BLOSSOM NOTES - Cleveland Orchestra€¦ · At CIM, he majored in horn and the performing arts. His...
Transcript of BLOSSOM NOTES - Cleveland Orchestra€¦ · At CIM, he majored in horn and the performing arts. His...
Blossom Friends Newsletter Page 1
I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E
1 Message from the President, Meet Mark Williams
2 Meet Mark Williams continued
3 2016 Annual Report Highlights, Thank you to Blossom
Information Center Volunteers
4 A Christmas Gift, WCO Silver Bells, Louis Lane Tribute Concert
5 Chapter News, Orchestra News
6 Gala Evening, Letter to the Editor
7 Calendar of Events
BLOSSOM NOTES NEWSLETTER OF BLOSSOM FRIENDS OF
THE CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA Volume 1, Issue 11 November/December 2016
Attendees to the Blossom Friends Annual Meeting
held on Thursday, October 6th at the 1815 Tavern in
Aurora had the opportunity to hear Mark Williams,
Director of Artistic Planning for The Cleveland
Orchestra. His informative and entertaining
discussion was facilitated by Peggy Fulmer, an
Aurora Blossom Friends Committee Member.
For those of you who have not had the opportunity to
meet the stylish 37-year-old, this event provided the occasion to learn about Mr. Williams’ vision and how
his life has influenced his productivity as the director of artistic planning. His introduction to music came
in the form of a clarinet in 4th grade in Cincinnati. As
a teenager, after hearing a recording of Mozart’s Horn Concerto No. 3 he taught himself how to play
the piece. But it wasn’t until 11th grade when the
“power of music first hit me” after seeing Verdi’s La Traviata on television and realizing everyone dies in
an opera.
Conversation
between
Peggy
Fullmer and
Mark
Williams.
Photo by
Rosemarie
Mintz,
Aurora
Blossom
Friends
member.
Continued on page 2
Message from Our President As I write this to you, I am thinking about the holidays that are quickly approaching. We all have special memories of family traditions and unique ways we each celebrate the holidays. Gatherings with family and friends, special food, displays of lovely ornamentation and the beauty of nature in November and December. Some holiday seasons we experience the quiet beauty of snow and our lake freezing one wave at a time. In my family music was central to our holiday celebrations. We looked forward each year to The Nutcracker. The music and dancing, exquisite costumes and story line all provided an evening of pure joy. The tradition continues in my family, but now my son and daughter buy the tickets and arrange the special celebration. For many Blossom Friends, family gatherings and holiday celebrations include favorite songs that make one smile and lifts one’s spirits! The Nutcracker has provided a lifetime of memories for three generations of my family. I invite you to try my family’s tradition. The Nutcracker is exceptional.
Happy Holidays to each of you! Lis Hugh, President
Blossom Friends Newsletter Page 2
A Conversation with Mark Williams Continued from page 1
While fellow classmates where listening to rock and
roll, Mark became “hooked” on the classics. After
high school Mark entered the Cleveland Institute of
Music.
At CIM, he majored in horn and the performing arts.
His mentor, Richard Solis (who served as principal
horn with The Cleveland Orchestra from 1978 until
1995) taught him the “importance of becoming a
musician and being able to express yourself”.
During his graduate studies at NYU he became
involved in arts management at IMG Artists before
moving across the country to become an artistic
manager for the San Francisco Symphony. Just like
when he was younger and taught himself to play the
Horn Concerto No. 3, he learned by doing – “I was a
sponge”.
In 2012, Mr. Williams had the opportunity to return
to Cleveland and become the director of artistic
planning. In this role, he is responsible for everything
that happens on the stage, making sure the orchestra’s
repertoire is in line with the conductor’s vision and
hiring guest conductors and soloist (to his credit, he
has never had to cancel a show due to a conductor or
singer’s cancellation).
Blossom Friends
member Iris
Harvie and Mark
Williams at the
Blossom Friends
Annual Meeting.
Photo by Eileen
Rini, Aurora
Blossom Friends
member.
Although Mr. Williams is busy planning TCO’s
2021 season he did take a moment to “step back”
and reflect on the 2018 season. He is very excited
about Bach’s oratorio of St. John Passion and the
return of pianist Maria Pires. Debussy’s Pel léas
and Mélisande are coming the fi rs t
weekend in May – be sure to get your
t ickets now. Stay tuned too for an opera (not
named) “where nothing happens but everything
happens”. While not traveling or working behind
the scenes, Mark enjoys the simplicity of following
a recipe – especially baking and making ice cream.
His favorite part of his job “Being an engineer,
being a catalyst. Doing what I can to bring the
performance to the stage”.
His first challenge came a mere 3 weeks into working
with TCO; putting together a production of Cunning
Little Vixen – an opera by Leoš Janáček in which the
characters are dressed as animals. Another staging
challenge came this past April with Bartók’s operatic
ballet The Miraculous Mandarin and the operatic
thriller Blackbeard’s Castle as the very long legs of
dancers from The Joffrey Ballet competed with
TCO’s cello’s for space on the stage.
