A NIGHT OF UNFORGETABLE MUSIC DECEMBER 1, 2015 AT 7 PM • DISCOVERY THEATRE

:: ALASKA YOUTH ORCHESTRAS:: GENERAL INFORMATION::

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Alaska Youth Orchestras is to build musicianship, inspire our youth to love music, offer enriching opportunities for music performance, and create a musical legacy that will sustain arts throughout the lives of our members and our communities.

CONTACT INFORMATION Alaska Youth Orchestras P.O. Box 240541 • Anchorage, Alaska 99524 Email | [email protected] • alaskayouthorchestra.org

STAFF Artistic Director – Linn Weeda Executive Director – Darla Brooks Anchorage Youth Philharmonic Conductor – Tevya Robbins Chamber Music Director – Laura Koenig

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Tanguy Libbrecht, Board President Caroline Renner Sandi Lowther, Vice President Ulyana Stiassny Kim Morris, Treasurer Jay Van Alstine Tina Barela Katerina Vasily Kim Fraser Daniel Whitfield Robyn Pieper Bob Amos, Director Emeritus

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Anchorage School District ASD Music Teachers Bruce Wood, Music Coordinator University of Alaska Anchorage, Music Department East High School

PHOTOS Photography generously provided by Northern Lens Photography, Marcus Biastock

Alaska Youth Orchestras is supported, in part, by a grant from the Alaska State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support from the Municipality of Anchorage, the Rasmuson Foundation, and the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation.

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Welcome to our first concert of the 2015-2016 Season!

We have had an eventful fall that included a very LINN WEEDA successful chamber music event which featured world ARTISTIC DIRECTOR famous musicians who worked side by side with our members. This is what AYO is about!

Tonight, you will also see the culmination of a special project between the Anchorage Festival of Music and AYO. As you can read elsewhere in the program, we are giving the second Alaskan performance of a work commissioned in 1958 about Alaska – and specifically Anchorage. The composer, Jacob Avshalomov, has a connection with AYO in that he was the long time music director of the Portland Youth Philharmonic. He had a special interest in working with young musicians, and he and his orchestra gained world-wide fame for the quality and breadth of his work.

We will have future special projects as well as our normal concert series. One to look forward to is ScrapArts – a collaboration with the Alaska Junior Theater. Connecting with the community through our music making is an important aspect of the AYO experience.

I hope you enjoy the wide variety of music that will be performed tonight – we very much enjoy playing it for you!

Linn Weeda Music Director, Alaska Youth Orchestras

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A lifelong Alaskan, Linn Weeda received his baccalaureate from UAF, where his trumpet teacher was James Kowalsky and his conducting teacher was Gordon Wright. He received his Master’s from Boston University, where he studied trumpet with Armando Ghitalla and Roger Voisin, won the concerto competition, and was student of the year.

Further studies were with Julio Tancredi LINN WEEDA in trumpet, Larry Scripp in solfege, ANCHORAGE YOUTH SYMPHONY CONDUCTOR Charles Bruck and Gunther Schuller in conducting. He has also studied with the principal trumpeters of the Atlanta, London, Los Angeles, and Rotterdam orchestras.

As a freelancer in Boston, he was a member of a number of orchestras and was heard nationally on National Public Radio performing on baroque trumpet with the Smithsonian Chamber Players. He has given recitals and performed concertos throughout the country and in Asia. He has appeared with most of the orchestras and festivals in Alaska as soloist – most recently appearing with the Anchorage Symphony, performing a world premier of a trumpet concerto written for him by Boston composer Louis Stewart.

“He has appeared with most of the orchestras and festivals in Alaska as soloist – most recently appearing with the Anchorage Symphony, performing a world premier of a trumpet concerto written for him by Boston composer Louis Stewart.”

As a conductor, Weeda led orchestras in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Germany. He has been Music Director of the Fairbanks Youth Symphony and founded the Tupelo (Mississippi) Community Orchestra. He was Staff Conductor of the Greater Boston Youth Symphony. He regularly conducts the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra in the annual Halloween concert and in Young People’s Concerts. He has led the AYS on tours within Alaska and on international tours to Australia and, in the summer of 2010, to China.

Currently Weeda is Music Director of the Anchorage Youth Symphony, Assistant Music Director and Principal Trumpet of the Anchorage Symphony, Principal Trumpet of the Anchorage Opera. In addition to his many credits as a performer, Weeda has taught at King’s Lake Music Camp, University of Alaska Fairbanks Summer Fine Arts Camp, and the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival. In addition he teaches classes in ear training, solfege, and trumpet at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

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Mr. Tevya Robbins received two Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Music Education and Political Science from Humboldt State University. He TEVYA ROBBINS has earned a M.M. in Instrumental Conducting ANCHORAGE YOUTH PHILHARMONIC from Portland State University. He has had opportunities to conduct the Beaverton Community Band and the Portland State University Wind Ensemble. Mr. Robbins is currently the Band Director at East Anchorage High School. He has a love of music and a love of being involved in the education of young people.

