from Skidmore levels in the Capital Region, she College in Adirondack Education. holds a BS degree in Music Educa- Having been a soloist and trumpet tion from Mansfield University, PA player in the Albany area for over 25 and MS degree from the College of years, she really enjoys playing trum-

pet in the orchestra and several ors, and for their many years of sup- bands including the Skidmore College porting the MCO. Community Band as well as the Guil- Dawn Hobbs, cello, has studied derland Town Band. She also enjoys music at the University of South Car- biking, hiking, reading, studying a olina, The Governor’s School for the variety of subjects and has a passion Arts at Furman University and at for the Adirondacks. SUNY Albany. She has played with Jean Hayes, principal flutist, is a numerous groups in South Carolina, charter member of the MCO and has Texas and New York. She is currently served on the Board as secretary and interested in the intersection of music program chair. She is a member of and psychology and holds a B.A. In the Etude Club and the Music Study Psychology from SUNY Albany. Club, both in Schenectady and fre- Alan Holmes, clarinet, Graduate of quently performs at their meetings Hartwick College, Oneonta, NY; MCO and in their public concerts. She Treasurer; P/T Business Contract particularly enjoys playing chamber Risk Consultant; Formerly, Program music. She has recently retired from And Technical Manager with the teaching private flute lessons, Suzuki- Clarkson University School of Engi- method and traditional-style. She has neering (Graduate School, Capital played flute and piccolo in various Region Campus). Senior level man- community orchestras, bands, pit agement for marketing, contracts, orchestras, and chamber music en- purchasing, facilities, consultants, sembles. She has a B.A. in English etc., in support of the power engi- from The College of Wooster (Ohio) neering community, including GE, and a M. Ed. from the University of NYISO, and Siemens PTI. Orchestra Pittsburgh. She has experience and Dixieland Band member since teaching elementary school, English 1995. Active in community affairs as a second language, preparation which have included Schenectady for the GED exam, and college study Business Development, Junior skills and developmental writing at Achievement, sports coaching, SCCC. She currently works part-time church choir, nineteen years service at The Open Door Bookstore in Sche- to the Consistory of Niskayuna Re- nectady. She and her husband, Walt, formed Church live in West Glenville. She is grateful Paul Houpt, trumpet, has been to her parents, John and Dorothy playing trumpet since 5th grade. Brand, for inspiring and supporting Growing up New Jersey, he studied her education and musical endeav-

privately through high school, playing Middle Grove, NY. In retirement, in the concert band and jazz ensem- George is busier than ever, tending bles in addition to musical theater and the garden, baking bread and making New Jersey area All-State. After cheese, maple syrup and cider. many years away from the trumpet, George recently built his first violin he joined the MCO in 1991 and has and built the cello he is playing in the been actively playing since. In addi- MCO. He is enjoying his eight tion to the MCO, Paul is a member of grandchildren. the Colonie Memorial (concert) Band, Elizabeth Karns, violin, from Am- the Guilderland Town Band and has sterdam, NY has been playing violin played with the Union College Com- for 14 years. She played in the Em- munity Orchestra and the Gloversville pire State Youth Orchestra her Soph- Town Band. Dixieland jazz is a pas- omore and Junior year of high school sion and he is the trumpet player with and performed at Carnegie hall with the Red Hot Rhythm Royals, an MCO them her second year. She is cur- spinoff. He played for several years rently in the middle of a gap year with the Williamsburg (Va) Concert before heading off to Grove City Col- (band), an annual gig for adult musi- lege in the fall, where she will study cians from all over the USA and the biology. In her free time she enjoys Northeast Music Festival in Lake writing, hanging out with friends, and Placid, NY. When not playing music, anything involving the outdoors. Paul is an enthusiastic bicyclist and Edith Kliman, viola, believes in the sailor. Paul retired in 2012 from a 46 motto "Life without Music would be a year engineering career that included Mistake". After beginning piano les- Bell Labs, MIT mechanical engineer- sons at age 6, she switched to the ing faculty and GE Global Research violin at age 10 and continued playing in the field of automatic control sys- violin in various orchestras through- tems. All his degrees are in electrical out her school and college engineering. Paul has been an active years. While a member of the Erie, community volunteer and serves on PA Community Orchestra, she the board of Schenectady's museum switched to the viola. She continued of science ("MiSci"). playing that instrument with the West George Jolly, cello, began music Valley, CA Community Orchestra. playing trumpet in grade school. When she moved to the Capital Dis- Forced off the trumpet by his braces, trict in 1977, she immediately joined he took up recorder which he played the Ballston Community Orchestra, in the Collegium Musicum, the early now called the Music Company Or- music ensemble at Oberlin College. chestra, where for many years she After medical school in Philadelphia, was the sole viola player. She also he began cello. He has played in the plays with other orchestras and Skidmore and Campeche (Mexico) chamber groups. Orchestras. He now plays chamber Carol Kniskern, trumpet, has a music with the Cottage Street Players fond appreciation of art. music and in Saratoga Springs. For several antiques and is presently working at years, he played (a solid 2nd trumpet) her own business-Granny's Other with the Ballston No. 2 Union Fire Place and Granny's Parlour in her Company marching band. George home. She has been a member of retired from medical practice in Inter- the MCO for several years. Ken Tuck- nal Medicine and Geriatrics in 2012. er, a trumpeter with the Orchestra, is He lives with his wife, Caroline, in

