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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Eric R. Johnson
Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra
920-452-1985
Sheboygan Symphony's March 24th Concert has Ties to the Past
posted on 03/22/2007 10:37 AM
As Eric Hudak, violinist with the Sheboygan Symphony begins to play, the beautiful music will be produced on an instrument hand-made by Sheboygan craftsman, Alfred Smith, in the late 1940s. Smith was the only violin - maker in the Sheboygan area; and one of the few in the entire U.S. Hudak stated, “I have had a chance to play the instrument and have been impressed at how beautiful it sounds. It has a deep rich tone with a fairly centralized ‘heart’.”
The opportunity to play this vintage instrument resulted from a chat Hudak had with co-worker, Jenny Schmidt, the wife of Al Smith’s grandson, Jim. When discussing Hudak’s 8-year tenure with the Sheboygan Symphony, Schmidt offered to let him play the violin that she had refurbished to its original finish by Dave Koebel, of Roots Music Store in Sheboygan Falls.
(Al) Smith was born on a farm near Comstock, WI. At twelve he wanted a violin; and since the family finances would not allow the purchase of an instrument, he built one. That experience was the start of something big; over the years Smith transformed rough wood into 117 violins over sixty years.
A talented craftsman, Smith produced two models patterned after the Le Messie Strad and the King Joseph violin made by Guarnieri. Meticulously he built the entire body, neck and scroll of the violins from rough wood. Carefully selected spruce and maple were chosen for superior tonal qualities and the attractive grain. After tedious planning, chiseling, scraping, sanding and measuring were completed; Smith painstakingly finished the masterpieces with a specialized varnish that provided each violin with their richness of tone.
The March 24th concert celebrates a variety of musical options from around the world. The first piece, Tyzen-Hsiao’s Cello Concerto in C reflects Taiwanese folk music that combines vernacular musical elements of Taiwan with Western compositional techniques. Ravel’s Rhapsody Espagnol and Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony#4 transport the listeners to yet another continent after the intermission.
Cello soloist, Yu-Hsien Wu, was born in Taichung, Taiwan. She began studying the cello at nine and won first prize at the National Youth Music Competition in Taiwan at the age of eleven. In 1999, she earned her Bachelor of Music Degree from Soochow University in Taipei with First Honors. Wu came to the United States and earned a Master’s Degree from the Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College in New York. She recently received her doctorate in cello performance with a minor in piano performance from UW - Madison in 2006.
Wu performs as a recitalist, soloist, and chamber player across the United States. She is on the faculty of Ripon College, Madison Country Day School, the Teaching Division in the School of Music at University of Wisconsin at Madison, and the chamber music program of the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Eighth Notes
- Tickets are available for the March 24th concert. Ticket prices are $38, $33, $28 and $15 for students. Please call the Symphony Office at (920) 452-1985. Tickets are also available in the box office two hours prior to concert.
2. The Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra’s guest artist for the March 24th Concert, cellist, Yu-Hsien Wu, will lead a master class at Lakeland College Friday, March 23rd at 3:00 p.m. in the Bradley Building Performance Hall.
3. The March concert is sponsored by The Vollrath Company.
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The Sheboygan Symphony Offers Cello Master Class
posted on 03/20/2007 12:35 PM
The Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra’s guest artist for the March 24th Concert, Cello soloist, Yu-Hsien Wu, will lead a master class at Lakeland College Friday, March 23rd at 3:00 p.m. in the Bradley Building Performance Hall.
Cello soloist, Yu-Hsien Wu, was born in Taichung, Taiwan. She began studying the cello at nine and won first prize at the National Youth Music Competition in Taiwan at the age of eleven. In 1999, she earned her Bachelor of Music Degree from Soochow University in Taipei with First Honors.
