Benefit Honoring WQXR General Manager Graham Parker and WQXR; Hosted by WQXR’s Elliott Forrest; Concert and Gala to Support LOS New York’s Innovative Music Education and Community Engagement Programs
Monday, February 1, 2016
Opening Reception 6:30 PM Performance 7:30 PM Reception 8:30 PM
Florence Gould Hall, 55 East 59th Street, NYC
(New York, NY December 22, 2015) The Gershwin Winter Gala Celebration, hosted by WQXR radio personality Elliott Forrest, is a celebration of one of New York City’s premier cultural institutions offering classical music programming for all ages, The Little Orchestra Society (LOS New York). Joining the Orchestra and its Music Director James Judd will be renowned Metropolitan Opera soprano Deborah Voigt and acclaimed pianist William Wolfram. Set in the beautiful Florence Gould Hall, the Gala will feature a performance of Gershwin favorites and will support LOS New York’s music education and community engagement programming.
The Gala will recognize WQXR’s longstanding work advancing classical music and its commitment to music education, as well as honor its General Manager Graham Parker for his contributions to the field. Over the past five years, Parker has overseen and implemented an ambitious growth plan that puts WQXR front and center in New York’s thriving classical music scene.
“WQXR and The Little Orchestra Society share so many common interests and goals – building new audiences and enhancing appreciation for classical music, as well as supporting music education programs across New York City. I am honored to be recognized at this exciting event that aims to create new and exciting opportunities for families to experience the performing arts,” said Parker.
The performance with LOS New York will feature Deborah Voigt singing some of her Gershwin favorites and William Wolfram as piano soloist in Rhapsody in Blue and Rialto Rag. The Orchestra will also perform excerpts from Porgy and Bess and An American in Paris, a preview of Gershwin: Got Rhythm? (which premieres the following Saturday, February 6, at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College), as well as some of Gershwin’s other great hits.
“The educational mission of The Little Orchestra Society and creativity of this institution are embodied in all the work that we do. The Gershwin performance brings to life one of New York’s most beloved composers. Hundreds of public school students will have an opportunity to see this performance and learn more about Gershwin in the coming weeks,” said Judd.
“The Gershwin Winter Gala Celebration will help us continue to share classical music in bold, new ways with New York audiences while also supporting our music education and community engagement programs,” said LOS Executive Director Joanne Bernstein-Cohen.
The Little Orchestra Society’s Musical Connections: The School Partnership® students in grades K-4 in New York City public schools how to compose their own music. All students within a grade participate in the program. This work is rooted in the belief that access to classical music should be available to all members of our community. LOS New York also offers after-school music education programming, as well as community engagement events at local libraries and senior centers.
This year’s Gala co-chairs are Sharon and Lawrence D. Hite; Brigid and William S. Ohlemeyer; Carol and Chuck Schaefer; Sharon Volckhausen and Grace Lyu-Volckhausen; and Dr. C. Christine Wheeler.
For tickets and information, call 212.971.9500 or email gala@littleorchestra.org.
Media opportunities to attend the benefit are available. Photographers are invited to the performance at 7:30 PM. The opening reception from 6:30 – 7:30 is the best opportunity to photograph those in attendance.
About The Little Orchestra Society® (LOS New York)
The Little Orchestra Society/Orpheon, Inc., now in its 68th season, performed its inaugural concert at The Town Hall on October 20, 1947, and has since been devoted to performing innovative concerts of classical music for both adults and children. The Orchestra performs dynamic repertoire using multiple art forms with a variety of artists to create meaningful musical experiences for today’s audiences. Last season, more than 32,000 individuals enjoyed the Orchestra’s programming.
The Orchestra’s productions include the new series, LOS KIDS, and have previously included the Lolli-PopsTM series for children ages 3 to 5, the Peabody Award-winning Happy Concerts for Young People for children ages 6 to 12, the adult concert series Vivaldi’s Venice and Sound Discoveries™, as well as Music Under the Big Top in Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center.
The Orchestra has given many important premieres—more than 65 throughout its history—and launched the careers of major musical talents in its concert programming for adult and family audiences. Past guest artists include iconic rock star Patti Smith as the narrator in Tubby The Tuba, Academy-Award nominated actress Sigourney Weaver as the narrator in Music Takes Flight, internationally acclaimed actor James Earl Jones and world renowned violinist Mark O’Connor in Honest Abe: Four Scores and More, violinist Lara St. John and multiple-time Grammy Award-winning guitarist Sharon Isbin in the critically-acclaimed Vivaldi’s Venice series, the popular children’s book author Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket) narrating the New York Premiere of The Composer is Dead, and Metropolitan Opera soprano Angela Meade in the exquisite Cathedral Concerts – Great Music Under a Byzantine DomeTM, as well as many more.
