To view photos from our highly successful Kids on Central performance (Piano, Percussion and Harp) and Jon Deak’s Workshop, visit us on Facebook!
On February 27, NY Philharmonic’s Jon Deak will offer a free children’s composition workshop at the Music Conservatory. The workshop, which begins at 12:30PM, is open to the public. Advanced registration is requested. Later that afternoon, “Kids on Central: Piano, Percussion, and Harp” will teach audience members about what the three instruments have in common through engaging demonstrations and original compositions written and performed by Conservatory students. The unique stories center on a “Magic Ring!” Children also have the opportunity to see, touch, and try out the different instruments prior to the concert at 2:30PM.
White Plains, NY – The Music Conservatory of Westchester welcomes New York Philharmonic Associate Principal Bassist Jon Deak for a February concert lineup that celebrates world renowned musicians and budding young artists alike. Joined by violinist Joanna Jenner, founding member of Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and noted piano soloist and chamber musician Zeyda Ruga Suzuki, the trio presents “Serious But Not Stuffy,” classical music with a twist of humor, on Friday, February 26 at 7PM. The following day, February 27 at 3PM, “Piano, Percussion, and Harp” will offer children a fun, informative, and hands-on introduction to the instruments with music written and performed by Conservatory composition students.
Also a prominent composer, Jon Deak’s compositions have lead to Pulitzer Prize nominations as well as commissions and premieres by the New York Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra, and numerous chamber music groups and festivals. “Serious But Not Stuffy” will feature Deak’s work mixed in with familiar favorites – Mozart, Chopin, and a variety of short salon pieces. Read more »
Music Conservatory of Westchester – Teen Vocal Ensemble – Singing “Hushabye Mountain” and “Sleigh Ride” – Thomas Jamerson, Conductor – Marianna Salzman, pianist
Classical music with a twist of humor featuring Joanna Jenner, founding member of Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and Jon Deak, of NY Philharmonic! Experience the artistry of our expert faculty as they perform and share their knowledge of different generes of music. Each concert is interactive and has an educational theme.
Here are some photo highlights from our wonderful adult recital last week! Congratulations to all of the performers!
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At their Oct. 22 meeting, the Music Conservatory of Westchester’s Trustees appointed Lisa Deutsch to its board. Known for her entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and vision, Deutsch was founding Executive Director of the New Orchestra of Westchester and later returned there, again as Executive Director, and renamed the County’s professional symphony orchestra the Westchester Philharmonic. She also founded Westchester Community College’s Department of Cultural Affairs and served as its first manager. She consolidated the college’s cultural offerings into the Smart Arts series, and this series continues to be a vibrant cultural force in the County to this day.
Deutsch served as Executive Director of the Music Conservatory of Westchester, the County’s largest and oldest school of music, serving over 3000 people of all ages with the Conservatory’s famously high standards of instruction. She was brought to the Conservatory in 1998 to spearhead the school’s $7.8 million Building Dreams Campaign, the fundraising drive to support the construction of the school’s new regional center for performing arts instruction at 216 Central Avenue, White Plains. Lisa transformed the institution into a vibrant hub of cultural activity, with its doors open to the entire community.
In 2007, she joined Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a renowned nonprofit guide dog school with facilities in Westchester and Putnam counties. She serves as Vice President for Marketing and Development there. In the area of fundraising, Lisa is responsible for the school’s $50 million capital campaign, Expanding Horizons. Among her marketing initiatives was the school’s re-branding, which spawned a redesigned web site and communications program, and the negotiation of an online merchandise marketing agreement with Lands’ End Business Outfitters. For Lands’ End, this is its first such arrangement with a nonprofit entity. She oversees all of the school’s events, including its Golf Classic, hosted by Giants quarterback Eli Manning. Read more »
Flutist Harold Jones, right, performs during “Jazz from the Conservatory” as part of the Downtown Music at Grace Noonday Getaway Series Oct. 14, 2009 at Grace Church in White Plains. The quartet, who are faculty from the Music Conservatory of Westchester, performed “Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio” by Claude Bolling. Other faculty are Nick Mangini (drums), Irena Portenko (piano) and Al Renino (bass). ( Tania Savayan / The Journal News)
For more photos, visit here.
By Roberta Hershenson
THE sounds of a rock band blasted through a downstairs studio on Central Avenue here, while upstairs teenagers rehearsed for a production of “Guys and Dolls.” These days, you are as likely to hear jazz or a Broadway tune as an aria at the Music Conservatory of Westchester, but that does not mean the school has forgotten its Bach, Mozart and Beethoven.
“Classical music will always be one of our main areas of focus,” said Carol Shiffman, the conservatory’s new executive director, who is grounded in the classical arts. “The heart of what we do here is private instruction one to three times a week. A knowledge of music theory will help in any field.”
Ms. Shiffman said she was chosen from a pool of 80 applicants to succeed Aaron Flagg, who left in June after five years at the helm to become dean of the Hartt School at the University of Hartford. She arrived at an encouraging time for the conservatory, a nonprofit institution founded in 1929 by a group of musicians including the cellist Pablo Casals. Read more »
The Suzuki String Institute performed an outdoor recital at Renaissance Plaza in White Plains. To view more photos, click here.
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