BravoPiano! 2024 Program Book

HILTON HEAD INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION

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BRAVO “ P L AY S W E L L W I T H O T H E R S . . .”

February 29 – March 4, 2024

SPONSORED BY THE HILTON HEAD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

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2024 BRAVOPIANO FESTIVAL

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HILTON HEAD INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION

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BRAVO “ P L AY S W E L L W I T H O T H E R S . . .”

February 29 – March 4, 2024

Official Competition Piano

SPONSORED BY THE HILTON HEAD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

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"PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS..."

TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome from Steinway & Sons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Welcome from the HHSO President and CEO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Welcome from the Festival Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Schedule-at-a-Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Inspirations for BravoPiano! 2024 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Classical Partners Ran Dank and Soyeon Kate Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15 Jazz Partners Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-17 Quintessential Quintets Angela Cheng and the Verona Quartet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-19 Jazz Meets Classical Aaron Diehl and David Wong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-21 John Morris Russell – Music Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Finale: Rhapsody & Fantasy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Finale Artists Drew Petersen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Wynona Yinuo Wang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Orli Shaham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 About the Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27, 29, 31 Orchestra Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Ambassador Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Be Part of the HHIPC Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Donors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 88 Key Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Pay for a Piper/Impresarios . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Business Sponsors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Festival Committee/Volunteers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Special Thanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Save the Dates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

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Gavin English, President Steinway & Sons - Americas

Dear BravoPiano! Friends, On behalf of Steinway & Sons, I extend sincere congratulations to the Hilton Head International Piano Competition’s BravoPiano! at the launch of its “PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS…” festival.

We are honored that Steinway is the official piano of this year’s exciting collaborative festival and proud to support the HHIPC in its noble goal of encouraging and supporting excellence in piano performance, both classical and jazz.

This year’s BravoPiano! festival features some of the most notable names on the Steinway Artist roster including Bill Charlap, Renee Rosnes, Orli Shaham, Drew Petersen, Aaron Diehl, and Angela Cheng. We are more than proud to see our iconic pianos in Hilton Head during the festival.

I sincerely hope that your experience at BravoPiano! is a memory you will cherish for years to come, and that your love of the piano and its repertoire will be further enhanced as a result of your attendance.

Best regards,

Gavin English President Steinway & Sons - Americas

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"PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS..."

Alan Jordan, President and CEO

We are delighted to present our 2024 BravoPiano! festival, “PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS...” Hilton Head International Piano Competition Director Steve Shaiman has put together a remarkable series of performances featuring many of the leading keyboardists today—all coming here to Hilton Head Island. The 14 artists are a compelling mix of former HHIPC competitors and judges, joined by several of the jazz world’s leading performers.

We hope you will take full advantage of this festival, attending as many programs as you can.

We are so grateful for the many businesses and individuals whose support makes BravoPiano! possible, and participation affordable for all. Thanks, also, to our media partners and others who help us in promoting this unique, world-class music festival.

Please enjoy the music and all that our little slice of paradise offers!

Sincerely,

Alan Jordan President and CEO Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra

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BRAVOPIANO!

HILTON HEAD INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION

Steve Shaiman, Director, HHIPC Greetings, Friends!

And welcome to BravoPiano! 2024. This triennial festival was launched in 2018 with the idea of celebrating the HHIPC and its rich history by bringing back both alumni competitors and judges to perform here in Hilton Head.

Just as we did that inaugural year, we offer you five nights of world class music, and we also feature prominent jazz artists in our programming to showcase the very best in piano performance.

As I considered possible themes for this third edition of our festival, I was struck by the fact that most pianists live such solitary lives—spending countless hours practicing, travelling, and performing on their own. At the same time, the piano itself is one of the most collaborative instruments, appearing in almost any ensemble setting one could think of: from duos to bands to large orchestras. That dichotomy led me to the title “PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS…” to shine the spotlight on the piano’s collaborative capabilities, and to allow our guest artists to share the stage with colleagues (and in some cases, spouses!).

On page 13, I share some additional details about the various inspirations for these programs.

But, for now, suffice it to say that I am EXTREMELY excited about all five performances and the fourteen immensely talented artists we have brought here to perform for us! Whether you are with us for just one night or all five of these concerts, I can promise you an inspiring and engaging musical experience at each performance.

With an undertaking as large as this, there are far too many people to thank by name, but for starters, I must express gratitude to my dear HHSO colleagues, and also to all of our great volunteers who keep everything running smoothly. Extra special thanks go to my amazing HHIPC committee, who are my essential support system to make sure the ship stays on course and full speed ahead. I am sincerely grateful to all the generous sponsors and underwriting donors who enabled us to engage such a stellar line-up of artists to bring here to perform for you, and finally, I must thank all our guest artists for sharing their musical gifts with us.

I am so glad you are here to enjoy BravoPiano!, and if you are a regular audience member of our HHIPC presentations, we are delighted to welcome you back. If, however, this is the first time you are hearing one of our concerts, I hope this is just the first of many encounters and that we see you again very soon.

Warmest regards,

Steve Shaiman Director, Hilton Head International Piano Competition 10

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SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29 - 7:30 PM CLASSICAL PIANO PARTNERS — ON STAGE AND OFF! Ran Dank and Soyeon Kate Lee, Piano Duo Featuring works by Rachmaninoff and Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring St. Luke’s Anglican Church, HHI Tickets: $40, open seating

FRIDAY, MARCH 1 - 7:30 PM JAZZ PIANO PARTNERS — ON STAGE AND OFF! Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes, Piano Duo Program to be announced from the stage St. Luke’s Anglican Church, HHI Tickets: $40, open seating

SATURDAY, MARCH 2 - 7:30 PM QUINTESSENTIAL QUINTETS Angela Cheng, Piano, and the Verona Quartet Featuring piano quintets from Schumann and Dvořák St. Luke’s Anglican Church, HHI Tickets: $40, open seating

SUNDAY, MARCH 3 - 5:00 PM JAZZ MEETS CLASSICAL Aaron Diehl, Piano, and David Wong, Bass Featuring 12 Preludes (Book I) by Sir Roland Hanna, Preludes & Fugues by J. S. Bach and Bud Powell St. Luke’s Anglican Church, HHI Tickets: $40, open seating

MONDAY, MARCH 4 - 7:30 PM RHAPSODY & FANTASY Grand Finale featuring three concerti with the HHSO John Morris Russell, Conductor Drew Petersen Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue Wynona Yinuo Wang Busoni Indian Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 44 Orli Shaham Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 First Presbyterian Church, HHI Tickets: $75/$55/$25, reserved seating

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"PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS..."

INSPIRATIONS FOR BRAVOPIANO! 2024 “PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS…” STEVE SHAIMAN, DIRECTOR As mentioned in my welcome letter on page 10, the title of this year’s festival refers to the piano’s huge versatility, since it can be found in collaborative settings from two to two hundred or more musicians! Because the HHIPC is dedicated mostly to solo piano music during our competition years, I thought it would be fun for the festival to showcase ensembles of two or more people onstage at each of Bravo’s concerts.

