Issue No. 64 - Fall 2018 BIRCH N O ES THE CIRCLE OF LIFE Birch Creek Music Performance Center Egg Harbor Door County Wisconsin Jazz I students perform Walkin About by Thad Jones for the Big Band Jazz concert Blues in the Night on July 27, 2018. This Jazz I Studio Band, conducted by Jim Stombres, Studio Band Director, produced a number of award-winning students, including Jeff DeLaRosa (Trumpet, top row left), Runner-Up for Most Improved Wind Instrument Player. THE SUMMER OF 2018 At Birch Creek Music Performance Center, students master their performance skills through immersion in a challenging concert schedule, with more than 10 performances given during each two-week session. From the left: Teaching Assistant Diane Chou, cello, with Symphony students Hannah Pinski, violin, Lacey Emmerich, violin, and Mya Ruffolo, viola, performed a spontaneous Outreach Concert for library patrons in the Egg Harbor Library at the Kress Pavillion on July 12, 2018. Percussion & Steel Band Session students play pre-concert music around the Gazebo for concertgoers. L. to R. Cole Nasman (counselor), Graeme Leighton, Nicholas Venuti, Schuyler Donahoe, Eli Zuercher, Kyle Rappe, and Lauren Rault. Students and faculty finished the 2018 season with remarkable performances that brought audiences to their feet. Students were able to express themselves with their instruments through solos, improvisations and ensemble interpretations, as well as band and orchestra repertoire. Excellence in performance is not magic; it occurs through hard work, close 2:1 student-to-faculty mentoring and intentional practice. Only then does success emerge. Birch Creek families, donors, volunteers and concertgoers are the benefactors; we see and hear it happen. Enjoy a glimpse of 2018!
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MONA CHRISTENSEN Opportunities abound. Birch Creek s season sparkled with joy, creativity, beauty and finesse. 2018 was a summer to remember. Each summer, we celebrate with gratefulness the privilege we have to be a small part of a musician s life path. The excellence we all saw and heard, the connections made with people on and off the stage, and the mission we are fulfilling gives us a sense of great accomplishment. And, you our faculty, staff, families, donors, volunteers and audiences are contributing to the wonderful Circle of Life at Birch Creek. Hundreds of you returned to Birch Creek to celebrate our 2018 Opening Night on June 21, where island fare was the theme and a Percussion & Steel Band concert showcased faculty performing with students on a beautiful midsummer s evening. The following week, guest artist Michael Burritt, Professor of Percussion and Chair of Percussion at Eastman School of Music, charmed many of you who attended his concerts, especially when he told you he attended Birch Creek 37 years earlier as a student! A seed was planted back then and a Creeker grew into one of the world s leading percussion soloists. Percussion Session Program Director, Dan Moore, continued to plant seeds for a new entourage of students as he led daily morning warmups in preparation for a day filled with practice, close mentoring and performance. Our circle grew this summer when Symphony Session enamored old friends and new concertgoers with water-themed music thoughtfully selected by Ricardo Castañeda, Symphony Program Director, and Brian Groner, Conductor, in partnership with the Door County Community Foundation s Celebrate Water initiative. Symphony highlights included the return of last year s Paul and Frances Burton Concerto Competition winner and first runner-up as featured solo performers with the 83-piece Birch Creek Symphony Orchestra. Both award-winning students are continuing upon their musical career paths at the Oberlin School of Music, having taken steps along that path at Birch Creek. Joy, laughter and camaraderie continued to encircle us in the following two jazz sessions. Except for program director, Jeff Campbell, students and faculty are different for each session. Each band (student Studio, Lab, Ambassadors and