Saturday, January 19, 2013
7:00 p.m.
Christ Church
In 1944, Dmitri Mitropoulos commissioned a new work from composer David Diamond. The world was at war. He wrote to Diamond:
"These are distressing times. Most of the difficult music I play is distressing. Make me happy."
The result was Diamond's Rounds for string orchestra.
On January 19, 2013, Ad Hoc gave a concert inspired by the same idea that inspired Diamond 59 years ago: "Make Me Happy." The program unfolded a little bit like a potluck - Rounds was the main dish, and from there, Ad Hoc musicians performed pieces that make them happy.
But we wanted our audience to be a part of this project. Leading up to the performance, we asked everybody we know to answer a simple question: "What makes you happy?" We got tons of great answers -being with family, cheese, Paris, not being with family, Saturday mornings, Zumba, football, playing hooky, well-constructed sentences, comic books - and the list goes on in all kinds quirky, fascinating and enlightening ways.
We collected a lot of responses on video, but we also took responses in writing, through artwork, and really any other way. At the concert, we had all of these responses on display - so what makes our audience happy and what makes us happy all came together in a single event.
7:00 p.m.
Christ Church
In 1944, Dmitri Mitropoulos commissioned a new work from composer David Diamond. The world was at war. He wrote to Diamond:
"These are distressing times. Most of the difficult music I play is distressing. Make me happy."
The result was Diamond's Rounds for string orchestra.
On January 19, 2013, Ad Hoc gave a concert inspired by the same idea that inspired Diamond 59 years ago: "Make Me Happy." The program unfolded a little bit like a potluck - Rounds was the main dish, and from there, Ad Hoc musicians performed pieces that make them happy.
But we wanted our audience to be a part of this project. Leading up to the performance, we asked everybody we know to answer a simple question: "What makes you happy?" We got tons of great answers -being with family, cheese, Paris, not being with family, Saturday mornings, Zumba, football, playing hooky, well-constructed sentences, comic books - and the list goes on in all kinds quirky, fascinating and enlightening ways.
We collected a lot of responses on video, but we also took responses in writing, through artwork, and really any other way. At the concert, we had all of these responses on display - so what makes our audience happy and what makes us happy all came together in a single event.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
8 p.m.
Christ Church
A concert of music about... well... you know...
Erotica Variations - PDQ Bach
Selections from
Carmen - G. Bizet
La Boheme - G. Puccini
Chansons de Bilitis - C. Debussy
Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun - C. Debussy
8 p.m.
Christ Church
A concert of music about... well... you know...
Erotica Variations - PDQ Bach
Selections from
Carmen - G. Bizet
La Boheme - G. Puccini
Chansons de Bilitis - C. Debussy
Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun - C. Debussy
Sunday, July 29, 2012
7:30 pm
Christ Church
Ad Hoc performed music from Germany in “Ad Hoc Goes Deutsch.”
In this concert, Ad Hoc welcomed guest vocalists Debra McKinney, mezzo-soprano, and Andrew Gilchrist, tenor. They performed songs and arias from Wagner’s Rienzi and 5 Gedichte für eine Frauenstimme and Weber’s Der Freischütz, accompanied by Ad Hoc. The program concluded with Wagner’s work for chamber orchestra, Siegfried Idyll. “We’re thrilled to be collaborating with such outstanding vocalists,” said oboist Jessica Smithorn. “It’s so rare that we’re able to perform the music of opera, and we’re very excited about it.”
7:30 pm
Christ Church
Ad Hoc performed music from Germany in “Ad Hoc Goes Deutsch.”
In this concert, Ad Hoc welcomed guest vocalists Debra McKinney, mezzo-soprano, and Andrew Gilchrist, tenor. They performed songs and arias from Wagner’s Rienzi and 5 Gedichte für eine Frauenstimme and Weber’s Der Freischütz, accompanied by Ad Hoc. The program concluded with Wagner’s work for chamber orchestra, Siegfried Idyll. “We’re thrilled to be collaborating with such outstanding vocalists,” said oboist Jessica Smithorn. “It’s so rare that we’re able to perform the music of opera, and we’re very excited about it.”
