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At the next Symphony concert Sunday, February 20, SashaPiastrois the featured soloist, singing opera arias by Puccini and Donizetti.Area audiences have had the pleasure of hearing Sashaat severalClose Up Concerts and in a May 20 10 production of The Last FiveYears, which Sasha produced and co-starred with Zack Wagner.People in the audience gave it rave reviews and confirmed hercomfort level with musical theatre as well as opera. And lastsummer she was a soloist at a Penns Woods Festival summerconcert directed by Gerardo Edelstein.

For those who would like to know more about Sasha'strainingand experience, her bio is extensive. Briefly, she has a BFA fromCarnegie Mellon University in voice performance, a Master ofMusic in voice performance and pedagogy from Penn State, andshe is pursuing a doctorate in voice performance at ShenandoahConservatory. She has performed extensively in opera and musicaltheatre in Pittsburgh, State College, Steamboat Springs, Coloradoand with Music Theatre Bavaria in Germany.

- WI NT!: R 2011 VOL. 22 NO.3

A Newsletter for Supporters and Friends of the Symphony

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Sashajoined her husband, Jeff Tedford, in Williamsport in 2005after Jeff took a job at the Williamsport High School in 2003 asthe Orchestra Director. In December, they added another familyvocalist with the birth of their first child, Jonah.

A member of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing),Sashahas her own studio in Williamsport and is a member of thevoice faculties at Lycoming College and Susquehanna University.Fellow voice teacher Miki Rebeck describes her as "an excellentteacher who is passionate about teaching healthy singing to allher students."

The program entitled "Italian Connections" includes the Overtureto The Barber of Seville, and preludes to Aida and La Traviata.For more about the program, see Gary Boerckel's column.

Concert Sponsor ~ M&TBankUnderstanding what's important-

WILLIAMSPORTGuest Artist Sponsor SUN-GAZE'ITE

Williamsport Symphony Orchestra 1220 West Fourth Street, Third Floor I Williamsport, PA 17701- 61 02 1570.322.0227 1 www.williamsportsymphony.org

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1: 2011SEASON CALENDAR j: ~~ :

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WILLIAMSPORT SYMPHONYYOUTH ORCHESTRA CONCERT-FREE!Monday March 281 7:30pm! CAC

MEETTHE MAESTRO LUNCHEONFriday April 29 I /I :45 am I Capitol Lounge, CAC

AUSTRO-GERMAN CONNECTIONS CONCERTSunday May II 3:00pm 1CAC~ _

ANNUAL YOUNG ARTISTS' COMPETITIONSunday May 15 !location to be announced

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WSO PERSONNELGerardo Edelstei n, Music Director I Conductor

Reub,:n Councill, Executive Director, Hind Jabbour, Executive Assistant

Rebecca Anstey Clark, Music Ubrarian and Concert Production Manager

Lee Saville-Andree, Stage Manager

Symphony Notes Team: Veronica Muzic, Dianne Peeling, Christine Kaiser

LAST CALL- BE THE MAESTRO!The 100-at-$ 100will end Friday, February 18,at 4pm

If you have.....daydreamed about/imagined yourself on stage,wondered how it would feel to command the attention of 70accomplished musicians, considered the POWER of setting off avolume of beautiful sound with the movement of a baton -

Here's your opportunity-One lucky raffle-ticket holder will beidentified at the February 20 concert, announced as the GuestMaestro who will conduct one piece at the March WSO concert,sure to conduct with style and grace, havingworked with MaestroEdelstein in a tutorial. If, in fact, this thought/image/dream is notyours but belongs to someone close to you, be that person'sadvocate and, with luck on your side, a hero. Purchasea ticket inhis/her name. Maestro Edelstein will announce the winner •••you?

CONDUCTOR'S CORNERDear friends,

Thank you for coming to our Holiday concertlast December. It was so much fun and ajoy to share with you our music making.Your participation was awesome and I couldfeel the energy coming from the musicians and the audience alike.

