Four Month Educational and Artistic Residency to Serve More Than 10,000 Students and 2,500 Adults
Events and Appearances with NHSO to Include State-Wide Young People’s Concerts, World Premiere Performance at Shubert Theater, In-School Residencies, Educational Professional Development Opportunities, Composition Workshops, Art Gallery Lecture, Free Community Concert, and More
The New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) will host Grammy Award nominated and internationally beloved jazz musician and composer Chris Brubeck as its 2015 Artist-in-Residence beginning in late February through May 2015.
Grammy-nominated composer Chris Brubeck continues to distinguish himself as an innovative performer and composer. Brubeck has created an impressive body of symphonic work while maintaining a demanding touring and recording schedule with the Brubeck Brothers Quartet and his trio Triple Play. Chris has worked with many diverse artists, including Frederica von Stade, Ben Luxon, Dawn Upshaw, Bill Crofut, Meryl Streep, Willie Nelson, B.B. King, Gerry Mulligan, Bela Fleck, Bobby McFerrin, Stephane Grappelli, Bobby Womack, Tower of Power, and Patti Labelle. His compositions have been performed by orchestras all around the world, including the prominent U.S. orchestras of Boston, Houston, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Washington as well as the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, the Russian National Orchestra, and the Singapore Chinese Orchestra.
The New Haven Symphony Orchestra’s Artist Residency will place Chris Brubeck in the schools, civic centers, and concert halls of the Greater New Haven community, lending his unique artistic voice and educational perspective to enrich the scope and effectiveness of music learning in New Haven and beyond. He will serve in roles as varied as: Young People’s Concert presenter to more than 8,000 students; in-school resident artist and community concert leader; mentor to the NHSO’s Junior Board; lecturer and activist for music education in Greater New Haven.
On Thursday, March 12, the NHSO will feature Brubeck in “Ansel Adams, Bernstein & Brubeck” at the Shubert Theater. Central to the residency, this multimedia concert will include a world premiere performance of Chris’ newest composition, Time Changes for Jazz Combo and Orchestra, which he will perform side-by-side with students from Guilford High School and the NHSO. The performance also will feature the Connecticut premiere of Chris and Dave Brubeck’s Grammy nominated Ansel Adams: America, a work accompanying 100 of Ansel Adams’ majestic images projected above the orchestra. The piece was nominated for a Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition in 2013 and was the last piece on which Chris and his father collaborated.
Chris Brubeck says, “I am honored to work with the NHSO and music director William Boughton; I have the highest regard for their commitment to music education. The marriage of jazz and classical music kicks down doors for young listeners and musicians, especially when high school musicians are featured alongside the orchestra. This is the inspiration for my newest work and the residency as a whole. It is my hope that students will see themselves in the musicians onstage and imagine a future full of music.”
NHSO Music Director William Boughton says, “We are delighted to follow our 2013 artist-in-residence, hip hop violinist Daniel Bernard Roumain, with jazz trombonist and composer Chris Brubeck. A personal highlight of the residency will be featuring Chris, the NHSO, and high school musicians in a world premiere performance at the Shubert Theater. This work will expand the orchestral genre into the world of jazz and provide inspiration to young performers and audience members for years to come.”
New Haven Mayor Toni N. Harp expressed her pride for the residency: “Arts initiatives like this residency strengthen and unite our community in meaningful, upbeat, and soulful ways, giving us the opportunity to learn and grow together through music. As Mayor, I look forward to sharing innovative musical opportunities with more than 10,000 children and Chris Brubeck.”
Those interested in following Chris throughout his residency can do so by becoming a fan of the NHSO facebook page, twitter (@NHSO) and instagram (@NHSOmusic), where Chris will be offering regular updates, video, photos, music clips, and more.
2015 NHSO Artist Residency with Chris Brubeck Schedule of Events:
In-School Workshop: Middletown High School*
Thursday, February 26
Chris will work with instrumental students from Middletown High School focusing on jazz techniques, composition, and preparing them to attend the March 14 performance of “Ansel Adams, Bernstein & Brubeck.”
In-School Residency: Guilford High School*
February 26 – March 11
Leading up to the March 12 performance of “Ansel Adams, Bernstein & Brubeck” Chris will work with a jazz combo from Guilford High School, rehearsing his newest commission, Time Changes for Jazz Combo and Orchestra, and coaching the students on their musical skills and technique. The conclusion of this residency will be a side-by-side performance with the combo and the NHSO on March 12 at the Shubert Theater.
Kickoff Party at BAR
Friday, February 27, 2015 · 5:30pm · BAR
The NHSO welcomes Chris Brubeck to New Haven with pizza, beer, and music at BAR! Those who register in advance for this event will receive a free drink ticket; email education@NewHavenSymphony.org to register.
In-School Residency: Wilbur Cross High School*
February 27 – March 5
Chris will spend five consecutive school days working with the band, jazz band, and choir at Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven. His residency will include instruction on improvisation, musicality, and technique as he works with the students on their school repertoire as well as his own compositions. NHSO musicians will join in on some of the rehearsals and instructional workshops. The residency will conclude with a free community concert (see below).