Blossom
Friends
members
enjoy
listening
to Mark
Williams
Blossom Friends Newsletter Page 3
Blossom Friends of The Cleveland
Orchestra 2016 Annual Report Highlights (presented by Blossom Friends President, Lis Hugh)
The 2016 Blossom Music Center’s season and our
work to support the orchestra at Blossom was
extraordinary. As we review each event and
accomplishment, words like effective, efficient,
creative, dedication and unrivaled come to mind.
Members organized and executed 7 events this
season. These include A Special Evening of
Conversation with André Gremillet (Connie Van
Gilder, chair), Overture to Blossom’s Best – Opening
Night (Mary Anne Leone & Kathy Moock, chairs), 3
Gourmet Matinee luncheons (Nancy Cruikshank &
Peggy Krinsky, chairs), and Orchestra Appreciation
Day (Susan Kenney, chair).
Communications were enhanced this year including
our new electronic newsletter Blossom Notes
(Elizabeth McCormick, editor), extensive media
coverage (Connie Schlemmer), coverage in Blossom
Concert programs and Young Audience Guides, and
our new name and logo (formerly Blossom Women’s
Committee).
Information Center (Jean Mathews, chair) Blossom
Friend members staffed the Information Centers for 43
concerts. 118 volunteer slots for the season were
covered by Blossom Friends.
Membership processes were standardized throughout
the various chapters including new membership
communication pieces and member fees (Connie Van
Gilder, chair & Kaye Lowe, advisor). Members
brainstormed on acquiring, launching and retaining
members.
The Orientation and Blossom Music Center Tour
(Virginia Marino, chair) were initiated this year.
Blossom Friends in conjunction with TCO marketing
department initiated the ability to purchase tickets
online for Gourmet Matinee series helping to increase
attendees.
Blossom Friends have donated $353,000 to the
orchestra since 2009.
The Blossom Friends of the
Cleveland Orchestra would like to
recognize and thank the following
volunteers for staffing the Blossom
Information Centers prior to the
2016 concerts – 27 Live Nation and
16 Blossom Festival concerts:
Melissa Allen
Jean Armstrong-Mathews
Barbara Dieterich
Danielle Dieterich Angela Flohr
Claire Frattare
Laura Lee Garfinkel
Suzann Glenn
Joan Graham
Merle Griff
Betty Hejma-Sweet
Sharon Hofmeister
Barb Hornyak
Lis Hugh
Carol Kusmierek
Jim Kusmierek
Patsie Lewis
Debi Lucak
Judy Makaryk
Susan Marino
Virginia Marino
Susan Maxwell
Elizabeth McCormick
Carole Moroney
Nancy Reitz
Paula Ritterback
Gail Rownd
Betty Jo Scurei
Janet Sessions
Kara Shrigley
Lorry Szabo
Barb Baker Williams
.
Blossom Friends Newsletter Page 4
AT HOLIDAY TIME SHARE YOUR LOVE OF MUSIC
Please check out the newly revamped Donation Page for The Cleveland Orchestra -
www.clevelandorchestra.com/Support-And-Volunteers/Donate-Now/. Designate
where you want your dollars to go; whether it be to the Annual Fund, Education and
Community Programs, Opera and Ballet or In Honor of Someone – all with the
simple click of your mouse.
Your support helps sustain The Cleveland Orchestra's musical performances, education programs, and community activities - all at the highest levels of musical
excellence. All gifts are fully tax deductible.
During the months of November &
December purchase your elegant
silver plated bell being sold by the
WCCO in the Smith lobby and
Cleveland Orchestra store.
Blossom Friends Newsletter Page 5
On Thursday, November 10th the Kent
Chapter had their Fall Meeting with guest
speaker Jerry Golski, Sales Manager for The
Cleveland Orchestra at the Pufferbelly
Restaurant, 152 Franklin Avenue, Kent. RSVP
to Shawn Gordon at [email protected].
The December meeting of the Northeast
Chapter will be held on December 13th at
4:30 at the Pastina Rustic Italian Kitchen in
Mentor. This is an evening for celebrating
the past year’s events and enjoying the
fellowship of members and their spouses/
partners.
There will be an Open Rehearsal on
Wednesday, January 11, 2017 with The
Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall from
1:30 – 3:30 pm. This is a special invitation
event for all Volunteer Committee
Members and a guest. Tickets are
required and are available for pick-up at the
check-in table before the rehearsal. RSVP
to Lori Cohen, Community Leadership
Liaison at [email protected].
“Emily’s Garden – Blossom Music
Center”
”Blossom’s Blessing” A Tribute to Emily McCartney
The Northeast Blossom Friends of the Cleveland Orchestra had their annual fund raiser on Sunday, November 6th. The “Blossom Blessings” was held at Manakiki Country Club in Willoughby with a “Sunday Dinner” served by Dino’s. The event began with a champagne reception honoring Emily McCartney, who is a founding member of the Northeast Friends. Her mother, Emily Blossom, formed the first group that has become the Blossom Friends of the Cleveland Orchestra, and Emily McCartney has continued the family’s support of Blossom Music Center. The family style dinner was followed by a tribute to Emily which included the presentation of a watercolor painting of her garden. The afternoon event concluded with a performance by Tanya Ell, cellist with the Cleveland Orchestra. Ms. Ell is the assistant principal cellist and holds the Thomas J. and Judith Fay Gruber Endowed Chair. The master of ceremonies for the afternoon was Henry Peyrebrune, orchestra bass player and a development officer in the Orchestra’s Philanthropy and Advancement office. The many winning opportunities for those attending included beautiful raffle baskets, a money and lottery tree and a $1,000 Grand Prize raffle.