Following graduation, Wu came to the United States and earned a Master’s Degree from the Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College in New York. She studied the cello with Alexander Kouguell and formed the Aurora String Quartet under the guidance of Daniel Phillips, member of the Orion String Quartet. In 2001, she enrolled in the DMA program at UW - Madison, where she studied with Uri Vardi.
Wu performs as a recitalist, soloist, and chamber player across the United States. She is on the faculty of Ripon College, Madison Country Day School, the Teaching Division in the School of Music at University of Wisconsin at Madison, and the chamber music program of Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra. Wu recently received her doctorate in cello performance with a minor in piano performance from UW - Madison in 2006.
These students from the Sheboygan Area will be performing in the March 23rd master class:
Alexander Klintworth ………………………….Home Schooled
Nashira Young……………………………………Lincoln High School, Manitowoc
Riley McKinch …………………………………..Home Schooled
For more information, contact event coordinator Charles Stephan at (920) 235-4031.
For details about upcoming master classes, please contact the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra at 452-1985 or visit our website at www.sheboygansymphony.org .
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SAYS fundraiser at Pizza Ranch on February 28th
posted on 02/20/2007 12:41 PM
The Sheboygan Area Youth Symphony will be having a fundraiser at Pizza Ranch in Oostburg on Wednesday February 28th from 5pm-8pm. A portion of the proceeds and all the tips will go to benefit the Youth Symphony. Bring your appetite and support the Sheboygan Area Youth Symphony!
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Area Youth Symphony will present its second concert of season Feb. 4
posted on 01/29/2007 08:20 AM
In addition to its appearance with the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra on Saturday night, the Sheboygan Area Youth Symphony will return to the Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts at 2 p.m Sunday, Feb. 4 to perform its second full concert of the season.
The music selections will feature pieces by classical as well as contemporary composers.
The concert will open with "Bacchanale" by Saint-Saens. Other works to be performed include "Song Without Words" by Holst, "Chronicles of Narnia" arranged by Steven Bulla, "International Dixieland Jamboree" by Holcombe, "Flight of Valor" by Swearington and the fourth movement of Symphony No. 5 by Tchaikovsky.
The Youth Symphony String Orchestra will also be featured on the program, performing the first movement of "Concerto Grosso" in D minor by Vivaldi.
Tickets for the Feb. 4 concert are available at the door for $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. There will be a reception for the musicians following the concert.
In addition to performing three concerts on its own each season, the Youth Symphony, under the direction of Sheboygan Symphony concertmaster Debbie Williamson, is invited to perform with the adult orchestra concert each season.
The Sheboygan Area Youth Symphony has 60 musicians, representing 14 different communities from around Sheboygan County and 17 different public, private and parochial schools. Membership in the orchestra is by audition.
The Youth Symphony also takes a long-distance trip every three years as well as day trips almost every season. Their last major trip, in March of 2006, was a concert tour to Charleston and Myrtle Beach, S.C. It has performed in the Alabama Theater, on board the aircraft carrier Yorktown"and at the public aquarium in Myrtle Beach.The group also enjoyed a number of educational sight-seeing events.
This season the Youth Symphony is marking its 25th year of performing.
"Hundreds of talented young musicians have performed as part in the Youth Symphony through the years," Williamson said. "Following graduation, many have gone on to become band and orchestra directors, or play in the Sheboygan Symphony or other orchestras throughout the state and nation. It is a pleasure for me to be teaching and working with young people who not only enjoy performing with an orchestra, but who are also developing a lifelong love for orchestral music."
For more information or if you are interested in auditioning for the Youth Symphony, contact the Sheboygan Symphony office at (920) 452-1985 or access the Sheboygan Symphony Web site at www.sheboygansymphony.org.
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Sheboygan Symphony to celebrate master works of dance
posted on 01/29/2007 08:12 AM
Over the centuries, thrilling interpretations and dramatic dance variations have motivated composers to produce great musical scores. The Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra will celebrate some of these great master works at its Feb. 3 concert.
