JULY 2012 news in brief


Westchester Chordsmen Score Perfect Pitch


Director Emily Tabin. “This has been a tremendous year for the band and we are particularly honored to have received exclusively 5-star ratings.”


WJO will begin its 10th season in September, and is set to perform a free outdoor concert at Nyack Memorial Park on Tuesday, July 24, at 7:30pm. For more information, visit: www.westjazzorch.org.


The crowd at the Barbershop Harmony Society’s Mid-Atlantic division competition roared with approval as the Westchester Chordsmen sang two pitch perfect Gershwin numbers. They took home first place against almost 20 other choruses on June 2 in Morristown, NJ. This success wins The Chordsmen–Westchester’s only chapter of the Society–the right to compete at the second level of three in the Society's annual competition in Ocean City, MD, this fall. Founded in 1953, the Chordsmen are an all- male Barbershop chorus with over 65 members. Men who love to sing are welcome to join. For more info, visit: www.chordsmen.org.


All that Jazz Rates High


Hispanic Heritage Festival Comes to Kensico Dam


Derek Bermel Composing. Photo credit: Azzurra


Copland House is launching a new mentoring program called Cultivate, an intensive, annual, all-scholarship creative initiative devoted to developing the talents of exceptionally-gifted American composers beginning their careers. Composer Derek Bermel, founding clarinetist from the Copland House ensemble, will serve as program director.


Enjoy a smorgasbord of ethnic foods from all of Latin America amidst an af ternoon of folkloric music and entertainment at this year’s Westchester County Hispanic Heritage Day Festival, on Sunday, July 22, from 12-7pm at Kensico Dam Park in Valhalla. In the past twenty-five years, the event has become one of the summer’s largest festivals in the county, drawing close to 15,000 people from the growing Hispanic community, and the community at large.


Ralph Lalama, WJO Artistic Director Mike Holober, Scott Wendholt and Keith O'Quinn Photo credit: Darryl Estrine.


The Westchester Jazz Orchestra (WJO) has been named to a new list of top-rated arts nonprofits by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews for nonprofit organizations. The list is composed of organizations that received at least ten positive reviews from the public, volunteers or donors, rated on a scale of 1 to 5.


“We owe great thanks to our patrons who told of their wonderful experiences at WJO concerts,” said Executive


Offering hundreds of nonprofit organizations and vendors the opportunity to make themselves and their services known, the day offers a variety of enriching activities, including Latin jazz and salsa dancing, children’s games, and arts and crafts.


The festival is presented by the Alianza Latina, made up of Westchester County's leading bilingual/bicultural agencies: El Centro Hispano, Hispanic Resource Center, Neighbors Link, United Community Center, and the Westchester Hispanic Coalition.


"It will be an intense week of workshops, analysis, inspiration, vision, revision, deconstruction, re-revision, contemplation and perspiration," says Bermel.


The inaugural session, July 31 - August 5, welcomes five composers: Michael Djupstrom, 31; Reena Esmail, 29; Nathan Heidelberger, 25; Michael Ippolito, 27; and Roger Zare, 27. Cultivate will conclude with a public concert and live recording of participants’ new work on Sunday afternoon, August 5, at Copland House at Merestead in Mount Kisco. For tickets, visit: www.coplandhouse.org.


Steffi Nossen Unveils New Website, Logo and Look


Cannonball by Susan Weinreich


An exploration of the female form will take place at the H-ART Gallery in Peekskill this month with a new series of drawings from accomplished artist Susan Weinreich. Naked Self, Weinreich’s latest solo exhibition, aims to explore how “the naked and vulnerable self can inspire us to truth telling,” according to the artist’s statement.


With its 75th anniversary approaching, Steffi Nossen School of Dance (SNSD) decided to take a fresh approach to its brand that better reflects the organization’s modern approach to dance. On June 22, SNSD revealed a new rebranding effort that included a new logo and website design.


From the usability to the color palette, the new website offers an accessible format that helps visitors to easily find


The exhibition will be on display through July 21. It is free and open to the public. Proceeds from the sale of the art will benefit Hudson River Health Care. Weinreich, who has a prior history of Schizophrenia, remains committed to being an advocate for those less fortunate and is well known throughout the country for her bold and evocative expression of the human condition. For more information, call 914-788–4038.


Cultivating Composers Through Mentoring


information about the company. The elegant logo is reflective of the grace and elegant motion for which SNSD stands. The organization strives to share its passion for dance with all, including underserved populations and those with special needs. Executive Director Jeannie W. Aplin explains that “more than a fresh face, this rebranding embodies our creative, intelligent and artful approach to dance in all its forms.”


Susan Weinwreight Explores Female Form


Westchester County Business Journal • ARTSWNEWS


A3


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17