We are ready to start a new year full of great music and our firstconcert features some of the greatest Italian Masterworks of all time.The first half of the program will be dedicated exclusively to musicfrom famous operas, and Williamsport's own wonderful sopranoSashaPiastro will sing arias by Donizetti and Puccini. We could not doan all Italian concert without Verdi and Rossini.After the exhilaratingoverture to The Barber of Seville we'll explore the pain and suffering ofthe two heroines in La Traviata and Aida. The second half will open witha beautiful string piece by Puccini originally written for string quartetand we will close the program with Respighi's tone poem "Pines ofRome," the second from his well-known trilogy. This music is sodescriptive that if you close your eyes and open your imagination, youcould transport yourself to all the places Respighi is willing to take us.

I am sure this concert will delight and inspire you and you will wantmore; but don't worry- there is more coming up in March!

If you love movies, you will agree that a great movie needs great musicto succeed. There are so many excellent film scores that it was hard toselect only a few to showcase in our Hollywood connections concert.We'll go from the heroic sounds of Star Wars, to the mysterious onesfrom Harry Potter, the love and tragic songs from Titanic, to thefantastic tunes of my favorite childhood movie, £.T.

We will feature on this concert, last year's Young Artist Competitionwinner Ian Duh, playing the first movement of Rachmaninoff's PianoConcerto #2, which - by the way- was used in several movies also!

I hope you can join us for these two great concerts, don't forget toidentify the "Mystery Piece," and tell your friends the exciting thingshappening at WSO - your orchestra!

Best wishes, ff~

February 18and March 14tickets $25, 570.322.0227

CALL NOW, LIMITED SEATINGMEET THE MAESTROLUNCHEONS-

Monday March 14, 11:45 amProfessional Development Center, Penn College

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SOLOIST FOR MARCH CONNECTIONSThe March 15concert will feature Ian Duh, the 37th Annual WSOYoung Artist Competition winner, playing the first movement ofRachmaninoff's Piano Concerto #2 in C Minor. Ian won thiscompetition lastyear, but Gerardo wanted him to play it on this season'sprogram in order to allow the two of them to work together again.

Ian is a senior at State College High School and a music student of twoPenn State music faculty members: Dr. Steven Smith, piano, and JamesLyon, violin. Excelling at both instruments, Ian has won numerouscompetitions on both piano and violin; he is co-concertmaster of theCentral Pennsylvania Youth Orchestra. Why did he choose theseinstruments? "To be honest, piano was an emerging parenting toolat the time - one my mom decided I'd try. Now I'm really thankful shedid. I later also picked up the violin, and I find each has its benefits -for example, the violin allows me to play in orchestras, and the pianois a better tool for composing, which I also enjoy. I can't really say Iprefer one or the other."

Another question: how do you feel about this piece? "I really love thisconcerto - and perhaps that might place as understatement of the year.I've wanted to play it since I was twelve years old. I first came to knowthis piece from playing in the Central Pennsylvania Youth Orchestra.From our very first rehearsal, I fell in love with the piece's sonorousorchestration, the flowing of each section into the next, and the sheeremotive power. I fell in love with the heroic and rotund first theme,tender and apprehensive second theme, and the marching recapitulation.I fell in love with the way Rachmaninoff could make me feel his anguish,his self-doubt, and his struggle to persevere. After that rehearsal,I decided from the back desk of the second violins (I've since beenpromoted to co-concertmaster), I'd learn this piece one day-that"day"stretched into six of the most enjoyable months of my life."

