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Published: 05 December 2013

Created: 05 December 2013

Last Updated: 05 December 2013

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The holidays will be a bit brighter for many kids in Westchester as a result of the WJCS Have-a-Heart for the Holidays Gift Drive hosted by Linda Plattus (second row left), Scarsdale resident, WJCS Board member and volunteer. This marks the eighth year that Plattus has opened her home for the gift drive, which attracted 35 community members committed to making the holidays special for children who would not otherwise receive a gift. The guests bearing gifts also heard Dr. Dinorah Nieves, Assistant Executive Director of Children, Youth and Family Services about WJCS' Mary J. Blige infant-toddler learning program, which will be a beneficiary of some of the gifts collected.

Several corporate sponsors contributed food and flowers to the festive occasion, including Cherry Lawn Farm Market, Standing Room Only, Lange's Deli, Ruffled Feathers Gourmet Foods, Martine's Fine Bake Shoppe and House of Flowers.

WJCS is one of the largest non-profit, non-sectarian human services agencies in Westchester, serving 20,000 people annually at 70 clinic, school, community and home-based locations throughout the county. The agency's integrated network of services includes mental health treatment and counseling, child and youth development programs, residential and non-residential programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, home health and geriatric services. The highest level of professional development and training is offering through the WJCS Educational Institute. For more information on WJCS, go to www.wjcs.com.

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Written by Carly Glickenhaus

Published: 17 December 2013

Created: 17 December 2013

Last Updated: 18 December 2013

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Parents and friends of the eighth grade Cooper and Popham Chorus and Orchestra gathered in the auditorium for the Scarsdale Middle School Winter Concert on Thursday December 12. At the end of a long workday for both students and parents, the young musicians brought energy to the stage and gave their worn-out parents the holiday cheer many needed. The long-anticipated winter break seemed closer as the students filled the cold SMS auditorium with warmth.

The chorus opened the concert, grabbing the audience with Sing We Joy by Henry Purcell and Patrick Liebergen and Sway (Quien Será) by Norman Gimbel and Pablo Beltran Ruiz. Students said they enjoyed rehearsing Sing We Joy since it "filled the chorus room with excitement and of course, joy!" Since they performed songs they liked, many students say they were more inclined to practice at home, make an effort to memorize the lyrics, and listen to those around them to stay on pitch. Some even found themselves humming and singing in the hallways after chorus class! The second piece particularly engaged the students who study Spanish since they were able to explain some of the lyrics to their French counterparts. To some, singing in English is difficult enough, so performing before an audience in another language required focus and repetition at rehearsals.

After the chorus performed two pieces, orchestra director Rachel Han cheerfully addressed the audience. She announced excitedly that this was her first performance with the group, as she is new to the district this year. She has clearly done an astonishing job motivating students to practice, concentrate during rehearsals, and push themselves to new levels as they improve as both musicians and students. Like athletes of team sports, each musician takes responsibility and accountability for the part they play in the overall success of the group. Though it is early in the school year, Ms. Han has already taught the students many new skills to help each play their role. Ananta Wadwha, a violinist in Popham house, speaks highly of her new teacher. "Ms. Han has great demeanor. She is teaching us the basics that some of the students didnʼt learn such as tuning and proper position. She is very helpful and sweet so that makes us want to play more. She is patient and the orchestra has improved."

The orchestraʼs first piece, Themes from Howlʼs Moving Castle, was a waltz composed by Joe Hisaishi and arranged by Victor Ruiz-Azuaga. It featured student Ismael Ameen on the piano. The piece was a "whimsical journey filled with adventures," according to Ms. Han. It was also written in 3/4 time, one of the more difficult signatures. Of the challenges the orchestra faced, Ananta says "(The music involved) a lot of shifting positions and complicated rhythms." They seemed to overcome these obstacles and even sparked the interest of the restless chorus students in the audience, eagerly awaiting their return to the stage.

When the chorus resumed their performance, they sang Fascinating Rhythm by George and Ira Gershwin and I Dreamed a Dream from "Les Miserables." The former has been added to the Library of Congressʼs National Recording Registry as "culturally, historically, or aesthetically important," according to the choral studentsʼ research. The second, I Dreamed a Dream was the popular favorite since most of the students have seen or heard the film version of "Les Miserables" that received an Oscar in 2012. The song, performed by Anne Hathaway in the modern film, demanded more emotion and tone in its performance than the lighter, more upbeat songs of the concert.