Sunday, May 27, 2012
7:30 pm
Christ Church
Ad Hoc took the stage in a concert that featured Copland’s Music for the Theatre and two musical premieres, inspired by the 2011-2012 Ad Hoc Story Contest winners.
In August of 2011, Ad Hoc announced a story contest for middle school students, the winners of which would hear their stories transformed into an original composition by Ad Hoc composers and premiered at an Ad Hoc concert. On the first half of “Ad Hoc Breaks a Leg,” Ad Hoc premiered those works. First, a dragon met her doom in The Dragon’s Ending by Timmothy Baker, based on the story by Haley Barrett from Willink Middle School. Next, a wet rat tried to find his way home in A Very Fat (and Soggy) Rat by Matt Osika, based on the story by Anna Raynor of Dake Junior High. “In every possible way, music is a collaborative experience, but it often leaves younger people out of the creative loop.” said composer Matt Osika. “For the first half of this concert, we decided to hand the creative reigns to middle schoolers. Prepare for ridiculousness... in a good way.”
On the second half of this concert, Ad Hoc played Copland’s exciting and challenging Music for the Theatre. Brimming with jazz and 1920’s pop influences, its theatrical, over-the-top quality was a perfect match for the premieres of works inspired by two imaginative young storytellers.
7:30 pm
Christ Church
Ad Hoc took the stage in a concert that featured Copland’s Music for the Theatre and two musical premieres, inspired by the 2011-2012 Ad Hoc Story Contest winners.
In August of 2011, Ad Hoc announced a story contest for middle school students, the winners of which would hear their stories transformed into an original composition by Ad Hoc composers and premiered at an Ad Hoc concert. On the first half of “Ad Hoc Breaks a Leg,” Ad Hoc premiered those works. First, a dragon met her doom in The Dragon’s Ending by Timmothy Baker, based on the story by Haley Barrett from Willink Middle School. Next, a wet rat tried to find his way home in A Very Fat (and Soggy) Rat by Matt Osika, based on the story by Anna Raynor of Dake Junior High. “In every possible way, music is a collaborative experience, but it often leaves younger people out of the creative loop.” said composer Matt Osika. “For the first half of this concert, we decided to hand the creative reigns to middle schoolers. Prepare for ridiculousness... in a good way.”
On the second half of this concert, Ad Hoc played Copland’s exciting and challenging Music for the Theatre. Brimming with jazz and 1920’s pop influences, its theatrical, over-the-top quality was a perfect match for the premieres of works inspired by two imaginative young storytellers.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
7:30 pm
Christ Church
Kurt Weill's The Threepenny Opera is an edgy mix of jazz, baroque parody, and 20th-century art music that skewers the political corruption and economic inequity of its time. Ad Hoc performed the instrumental suite, Little Threepenny Music, along with other selections based on the fine art of economy. This performance also featured original, interactive art by Justin Hubbell (justinhubbell.com), drawn from the plot of The Threepenny Opera.
7:30 pm
Christ Church
Kurt Weill's The Threepenny Opera is an edgy mix of jazz, baroque parody, and 20th-century art music that skewers the political corruption and economic inequity of its time. Ad Hoc performed the instrumental suite, Little Threepenny Music, along with other selections based on the fine art of economy. This performance also featured original, interactive art by Justin Hubbell (justinhubbell.com), drawn from the plot of The Threepenny Opera.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
7:30 p.m.
Christ Church
Mozart wrote symphonic masterpieces.
Brilliant operas.
Gripping liturgical works.
But a guy has to make a living. To do that, Mozart also wrote music for some of the swankest parties around. And since this is Mozart we're talking about, even his party music is fabulous.
In this concert, Ad Hoc performed Mozart's biggest party piece of all, the Gran Partita, along with other selections by our fabulous musicians.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
8 p.m.
Christ Church, 141 East Ave.
Just in time for Halloween, Ad Hoc performed Stravinsky's A Soldier's Tale. Half theatrical performance, half musical work, this piece for three actors, dancer, and eight musicians tells the story of a soldier who sells his violin to the devil in exchange for supernatural power, and, of course, gets more than he bargained for.