---,~ $"y' ~notel. WIN1ER201:

When asked about favorite pianists .. :'My favorite for Beethovenwould be Alfred Brendel and Daniel Barenboim. For Rachmaninoff,I like listening to the man himself and Vladimir Ashkenazy. For allaround pianists, I highly enjoy Krystian Zimerman and Evgeny Kissin."How do you feel about the music industry? "I really wish it werefriendlier to aspiring classical musicians -I see lots of people (myselfincluded) who love music wholeheartedly, and it's quite sad when Idiscover this is an unrequited love. It's also sad how you can see popartists with a record deal, living in luxuriant excess, and you know(or feel like you are) someone both a thousand times more dedicatedand a thousand times more talented, struggling to make a living."And - If you weren't a musician, what would you be? I think thisquestion is probably the most difficult to answer. I've been a musicianfor literally as long as I can remember. However, my friends havesuggested I become a shampoo model, and that sounds good to me.Anyway, in all seriousness, as far as a career goes, I think I want to bea physician, but I will always be a musician in some form or another."

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HERE'S REUBEN ...Reuben Councill is not a stranger to the WSO audience. As principalflutist, his music has been in our ears for the past six years. Thissummer he applied for the ED job, confident that his role as aplayer would mesh with the administrative responsibilities ofmanaging the organization.

Reuben comes with a background in solo performance, teaching,work in a university music department, and a 10year historyrunning his own business, "Flute Guru." He is enthusiastic about avision for the whole WSO enterprise - a vision he and GerardoEdelstein share.

His responsibilities at Susquehanna University concluded at the endof December and he began the 38 mile daily commute toWilliamsport January 3rd. He, his wife Kim, and 12year old daughter,Raechel, live in Selinsgrove where his wife is the Coordinator ofMusic Education at Susquehanna University and their daughter is a6th grader at Selinsgrove Middle School.

For those who regret that they will hear him play less, be assuredthat his flute will not be idle. In March he will be an alumni guestartist at Western Carolina University and will also playa duo recitalin Nashville at the Mid-State Flute Convention with Tracey Schmidt.

FROM REUBEN'S DESKIt is with great pleasure that I write to you as the new ExecutiveDirector of the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra! As principalflute I have been with this organization through some of itsgreatest artistic achievements as well as some of its most tryingtimes in recent years. Over the past several weeks I have alreadybeen able to lay ground work towards a vision that will help tomold the WSO into a more confident, further reachingorganization. I think our mission statement bears repeating:"Our mission is to be a cultural asset to the community byproviding quality orchestral music, education, and performanceopportunities for regional talent to an ever-expanding audience."

Continued on page 5

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COMMUNITYARTS CENTER

TICKETS$25-45CALL 570-326-2424 OR 800-432-9382VISIT WWW.CACLlVE.COM.:..•

" SUp'erior PlusSPONSORED BY Energy Service:s

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FEBRUARY NOTES -FROM DR. GARY BOERCKEL

Gioachino Rossini was one of music's greatcharacters. He wrote his first opera when he was14and completed thirty more before he "retired" at the age of 33. Hecomposed so easily that he once boasted that he could set a laundrylist to music. He never began writing the overture to a new opera, hesaid, until the day before the first performance - because he foundnecessity to be a powerful stimulant to the imagination. When heannounced that he had composed The Barber of Seville in two weeks,his rival Donizetti was unimpressed."1 always know Rossini was a lazyman," responded the man who had written The Elixir of Love in 8 days!

After Rossini stopped writing operas, he bought a magnificent homein Paris where he gave dinner parties that were the talk of the town.Rossini's cuisine was excelled only by his wit. One evening he agreedto accompany a young soprano in one of his most famous arias"Una voce poco fa." The singer ornamented the melody beyond allrecognition and, when she finished, Rossini rose from the piano, kissedher hand, and icily asked her who the composer was. A few days later,Rossini told Saint-Saens that he had no objection to his arias beingchanged or embroidered. "They were made for that. But to leave not anote of what I composed, even in the recitatives-well,that is too much!"

