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Tippecanoe Arts Federation announces $116,393 in Regional Partnership Grant Awards

admin — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:38:27 +0000

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Tippecanoe Arts Federation (TAF) announces 28 organizations throughout Region 4 (Benton, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Fountain, Howard, Jasper, Montgomery, Newton, Pulaski, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Warren, and White Counties) will receive a total of $116,393.00 in grant awards for Fiscal Year 2010.

Earlier this year volunteer citizen peer panels, convened by TAF, reviewed 30 proposals. Grant awards were approved August 3, 2009 during the TAF board of director’s meeting.

Grants are made possible by the Indiana Arts Commission with funds appropriated by the Indiana General Assembly and the U.S. Congress, through the National Endowment for the Arts, and are for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009.

The following organizations from Region 4 were approved for funding:

Arts Organization Support — Amount — County

(Funds provide general operating support to the following organizations)

Civic Theater of Greater Lafayette — $11,227 — Tippecanoe
Purdue University Convocations — $14,034 — Tippecanoe
Lafayette Symphony Orchestra — $10,364 — Tippecanoe
Art Museum of Greater Lafayette — $9,500 — Tippecanoe
Friends of the Frankfort Public Library — $5,159 — Clinton
Kokomo Civic Theater — $4,078 — Howard
Bach Chorale Singers — $5,363 — Tippecanoe
Prairie Arts Council — $5,407 — Jasper
Logansport Art Association — $3,715 — Cass
Long Center for the Performing Arts — $5,378 — Tippecanoe
IU Kokomo Gallery — $3,797 — Howard
Kokomo Park Band — $5,413 — Howard
Book Readers & Horn Blowers — $5,129 — Carroll

Arts Project Support — Amount — County

Psi Iota, Beta Alpha Chapter — $3,782 — Carroll
Funds will be used to support the Book Readers and Horn Blowers Elementary program
Kokomo Community Concerts — $2,921 — Howard
Funds will be used to support the 2009-2010 Concert series
Indiana Fiddlers’ Gathering — $3,775 — Tippecanoe
Funds will be used to support the Fiddlers’ Gathering
Purdue University Jazz — $3,624 — Tippecanoe
Funds will be used to support the 2010 Jazz Festival and educational programming
Tippecanoe County Historical Association — $3,728 — Tippecanoe
Funds will be used to support the Feast of the Hunter’s Moon

Mini Grant Support — Amount — County

Tipton County Pork Festival — $1,000 — Tipton
Funds will be used to support Festival Arts programming including exhibitions and education
Delphi Elementary School — $1,000 — Carroll
Funds will be used to support for an Artist in Residency
Flora Monroe Township Library — $1,000 — Cass
Funds will be used to support for summer art education classes
Friends of Bob Music Co-op — $1,000 — Tippecanoe
Funds will be used to support for the presentation of an international musical performing artist
Words on the Go — $1,000 — Tippecanoe
Funds will be used to support city poetry initiatives
Tri Kappa — $1,000 — Howard
Funds will be used to support the annual high school arts competition and exhibition
Art League of Montgomery County — $1,000 — Montgomery
Funds will be used to support the downtown juried art exhibition
Lew Wallace Study Preservation Society — $1,000 — Montgomery
Funds will be used to support the artist in residency day
All Saints Catholic School — $1,000 — Cass
Funds will be used to support monthly artist in residencies during the 2009/2010 school year
Wabash Valley Youth Symphony — $1,000 — Tippecanoe
Funds will be used to support sectional rehearsal musicians

Activities of the Tippecanoe Arts Federation are provided, in part, with support from the Indiana Arts Commission, a state agency, with funds from the Indiana General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Lafayette Symphony selects 3 winners from 2009 Keller Competition

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:10:03 +0000

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Two Lafayette-West Lafayette musicians and a Rensselaer violinist are winners of the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra’s 2009 Keller Competition, LSO officials announced today (July 20).

This year’s winners are vocalist Sarah Leeper, daughter of Wendy and Steve Leeper of West Lafayette; pianist Christopher Park, son of Kinam and Haesun Park of West Lafayette; and violinist Lydia Umlauf, daughter of Donald and Janet Umlauf in Jasper County.

Sarah Leeper

Sarah, who sang Handel’s Lascia ch’io pianga and Mozart’s Chi sa Chi sa qual sia during the open Keller competition, is taught by voice instructor Karen Goff. Christopher, who played Beethoven’s Concerto No. 1 Op. 15 1st Movement, takes lessons from piano teacher Nayda Dubikovsky. Lydia, whose instructor is Desiree Ruhstrat, performed Ravel’s Tzigane.