The Little Orchestra Society is also committed to music education and public service. Last year alone, its public service programs, Musical Connections: The School Partnership Program®, after-school programs, Live in Concert!, Project 65Plus, and other community engagement activities in libraries, senior centers and other community spaces brought music education and live concert experiences to nearly 11,000 New York City public school children, families and seniors. These participants attended LOS concerts free of charge. As part of Musical Connections, public school children participate in an in-school music composition program that provides music education for the youngest elementary school students. These important music education programs, as well as community engagement opportunities, are at the core of the Orchestra’s mission and vision. For more information, please visit www.littleorchestra.org or call 212- 971-9500.
About James Judd, Music Director
Music Director of The Little Orchestra Society New York, the Israel Symphony Orchestra, and from 2017/18 season the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, British born conductor James Judd is sought after for both his passionate musicianship and his charismatic presence on and off the podium. Known for his extraordinarily communicative style and bold, imaginative programming, repeat engagements in concert halls from Prague to Tokyo, from Istanbul to Adelaide, attest to his rapport with audiences and musicians alike.
During his eight years as Music Director of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Judd brought the ensemble to a new level of visibility and international renown with acclaimed recordings for the Naxos label, tours of Europe and Australia and the orchestra’s first appearance at the BBC Proms. Other music directorships have included Principal Guest Conductor of the Orchestre National de Lille in France and a groundbreaking 14 years as Music Director of the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra.
In addition to his international conducting career, James Judd has led the orchestras of the Juilliard School, Curtis Institute of Music, Manhattan School of Music, Guildhall School, Trinity College of London, Aspen Music Festival and the National Youth Orchestras of Australia and New Zealand. Since 2007, he has been Principal Guest Conductor of the Asian Youth Orchestra, an ensemble of the most gifted musicians from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Korea.
An outstanding exponent of the works of Gustav Mahler, Judd’s performances of this monumental composer have been praised the world over. His recording of Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 was awarded the Gold Medal by France’s Diapason as well as the Toblacher Komponierhäuschen for the best Mahler recording of the year. Judd’s many orchestral recordings are also featured on the Decca, EMI and Philips labels.
Recent concert highlights have included performances of Britten’s ‘War Requiem’ in Bucharest and Bernstein’s ‘Mass’ at the Radio France Festival, staged performances of ‘Carmina Burana’ at the spectacular desert ruins of Masada, a concert with the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Palace in Monaco and a tour of Asia celebrating the 25th anniversary of his Asian Youth Orchestra. In addition to his commitments with his own orchestras, the new season features concerts with the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra, the Santa Barbara Symphony, University of Southern Californian Chamber Orchestra in Los Angeles, the Slovenian National Orchestra and the horn quartet of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the Noord Nederlands Orchestra and Vadim Repin, and three concerts in Berlin as part of the celebrations in the famous Konzerthaus of Yehudi Menuhin’s centenary.
About Graham Parker
Graham Parker is the General Manager of WQXR, the most listened-to classical station in the country and New York’s only all-classical station, and Vice President of New York Public Radio.
Over the past five years, Parker has overseen and implemented an ambitious growth plan that puts WQXR front and center in New York’s thriving classical music scene. During Parker’s tenure, WQXR has launched a new national series, Carnegie Hall Live; pioneered critically acclaimed festivals including Beethoven Awareness Month, Month of Mozart, and Bachstock; presented a broad range of live events; and implemented the highly successful WQXR Instrument Drive.
Parker has secured WQXR’s role as a leading digital music source with WQXR’s relaunched app, the growth of Q2Music (a channel dedicated to contemporary classical music), and the launch of Operavore, WQXR’s 24/7 opera channel.
Prior to joining WQXR, Parker was the Executive Director of Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. In his eight years with Orpheus, Parker played a critical role in securing the long term future for this world-class orchestra.
About WQXR
WQXR 105.9 FM, which streams live at www.wqxr.org, is New York City’s only all-classical music station, immersing listeners in the city’s rich musical life. WQXR presents new and landmark classical recordings as well as live concerts from Carnegie Hall, Metropolitan Opera, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and the New York Philharmonic, among other venues. WQXR also broadcasts essential destination programs including the Metropolitan Opera Radio Saturday Matinee Broadcasts, New York Philharmonic This Week, and The McGraw-Hill Financial Young Artists Showcase. For listeners in search of the new, WQXR operates Q2 Music, an online music stream dedicated to contemporary classical composers, cross-genre adventures, and performances from New York City’s edgier venues. Operavore is WQXR’s opera site featuring news, interviews, and commentaries from the world of opera, as well as a 24/7 all-opera stream. WQXR.org provides essential playlist information and online listening, as well as original content, host blogs, NYC cultural news, videos, and a free app allows listeners to take WQXR with them wherever they go.
