HBMS Celebrates a Year of Success
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Ian Chow and Ken ColeMembers of the Board of Trustees of Hoff Barthelson School of Music and friends gathered at the home of Janice and Ira Starr on Sunday October 29 to acknowledge the success of the school under the leadership of retiring Executive Director Ken Cole and to introduce Gabriella Sanna who will take his place in January.
Emerging from the pandemic, the school had much to celebrate. Cole thanked Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, who was in attendance, for securing appropriations from the NYS Assembly of more than $220,000 for the School’s programmatic and capital needs during the post-pandemic recovery period.
He announced a Friends of Music Concerts’ grant of $10,000 to HBMS’s financial aid program.
He explained that HBMS has a new partnership with the White Plains Youth Bureau to provide free music classes for high-need children and youth starting this month (November).
Board Chairman Dana Matsushita announced the establishment by the HBMS Board of Trustees of an Innovation Fund in honor of Executive Director Ken Cole and introduced the School’s incoming executive director, Gabriella Sanna, who begins her tenure in January 2024.
Ian Chow
The Innovation Fund has been designed to introduce innovative new ideas and practices that will grow student participation and enrollment, increase accessibility, and enhance the reputation of the school as a premier destination for music education for students of all ages and abilities. Contributions to the HB Fund for Innovation will provide incoming Executive Director Gabriella Sanna a flexible source of funding to guide the School in its next era of excellence and impact, embodying the hallmarks of Ken’s leadership.
Following drinks, hors d’oeurvres and the announcements, the group enjoyed a beautiful piano performance of Chopin's Nocturne in F sharp minor, Op. 48 No. 2 by HBMS student Ian Chow.
Here is a list of attendees and their affiliations:
‘The Road to Heathcote and the Forgotten Railway’ Documentary Premieres November 1st
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The Scarsdale Historical Society will be premiering its newest documentary, The Road to Heathcote and the Forgotten Railway, at the Scarsdale Public Library on November 1st at 6:15 PM and 7:30 PM. This half-hour film explores the origins of the Heathcote neighborhood and traces the last vestiges of the New York, Westchester and Boston Railway (NYW&B) that stopped at Five Corners from 1912 to 1937. A related exhibit titled “Heathcote’s Forgotten Railway” will also open for the month of November at Scarsdale Public Library.
This film tells the story of a small group of friends who founded the Heathcote community and built the first elegant houses on Heathcote Road after draining the swamplands of an old abandoned farm. Traveling to the other end of Heathcote Road, our local historians reveal the unusual history of the Donnybrook Inn, and the story behind the small real estate office that was the Heathcote Train Station. Viewers will also glimpse the surprising remains of the so-called ‘million-dollar-a-mile railway’ in our bordering towns.
The “Heathcote’s Forgotten Railway” exhibit will feature archival photographs and artifacts from the New York, Westchester, & Boston Railway that stopped in Heathcote from 1912 to 1937. The exhibit traces the spectacular rise and slow demise of the railway with particular attention to its roots in Scarsdale. Scarsdale Historical Society member Michael Zeller has loaned pieces from his collection for the exhibit.
Heathcote Five Corners’ Wilgrin Building in 1940. Photo from the family of David Goldman, owner of the Heathcote Pharmacy as shown.
"The Road to Heathcote and the Forgotten Railway" is part of a series of films about the history of Scarsdale produced by the Scarsdale Historical Society in collaboration with award-winning local filmmaker, Lesley Topping. Following both screenings there will be a Q&A with the film’s participants including Randy Guggenheimer, Leslie Chang, Jordan Copeland, Lesley Topping, Eliot Goldfinger, Michael Zeller, and others.
“We are thrilled to unveil the story of Heathcote on film, particularly with the remarkable story of its abandoned railway,” stated Randy Guggenheimer, President of the Scarsdale Historical Society. “This documentary film is the fifth in our series on the Scarsdale neighborhoods, relating the story of our
Village’s transformation from a rural farming community to a highly regarded modern suburb. Our coinciding NYW&B exhibit at the library is the perfect complement to the film, as it brings the magnificent railway to life through real artifacts and photographs.”