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ANCHORAGE YOUTH SYMPHONY

VIOLIN 1 Aieleen Kim CLARINET Mariya Gilliland, principal Christian Miranda Joe Cagley, principal Emily Jensen Judy Park Niccole Rieser Jose Abdelnoor Arthur Welsh Vasily Soloview CELLO Krista Stapleford Siobhan Whittle Sarah Souders, principal Torsten Renner Foster Birnbaun BASSOON Hahni Johnson Kiya Gates Natalie Talcott, principal Jacob Morris Camille Heubner Jenna Morris Katherine Brown Ciara Whittaker William Son Joshua Kim HORN Jinah Yoon Anna Kendall Alexander Hamm, principal Maria Kling Alexander Daskalos Evan Hagen Yohei Fujimoto Emma Morgan Emma Thomas Maggie Spotanski VIOLIN 2 BASS Charlie Latimer, principal Emily Arsenault, principal TRUMPET Alison Royce Myah Precie Bryce Davis, principal Julia Koehler Willow Groskreutz Jaden Frazier Sydney Trueb Cailey Winn Tuan Graziano Kelli Thomas Spencer DeBerard Iman Allen Serena Inoue Gannon Lawley Naomi Ratcliffe Katelynn Marshall TROMBONE Abigail Luiken Arie Weidemaier, principal Lou Mei Gutsch FLUTE Patrick O'Brien Peter Stiassny Isabelle Libbrecht, principal Thomas Tyler Claire Bredar Catherine Goolsby Sabine Kretschek Joyce Kim TUBA Elizabeth Van Alstine Drew Cochran, principal VIOLA Pedro Graterol, principal OBOE PERCUSSION Claire Mahoney Ansley Morris, principal Naomi Endres, principal Patricia Graterol James Homsley Noah Greene Madison Smith Antonia Barella Owen Crumley Aaron Jenkins Aurora Williams HARP Kailey Gates

The Anchorage Youth Symphony would like to thank the following for their participation in the Phases of the Great Land Project11/18/2015

Nate Berry, VIOLIN • Laura Koenig, FLUTE • Nina Bingham, VIOLIN • Sharman Piper, OBOE • Mari Jamieson, VIOLIN, Crystal Hansen, CLARINET • Adam Stewart, VIOLIN • Kirby Kauffman, BASSOON • Nancy Darigo, VIOLA • Darrel Kincade, HORN • Linda Ottum, CELLO • Jason Edwards, TRUMPET • Matt O'Connor, BASS Christopher Sweeney, TROMBONE • John Damberg, PERCUSSION • Marcia Stratman, PIANO Karl Wilhelmi, MANDOLINE AND BANJO

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ANCHORAGE YOUTH PHILHARMONIC

VIOLIN 1 CELLO CLARINET Kezia Laganson, principal Anna Berry, principal Takuma Inoue, principal Collyn Kim Vincent Sanderson Callahan Fedullo Shinhwi Umemoto Rosebud Scott Abigail Spears C. Anthony Fedullo Luke Bredar Amber Pike Michelle Turchetto BASSOON Elijah Kim Ellie Mitchell, principal BASS VIOLIN 2 Sarah Earnhart, principal HORN Roberta Cecere, principal Kieran Kauffman, principal Kathleen Amore FLUTE James Correa Kyla Potter Yu-Jin Choi, principal Ian Soellers Jennifer Tollefsen Chelsea Hutchings Leo McNicholas Rebecca Gerke TROMBONE Sharon Song Gretchen Mitchell Emi Soldwedel, principal Hudson Taylor VIOLA OBOE William Binnian Sarah Wolski, principal Jared Lowther, principal Chandra Boyle Isabelle Pope Hriana Bowie Charles Panigeo Dylan Bruce Special thanks to ays harp and Edward Hazelton Andrew Wiggin percussionists for performing with AYP

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SENIOR PROFILE

MARIYA GILLILAND (VIOLIN) Mariya Gilliland has played violin with Anchorage Youth Symphony four years.

Her awards, accomplishments and honors include, being a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. Mariya was also honored with the UA Scholars award.

Mariya enjoys skiing and is a downhill ski instructor. She enjoys writing letters to several pen-pals, cooking, baking, and spending time with family and friends.

Miss Gilliland will be attending Csehy Summer School of Music for five weeks the summer of 2016. In the fall she plans to pursue a degree in violin performance with Suzuki pedagogy (location still undetermined). She hopes to teach children, particularly those with special needs.

