Newsletter April 2007

Susan’s Song

Dear Mu Phis,

Warm weather, spring rains and a profusion of blooms across our area – Dallas is a wonderful place in spring! A quick survey of the musical offerings available to us at this time of year adds to the bouquet. The Dallas and Fort Worth Symphony Orchestras, the ever-increasing number of regional symphony orchestras as well as a plethora of solo, chamber and choral concerts available in any given week, give us a richness of musical experience here in the Metroplex of which we can all be proud, both as listeners, supporters and musical contributors.

Our own Dallas Public Library series continues to be one part of this musical mosaic, offering consistently outstanding performances week after week during our season. A special treat this Spring was the appearance of the Dallas Camerata Woodwind Quintet with our own Frances Estes, followed by the Dallas Doo-Wop Vocal Band, a quartet of men who really brought the house down with their excellent performance of old standards. This program drew the largest attendance we have experienced this year! The spring season finishes with performances by outstanding pianists on April 15, 22 and 29. Do plan to come to one of these recitals if possible – you won’t be disappointed! The Library Committee thanks everyone who has volunteered to help out with announcing duties.

During our March meeting at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, we called an abbreviated business meeting in the corner of the church parlor so that the Nominating Committee, which was remarkably speedy and efficient this year, could present the slate of officers for 2007-8. Without further ado the slate was adopted, and is listed elsewhere in the Newsletter. My thanks to the Committee of Sylvia Taylor Lerch, Pat Hill and Edie Pfautsch for their quick work. At that meeting we did not have time to discuss the issue of reducing the number of meetings, so this topic will definitely be on the agenda at the April business meeting as well as some other important items.

My tenure as President of our chapter is drawing to a close. It has been a valuable and enjoyable experience for me because of the high regard I have for each of you. I want to express my deepest appreciation and thanks for your love and support. You embody our ideals of Music, Friends and Harmony!

We welcome Mary Ann Taylor as President-elect for next year and look forward to installing our full slate at the May luncheon on Saturday, May 12 at 11:00 a.m. at the home of Martha Peak.

Loyally,
Susan

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Past Meetings

Mu Phi and SAI Joint Musicale – Monday Feb 12th

Megan Gomen, harp, Meaghan Chiavetti, clarinet, and Kaleena Loard, flute are three recent SMU grads who performed in various combinations: “Meditation” from Thais, “Intermezzo” by Mascagni, “Entre’Act” from Carmen by Bizet, “Musetta’s Waltz” from La Boheme by Puccini, and “Rosin the Bow” an Irish folk tune.

From SAI, Jane Samford, violin and Jane Aten, viola, played Two Duets for Violin and Viola by Mozart.

Jane Samford, Jane Aten and Jane Echols at the piano played Suite for Two Violins with Piano, Opus 114 by Emanuel Moor.

Karen McAdams (right), accompanied by Cynthia DeVries, piano, sang three love songs for Valentine’s Day: “My Big Mistake,” from Will Rogers Follies by Cy Coleman, “Bill” from Showboat, by Jerome Kern and “Vanilla Ice Cream” from She Loves Me by Jerry Block.

A group of four string players and four pianists from the two groups played a delightful Bach transcription of Vivaldi’s Concerto for Four Violins. Participating were Jane Aten, Norma Pyron, Alix Masin and Gretchen Nichols – strings, with Julia Woodrum, Susan Poelchau, Pat Suitt and Mary Beth Johnson (the pianists in the photo on the right below).

Co-hostesses were Mary Ann Taylor and Frances Estes who brought goodies to go.

Meeting Monday March 12

The chapter met at Highland Park Presbyterian Church. Thanks to hostesses Sadie Rowe, Martha Peak, Cherie Bell and Susan Poelchau. It was wonderful to have Tena come to the meeting. She came with Sandra McMillen.

Sadie Rowe, organ, presented Piere and Choral Orne by Jean Langlais & J.S. Bach’s O Mench, Bewein dein Sünde Gross and Prelude and Fugue in G, BWV 558.

Sylvia Taylor, piano, played Sonata in A Flat, XVI 46 by Joseph Haydn.

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Library Concert Series

Thanks to Frances Estes and her two groups, we had the best attendance we have had all year at the March 25th concert. Sharon Kraus reported:

The concert Sunday was awesome! There were about 65 in the audience including a whole group from the Lakewood area. Everyone really enjoyed both groups as the quintet did some Scott Joplin, jazz and a really neat suite along with the Haydn. The Doo Wop Vocal Band had fun as did the audience....All in all it was a great performance and a good way to get my feet wet [Sharon’s first time to introduce]. We did run out of programs, covers and inserts. I don't think anyone expected that large a crowd and people kept walking in and staying until the end.