NHSO and Yale Art Gallery Special Event/Lecture: Ansel Adams
Tuesday, March 3 · 7:00pm · Sudler Hall (Yale University)
Yale Art Gallery curator La Tanya Autry will lead a free lecture about photography legend Ansel Adams. Chris Brubeck will offer insight into the creative process behind Ansel Adams: America, his Grammy nominated work for orchestra, which will be performed by the NHSO on March 12 at the Shubert Theater.
Free Community Concert: New Haven Public Schools
Thursday, March 5 (Location TBA)
To conclude Chris’ residency at Wilbur Cross High School, the students will present a free community concert that will include performances by Chris and NHSO musicians.
In-School Workshop: West Haven High School*
Monday, March 9
Chris will coach the West Haven High School band on musicality, improvisation, and technique and will prepare them for their attendance of the NHSO Young People’s Concert on April 29.
In-School Workshop: Wintergreen Interdistrict Magnet School*
Tuesday, March 10
Chris will coach the Middle School jazz band on musicality, improvisation and technique and will prepare them for their attendance of the NHSO Young People’s Concert on April 29.
Community Lecture: Tower One/Tower East*
Wednesday, March 11 · Tower One/Tower East
Chris Brubeck will lead a free lecture for the residents of Tower One/Tower East senior care and assisted living programs. Tower One/Tower East provides independent and licensed assisted living funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Ansel Adams, Bernstein & Brubeck
Thursday, March 12, 2015 · 7:30pm ∙ Shubert Theater
Saturday, March 14, 2015 · 7:30pm · Performing Arts Center at Middletown High School
Featuring: William Boughton, conductor; Chris Brubeck, NHSO Artist-in-Residence and trombone
Program: Chris & Dave Brubeck: Ansel Adams: America; Chris Brubeck: Concerto for Bass Trombone and Time Changes for Jazz Combo and Orchestra (world premiere); Leonard Bernstein: Overture from Candide; Duke Ellington: The River Suite
Pre-Concert Lecture: Chris Brubeck will lead a free pre-concert Prelude lecture at 6:30pm prior to the Shubert Theater performance.
Ticket Information (March 12 performance): Adult tickets are $15-74 and student tickets are $10. The NHSO KidTix program allows children ages 7-17 to attend concerts free of charge with the purchase of an adult ticket. The Blue Star tickets program provides free tickets for active military personnel and their immediate families. Call the Shubert box office at 203.562.5666 or visit www.shubert.com to purchase tickets.
Ticket Information (March 14 performance): Tickets are $25-35, student tickets are $10. KidTix and Blue Star tickets are available. Call 203.865.0831 x20 or visit the NHSO online at www.NewHavenSymphony.org to purchase tickets.
Young People’s Concerts: Red, White & Brubeck
Tuesday, April 28 · Hyde School Cultural Center, Woodstock*
Wednesday, April 29 · Woolsey Hall, New Haven
Friday, May 1 · Parsons Government Center, Milford*
Monday, May 4 · Seymour Middle School, Seymour*
The NHSO’s 83rd Annual Young People’s Concerts will feature American music from Classical to Jazz with NHSO Artist-in-Residence Chris Brubeck.
Program: Copland: Hoe Down (from Rodeo); Barber: Adagio for Strings; Dave Brubeck: Blue Rondo A La Turk and Brandenburg Gate Revisited; Chris Brubeck: World Premiere and Concerto for Bass Trombone & Orchestra; W.C. Handy: St. Louis Blues
Ticket Information: Tickets for the April 29 performance at Woolsey Hall in New Haven are available for purchase through the NHSO box office. Student tickets are $7 and teachers come free. Educators may call the NHSO box office at 203.865.0831 x20 to reserve tickets.
In-School Workshop: Waterbury Arts Magnet School*
Monday, May 4
As a featured artist in the NHSO Heroes of American Music Project created in conjunction with the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, Chris Brubeck will work with music students and the Middle School Jazz Band on musicality, technique and improvisation.
*Indicates educational events that are closed to the general public. Press and photographer access to these events can be requested in advance by emailing NHSO Marketing Director Katie Bonner Russo at marketing@NewHavenSymphony.org. Educators can request more information by contacting NHSO Education Director Laura Adam at Ladam@NewHavenSymphony.org.
Additional educational events, including workshops with Neighborhood Music School, Educational Center for the Arts, New Haven Public School teachers, Yale Music in School Initiative, NHSO Junior Board, and NHSO musicians, may be announced and updated as the residency progresses.
Support for the Chris Brubeck Artist Residency is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, New Music USA, and the Fromm Music Foundation. Support for the Young People’s Concert performances is provided by the Katharine Matthies Foundation, Chester Kitchings Family Foundation, Milford Public Schools, Performing Arts of Northeastern Connecticut, the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, Henry E. and Nancy H. Bartels Fund for Education, George A. and Grace L. Long Foundation. Support for the Young People’s Concert curriculum is provided by Alexion Pharmeceuticals, the Katharine Matthies Foundation, and the NewAlliance Foundation. The 2014-2015 Symphony at the Shubert Series is generously sponsored by Marcum, LLC. The March 12 concert is co-sponsored by Chamber Insurance Trust. The 2014-2015 season media sponsor is the New Haven Register.
