More
than 200 Warminster residents of every age gathered outside the WREC
center Wednesday to enjoy an evening of free music provided by theWarminster
Symphony Orchestra. It was the first of five outdoor concerts
organized by the Warminster Parks and Recreation Department for the
next five weeks.
"We
try and select a wide variety of family-oriented music," said
Chelsea Decker, recreation assistant for the Parks and Rec
Department and organizer of the summer music series for the past
five years. "We start planning in February and start receiving
lots of press packs and CDs from local musicians."
Warminster
Welcomes World Class Trumpeter
by Maila Francis
Staff Writer
May 21, 2010
It took all of 10 minutes.
When
his father, a self-taught trumpet player, began instructing him on
the horn that he would play around the house, along with his
harmonica, Allen Vizzutti knew within minutes of his first lesson
that he had found the instrument that would potentially shape his
future.
"It was never really a passing
interest," he says. "As I improved early on, I never had
any desire to play a different instrument. Practice, practice
became part of the day, and that was that. Eat, sleep, school,
brush teeth, practice trumpet."
Today the
Missoula, Montana native is one of the world's most celebrated
trumpet players. He's appeared with a host of artists and
orchestras across the globe, from Chick Corea and Chuck Mangione to
the New Tokyo Philharmonic and the Budapest Radio Orchestra;
composed for instrumental solos and full symphony orchestras;
performed on more than 150 movie sound tracks and video games,
including "Back to the Future" and Scary Movie 4";
released multiple classical and jazz recordings; and written several
well regarded books for trumpet study.
Vizzutti, who
will perform with the Warminster Symphony Orchestra on Saturday in
its final concert of the season, even has his own Yamaha trumpet
model. In 2007, the Signature Artist Model Trumpet YTR-9335VS,
in the key of Bb, was launched in New York City. Vizzutti
helped to design the trumpet with Yamaha brass guru Bob Malone,
creating what he, not surprisingly, says is the best Bb trumpet he's
ever owned, despite also acknowledging that it does occasionally
miss a note.
For the Washington state resident -- the
father of three lives on Mercer Island with wife Laura, an
accomplished pianist with whom he often performs and records -- the
trumpet has always been the most versatile of instruments, which has
made it easy for him to alternate between jazz and classical idioms
Though
he received little jazz exposure growing up in Missoula, he
benefited from a strong musical education community , where he was
able to participate in the University of Montana jazz ensemble as
first trumpet while still in high school. He also attended two
summers' worth of music programs at the prestigious Interlochen
Center for the Arts in Michigan. But it was really at the
Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., where he earned both his
bachelor's and master's degrees in music and received the only
Artists Diploma ever awarded to a wind player, that he truly began
studying jazz.
"Luckily, I'm old enough now that
the music has begun to sink into my bones," says the
57-year-old Vizzutti. "I love most music styles, and my
career has gone in such a way that I frequently bounce from one
discipline to another in concert."
As to the
many other hats he wears at any given moment, including serving as
an artist-in-residence at schools and music institutes across the
country, they're all a happy part of tending his creative fires.
An
admitted music geek, for him, writing is as much a hobby as it is a
necessity. He keeps active in music education to pass on the
value of the arts to a younger generation, and gets so much joy out
of performing that he'll often go out to play following a concert
for the sheer fun of it.
"It doesn't feel like
different hats," he says of his many endeavors. "It feels
like the whole package."
The Warminster Symphony Orchestra will present “War and Peace” — a
concert in celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday — at 8
p.m. May 16 in the auditorium at William Tennent High School in
Warminster.
The 65-piece community-based ensemble’s program,
under the musical direction of Joseph Lovecchio, includes
“Gettysburg” (Randy Edelman), “Wellington’s Victory” (Ludwig von
Beethoven), “Lincoln Portrait” (Aaron Copland), “Blades of Grass”
(Romeo Cascarino) and “Battle Hymn of the Republic” (Peter
Wilhousky).
Kenneth Kastle, former principal at Tennent, will serve as
guest narrator.
Posted in
Arts,
Community,
Life,
Music on Monday, March 9th, 2009 at 7:43 am by Stacy Briggs,
Intelligencer Features Editor
The
Warminster Symphony Orchestra, under the musical direction of
Joseph Lovecchio, will perform during a concert titled “Beautiful,
Bountiful, Beethoven” — and featuring classical pianist
Suzanne Zak — at 8 p.m. March 14 at William Tennent High
School in Warminster.
The program will include “Piano Concerto
No. 1” (which will feature Zak), “Consecration of the House
Overture” and “Symphony No. 6 (Pastoral).”