Carol’s brother. Oswegatchie river in northern NY. Kristine Leyden, bass, has re- Doug Long, French horn, has been turned to the upright bass after a long playing French Horn for 20 years, but break. She played in Colonie Central he took 35 years off from 1968— high school and one year at the Col- 2002. Doug also plays trumpet, pi- lege of Saint Rose. Since then she ano and sings. He received a music has become a registered nurse. scholarship to attend SUNY Fredonia Since she is no longer working nights where he majored on the French she is rediscovering her love of mu- Horn. He also studied at the Royal sic. She discovered MCO when they Conservatory of Music in Antwerp, performed for a SICM fundraiser. Belgium. He is the founder and direc- Bud Lindner, violin, is a retired tor of the Joytones, a regional com- engineer and manager from GE Sili- munity chorus for people with Alzhei- cones. A serious music student in mer’s and their care givers. While high school in Pittsburgh, he put the retired in North Carolina for eight violin aside to pursue an engineering years, he was principal horn with the degree at RPI and a career in indus- Rutherford County Symphony and try. Upon retirement, he resumed founded a brass quintet. Presently, playing the violin and has enjoyed he plays horn with the Skidmore Col- playing with the Music Company lege/Community symphonic band and Orchestra and small chamber music the Adirondack Community College groups. symphonic band. Among his best Alexanderia LoDico, cello, recent- musical experiences were performing ly graduated from Clarkson University at Lincoln Center in NYS while in with a B.S. in Digital Arts & Sciences. college, and singing in a choral She also minored in Communications festival at the Mormon Tabernacle in and Mathematics. After graduation Salt Lake City, Utah. she moved to Saratoga Springs to Andrea McConnelee, violin, start- begin working for a local web design ed playing the violin in 3rd grade. company. Alex has played the cello She continued playing throughout since 4th grade, and is excited to join high school and was a part of all-state the orchestra after taking a break orchestras and choirs. She is a rec- from playing in college. In the sum- orded vocalist and violinist with a mer, she enjoys kayaking and goes local Christian rock group. She con- on an annual kayak trip on the tinues to sing and play the violin In

her church and for weddings and enjoyed a 40+ year career in the not- other events. Andrea retired from the for-profit world serving as the found- New York State Unified Court System ing Director of Hospice of Saratoga, after serving as a Judge’s secretary. Assistant Executive Director of Home Previously, she enjoyed many years Aide Service of Eastern NY, and VP of employment in the Niskayuna of Development of Planned school district. In addition to music, Parenthood Mohawk Hudson, where Andrea enjoys her “land” in Cobleskill she led staff and volunteers in a capi- where she and her husband grow, tal campaign raising $3.9M to build harvest and sell horse hay. She also women’s health care facilities in enjoys cross country skiing, snowmo- Schenectady, Saratoga, Glens Falls, biling, 4-wheeling, gardening, tennis, Gloversville and Utica. Nancy spent a biking, reading and spending time year at the American Church in Paris with her four grandchildren. Andrea as Director of Education. She holds and her husband , Jack have two an MA in Management, Vermont grown children and have lived in College of Norwich University, and a Glenville, in their starter home, for 46 BA in Religious Studies, Shorter Col- years. lege, Rome, Georgia. She served on Kathleen McNerney, percussion, the Saratoga Hospital Board of Trus- saw an advertisement in 1973 to “join tees, 1990-1999. In retirement, Nancy with others to make music” and joined started a business providing personal the MCO as a charter member seek- assistant and financial services to the ing to put her early British Royal elderly. Also in retirement, a lifelong Academy piano training to work. She love of music led her to fulfill a child- adapted these talents to percussion hood dream of studying and playing with encouragement from one of the French horn. She is an avid walk- MCO’s early conductors. Kathleen er, enjoys birthdays, classic cars and credits MCO as a welcome outlet is thrilled to be a part of MCO. while raising her six children, and a Carol Meyer, violin, is a retired continued source of enjoyment today chemist. She has played in college/ along with her eight grandchildren community orchestras for years and and volunteer work at Saratoga Hos- joined the MCO in 2004. She enjoys pital abd a student of A.L.L. playing chamber music with friends (Academy for Lifelong Learning) from the Orchestra. Nancy McPhaul, French horn,