The orchestra's fourth concert of the 2006-07 season will feature guest pianist Sara Buechner. The 60-plus-member Sheboygan Area Youth Symphony will also join the orchestra to perform "Bacchanale" by Saint-Saens (see accompanying story).
Buechner was appointed assistant professor of piano at the University of British Columbia-Vancouver in 2003. She is a former faculty member of New York University and has presented lectures and master classes worldwide, from the Royal Academy in London to the Juilliard School to the Kobe-Yamate Gakuen in Osaka, Japan.
Buechner has an active repertoire of nearly 100 piano concertos and has appeared as soloist with some of the world's most prominent orchestras. Her 1997 world premiere recording of the Busoni version of Bach's "Goldberg" Variations was profiled in the Arts & Leisure section of the New York Times; and her recording of Hollywood piano concertos by Bernard Herrmann and Franz Waxman won Germany's Deutsches Schauplatten Preis for best soundtrack.
The evening's repertoire includes "Danse Macabre" by Saint-Saens, "Invitation to the Dance" by Weber, "Rhapsody in Blue" and "I Got Rhythm" Variations by Gershwin and "Appalachian Spring" by Copland.
1. Tickets are still available for the 7:30 p.m.Feb. 3 concert. Tickets are $38, $33, $28 and $15 for students. Call the symphony office at (920) 452-1985. Tickets are also available at the box office two hours prior to concert.
2. The Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra's guest artist for the Feb. 3 concert, pianist Sara Buechner, will lead a master class at Lakeland College Friday, Feb. 2 at 3 p.m. in the Bradley Building Performance Hall.
3. The February concert is sponsored by M&I Bank and Shorewest United Realty. Permalink |
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Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra Offers Piano Master Class
posted on 01/25/2007 2:38 PM
The Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra’s guest artist for the February 3rd Concert, pianist Sara Buechner, will lead a master class at Lakeland College Friday, February 2nd at 3:00 p.m. in the Bradley Building Performance Hall.
In 2003 Buechner was appointed Assistant Professor of Piano at the University of British Columbia - Vancouver. She is a former faculty member of New York University, and has presented lectures and master classes worldwide, from the Royal Academy in London to the Juilliard School to the Kobe-Yamate Gakuen in Osaka, Japan.
Buechner has been celebrated as a pianist of virtuosic mastery, artistic sensitivity and extraordinary versatility. With an active repertoire of nearly 100 piano concertos she has appeared as soloist with America's most prominent orchestras: the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Saint Louis and San Francisco Symphony Orchestras; and abroad with the Japan Philharmonic, City of Birmingham (U.K.) Symphony Orchestra, BBC Philharmonic, Kuopio (Finland) Philharmonic, Slovak Philharmonic and the Orquesta Sinfónica de Castilla y León (Spain).
Buechner's recording of piano music by George Gershwin was selected as a "Record of the Month" by Stereophile magazine; her 1997 world première recording of the Busoni version of Bach's "Goldberg" Variations was profiled in the Arts & Leisure section of the New York Times; and her recording of Hollywood piano concertos by Bernard Herrmann and Franz Waxman won Germany's Deutsches Schauplatten Preis for best soundtrack.
The Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra Guest Artist Master Class Series is a collaborative effort between the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra and Lakeland College. The class series this season is filled with many talented professionals performing with the SSO. The Master Class is free to the participating student and open to the public for observation.
These students from the Sheboygan Area will be performing in the February 2nd master class:
Katie Christensen - Home Schooled
Riley McKinch – Home Schooled
Andrew Kay – Home Schooled
Peter Bolgert - Lutheran High School
Heather Gayton – Lakeland College Music Major
Elisabeth Daniels – Lakeland College Music Minor
For more information, contact event coordinator Dr. Arthur Johnson at 565-1530.
For information about upcoming master classes, please contact the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra at 452-1985 or visit our website at www.sheboygansymphony.org .
