New Haven, CT October 5, 2010: The New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) and local photographer and philanthropist Cheever Tyler are proud to announce the release of Portrait of an Orchestra, a coffee table book of photographs of NHSO musicians.
Portrait of an Orchestra consists of beautiful black and white photographs taken by Mr. Tyler of members of the NHSO in familiar settings outside their musical lives. Each image is accompanied by text written by the musicians about the importance of the NHSO and/or music in their lives. The premise of the book is to break down the barriers between the musicians and audience in the concert hall by highlighting the musicians’ talents, and interests as members of the Greater New Haven community.
Of this exquisite collection, Cheever says “when I conceived this book, I wanted to give you an opportunity to meet some talented people who have given the residents of Greater New Haven great joy. In this book, as in life, you may visit them at home or in their studios, you may run into them at a coffee shop, the park, the gym, or the barbershop. I invite you to meet them so that the next time you see them on stage…you will know them and participate in the successes of friends, as I do.”
Members of the community are invited to attend a Book Signing on Wednesday, October 13, 5:30pm at the Quinnipiack Club, 221 Church St., New Haven. The cost of the event is $75 per person which includes wine, hors d’oeurves, and a signed copy of Portrait of an Orchestra. Those who are interested in attending are asked to RSVP at (203) 865-0831, ext. 21 or ngallego@newhavensyphony.org.
Beginning Monday, October 18, books will be available for purchase through the NHSO website, at the box office location, and at local bookstores including Barnes & Noble, R.J. Julia and Atticus Bookstore & Cafe. Books can be purchased for $40.00 ($5.00 for shipping and handling may be applied).
Of Cheever Tyler, Alderwoman Bitsie Clark says “[He] started his love affair with the City of New Haven and its institutions when he was an undergraduate at Yale University in the late 1950s. After serving in the Navy and graduating from law school Cheever settled in New Haven to practice law in 1964. Almost immediately he became a community leader and, over the years, he founded and chaired the New Haven Public Education Fund and held board chairmanships at the Community Foundation, United Way of Greater New Haven, University of New Haven, Shubert Theater, Elm Shakespeare Company, the Albert Schweitzer Foundation, Mory’s, the Arts Council of Greater New Haven, and the New Haven County Bar Association. During his time, he received a number of awards for his community work. Along the way, Cheever became an artist of many talents: a photographer, a poet, a playwright, a filmmaker, and an author of books that celebrate the enormous contributions of the region’s many artists of all disciplines. Cheever’s genuine love and admiration for the creative gifts of others, along with his remarkable ability to capture the artist’s real self in words and pictures, allow the musicians on each page of Portrait of an Orchestra to come alive with extraordinary presence.”
Support for this program is generously provided by Reid & Riege.