Submitted by Blossom Friends member, Janet Messner
Be sure to visit The Cleveland Orchestra Store for unique holiday gifts. Including the newly released Mitsuko Uchida: Mozart Piano Concertos Nos. 17 and 25 by The Cleveland Orchestra.
Blossom Friends Newsletter Page 6
The Cleveland Orchestra Gala Evening
with Emanuel Ax
The Cleveland Orchestra’s Gala Evening
featuring pianist Emanuel Ax, raised more than
$1.1 million for the Orchestra’s musical education
and community engagement programs.
Approximately 460 guests enjoyed a cocktail
reception prior to the concert. The concert began
with Mr. Ax performing Beethoven’s Piano
Concerto No. 2, followed by John Harbison’s
Remembering Gatsby: Foxtrot for Orchestra, and
finishing with Copland’s Suite from Billy the Kid.
After the concert guests enjoyed a delicious
dinner by Chef Doug Katz throughout Severance
Hall, with parting gifts of Mr. Ax’s CDs and
cookies with a motif of the lotus, Elisabeth
Severance’s favorite flower. Excerpted from the original
story “Gala Evening with The Cleveland Orchestra and Emanuel Ax” by
Kathryn Riddle.
Pictured left, Franz
Welser-Möst with
Emanuel Ax
Pictured right,
chairs Norma
Lerner & Beth
Mooney
Pictured left, Tiziano
& Giovanna Galardi
with Giuliana and
John Koch
Congratulations to associate concertmaster
and violinist Amy Lee and Frank
Rosenwein on the birth of their identical
twin boys – Joshua Sylvan and Julian Mack
on October 7th.
Congratulations to assistant concertmaster
and violinist Jessica Lee and her husband
on the birth of their baby girl, Cora Jinah
Rock on Saturday, October 29th.
Please join us in welcoming these little ones to The Cleveland Orchestra family!
Emily Thome joined the Philanthropy and Advancement Dept. as the Senior Director of Development beginning on October 19th, 2016. Emily was previously at The Cleveland Clinic where she was responsible for overseeing fundraising strategy, stewardship of major gift prospects and direct solicitation. Please join us in welcoming her to the TCO family.
On December 5th, Kathy Pahr will transition from Sales & Communications to Philanthropy & Advancement in the role of Corporate Giving Officer, reporting to Abby Mitchell. Kathy will be leading the Orchestra’s corporate philanthropy efforts. Please congratulate Kathy on this new chapter in her Cleveland Orchestra career!
The Cleveland Orchestra and music director Franz Welser-Möst will be beginning their 11th season in Miama’s Arsht Center for four weeks this winter starting November 11th and 12th with a subscription program featuring violinist Gil Shaham.
Blossom Friends Newsletter Page 7
Return Address BUILD RATE
Street Number and Name US POSTAGE
City, State 98765-4321 PAID
PERMIT NO.
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ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED Mailing Address
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2016 Cleveland Orchestra & Severance Hall Events: (check clevelandorchestra.com for tickets and additional information)
November 17th, 19th & 20th – Duruflé Requiem, Mathew Halls, conductor and Sasha Cooke, mezzo-
sprano and The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, various times.
November 18th & 19th – PNC Musical Rainbows, The Velvet Violin. Host Maryann Nagel with Beth
Woodside, violin and Laura Silverman, piano, various times.
November 18th – COYO Autumn Concert, Brett Mitchell, conductor, 8:00 pm
November 20th & 27th – Free Tour of Severance Hall, various times.
November 25th, 26th & 27th – Beethoven’s Fateful Fifth, Jaap van Zweden, conductor with Daniil
Trifonov, piano, various times.
December 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th – George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker, Brett Mitchell, conductor
with The Cleveland Orchestra, Playhouse Square, various times.
December 8th & 9th – Holiday Special “It’s a Wonderful Life”, Brett Mitchell, conductor with the
Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus, various times.
December 9th & 10th – PNC Musical Rainbows, Christmas Brass Quintet, various times.
December 10th, 11th, 15th, 16th, 17th, & 18th – Holiday Concert, The Cleveland Orchestra, various
times.
November and December Silver Bells sales in Smith Lobby and Cleveland Orchestra Store, silver plated bells, $30 Co-Chairs: Laurel Kest at [email protected] and Gloria Goldstein at
Friday, December 2 Membership Reception and Behind the Scenes Tour at Severance Hall with WCCO board member Beryl Tishkoff, 10:00am-11:30am, RSVP to Tricia Smith at [email protected] or 216-798-1788
Monday, December 5 Philanthropic Fund-raising luncheon at Executive Caterers at Landerhaven, $75 per person, check payable to
WCCO, Chair: Mary Kay Maxson at [email protected]