Evening of Music Celebrates Rochester-Velikiy Novgorod Sister Cities Connection
A diverse program of vocal and instrumental works by Russian composers, presented by the Eastman Community Music School (ECMS) and Linkages of Rochester, Inc., will celebrate Rochester’s connection to its sister city of Veliky Novgorod. The 12th annual collaborative event, titled “A Russian-American Friendship Concert,” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, Kilbourn Hall, at the Eastman School of Music.
The first half of the program features ECMS piano and string students. Piano students range in age from 7-15 years old, and the young string players are all in middle school and high school. This year’s special guests include The Yale Russian Chorus (YRC). YRC is a tenor-bass a cappella choral ensemble specializing in sacred and secular Slavic choral music. Chorus members are Yale University students from a variety of academic disciplines. Founded in 1953 by Denis Mickiewicz, a Yale student at the time, the YRC is recognized as one of the world’s premier performance ensembles of Slavic music today, and we are honored and delighted to have them sing here.
In addition to the concert, audience members will be able to enjoy an exhibit of artwork by Rand Darrow that is inspired by Russian history, folk tales, and mythology.
The concert will be followed by a reception of Russian treats and sweets in Cominsky Promenade, located on the second floor of the Eastman School of Music.
The event is free and open to the public. Linkages of Rochester, Inc., is a volunteer organization that promotes professional, educational, and cultural exchanges between Rochester and Velikiy Novgorod.
YRC will also be doing a masterclass at the Eastman School of Music from 3:30-5:30 in room 305 in main hall on January 4th.
About Eastman Community Music School:
The Eastman Community Music School (ECMS) provides opportunities for community members to learn, discuss, and celebrate music. As one of Eastman’s primary connections to the greater Rochester community since 1921, the school offers music lessons, ensembles, classes, and workshops to student of all ages and backgrounds. ECMS serves an average of 1,600 students per year ranging in age from 4 months to 92 years old. From pre-school and early childhood programs, to college prep and diploma programs, to adult ensembles and classes, ECMS nurtures and inspires students at all levels.
About Eastman School of Music:
The Eastman School of Music was founded in 1921 by industrialist and philanthropist George Eastman (1854-1932), founder of Eastman Kodak Company. It was the first professional school of the University of Rochester. Mr. Eastman’s dream was that his school would provide a broad education in the liberal arts as well as superb musical training.
About 900 students are enrolled in Eastman’s Collegiate Division– about 500 undergraduate and 400 graduate students. Students come from almost every state, and approximately 20 percent are from other countries. They are guided by more than 95 full-time faculty members. Six alumni and three faculty members have been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music, as have numerous GRAMMY Awards. Each year, Eastman’s students, faculty members, and guest artists present more than 700 concerts to the Rochester community.