I started with the finale, hoping to engage three great pianists to collaborate with our beloved HHSO and Maestro JMR on a single program. I quickly came up with the title Rhapsody & Fantasy, focusing on pieces which allow composers’ imaginations to run wild. Here is a definition of a musical rhapsody which rings true to me: “… a one-movement, episodic work, often featuring contrasting moods, colors, and tonalities, with a distinct air of spontaneity and improvisation. In these respects, the Rhapsody is related to the Fantasia or Fantasy.”

Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue was an obvious choice, especially with the 100th anniversary of its premiere this year. Rachmaninoff’s thrilling ‘Paganini Rhapsody’ was a very close second, not only because of its popularity, but also because of the composer’s 150th birthday in 2023.

To balance those Rhapsodies, we are thrilled to present a rarely heard masterpiece: the Indian Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra by illustrious pianist/composer, Ferruccio Busoni, which is his fantastical treatment of Native American themes in three movements. Added to that, we are blessed to have incredible soloists Drew Petersen, Wynona Yinuo Wang, and Orli Shaham to partner with our orchestra for these concerti. I could not have imagined anything better!

Once the finale was set, I turned to the opening, and the idea came to me of a piano duo featuring artists who are also partners in life as well as on stage. Ran Dank and Soyeon Kate Lee were an obvious choice due to their strong HHIPC ties. That inspired me to mirror this idea the following evening with the premier power couple in jazz piano—Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes.

It is our great fortune that these artists accepted our invitation to perform on our opening two nights, and we are thrilled to present Bill and Renee’s debut here in Hilton Head!

My next collaborative focus was Chamber Music—a particular passion of mine—and I wanted to share some of the greatest music of the genre with you. I can’t think of anyone better to perform these quintessential piano quintets of Dvořák and Schumann than our frequent guest performer and judge Angela Cheng, and her Oberlin faculty colleagues, the award-winning Verona Quartet, who are longtime friends and colleagues of mine!

And finally, for our special Sunday evening program, I was delighted to learn that the brilliant jazz pianist Aaron Diehl (nominated for a 2024 Grammy® award!) was touring with a special duo program with his bassist David Wong, featuring 24 Preludes of legendary jazz pianist, Sir Roland Hanna, combined with Fugues by J.S. Bach and jazz piano icon Bud Powell. This program is ‘crossover’ in the truest sense of the word--demonstrating the bonds between jazz and classical music and proving that great music defies genres! I am delighted to introduce Aaron to our audiences in Hilton Head, and I hope this is the first of many concerts here for him.

I hope you have enjoyed learning about the creative process that led us to this year’s festival theme and programs. More importantly, I hope you enjoy the music and the performances of these amazing artists right here in our own backyard!

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CLASSICAL PARTNERS Ran Dank is one of today’s most ardent advocates for contemporary music. In recent seasons, he has performed Kevin Puts’ piano concerto “Night,” the Tobias Picker concerto “Keys to the City,” Frederic Rzewski’s “The People United Will Never Be Defeated,” and William Bolcom’s Pulitzer-winning set of “Twelve New Etudes.” Alongside his wife, pianist Soyeon Kate Lee, the Dank Duo debuted the world premieres of Frederic Rzewski’s “Four Hands” and Alexander Goehr’s “Seven Impromptus.”

The recipient of numerous honors, Mr. Dank won a coveted place on the Young Concert Artists roster in 2009 and subsequently made his New York recital debut sponsored by YCA and the Jerome L. Greene Foundation at Merkin Hall. He was a laureate of the Cleveland International Competition, the Naumburg Piano Competition, and the Sydney International Piano Competition, and First Prize winner of the Hilton Head International Piano Competition (2008).

Ran’s recent performances include concerts with the Pasadena Symphony and Keitaro Harada in April 2022, the Westchester Philharmonic and Jayce Ogren in October 2022, the Monterey Symphony in February 2023, and Chautauqua in August 2023. He is returning to Pro Music San Miguel de Allende in March of 2024.

Ran and spouse Soyeon Kate Lee have created a concert series called "Music by the Glass," which is held in a New York SoHo art gallery. During performances, an audience of young professionals listens and mingles with fellow solo and chamber work artists while enjoying treats and wines by the glass.

Lisa Marie Mazzucco

Mr. Dank received his Bachelor of Music degree from Tel-Aviv University, his Master of Music and Artist Diploma degrees from The Juilliard School, and his Doctor of Music degree from the Graduate Center at CUNY. He serves as an Associate Professor of Piano at the Eastman School of Music and is on the faculty of the Bowdoin International Music Festival.

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First Prize winner of the Naumburg International Piano Competition and the Concert Artist Guild International Competition, Korean-American pianist Soyeon Kate Lee has been lauded by the Washington Post for her “stunning command of the keyboard.”

Highlights of recent seasons include appearances at the National Gallery, Library of Congress, Gina Bachauer Concerts, Purdue Convocations, Music@Menlo, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center on tour, San Francisco Performances, Camerata Pacifica tour, Chamber Music Chicago, and the Cleveland Art Museum.

She was a member of Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society’s Bowers program and is a regular participant in numerous chamber music festivals including the Great Lakes, Santa Fe and Music Mountain Chamber Music Festivals. Ms. Lee has collaborated with conductors Carlos Miguel Prieto, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, Jahja Ling, and Jorge Mester with the London, San Diego, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Naples symphony orchestras among others.

She has commissioned works by prominent composers and has given world premieres of works written by Frederic Rzewski, Marc-André Hamelin, Alexander Goehr, Gabriela Lena Frank, Texu Kim, and Huang Ruo.

"PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS..."

RAN DANK & SOYEON KATE LEE

A second prize and Mozart Prize winner of the 2003 Cleveland International Piano Competition and a laureate of the Santander International Piano Competition in Spain, Ms. Lee has worked extensively with Richard Goode, Robert McDonald, Ursula Oppens, and Jerome Lowenthal. A graduate of The Juilliard School, Ms. Lee was awarded the William Petschek Piano Debut Award at Lincoln Center and the Arthur Rubinstein Award and received her Doctor of Musical Arts from the Graduate Center, City University of New York.

In 2022, Ms. Lee joined the piano faculty at The Juilliard School, and serves on the piano faculty at the Bowdoin International Music Festival during the summers. She resides in New York with her husband, pianist Ran Dank, and their two children, Noah and Ella.

Lisa Marie Mazzucco

As a Naxos recording artist, her discography spans a wide range of repertoire from two volumes of Scarlatti Sonatas, Liszt Opera Transcriptions, two volumes of Scriabin, and Clementi Sonatas. Ms. Lee’s recording of Re!nvented under the E1/Entertainment One label (formerly Koch Classics) garnered her a feature review in Gramophone Magazine and the Classical Recording Foundation’s Young Artist of the Year Award.