Says Lovecchio: “The Pastoral Symphony is a joyful celebration
of nature and beauty. Beethoven’s musical creation of a babbling
brook and chirping songbirds is a perfect harbinger of our
approaching spring!”
In addition, the return of Zak, who last appeared with the
symphony in 2004 when she played Prokofiev’s first piano concert,
holds a great deal of promise. Since she last appeared with the
orchestra, she completed her master’s degree at State University
of New York, Purchase College, and became a resident of Upper
Southampton and establishing a piano studio in Warminster.
Lovecchio considers the partnership with Zak a mutually
beneficial one.
“It is especially gratifying to accompany Suzanne,” he says.
“Not only is she a talented musician, but she has had to overcome
adversity to become the concert pianist she is today.
Her commitment to the community in sharing her talents is
extraordinary.”
Zak lost the use of her hands for eight years due to a serious
nerve condition. After enduring two operations and a period of
intense therapy, she has returned to form.
She is looking forward to playing the Beethoven work.
“Not only is he perhaps the greatest of all composers,” she
says, “but his Concerto No. 1 was written to introduce himself as
a pianist and composer to Vienna.”
WARMINSTER
- What began as an impromptu musical group 40 years ago has
blossomed into an acclaimed local orchestra that draws on the area's
finest musicians.
The
Warminster Symphony Orchestra, celebrating its 40th anniversary, is
performing tonight at William Tennent High School under the
direction of Joseph Lovecchio. Several musicians who once played
with the orchestra will return to play some of the group's former
works.
Warminster's own former child
prodigy, Siri Sokol-Milkove, will play Piano Concerto in A Minor,
Op. 54, by Robert Schumann. Sylvan Sokol, Sokol-Milkove's father,
was the orchestra's first general manager.
Lovecchio has been conducting the
65-member orchestra for a dozen years. He believes it remains an
important part of the community.
“There are many, many talented
musicians here,” said Lovecchio, who is also Tennent's head of
instructional music and serves as the Centennial School District's
music coordinator.
The orchestra offers “an
opportunity for these talented people to play their instruments and
for the public to hear high quality concerts at a reasonable price,”
he said.
For a small gathering of musicians
who once practiced in an airport hangar, the past 40 years have
brought a steady rise in membership and audiences.
A typical crowd, without a featured
guest soloist, reaches about 500, Lovecchio said. But a concert that
featured noted Broadway star Ciaran Sheehan of “Phantom of the
Opera” attracted 1,100.
The symphony performs five concerts
a year along with a few outdoor summer shows. A Sunday performance
was introduced for children to encourage them to appreciate music.
“We've really lost that in this
country,” Lovecchio said about exposing children to classical music.
“People once learned it in the home, but that's not so anymore.”
For its May performance, the
orchestra will feature the Philadelphia-based Tenaglia family of
opera singers.
On Sunday nights, the
township meeting room where residents complain about tax increases,
potholes and storm drainage becomes a rehearsal hall for a symphony.
Musicians warm up, and the airy billow of a flute clashes with the
hollow resonance of an oboe. Soon a cacophony of random sounds
becomes part of a musical whole.
Sunday nights have been this way for musicians with the Warminster
Symphony Orchestra for decades, and Saturday the group - which once
rehearsed in an airplane hangar - will celebrate 40 years in
existence.
"They're Warminster's
best-kept secret," said State Rep. Bernard O'Neill, who was born and
raised in Warminster. "In some ways, that's good, because its
Warminster's own, but on the other hand, not enough people out there
are hearing the beauty and joy of their music."
more...
The Warminster Symphony Society would like to thank everyone who
attended the 40th Anniversary Concerts and we'd like to share with
you: The
results of the 1966 Trivia Quiz
The Warminster Symphony Society is continuing its long-established tradition of creating an opportunity for aspiring young musicians to perform a solo with the WARMINSTER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA at one of its scheduled concerts during the 2011-2012 season. The orchestra was founded in 1966. It has provided quality music to the area for 44 years. It presently consists of more than 60 dedicated musicians.
The WARMINSTER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA is under the baton of Music Director/Conductor Joseph Lovecchio. Maestro Lovecchio has been conductor of this fine orchestra since 1995. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and a Master’s Degree in Conducting. He has been honored five times by Who’s Who of America’s Teachers and also by Marquis’ Who’s Who in the Arts for his contributions to the Arts.
ELIGIBILITY
The Warminster Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition is currently in its 26th year of spotlighting talented youth performers. This competition is open to all instrumentalists and vocalists who will be no more than 18 years of age on April 1, 2011, and currently reside in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery or Philadelphia Counties in Pennsylvania or Burlington, Camden, Gloucester or Mercer Counties in New Jersey. Only complete applications
will be considered. A complete application package consists of:
One letter of recommendation (from teachers, conductors, etc.)