faculty Jazz Orchestra) has its own distinct sound and personality, and all bands are beloved by concertgoers throughout the Door County peninsula. Audiences left on a music high after each concert, profoundly impressed by the excellence in performance and caliber of our student and faculty bands. We hope you were there to be a part of this thrilling circle. As you know, audiences complete the circle. This summer we discovered a remarkable statistic: half of our students received a need-based partial scholarship; of those students, 80% expressed a desire to pursue a career in music. Birch Creek is just the place to foster that growth in development as a musician and as a person. When you contribute to Birch Creek, you are literally planting seeds in the lives of future professional musicians. Together, we watch them grow. From young students to older performers, Birch Creek has a way of bringing music people into an idyllic setting to shape and develop music abilities, heighten the listening experience, and touch the soul. Thank YOU for playing your part in Birch Creek s Circle of Life. Musically yours, THE CIRCLE OF LEADERSHIP Percussion & Steel Band: In 2018, Program Director Dan Moore received recognition for 20 years on the faculty (three as Program Director) with membership in the 20 Year Club. Birch Creek is about people - connecting those who love music with those who play music. - Dan Moore Symphony: Birch Creek s Symphony Program Director, Ricardo Castañeda, has guided more than 1,100 Birch Creek Symphony students during his 21 years as a faculty member. Many have accomplished careers as professional musicians and stay in touch with Ricardo. Jazz: Jeff Campbell, Department Chair of Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, is Birch Creek s Program Director, Faculty Bandleader and bass faculty for both Jazz I and Jazz II. This is Jeff s 30th year as a member of the Birch Creek faculty.
THE CIRCLE OF SUPPORT PLAY IT FORWARD ANNUAL FUND Birch Creek believes so strongly in the importance of our mission that EVERY student automatically receives program support of $2,479 toward the full cost of their education of $4,579, which serves to fill the gap between the real cost of a Birch Creek education and the family s out-of-pocket expenses of $2,100. Please help us with your donation to Birch Creek s Play it Forward Annual Fund today. Jazz I student Anabel Perez-Brennan (Drums) receives recognition as Most Improved Rhythm Player and winner of the 2019 Dutton Memorial Scholarship from Program Director Jeff Campbell. We re all here to become better: Thank you for your support in helping shape future leaders, musicians, and people at Birch Creek. I ve met so many great people and have heard amazing music. I ve learned efficient practice and have improved my sightreading. My favorite part about Birch Creek is that no one wants to see you fail. We re all here to learn. We re all here to become better. We re all here to root for each other. Anabel Ani Perez-Brennan (Jazz I student), Wheeling, IL ADULT BAND CAMP Adult Band Camp more than doubled in size in its second year at Birch Creek, growing from 19 students in the 2017 inaugural season to 46 participants in 2018. Above: Jim Stombres, co-director of Adult Band Camp with Steve Sveum and Charles Staley, conducts a final matinee concert, on August 19, 2018, that attracted an enthusiastic late summer audience. 2017 Symphony Concerto Competition Winner Anne Pinkerton (Oboe), Wilmette, IL, and First Runner-Up Alex Abreu (Clarinet), Highland Park, IL, played solo pieces with the Birch Creek Symphony Orchestra on July 5, 2018. Here they have the opportunity to thank Paul Burton, writer, philanthropist and scholar from Ephraim, WI, for his and Fran Burton s generous sponsorship of the annual Concerto Competition. 