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Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra Celebrates Christmas Treasures Concert
posted on 12/19/2006 5:59 PM
December 9, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
The Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas Treasures Concert conducted by Music Director, Andrews Sill, will transform the audience into a festive mood for the holidays. The concert spotlights a wealth of local talent and an ongoing relationship with Lakeland College. Christmas Treasures features the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra, The Symphony Chorus joined by the Lakeland College Concert Choir, the Symphony Singers, the Symphony Carolers, dancers from Jessica’s School of Dance, narrator Charlie Krebs of University Theatre, and the Lakeland College Schilcutt Handbell Ensemble.
Concert night will begin as patrons stroll into the festively decorated Weill Center, serenaded by the Symphony Chorus Carolers. Musical selections from the concert will include traditional favorites such as White Christmas, Joy to the World, selections from the Nutcracker, Carol of the Bells, O Holy Night and a scene from Amahl and the Night Visitors.
Janet L. Herrick, SSO Chorus Conductor and Associate Professor of Music and Director of College Choirs at Lakeland College directs the Symphony Singers, the Lakeland College Concert Choir and the Lakeland Schilcutt Handbell Ensemble.
In 1994 when Herrick joined the staff at Lakeland College she had a vision of the Sheboygan Symphony and Lakeland College forming a liaison to benefit both organizations. Herrick stated, “I joined the orchestra in 1994 and learned that many of my students had never heard a live orchestra concert so I gained permission for them to attend rehearsals at no cost. That same year I was asked to establish a symphony chorus for the sole purpose of singing major works with the SSO. Our first collaboration was a Messiah that included Lakeland students, local adults in the SSO Chorus and my choir at Lakeland.”
Herrick continued, “Over the years, Lakeland instrumentalists have played with the SSO and several of my voice students have had the opportunity to perform solos with the SSO. Recently a student from Lakeland’s campus in Japan, a very advanced violinist, wanted to play in the SSO for credit – the same as choir or band. The SSO became the orchestra of the college and is a credited course. It has taken a great deal of time and hard work to nurture this relationship; however, I truly believe it has been worth every ounce of effort. Not only is this a wonderful opportunity for Lakeland students, the orchestra is enhanced by the enthusiasm and artistry of these young musicians.”
Taking this SSO and Lakeland College liaison to the next level, the three kings in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Kaspar, Melchior and Balthazar will be played by three of the most influential men on Lakeland’s campus, President Stephen Gould, Dr. J. Garland Schilcutt and Dr. Mehraban Khodavandi. Dr. Schilcutt is chair of the Business Division and Dr. Khodavandi is chair of the Education Division – the two largest divisions on campus. Herrick stated, “I designed and made their costumes that combine authenticity with theatrical interest.”
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SSO's November Concert Will 'Celebrate America
posted on 12/11/2006 6:12 PM
Celebrate Veterans Day with the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra and Symphony Singers under the direction of Music Director Andrews Sill. The Symphony’s fall pops concert will feature a line-up of some of our nation’s favorite tunes. The audience is sure to experience nostalgic moments at this concert commemorating our nation’s proud past and paying tribute to this country’s heroic veterans.
This concert holds special meaning for orchestra member, Curtis Hancock, a U.S. Army Veteran who plays clarinet, bassoon, bass clarinet and saxophone. Hancock stated, “I have always been proud that I have been able to serve our Country in the Army and am happy to pay tribute to those veterans who lost life and limb to preserve our freedom. As politics and economics divide nations, music and the arts are a universal language which all mankind can enjoy.”
Hancock, a Physician at the Sheboygan Clinic, served in the U.S. Army at the 121st Evacuation Hospital in Seoul, Korea during the Vietnam War. On release from the Army, he entered Medical School at U.W. Madison, graduated in 1976, and took an Internal Medicine Residency through Michigan State University in Kalamazoo, MI. He accepted a position on the staff of the Sheboygan Clinic in 1979 and joined the Wuerl Band shortly after moving to the area. Not long after, he began his 27-year tenure with the Sheboygan Symphony. Hancock confirmed “Instrumental music has always been my major hobby, and I have played in a number of chamber ensembles as well as local dance bands and church musical ensembles. I also enjoy bicycling, skiing and tennis.”