This remarkable piece touches on ideas about art, love, fortune, fame, family, ambition, and memory and encompasses an amazing diversity of musical genres, including tango, ragtime, neo-classical, and folk music, to name just a few.
This was a major artistic project that we're thrilled to have undertaken. While we often embrace the edge and energy of making music on short notice, we worked as a tightly-knit ensemble on an intense rehearsal schedule for this special concert.
This benefit performance supported The Act I Project, a fundraising effort to help Ad Hoc become an independent non-profit organization, and to support Ad Hoc’s next three seasons of free community concerts and educational programs.
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Sunday, August 28, 2011
7:30 p.m.
Christ Church, 141 East Ave.
Ad Hoc played music for and about kids. The highlight of the program was a chamber version of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf, narrated by our friend Robert Hammond, host of WXXI's StageNotes. The New Horizons Flute Choir opened and closed our concert, and we announced the details of our 11-12 Youth Story Contest.
At our post-concert reception, artist Elizabeth Andrews displayed her work in a special 'children's corner,' and, as always, there were cookies and cupcakes and fascinating chats about fabulous music.
And - in the spirit of celebrating kids - we held a school supply drive for Habitat for Humanity. Our generous audience brought tons of notebooks, paper, pencils, and backpacks for kids who need them.
7:30 p.m.
Christ Church, 141 East Ave.
Ad Hoc played music for and about kids. The highlight of the program was a chamber version of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf, narrated by our friend Robert Hammond, host of WXXI's StageNotes. The New Horizons Flute Choir opened and closed our concert, and we announced the details of our 11-12 Youth Story Contest.
At our post-concert reception, artist Elizabeth Andrews displayed her work in a special 'children's corner,' and, as always, there were cookies and cupcakes and fascinating chats about fabulous music.
And - in the spirit of celebrating kids - we held a school supply drive for Habitat for Humanity. Our generous audience brought tons of notebooks, paper, pencils, and backpacks for kids who need them.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
7:30 p.m.
Christ Church, 141 East Ave.
A little concert of little things. Two Canal Songs by Patricia Rolland on fife, Poulenc and Dorati by the fabulous Ad Hoc wind players, and Gounod's Petite Symphonie.
This concert was funded by a grant from the Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester with support from the New York Foundation for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
7:30 p.m.
Christ Church, 141 East Ave.
More Americana in one night than you ever thought possible. We performed Copland's Appalachian Spring for 13 instruments and the rarely-performed Suite from The Tender Land, with special guests Andrew Gilchrist, tenor, and Alicia Lyons, soprano. Local artist Gretchen Spittler created a textile art exhibit inspired by Appalachian Spring called The Littlest Bird Sing the Prettiest Songs. And we wrapped it all up with a pie reception. All-American from start to (a very sweet) finish.
This concert was funded by a grant from the Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester with support from the New York Foundation for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts.
7:30 p.m.
Christ Church, 141 East Ave.
More Americana in one night than you ever thought possible. We performed Copland's Appalachian Spring for 13 instruments and the rarely-performed Suite from The Tender Land, with special guests Andrew Gilchrist, tenor, and Alicia Lyons, soprano. Local artist Gretchen Spittler created a textile art exhibit inspired by Appalachian Spring called The Littlest Bird Sing the Prettiest Songs. And we wrapped it all up with a pie reception. All-American from start to (a very sweet) finish.
This concert was funded by a grant from the Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester with support from the New York Foundation for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts.
January 28, 2011
1 p.m.
WXXI Broadcasting
Ad Hoc joined Julia Figueras on Backstage Pass, WXXI 91.5 FM, to play a little and talk about what we do. Check out the podcast.
1 p.m.
WXXI Broadcasting
Ad Hoc joined Julia Figueras on Backstage Pass, WXXI 91.5 FM, to play a little and talk about what we do. Check out the podcast.
1.29.11
Britten - Sinfonietta, Op. 1
Dvorak - String Quintet No. 2, mvt. 1
Cassado - Suite for Solo Cello, mvt. 1
Ibert - Three Short Pieces
This concert was funded by a grant from the Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester with support from the New York Foundation for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts.