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Christine Neumann, violin, has Allison Piracci, oboe, discovered been playing the violin for 16 years. her love of music at an early age. When Christine was 8 years old she She began studying violin at the age told her mother that she wanted to of 6 and added the oboe in fifth grade play the violin, and she has been in order to play in the school band. playing ever since. Christine played Over the course of her middle and through the Burnt Hills School system high school years, she participated in music program. She also studied the school band, a woodwind quintet Suzuki violin with Brigitte Brodwin for and numerous All-County and All- 11 years, Pat Gray for 1 year, and State festivals. The highlight of her Suzanne Miller for the last 3 years. early school years was the concert She enjoys working at Halfmoon tour to Spain that she participated in Works assisting with wood projects to as a member of the Empire State be sold at various gift shops through- Youth Orchestra under Francisco out the Capital District, including Ar- Noya. She went on to study oboe tique on Crescent Road. Christine with Andrea Bonsignore at Mt. Ho- also works at Capital Care Pediatrics lyoke College and after changing in Clifton Park where she assists with majors, continued to participate in the administrative tasks. To further devel- SUNY Oswego College Community op her professional career, she at- Orchestra. She is thoroughly enjoy- tends LifeSong Day Program in Clif- ing being a member of the MCO after ton Park. Christine is also a long time taking many years away from playing member of the music ministry of Our to start a career and family. She Lady Grace Roman Catholic Church currently works as a Senior Quality in Ballston Lake. Christine especially Consultant for MetLife and resides in enjoys playing her violin since it is a Niskayuna with her husband and two family heirloom given to her by her daughters.. uncle Connie. Christine feels that Jacob M. Reiter, tuba, joined MCO MCO has made her a better violinist, in September 1996. He holds a BS in and she enjoys playing with so many Electrical Engineering from the Uni- kind and fine musicians. versity of Akron in Akron, Ohio, and Samantha Patron, violin, is taking an MS in Computer Science at Union up the instrument again after several College in Schenectady. He is cur- years. She started playing violin in rently an Engineering Manager with high school and had the opportunity Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory. to perform at Avery Fisher Hall (now Jake is active musically in the Capital David Geffen Hall) in New York City Region, playing in the Union Fire with the West Catholic Conservatory Company Marching Band in Ballston of Philadelphia, PA. After high Spa, as well as the Ballston Spa school, she stopped playing until she Community Band. His musical back- and a friend from work decided to ground includes the All-Ohio State dust off their instruments and join Fair Band and Ohio Music Education MCO in the fall of 2017. Samantha Association Regional Orchestra while holds a B.S. in civil engineering from in High School, and the Concert and Temple University and works for Marching Bands at the University of Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory in Akron. Niskayuna, NY. Aside from music, Ann K. Seidman, violin, has a BA she enjoys practicing different styles and MA in history from Brooklyn Col- of dance and powerlifting. lege and taught elementary school in