A panel of professional judges selected the three musicians from 22 performances for the 36th annual competition, which was held earlier this summer at Covenant Presbyterian Church in West Lafayette.
The trio will perform with the symphony Nov. 21 at the LSO’s annual Keller Concert at the Long Center for Performing Arts, 111 N. Sixth St., in downtown Lafayette.

Lydia Umlauf

“Congratulations to this year’s Allan W. Keller Competition winners and all who participated as finalists. We look forward to the performance by the three winners with the symphony at our annual Keller Concert in November,” said LSO music director Nicholas Palmer.

Musicians age 22 and younger are eligible to compete at the annual Keller Competition for the opportunity to perform as featured soloists with the LSO. The date for next year’s Keller Competition will be announced later this year.

Over the years, a number of Lafayette-West Lafayette area musicians have advanced to prominent music schools, performed at top musical venues and attained significant success with their instrument, whether that be violin, cello, voice, clarinet, trumpet, flute or percussion.

“We view the Keller Competition as a cornerstone for the LSO’s commitment to education and outreach as we grow our regional orchestra,” said LSO executive director Ken Bootsma. “Through this wonderful and longstanding program, we can tap into the local and area schools, employers and organizations to expand the symphony’s reach and offer professional performance opportunities for the region’s young musicians.”

Last year’s winners were clarinet player Anna O’Connor of Lafayette, pianist Jason Wu of West Lafayette and flutist Katie Christenson of Wheaton, Ill. The 2007 Keller Competition winners were Christian Schrock of Covington, Jinty McTavish of Lafayette and Nathan Kross of West Lafayette.

“The Keller Competition promotes quality musicianship, high achievement in musical performance for students from throughout the Lafayette-West Lafayette region,” Palmer said. “I am so proud the LSO sponsors this excellent competition because it confirms that in both school music programs and in private applied studios, quality music teaching takes place every day to support, encourage and challenge local young musicians.”

The LSO kicks off its 2009-10 season with Second Annual Outdoor Pops Concert at 6 p.m. Sept. 6 at the Tippecanoe Amphitheater, north of West Lafayette on Indiana 43. Cost is $10 per carload.

The LSO’s formal season begins at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 with the performance “Scheherazade,” featuring pianist Chu-Fang Huang, a Young Concert Artist who won the piano competition and a finalist in the Twelfth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Texas in 2005. The concert is sponsored by Eli Lilly and Co.’s Tippecanoe Laboratories.

About 80 percent of its patrons are from Lafayette, West Lafayette and Tippecanoe County, while the remainder are from the surrounding counties of Benton, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Fountain, Howard, Jasper, Montgomery, Newton, Pulaski, Tipton, Warren and White.

For more details about season-ticket specials and other information on the Lafayette Symphony’s upcoming season, go to http://www.lafayettesymphony.org.

Lafayette Symphony awards 15 McPherson String Scholarships for 2009

admin — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:48:26 +0000

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Fifteen Lafayette-area string musicians, including four who are home-schooled, are winners of this year’s McPherson String Scholarships to advance their musical training, the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra announced Tuesday (April 28).

The 2009 McPherson Scholarship recipients are Daniel Choi, Agustina de la Fuente, Joseph Frank, Mark Timmerman, Amy He and Bryce Wang of West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School; Kaleb Emery, Adrian Escobar, LeAnn Hackerd, and Dillon Miller of Frankfort Middle School; Kayla Newcomb of Central Catholic Jr./Sr. High in Lafayette; and Nathan Davis, Christina Doerr, Clara Loisch and Gabriella Loisch, who are home-schooled.

The Lafayette Symphony Orchestra announces the 2009 class of McPherson String Scholarship winners

Winners receive $300 each through the Dr. and Mrs. Richard C. McPherson String Instrument Scholarship Fund. This year, 54 scholarship applications were submitted. The Greater Lafayette Community Foundation distributes the annual scholarships on behalf of the Lafayette Symphony.

Ken Bootsma, executive director of the LSO, said the McPherson scholarships are designed to encourage interest in string instruments such as the violin, viola, bass or cello among the many young musicians in local and regional communities.

