Tag: Cape Ann Symphony Chorus

Pre-Valentine’s MUSIC FOR THE HEART Performed by Members of Cape Ann Symphony and CAS Chorus and Great American Songbook selection by Jazz Dynamics 💖🎼 | St. Paul Lutheran Church Lanesville #GloucesterMA

Posted on by Catherine

Enjoy works for solo instruments and piano

Cape Ann Symphony Musicians Unleashed Concert Series

LIVE ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 6

MUSIC FOR THE HEART

Works for Solo Instruments & Piano

at

Gloucester’s St. Paul Lutheran Church

Performed by Members of the CAS Orchestra and Chorus

Cape Ann Symphony proudly announces a Musicians Unleashed pre–Valentine’s Day Concert, Music For the Heart at 3:00 pm on Sunday, February 6, 2022 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1123 Washington Street, by Rebecca’s Playground, Gloucester, MA. The ticket price for Music For the Heart is $40. Call CAS at 978-281-0543 or go to www.capeannsymphony.org to purchase tickets.

Eight musicians will perform 12 works by 10 composers, including works ranging from Fritz Kreisler and Claude Debussy to Rogers and Hart and Irving Berlin.

“The Musicians Unleashed program on February 6th will feature a wide range of romantic music starting with selections for violin, flute, cello and piano and ending with some well-known favorites from the Great American Song Book. The musicians are from the Cape Ann Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and they are amazing. Come with someone you love, and get an early start to your Valentine’s celebrations!”

Maestro Udagawa

The program: The Music For the Heart concert program includes works by Austrian/American violinist Fritz Kreisler, French composers Cecile Chaminade and Claude Debussy, Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla and a finale featuring beloved classics from the Great American Songbook. Maestro Udagawa and the musicians will introduce each piece of music to offer audiences insight and little-known facts about the composers and their music.

The CAS musicians: Sven Skiveris, violin; Tianhong Yang, piano; Rosemarie Hinkle, flute; and Johnny Mok, cello are performing Kreisler’s Liebesleid for Violin and Piano; and Schön Rosmarin for Violin and Piano; Chaminade’s Concertino for Flute and Piano; Debussy’s Syrinx for Solo Flute; Piazzolla’s Grand Tango for Cello and Piano.

Fr. composer Cecile Chaminade
Johnny Mok. Cello, Cape Ann Symphony performing Piazzolla’s Grand Tango for Cello and Piano

The American Songbook pieces will be performed by the Jazz Dynamics: Byron Winn, vocal; Jeffrey McKeen, piano and vocal; Saul Cohen, sax; and Nick White, bass. The Jazz Dynamics program includes favorites from the Great American Songbook: Berlin’s Blue Skies. Rogers & Hart’s Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered, Arlen & Mercer’s Accentuate the Positive, Webster & Burke’s Black Coffee, Watts & Wyche’s Alright, Okay, You Win, and Thielman & Norman’s Bluesette. Byron Winn and Jeffrey McKeen are members of the Cape Ann Symphony Chorus, while Saul Cohen and Nick White have backed up Chorus members at a number of events. Cape Ann Symphony Chorus Director Rockport’s Wendy Betts has worked with the members of Jazz Dynamics, “Byron, Jeff, Saul and Nick are all highly accomplished individuals in their own professions AND they are incredible musicians. The perfect choice to be the first jazz quartet to perform in the Musicians Unleashed series.”

More about Jazz Dynamics, Manchester residents: A group of Cape Ann professionals, the Jazz Dynamics include dedicated music educator Jeffrey McKeen of Gloucester; former USAF fighter pilot Byron Winn; Radiocarbon dating doctorate physicist Nick White; and emergency room physician Saul Cohen, all of Manchester-by-the-Sea. All members of the Jazz Dynamics have had extensive training in music as well as in their chosen professions.

Jeff McKeen earned his BA in Music Education at Trenton State College and his MA from Grand Canyon University in AZ. After being a public-school music educator for 38 years in NJ he moved to Gloucester. As a bass-baritone professional Jeff has sung with the CAS Chorus and many other organizations and venues. He volunteers with Cape Ann Animal Aid and The Open Door, where he and his wife were the 2018 recipients of the Helen Muise Community Service Award.