Brooklyn before moving to the Capitol became her exclusive focus by the District with her husband Peter. She end of high school. During the was a substitute teacher for the years, Jen has participated in vari- Shenendehowa and BH-BL School ous bands, orchestras and ensem- Districts. Ann has been a member of ble groups, including the Hudson the MCO for 27 years and is the past Valley Youth Symphony, the Union President of MCO. Ann also plays College Orchestra, and the Albany with the Union College Orchestra and Medical College Chamber Orches- Sage City Symphony, Bennington, tra. Her professional education VT. While concertmaster at Union, includes undergraduate majors in her husband bought her a brand new Biology and Music at Union College, Frirsz violin. She has played with medical school at Albany Medical Opera Excelsior under the baton of College and residency at St. Jo- Corine Salon, Victor Klimash and seph’s Hospital in Syracuse. Jen David Griggs- Janower. In addition, returns to the area as a Family Phy- Ann is the membership chair of the sician at the Queensbury Family Saratoga Lake Sailing Club and races Health Center with Hudson Headwa- a Flying Scot sailboat. She is a mem- ters Health Network. ber of Free Spirits International Row- Jeannette D. Storch, oboe, is a ing Team. She and her husband Pe- Principal IT Professional at Knolls ter are traveling all around the world Atomic Power Laboratory. She to places like Antarctica, Greenland, holds a bachelor’s degree from Vas- Iceland, Europe and New Zealand sar College and a master’s in Opera- with Greece and the Galapagos on tions Research and Statistics from the horizon. RPI. She has been active in instru- Beth Smith, timpani, joined the mental and vocal music all her MCO in 2002. She has played per- life. In addition to MCO, she occa- cussion since 5th grade, including sionally plays with other local during her undergraduate years with groups. the Brown University marching Charlie Thompson, horn, is cur- (football) and skating (hockey) bands. rently the President of Music Com- Beth has degrees in Mechanical En- pany Orchestra. He is retired from gineering and was a Program Manag- Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory er at GE before leaving and home- after a career of 34 years. His mu- schooling her three sons, all now at sical background began by studying Stanford. She teaches and lives, as violin, then switched to cello in high artistically as she can, in Clifton Park school and continued through col- with her husband and Chesapeake lege at Oberlin. He began playing Bay Retriever. horn during a fellowship at Rice Jennifer Stratton, cello, is happy University. Since coming to the to be part of an orchestra again! She Schenectady area in 1972, Charlie has always been encouraged and has played in the Schenectady Sym- inspired by her parents’ love of music phony Orchestra, the Guilderland and her mother’s professions as a Town Band, the Memorial Band of bass player in the Hudson Valley Colonie, the Union College Commu- Philharmonic and an Elementary nity Orchestra and various other String Music teacher. Jen’s musical community groups. Charlie also interests started in elementary school performed with the Central New with piano playing followed by ‘cello York Summer Orchestra and the and French Horn, although ‘cello Santa Barbara Chamber Philharmo-

nia for European tours. grew up in New Hartford playing Harmon Tunison, trombone, is violin in a musical family. She per- an active area musician in the Albany formed with the Rome Festi- Schenectady Troy area. He is in- val Orchestra in Italy in 1978. She volved with numerous community has been a member of both the bands and orchestras as well as mu- Utica and Catskill symphonies, un- sical theater with local high schools der the baton of Maestro Charles and the Schenectady Light Opera Schneider.for over 30 years.This led Company. During the day Harmon is her to finally getting her teaching a research scientist for the Naval degree in music, after working for 15 Nuclear Laboratory located in years for AT&T. She ran the string Niskayuna NY. Harmon holds Mas- program at Myles Elementary ters and Doctoral degrees from the School and then was hired by the University of Pittsburgh and the Uni- Whitesboro School District. teaching versity of Nebraska in both Analytical all levels until 2014, retiring as the and Inorganic Chemistry. Harmon High School Orchestra Director, and resides in Scotia with his wife Jan, closing her private studio. She and sons, Ben and Alex. moved to Clifton Park in 2018 to be Maria Westbrook, cello, grew up in closer to family. She has 3 married the Chicago area and Cleveland, children and 5 grandchildren. In where she studied at the Cleveland addition to the MCO, she has joined Institute of Music and played with the the AASO and Clifton Park Senior Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orches- Orchestra, playing violin, and sings tra. While earning a BS in Chemistry in First Presbyterian Church of Alba- at UNC-Chapel Hill she also studied ny. She now specializes in teaching cello, and participated in orchestra string instruments to adults, both and various chamber music beginners and those picking it up groups. Her doctorate is also in again after a long absence. Her Chemistry from the University of belief is 'so much music, so little Georgia, and she moved to the Capi- time!' When she's not making music, tol region in 2014 to work at Knolls she enjoys sewing and traveling. Laboratory. Jane Yoon, violin, just recently David Wilkinson, violin, has stud- joined the MCO, upon moving to ied with Mary Chase and Angelo Albany. The Buffalo native has Frascarelli and has performed with been playing the violin on and off the RPI Symphony Orchestra, the since childhood, most recently with Stockade Strings, the Capital Philhar- the University of Rochester Sympho- monic, Opera Excelsior, and several ny Orchestra (2003-2017). She is other chamber ensembles. Mr. Wil- an attorney by day and in her free kinson also performs with the Union time, can be found knitting, biking or College Orchestra and the Sage City cross-country skiing. Symphony. David holds a BS in Martin Zavadil, trumpet, retired Management from Rensselaer Poly- from the Shenendehowa Central technic Institute and is employed with School District where he was the the NYS Office of Victim Services. Director of Bands at the West High David also operates a mobile disc School. He received his undergradu- jockey service, spinning tunes for ate degree at Fredonia SUNY and weddings, graduations, and other has done extensive graduate work occasions. at the Lake Placid Institute, SUNY Sharon Wormwood, viola/violin Potsdam (Saratoga-Potsdam Insti-