Hancock emphasized, “Symphony Music Director Andrews Sill has selected an outstanding program of American music for the November 11 concert. Several of these selections have special meaning for me since I played them in the Army Bands; the melodies bring back memories of many wonderful performances.”
This patriotic show that salutes the red, white and blue includes favorites such as: Gershwin's American in Paris, Gould's American Salute, Rodger’s Victory at Sea, Key’s Star Spangled Banner, and Grofe's Grand Canyon Suite. The Symphony Singers, under the direction of Janet Herrick, is joining the Symphony on arrangements of God Bless America and Battle Hymn of the Republic.
The Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra is in its 88th Season of continuous operation and its 5th season in the Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts.
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Andrews Sill named to lead Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra
posted on 10/01/2006 12:00 AM
May 3, 2006
Andrews Sill named to lead Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra
SHEBOYGAN, Wis. – Andrews Sill, a gifted conductor and pianist with an already- rich history of music making in Wisconsin, today was introduced as Music Director for the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra.
Sill, acclaimed as a "commanding presence," will also continue in his role as Music Director of the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra. His tenure in Sheboygan will begin this fall with the opening concert of the 2006-07 season.
He was the first of four conductors that lead the SSO in subscription concerts during the current season, and one of nearly 150 applicants responding to an international search to name the leader of the SSO, which was established in 1918 and is the oldest continually active orchestra in the State of Wisconsin.
“I am very excited about the opportunity to work with the Sheboygan Symphony as its new Music Director,” said Sill, who was recently Music Director of the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra in Texas and from 1997 to 2001 was Associate Conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
“The first thing that struck me about the Sheboygan Symphony was the energy and spirit of its musicians, and the joy they radiate when making music. Also, the orchestra has a rich history, and the musicians, volunteers and patrons who sustain its central place in the cultural life of the region respect that tradition while looking forward to a bright future.
“I'm looking forward with great anticipation to joining the orchestra and getting out into the community to meet the friends, supporters, and future fans of the Sheboygan Symphony.”
The search for the SSO’s new music director was led by a committee of members of the Orchestra, Chorus, board and community, chaired by SSO Board member Rich Balge.
“Andrews Sill is the right fit for our orchestra,” Balge said. “He brings terrific experience to Sheboygan, especially through his work in Milwaukee and with the Lubbock Symphony. He wants to get to know our orchestra members and our organization to understand how everyone wants to move forward.”
SSO Board President Steven Schmitt said Sill will help lead the SSO forward both on and off the podium.
“Maestro Sill’s talent and experience are a perfect match for our musicians,” Schmitt said. “We look forward to his ideas for ways we can keep the SSO growing. His desire to get directly involved in our community will help us move the SSO forward.”
Sill has appeared as guest conductor with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, with the symphonies of Houston, San Antonio, New Mexico, Colorado Springs, Modesto, Delaware, Long Beach, Charleston, and Anchorage, as well as the Spoleto USA Festival Orchestra.
He has toured with the New York City Ballet in North and South America and has conducted for the company at Lincoln Center. He has appeared with the Philharmonic Orchestras of Erie, Naples, Reno, and Tulsa, the Orquestra Sinfónica da Sno Paulo and the Orquestra Sinfónica da Bahia. Sill has also served as cover conductor for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Sill joined the MSO as Assistant Conductor in 1995. He previously held the post of Associate Conductor with the Virginia Symphony and the Florida Symphony Orchestra. He began his career as Assistant Conductor of the Boston Ballet from 1988-1990.