Only for the TheaterFew composers have restricted themselves to one genre as strictly asGiacomo Puccini. He wrote little besides opera, but his operas-La Boheme, Madama Butterfly, Tasca, Turandot-were so successful thathe became wealthy enough to satisfy his fondness forfast boats, fastcars, and fast women and leave an estate of over four million in 1924dollars.Toward the end of his life, Puccini told an interviewer: ':AlmightyGod touched me with his little finger and said,'Write for the theater-mind, only for the theater!' And I have obeyed the supreme command."

From page 4/ From Reuben's Desk

I will be working directly with all of our myriad constituencies toensure that we have adequate funding, engaging educational outreach,large and appreciative audiences, exciting programming, and a senseof camaraderie both within our organization and throughout ourcommunity. I know how much the WSO means to me as a musicianand I am quickly learning exactly how much our community of donorsand patrons also value this "cultural asset" of ours!

We are truly a symphony full of regional talent that is able to makemusic at a very high level. There is a sense of common purpose andcollegiality that is fostered by our musicians being a set of generallyconsistent faces from one program to the next. We are not a "pick-uporchestra" with a majority of well-paid professionals coming fromout of town, but we are still capable of providing amazing musicalachievements for our audiences and ourselves.

It is my mission to help the WSO continue to achieve even greaterthings on the concert stage, in the community, and throughout theregion. I plan to use every ounce of WSO's potential to make us avibrant and indispensable part of as many people's lives as possible.

--- / no'.' WINTER 20 I I

WINNER OF THE DECEMBER'SMYSTERY PIECEKelli Hunt of Williamsport correctly identified the Mystery Piece from

the movie The Polar Express (2004). The piece is a medley and the

selections played were "When Christmas Comes to Town" and

"Spirit of the Season." Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard wrote the music

which was arranged by Jerry Brubaker. Kelli was one of 28 correct,

qualifying entrants.

SAVE THE DATE-SATURDAYJUNE IISet your sights for the stars, for the evening of June II 20 II

What The annual "Dancing Under the Summer Stars" GalaFeaturing Dinner, Dancing, Music, Raffles,Auctions and More!

When Saturday June II 2011,- from 6 pm until the stars comeout and dance along with us

Where The home of Yvonne Roskowski

Who All are invited to this annual fun and funrd- '" "~

to benefit WSO. ill *Invitations will be mailed in May with detailed inf)matiThis event is open to the public.

FOG MACHINE&STROBE UGHTS-A NEW EXPERIENCE FORWSYOThe collaboration with the Uptown Music Collective was indeed anew experience·~ beyond sharing the stage with fog and flashinglights for the Orchestral Rock Project January 8 in the CAe.

Gregory Pfaff, the WSYO concertmaster for this event, references itas "an exhilarating experience that gave me new territory to explorein musicality." He also noted both groups of musicians needed closeconcentration to ensure that both groups' parts were in sync."RollOver Beethoven" was his favorite piece.

For Leah Nason, also a violinist, "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" was herfavorite - the Uptown's vocals and choreography made it a crowdpleaser. For Nason, "It was ... a whole new world for me ... energy Iwasn't completely used to."

Both musicians enjoyed the interaction with the trio of DavidBrumbaugh, Director of the Uptown Music Collective; Rob Byham,who saw to the orchestration; and Jennifer Wiley, Music Director ofthe WSYO. The collaboration came with the help of theWilliamsport-Lycoming Foundation that supported the creation ofthe orchestral arrangements. As Wiley notes: "The students observedthe three of us working together and we were good models forhow a team can be formed from different leaders ... a fundamentalgrasp of this ethos could payoff in a political/world arena."

New music/new experience/a lesson in collaboration - far morelearned than the music itself. The education mission of the WSOdrives its ongoing commitment to the Youth Orchestra that continuesto demonstrate the multiple values of participating in the organization.The WSO applauds Jennifer Wiley and her players.

WSYO CLASSICAlCONCERT MARCH 28From rock in January to classical in March - the talented YouthOrchestra musicians will close out their season in Williamsport at theCAC, Monday, March 28, 7:30 pm.