Sergei Rachmaninoff Prelude in D Major, Op. 23, No. 4 (1873 -1943) Prelude in B-flat Major, Op.23, No. 2 SOYEON KATE LEE Moments Musicaux, Op. 16 No. 1 in E minor No. 4 in B-flat minor

RAN DANK

uite in C Major for Two Pianos, Op. 17 S Introduction (Alla marcia) Waltz (Presto) Romance (Andantino) Tarantella (Presto) INTERMISSION

Igor Stravinsky The Rite of Spring (1912-13) (1882-1971)

(arranged for two pianos by the composer) This program is sponsored by Mary and Mike Briggs

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JAZZ PARTNERS GRAMMY® award-winning pianist Bill Charlap has performed with many of the leading artists of our time including Phil Woods, Tony Bennett, Gerry Mulligan, Wynton Marsalis, Freddy Cole and Houston Person. Born in New York City, Charlap began playing the piano at age three.

His father was Broadway composer Moose Charlap, whose credits include Peter Pan, and his mother is singer Sandy Stewart, who toured with Benny Goodman and was a regular on the Perry Como show. She earned a 1963 GRAMMY® nomination for her recording of “My Coloring Book." In 2005, Charlap and Stewart released the acclaimed CD Love Is Here To Stay (Blue Note Records).

In 1997, Charlap formed his trio with bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington, recognized as one of the leading groups in jazz. In 2000, he was signed to Blue Note Records and received two GRAMMY® Award nominations for Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein and The Bill Charlap Trio: Live at the Village Vanguard. He is known for his interpretations of American popular song.

In 2016, Tony Bennett & Bill

Program to be Announced from the Stage.

This program is sponsored by Laura and Bret Jacobowitz and Barbara Harris Sorkin

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"PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS..."

BILL CHARLAP & RENEE ROSNES Charlap: The Silver Lining, The Songs of Jerome Kern, was awarded a GRAMMY® for Best Traditional Pop Album. Also in 2016, the Bill Charlap Trio released Notes from New York, their debut recording for the Impulse label. Alan Morrison's five-star review in DownBeat stated that the recording is "a masterclass in class." His newest recording, “Street of Dreams,” is a delightful mix of Great American Songbook favorites and songs by great jazz composers including Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington and Dave Brubeck among others (Blue Note 2021).

In 2019, Charlap celebrated his 15th year as Artistic Director of New York City’s Jazz in July Festival at the 92Y. He has produced concerts for Jazz at Lincoln Center, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Chicago Symphony Center and the Hollywood Bowl. He is currently the Director of Jazz Studies at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey.

Charlap is married to renowned jazz pianist and composer Renee Rosnes, and the two artists often collaborate in a duo piano setting. In 2010 they released Double Portrait (Blue Note).

Renee Rosnes’ distinguished career continues to reach new levels marked by new music, exciting collaborations, and ever-evolving musicianship. Upon moving to New York from Vancouver, Canada in 1985, she quickly established a reputation of the highest regard, touring and recording with such masters as Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, Bobby Hutcherson, JJ Johnson, Buster Williams, and James Moody. She was the pianist for the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra and a founding member of the all-star ensemble, the SFJAZZ Collective, with whom she toured and recorded for six years.

In 1990, Renee released her debut album on Blue Note Records and went on to record 10 albums for the legendary company. In 2020, she returned to the label with ARTEMIS, a jazz supergroup including trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, saxophonist Nicole Glover, alto saxophonist/flutist Alexa Tarantino, bassist Noriko Ueda, and drummer Allison Miller with Rosnes serving as pianist and musical director. Their performance at the 2018 Newport Jazz Festival was so dynamic, Blue Note Records President, Don Was, signed the group to the label. Tour dates across Europe and North America followed, including performances at such iconic stages as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, SFJAZZ, Chicago Orchestra Hall, as well as the Detroit Jazz Festival, Saratoga Jazz Festival, and the Monterey Jazz Festival among others. ARTEMIS has been featured on the cover of DownBeat, in Vanity Fair, and on NPR’s Jazz Night in America.

Rosnes’ 2016 outing Written in the Rocks (Smoke Sessions Records) was named one of ten Best Jazz Albums of the Year by The Chicago Tribune, one of the Best Albums in all genres of music by The Nation and won a Canadian JUNO Award (her 5th). Her latest release, Kinds of Love (Smoke Sessions) was entirely composed during the pandemic and features saxophonist Chris Potter, bassist Christian McBride, drummer Carl Allen, and the Brazilian percussionist Rogério Boccato.

The Montréal Jazz Festival presented Renee with the 2018 Oscar Peterson Award in recognition of her exceptional contributions to jazz. She is also an 11-year member of NEA Jazz Master Ron Carter’s Foursight Quartet. The double album “Ron Carter: Live in Stockholm” (In’n’Out Records) was released in 2021.

Renee is married to renowned pianist Bill Charlap. In 2010 the couple released the acclaimed two-piano recording, Double Portrait (Blue Note). The Charlap/Rosnes duo was featured on four tracks of the 2015 GRAMMY® winning album: Tony Bennett & Bill Charlap: The Silver Lining, The Songs of Jerome Kern.

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QUINTESSENTIAL QUINTETS Consistently praised for her brilliant technique, tonal beauty, and superb musicianship, Canadian pianist Angela Cheng is one of her country’s national treasures. In addition to regular guest appearances with virtually every orchestra in Canada, she has performed with the symphonies of St. Louis, Houston, Indianapolis, Colorado, Utah, San Diego, and Jacksonville, as well as the philharmonic orchestras of Buffalo, Louisiana, Rhode Island, London, Israel, and Minas Gerais in Brazil.

Recent performances include a debut with the Fort Worth Symphony, performing Rachmaninoff’s Variations on a Theme of Paganini, under the baton of Robert Spano, and a return to the Vancouver Symphony, performing Ravel’s Concerto in G with Otto Tausk. Upcoming performances will include the Boulder Philharmonic, Newfoundland Symphony, Okanagan Symphony, Saskatoon Symphony, Saguenay Symphony, and the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas.

Angela Cheng has performed recitals and concertos at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the 92nd Street Y and Wigmore Hall in London. She appears regularly on recital series throughout the United States and Canada and has collaborated with numerous chamber ensembles including the Takács, Colorado, Vogler and Verona quartets.

North American festival performances include Banff, Chautauqua, Colorado, Great Lakes Chamber Music, Vancouver, Toronto, and the Festival International de Lanaudière in Québec.

Ms. Cheng has made several recordings for the Canadian Broadcasting Company including discs of Mozart and Shostakovich concerti and a CD of four Spanish concerti with Hans Graf and the Calgary Philharmonic. In addition, an allChopin CD has been released by Universal Music Canada.

Angela Cheng has been Gold Medalist of the Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Masters Competition, as well as the first Canadian to win the prestigious Montréal International Piano Competition.

Other awards include the Canada Council’s coveted Career Development Grant and the Medal of Excellence for outstanding interpretations of Mozart from the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria.