Byron L.Winn, Ph.D, is a globally-ranging management consultant and former USAF fighter pilot. Prior to the Cape Ann Symphony Chorus, he performed as a soloist and member of the Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum and the US Air Force Academy Cadet Chorale (among others). As a young teenager, he was in the University of Texas String (instruments) Project at the same time as Maestro Udagawa, but they were not aware of each other.

Nick White studied music at Oxford. He taught high school music in England before switching to physics, earning a Doctorate in Radiocarbon dating. He co-founded Diamond Semiconductor in Gloucester to design equipment, which is still in use, for Applied Materials. He met famed New Orleans jazz musician Henri Smith from New Orleans, now living in Gloucester, and got back into music playing bass in many styles and venues.

Physician Saul Cohen is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied jazz performance with George Garzone. Dr. Cohen met Byron, Jeff and Nick as a member of the Rat Pack which was a larger ensemble including a number of Cape Ann Symphony chorus members. Saul is an emergency physician at Beverly and Addison Gilbert Hospitals.

—Seating at this Musicians Unleashed event will be limited thanks to Covid restrictions.—

CAS Board of Directors President Fran White points out, “The lovely St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Gloucester is a wonderfully intimate yet socially distant setting for Music For the Heart. And it will be even more intimate with socially distant seating guidelines in place for the performance including patrons seated in every other pew, and occupied pews with socially distancing between parties. Given current conditions regarding Covid 19, all attendees will be required to show proof of Covid 19 vaccination and will be required to wear a mask. If you were vaccinated in Massachusetts and have a QR code either printed or on your phone we will have a scanner available to validate your status.”

The Cape Ann Symphony’s Musicians Unleashed programs were launched in 2019 and have become a wonderfully popular series with overwhelmingly enthusiastic audience response.

Ticket prices for Music For the Heart are $40. Call Cape Ann Symphony at 978-281-0543 or go to www.capeannsymphony.org for tickets.

  • Photo 1: The Jazz DynamicsPhoto
  • 2: Jazz Dynamics Saxophone player and Emergency Room Physician Saul Cohen of Manchester Photo
  • 3: Jazz Dynamics Vocalist and former USAF fighter pilot Byron Winn of Manchester Photo
  • 4: Jazz Dynamics Pianist/Vocalist and Music Educator Jeffrey McKeen  of Gloucester Photo
  • 5: Jazz Dynamics Bass Player and radiocarbon dating doctorate physicist Nick White of Manchester Photo
  • 6: Johnny Mok. Cello, Cape Ann Symphony performing Piazzolla’s Grand Tango for Cello and Piano. 
  • 7: French Composer Cecile Chaminade 

Joy to the Orchestra World: Cape Ann Symphony is BACK! Launching its 70th Season

Posted on by Catherine

CAPE ANN SYMPHONY HOLIDAY POPS CONCERT

A Festive Musical Celebration to Celebrate the Season for orchestra and chorus. Featuring the Cape Ann Symphony Chorus

News and notes from Heidi Dallin:

“Cape Ann Symphony

Bringing back the Cape Ann Holiday tradition

PLUS

It’s the first performance of the Cape Ann Symphony orchestra

in

more

than

18 months!”

Heidi Dallin

The Cape Ann Symphony’s Annual Holiday Pops Concert, returns to kick off our 70th season  with our traditional holiday concert on Saturday, November 27 at 2 pm at the Dolan Performing Arts Center at Ipswich High School on 134 High Street, Ipswich, MA; Saturday, November 27 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, November 28 at 2 pm at Manchester-Essex High School auditorium on 36 Lincoln Street in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA.  

For tickets and information about this Cape Ann Holiday tradition, call 978-281-0543 or visit www.capeannsymphony.org

The 2021 Holiday Pops Concert led by CAS Conductor and Music Director Yoichi Udagawa features the return of the Cape Ann Symphony Chorus under the direction of Rockport’s Wendy Betts. Udagawa has planned a joyful program of music from Anderson, Humperdinck, Rutter, Tchaikovsky plus Mark Hayes’ Believe from the hit film Polar Express, Courtney’s Musicological Journey Through the 12 Days of Christmas, Davis/Hayes’ Little Drummer Boy, and Hayman’s Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.