tute), Ithaca College, Long Island Uni- versity, Marywood College, University of Minnesota, including conducting with Dr. Frederick Fennell, Dr. William Reveli, Col. Arnald Gabriel and Prof. Kurkoff. Mr. Zavadil is an All-State adjudicator for NYSSMA, has served on the Executive Board of the New York State Field Band Conference, and has conducted several All-County and Area All-State Festivals. With 37 years of teaching experience, Mr. Zavadil has taught all levels of public school instrumental music. He has twice been recognized by his col- leagues for outstanding service in the field of Music Education and has been selected to "Who's Who" by his students several times. He is an active performer in the Capital District area, having studied trumpet with Edward Carroll, international trumpet soloist, director of the Lake Placid Institute, and graduate professor of brass studies at CALARTS. Mr. Zavadil is the current conductor of the Schoharie Valley Concert Band, and Hand Bell Choirs at his church. He is a member of New York State Band Director's Association, National Band Associa- tion, American Concert Bands, Inter- national Trumpet Guild, and the Sara- toga Musical Union. Mr Zavadil resides with his wife Sherrie in Ballston Spa.

MEVEC FUNERAL HOME Inc.

224 Milton Avenue Ballston Spa, NY 12020 Telephone (518) 885-7110

William J. Mevec

PERFORMANCES

Cabaret... Each Spring the Music Company Orchestra presents a Cabaret evening with dinner, an orchestra concert and silent auction to raise funds for Orchestra. Past venues for our annual Cabaret have included the Canfield Casino, the Hall of Springs in Sara- toga, Michaels Restaurant in Latham, the Polish Community Center, Colonie and at the Holiday Inn, Saratoga. This year our Cabaret will again be at the Holiday Inn, Saratoga.

Concerts for the Community... As part of our mission of bringing the excitement of live concerts to those who would not ordinarily attend them, the MCO has given concerts at the Clifton Park Library, the Crossings in Colonie, the Kingsway Community Center in Schenectady, Co- burg Village in Clifton Park, Prestwick Chase in Saratoga Springs and Avila in Albany. The MCO performs annual holiday concerts at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School, spon- sored by the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Rotary, in conjunction with their Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, St. Joseph’s Church in Scotia, the Niskayuna Reformed Church and the Faith Bap- tist Church in Rexford. In addition, the MCO has performed concerts in the community to benefit the Alzheimer’s Associa- tion, Friends of the Mayfield Library, the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Education Foundation, the FOCUS Interfaith Food Pantry of Albany, CAPTAIN of Clifton Park, for the Saratoga’s Univer- sal Preservation Hall at Proctors Theater and at Schenectady High School for SICM (Schenectady Inner City Ministry).

For further information … Ask an orchestra member for additional information on future concerts, becoming a member of the orchestra, becoming a Supporter, Advocate, Patron or Benefactor, or advertising in our Program Booklet. You can also send an email to the [email protected] or call (518) 381-6391.

