SIGMA ALPHA IOTA
Sarasota-Manatee Alumnae Chapter
Lambda A Province
September, 2011
Alice Moerk, President
Francesca Veglia, Editor
Letter from the Editor
Our first chapter meeting will be coming up shortly, Sept 17th. I will be leading you through the wonders of the internet and how to navigate to our chapter website, and the national website, including also the listserv links for anyone wanting to connect online with other national chapters. The officers met on August 13, at Alice Moerks house in Anna Maria. We discussed the upcoming schedule for this year, performers, hosts and hostesses, and payment sent to the several organizations that we sponsor from the Pat Stenberg Memorial, as well as performer suggestions for next years concert. We later went to the Rod and Reel and ate lunch. We had a good time working and laughing, and then were treated to brownies and tea afterward by Alice. Thanks
again for being such a gracious hostess!
One of our new groups receiving funding from us is the Perlman Music Program, a baby of our own
Barbara Staton. We had agreed by a unanimous vote last year to help fund this project. Here is the latest information regarding the Ariel String Quartet and the concert schedules:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 5, 2011
MEDIA CONTACT
Su Byron
[email protected]
941-922-7274
PMP/SUNCOAST CONTACT
Elizabeth Power [email protected]
941-587-6216
Ariel String Quartet to Visit Local Schools as Part of The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast's Education Outreach Program
This acclaimed chamber group will give three public appearances during its three-week artists-in-residency program in October, January and May (Sarasota, FL)
Members of the acclaimed Ariel String Quartet will visit Sarasotaand Manatee counties schools as part of The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast (PMP/Suncoast) Education Outreach Program. Now in its third year, PMP/Suncoast's Education Outreach Programbrings PMP alumni into area schools as professional teaching artists throughout the year. The celebrated Ariel Quartet will present interactive performances and hands-on training for area music students and their teachers, October 12-18, 2011; January 19-25, 2012; and May 2-8, 2012. This season’s program will serve 16
schools at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, and reach approximately 4,000 students, grades 5 through 12. The Ariel Quartet will also perform three free, public concerts: October 16, 2011, 2 p.m., at Church of the Palms, 3224 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota; January 24, 2012, 7 p.m., at the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, 580 McIntosh Road, Sarasota; and May 3, 2012, 7 p.m., at Braden River High School, 6545 53rd Avenue East, Bradenton. Seating is general admission on a first-come basis for these three public performances. No tickets are required for all ages of music lovers to attend. For more information about the Education Outreach Program or these public performances, please visit www.PerlmanMusicProgramSuncoast.org or contact Elizabeth Power,
executive director,941-955-4942.
Characterized by its youth, brilliant playing, and soulful interpretations, the Ariel String Quartet (Gershon Gerchikov, violin; Alexandra Kazovsky, violin; Jan Grüning, viola; and Amit Even-Tov, cello) has quickly earned a glowing international reputation. Previously the resident ensemble in
the New England Conservatory’s prestigious Professional String Quartet Training Program, the Quartet recently celebrated its tenth anniversary. Formed in Israel, the Quartet moved to the United States in 2004 to continue its professional studies. The Grand Prize winners of the 2006 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, they have also been awarded First Prize at the
international competition “Franz Schubert and The Music Of Modernity” in Graz, Austria (2003). After they won the Székely Prize for their performance of Bartók, as well as the overall Third Prize at the Banff International String Quartet Competition in 2007, the American Record Guide described the Ariel Quartet as “a consummate ensemble gifted with utter musicality and remarkable interpretive power” and called their performance of Beethoven’s Quartet Op. 132
“the pinnacle of the competition.” For more information about the Ariel
String Quartet, please visit www.arielquartet.com.
"We are delighted that the Ariel Quartet will be our artists-in-residence during this third season," says Elizabeth Power, executive director of PMP/Suncoast. "This internationally known ensemble of professional musicians is no stranger to Sarasota as its members are alumni of The Perlman Music Program and familiar faces to those attending past PMP Winter Residencies." She adds that curriculum connections include “music vocabulary and concepts, articulations played upon string instruments, career and cultural connections, and a brief overview of the history of the violin."
The PMP/Suncoast Education Outreach Program was launched in October 2009 with the support of The Juilliard School, Columbia University’s Teacher College, Toby and Itzhak Perlman and the faculty of The Perlman Music Program. The program is led by long-time music educator and PMP/Suncoast board member Barbara Staton. Cindy Balistreri, the former fine arts program specialist for the School Board of Sarasota County, serves as the program’s consultant for developing the curriculum-based programming, connecting musical concepts with academic subjects and the Sunshine State Standards and coordinating with participating schools. The three-week in-school residency is entirely funded by PMP/Suncoast through grants, sponsorships and individual patrons. This season’s sponsors include Community Foundation of Sarasota County,
Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee, Woman’s Exchange of Sarasota, Sun \Hydraulics, Manatee Community Foundation, Macy’s, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, and Sigma Alpha Iota Sarasota-Manatee Alumni Chapter.