A native of Hong Kong, Ms. Cheng studied extensively with Menahem Pressler at Indiana University and with Sascha Gorodnitzki at The Juilliard School. She is currently on the artist faculty of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where she was honored with the 2011-12 Excellence in Teaching Award.

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The Verona Quartet has appeared across four continents, captivating audiences at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institution, Jordan Hall, Wigmore Hall, and Melbourne Recital Hall, and has performed at festivals including La Jolla Summerfest, Chamber Music Northwest, Caramoor, the Texas Music Festival, Bravo! Vail, and with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.

In the 2023-24 season, the Verona Quartet will debut at numerous prestigious series across the US and Canada including Clarion Concerts, the Chicago Chamber Music Society, La Jolla Athenaeum, the Hawaii Chamber Music Society, Music Toronto, and the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival among others.

A string quartet for the 21st century, the Verona Quartet champions the rich breadth of the string quartet repertoire from the time-honored canon through contemporary classics. Notable commissions and premieres include works by composers Julia Adolphe, Texu Kim and Sebastian Currier as well as Michael Gilbertson’s Pulitzer Prizenominated Quartet. In 2023, the Quartet celebrated several world premieres including a work for string quartet, yangqin (Chinese dulcimer) and dancer

by Cheng Jin Koh, commissioned by The Smithsonian Institution in honor of the centennial of the Freer Gallery of Art. Following critical acclaim for their debut album, Diffusion (2021), the Verona Quartet’s second album, SHATTER, debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Traditional Classical Chart in July 2023. SHATTER showcases works written for the Quartet

by American composers Julia Adolphe and Michael Gilbertson as well as Reena Esmail’s Ragamala, in collaboration with Hindustani vocalist Saili Oak.

"PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS..."

ANGELA CHENG & THE VERONA QUARTET The Quartet’s third album, comprised of Ligeti’s complete string quartets, was released in December 2023 (Dynamic Records) in celebration of the composer's centennial year.

Continuing in the lineage of their esteemed mentors, the Cleveland, Juilliard and Pacifica Quartets, the Verona Quartet’s rapid rise to international prominence was fueled by top prize wins at the Wigmore Hall, Melbourne, M-Prize and Osaka International Chamber Music Competitions, as well as the 2015 Concert Artists Guild Competition.

Since 2020, the Quartet has served on the faculty of the Oberlin College and Conservatory as String Quartet-in-Residence.

Courtesy of Schmidt Artists International Inc.

In addition to promoting contemporary music, the Quartet strives for a dynamic, imaginative approach to collaboration and programming that champions cross-cultural and interdisciplinary enterprises. In upcoming seasons, the Quartet looks forward to collaborations with saxophonist Steven Banks, clarinetist Alexander Fiterstein, pianist Eric Lu, and pipa virtuoso Wu Man. Past projects include a liveperformance art installation with artist Ana Prvački, performances with dancers from Brooklyn’s Dance Heginbotham, artistic exchanges with traditional Emirati poets in the UAE, and a collaboration with GRAMMY® winning folk trio I’m With Her.

ANGELA CHENG, piano VERONA QUARTET Jonathan Ong, violin • Dorothy Ro, violin Abigail Rojansky, viola • Jonathan Dormand, cello Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)

uintet No. 2 in A Major, Op. 81 Q Allegro, ma non tanto Dumka: Andante con moto Scherzo (Furiant): Molto vivace - Poco tranquillo Finale: Allegro

Robert Schumann Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44 (1810 -1856) Allegro brillante In Modo d'una Marcia. Un poco largamente Scherzo. Molto vivace — Trio I — Trio II Allegro, ma non troppo

Kampo Kikkas

INTERMISSION

This program is sponsored by Dr. Karen and Stephen Ball, Mary and Chris Albright, and Joan and Bob Koenig

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BRAVOPIANO!

JAZZ MEETS CLASSICAL Pianist and composer Aaron Diehl mystifies listeners with his layered artistry. At once temporal and ethereal, his expression transforms the piano into an orchestral vessel in the spirit of beloved predecessors Ahmad Jamal, Erroll Garner, and Jelly Roll Morton. Following five critically-acclaimed leader albums on Mack Avenue Records — and live appearances at historic venues from Jazz at Lincoln Center and The Village Vanguard to the New York Philharmonic and the Philharmonie de Paris — the American Pianist Association’s 2011 Cole Porter fellow now focuses his attention on what it means to be present within himself. His forthcoming solo record promises an expansion of that exploration in a setting at once unbound and intimate.

Aaron conjures three-dimensional expansion of melody, counterpoint and movement through time. Rather than choose one sound or another, he invites listeners into the chambered whole of his artistry. Born in Columbus, Ohio, Aaron traveled to New York in 2003, following his success as a finalist in JALC’s Essentially Ellington competition and a subsequent European tour with Wynton Marsalis. His love affair with rub and tension prompted a years-long immersion in distinctive repertoire from Monk and Ravel to Gershwin and William Grant Still. Among other towering figures, Still in particular inspires Aaron’s ongoing curation of Black American composers in his own performance programming, unveiled this past fall at 92nd St. Y.

Evelyn Freja

Aaron has enjoyed artistic associations with Wynton Marsalis, Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath, Buster Williams, Branford Marsalis, Wycliffe Gordon, Philip Glass, and multi-GRAMMY® award-winning artist Cecile McLorin Salvant. He recently appeared with the New York Philharmonic and the Cleveland Orchestra as featured soloist.

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2024 BRAVOPIANO FESTIVAL

In September 2023, Diehl released his GRAMMY® nominated recording of Mary Lou Williams’s Zodiac Suite with The Knights, a Brooklyn-based orchestral collective led by conductor Eric Jacobsen. As the first-ever studio recording of Willams’s Zodiac Suite, it has been touted as “a joyous, enchanting creation… a triumph” (The Guardian) with Diehl lauded as “a contemporary champion” (The New York Times) and “a perfect choice to preside over this landmark recording” (The Wall Street Journal). The album features Diehl’s trio (David Wong, bass, and drummer Aaron Kimmel) and guest artists saxophonist Nicole Glover, clarinetist ​​Evan Christopher, trumpeter Brandon Lee, and soprano Mikaela Bennett.

Zodiac Suite is Diehl’s fourth album for Mack Avenue records.

Aaron holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from The Juilliard School. A licensed pilot, when he’s not at the studio or on the road, he’s likely in the air.

"PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS..."

AARON DIEHL & DAVID WONG Bassist David Wong was born and raised in New York City and is a graduate of the LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and the Performing Arts, where he developed his passion for music under the tutelage of tuba master Bob Stewart. He graduated from The Juilliard School in classical music in 2004 and has studied with Orin O’Brien (New York Philharmonic), Ron Carter, Ben Wolfe, and John Clayton.