The variety of song choices made the concert engaging to the audience as well as a more positive experience for the students. There was something to satisfy everyones' tastes. Some songs had significance in a historical context; Sing We Joy withstood over 350 years of history to arrive at a stage in Scarsdale in the 21st century. Others appealed to those interested in contemporary music or theater. Even if they didnʼt realize it, the singers surely learned some history, culture, and Spanish vocabulary in the process of learning about voice and working together as a performing group.

When the orchestra performed their second piece, they were joined by four band students, Kelsey Chin on the flute, Melanie Holmes on the oboe, Anna Marie Horn on the clarinet, and Mariko Asai on the French horn. Symphony No. 40, in G-minor, was composed by Mozart in his late years. The orchestra and band members learned to collaborate while rehearsing Mozart. At times, parents may have forgotten that the music enthusiasts on stage were indeed pre-teens and not experienced adults. Ms. Han explained to the audience that one of the studentsʼ goals for this year was to perform a piece as purely written, without transposing nor omitting sections. Thus, the students were presented with several challenges in preparing the piece; They were practicing the same parts performed by accomplished musicians in the New York Philharmonic!

The last piece of the concert was a traditional Russian sleigh ride composed by Sergei Prokofiev, who is well known for "Peter and the Wolf." The piece had rapid tempo changes and encompassed contrasting lyrical passages in a nationalistic, spirited style. Ananta says, "Troika was especially difficult. We had to learn a new pizzicato [plucking strings] technique and [add] percussion to make sure it didn't fall apart." It was a fun, cheery ending to an entertaining holiday concert.

All in all, the SMS students have worked hard this fall to learn new skills, polish those lost over the summer, better understand group dynamics, and discover their potential as musicians. They look forward to the start of a new year and a new chapter in their growing musical careers and will, without a doubt, impress their parents again at the spring concert in 2014.

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Published: 27 November 2013

Created: 27 November 2013

Last Updated: 27 November 2013

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The Junior League of Central Westchester (JLCW) held its 27th Annual Holiday Boutique on November 6-7, 2013 at Lake Isle Country Club in Eastchester. The event featured over 40 of Westchester's premier new and returning vendors. Over 250 Junior League members and friends came out in a show of support for the JLCW, vendors and the community as a whole.  Funds raised will support the JLCW's programs that promote health and literacy, provide food and necessities to the underprivileged, empower low-income families, help preserve community history and train effective community volunteers.

On Wednesday evening, central Westchester's top restaurants came together to provide "A Taste of Our Town" to patrons who enjoyed fantastic cuisine from ZaZa Ristorante, Harry's of Hartsdale, 808 Bistro, Caffe Azzurri, Chat American Grill, Masala Kraft Café, Chopstix, and Moscato. The Melting Pot was also on hand to provide a delectable array of savory desserts featuring their popular chocolate fondue dippers and various choices of cupcakes and cookies were also served by The Sweet Truth, Whisk Me Away NYC, Bake Bar and Joy Cupcakes. Guests also enjoyed a wine and spirits tasting, hosted by Vintology of Scarsdale and an Artisanal Beer tasting hosted by Broken Bow Brewery. Those interested in selling their gold and silver items for cash were greeted by vendors, Good as Gold Girls.

On Thursday, "A Delightful Day", attendees enjoyed a day of shopping and lunch. Bagels were offered by Sammy's NY Bagel and H&R Bialy, followed by platters and tastings by DeCicco Family Markets, Tellagio's, RRQ, California Pizza Kitchen, Cherry Lawn Famers Market and Patisserie Salzburg. Pane & Gelato was also in attendance with its delectable gelato and apples pies. Patrons could also browse cosmetic services from Skin Thera P and Bobbi Brown products from Neiman Marcus.

This year's Holiday boutique featured a raffle of exciting and impressive prizes including two domestic round-trip tickets from American Airlines, a package of five private tennis lessons at Sportime Lake Isle, as well as the opportunity to host a private "Breakfast at Tiffany's" for 12 persons donated by Tiffany & Co. at The Westchester.

Gross sales topped $79,000 in a show of support not only for local businesses, but also for the community as a whole, as a generous 20% of all proceeds directly benefited the JLCW's charitable initiatives.

Generous sponsors included Neiman Marcus, American Airlines, TD Bank, Houlihan Lawrence, Platinum Drive Realty, Advocate Brokerage and Coldwell Banker, and our newest sponsors, Sephora, Sportime and Tiffany & Co. at The Westchester.

Pictured at top: Junior League of Central Westchester President Julie King with JLCW members Stacie Waldman, Sarah Roth and Julie Sullivan
Pictured at right: The Style Lab, NYC