Britten - Sinfonietta, Op. 1
Dvorak - String Quintet No. 2, mvt. 1
Cassado - Suite for Solo Cello, mvt. 1
Ibert - Three Short Pieces
This concert was funded by a grant from the Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester with support from the New York Foundation for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts.
George Eastman loved music. So much, that he gathered all his friends each week for a Sunday afternoon concert. George is gone, but the Sunday Musicales remain. Ad Hoc performed at George's on October 17th, 2o1o.
In August 2010, Ad Hoc started with four delightful summer concerts at Christ Church on East Ave. that were, essentially, a musical potluck. One or two large ensemble pieces were on each program, and we prepared with just a rehearsal or two. Most of us had never worked together before, and we rarely all made it into the same room until the day of the concert.
The rest of the program was left up to the players -- and usually wasn't confirmed until the day of the concert. They played pieces they loved, works in progress, pieces they'd been meaning to dust off for a while. Some played alone; some played with old friends; some played with friends they met in rehearsals. It was a whole lot of fun. And -- even better -- there were cupcakes at the end.
The rest of the program was left up to the players -- and usually wasn't confirmed until the day of the concert. They played pieces they loved, works in progress, pieces they'd been meaning to dust off for a while. Some played alone; some played with old friends; some played with friends they met in rehearsals. It was a whole lot of fun. And -- even better -- there were cupcakes at the end.
Concert #1
Sunday, 8.1.10, 7:30 p.m.
Excerpts from Cello Suite in C major - J.S. Bach
Patrick Shelc, viola
Siegfried Idyll - R. Wagner
Rebecca Smithorn, conductor
Excerpts from Cello Suite in C major - J.S. Bach
Patrick Shelc, viola
Siegfried Idyll - R. Wagner
Rebecca Smithorn, conductor
Concert #2
Sunday, 8.8.10, 7:30 p.m.
I. Allegro from Bassoon Concerto in B flat - W.A. Mozart
Fantasy - M. Arnold
Recit et Allegro - N. Gallon
Sean Barela, bassoon
Brendan White, piano
Serenade in C minor - W.A. Mozart
Rebecca Smithorn, conductor
I. Allegro from Bassoon Concerto in B flat - W.A. Mozart
Fantasy - M. Arnold
Recit et Allegro - N. Gallon
Sean Barela, bassoon
Brendan White, piano
Serenade in C minor - W.A. Mozart
Rebecca Smithorn, conductor
Concert #3
Sunday, 8.15.10, 7:30 p.m.
Excerpts from Partita No. 1 in D minor -- J.S. Bach
Illusions for Solo Violin -- T. Baker
Timmothy Baker, violin
II. Adagio from Concerto for Clarinet in A major -- W.A. Mozart
Sandy Herrera, clarinet
Cameron Wilkens, piano
Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun -- Debussy/arranged for chamber orchestra by B. Sachs
Rebecca Smithorn, conductor
Excerpts from Partita No. 1 in D minor -- J.S. Bach
Illusions for Solo Violin -- T. Baker
Timmothy Baker, violin
II. Adagio from Concerto for Clarinet in A major -- W.A. Mozart
Sandy Herrera, clarinet
Cameron Wilkens, piano
Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun -- Debussy/arranged for chamber orchestra by B. Sachs
Rebecca Smithorn, conductor
Concert #4
Sunday, 8.22.10, 7:30 p.m.
Serenade for Winds - R. Strauss
Rebecca Smithorn, conductor
Elegy - C. Baker
Aaron Yarmel, violin
Excerpts from Twelve Duets - W.A. Mozart
Dana Huyge & Patrick Shelc, viola
Elegy - T. Baker
Rebecca Smithorn, conductor
Admission: Absolutely free.
Reception: Absolutely delicious.
Serenade for Winds - R. Strauss
Rebecca Smithorn, conductor
Elegy - C. Baker
Aaron Yarmel, violin
Excerpts from Twelve Duets - W.A. Mozart
Dana Huyge & Patrick Shelc, viola
Elegy - T. Baker
Rebecca Smithorn, conductor
Admission: Absolutely free.
Reception: Absolutely delicious.
Ad Hoc * 28 Lawn Street * Rochester, NY 14607
info@adhoc-music.org
585-454-3878