Admission to the film and exhibit is free. The event is co-sponsored by the Scarsdale Historical Society and the Scarsdale Public Library. The public can register for the premiere at: bit.ly/heathcotefilm
About the Scarsdale Historical Society
The Scarsdale Historical Society exists to discover, preserve and disseminate historical information, as well as inspire others to learn about and contribute to the history of Scarsdale and the Central Mid-Westchester Region. The Scarsdale Historical Society accepts grant applications for projects that meet its mission, particularly those that will inspire others to learn about the history of Scarsdale and the surrounding communities. Learn more at www.scarsdalehistoricalsociety.org.
(Photo at top: Overgrown station: The abandoned Heathcote Station, c. 1946. The rise and fall of the station will be discussed in the film and the exhibit. Credit: Roger Arcara Collection)
You're Invited: Octoberfest at the Scarsdale Woman's Club
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Scarsdale Forum invites all Scarsdale residents to its fourteenth annual membership party, OCTOBERFEST 2023, on Sunday, October 22, at the historic Scarsdale Woman’s Club, 37 Drake Road from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM. This is a community “fun-raising” event, modestly priced at $35 for adults and kids eat free!
Among the highlights of the day will be an old fashioned barbecue on the Great Lawn of The Scarsdale Woman's Club and the artisanal beers brewed by Bruce Wells. The Scarsdale Police Department, the Scarsdale Fire Department and the Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corp will be on hand with their vehicles for show and tell. Several local organizations will provide information with respect to their work in the community and many of our elected officials intend to stop by throughout the afternoon. Friends of the Scarsdale Parks will conduct a tree tour of the majestic species gracing the grounds. In the Music Room performers of all ages will showcase their talent. Contact Lena Crandall should you wish to showcase yours.
Assorted lawn games and arts and craft activities will provide additional entertainment for families and their children. Children are welcome to break in their Halloween costumes and the face painting station will add just the right touch to their attire.
The conversation is always lively around the beer tasting station and no one will be able to pass up the dessert station!
Due to the popularity of this event, advance reservations are encouraged. Please RSVP by Monday, October 16.
Current Member, register at: https://www.scarsdaleforum.com/Events/signUp/17
Not a Member, register at: https://www.scarsdaleforum.com/Events/signUp/18
Event Contact: Lena Crandall at: lena.crandall@verizon.net, 914-874-3779.
Scarsdale Forum Inc. is a 501(c) (3) charitable organization dedicated to community education through discussion and analysis of issues relevant to Scarsdale residents. Since 1904, it has contributed meaningfully to village affairs through written reports, public speaker events and committee discussions. Membership is available to all Scarsdale and Mamaroneck Strip residents, regardless of citizenship status.
Author of "Working 9 to 5" to Visit Scarsdale Library
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Author and public speaker Ellen Cassedy will discuss her book Working 9 to 5: A Women's Movement, A Labor Union, And the Iconic Movie on Tuesday October 17 at 7 pm at Scarsdale Library. Her book, a lively, humorous, and inspiring discussion of the fight for fair treatment in the workplace, helped inspire the film of the same name and Dolly Parton's classic song. Ellen was a founder and longtime leader of the original organization, 9 to 5, advocating for women's equal pay, participation, and leadership in the workplace.
About the Book:
Starting out in Boston in 1973, the women of 9 to 5 built a nationwide feminist movement that united people of diverse races, classes, and ages. They took on the corporate titans. They leafleted, filed lawsuits, and started a woman-led union. They won millions of dollars in back pay and helped make sexual harassment and pregnancy discrimination illegal. When women rose up to win rights and respect at the office, they transformed workplaces throughout America. Along the way came Dolly Parton’s toe-tapping song and the movie was inspired by their work.
Copies of Working 9 to 5 will be available for purchase and signing by Ellen after the presentation.