This performance marks the end of this Silver Anniversary year; theMarch concert will include some "surprises" for the audience (andperhaps for the musicians themselves) in recognition of this 25 years'venture. The Youth Orchestra provides a performance opportunityand experience with symphonic music that complements privatelessons and in-school experience whileit demonstrates the WSO'seducation mission.

This year, a ConcertCompetition formembers of theWSYO determinedthe soloist for theMarch concert. Thehonor goes to Erin Graha third-year member of thWSYO. A sophomore at Lewisburg Area High School, Erin will

perform her competition winning piece on the marimba: AlanHovhaness's "Fantasy on JapaneseWood prints." Conductor and MusicDirector, Dr. Jennifer Wiley describes Graham as a "brilliant, expressive,innate musician." That piece will become even more "alive" for theaudience who will have access to a display of Japanesewoodblockprints, loaned for this purpose by collector John McCormick of Woolrich.The prints will be on display in the CAC lobby and images will bedisplayed on the screen during the performance.

The concert program also includes MacDowell/Woodhouse'sWoodland Sketches and Dvorak's Symphony #8, first and fourthmovements. Members of the WSYO had traveled to a performanceby the Northeastern Philharmonic to hear that orchestra performthe Dvorak as part of their preparation for this concert.

PLEASE HELP US ADD TO THE ROSTER OFWSYO ALUMNI-SEND US INFORMATION!

Email: info@williamsportsymphony.org Phone: 570.322.0227

Mail: 220WFourthStreetThird Floor, Williamsport, PA 17701-6102

the wild studi800.745.3257

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WSYO CELEBRATES ITS SILVERANNIVERSARY WITH A FOCUS ONALUMNI: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?Previous newsletters featured two sets of brothers (Thayer andLeidhecker); this issue introduces other sibling alumni - a brother-sister and two sisters. Without question, the WSYO has family history,a history that also includes "musical parents" with ties to the parentorganization, the WSO.

Meet the CarpentersThe sisters are Kayla and Korinne Carpenter. Kayla graduated fromGrove City College in Music Education with a major in French Hornand a minor in voice. Since graduation in 2008, she is working for JetBlue as Coordinator of Organizational Effectiveness while continuingher commitment to the arts by volunteering with the RoundaboutTheatre Company and functioning as stage manager for theAmalgamate Dance Company, in New York City. A Loyalsock graduate,she participated in bands, choir, musical theater productions andperformed with PMEA ensembles.

Korinne is a sophomore Music Education major with minor in trumpetat Grove City College. There she performs with the college bands,wind ensemble, jazz ensemble and Herald Trumpets along with thechapel choir, Orchesis Dance Troupe and musical theater. She studiedwith Dale Orris (principal WSO trumpet) while in high school andcurrently studies with Drew Fennell of the Pittsburgh River City Brass.Like her sister, Korinne participated in PMEA events. The Carpenterparents, Gretchen and Dennis, work as band and musical directors atMontoursville Area High School; Gretchen is a memberof the WSO percussion section.

Meet the ShurtliffesSister and brother- Aimee and Brett - both graduatesof Lewisburg High School and both graduates of Duquesneand Eastman (though they switched the order of theirattendance at the two for undergraduate and graduate work).

Aimee performed on the violin under the baton ofWalter Straiton, the founding director of the WSYO.Her graduate degree from Eastman is in Music Educationwith a Choral minor. Currently, she "performs" asmother to the Bushey children in Burlington, Vermontwhere she works as the high school choral director.

Brett completed his undergraduate work at Eastmanand masters at Duquesne; a double bassist, he has earned tophonors in competitions -ISB Orchestral Competition, PADEASTASolo Competition, and National ASTA Solo Competition. He hasperformed as soloist with the Buffalo Philharmonic and the NationalRepertory Orchestra and has performed with the Wheeling, Erie,Detroit and Pittsburgh Symphonies. In addition, he has creatednumerous transcriptions and commissioned new works for thedouble bass. Brett also teaches at Canisius and Houghton College.Mother Karen Shurtliffe is a WSO alumna, having performed for 20years, including a stint as principal viola.