Visit the orchestra’s website at: mcomusic.org

The Music Company Orchestra was founded 45 years ago. Many members have played with us for more than 20 years. In fact, two of the founding members still play with the MCO.

Here we celebrate some of our newest members with the hope they will be with us well into the future.

Bob Brannon violin Elizabeth Karns violin

Alex LoDico cello Harmon Tunison Trombone

Maria Westbrook cello Sharon Wormwood viola, violin

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Best Wishes Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake

Rotary Club

Playing Dixieland Music for benefits & celebrations since 1999

Associated with the Music Company Orchestra (mcomusic.org) Contact Dale Douglass ~ [email protected]

Benefactor John & Irene DeGraff Charles & Shawna Thompson Lloyd & Jane Johnson Peter & Ann Seidman Nancy McPhaul Joseph & Peggy Gerardi Stephen Cowart & Dr. Gerald Lanoue Advocate Judy Bachorz Paul Cuddihy Harvey J. Stratton Don & Gail Puckette Jean & Walt Hayes Rey & Gini Whetten Paul & Susan Houpt Alice B. Gorowicz Dr. Penny N. Spring William & Noreen Underhill Donald Levy Patron Frank & Dorthea Potochnik David Bacheldor Tom & Mary Shoudy Christne Neumann & Family Albert & Francis Predmore Douglas & Margaret Long Erin Perry Mary Anderson Francis & Sheila Dolezal Almeda Riley Josef Schmee Alexandria Tamburello Joan Pappas Larry & Jeannette Storch Beverly Mastrianni Arleen Brilliant Anne Middleton Wayne & Nancy Virkler Timothy L. Johnson Martha Strohl Lilajane Frascarelli Thomas & Linnea D’Andrea Don & Judy Wilson Sally & Bert Longbotham Elizabeth Ruger Henry M. Butzel Family Foundation Barbara Wood Charles & Doreen Kana Evelyn & Allen Wolf Maureen & Gerald McNerney Charles & Katherine Richman

John & Elizabeth Day Kitty Vondrak Ann H. Close Lynn Buck John C. Pappas Bill & Noreen Underhill Paul & Donna Rogers Donna Gibson 30

Advocate (con’t.) Sponsor (con’t.)

Lawson & Pricilla Harris Irene Riddlell

Susan Read Bob & Carolyn Hamlin

Grace Jorgenson Westney Bernice Igo Francis & Sheila Dolezal Joseph & Jo-Ann Levy

Sandra Suits Irene J. LaPlante Dianna Clifford

Sponsor Gottfried & Doris Jenzer John & Celeste Cornell Bill & Judy Guilbo

Paul & Irene Podhorez Dorothy Hughes

David & Judith Callanan Ralph Acquaro

Blasé & Barbara Iuliano Arnold Jaffe

John & Diane Jazeboski John & Gail Bowers

Jim & Elizabeth Callanan Elizabeth Cullen Marianne Josefiak Miller Theresa Sgambati Holly Hawkes Freda Gates-Pozefsky

David & Particia Gosda Ann Van Derwerker

Josie Kivort Jay Portnoy Janice & Harmon Tunison Carol Evans White

Carl R. Gustafson Elaine Hlaing

Lydia Arit Frank & Marilyn Overstrom

Edith Stables Arnold Jaffe Allen Mossman Alice & Kurt Daigel

Anne Christman Edward Miller

Peter & Jane Maloney

Carolyn Statler Capital Fund Richard & Elizabeth Swyers Walter & Jean Hayes

Marge & Bud Lindner Edith Kliman Barbara Maddaloni 31

Corporate Benefactors for 2019-2020

NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL

STEWARTS SHOPS

Corporate Benefactors donate a minimum of $500 and receive a special listing and a free full page advertisement in color or B&W.

Forty Years of Advertising

Ballston Spa National Bank Mevec Funeral Home Open Door Bookstore

Stewart's Shops

Thirty or More Years

Gil's Garage

Twenty or More Years

1st National Bank of Scotia

Civale Chiropractic

John Keal Music Company

Ankers Auto Service

Ten or More Years Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Rotary Ed’s Trucking Exit 9 Wine & Liquor G&M Auto Tech Kennedy Massage Associates Nicholas Frirsz Violins Professional Disc Jockey Service Segel Violins Sew Big

Thank you for Your Continuing Support

The Nicholas Frirsz Violin Studio Master Luthiers and Rare Instruments Since 1840

For nearly two centuries, the Frirsz name has earned a reputation for excellence, and is now the oldest continual family of luthiers in the world.