“This program brings the experience of PMP music-making to area students and teachers,” says Staton. “Students learn directly from professional—and acclaimed—musicians. It’s a rare
opportunity.”
Now in its eighth year, The Perlman Music Program’s Winter Residency has been providing free admission to diverse audiences of about 13,000 each year for rehearsals, performances and master
classes both in the community and on the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus. This year’s program is December 24, 2011, through January 7, 2012. This intensive two-week program was founded by Toby Perlman, wife of internationally acclaimed concert violinist and conductor Itzhak Perlman, and offers unparalleled musical training for students, ages 12 to 20+, who play the violin, viola, cello, and bass. With a faculty including Itzhak Perlman and comprising some of the most gifted musical talents of our time, the PMP Winter Residency offers an artistic and personal experience that changes students’lives forever. A schedule of free events will be available online beginning October 15.
For more information about The Perlman Music Program/Suncoast, visit
www.PerlmanMusicProgramSuncoast.org or contact Elizabeth Power, executive
director,941-955-4942.
Photo courtesy of The Ariel String
Quartet:
(Left to right):
Alexandra Kazovsky, Gershon Gerchikov,
Amit Even-Tov and Jan Grüning
Alexandra Kazovsky, Gershon Gerchikov,
Amit Even-Tov and Jan Grüning
The ABOUT THE PERLMAN MUSIC
PROGRAM/SUNCOAST
Perlman Music Program/Suncoast was established in June 2008 as an
independent non-profit organization with the mission to provide operational
stability and funding support for a permanent Sarasota Winter Residency for the
Perlman Music Program.
Founded by Toby Perlman, and with world-renowned
faculty members led by her husband, internationally acclaimed violinist and
conductor Itzhak Perlman, The Perlman Music Program augments its six-week summer
program in Shelter Island, NY, with a two-week intensive Winter Residency each
December in Sarasota, FL. The residency provides valuable enrichment and
performance opportunities for the young musicians (ages 12-20) being nurtured in
this unique experience, and a rich opportunity for community audiences to
experience the magic of musical mentoring through free public events on the
University of South Florida Sarasota/Manatee campus. The program culminates with
a “Celebration Concert,” featuring Itzhak Perlman directing the international
PMP Chamber Orchestra.
School Participants
2011-2012
Manatee County
Braden River Middle School
Braden River High School
Braden River Elementary School
Kinnan Elementary School
Tara Elementary School
Willis Elementary School
Sarasota
County
Booker Middle School
Heron Creek Middle School
North Port High School
Atwater Elementary School
Bay Haven School of Basics Plus
Cranberry Elementary School
Glenallen Elementary School
Lamarque Elementary School
Toledo Blade Elementary School
Additional
School(s)
Out of Door Academy – Upper School
Other Great News
My school, Emma E. Booker Elementary, one of the first in the district to host the PMP strings program
recieved one of the Philantropies Music Education Grants to update the technology on my MIE Yamaha keyboard lab. I was sent a check for $2,200 to cover the software and a new computer to run the new program. Our new technology
specialist is helping me out, and was able to donate a Mac computer from his PC group (they refurbish old computers) so that I might be able to use the additional funds to get some of my keyboards fixed. I'm missing a few keys, and earphone jacks, etc. I can't wait to get it up and running again!!
CAROLES
CORNER
The Caroles (Cornman -Fetterman and Luzio) have been working hard on getting this year's schedule updated. I have
put in the preliminary info so that you can get started with your calendar. Look for updates as they appear in the yearbook when you recieve them.
Hi Everyone!
Just wanted to give you an update on Sarasota Young Voices. I was able to lock them in for March 25 at 3:00 p.m. They will prepare at least 25 min. of music. Before we make things concrete for the yearbook printout, I'd like to make sure this date and
time is ok with Bonnie's church Bonnie - is Sunday, Mar. 25 at 3:00 p.m. ok for the Pat Stenberg Concert?
Once I find out from B that this would be ok, then I'll tackle the Sarasota Youth Orch. to see if we can't get any
instrumentalists to play for the remainder of the concert. Hope everyone is well!
Carole Cornman
Co-Program Chair
P.S. Attached is the latest document w/ the programs and co-hostesses. We will also need to decide on a new day for our
Executive Board Mtg. for after the fund-raiser. Anyone ok with the following Sunday, April 1 at 2:00 p.m.?
EDITORS NOTES
Upcoming Concert
The only one I have for you now is for next weekend at the Van Wezel. Several sisters will be performing in the Chorus and Orchestra for the 9/11 Concerts at the Van Wezel, Saturday night at 7:30 on 9/10/11 or Sunday afternoon at 2:30 on 9/11/11.
Tickets are $10. One of the students, Chantal Guerrero, who was at Emma in Ms. Daniels class when the President was there reading with us will be performing with us. See the article in the Sarasota Herald Tribune from last Sunday, Sept 4th in the Local section. Pictures are there as well. (Most likely on line as well but I haven't checked yet.)
Please don't forget to call me 941-320-1030 or email at [email protected] and let me know of concert postings etc.
Love and Roses,
Francesca