Cape Ann Symphony Board President Fran White is thrilled to have the orchestra back in performance in Manchester and Ipswich.

“This is a milestone year for CAS, our 70th anniversary of making music on Cape Ann! We stayed strong during the pandemic due to the diligence and Herculean efforts of our board, music director, and musicians and most importantly, the incredible support from our patrons! The Holiday Pops kicks off a spectacular 70th anniversary concert season! We are back and ready to make music for you for the next 70 years! “

Fran White, Cape Ann Symphony Board President

Cape Ann Symphony Conductor and Music Director Yoichi Udagawa is looking forward to this year’s Holiday Pops Concert,

“The musicians of the Cape Ann Symphony and I are very excited to be back to performing live with a full orchestra for our amazing audiences starting with the Holiday Pops. The wonderful singers of the Cape Ann Symphony Chorus under the fabulous direction of Wendy Betts will be featured in the concert, and it will be a joyous celebration of the Holiday Season. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we all feel a tremendous sense of gratitude to the incredible outpouring of support from our audiences and supporters, and we can’t wait to be together again with our loyal audiences to make music and celebrate!”

Yoichi Udagawa, Cape Ann Symphony Conductor & Director

The 2021 Holiday Pops program includes Tchaikovsky’s Selections from The Nutcracker; Anderson’s Christmas Festival , Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel Prelude, Hayman’s Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer,Davis/Hayes’ Little Drummer Boy, John Rutter’s Joy To The World and Candlelight Carol, Mark Hayes’ Believe from the hit film Polar Express, John Leavitt’s Bashana Haba’ah, and Holcomb’s Festive Sounds of Hanukkah.

The Cape Ann Symphony launched The Cape Ann Symphony Chorus at the 2005 Holiday Pops Concert. The Cape Ann Symphony Chorus is a chorale with over 75 voices from the North Shore area. The group performed with the Cape Ann Symphony at Holiday Pops Concerts in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 2013, 2014. 2015, 2016. 2017, 2018 and 2019. The 75 plus member chorale under the direction of Wendy Betts is comprised mostly of North Shore residents, the majority of which live on Cape Ann.

“The CAS Chorus is glad to be back together! I have missed working with these tremendous singers! They work hard, are disciplined in their music tasks, and put out a lovely choral sound. But best of all, they truly enjoy one another, which is what choral singing is all about! Making music TOGETHER!”

Wendy Betts, musical director Cape Ann Symphony Chorus (north shore community residents)

Founded in Gloucester in 1951, the Cape Ann Symphony is a professional orchestra of over 70 players from throughout the New England area. They perform a subscription season of four concerts per year plus several Pops and youth concerts. The Symphony Board of Directors named Yoichi Udagawa the Music Director and Conductor of the Cape Ann Symphony in the summer of 2000 after a yearlong search. In addition to his leadership of Cape Ann Symphony, he is Music Director and Conductor of the Melrose Symphony Orchestra, and the Quincy Symphony Orchestra and a cover conductor at the Boston Pops Orchestra. Frequently invited to guest conduct, Mr. Udagawa has worked with many different orchestras including the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, Nobeoka Philharmonic Orchestra, the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Boston, the University of Texas Symphony Orchestra, the Indian Hill Symphony, the Garden State Philharmonic, the Brown University Orchestra, the Syracuse Society for New Music, the Boston Conservatory Orchestra, the Midcoast Symphony Orchestra, the Newton Symphony, the Austin Civic Orchestra, and the Mid-Texas Symphony. Mr. Udagawa is at home in popular and contemporary music as well as the standard symphonic repertoire. He is known for his relaxed manner and ability to speak from the podium which has helped new audiences as well as enthusiasts gain a greater appreciation for symphonic music. His programs often include premieres of new works – some specially commissioned for the orchestra — as well as great orchestral works across the symphonic repertoire and lively Pops programs. He is also an integral part of the Cape Ann Symphony Youth Outreach programs to area schools.