2018 Percussion & Steel Band student Tom Corbridge is attending University of Iowa this fall. OFF TO COLLEGE Percussion & Steel Band Session Tom Corbridge (2015-18) University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA; double major: percussion performance and business Symphony Session Chance Arnold (tuba, 2018) Lawrence University Conservatory of Music, Appleton, WI; tuba performance Isabella Cisneros (flute/piccolo, 2016-18) Lawrence University, Appleton, WI; dual major - flute performance and environmental studies Drew Duncan (trumpet, 2018) University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA; trumpet performance Naama Friedman (piano, 2017-18) Reed College, Portland, OR; music with a focus on composition political science Juan Hernandez (flute/piccolo, 2018) Lawrence Conservatory of Music, Appleton, WI; flute performance Alex Laskowski (viola, 2017) Luther College, Decorah, IA; music major Jazz I Session Noah Brooks (drums, 2016-18; Percussion & Steel Band, 2016), Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL; jazz performance Andrew Clark (trumpet, 2017-18) Western Illinois University, Macomb IL; jazz studies major Jack Feldsien (trumpet, 2015-18) University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL; aerospace engineering Christian Sanchez (tenor saxophone, 2018; baritone saxophone, 2017) Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, IL; music education and jazz studies Jazz II Session Ian Graham-White (trumpet, 2018) University of North Texas, Denton, TX; jazz trumpet performance Alex Pavelic (alto saxophone, 2016-18) University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI; undeclared major
Birch Creek s mission is to provide intensive, performance-based instruction to promising young musicians by immersing them in a professional, mentoring environment. BOARD OF TRUSTEES Steve Gomoll, President Sam Carmen, Vice President Mary Moster, Secretary Steve Kase, Treasurer Barbara Flint, Past President TRUSTEES Jane Berg Greg Britton Scott Brunswick Carla Byrnes Miriam Erickson Rich Fredrick Joan Guasta Lyn Huber Jan Johnson Lynn Kaczmarek, President, The Associates Steven Kane David Long Charlotte Lukes Debra Merkle-Schubert Lolly Ratajczak Patti Vickman ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Executive Director Mona Christensen Facilities Carl Shakal Finance/Donor Outreach Carol Boudreau Grants/Development Kate Rericha Marketing Emily Maher Registrar/Office Manager Michelle Naese PROGRAM DIRECTORS Percussion & Steel Band Dan Moore Symphony Ricardo Castañeda Jazz I and II Jeff Campbell FALL/WINTER OFFICE HOURS Monday - Thursday 9am to 4pm Friday 9am to 2pm Closed holidays and Dec. 25 - Jan. 1 (920) 868-3763 www.birchcreek.org Birch Creek is supported in part by the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts. Birch Notes is published bi-annually by Birch Creek Music Performance Center, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. PASSING TONES Phyllis Ingwersen, 89, passed away May 1, 2018 in Door County, Wisconsin. Together with her husband, Jim, Phyllis enthusiastically sponsored summer concerts each year. She and Jim were significant donors to the Capital Campaign, during which time Phyllis served as a vital member of the Board of Trustees, further connecting Birch Creek to Door County s many artistic communities. We will always remember Phyllis great, enormous laughter, floating on the summer breezes through the concert barn. In memory of Phyllis s passion for young people and music education, an Endowed Scholarship Fund has been established in her name, assuring that her support of student musicians will be a part of Birch Creek s Circle of Life long into the future. Gifts may be sent in her memory to Birch Creek by mail, or arranged by calling Carol Boudreau at Birch Creek at 920-868-3777. JOIN US IN THANKING OUR 2018 CONCERT SPONSORS Anonymous W. Gerald & Jane Berg Birch Creek Associates Birch Creek Board of Trustees Door County Advocate/Magazine Door County Coffee & Tea Door County Daily News Door County Medical Center Fran Dutton Egg Harbor Business Association The Town of Egg Harbor Miriam Erickson In Memory of Sarah Frank Mike & Connie Glowacki Joan Guasta Jan & Dick Johnson Steve & Jackie Kane Anthony & Judith Licata WELCOME Charlotte Lukes Main Street Market MMG