A photostatic proof of age (birth certificate or passport)
Proof of residency(utility bill, school document)
An artist biography / resumé
A non-refundable application fee in the form of a check or money order made payable to the WARMINSTER SYMPHONY SOCIETY in the amount of $25.00 must accompany the application.
The application must be received by
MARCH 22,2011. All contestants will receive notification of their acceptance and audition information (time, directions, etc.) by MARCH 28,2011.
* * * * SPECIAL TIME REQUESTS * * * *
must be made when submitting application.
Please clearly attach a note to the application.
While we cannot guarantee your request will be
honored, we will attempt to accommodate you.
Questions should be directed to: 215-355-1987
email: violinkp@aol.com
THE AUDITION:
Saturday April 2, 2011
Qualifications and Guidelines
Auditions are given to woodwind, brass, string, percussion, piano and vocal performers.
Auditions are open to students up to and including age eighteen at the time of the audition.
Youth Division applicants must be capable of performing one complete movement of a concerto by a major composer or an approved equivalent work. Children’s Division applicants must audition on a solo work which has an available orchestral accompaniment.
The audition piece should be three (3) to ten (10) minutes in length.
The audition piece must be the same piece expected to be performed at the concert.
Accompanists are not required for the audition, but are permissible if the applicant desires to bring his/her own accompanist.
Applicants must complete and return the attached form before MARCH 22, 2011 to: Kathy
Pincus, 1045 Longfield Road, Southampton, PA 18966
- Printable Application
Form (PDF)
Auditions will take place one day only
SATURDAY April 2, 2011.
All applicants will be notified of their audition time.
PRIZES:
The first place winner of each age category will receive a monetary prize
and must be available to rehearse and to perform with the WARMINSTER
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA during a regularly scheduled concert in the 2010-2011
season at the discretion of the Music Director. The prizes are:
Youth
Division (ages 13-18) First Prize – $400 *
Children’s
Division (ages 12 and under) First Prize – $200 *
* all
prizes include a performance opportunity with the Warminster Symphony
Orchestra during the 2010-2011 season.
JUDGES
Judges for the audition will be distinguished artists in the orchestra and solo field. If a contestant has studied with, or has personal ties to a judge, the judge will be requested to disqualify himself or herself for that contestant. In such a case, the scores of the other judges will be averaged to provide the additional score. The decision of the judges is final.
The Warminster Symphony Orchestra
- Annual Young Artists Competition
Contact us for general
information about our orchestra
Support the symphonyand cultural
enrichment with a grant,
or advertise your business in our concert programs
while supporting the musical arts in your community
Interested in joining
the Warminster Symphony Society,
or need season tickets? Email for more information!
The Warminster Symphony Orchestra, a 65-piece
community based ensemble of talented and dedicated amateurs and
professionals, is sponsored by the Warminster Symphony Society. The
Society is an incorporated, non-profit, cultural organization that
is supported entirely by its membership, private donations, grants
and business and industry sponsorships.
Become a Subscriber to the Warminster Symphony Society Subscribers enjoy all concerts at a fraction of the cost of tickets
purchased at the door and receive an advanced personal invitation to
the January Pops Event.
Annual Pops Concert Every January the Warminster Symphony Society holds a special Pops
Concert at Spring Mill
Manor in Ivyland. Bring your friends and join us at this
ever-popular annual fundraising event which includes dinner,
concert, door prizes, and more.
Link to a Pops Concert Reservation Form
Become a Business Sponsor Local businesses can support the arts in our community by
becoming a Warminster Symphony Orchestra Business Sponsor.
Business supporters receive recognition in our subscription concert
programs. Check the Business Supporter From below for more
information and to become a supporter.
When
his father, a self-taught trumpet player, began instructing him on
the horn that he would play around the house, along with his
harmonica, Allen Vizzutti knew within minutes of his first lesson
that he had found the instrument that would potentially shape his
future. 
The
Warminster Symphony Orchestra, under the musical direction of
Joseph Lovecchio, will perform during a concert titled “Beautiful,
Bountiful, Beethoven” — and featuring classical pianist
Suzanne Zak — at 8 p.m. March 14 at William Tennent High
School in Warminster.
The WARMINSTER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA is under the baton of Music Director/Conductor Joseph Lovecchio. Maestro Lovecchio has been conductor of this fine orchestra since 1995. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and a Master’s Degree in Conducting. He has been honored five times by Who’s Who of America’s Teachers and also by Marquis’ Who’s Who in the Arts for his contributions to the Arts. 
will be considered. A complete application package consists of: 
Saturday April 2, 2011
