The Music School of Delaware now offers lessons in Middletown, at the Odessa Townsend Senior Center, 300 S. Scott St. Kids and adults can learn voice, piano, flute, guitar, early childhood activities, even garage band there.
This fine school's main branch is at 4101 Washington St., Wilmington. Its extensive course list for all ages -- including ensembles, conservatory preparation, performances, music history, theory, autism and Alzheimer's therapy -- is at http://www.musicschoolofdelaware.org/.
Other lesson locations are at the Unitarian Universalist Society in Pike Creek; People's Church of Dover; the Drum Pad in Felton; and Long Neck United Methodist Church in Millsboro.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Maestro Amado Unites a City Under the Stars
By Guest Blogger, Jessica Graae
On a most perfect night at Tubman-Garrett Park on Wilmington’s Riverfront, people came together to celebrate the Fourth of July. It was a momentous occasion for the city, observed in a location that commemorates heroes of the Underground Railroad and the anti-slavery movement, at a moment when our country is regaining its collective pride being while being led by our first African-American president.
Maestro Amado’s energetic, yet sensitive and expressive conducting painted a swath of bright colors with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra. Amado took the orchestra and the audience on a historic and emotional journey. Ever the educator, Amado gave the audience a taste of the work of two great American composers, Aaron Copland and Charles Ives. Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man--with its pure open fifths and simple melodies--is an accessible, warm piece. Ives’ Variations on American the Beautiful orchestrated by another American composer, William Schuman, is a tapestry of musical styles, from Classical to Victorian. At one point, the orchestra played a quirky variation that could have served as an overture to a Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta.
The Delaware Valley Chorale, under the direction of David Christopher, sang beautifully. Despite being amplified over a large space, each word and voice part rang out clearly. Their rousing rendition of The Battle Hymn of the Republic energized the audience. Moving was their wordless Hymn to the Fallen, from John Williams’ "Saving Private Ryan" film score, accompanied by the DSO.
Maestro Amado’s energetic, yet sensitive and expressive conducting painted a swath of bright colors with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra. Amado took the orchestra and the audience on a historic and emotional journey. Ever the educator, Amado gave the audience a taste of the work of two great American composers, Aaron Copland and Charles Ives. Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man--with its pure open fifths and simple melodies--is an accessible, warm piece. Ives’ Variations on American the Beautiful orchestrated by another American composer, William Schuman, is a tapestry of musical styles, from Classical to Victorian. At one point, the orchestra played a quirky variation that could have served as an overture to a Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta.
The Delaware Valley Chorale, under the direction of David Christopher, sang beautifully. Despite being amplified over a large space, each word and voice part rang out clearly. Their rousing rendition of The Battle Hymn of the Republic energized the audience. Moving was their wordless Hymn to the Fallen, from John Williams’ "Saving Private Ryan" film score, accompanied by the DSO.
Before closing the program with marches by John Philip Sousa, the orchestra played a medley of tunes from armed forces. As veterans, enlisted and reservists stood when they recognized the theme music of their division, the audience cheered. The colorful firework display brought the evening to a joyous finish.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Art Looping on Independence Weekend
By Guest Blogger, Jessica Graae
Pulling into Toscana’s parking lot at 5:42, I was lucky to get the last seat on the Art Loop bus. Most of us aboard were new to Wilmington's Art of the Town experience and were happily chatting as our guide/driver, Shawn, wove his way from Trolley Square to downtown Wilmington. He made sure we had plenty of time for exhibit-viewing and that we got to each destination on the Loop. Great job, Shawn!
At Gallery 919 Market, Peter Kaplan’s photography demanded attention with its bold, daring hues. A renegade, Kaplan related how his persistence has paid off, as he gained special access to the Statue of Liberty, becoming the preferred photographer of Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Foundation. Though many of his photographs are shot from dizzying heights, he is fascinated by detail: April, 1938 is a close-up of The Statue of Liberty’s toe with the date carved in it. Other notable pieces include aerials of the Golden Gate Bridge, for which he was named the official 50th anniversary celebration photographer.
For information on his upcoming book America From Above, see http://www.peterbkaplanstock.com/.
Our bus reached the Delaware Art Museum just in time for us to hear Ne Ne Ali, the eleven-year-old headliner of YouthSpeaks! A brilliant and insightful young poet, Ali stunned the audience with her wisdom, words and grace. Her social commentary included an observation that MTV and BET were “trying to raise her.” Through her dynamic verse, she reminded us that the spoken word is virtuous, can lead to reading and free thinking, and can guide away from negative stereotypes.
For information on Ali and to hear her poetry, see www.myspace.com/neneali. Be sure to visit!
Pulling into Toscana’s parking lot at 5:42, I was lucky to get the last seat on the Art Loop bus. Most of us aboard were new to Wilmington's Art of the Town experience and were happily chatting as our guide/driver, Shawn, wove his way from Trolley Square to downtown Wilmington. He made sure we had plenty of time for exhibit-viewing and that we got to each destination on the Loop. Great job, Shawn!
At Gallery 919 Market, Peter Kaplan’s photography demanded attention with its bold, daring hues. A renegade, Kaplan related how his persistence has paid off, as he gained special access to the Statue of Liberty, becoming the preferred photographer of Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Foundation. Though many of his photographs are shot from dizzying heights, he is fascinated by detail: April, 1938 is a close-up of The Statue of Liberty’s toe with the date carved in it. Other notable pieces include aerials of the Golden Gate Bridge, for which he was named the official 50th anniversary celebration photographer.
For information on his upcoming book America From Above, see http://www.peterbkaplanstock.com/.
Our bus reached the Delaware Art Museum just in time for us to hear Ne Ne Ali, the eleven-year-old headliner of YouthSpeaks! A brilliant and insightful young poet, Ali stunned the audience with her wisdom, words and grace. Her social commentary included an observation that MTV and BET were “trying to raise her.” Through her dynamic verse, she reminded us that the spoken word is virtuous, can lead to reading and free thinking, and can guide away from negative stereotypes.
For information on Ali and to hear her poetry, see www.myspace.com/neneali. Be sure to visit!
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