Foundation Nicolet National Bank On Deck Clothing Company Jim & Peggy Ryan The Shallows Carol Boudreau, Baileys Harbor, joined the Birch Creek staff as Finance Manager and Donor and Community Outreach in February 2018. She received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Texas Woman s University in Sociology and Mathematics, respectively. Before joining Birch Creek, Carol was the Executive Director at the Humane Society. Phyllis Ingwersen at the 2007 Birch Creek Jazz concert that she and her husband, Jim, sponsored. Pictured here is Mary Moster (center), Birch Creek Board member and concert sponsor in memory of her husband, Louis Williams. Staudenmaier Chiropractic Tannenbaum Holiday Shop Marti Thompson Roger & Lynn Van Vreede White Gull Inn In Memory of Louis Williams Upcoming Performances in Juniper Hall Saturday, September 15th 7:00 PM - Lawrence University Jazz Quartet featuring José Encarnación and Dane Richeson Saturday, October 13th A Birch Creek Associates Fundraiser 5:30 Social 6:00 Reception 7:00 Concert $65 per person The Best of Billie Holiday with Mardra & Reggie Thomas Saturday, December 1 2:30 PM - Family Concert 7 PM - Evening Concert Christmas at Birch Creek Order tickets by phone: (920) 868-3763 online: BirchCreek.org/tickets
FULL CIRCLE FROM PRACTICE TO PERFORMANCE Percussion: Birch Creek Steel Band Director, Liam Teague (center), plays Caribbean rhythms on the steel pan with Percussion students Sebastiaan dewaart, Madison, WI, and Samuel Kahan-Harth, Oak Park, IL (to Liam s left, respectively) for a pre-concert audience in June 2018. Schuyler Donahoe, 2018 Senior Track Percussion student from Goshen, IN, learns from a master, Dan Moore, Program Director for the Percussion & Steel Band Session. Symphony: Cello sectionals are led by Symphony faculty member Margaret Daly (seated right) in the Granary on a warm summer day in July. Symphony Session student Hannah Pinski (Violin), Wheaton, IL, performs during the July 12, 2018 concert A Down River Journey which featured pieces by Holst, Strauss and Smetana. Birch Creek faculty members Steve Horne (standing left) and Clarence Hines (standing right) bring a world of experience as professional musicians and educators to a masterclass with Jazz II trombone students. Jazz I Studio Band members perform at the Blues in the Night concert on July 27, 2018. In the foreground is bass player, Linnea Morris, Green Bay, WI. Trumpet players in the back row are (left to right) Andrew Clark, Waukegan, IL; Carlos Sims, Chicago, IL; Jonathan Raymond, Long Grove, IL.
OVATIONS Gifts from grantors and Named Scholarship donors provide endless opportunities. An Anonymous Donor awarded Birch Creek a grant for structural improvements to the historic Granary. Megan Rault, alto saxophone, Jazz II and Benjamin Nogrady, Percussion & Steel Band were recipients of endowed scholarships established by Anonymous Donors. Birch Creek Associates scholarships were awarded to Riichiro Fujiki, trombone, Jazz I; Jazz II students Phillip Buchman, drums; Olivia Garcia, trumpet; Stephen Gloyd, trombone; and Rhianna Rupnow- Menefee, alto saxophone; and Hannah Bolender, violin, Symphony. Birch Creek Associates Named Scholarship honoring Joan Guasta was awarded to Naama Friedman, piano, Symphony. Paul Burton Named Scholarship was awarded to Jonathan Bass, piano, Symphony, who returned to Birch Creek for his fifth year. The Paul and Frances Burton Concerto Competition awards two $1,000 prizes and the honor of performing as a featured soloist with the Birch Creek Symphony Orchestra in the following year. Noah Laabs, tuba; and Anne Pinkerton, oboe were 2017 winners. Pinkerton returned in 2018 with soloist honors on Symphony s opening night. Receiving the prize in 2018 were Jonathan Bass, piano; and Gabriel Roethle, violin. Nancy & William Carpenter Named Scholarships for Milwaukee High School of the Performing Arts students were awarded to Roberto Antunez, guitar, Jazz I; and Elizabeth Hall, violin, Symphony. The Cookery restaurant in Fish Creek selected Birch Creek to be a recipient of