About Elliott Forrest
Elliott Forrest is a Peabody Award winning broadcaster and producer, heard on New York’s Classical Music Radio Station 105.9FM – WQXR, WQXR.org and on WNYC. He regularly produces large-scale symphonic concerts including several with The Little Orchestra Society, the New York Philharmonic, Houston Symphony, LA Philharmonic, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony, among others. Mr. Forrest is the host of the national radio concerts of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. He has hosted more the 60 concerts on stage at Carnegie Hall. Orchestra Narrator: Carnival of the Animals, Soldier’s Tale, Oedipus Rex, Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Noah’s Flood and Peter and the Wolf. Artistic Director of ArtsRock in Rockland County, presenting concerts, conversations and family programming. For 12 years he was on the A&E Television Network as host of Breakfast with the Arts & Biography. He was also featured on the Grammy Award winning comedy album WTWP Classical Talkity-Talk Radio with Peter Schickele.
About Deborah Voigt
Deborah Voigt is one of the world’s most versatile singers and music’s most endearing personalities. Her HarperCollins memoir, Call Me Debbie: True Confessions of a Down-to-Earth Diva, comes out in paperback in January, and 2015-16 also sees her reprise her beloved one-woman show, Voigt Lessons; starring in The Pirates of Penzance in New York City; and host events and judging competitions throughout the season.
Having made her name as a leading dramatic soprano, Voigt has given definitive performances of iconic German operatic roles from Salome to Isolde. Also a devotee of Broadway and American song, she has sung with Rufus Wainwright at London’s BBC Proms, Kristin Chenoweth at Carnegie Hall, and Barbara Cook and Dianne Reeves at the Hollywood Bowl. Her extensive discography includes two EMI solo albums – All My Heart, named one of the “Best of the Year” by Opera News, and the Billboard bestseller Obsession – and Deutsche Grammophon’s Grammy Award-winning Blu-ray set featuring her Brünnhilde in Robert Lepage’s visionary Metropolitan Opera “Ring” cycle. She appears regularly as both performer and host in the Met’s “Live in HD” series.
Voigt’s numerous honors include first prizes in Moscow’s International Tchaikovsky Competition and Philadelphia’s Luciano Pavarotti International Voice Competition. A Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, she was Musical America’s Vocalist of the Year 2003, won a 2007 Opera News Award for distinguished achievement, and has received Honorary Doctorates from Smith College and the University of South Carolina. She was named one of the Los Angeles Times’s 25 cultural tweeters to follow.
About William Wolfram
American pianist William Wolfram was a silver medalist at both the William Kapell and the Naumburg International Piano Competitions and a bronze medalist at the prestigious Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow.
Wolfram has appeared with many of the greatest orchestras of the world and has developed a special reputation as the rare concerto soloist who is also equally versatile and adept as a recitalist, accompanist and chamber musician. In all of these genres, he is highly sought after for his special focus on the music of Franz Liszt and Beethoven and is a special champion for the music of modernist 20th century American composers.
His concerto debut with the Pittsburgh Symphony under the baton of Leonard Slatkin was the first in a long succession of appearances and career relationships with numerous American conductors and orchestras. He has also appeared with the San Francisco, Saint Louis, Indianapolis, Seattle and New Jersey symphonies, the Buffalo Philharmonic, the National Symphony Orchestra (Washington D.C.), the Baltimore Symphony, the Colorado Symphony, the Rochester Philharmonic, the Nashville Symphony, the Oregon Symphony, the Utah Symphony, the San Diego Symphony, the Edmonton Symphony, the Columbus Symphony, the Florida Orchestra, and the Grand Teton and San Luis Obispo Mozart festival orchestras, among many others. He enjoys regular and ongoing close associations with the Dallas Symphony, the Milwaukee Symphony, the Phoenix Symphony and the Minnesota Orchestra as well as the musicians of the New York Philharmonic for chamber concerts in the United States.
Abroad, Wolfram has appeared with the BBC Symphony Orchestra of London, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the RTE Symphony Orchestra of Ireland (Dublin), the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the Bergen Philharmonic (Norway), the Beethovenhalle Orchestra Bonn, the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra and many others.
An enthusiastic supporter of new music, he has collaborated with and performed music by composers such as Aaron Jay Kernis, Kenneth Frazelle, Marc Andre Dalbavie, Kenji Bunch, and Paul Chihara. His world premiere performance of the Chihara re-orchestration of Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1, with the Milwaukee Symphony under the baton of Andreas Delfs, was met with great critical attention and acclaim.