The last three performers scheduled are all fine pianists:

UPDATE: Apr 15: Tommaso Cogato, Piano

"Tommaso Cogato came through Jofre Theater like a cyclone. . .with verve, energy, and musicality.” Praised by the Spanish press, Tommaso Cogato made his international debut after winning the "Ciudade de Ferrol" International Piano Competition. Cogato’s great musicality, together with his unique technical and expressive skills, allowed him to stand out in national and international competitions: first prize at the Igor Stravinsky National Music Competition, first prize at "Pietro Argento" National Music Contest, and a special prize for the best Beethoven performance at the "Camillo Togni" International Piano Contest. He has appeared at the Santa Fiora International Music Festival, "Amici della Musica" of Vicenza, "Giovanni Paisiello" Association in Lucera, Chamber Players Academy, Siena and Arezzo Universities, "Accademia Chigiana" in Siena, and the Meyerson Symphony Center. He has also appeared with such artists such as Andres Diaz, Francesco Mastromatteo, and Nicola Fiorino.

Cogato started his piano studies at the Vicenza Conservatory at the age of nine and completed with full grades, honors, and an honorable mention at the Monopoli Conservatory under the guidance of Benedetto Lupo. He has taken part in piano courses at Ecole Normale de Musique "Alfred Cortot" in Paris, under the guidance of Ian Hobson, Boaz Sharon, and Einar Steen-Nøkleberg. He recently attended a course at Gargano International Festival, studying Mozart's and Beethoven's piano works with pianist Robert Levin and the Chigiana Academy with Joaquín Achúcarro. In addition, Cogato studied under Sergio Fiorentino, François-Joel Thiollier, and Lazar Berman. Currently, after winning a conspicuous scholarship and receiving an Artist's Certificate in Piano at Southern Methodist University, Cogato is continuing his studies as a second-year Masters student of Joaquín Achúcarro.

Apr 22: Michie Akin, piano

H. Michie Akin is Organist/Choirmaster for the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Dallas Texas. He also is the founding conductor and artistic director of the Arts District Chorale in Dallas. A native Texan, he holds degrees from the School of Music, Baylor University, Waco, Texas; and the School of Music, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, awarded with distinction. He began doctoral studies in piano at the Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford, Connecticut in preparation for a college career in teaching. While in Hartford, he took a “temporary” position as music director at St. Bernard’s Church in Enfield, CT. This “temporary” position turned into a distinguished twenty-five year career in worship, music and the arts.

After moving back to Texas in 1985, Mr. Akin was appointed Director of Liturgical Music for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas. He also served as Assistant Director of the Office of Worship for the Diocese of Dallas and for ten years was Director of English Music for Cathedral Guadalupe in the downtown Arts District. For the cathedral, he established a not-for-profit arts organization, Cathedral Dallas, Inc., to promote artistic, cultural and educational events centrally located in the heart of the downtown Arts District.

Originally trained as a pianist, Mr. Akin took a 16-year hiatus from playing the piano to pursue other professional interests. He returned to public performance in 1997, and in succeeding years has performed at the annual Summer Music Festival of Alta Riborgorza, Spain; in Italy at the Amalfi Coast Music Festival; and most recently, at the Seventh Festival Sauvanese in Monte San Savino. In 1999 and again in 2000, Mr. Akin was one of 100 candidates from around the world to participate in the Concours des Grands Amateurs de Piano in Paris, France. In 2004, and again in 2006, he was one of six finalists in the Rocky Mountain International Amateur Piano Competition. In the 2004 competition, he received two special awards from the panel of judges for Best Performance in Romantic and Contemporary repertoire.

Apr 29: Yuri Maruyama, piano - student of Rinna Saun and Brendan Kim, violin accompanied by Rinna Saun

Brendan is in the sixth grade at Rice Middle School in Plano. He has played the violin since kindergarten and is currently studying with Sachiko Mori. A high achiever, he is a straight-A student. He also enjoys playing tennis.

Yuri Maruyama is in the 10th grade at Jasper High School in Plano. She began playing the piano at age 5 in her native Japan. She has performed six times as a soloist in Japan. Recently she has been awarded a Superior rating in the DMTA Achievement Auditions in 2005, and a +1 rating in 2006. She has consistently received the highest marks in the Texas State Theory Exams. She studied with Dr. Yoshie Ueki in Japan, and is currently studying with Dr. Rinna Saun in Plano. In her spare time, Miss Maruyama enjoys reading, drawing and playing the violin. She is also an avid composer, and has completed 8 compositions.

Rinna Saun received her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance from the University of North Texas, where she is now a teaching fellow. She received her Master of Music degree from Mannes College of Music and her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Maryland. She has given solo recitals in Texas, Florida and New Orleans, and has performed with chamber groups. She has won first prize in the New York – Korea Times Competition, the American Music Scholarship Association World Competition and the Nina Wideman Concerto Competition.

Come to the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library Auditorium, 1515 Young Street, Dallas TX Sundays at 3:00 PM.
Concerts are FREE and open to the public.
See information about the performers and their programs (as they are received) on the Concert tab of this website.

Chairperson Claudia Jameson, who scheduled such a great season, is stepping down in May. Susan Poelchau has agreed to take on this project and is booking performers now and into June, when she will then spend some time in Europe. Our season in fall will start a little later than in the past, running into November. Give Susan your suggestions for performers.

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