Monday, December 7, 2009

Christmas Season

In a time of a down economy music lights up all of our lives and we are happy to be performing (Update since last writing for this particular blog!) once again on Friday, December 18th 2009 for the annual Holiday Festivities at the headquarters of American Express here in NY. Since 2004 we have provided either a trio or quartet of musicians for employees and families of American Express at #200 Vesey St in Manhattan. Our music begins at 7:45 AM as the employees and their families gather for the day's festivities which are produced by Johhny Jones of Peppermint Productions. He'll be there as always in his adorable santa hat and will be coordinating the story tellers, elves, beautiful Xmas tree and decorations, clowns, and much more!
This year we will provide an Ensemble of Violin, Harp and Cello.

Our early December included the very beautiful and spiritual (fully described in our last post) concerts held at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers. Thankfully the concerts were held as always and our String Quartet performed at the concerts for a lovely program of holiday and classical/seasonal music.

On December 12th our String Quartet performed at St. Joseph's Church Roman Catholic Church at 15 Cedar St. in Bronxville NY for the Nuptial Mass of Jaime Gizzo and Amy Adamo. It was a beautiful wedding, with a stunning bride and adorable groom and we were honored and very happy to be a part of their special day. Later that evening my husband (after having not one but rather 2 (!!!) flat tires reparied...we attended their fabulous and fun filled wedding reception as guests, held at the beautiful and newly rennovated Surf Club in New Rochelle. Jaime along with his brother Chris who is the General Manager, is a banquet manager at the Surf Club. His family owns and manages the Surf Club.

On Christmas Eve many of us will perform for a church service. I personally, along with my sister Amy (founding member of Capriccio) will perform at St. John's Episcopal Church on 100 Underhill Avenue, Tuckahoe, NY. The Service begins at 10:00 PM with Prelude Music. There will be a chamber choir and organist who is also the music director for the church, Ann Patton who shall perform and conduct the music at the service.

We wish you and yours a Happy & Joyous Kwanzaa, a Very Happy Hannukah, and a Very Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

CONCERTS, This Weekend!

12/5/09 at 7:30 PM and again on 12/6/09 at 3:00 PM our String Quartet performs at St. Joseph's Seminary: 201 Seminary Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10704.
The Concert is being held this year during Advent. The program consists of Christmas songs and seasonal music. There will also be a full performance of a Mass by Boccherini, featuring, Our String Quartet (!), Vocal Soloists, a Choir, Trumpets, Tympani, and Organ. The Concert is conducted by by Dr. Jennifer Pascual, Director of Music of the Cathedral of St. Patrick and produced by the NY Roman Catholic Archdiocese. The Seminary is a beautiful and spiritual place. The Pope almost always pays a visit to the St. Joseph's Seminary when he is in the US.

Please visit our website proper: http://www.capriccioensemble.com/showcases.html for information as to how to obtain tickets. Unfortunately at this time we have no more comp's available..they have all been previously requested by other brides, family and by my violin students!

Next Saturday, 12/12/09 Capriccio Ensemble's String Quartet will perform at the Wedding of Amy Adamo and Jaime Gizzo at St. Joseph's Church in Bronxville (lots of St. Joseph's in our agenda!).

My husband and I have been privileged to know the Gizzo family, of which Jaime is a member, for many years and it is an honor to be a part of Amy and Jaime's beautiful wedding day!
Amy has chosen these selections to be performed at her Nuptial Mass:

Prelude Music: Christmas music and Seasonal Classical Music will be performed by the String Quartet. As the guests enter St. Joseph's Church selections to include Largo from Winter of The Four Seasons, highlights from the "Christmas Concerto" by Arcangelo Corelli, "Angels we have heard on high", "selections from "the Messiah" by G.F. Handel and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" will be performed in the Choir Loft.

Seating of Family: "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring" by JS Bach, String Quartet

Wedding Attendants Processional: "Canon in D" by Johann Pachelbel, String Quartet

The Bride/Amy's Entrance: "Trumpet Voluntary", by Clarke, JP Strybos, Organist at St. Joseph's Church

Responsorial Selections will mainly be sung and performed by JP Strybos, Vocalist and Organist at St. Joseph's Church.

Unity Candelighting by the Bride and Groom: "Silent Night, Holy Night". String Quartet

Offeratory/Presentation of the Gifts: "Ave Verum" by WA Mozart, String Quartet

The Sign of the Peace: "What Child is This"/"Greensleeves" traditional English Hymn, String Quartet

The Mass of Creation, sung and performed by JP Strybos with accompaniment by Natalie, Violinist.

Communion Hymn: "O Holy Night" sung by JP Strybos with the accompaniment of our String Quartet and the Organ

Presentation of Flowers to the Blessed Mother: "Ave Maria", Schubert, sung by JP Strybos with the accompaniment of the Organ and our String Quartet

Wedding Recessional Music: "Hornpipe" from the Watermusic Suite by G. F. Handel

Wedding Postlude and Exit Music: "Joy to the World" and "Alleluia" from the Messiah. by G.F. Handel, performed by the String Quartet

Upon the conclusion of the Mass, my husband and I will attend the reception for Amy and Jaime which will be held at the beautiful Surf Club of New Rochelle!

Sometime either the week after the wedding of Amy and Jaime I will be playing music with my dear friend Luellen who is a "Diva of the Subway" and I will be joining her one day to play Christmas and other seasonal music at Vanderbilt Markety located in Grand Central Station..TBA!

The next booked performance I have scheduled is for Christmas Eve however as of this posting I am not sure at which church I shall perform as I have been invited to perform at 2 and both services are at the same time..decisions decisions!

This year has been a very full one for me and for all of us. Our summer and fall consisted of many wonderful performances and opportunites. Highlights of our year include:
1. the Concerts at "Epiphany" held last January at St. Joseph's Seminary
2. a Concert at Temple Beth Torah performed by a Trio of Violin, (myself), Flute (Amy, my sister) and a Pianist, Kathy
3. Many memorable wedding and private event performances which occured in (to name a few beautifully done events and great locations!), Croton Point Park, The Carltun of Eisenhower Park, The Surf Club of New Rochelle, The Glen Island Harbour Club, New Rochelle, Vineyard Estate Caterers, Aquebogue, Lyndhurst Castle, Tarrytown, the Old Field Club, the Palace of Somerset Park, Westbury Manor, The Fox Hollow, The Woodbury Country Club, the Cresthollow Country Club, The Country Club of Darien, and of course all of the wonderful, sweet churches where we performed this year from Forest Hills, Manhattan, Harrison, to Centerport.

With my husband being ill...and now all better!..it's time for a short vacay! Destination TBD, however someplace warm and by the beach is being discussed.

Wishing everyone who has read this the happiest of holidays and a Great New year!...see you here in 2010 :)