From 2003 to 2004, as part of the Eric Reed Trio, Wong performed in Switzerland, Scotland, the Hollywood Bowl (Los Angeles), the Algonquin Hotel (New York City), and with Jazz at Lincoln Center, as well as at many other venues worldwide. He is currently a member of Roy Haynes’ Fountain of Youth band, which has toured throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan, as well as bassist with the Heath Brothers quartet, led by jazz legends Jimmy and Albert “Tootie” Heath. Wong can also be seen performing with the exciting new singer Sachal Vasandani and the amazing pianist Jeb Patton.

Wong has recorded with Benny Green, Dan Nimmer, Jeb Patton, and Albert “Tootie” Heath, and he is featured on a new release from Vasandani, “Eyes Wide Open.” He has performed with Clark Terry, Illinois Jacquet, Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, Walter Blanding, Marcus Printup, Leroy Jenkins, David Hazeltine, Jim Rotondi, Carla Cook, Paula West, and Mark Gould (Metropolitan Opera), to name just a few.

David is on faculty at Temple University, Purchase College, The New School, and the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, CUNY.

Program to be Announced from the Stage to include: Sir Roland Hanna (1932 - 2002)

12 Preludes (Book I)

J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

relude and Fugue in G Major, P BWV 860

Earl “Bud” Powell (1924 -1966)

Tempus Fugue-It

This program is sponsored by Liz and Todd Clist and Linda and Ray Moloney

WWW.HHIPC.ORG

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O N E OF A M E R I CA' S M OST BELOVED & PR O LIF IC S O NGWR ITER S

APR 24 – MAY 26 A HIT-FILLED RIDE THROUGH THE LIFE OF THE LEGENDARY SONGWRITER CAROLE KING Before she was hit-maker Carole King — she was Carole Klein, a spunky, young songwriter from Brooklyn with a unique voice. From the charttopping hits she wrote for the biggest acts in music to her own life-changing, trailblazing success with Tapestry, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical takes you back to where it all began — and takes you on the ride of a lifetime.

Featuring over two dozen pop classics, including “You’ve Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “Up on the Roof,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” and “Natural Woman,” this crowdpleasing international phenomenon is filled with the songs you remember—and the story you’ll never forget.

ARTS CENTER OF COASTAL CAROLINA 14 SHELTER COVE LN • ARTSHHI.COM • 843 842 ARTS(2787)

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2024 BRAVOPIANO FESTIVAL

Renée Fleming, Voice of Nature: The Anthropocene

Sunday, March 31 at 4 pm Lucas Theatre for the Arts

Emanuel Ax, Piano

Friday April 12 at 6 pm Trinity United Methodist Church

For tickets and more information, please visit savannahmusicfestival.org or call the Box Office at 912.525.5050 WWW.HHIPC.ORG

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John Mastroianni

BRAVOPIANO!

JOHN MORRIS RUSSELL John Morris Russell’s embrace of America’s unique voice and musical stories has transformed how orchestral performances can connect and engage with audiences everywhere. The wide-range and diversity of his work with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra as a conductor, collaborator, and educator invigorates the musical scene in Cincinnati and beyond. Mr. Russell is Music Director of the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra and Hilton Head International Piano Competition and serves as Principal Pops Conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, following in the footsteps of Marvin Hamlisch and Doc Severinsen. He served as Music Director of Ontario’s Windsor Symphony Orchestra from 2001-2012.

A popular guest conductor, Mr. Russell has worked with the leading North American orchestras including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, Toronto Symphony, New York Philharmonic, the Boston Pops, and the National Symphony.

For over a decade, Mr. Russell has regularly led the National Orchestral Institute and Festival in College Park, Maryland, one of the nation’s premier training orchestras. Dedicated to sharing the American musical experience with the newest generation of players, he helped develop and conducted the Link Up educational concert series at Carnegie Hall and has cultivated dynamic educational programs with the symphony orchestras of Cincinnati, Windsor, and Hilton Head.

For over two decades, he has led the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s wildly successful Classical Roots initiative honoring and celebrating Black musical excellence, which has garnered record-breaking, in-person and online audiences.

Mr. Russell’s seven recordings with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra include 2023’s holiday album JOY!; the landmark recordings in the “American Originals project”: American Originals (the music of Stephen Foster); and the GRAMMY® nominated American Originals 1918 (a tribute to the dawn of the jazz age).

John Morris Russell earned degrees from the University of Southern California and Williams College and has studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, the Cleveland Institute of Music, the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado, and the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors in Hancock, Maine.

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2024 BRAVOPIANO FESTIVAL

"PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS..."

BRAVO " P L AY S W E L L W I T H O T H E R S . . . "

RHAPSODY & FANTASY Monday, March 4, 2024 • 7:30pm Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra John Morris Russell, Conductor

PROGRAM GEORGE GERSHWIN

Rhapsody in Blue DREW PETERSEN

FERRUCCIO BUSONI

Indian Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 44 Fantasy Canzona Finale WYNONA YINUO WANG

INTERMISSION SERGEI RACHMANINOFF

Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 ORLI SHAHAM

POST CONCERT RECEPTION Please join us after the concert in The Gathering Space to mingle with the BravoPiano! artists, our HHSO musicians, and Maestro Russell.

Reception sponsored by the League of the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra and the HHSO Board of Directors.

WWW.HHIPC.ORG

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BRAVOPIANO!

DREW PETERSEN Acclaimed young American pianist Drew Petersen is a sought-after soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician. He has been praised for his commanding and poetic performances of repertoire ranging from Bach to Zaimont and is the recipient of the 2018 Avery Fisher Career Grant, 2017 American Pianists Award, and the Christel DeHaan Fellow of the American Pianists Association.

His 2021-2022 season included orchestras in Cincinnati, Santa Fe, Buffalo, Delaware, Columbus, and Indianapolis and recitals in San Francisco, Madison, and Sanibel, FL. Recent highlights have included debuts with the Sarasota, Houston, Phoenix, Pacific, Milwaukee, Fort Smith, Buffalo, Waco, and Allentown symphonies as well as his recital debut at the Kennedy Center. In solo recital Petersen has appeared at the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, University of Indianapolis, Williams College Concert Series, Dame Myra Hess Concerts in Chicago, Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival, Brevard Music Center’s Summer Festival, and Chicago’s Ravinia Festival. 2018 marked the release of his first solo recording of music

by Barber, Carter, and other American composers on the Steinway & Sons label for which BBC Music Magazine acknowledged his presence as a rising star.

A frequent radio contributor, Petersen has performed on McGraw-Hill Young Artists Showcase, From the Top, and Performance Today. Profiles include The New York Times, New York Magazine, and the documentary “just normal” by award-winning director Kim A. Snyder. A champion of chamber music, Petersen has appeared on French radio’s France Musique while a member of a Verbier Festival piano trio.