About the Author
Ellen Cassedy was a founder and longtime leader of 9 to 5, the national association of women office workers. Working 9 to 5 is her first-person account of this exciting movement, which began in the early 1970’s, mobilizing women across the country to organize for rights and respect on the job. The movement inspired Jane Fonda’s hit movie and Dolly Parton’s enduring anthem. 9 to 5 is still active today. https://ellencassedy.com/about-ellen/
Hoff Barthelson Faculty Performance
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Andrea SaposnikMembers of Hoff-Barthelson Music School’s Faculty take the stage to kick-off the 2023-2024 HB Artist Faculty Performance Series on Friday, October 13, 2023, at 7:30 pm in the School’s Joan Behrens Bergman Auditorium, 25 School Lane, Scarsdale, New York. The concert will feature works by Johannes Brahms, Ottorino Respighi, Franz Schubert, Anna Amalia and Carl Vine performed by some of the School's distinguished faculty members.
The program includes Brahms' Zwei Gesänge Op. 91, a set of two songs for mezzo-soprano, viola, and piano. The songs are based on poems by Friedrich Rückert and Emanuel Geibel, and express the themes of love, longing, and nature. The performers are Andrea Saposnik, mezzo-soprano; Andrew Gonzalez, viola; and guest artist Lauren Ninoshvili, piano.
Saposnik will also perform Respighi's Il Tramonto, a lyrical and dramatic setting of a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley. The poem tells the story of a young woman who dies of grief after losing her lover. The singer is accompanied by a string quartet composed of April Johnson and Laura Giannini, violins; Andrew Gonzalez, viola; and Peter Seidenberg, cello.
Schubert's Piano Trio in B flat Major No 1, Op. 99, is one of his most popular and beloved works. The trio is full of melodic richness, harmonic variety, and emotional depth. The performers are April Johnson, violin; Peter Seidenberg, cello; and Tomoko Uchino, piano.
Also on the program is a rare gem: the Sonata in F Major by Anna Amalia, Princess of Prussia. Anna Amalia was a sister of Frederick the Great and a patroness of music and arts. She composed several works for flute and keyboard, including this charming sonata that showcases her elegant style and musical taste. The performers are Donna Elaine, flute; and Tomoko Uchino, piano.
Elaine and Uchino will also perform contemporary composer Carl Vine’s Sonata for Flute and Piano. Vine is an Australian composer who is known for his eclectic and expressive music. The sonata is a virtuosic and vibrant work that explores the timbral and rhythmic possibilities of the flute and piano.
Tickets are $20 general admission and free of charge to HBMS students. Tickets may be purchased in advance via Eventbrite, by visiting the School’s website (www.hbms.org), by calling 914-723-1169, or e-mailing hb@hbms.org.
For Additional Information: 914-723-1169, hb@hbms.org, www.hbms.org.
Andrew Gonzalez
About the HB Artist Faculty Concert Series
Hoff-Barthelson faculty comprises some of the nation’s most distinguished performers and educators. Many hold chairs in prominent New York orchestras, are members of world-class chamber ensembles, perform in major Broadway productions and are in international demand as solo artists. Others teach at leading conservatories including The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, and Mannes College of Music. The School’s superb faculty has contributed to the Music School’s national recognition for unsurpassed leadership in music education, performance and community service. Hoff-Barthelson prides itself on providing access to these outstanding artist-educators in the heart of Westchester. Held in Scarsdale, these concerts guarantee riveting music making of the highest caliber, in an intimate setting, at prices far below those in New York’s major concert halls.
Additional concerts in the series will be held on October 27, November 17, 2023, and February 9, March 1, and April 19, 2023.
About the Faculty Artists
In addition to serving as principal flute in the New Choral Society Orchestra and managing a busy teaching schedule, Donna Elaine is a gifted recitalist whose performances appeal to both professional musicians and newcomers to the recital medium. Not only is Miss Elaine committed to uncovering little known treasures in the repertoire, including virtuoso pieces for piccolo (even turn-of-the-century works for D-flat piccolo!), but her recitals also include illuminating commentary, as well as such entertaining touches as multi-media performances with other artists. For example, in her repertoire Miss Elaine performs a Divertissement by Kuhlau which is aurally pristine, but visually enhanced with a slide presentation of a cartoon melodrama.
