The New York Pops: Autumn 2005 Newsletter

By: Dr. Sherrie Maricle
Director of Education

4th Annual Martin Ormandy scholarship winners with Paolo Nutini, Damon Dash, Ahmet Ertegun, and Kid Rock. Students (l-r) Ariel Moye, Nena Kunnateerachadalai, Johann Villanueva, Andrea Patti, Brie Clark.
Photo: Rob Rich

For two weeks this summer, five young musicians from The New York Pops Salute to Music education program escaped the city heat to perfect their craft in bucolic Oneonta, New York, allexpenses paid. They were recipients of Martin Ormandy Scholarships, named after the orchestra’s founding principal cellist. The five young people, all from New York City public schools, attended the New York Summer Music Festival, a musical training institute headquartered at SUNY Oneonta. They were selected after having shown exceptional musical growth during the academic year as participants in the orchestra’s Salute to Music program, which provides free instrumental lessons to more than a hundred music students throughout the city’s five boroughs. In May, more than two dozen students from Salute to Music were selected to perform with The New York Pops at the orchestra’s gala concert. From this group, five were chosen as winners of the prestigious Martin Ormandy Scholarship. After attending the twoweek intensive training session, the scholarship winners wrote to us with some touching words about their experiences. They were overwhelmingly appreciative of their opportunity to learn in such an open and challenging environment.

Johann Villanueva (trumpet, age 12) wrote: “It was the greatest time of my life. Not only was it really fun, it was also an excellent learning experience.” He mentions his favorite class, Lab Jazz, which taught him to improvise and feel more comfortable performing.

Nena Kunnateerachadalai (saxophone, age 13) told us that “everyone was so nice and no one cared about how you dressed or looked or how bad or good you played your instrument, and everyone especially loved to share and care for one another.” Nena’s favorite class was also Lab Jazz, because “the music we play in that class just gets my feet moving.”

New York Pops Director of Education Dr. Sherrie Maricle (L) and NYSMF Executive Director Jungeun Kim (R) with 2003 Ormandy Scholarship winner Nicholas Hart (right middle) and the five 2006 New York Pops students at New ork
Summer Music Festival.
Photo: Keisuke Hoashi

Andrea Patti (clarinet, age 12) said “Not only did my love for music grow, but my love for myself and my new friends grew even bigger.” Andrea was excited to find out that there was a concert every single night during the second week, and she was able to see so many performances.

Ariel Moye (trumpet, age 15) wrote “This was the best opportunity to advance in my music and playing.” She appreciated the chance to listen to professional musicians.

Lastly, Brie Clarke (clarinet, age 12) told us that “it was truly an amazing, awesome, and unforgettable opportunity of a lifetime. Even though it was a rigorous and intense two-week program of hard work, dedication, and commitment, I enjoyed every moment because I loved doing what I do best and love the most – music, music, music.”

2003 winner Nicholas Hart (double bass, now age 18) returned to NYSMF of his own accord in ’04, ’05 and ’06. This fall he began his professional studies at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music as a music performance major. This summer Nicholas stopped me in the camp cafeteria and said while looking at the ground and shuffling his feet: “Uh, Sherrie, I don’t want to be mushy or anything, but if it wasn’t for The New York Pops giving me this experience I would never have been able to do all the things I have in music. I can’t thank you enough.”

The orchestra’s relationship with NYSMF began when New York Pops’ founder Skitch Henderson volunteered to conduct a major pops fundraiser for the camp. He returned for three consecutive years and his performances were always the highlight of the summer. This summer the camp honored Skitch and his outstanding contributions by presenting a pops concert in his memory, featuring several of the pieces he presented at his first NYSMF concert.

NYSMF Executive Director Jungeun Kim is looking forward to continuing the relationship with The New York Pops. Together, The New York Pops and The New York Summer Music Festival will continue to honor the memory and generosity of Skitch Henderson.

The New York Pops free education programs are made possible through individual, corporate, government, and foundation donations. If you are interested in supporting The New York Pops music education programs please contact Education and Office Coordinator, Joanne Winograd at 212-765-7677.

For more information on NYSMF please visit www.nysmf.org.