Mariya would like to thank her parents and family for their encouragement. “My parents were firm and did not let me quit even though there were times that it would have been easier! My family has also encouraged me by making it a priority to attend my performances. I also want to thank my grandparents, they constantly encourage me to reach for the impossible. Thank you to my amazing violin teacher Dawn Lindsay. She has been a fabulous teacher and also a mentor for me over the last several years.”

“Being a member or AYO has challenged me to be the best. For years, before joining AYO, I had this dream that I would someday be concertmaster. When I first joined, the violinists in the first few chairs seemed perfect! This really motivated me to be better. After four more years of practicing my dream has become a reality. I am by no stretch of the imagination as good a player as some of the previous concertmasters, but I can still improve and reach for my next set of goals.”

Mariya Gilliland, 2015

ALEX HAMM (FRENCH HORN) Alex Hamm plays french horn in Anchorage Youth Symphony.

Alex’s musical awards, accomplishment and honors include, Outstanding Brass Award from Arbor View High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, Most Dedicated Award from East High School in Anchorage, Alaska for 2014 and 2015, ASAA Award for State Championship Participation in Solo and Ensemble Festival 2014, President of the Band Council at East High School Drum Major of the East High Pep Band.

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Mr. Hamm is a Member of the National Society of High School Scholars, Member of the National Honors Society at East High School, University of Alaska Scholars Award Recipient, Treasurer of the Mu Alpha Theta, Math Honors Society at East High School.

Alex enjoys playing trumpet with the Jazz Band and in the Jazz Combo for East High. In his free time he enjoys cross country skiing.

Alex would like to go to college, possibly, UAA for two years and then off to Montana State University or Portland State University. Currently he is trying out for both the Air Force Ceremonial Brass and the Marine Band.

“I wish to thank my parents, Dennis and Laura Hamm, for their support even when I sounded terrible. Also, I would like to thank Dan Heynen, Kevin Lindsay and Darrel Kincade for their guidance in how to master the horn. Lastly, I sincerely thank my band directors, Mr. Justin Klarer and Mr. Tevya Robbins, for helping me to become a better musician.”

“I got to meet some wonderful players, especially in the horn section (you guys are awesome!), not to mention the opportunity to play with them. As well, I got the feeling of being in a real symphony with challenging literature that, with enough practice of course, sounds amazing and increases my playing ability. When playing in the chamber groups, I was able to perform with some wonderful members of the brass section, and when playing in the Chamber Music Immersion Project, I got to learn from Professor Campbell from the University of Michigan. All in all, my experience in AYO has prepared me for a career as a musician, and I give my sincere gratitude toward the staff and directors of AYO for allowing me to partake in the experience.”

Alex Hamm, 2015

ANSLEY MORRIS (OBOE) Ansley Morris has played oboe in Anchorage Youth Symphony four years.

She is a National Merit Scholar Semi-finalist and played in the All- State band all four years while attending Robert Service High School. Ansley’s hobbies and other interest include swimming, cross-country skiing, and hiking. She also loves spending time with friends and family.

Ansley is planning on attending a liberal arts college. She would also like to continue playing oboe in a symphony orchestra or while at college.

“I’d like to thank all the teachers who have helped me grow to love music and improve as a player, including Gretchen Thomas, Dean Epperson, William Waag, Sharman Piper, and Hal Nonneman. In addition, I want to thank my incredible parents, who have always supported and encouraged me in music.”

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“I really love playing in a symphony more than other ensembles, and I'm so grateful that AYO has given me the opportunity to play in a symphony during my high school years.”

Ansley Morris, 2015

EMILY JENSEN (VIOLIN) Emily Jensen has played violin for Anchorage Youth Symphony four years.

Emily’s musical awards, accomplishments and honor include, All- State Orchestra for four years, Solo and Ensemble with a “+1” rating at the Regional level, and All-State Solo and Ensemble for the past three years, a Command Performance nomination, Violin I in the Youth Symphony for four years.

Emily has been on the 4.0 Honor Role four years along with being a Leader of the Chugiak High Orchestra.

Miss Jensen’s hobbies and other interests include biking, hiking, traveling everywhere, swimming in natural bodies of water, downhill skiing, eating food that tastes good, laying in her hammock and spending time with people.

Emily plans on attending college for a nursing degree or other unspecified medical profession, and hopefully travel in all of her free time. She would love to keep playing her violin wherever she goes.

She would like to especially thank her Mom and Dad, for making her practice when she was younger. Her school orchestra teacher Jean Lenoir, and her violin teacher Dawn Lindsay. And most of all, God, “for giving me the talent and support to help me succeed.”

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NATALIE TALCOTT (BASSOON) Natalie Talcott has played bassoon for AYS for the last two years.

Her musical awards, accomplishment and honors include participating in All State last year.