Nicholas Frirsz carries on the family tradition of creating award winning violins, violas, and cellos, along with restorations and tonal adjustments.

Please call for an appointment: (518) 893-2424 www.frirsz.com

Discover Your Joyful Life

Stephen Cowart LMHC Psychotherapist

917-972-5626 [email protected]

11th Annual Holiday Bazaar Calvary Episcopal Church Lake Hill Rd. Burnt Hills

Saturday, October 19, 2019 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Handmade Crafts, Bake Sale, Raffle, Lunch

TCOSEY TRADING COMPANY Tom Cosey, proprietor

Buying and Selling Antiques and Collectibles for over 20 years 518-643-1643 [email protected]

2764 Troy Schenectady Road Niskayuna, NY 12309 (518) 785-9731 Ronald A. Scharf, D.V.M. animalhospitalniskayuna.com

Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything. Plato

Do You Remember?

Canfield Casino—1980

Original Red Hot Rhythm Royals

Ed & Elsie Whiteside

Jerry Kliman

Kathleen McNerney & Paul Kniskern Janet Maly

Dave Fisk & Joe Walsh

Don Miller & Gerry Haines

Camille Morin

Kathleen McNerney, Betty Ruger, Jean Hayes

Baldino & Perry Associates, Inc.

Stephen A. Baldino Financial Planner

10 Oakland Avenue, 2nd Floor PO Box 736 Warwick, NY 10990 Office: 845.86.7212 Fax: 845.986.9346

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Securities and advisory services offered through Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity

Music Colors the World

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The following businesses are supporting the MCO When you patronize them, please extend our thanks

51 1st National Bank of Scotia 7 A Touch of Woodwinds 27 Adirondack Trust 35 Anker’s Auto Service 51 Anonymous Donor Advertisement 48 Asterino, CPA 23 A Violin Shop 55 Baldino & Perry Associates, Inc. 11 Ballston Spa National Bank 56 Beechwood Group of Wells Fargo Advisors 28 Baptist Health System 46 Bonnie Maguire Jones, PLLC 28 BH/BL Rotary 39 Burnt Hills Veterinary Hospital 39 Calvary Episcopal Church Bazaar 42 Capital Dance Orchestra 42 Capital District YMCA 54 Capitaland Motors Subaru 26 Civale Chiropractic 40 Coburg Village 44 David M Coppola DDS 18 David G. Kaplan DMD 37 Dechants, Fuglein & Johnson, CPA 13 Ed’s Trucking Co. Inside Back Cover Exit 9 Wine & Liquor 3 Fenimore Asset Management 41 Francis Morris Violins 10 G&M Auto Tech 28 Gil’s Garage 45 Glenville Funeral Home 42 High Mills Garage 38 Hoskinson Orthodontics 49 Hungry Chicken Country Store 41 Iron Roost

27 Jays Certified Auto Repair 29 John Keal Music 22 Kingsway Community 9 Kennedy Massage Associates 27 Marty’s Hardware 45 Marvin & Company CPA 22 Mevec Funeral Home 44 Mondragon McGrinder Stier OB-GYN Association 23 Musicians of Ma’alwyck 35 Nicolas Frirsz Violin Studio 43 Niskayuna Animal Hospital 47 Niskayuna Reformed Church Back of Program Northwestern Mutual 43 Open Door Bookstore 4 Price Chopper 43 Professional Disc Jockey Service 29 Red Hot Rhythm Royals Dixieland Band 40 Rich Clements Band 34 Roohan Reality 15 Saratoga Zymurgist 50 Schuyler Barber Shop 47 Scotia Rotary 43 Segel Violins & Art Gallery 17 Sew Big 12 St. Luke’s on the Hill 49 State Farm Insurance 40 Stephen Conners Attorney-at-law 39 Stephen Cowart LMHC Inside Front Cover Stewart’s Shops 38 Sticks & Stones 42 T. Cosey Trading Company 36 Trustco Bank 14 Village Floral & Gifts of Scotia 48 Vincy’s Printing 5 Walton Realty Group 46 Whittemore, Dowen & Ricciardelli, LLP