“The $300 individual awards, made possible for the 12th straight year through the generosity of the McPherson family, can be extremely helpful, especially during these tough economic times, for private lessons or music camps to foster a love for music for all ages,” Bootsma said.

Musicians who were nominated by local and area music instructors were asked to submit an application along with a 100- to 300-word essay about how the scholarship would help them advance their musical interests. An ad hoc committee of three LSO musicians recommended the 15 recipients to the LSO’s Education Committee for final approval.

“The McPherson scholarship program pays particular attention to those students whose interest in string playing proficiency is limited by financial constraints,” said LSO musical director Nicholas Palmer. “It also is a key part of the LSO’s outreach mission into our local and regional communities and to help these young musicians and their families grow their love of performance.”

The program was created in 1998 by the McPhersons in honor of their children, Gregg A. McPherson and Kimberly McPherson, to encourage and stimulate interest in string-playing proficiency.

Applicants for yearly scholarships must be enrolled in school in grades 7-12, which includes the summer following the 12th grade. They must be permanent residents of Benton, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Fountain, Howard, Jasper, Montgomery, Newton, Pulaski, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Warren and White counties.

The deadline for the 2010 McPherson scholarships is mid-February. Application forms can be picked up at the LSO offices on the second floor of the Long Center for Performing Arts, 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette, IN, 47901. Prior scholarship applicants are eligible to reapply, and recipients from the last three years are not eligible to reapply.

Launched in 1950 as a nonprofit organization, the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra is focused on enriching the cultural life of the Lafayette-West Lafayette community, which includes Purdue University, and 14 surrounding counties through excellence in orchestral music and educational experience.

About 80 percent of the Lafayette Symphony’s patrons live in Lafayette, West Lafayette and Tippecanoe County, while the remainder resides in the surrounding counties of Benton, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Fountain, Howard, Jasper, Montgomery, Newton, Pulaski, Tipton, Warren and White.

LSO presents Spanish Fiesta featuring guitarist Jason Vieaux

admin — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:21:14 +0000

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — In their final performance of the 2008-2009 season, the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra presents “Spanish Fiesta” on Saturday, April 25th. Spanish Fiesta is a celebration of the Latin rhythms by composers like Gershwin, Rodrigo, Galindo and more. Classical guitarist, Jason Vieaux, is the guest artist and will perform the solo during Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez.

Guest artist Jason Vieaux is the youngest First Prize winner in the history of the prestigious Guitar Foundation of American International Competition, and was honored as the Artistic Ambassador of the U.S. to Southeast Asia.

Vieaux is expanding the definition of “Classical Guitarist” with over 50 performance dates internationally this season. He has eight recordings to his credit and many more to come. Vieaux is the youngest First Prize winner in the history of the prestigious Guitar Foundation of American International Competition, and was honored as the Artistic Ambassador of the U.S. to Southeast Asia. The LSO will be performing a variety of symphonic works from Cuba and Mexico, while Vieaux joins in with a work from Spain.

Join the LSO for a fiesta after the show with complimentary appetizers and a chance to meet Jason Vieaux in person.

Tickets: Adults $17-35, Senior (65+) $15-32, Students $8-15
Location: Long Center for Performing Arts, Downtown Lafayette, Indiana
Date/Time: Saturday, April 25, 2009. 7:30p curtain.

Program:
GERSHWIN – Cuban Overture
RODRIGO – Concierto de Aranjuez (Jason Vieaux, guitar)
GALINDO – Sounds of the Mariachis
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Capriccio Espagnol
RAVEL – Bolero

The Irish Tenors

admin — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:14:06 +0000

The Irish Tenors -- Anthony Kearns, Finbar Wright, and Karl Scully

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Anthony Kearns, Finbar Wright, and Karl Scully celebrate the music of the Emerald Isle with sparkling voices and Irish charm, performing traditional Gaelic folk songs, ballads, and medleys with lush accompaniment by our very own Lafayette Symphony Orchestra. Since their debut in 1998, The Irish Tenors have performed to enthusiastic audiences in the finest venues around the world. Their eight chart-topping albums include legendary Irish standards like “Danny Boy” and “Molly Malone,” as well as stirring interpretations of pop hits, folk tunes, and sacred hymns. Their worldwide success has spawned many imitators, but there is only one trio with the impeccable harmonies, sweeping orchestration, and international following of The Irish Tenors.