Natalie enjoys swimming, skiing, and snowmobiling. On the weekends, she likes to spend late nights laughing and gaming with friends.

Her future plans are to take a year off of school to decide what she would like to pursue in college.

Miss Talcott would like to thank Mr. Nonneman for teaching her how to play bassoon. “He's taught me so much, musically, and my love for music is always more inspired because of him.”

Natalie expressed that her experience with Alaska Youth Orchestras helped expand her music ability in a technical sense along with providing her with her first exposure of playing in a full orchestra.

SARAH SOUDERS (CELLO) Sarah Souders has played cello with Anchorage Youth Symphony four years.

Her musical awards, accomplishments and honors include being principal AYS cellist this year, All State Orchestra for four years, All Northwest Orchestra her junior year, Region and State Solo and Ensemble for three years.

Miss Souders other awards, accomplishments and honors include, National Honors Society and Seminar Program at Service High School.

Sarah’s went to State in 2015 with the Service High Cross-Country Running Team. She also enjoys cross-country skiing along with track and field. In her free time she enjoys reading and eating chocolate of any kind.

Miss Sounders plans to enter the music therapy program at Colorado State University and become a music therapist with a neurologic focus.

Sarah would like to especially thank Heather Kaas, for starting her on cello and Linda Ottum, for helping her throughout her middle and high school years.

“I have really enjoyed my four years in AYS with amazing people and fun music.”

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JOHN ASBJORN OSNES Maker and repairer of violins, violas, cellos. 8900 Jupiter Drive, Anchorage, Alaska 99507 • Tel: 907.346.3609 Res: 907.346.4615 • www.osnesviolins.com • [email protected]

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LIKE our Facebook page! For more information on upcoming auditions and the 2015-2016 season, please visit: alaskayouthorchestra.org

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Alaska Youth Orchestras Program Linn Weeda, Music Director

December 1, 2015 • 7 PM at the Discovery Hall Anchorage Youth Philharmonic Tevya Robbins, Conductor

Georges Bizet...... Farandole from L’Arlesienne Suite No. 2

Anatoly Liadov...... Excerpts from Eight Russian Folk Songs, op. 58

1. Religious Chant 2. Christmas Carol 3. Plainte 4. Humorous Song

Ludwig van Beethoven...... Symphony No. 1, op. 21

1. Adagio molto - Allegro con brio

John Williams arr. Jerry Brubaker...... The Complete Harry Potter

INTERMISSION

Anchorage Youth Symphony Linn Weeda, Conductor

Giacomo Meyerbeer...... Coronation March from “Le Prophet”

Modeste Moussorgsky/Maurice Ravel...... Excerpts from Pictures at an Exhibition

Limoges - Le Marché Tuileries Gnomus

Jacob Avshalomov...... Phases of the Great Land*

1. The Long Night; Klondike Fever 2. The Summer Days; Anchorage Aloft

Georges Enescu………………………...... Romanian Rhapsody, op. 11, no. 1 in A major

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Program Notes by Linn Weeda

Anchorage Youth Philharmonic Conducted by Tevya Robbins

Suite No. 2 from the incidental music to L’Arlésienne Georges Bizet Born in Paris in 1838. Died in Bougival, France 1875. Composed in 1872. Suite No. 2 premiered in Paris in November. 1872.

L’Arlésienne (The Woman of Arles) is a play by Alphonse Daudet set in Provence in southern France. The incidental music written by Bizet for this tragedy consists of 27 numbers – some only a few seconds long. Like modern film music, these pieces were meant to underscore monologues, help with transitions in the plot and link scenes using entr’actes. Originally scored for a small theater ensemble of 26 players, the score was notable in its use of tambourine, a harmonium (a small, rather wheezy organ), and the newly invented saxophone.

The incidental music was not well received: about a month after the first production the composer rescored four excerpts for full orchestra that proved to be more durable than now forgotten play.

With this music the composer of Carmen proved that he had a sure touch for the theater: it is in turn lyrical and spirited, and always descriptive. Many of the melodies are rooted in the folk music of Provence: indeed the famous fourth movement “Farandole” is based on the stern (and familiar) Christmas tune “Marcho dei Rei” (or “March of the Three Kings”).

The second suite from the incidental music (which tonight’s Farandole is drawn) was actually compiled some four years after the composer’s premature death by his good friend Ernest Guiraud (born in New Orleans).

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Eight Russian Folksongs op. 58 Anotaly Liadov Born May 11, 1855 in St. Petersburg. Died August 28, 1914 in Borovichi, Novgorod, Russia. Composed in 1906.

A famously slow worker, Liadov was in fact a brilliant (if not conservative) teacher closely associated with Rimsky-Korsakov. It was because Liadov was so slow to finish a commission that Igor Stravinsky got his first big break, the Firebird Ballet.