donations received as part of The Cookery s Kids Project, which donates a percentage of the dinner proceeds to a local non-profit that has a kids focus or kids programming. The Dwight & Linda Davis Foundation awarded Birch Creek a grant for capital expenses that has supported the acqusition of an emergency backup generator; technology upgrades, including integrated technology between buildings and livestreaming capabilities; and acoustical improvements to Juniper Hall. The James Dutton Memorial Scholarship for 2018, awarded for artistic excellence, went to Graeme Leighton, Percussion & Steel Band. Herb Kohl Charities continued their ongoing annual support with a grant for a partial scholarship for a Wisconsin student. Karen Mehigan Named Scholarships were awarded to Jazz I guitar student Ana Koch; Jazz II students Qiao Huang, alto saxophone and Tommy Edgar, piano; and Symphony students Ezequiel Navarro, oboe and Nick Szoblik, trumpet. MMG Foundation underwrote 15 named scholarships in 2018. Named for Cynthia Stiehl were scholarships awarded to Linnea Morris, bass, Jazz II; Percussion & Steel Band student Lucio Bennardo; and Symphony students Juan Hernandez, flute/piccolo; Abigail Lopez, bassoon; Elyssa Peters, viola; Ava Peterson, harp; and Guillermo Ulloa, oboe. Scholarships honoring Margaret Miller Gilson were awarded to Jonathan Raymond, trumpet, Jazz I; Percussion & Steel Band student Lauren Rault; and Symphony viola students Jared Peters and Jessica Grady. Receiving scholarships named for the MMG Foundation were Jazz II students Joey Barber, guitar and Ja Nya Watkins, trombone; Eli Zuercher, Percussion & Steel Band; and Jeffery DeLaRosa, Jazz I, trumpet. Les Paul Foundation continued its grant support for jazz guitar instruction and master classes for the sixth year. John and Carolyn Peterson Charitable Foundation, Inc. of Madison has underwritten Named Scholarships since 2006. Peterson Foundation scholars for 2018 were Andrew Burgess, piano, Jazz II; and Symphony violin students Hannah Pinski, Yildis Rihter and Veronica Rokicki. Raibrook Foundation Named Scholarships for Door County students were awarded to Symphony students Abram Abeyta, piano, Sturgeon Bay H.S; and Mya Ploor, Sevastopol H.S., flute/piccolo. The Sargent Family Foundation awarded Birch Creek an unrestricted grant, applied to Play It Forward Annual Support. Robert Schaupp Named Scholarship recipients were Karelyn Malliet Percussion & Steel Band; Jazz I students Christian Sanchez, tenor saxophone and Kolbe Schnoebelen, trombone; Jazz II students Kallan Engleson, piano; Adam Hobson, trumpet; and Karl Schuster, trombone; and Emma Hurley, Symphony, cello. The family of Bertha Bert W. Schenker awarded four Named Scholarships in her memory in recognition of her love for youth and her gifts to music education. Recipients were Rufus Parenti, Jazz I; Matthew Anderson, Jazz II; and Symphony violin students Nina Badagliacco and Gabriel Roethle. Skinner Family Fund of the Door County Community Foundation continued its annual support of Artists in the Schools, an outreach program for Door County schools. Birch Creek s Co-Founder Fran Dutton celebrates with Graeme Leighton, who returned to Birch Creek in 2018 as the Dutton Memorial Scholarship Winner. Egg Harbor Business Association and the Town of Egg Harbor provided funding to underwrite four free family/community concerts at Birch Creek. Brian Hynes Memorial Endowed Scholarship was awarded to Collin Grota, Percussion & Steel Band. Roger and Lynn Van Vreede scholarship recipients were Nicholas Smith, drums, Jazz I; Jazz II students Daniel Brown, bass; Kira Brown, trumpet; and Lyle Rivera, guitar; and Paige Givens, viola, Symphony. Lou Williams Memorial Scholarship for 2018 was awarded to Isabella Cisneros, flute/piccolo, Symphony. The Wisconsin Arts Board awarded Birch Creek a grant for operational support. This is the 18th year of support from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts. Kiwanis Club of Northern Door County provided tuition support for Jazz I student Ethan Buck, alto saxophone.