Violinist Laura Giannini, at age 19, was selected by violinist Uto Ughi to perform as a soloist and member of his Festival Omaggio a Roma Orchestra. Awarded in duo and piano trio competitions throughout Europe, Laura collaborated there with Accademia dei Cameristi, A.Gi.Mus. Roma, Musica a Piazza Navona, and Deutscher Tonkünstlerverband. She has played with Semplice Players, Kollective366, The Symphony Orchestra of the Americas, Broadway Sings, The Queens Consort, and Ensemble Leonarda. With the New Britain Symphony, she was a featured performer for its virtual Music Monday series. As a chamber music enthusiast, Laura is a founding member of the OLLA Rhapsody, violin duo, and the QueensSound Ensemble, which performs vocal and instrumental music.
Hailed by the Strad Magazine for his “warm hearted playing and mellow tone,” violist Andrew Gonzalez lives a fulfilling career as both a soloist and chamber musician. As a sought-after chamber musician, his playing has allowed him to collaborate with respected ensembles such as the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the Sejong Soloists, as well as members of the Guarneri, Juilliard, Tokyo, Orion, Borromeo, and Vermeer quartets. In the fall of 2020, Andrew became the violist of the Jasper String Quartet. Andrew is one of the few people in the world who plays the Violoncello da Spalla, a five stringed mini cello that is played on the shoulder.
Violinist April Johnson has performed throughout the US as soloist, chamber musician and orchestral freelancer. She has appeared as concertmaster with the Jupiter Symphony and the Galatea Ensemble, the Queens Oratorio Society and the Canton Symphony of Canton, Ohio. She has also performed with the Norwalk Symphony as assistant concertmaster, and the New York Chamber Soloists, the Ridgefield, Bridgeport, New Haven, Fairfield, Harrisburg Symphony Orchestras, and the Pennsylvania Philharmonia. With her husband, cellist Peter Seidenberg and pianist Kate Boyd, she is a member of The Oracle Trio. She has recorded with Lyrichord, Dorian and Newport Classics labels.
As a professional mezzo-soprano, Andrea Saposnik has performed extensively in opera, oratorio, musical theater, and recitals, and has recorded for the Sony and Naxos labels. Her recent performances include Respighi’s Il Tramonto with string quartet in Arcidosso, Italy, and numerous solo appearances with the Long Island Choral Society, where she has also served as Artist-in-Residence. She has been a fellow at the Ravinia Festival and the Bach Aria Festival and has been a frequent collaborator with members of the Bach Aria Group. Andrea is an active member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), New York Singing Teachers’ Association, The Voice Foundation, and the American Guild of Musical Artists.
Peter Seidenberg has performed in major halls throughout the US, Europe, and Asia. He made his solo debut with the Chicago Symphony, and has since appeared as soloist with many orchestras, including the Century Orchestra of Osaka, Japan, the New American Chamber Orchestra, the De Paul Chamber Orchestra, New York Chamber Soloists, and the Eastman Rochester Philharmonic. He was a founding member of the critically acclaimed Elements Quartet which created groundbreaking commissioning projects involving over thirty composers. He has collaborated with members of the Cleveland, Tokyo, Juilliard, and Emerson Quartets, and has participated in the Marlboro, Aspen, Caramoor, Casals, and Norfolk Festivals.
Tomoko Uchino has performed in recitals and concerts throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. As a soloist, she has been a top prize winner in such competitions as the Ettlingen International Piano Competition for Young Pianists in Germany and the Takahiro Sonoda Piano Award International Competition in Japan. She has also appeared in recitals, collaborating with numerous instrumentalists and vocalists in such concert halls as Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Weill Hall, Herbst Theater in San Francisco and Hamarikyu Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
For complete faculty artist biographies visit https://hbms.org/faculty/