Highly self critical, his relatively small output of composition reveals a fine attention to detail and exacting standards in orchestration. The Eight Russian Folk songs were written in 1906, and reflect his abiding interest in and collection of Russian folk music.

Four songs are heard tonight – each with a highly descriptive title:

1. Religious Chant. Moderato 2. Christmas Carol ‘Kolyada’. Allegretto 3. Plaintive Song. Andante 4. Humorous Song ‘I Danced With The Gnat’./Allegretto

Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21 Ludwig van Beethoven Born in 1770 in Bonn, Germany. Died in 1827 in Vienna, Austria. Published in 1801. Possibly composed as early as 1799. First performance in Vienna on April 2, 1800 in Vienna.

Like all composers, Beethoven’s first efforts in composition were a reflection of his teachers’ influence, as well as the music that he performed and studied as a student. Still, his early works show many of the trademarks of his mature style: rhythmic intensity, harmonic complexity, and the ability to capture the ear of the listener with short, pithy motives and musical gestures.

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This is particularly true in his first symphony, written when he was 29 years old, and at the very cusp of the new century. Scholars speak of three eras of Beethoven’s work: his early work showing the influence of his teacher Haydn (including this work); his middle period that he is most famous for and in which he composed under the weight his ever declining loss of hearing; and his final period when he was profoundly deaf yet produced transcendent works. The First Symphony was composed just before he realized that he was losing his hearing.

Typical of Beethoven’s sense of humor, the work opens in the wrong key. While few of us notice this, it is a bit jarring that the first chord leads directly away from the key of the work (C major). But all is resolved quickly, and the main body of the movement is filled with playfulness and vibrant energy.

The Complete Harry Potter John Williams Born in February 8, 1932 in Floral Park, New York

Perhaps more than any other symphonic composer, his music is now heard more often at any given time in the world than any other composer, due entirely to his output in film music. He is the composer of Superman, Star Wars, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Indiana Jones and countless other films – mostly in collaboration with filmmaker Stephen Spielberg. He was for many years the conductor of the Boston Pops where he raised the profile of that institution to international levels.

Williams is a highly trained musician, having come from a musical family. He studied at UCLA and later (after his Air Force service) at Julliard and Eastman School of Music. In the 1960’s he served as a band-leader and arranger. His early film career was as a pianist in Los Angeles, working both as a performer and as an arranger. His most famous early work as a film composer was on the score to Valley of the Dolls (for which he received his first of a record 49 Academy Award Nominations).

The Harry Potter films were scored by Williams in the early 2000’s, and like his other films, is based on a memorable theme (Hedwig’s Theme).

Anchorage Youth Symphony Conducted by Linn Weeda

Coronation March from Les Prophète Giacomo Meyerbeer Born Tasdorf, Germany on September 5, 1791. Died in Paris on May 2, 1864. Composed in 1841 in Paris. First performance April 16, 1849 in Paris.

Les Prophète (the Prophets) is a grand opera in five acts by the then reigning opera composer, Meyerbeer. The story is set in the religious wars of the 1500’s, and is based on

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historical fact. The main character, Jean de Leyde, is persuaded to declare himself king, and in the fourth act: the Coronation March accompanies his coronation, which ultimately is disasterous.

Pictures at an Exhibition Modeste Mussorgsky Born in Karevo, March 9/21, 1839. Died in St. Petersburg March 16/21, 1881. Composed between June 2 and 22, 1874. Orchestration by Maurice Ravel in 1922. First performed on October 19, 1922 at the Paris Opera, Serge Koussevitzky conducting.

Modeste Mussorgsky is one of the most important figures to the Russian nationalist school of composition called the Kushka. Like other nationalistic composers Mussorgsky wanted to use musical language that reflected Russian folklore, language, and folk songs.

One of his major accomplishments was the suite of piano pieces Pictures at an Exhibition. This suite of sixteen short movements depicts a retrospective art show of the composer’s recently deceased friend Victor Hartmann (1834-1873).

Each movement depicts a specific painting, sketch or design, interspersed with five ‘promenades’ that depict the rotund composer strolling through the galleries. Tonight we will perform three movements form this work. In order of tonight’s performance, we will first hear ‘The Marketplace at Limoges’. One hears the bustle, laughter, and general high energy of the marketplace. This leads almost directly to the artist’s crayon drawing of children playing in the Tuileries gardens in Paris – the piece is cleverly built on children’s ‘nah-nah’. Finally, Mussorgsky penned a musical depiction of a painting of Gnomes – which was really a design for a grotesque Christmas ornament.