“The luck of the Irish may be legendary, but there’s a lot to say for the skill of the Irish, as demonstrated by The Irish Tenors’ blending of traditional and modern songs.”
–The Washington Post

The Irish Tenors
Friday, March 6th at 8:00p
Elliott Hall of Music, Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN

This performance is a collaboration between Purdue Convocations and the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra. Call 765-494-3933 for tickets. LSO patrons with questions about ticket purchase options should call 765-494-9712.

In Related News:

News via Lafayette Indiana Online

The Irish Tenors

LSO: The Splendor of Vienna

admin — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:30:01 +0000

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Long Center Theater in Downtown Lafayette will host the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra’s next concert on January 10, 2009.

Peter Vinograde

The concert, “The Splendor of Vienna”, will feature guest pianist, Peter Vinograde, playing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 25 in C Major. Mozart completed this concerto in December of 1786, and it is the last of the twelve great piano concertos written in Vienna, and currently regarded as one of his greatest works. Dr. Vinograde teaches at the Manhattan School of Music and according to the New York Times, listeners will be “instantly impressed with his big technique, lively mind, and passionate commitment to the music”.

Featured Works:

STRAUSS – On the Beautiful Danube
MOZART – Piano Concert #25 in C Major, Peter Vinograde, piano
BEETHOVEN – Symphony #6 “Pastorale”

Featured Performer: Peter Vinograde, piano
Conductor: Nicholas Palmer
Curtain: 7:30 PM Saturday
Date: January 10, 2009
Location: Long Center for Performing Arts, 111 N 6th St, Lafayette, IN 47901
For Information: (765) 742-5664

Lafayette Symphony auditions set for 2008 Keller Competition

admin — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:35:20 +0000

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Two Lafayette-West Lafayette musicians and an Illinois flutist are winners of the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra’s 2008 Keller Competition, LSO officials announced today (July 24)
Clarinet player Anna O’Connor, a Lafayette Jeff High School student and daughter of Thomas and Ruth O’Connor, and pianist Jason Wu, son of Tim and Yulen Wu, of West Lafayette, won for their performances. Katie Christenson, daughter of John and Becky Christenson of Wheaton, Ill., was selected for her flute playing.

The trio will perform with the symphony Dec. 6, 2008 at the symphony’s annual Keller Concert at the Long Center for Performing Arts, 111 N. Sixth St., in downtown Lafayette.

A panel of professional judges selected the three musicians from a group of 25 performers at the competition held earlier this summer at Covenant Presbyterian Church in West Lafayette.

“Congratulations to this year’s Allan W. Keller Competition winners. They were terrific, and we look forward to their performance with the full symphony at our annual Keller Concert in December,” said Karen Goff, Keller Competition Committee chairwoman and member of the LSO’s Education/Outreach Committee.

“And thanks to all the outstanding performers for an event that drew the most contestants since we started this program 35 years ago. We hope to see them again next year.”

The Allan W. Keller Memorial Award was established in 1973 to honor Allan Keller, a former LSO treasurer and supporter. Each year, young musicians compete for the opportunity to perform as featured soloists with the LSO and each winner is granted a cash prize.
Over the years, a number of Lafayette-West Lafayette area musicians have advanced to prominent music schools, performed at top musical venues and attained significant success with their instrument, whether that be violin, cello, voice, clarinet, trumpet, flute or percussion.

“We view the Keller Competition as a cornerstone for the LSO’s commitment to education and outreach as we grow our regional orchestra,” said LSO music director Nicholas Palmer. “Through this wonderful and longstanding program, we can tap into the local and area schools, employers and organizations to expand the symphony’s reach and offer professional performance opportunities for the region’s young musicians.”

The 2007 Keller Competition winners were Christian Schrock of Covington, Jinty McTavish of Lafayette and Nathan Kross of West Lafayette. They performed during the LSO “Classical Holiday Celebration” concert on Dec. 15, 2007.

“The Keller Competition, marking a milestone 35th year this year, promotes quality musicianship, high achievement in musical performance for students from throughout the Lafayette-West Lafayette region,” Goff said. “I am so proud the LSO sponsors this excellent competition because it confirms that in both school music programs and in private applied studios, quality music teaching takes place every day to support, encourage and challenge local young musicians.”

The LSO kicks off its 2008-09 season with a performance by guest violinist Elena Urioste at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27 in the Long Center.

At age 21, Urioste is already a two-time winner of the Sphinx Competition and has performed with numerous orchestras including Philadelphia, Cleveland, Baltimore, Detroit, Atlanta and Pittsburgh. A Philadelphia-based musician of Mexican heritage, she will be performing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, written in 1878 in Clarens, a Swiss resort on the shores of Lake Geneva.