Dario Acosta

Drew Petersen’s firm belief in the importance of music in contemporary society led to collaborations with Young Audiences NY that presents performances in New York City’s public schools. His appearance in Andrew Solomon’s New York Times bestselling book, Far From the Tree, sparked a nation-wide conversation on raising extraordinary and different children who test the willpower and capabilities of their families and society. Petersen continually advocates for the necessity of classical music and other arts in society and was named a 2006 Davidson Fellow for his portfolio entitled Keeping Classical Music Alive.

Mr. Petersen won Second Prize in HHIPC’s inaugural Young Artist Competition in 2011. He was 17 years old.

Mr. Petersen's appearance is sponsored by Mary Ann and Tarrant Putnam.

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2024 BRAVOPIANO FESTIVAL

"PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS..."

ABOUT THE MUSIC

BY JONATHAN ACETO

RHAPSODY IN BLUE GEORGE GERSHWIN (1898-1937) Violist Paul Whiteman had been leading a popular dance band in San Francisco in the late 1910s when in 1920, the group moved to New York City and began recording for RCA Victor. The sophisticated arrangements of early jazz standards catapulted Whiteman and his orchestra to national fame. Using that fame to promote this new “concert hall” style of jazz, Whiteman approached George Gershwin to compose a concerto-like piece for a special concert titled “An Experiment in Modern Music.” A celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, the concert was to take place in Aeolian Hall on February 12, 1924. Gershwin, however, felt there was simply not enough time to write the piece and work out any potential problems, so he declined.

During an evening game of billiards on January 3rd, George’s brother Ira came dashing into the room with a copy of the New York Tribune and read an article which proudly stated that George Gershwin would be creating a jazz concerto for that concert! The next morning, after a long telephone conversation, Whiteman finally convinced George to write the piece, which he did while on a train ride to Boston for rehearsals of his new musical Sweet Little Devil. After finishing the work as a piece for two pianos, Gershwin passed it over to Ferde Grofé, Whiteman’s arranger, who completed the orchestrations a mere eight days before the February 12th premiere. It certainly helped that Gershwin was to be the piano soloist that evening, especially considering he had not yet written down much of the piano part! In the audience that night were such influential figures as Igor Stravinsky, John Philip Sousa, Leopold Stokowski, and Sergei Rachmaninoff.

It is no coincidence that Rhapsody in Blue found its way onto this 2024 finale of BravoPiano! considering this iconic piece is celebrating its 100th anniversary. As Gershwin once described, it is “a musical kaleidoscope of America, of our vast melting pot, of our unduplicated national pep, of our metropolitan madness.”

Instantly a hit, the Rhapsody has become synonymous with New York City and was used with great effect in Woody Allen’s Manhattan. Even the first recording, made by Whiteman and Gershwin, was remarkably popular, selling over a million copies.

Tonight’s performance will feature Grofé’s 1942 arrangement for full symphony orchestra.

WWW.HHIPC.ORG

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BRAVOPIANO!

WYNONA YINUO WANG Chinese pianist Wynona Yinuo Wang launched her career after winning First Prize at the 2018 Concert Artists Guild International Competition in New York City. An active performer in China, Europe, and the United States, recent North America performances include appearances with Orchestra NOW, DuPage Symphony Orchestra, Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, California North State Symphony Orchestra, and Meadows Symphony Orchestra in Dallas. She has performed in major concert venues including the Sydney Opera House, Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall, Metropolitan Museum Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium, Merkin Concert Hall in New York City, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, the Purdue Convocations, Kravis Center, California Performing Arts Center, Whitney Center, Conrad in La Jolla, and Dallas Winspear Opera House.

Internationally, Wynona has been a featured soloist with the Academic Symphony Orchestra of the National Philharmonic Society of Ukraine and the Romanian Mihail Jora Philharmonic Orchestra in Italy. She has also given numerous solo piano recitals in China, including cities such as Beijing, Qingdao, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Shenzhen, Kunming, Ningbo, and Dalian, as well as in Spain (Madrid) and Indonesia (Jakarta).

In recent seasons, Wynona has been presented by the New York Philharmonic’s Artist Spotlight Series, the Shriver Hall Discovery Series, the Myra Hess Memorial Concerts, the Tippet Rise Art Center, the Steinway Society of Western Pennsylvania, the Robbie Collomore Concert Series, and Music Mountain Chamber Music Season.

Yangzi Huang

Born in Beijing, Wynona began playing piano at age 4, and went on to study at both the Music Elementary and Secondary schools at the prestigious Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM) in Beijing. In 2016, she was awarded a full scholarship for study at the Southern Methodist University in Dallas and earned her Performer’s Diploma under the tutelage of the eminent pianist Alessio Bax in 2018. Wynona recently earned her bachelor’s degree at The Juilliard School with the Arthur Rubinstein Commencement Award, and she continues to pursue her master’s degree at Juilliard with Robert McDonald. In 2019, she was a recipient of the Charlotte White Career Grant awarded by Salon de Virtuosi.

Wynona is based in New York City and was a Medalist in the 2022 Hilton Head International Piano Competition.

Ms. Wang's appearance is sponsored by Peggi Moon and Bill Hutchinson.

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2024 BRAVOPIANO FESTIVAL

"PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS..."

ABOUT THE MUSIC

BY JONATHAN ACETO

INDIAN FANTASY FOR PIANO AND ORCHESTRA, OP. 44 FERRUCCIO BUSONI (1866-1924) Ferruccio Busoni was a prominent pianist, composer, and intellectual in Europe at the end of the nineteenth century. And yet, it was during one of his trips to the United States that Busoni became inspired by Native American philosophy and music which transformed his approach to composing. The occasion centered on Natalie Curtis, a young pianist who sought out Busoni for lessons while he was in New York City. In 1904, Ms. Curtis became aware of Native American music at the St. Louis World Exposition and moved to Arizona to live with the Hopi. She began an extensive study of indigenous music which culminated in a 572-page book complete with accurate transcriptions of 200 songs, a major landmark in the history of ethnomusicology. Busoni caught up with his former student in 1910 at a New York Philharmonic concert of his own music, where she gave him a copy of her book.

Thus began a new chapter in Busoni’s life, philosophy, and approach to music-making, as he embraced the holistic Native American view of life and art. Busoni found their idea of a oneness connecting art and nature to be inspiring, especially in light of the divisiveness he felt was permeating European society at the time. In 1913, Busoni set out to create a three-movement rhapsody for piano and orchestra that would incorporate many of the melodies in Curtis’ book.

Interestingly, however, he found their simplicity, especially the regularity of rhythm and the overwhelming use of the pentatonic scale, a significant challenge when trying to develop them in a traditional Western-European manner.

Busoni was thus forced to reconsider his concept of melody, which pushed him into new realms of harmony as well as polyphony. The first movement of the piece, Fantasy, flowed effortlessly, but the slower second movement, Canzona, was harder to compose, and Busoni jokingly wrote to a student, “I’ve had to scalp it four times!” Eventually, he finished all three sections and gave the premiere in March 1914, with the Berlin Philharmonic. The American premiere was in 1915 featuring Busoni, Stokowski, and the Philadelphia Orchestra, with Ms. Curtis in the audience, who was enraptured by Busoni’s treatment of the melodies she had transcribed.