Phases of the Great Land (see page 20-23 for notes) Jacob Avshalomov Born March 28, 1919 in Tsingtao, China. Died April 15, 1013. Composed May, 1958. First performance, June, 1958, Alaska Festival of Music, composer conducting. Performed in collaboration with the Anchorage Festival of Music with support by the Atwood Foundation

Romanian Rhapsody No. 1 George Enescu Born on August 19, 1881 in Liveni (later renamed Geroge Enescu), Romania. Died in Paris, May 4, 1955. Composed in August, 1901 in Paris. First performance February 23, 1903 in Bucharest, Romania with composer conducting.

Enescu is one the towering musical geniuses of the 20th Century. Widely admired in his life, the humanitarian and cellist Pablo Casals described Enescu as "the greatest musical phenomenon since Mozart”.

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A child prodigy, he wrote his first symphony at the age of 5, was admitted to the Vienna Conservatory at the age of 7, played his debut recital for royalty at the age of 10. He was a brilliant violinist, pianist and conductor, and was an important violin teacher. His memory was phenomenal: his most famous student – the violinist Yehudi Menuhin – has written that at the premier of Ravel’s violin sonata, he memorized it as he was reading it, so that he performed during the second read through from memory. He could play any of the Beethoven string quartets at the piano from memory.

Born into a peasant family, eventually Enescu married into royalty. Rather than freeing him from financial pressures, he found that he needed to tour and perform in order to sustain his family’s lifestyle. For this reason, there is some twenty years where his compositional output is very limited.

The two Romanian Rhapsodies were written when the composer was 19, and are his most popular compositions. The first Rhapsody is a setting of three folk songs and an imitation of lautareasca music – dance folk music of incredible energy and whirling rhythms.

Coronation March from Les Prophète Giacomo Meyerbeer Born Tasdorf, Germany on September 5, 1791. Died in Paris on May 2, 1864. Composed in 1841 in Paris. First performance April 16, 1849 in Paris.

Les Prophète (the Prophets) is a grand opera in five acts by the then reigning opera composer, Meyerbeer. The story is set in the religious wars of the 1500’s, and is based on historical fact. The main character, Jean de Leyde, is persuaded to declare himself king, and in the fourth act: the Coronation March accompanies his coronation, which ultimately proves to be disastrous.

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Phases of the Great Land Special Program Notes by Laura Koenig

Performed in collaboration with the Anchorage Festival of Music, with support from the Atwood Foundation and the Alaska Arts & Health PTSA. Conducted by Linn Weeda

Phases of the Great Land Jacob Avshalomov Born March 28, 1919 in Tsingtao, China. Died April 15, 2013. Composed May, 1958. First performance, June 18, 1958, Anchorage Festival of Music, composer conducting.

The Anchorage Festival of Music was founded in 1956 though the collaboration of Mary Hale and the internationally renowned conductor, Robert Shaw, who served as Artistic Director and Conductor for the first twelve years. Joining Maestro Shaw in the founding year were John Wustman, Julius Herford, Robert Gerle, and Blake Stern. The goal was to create not merely an annual event but an organization that would support and inspire local artists year round. The Festival was organized to “provide local musicians and audiences the enriching experience of great music; studied, rehearsed and performed with inspired, professional direction.” The early motto of the Festival was “Music to Match our Mountains.” As a 1957 program relates, “The flashing aurora, the treasured wealth in the earth, the towering peaks-again all these have their musical counterparts in the inspiration and beauty which come to us with the artists we are now honored to receive.”

For its third Festival in 1958, the organization sought to intensify this local Alaskan focus. On Robert Shaw’s recommendation, Jacob Avshalomov was commissioned to compose a new work celebrating the territory’s beauty and history. Avshalomov’s accolades as a composer included the Ernest Bloch Award in 1948 for his cantata How Long O' Lord, a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1951, and the New York Music Critics Circle Award in 1953 for his choral work Tom O'Bedlam. He considered himself a “conservative contemporary” composer: “I have never written a note in which I did not believe, that I could not hear. Exact harmony, spacing, texture—all are absolutely vital to me. The tug of the language and the tug of the literature—I always get a lift-off from influences outside music.”

Before writing a single note, Avshalomov researched the history and the climate of Alaska and interviewed many Alaskans, including Territorial Governor Mike Stepovich. “As I sifted the impressions I had accumulated, certain aspects of the country stood out: the rotation of night into day was not merely a daily manifestation but seasonal; it seemed to me that no one could live in the north without being affected by this. Then, of the American past, the gold rushes seemed important: bringing people in and generally establishing

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contact with the outside world. Now, in the heightened activity of development throughout the Territory, the pace is set by Anchorage. And, as apoint on the transpolar air route, the settlement which grew around an anchorage for seagoing vessels now serves the same function for vessels of the air. Of these elements I fashioned my work. When I learned that Ala-aska meant ‘great land’ in Aleut, I had my title.”