Cape Ann Symphony’s Holiday Pops Concert is Saturday, November 27 at 2 pm at the Dolan Performing Arts Center at Ipswich High School on 134 High Street, Ipswich, MA; Saturday, November 27 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, November 28 at 2 pm at Manchester-Essex High School auditorium on 36 Lincoln Street in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA. Single ticket prices are $45 for adults, $40 for senior citizens age 65 and above, $20 for Students of any age with a valid student id; $5 for youth 12 years old and under. For tickets and information, call 978-281-0543 or visit www.capeannsymphony.org.

In accordance with the CAS Covid Safety Policy, all concert attendees will be required to show proof of Covid 19 vaccination or to present documentation of a negative test within 72 hours prior to the event and will be required to wear a mask during the performance.

photo caption: Yoichi Udagawa, Conductor and Music Director, Cape Ann Symphony Orchestra joined by Wendy Betts, Director Cape Ann Symphony Chorus | photo © Jeph Ellis

Cape Ann Symphony Chorus is seeking singers

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

The Cape Ann Symphony Chorus is seeking singers for its November 26 & 27, 2016 Holiday Concert performances. Rehearsals begin on September 13, 7-9pm, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Washington Street, Gloucester. Rehearsals run every Tuesday through November 22.

We welcome all voice parts, particularly tenors and basses.  First timers are asked to call Wendy Betts at 978-546-5220 for a brief audition the week of September 4.  Chorus dues are $20.00 for the fall season.

Cape Ann Symphony Welcomes New Singers

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Singers Invited to Join Chorus

The Cape Ann Symphony Chorus begins their rehearsals on Tuesday, September 15 for their upcoming performance with the Cape Ann Symphony in November. All singers are welcome.
Singers in all voice parts are invited to join ranks with the Cape Ann Symphony Chorus, under the direction of Wendy Betts, for the Holiday Pops concerts on Thanksgiving weekend. Rehearsals are 7PM Tuesday evenings September 15 through November 17 in St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1123 Washington Street, Gloucester. The singers rehearse with the orchestra are November 24 and 27.
The Cape Ann Symphony Holiday Pops Concert  featuring the Cape Ann Symphony Chorus is November 28 and November 29 at Manchester-Essex Regional High School. .
Singer dues are $25.00, payable to Cape Ann Symphony, at the first rehearsal. New singers are advised to contact Wendy 978-546-5220 for a brief vocal audition or more information.
WendyBetts2010DavidStotzerPhotoWendy Betts, Director of the Cape Ann Symphony Chorus
Photo by David Stotzer

BREAKING NEWS: Cape Ann Symphony Sunday Concert Sold Out – Tix for Saturday 11/29 Still Available

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Don’t freak out — at least, not yet.  You can still get tickets for Saturday’s Cape Ann Symphony Concert right here.  You can also still get tickets for the reception on Sunday.  Get Reception Tickets here.  For all of you who really wanted to go to the Sunday concert but thought you could get tickets at the door, stop you’re bellyaching and just be grateful that you live in a community with a vibrant, growing cultural economy.  Oh, and next time you see a GMG post about a concert you might want to go to (like this post), get your tickets RIGHT THEN!  We ALWAYS put a link to tickets — always (see above for 2 examples).

CapeAnnSymphonyPosterHoliday4

Audition for Cape Ann Symphony Chorus

Posted on by Vickie & Peter

Audition for Cape Ann Symphony Chorus
Perform with the Cape Ann Symphony at the annual Holiday Pops Concert in November!

The Cape Ann Symphony Chorus is holding  auditions for all vocal parts (soprano, alto, tenor, bass) on Thursday September 4 and Friday September 5. New singers only, please contact Wendy Betts 978-546-5220 or wendybetts@juno.com to schedule an audition time. Cape Ann Symphony Singers rehearse every Tuesday night September 9 through November 18, 7-9 PM at the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Washington Street, Lanesville. Dues per singer: $25.00 (helps cover music and some rehearsal space rental). Rehearsals with orchestra are Tuesday November 25 and Friday November 28.  The Chorus performs with the Cape Ann Symphony in the Holiday Pops concerts on Saturday November 29 at 8 PM and Sunday November 30 at 2 PM, both at  Manchester High School.  Contact Wendy Betts at 978-546-5220 or  wendybetts@juno.com for further information or to schedule an audition time.