WWW.HHIPC.ORG

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BRAVOPIANO!

ORLI SHAHAM A consummate musician recognized for her grace, subtlety, and brilliance, Orli Shaham is hailed by critics on four continents. The New York Times called her a "brilliant pianist," The Chicago Tribune referred to her as “a first-rate Mozartean,” and London's Guardian said Ms. Shaham's playing at the Proms was “perfection."

Orli Shaham has performed with many of the major orchestras around the world, and has appeared in recital internationally, from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House. She has been Artistic Director of Pacific Symphony’s chamber series Café Ludwig in California since 2007, and Artistic Director of the interactive children's concert series, Orli Shaham’s Bach Yard, which she founded in 2010. A wildly popular series, Bach Yard is recognized by parents and the music community as a significant force in music education and entertainment for children age pre-K to early elementary. The concert programs provide hands-on activities with musical instruments, concepts that promote listening skills, and feature chamber music performed by professional musicians with Ms. Shaham as host and pianist.

Kajaka Studios

Orli Shaham is also a Co-Host and Creative for the national radio program From the Top. She is on the piano and chamber music faculty at The Juilliard School and is chair of the board of trustees at Kaufman Music Center in New York.

Highlights of Ms. Shaham’s 2023-2024 concert season include performances with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, two chamber performances with musicians from Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA where she is artist-in-residence, and a German tour with the Brandenburg State Orchestra. In 2024, she releases Volumes 5 and 6 of Mozart’s sonatas, completing her cycle of piano sonatas (Canary Classics). Volumes 1-4 of the sonata cycle and a recording of Mozart’s Piano Concertos have received high critical acclaim.

Orli Shaham was recognized early for her exceptional talents. At age five, she received her first scholarship from the America-Israel Cultural Foundation to study with Luisa Yoffe at the Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem. At age seven, she traveled to New York with her family to begin studying at The Juilliard School. She won the Gilmore Young Artist Award and the Avery Fisher Career Grant, two prestigious prizes given to further the development of outstanding talent.

Orli Shaham is married to conductor David Robertson. They live in New York with their four children. She was a member of the Hilton Head International Piano Competition jury in 2019. She has been a Steinway Artist since 2003.

Ms. Shaham's appearance is sponsored by Joan and Charles Dattelbaum.

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2024 BRAVOPIANO FESTIVAL

"PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS..."

ABOUT THE MUSIC

BY JONATHAN ACETO

RHAPSODY ON A THEME OF PAGANINI, OP. 43 SERGEI RACHMANINOFF (1873-1943) Niccolò Paganini finished writing his 24 Caprices for Solo Violin in 1817, establishing one of the most difficult collections of violin music ever created. Little did he know the extraordinary impact those pieces would have on the classical world, as they have been transcribed and arranged for numerous instruments. The 24th caprice, itself a theme and variations, has been a source of inspiration for several composers over the years, as each has created his own set of variations based on Paganini’s tune. Among the more unique examples are: Classical Thump, a piece by jazz bassist Victor Wooten; Paganini in Metropolis, for clarinet and wind symphony by Frank Proto; and “Angels Cry,” a song by the Brazilian heavy metal band Angra.

However, few would disagree that one of the most famous and successful examples is Rachmaninoff’s set of 24 variations that he wrote in Switzerland during the summer of 1934. The premiere was given by the composer in Baltimore on November 7 with Stokowski conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra. Rachmaninoff, who often experienced performance anxiety, was especially nervous about this premiere and, breaking his own rule against alcohol, drank a glass of crème de menthe before the concert. Apparently, it helped, and he began a new tradition of imbibing crème de menthe before every performance of the Rhapsody. Rachmaninoff, Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra also made the first recording of the Rhapsody on Christmas Eve of that year.

Although the Rhapsody is presented as one single movement, it is loosely divided into three sections, with the first section being variations one through ten, the second finishing with the 18th variation, and the third the remaining six variations. A unique feature of this piece is that it starts with the first variation and then proceeds to state the main theme, an idea Rachmaninoff may have taken from the last movement of Beethoven’s Eroica symphony. As the piece enters the sixth variation, the listener may be surprised to hear the ominous Dies Irae plainchant melody being pounded out on the piano, a musical quote Rachmaninoff loved to interject into many of his pieces. As the piece descends into chromatic murkiness during the 17th variation, the listener is quickly rewarded with the glorious 18th variation, one of Rachmaninoff’s most sublime melodies and one which supposedly was inspired by seeing Paganini’s melody upside down when the music dropped onto the floor. The pace picks up again for the last section as the piece rushes into the last variation and, with one final explosive statement of the Dies Irae, the pianist quietly tosses off the last four notes.

WWW.HHIPC.ORG

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2024 BRAVOPIANO FESTIVAL

"PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS..."

2024 FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL VIOLIN I

BASS

BASSOON

Katherine St. John, Principal

Micah Gangwer, Concertmaster

Maurice Belle, Principal

Aldine W. Schroeder Memorial Chair

Ann & Michael Waters in memory of

Doris & Willis Shay Chair

VIOLIN II

Ruth A. & Robert C. Waters

Sandra Nikolajevs

Brian Allen, Principal

Samuel Dugo

SECTION VIOLIN

Joe Farley

Jean S. Wolff Chair

in memory of Alfred W. Wolff Jonathan Aceto Alex Boissonnault

Vadim Volynets

Liz & Walt Schymik Chair in memory

FLUTE

of Catherine B. Kaufman

Erna B. Graver Memorial Chair

Debra Sherrill-Ward

Lorraine Jones, Principal

Barbara Borg

Tacy Edwards

Ann Cafferty

Regina Helcher-Yost - Piccolo

Jason Economides

OBOE

Andrew Emmett Thiago Formiga Seth Gangwer Rafe Goldman Mario Incorvaia Tomas Jakubek David Katz Angela Loizides

Leah Bedard, Acting Principal Patty & Dave Ekedahl Chair Kelly Mozeik Kelly Odell – English Horn

CLARINET

Charles Messersmith, Principal Marge & Paul Coble Chair

Corey Mike

in memory of Don E. Coble

Gerome Stewart

Russell Floyd, Co-Principal

Marina Volynets

VIOLA

Lizhou Liu, Principal Mary & Michael Briggs Chair Vasily Gorkovoy Sadie Nichols Matthew Peebles Jeffery Watson Benjamin Weiss

CELLO

Daniel Mumm, Principal Ellen & Charles Taylor Chair Barbara Altman Timothy O'Malley Lee Richey Cynthia Sulko Mary Ann Watson

HORN

Stephanie Mason, Principal

Brandon Nichols Anne Holmi

TRUMPET

Paul Lott, Principal Nancy & John Diamond Chair Antonio Marti Todd Jenkins

TROMBONE

Mark Spradley, Acting Principal Lin & Robert Rada Chair Colleen Crafton Don Crafton

TUBA

Christopher Bluemel, Principal

Gretchen Roper – Bass Clarinet

Dr. William P. and Judy F. Thorpe Chair

SAXOPHONE

in honor of Richard Heyman, M.D.