Phases of the Great Land depicts the transformation of the city of Anchorage and the soon- to-be state of Alaska from wilderness to modern times. The work is scored for symphony orchestra with colorful and unusual use of mandolin and percussion, the latter ranging from the traditional timpani and snare drum to a “siren-whistle,” “cork-pop,” and “auto chains on iron tub.”

The first movement, The Long Night; Klondike Fever, is in three parts. The first section captures musically the image of Aurora Borealis. As Avshalomov describes in the 1958 program:

“The human element appears with a mandolin playing ‘Sweet Betsy from Pike,’ and thereupon we stumble into a saloon going full blast in the roaring [18]90s. This forms the second part of the movement, and is made of a polytonal web whose strands are three of the best-known waltzes of the period: ‘Casey Would Dance with the Strawberry Blonde,’ ‘After the Ball is Over,’ and ‘She’s Only a Bird in a Gilded Cage.’ Fragments of each appear in the first, then they go two,

Photo: Jimmy Hale and Johnny Hale with Jacob Avshalomov (June, 1958) Photo credit: Ward W. Wells, courtesy of the Portland Youth Philharmonic

ALASKAYOUTHORCHESTRA.ORG | AYO WINTER CONCERT | PAGE 21 :: ALASKA YOUTH ORCHESTRAS::SPECIAL PROGRAM NOTES:: or more, at a time, and just as they seem to be getting into the home stretch, a temperance band tries to drown them out with ‘Sign Tonight.’ The ensuing commotion finds us tossed out on our ringing ear. And as we pass the lone mandolin tune again, we are conscious only of the Night.

“The second movement’s [The Summer Days; Anchorage Aloft] ideas are not so explicit; but there are sounds of takeoff and sensations of flight at the lofty anchorage, and a resolute bustle of activity. The feeling of the Summer Days is evident in the warm sounds of the brasses and in a bucolic quotation from one of my own recent choral works–a setting of Chaucer’s lovely rondel, ‘Now welcom Somer with thy sunne softe.’ These are all fused into a warm, positive, lofty feeling, yearning forward, just as the first movement regarded the past. These are all fused into a warm, positive, lofty feeling, yearning forward–just as the first movement regarded the past.”

The 1958 premiere received three curtain calls and was called a “tour de force” by Anchorage Times reviewer Fritz Pumphrey: “It is hoped it will be performed elsewhere for it is a strong, original, and moving work.”

The sentiment was seconded by the Anchorage Daily News with staff writer Mary Ann Dehlin declaring the work, “should go down in annals as one of the most outstanding contributions

Photo: Avshalomov rehearsing Phases of the Great Land, Anchorage High School Auditorium (June, 1958) Photo credit: Ward W. Wells, courtesy of the Portland Youth Philharmonic

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to Alaskan music…Phases was just plain fun as the musicians played what seemed at first to be organized confusion. Within the music, though, one could see the “Great Land”– Alaska – passing from its cold, barren beginning to the hectic gold rush days to the bustling today.”

Jacob Avshalomov fully embraced and frequently stated the motto of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra: Res severa est verum gaudium (True pleasure is a serious business). While in Anchorage in 1958 for the premiere of Phases, Avshalomov emphasized that “An extensive program for everyone should start in the early grades of school in order to make music a real part of the children's lives.” Although he taught music theory and composition at Columbia University and led summer courses at many prestigious institutions from Tanglewood to the Aspen School of Music, Avshalomov found his long-term home in Portland, Oregon. In over 40 years of conducting the Portland Youth Philharmonic, “Mr. A” mentored thousands of young musicians, instilling both the passion and the discipline required for success in music or any other life path.

The 60th anniversary season of the Anchorage Festival of Music coincides with the centennial of Anchorage. AFM is proud to take part in the community-wide celebration of our great city and its great arts tradition. AFM is also pleased to collaborate with AYS on this historic performance of Phases. Just like “Mr. A”, the AFM strongly supports the artistic development of young people. The experience of rehearsing and performing Phases, with young musicians sitting alongside adult musician mentors, is the latest addition to the list of educational events sponsored by AFM. Programs such as the annual Young Alaskan Artist award and outreach to public schools and youth organizations such as the Alaska Youth Orchestras are a primary focus of the AFM each season.

The Anchorage Festival of Music appreciates the generous support of the Atwood Foundation and the Alaska Arts & Health PTSA that makes possible this opportunity to reintroduce Phases of the Great Land to Anchorage audiences. The Festival would also like to thank Maestro Linn Weeda, the Alaska Youth Orchestras, and the many local professional musicians who helped rehearse and perform this work with the Anchorage Youth Symphony.