-~--", ;/ >

" • no' e' WINTER 201 i

Meet Mark SpencerThe concept of "six degrees of separation"holds true; Mark is currently studying atHoughton College where Brett Shurtliffe ison faculty. Mark played trumpet with theWSYO for four years and studied withRichard Coulter. At Loyalsock HighSchool he participated in the concertband, marching band, choir, and Knightmusic and also performed with PMEA State Chorus and WindEnsemble. A sophomore at Houghton, he is majoring in physics witha trumpet performance minor. He is a member of Houghton'sPhilharmonia Orchestra and Symphonic Winds.

Tracking the WSYO alums has underscored the significance of WSO'seducation mission, fulfilled in part through the Youth Orchestra. TheWSYO experience affects not only the higher education choices andactivities of its alums but also their continuing commitment to the arts.The Mission is being accomplished!

YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITIONTeachers and students, save the date!

On May 15,20 II the Williamsport Symphony will host its 38th annualYoung Artist Competition. Young musicians through grade 12wholive in north central Pennsylvania may compete for cash awards andthe opportunity to perform with the WSO! The preliminary roundwill require a high quality recording of the piece to be performed inthe final round with piano accompaniment. Event details are still beingfinalized. Visit our website in early February for more information.

HALF OFF CONCERT SPECIAL!As a way ofthanking everyone who supported the arts in 2010, theCAC is offering a special deal for two up-coming concerts. Bringyour WSO ticket stub or the WSO newsletter to the Box Office andget half off the shows below. For information, visit www.caclive.com.

Gilbert and Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore backed by the WSOSaturday February 26 at 7:30 pm

A Symphonic Tribute to the Music of Paul McCartney:Live and Let Die also with the Williamsport SymphonyFriday March 4 at 7:30 pm

(Regular Adult Ticket Price:$35. No sale on student tickets. Seating for special includes the rear

orchestra floor only. Not valid on previously purchased tickets or online. Subject to availability.)

THANK YOU PENN COLLEGEThe Board ofTrustees and WSO staff are grateful to Penn College forsponsoring this Winter 20 II newsletter.

Sasha Piastro, Guest Artist

20II Calendar of Events

Be the Maestro!

Conductor's Corner

Meet The Maestro luncheon~~~~Ian Duh March Soloist

Here's Reuben ...

From Reuben's Desk

~:bruary Notes t:r.:,mDr. Boerkel

Mystery Piece Winner.------,,-,~~,----~""-'''-""'~"'-,,---""

Save The Date

New: Fog machine and strobe lights!

Please us add to the roster

WSYO-Where are they now?

X.()Ll~~.I!\~!~tC_()'!.Ipetition _

Special Offer-Half Off!

220 WEST FOURTH STREET.THIRD FLOORWILLIAMSPORT, PA i 17701·6102

Nonprofit OrganizationUS Postage

PAIDWilliamsport, PA 17701

Permit No. 295RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

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WINTER 21HI VOL22 I NO.3

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ITALIAN CONNECTIONSSymphony Notes Apublication of the Wiffiamsport Symphony Orchestra. 220 W Fourth St., Third Floor. Williamsport. PA 17701-6102 Phone: 570.322.0227 £mail: info@wifliamsportsymphony.orgVisit us at: www.wilfiamsportsymphony.org

WSO Personnel Gerardo Edelstein, Music Director! Conduaor I Reuben Councill, Executive Director! Hind Jabbour, Executive Assistant I Rebecca Anstey Clark. Music Ubrarian and Concert Production Manager! Lee Saville-Andree. Stage ManagerSymphony Notes Team: Veronica Muzic, Dianne Peeling. Christine Kniser. Symphony Notes ls published (our times a year.