|
US MILITARY ACADEMY BAND
West Point, NY 10996-1587
(845) 938-2617
Sat. May 10 - Hellcat Percussion, 3pm, Egner Hall
Sat. May 10 - USMA Cadet String Ensemble, 7pm, Eisenhower Hall
Sun. May 25 - Guest Artist Series - Armed Forces Day Salute w/ Irish tenor John McDermott, 3pm
Historic Performance by the West Point Cadet String Ensemble
The United States Military Academy Cadet String Ensemble (Army Strings), under the direction of Ms. Ellen Gartner Phillips, will present a concert on Saturday, May 10 at 7pm in the Eisenhower Hall Ballroom. This concert is free and open to the public and will be followed by a reception. This is the first full orchestral performance by the
cadet group, and perhaps the first such concert in the history of the Academy.
The Army Strings was first named as an official cadet club in 2006 but traces its roots to the previous year. In the fall of 2005, Cadet Renee Rysiewicz '07, then a yearling (sophomore), decided she wanted to continue playing the violin while at the Academy and that doing so in a small ensemble would be fun. The club began with informal
meetings as cadets found free time to play. Since then, the club has grown to include a full string ensemble with weekly rehearsals. This year, the club celebrated its first year with a director, Ellen Phillips, making this historic performance possible. The club has provided string music in chamber groups for numerous events at West Point to include
receptions, dinners, weddings and special events. The club includes cadets who play violin, viola, cello and the string bass.
The program includes a wide range of music for string ensembles. Britten's
Simple Symphony and Rossini's The Barber of Seville
are featured classical pieces. The program also includes diversity with music by Sousa, Gershwin, Bach and the Beatles. In addition to the full ensemble, cadet violin and cello soloists will be featured.
Director Ellen Gartner Phillips is a classically trained violist. She has played with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and has worked under the baton of acclaimed conductors Larry Rachleff, Stephen Sanderling, Joseph Silverstein and Michael Stern. She holds a
Bachelor of Music Degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and a Master of Music Degree from Rice University's Shepherd School of Music in Houston, Texas. Ms. Gartner Phillips also manages a private studio of violin and viola students in Poughkeepsie, and is married to Staff Sgt. Joshua Phillips, a horn player in the U.S. Military
Academy Band. Anticipating the upcoming concert, she notes "the Army Strings have come a long way in a very short time. I am thrilled to be a part of that growth and excited that these cadets continue to make music a part of their already busy lives."
Please allow extra travel time for the 100% vehicle and photo I.D. inspection at Stony Lonesome and Thayer gates.
For concert information, cancellations and updates, call the club Officer-in-charge, Lt. Col. Rod Sturdivant at (845) 938-3322; or visit www.usma.edu/uscc/dca/clubs/club%20setup%20info/astg.html
Hellcat Percussion Recital at West Point
The United States Military Academy Band continues its popular chamber music series on Saturday, May 10 at 3pm. This special performance will feature the talents of the drummers of the U.S. Military Academy Band's field music group, the Hellcats. The recital will take place in the third floor rehearsal hall of Egner Hall (the U.S. Military
Academy Band Building), at 685 Hardee Place, West Point. As with all Academy Band performances, this concert is free and open to the public.
While best known for the martial music that accompanies the daily activities of the Corps of Cadets, the Hellcat percussionists will be displaying their diversity as chamber musicians in this performance. The concert will not only showcase the formidable performance skills of the Hellcat percussionists, but their talents as music arrangers as
well. Sergeant Major Eric Sheffler has arranged Derek Bourgeois' Serenade for percussion ensemble. An arrangement of Chris Thile's
Smoothie Song has been contributed by Staff Sergeant William Calohan and Staff Sergeant Jeff Prosperie has produced a work entitled
Bridging the Gap. The concert will also feature arrangements by the well-known
percussionist Bob Becker, a member of the NEXUS percussion group.
This May 10 concert will showcase the diversity of the Hellcat percussionists and is an event sure to please both percussionists and non-percussionists alike. Please allow extra travel time for the 100% vehicle and photo I.D. inspection at Stony Lonesome and Thayer gates. Due to changing security requirements at West Point, call the Academy
Band's hotline at 845-938-2617, or check www.usma.edu/special before leaving for the concert.
For concert information, cancellations and updates, call the Academy Band's 24-hour hotline at (845) 938-2617; or visit www.usma.edu/band
Link to their web site
Return
to Cultural Organizations Page
|