Active as a concert pianist, Sill is one of few artists who perform concerti leading the orchestra from the keyboard. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported after a recent performance of the Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 1 that "Sill played and led a performance that had the cohesive, communicative quality of well- played chamber music. . . .The effect was a bold, invigorating performance that caught the wit and edge of the piece."
“What made him even more attractive was that he performs and leads Milwaukee Ballet rehearsals from the piano,” Balge said.
In addition to giving solo recitals, Sill has been a member of the Whitney Trio and the Manhattan Contemporary Ensemble. His teachers included Ward Davenny, Constance Keene, and John Browning.
Born in New York City, Sill received his bachelor's degree with honors from Yale University where he studied both piano and conducting from the age of 15. He continued his education under scholarship and fellowship awards from the Manhattan School of Music, where he earned his doctorate in 1987.
Sill has studied conducting with Hugo Fiorato, and with Murry Sidlin at the Aspen Music School. He was one of a select group of young conductors chosen to be featured in the American Symphony Orchestra League's National Conductor Preview in 2001.
Andrews currently resides in Milwaukee with his wife, Joana Miranda, a violist in the Milwaukee Symphony. He has two young sons, Jason and Alec.
The SSO, which has a roster of 68 musicians, performs five regular season concerts, holiday concerts, a fall and summer Pops concert, and an annual children's concert for Sheboygan County's third graders.
In addition, the Symphony Chorus and Symphony Singers are also affiliated with the SSO. The Symphony Chorus is a 100-plus voice chorus founded and directed by Janet L. Herrick, Associate Professor of Music at Lakeland College. The Symphony Singers, also directed by Herrick, perform at various concerts throughout the season.
The SSO also sponsors the Sheboygan Area Youth Symphony jointly with the Sheboygan Area School District. This student organization, with approximately 65 members, is conducted by Debbie Williamson, the SSO’s concertmaster.
The Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Sheboygan is home to the SSO.
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Sheboygan Symphony announces the inaugural season of Andrews Sill
posted on 01/01/2000 12:00 AM
June 22, 2006
Sheboygan Symphony Announces the Inaugural Season of Andrews Sill
The Sheboygan Symphony ‘s 2006-2007 season promises to be one of excitement as the organization charts a fresh course with new Music Director and Conductor, Andrews Sill.
Richard Balge, SSO Board President stated, “Maestro Sill is a gifted conductor and pianist with a rich history of music making in Milwaukee as well as with the Lubbock Symphony. He is looking forward to working with the orchestra and meeting new friends, supporters and future fans of the Sheboygan Symphony throughout the community.”
Sill commented, “I am very excited about the opportunity to work with the Sheboygan Symphony as its new Music Director. I am impressed with the talent and enthusiasm of the musicians. The joy they radiate while making music provided an immediate kinship with them from the first time I picked up
the baton in rehearsal.”
“I look forward to building upon the rich tradition of the Sheboygan Symphony and am honored to be a part of this 88-year old organization,” emphasized Sill. “I am also very excited about the music and guest artists that we will present to our patrons; it is a wonderfully varied palette of sound and color. From the repertoire of Strauss and Shostakovich to the ever-popular Cohen and Rogers to the
Taiwanese composer, Tyzen’-Hsiao, new to Sheboygan audiences, I promise that this will be a season to remember, a musical journey of familiar favorites and newer discoveries.”
The Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra is an 88-year-old Symphony, established in Sheboygan, Wisconsin in 1918. Today the Orchestra has a roster of 68 musicians. In addition, the Symphony Chorus and Symphony Singers are also affiliated with the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra. The Symphony Chorus is an over-100-voice chorus directed by Janet L. Herrick, Professor of Music at Lakeland College. The Symphony Singers, also directed by Janet Herrick, perform at various concerts
throughout the season. The Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra also sponsors the Sheboygan Area Youth Symphony jointly with the Sheboygan Area School District. This student organization with approximately 65 members is conducted by Debbie Williamson.
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