RPO @ TBK: Celebrating 20 years

For Immediate Release:  July 3, 2014
Media Contacts:  Sally Cohen, 585-749-1795, sally@sallycohenpr.com; (TBK) Carol Leichtner or Terri Richardson, 585-244-7060 
RPO Info:  rpo.org, facebook.com/RochesterPhilharmonic, twitter.com/RochesterPhil, rochesterphilharmonic.blogspot.com
TBK Info: tbk.org, facebook.com/pages/Temple-Brith-Kodesh

Rochester, NY – The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), with Principal Conductor for Education and Outreach Michael Butterman (The Louise and Henry Epstein Family Chair), will perform at Temple B’rith Kodesh (TBK)’s Wolk Family Center (2131 Elmwood Avenue) on Thursday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m. General admission tickets to RPO @ TBK: Celebrating 20 Years are $25 in advance/$30 at the door ($50 donor tickets include reserved seating), and free of charge for children under 13 accompanied by an adult. Tickets may be purchased and/or donations in person at the TBK office, by calling (585) 244-7060 ext. 227, or by emailing info@tbk.org or trichardson@tbk.org. A reception immediately follows the concert.

This 20th annual fundraiser represents a long partnership that began in 1994, when Cantor Martha Rock Birnbaum worked with Temple B’rith Kodesh volunteers and RPO management to provide an air-conditioned, summertime rehearsal space for the orchestra. The first concert was designed to be a community celebration, providing a fundraising opportunity for the temple, but also celebrating the coming together of two community gems. That tradition has flourished, and now continues throughout the year. In addition to being a wonderful and enjoyable event, it serves as one of the Temple’s premier fundraising events, according to TBK Fundraising Chair Sue Lurie.  

“We are delighted that the RPO brings world-class music to Rochester and to Temple B’rith Kodesh,” says Temple B’rith Kodesh Executive Director Joel Elliot. “We are so blessed.”

“All of us at the RPO treasure our longtime partnership with Temple B’rith Kodesh,” adds RPO President and CEO Charles Owens. “This is a wonderful example of the power of community collaboration.”

The musical program for the evening will feature a mix of classical and pop selections, including compositions by Mozart, Strauss, Elgar and Rimsky-Korsakov, in addition to the Fiddler on the Roof Overture (recognizing the 50th anniversary of its Broadway debut) and selections from My Fair Lady (celebrating the 50th anniversary of the film premiere). 

In addition, many award-winning young performers have debuted with a major orchestra at this annual concert, and this year is no exception. Pittsford classical guitarist David Steinhardt received the Rochester Philharmonic League (RPL)’s 2014 Young Artist Auditions Special Award in March, which won him the chance to audition to perform with the RPO. He will be playing Antonio Vivaldi’s Lute/Guitar Concerto in D Major, RV 93.

 “It is a dream and true honor to play with an orchestra of such renown,” says Steinhardt, who will enter his senior year at Pittsford Mendon High School this fall.

A scholarship student of Dr. Petar Kodzas at the Eastman Community Music School, Steinhardt is studying toward honors diplomas in Guitar Performance and Music Theory. Last summer, he received the Eastman Community Director’s Choice Award, selected from all instruments. From age 11, Steinhardt has participated in numerous competitions and festivals in the US, Canada and Europe, and was one of 10 youth guitarists from around the world selected to participate in the 2012 Parkening International Youth Guitar Competition in Malibu, Cal. Also in 2012, he received Honorable Mention at the Great Lakes Guitar Competition (Adult Division) and placed first in the Montreal International Youth Guitar Competition. Steinhardt was invited to perform as a concert artist in the 2013 Montreal International Guitar Festival, sharing the stage with Marcin Dylla. In 2013 he placed first in the American String Teachers Association Competition in the Junior Guitar Division. That year he also won first prize in the Chamber Division of Rochester’s Virtuosi Competition with his cellist duet partner Annie Jacobs-Perkins. In October, 2013 David was invited to give concerts/masterclasses through Guitar San Antonio’s Aranjuez Outreach Program. This year, he was a winner of the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (RPYO)’s Concerto Competition and the winner of the Instrumental Category of the RPL’s Young Artist Auditions as well as the Special Award.  Also in 2014, Steinhardt was invited to perform for the NPR radio show From the Top.

Temple B’rith Kodesh, a Reform synagogue that has been serving the Rochester Jewish community for 166 years, was founded in 1848 by a dozen immigrant families. Today, 950 families are deeply involved in Shabbat observance and learning programs, religious education of youth and adults, interfaith dia¬logue, and the support of the Rochester community through numerous programs and good works. Temple B’rith Kodesh partners with Rochester’s School 52, working with students to instill a love of learning, and the temple supports Foodlink and the Brighton Food Cupboard. Tempro Supportive Housing offers shelter and services to more than 100 families each year. Learning, food and shelter are just the beginning of a framework of caring offered to support our community.
 
More about the Young Artist Auditions: The Rochester Philharmonic League has held and funded its annual Young Artist Auditions for high school musicians since 1955. This year’s competition, held at Eastman School of Music on Sunday, March 16, saw 42 talented 10th, 11th and 12th graders from nine counties compete for a total of $4,500 in cash awards and scholarships.

The Rochester Philharmonic League (RPL) was founded in 1929 as a volunteer support group for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.  For more than 80 years, the two organizations have collaborated to further their common goal of providing great music and music education in the greater Rochester community. The League’s current activities focus on educating young people about music and the RPO, and on fostering the advancement of music talent in the community’s youth. 

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra has been committed to enriching and inspiring our community through the art of music since its founding in 1922. The RPO presents up to 150 concerts a year, serving nearly 200,000 people through ticketed events, education and community engagement activities, and concerts in schools and community centers throughout the region. Notable former music directors include Eugene Goossens, José Iturbi, Erich Leinsdorf, David Zinman, and Conductor Laureate Christopher Seaman; Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik has earned a national reputation for excellence in pops programming during his 20-year tenure with the RPO. With Michael Butterman as Principal Conductor for Education and Outreach (The Louise and Henry Epstein Family Chair) – the first position of its kind in the country – the RPO reaches 14,000 children through its specific programs for school-aged children. The RPO’s 2013-14 season highlights included Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik’s 20th anniversary celebration, and a performance at Carnegie Hall on May 7, 2014, as part of the Spring For Music festival.

Media please note:  High-resolution images are available, and interviews and photo/footage opportunities can be arranged.