The concert is sponsored by Eli Lilly and Co.’s Tippecanoe Laboratories.

Launched in 1950 as a non-profit organization, the 70-person Lafayette Symphony Orchestra is focused on enriching the cultural life of the West Central Indiana community and 14 surrounding counties through excellence in orchestral music and educational experience.
About 80 percent of its patrons are from Lafayette, West Lafayette and Tippecanoe County, while the remainder are from the surrounding counties of Benton, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Fountain, Howard, Jasper, Montgomery, Newton, Pulaski, Tipton, Warren and White.

For more information on the Lafayette Symphony, go to http://www.lafayettesymphony.org

Musical Delights at Frank Lloyd Wright’s SAMARA 2008 Garden Party

admin — Mon, 12 May 2008 19:18:07 +0000

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The John Christian Family Trust, administrators of the Frank Lloyd house SAMARA, in cooperation with Wabash Valley Youth Symphony will host Musical Delights at Frank Lloyd Wright’s SAMARA Sunday, June 1, 2008. The Garden Party will run from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm EDT with outdoor performances by members of the Wabash Valley Youth Symphony scheduled throughout the afternoon. The event is being sponsored in cooperation with Bison Financial Group and Plan It Events.

Guests will experience the home with a guided tour as be able to enjoy hearing several Beethoven pieces performed in the valley by the Wabash Valley Youth Symphony. Refreshments will also be available from Snowbear Frozen Custard and Bea One.

SAMARA is the name of the Usonian-style home Frank Lloyd Wright designed in 1955 for Dr. and Mrs. John E. Christian in West Lafayette, Indiana. Mr. Wright designed the home, the furniture and the landscaping. One of the last designs of this kind, it has been magnificently maintained as Wright intended.

The Wabash Valley Youth Symphony was founded in 1999 and is Greater Lafayette’s first and only youth symphony. The symphony provides youth from Tippecanoe and surrounding counties the opportunity to perform in ensembles with other musically talented youth. Beethoven is known as Mr. Wright’s favorite composer and it is fitting that the Youth Symphony will be performing Beethoven in the valley at SAMARA throughout the afternoon. The featured performance will be Beethoven’s 7th Symphony.

Tickets will be available at the entrance to SAMARA. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $5 for students, 18 and under. Adult admission includes refreshment tickets. Additional refreshment tickets will be available for purchase on the grounds. SAMARA is located at 1301 Woodlawn Avenue, West Lafayette, IN. Directions as well as additional information are available on the website www.samara-house.org. Proceeds will benefit the John Christian Family Trust and Wabash Valley Youth Symphony.

LSO plans fund-raising Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch, quilt and wine raffles

admin — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:28:30 +0000

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Lafayette Symphony Orchestra will offer a Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch at 1 p.m. Sunday (May 11) to raise money for programming and education and outreach efforts. The LSO also will hold a raffle on a handmade quilt and baskets of wine valued at more than $1,000 each in conjunction with the event.

Tickets for adults are $25 for the outdoor event, which will be held at the 10-acre home of LSO supporters Cy and Pris Gerde, 8303 Tyler Road near Battle Ground. Tickets are $5 for children, who will sit in a supervised area. Rain date is Sunday, May 18. Only a few reservations slots are still available.

“Scrumptious breakfast casseroles, pancake bar, mid-afternoon mimosas and champagne are on the menu, and live music will be provided by the Wabash Valley Youth Symphony,” said Melissa Boeckman, general manager of the Lafayette Symphony. “Guests will learn a real Maypole Dance, and supervised activities for children also are on tap.”

During the event, the LSO will auction a handmade, one-of-a-kind quilt featuring 10 signature squares personally autographed by 2007-08 LSO guest artists and conductors. Surrounding the signatures are large and small stars in purple, blue, orange and gold batik fabrics. The prize includes a decorated wooden hanger for the quilt, which measures 45-by-60 inches. Tickets for the quilt raffle are $25 each.
In addition, a raffle will be held for three baskets of unique wine personally chosen from vineyards around the world — from South Africa to France, Italy and China. Each basket of the donated wine is valued at more than $1,000. Raffle tickets are $100 each, but only 100 tickets will be sold.

LSO plans fund-raising Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch, quilt and wine raffles

admin — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:28:30 +0000