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Upcoming Events for Alaska Youth Orchestras

AYO AUDITIONS MAY 2ND & 3RD, 2016 Auditions for the 2016/2017 season, East High School. Register on our website between April 1-midnight May 1

LIKE our Facebook page! For more information, please visit alaskayouthorchestra.org

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History of the AYO

In the early 1960’s many individuals recognized the need for an orchestra for the youth of Anchorage. Forerunners of what became known as the Anchorage Youth Symphony were organized and conducted by such prominent local musicians and educators as Kurt Pasch, Jeanne (Ray) Bruhn, Charles Gorsuch, and Marlow Thomas. Young musicians of that period were trained in the Anchorage schools and gave many concerts throughout the city.

“The AYO encourages and supports the music program within the schools in the belief that great music played well instills in young people discipline and the joy of great musical ideas.”

In 1965 the Anchorage School District hired Frank Pinkerton as its director of music. In that position he formally organized the Anchorage Youth Symphony. As its music director, Mr. Pinkerton oversaw the expansion of opportunities to perform throughout the state, and the youth symphony’s reputation grew steadily.

Dewey Ehling replaced Frank Pinkerton as music director of both the Anchorage School District and the youth symphony. The Anchorage Youth Symphony Association became a 501(c)(3) non-profit in 1981. Until his retirement in 1986, he expanded the touring schedule, traveling and performing nationally and internationally.

In 1986 and 1987 Linn Weeda led the orchestra. In 1987, John Duff was appointed Music Director. During his tenure the orchestra toured Scotland. In 1991 Russell Guyver succeeded Duff, instituting a series of retreats to encourage the social interaction of members, as well as concerts in the Matanuska-Susitna valley.

Linn Weeda was again engaged as the Music Director in 1992, and continues in that position. In recent years the orchestra’s program has expanded to include coaching by local professional musicians, many who were in the youth symphony as young players. Other

LIKE our Facebook page! For more information on upcoming auditions and the 2015-2016 season, please visit www.alaskayouthorchestra.org

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activities under Weeda have included an annual recording project, a chamber music series, the formation of the Anchorage Youth Philharmonic, an alumni association, scholarships, and extensive touring.

In 2012, the non-profit Anchorage Youth Symphony Association became Alaska Youth Orchestras.

Members of the orchestras are chosen each year during auditions in the spring, and are drawn from every public and private school in the area as well as from the Matanuska-Susitna valley. In previous years, students have flown in from Kodiak, Homer, and Kenai to rehearse and perform with the orchestras.

Without great music, education is not complete. Music education has long been an educational priority of the Anchorage School District with classes in orchestra, band, and chorus offered at the elementary, junior, and senior high levels. The AYO encourages and supports the music program within the schools in the belief that great music played well instills in young people discipline and the joy of great musical ideas.

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THANK-YOU! Alaska Youth Orchestras would like to extend its thanks to the following donors who helped make our events and season concerts possible.

SUMMIT CLUB $7,500 OR MORE Carrs/Safeway

ANGEL Shi Song $1000 to $7499 Alan Birnbaum Atwood Foundation Myung Son Alaska Arts & Health PTSA Le Le Anchorage Festival of Music Edwin Kim Amy Spears SUPPORTER Frank Mitchell $100 to $499 Christopher Michaelson, CPA Fred Meyer Rebecca Rogers & Kenneth Gutsch Clarice Dickness Merion Kendall FAN Andy Spotanski $50 to $99 Kimberly Mahoney Steven & Renee Crumley

Flute Chair Sponsor Tanguy Libbrecht

Your Business Will Shine in the AYO Programs!

Want to see your business here? Your ad will be seen by the more than 5,000 patrons who will attend the 2015- 2016 season. We have an ad size to fit any budget!

Contact us at [email protected]

ALASKAYOUTHORCHESTRA.ORG | AYO WINTER CONCERT | PAGE 29 YOU CAN HELP ALASKA YOUTH ORCHESTRAS EARN DONATIONS JUST BY SHOPPING WITH YOUR FRED MEYER REWARDS CARD!

Fred Meyer is donating $2.5 million per year to non-profits in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, based on where their customers tell them to give. Here’s how the program works:

• Sign up for the Community Rewards program by linking your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to (non-profit) at www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards. You can search for us by our name, Alaska Youth Orchestras, or by our non- profit number, 85901. • Then, every time you shop and use your Rewards Card, you are helping (non- profit) earn a donation! • You still earn your Rewards Points, Fuel Points, and Rebates, just as you do today. • If you do not have a Rewards Card, they are available at the Customer Service desk of any Fred Meyer store. • For more information, please visit www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards.

ALASKAYOUTHORCHESTRA.ORG | AYO WINTER CONCERT | PAGE 30 Carrs-Safeway’s generous support through the eScrip program has expanded opportunities for talented young musicians throughout Alaska.

Register your Carrs-Safeway Card today and support AYO every time you shop!

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