Stutz Wimmer

TIMPANI

ORCHESTRA LIBRARIAN Jason Economides

Marianne and George Krall Chair

PRODUCTION MANAGER Rafe Goldman

Stephen Primatic, Principal

STAGE MANAGER/ EQUIPMENT CREW Ross Gerhardstein

Mathew Fallin

Ray McClain, Principal

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN AUDIO, VIDEO & LIGHTING Joseph Chappell ARCHIVAL RECORDING Bill Gwynne

PERCUSSION

Sandy & Fred Caswell Chair Ryan Leveille

HARP

Alisa Coffey, Acting Principal League of Hilton Head Orchestra Chair

PROGRAM NOTES Jonathan Aceto

WWW.HHIPC.ORG

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PARTNERSHIP At Gulfstream, our international business is based on local values.

Funding educational initiatives and civic organizations, supporting hospitals and leading in sustainable business practices are just a few of the ways we give back to the communities we call home.

34

2024 BRAVOPIANO FESTIVAL

"PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS..."

AMBASSADOR PROGRAM First offered in 2003, the Ambassador Program will be a central part of BravoPiano! 2024. Artists who perform at the Festival and throughout the year will visit local schools on Hilton Head, in Bluffton, and in Beaufort to perform for hundreds of enraptured students. The sessions are arranged so that there is time to interact, relay information about the pieces and composers played, and for the artists to engage in conversation about their musical lives. Not only do these sessions assist schools in satisfying some state curricular requirements, but they can be quite entertaining since children often ask unexpected questions! A few years ago, the HHIPC added senior-living communities to this important outreach program.

The Ambassador Program is an opportunity for artists to perform and share the experience of mastering their craft in a relaxed setting with young people and, hopefully, to inspire some of these youngsters to study music.

As for the students, it is the first time many will have heard classical music or even attended a live musical performance of any kind.

Zhonghua Wei

The Hilton Head International Piano Competition believes that these visits awaken musical excitement in the students of Beaufort County and encourage our young people to strive and excel at whatever endeavors they wish to accomplish.

These educational visits are made possible through a generous grant from Gulfstream Aerospace.

Simon Mulligan

2024 Participating Schools Confirmed at publication Red Cedar Elementary • Bluffton Elementary Coosa Elementary • Hilton Head Christian Academy St. Gregory the Great Catholic School • MC Riley Elementary River Ridge Academy • Hilton Head Elementary for Creative Arts Hilton Head International Baccalaureate Sea Pines Montessori • Savannah Arts Academy TidePointe • The Cypress • The Seabrook

Chaeyoung Park

WWW.HHIPC.ORG

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BRAVOPIANO!

BE PART OF THE HHIPC EXPERIENCE The HHIPC strives to deliver extraordinary experiences for the young artists who grace our stage and for our dedicated audiences who have come to hear them for 27 years. It may look seamless but be assured there are a lot of moving parts! Staging the HHIPC takes planning, executional discipline, and a great deal of support. Are you wondering how you can be part of the HHIPC experience? There are many options in addition to a monetary donation, although that is always welcome. The 88 Key Society and Pay-for-a-Piper are always “open for business,” but there are many other ways you can get involved.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE HHIPC Marketers consider word-of-mouth among the most valuable forms of promotion. Even after 27 years, there are many locals who do not know that the HHIPC exists. Perhaps you belong to a group that would like someone from the HHIPC to come and speak. Or, simply offer to take a friend or new neighbor when you attend.

COME TO THE HHIPC RECITAL SERIES AT SOUNDWAVES Each season we schedule several concerts which feature acclaimed pianists, including previous competitors and other artists. These intimate evenings are spread throughout the year and are a wonderful way to support the HHIPC.

ATTEND “MUSICAL FEAST” HHIPC’s annual benefit — in conjunction with the HHSO — is a celebration of our longstanding commitment to excellence in promoting and nurturing talented young pianists. This engaging and entertaining evening features delights for both your ears and your palate, showcasing musicians from the HHSO plus at least one magnificent HHIPC alum!

BECOME A HOST You could host a competitor during the competition, host a dinner for the judges, or if you have a piano, host a judge for practice time. Most of our hosts have done this multiple times, and always proclaim what a rewarding experience it is.

VOLUNTEER AT THE COMPETITION In addition to being an usher, there are many other fun jobs such as greeting competitors as they arrive to perform, staffing the judges� room (coffee must be hot and candy dishes full!), selling tickets or merchandise in the lobby, and more.

JOIN THE HHIPC COMMITTEE This leadership group of about a dozen piano enthusiasts meets monthly starting in September. There are a variety of positions available such as helping with the Ambassador Program, working with host families, organizing the “Musical Feast,” production, transportation and more. Newcomers are always welcome!

BECOME A SPONSOR/ADVERTISER Every not-for-profit depends on sponsors who help defray costs and keep tickets reasonably priced. HHIPC sponsors include a variety of local businesses. Sponsors receive ads in both the HHSO and HHIPC program books. We also feature sponsors in our own advertising campaigns throughout the season. Sponsorships and advertising rates vary in price, with a level to fit most budgets.

BECOME AN IMPRESARIO During our triennial BravoPiano! Festival and for a few special events each season, we endeavor to engage world-renowned pianists to come perform for us right here in our own backyard. As you might imagine, those established artists command significant fees which are beyond our regular budget, so we seek the support (generally $2,500 and up) of individuals to underwrite those fees and help us make these performances a reality. We hope that you are interested in joining this special category of donors. Please see the list of our 2024 Impresarios on page 41.

36

2024 BRAVOPIANO FESTIVAL

"PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS..."

COUNT ME IN TO SUPPORT THE HHIPC! FUND-A-NEED – “MUSIC AMBASSADORS” Your contribution will fund special educational outreach programs in area schools and community centers to foster music appreciation and encourage musical exploration and education. With the drastic cuts in funding for school music programs, it’s more important than ever that students are exposed to live music whenever possible. Your support not only benefits the students experiencing these performances, but also helps our competitors by providing them the opportunity to engage personally with young audiences. _____ $2,000 underwrites a solo recital at SoundWaves and includes in-school performances earlier in the day by the featured soloist _____

$1,000 underwrites a solo recital at a local community center

_____

$500 sponsors a school’s music class to attend the HHIPC

_____

$250 sponsors an in-school performance by an HHIPC competitor

_____

$100 “Adopt–a–Piano” program helps maintain a school’s piano to performance-ready condition

_____

$50 provides tickets to a student and escort to attend an HHSO concert

BECOME A MEMBER OF “THE 88 KEY SOCIETY” OR “PAY FOR A PIPER” See page 40-41 for program benefits.

88 KEY SOCIETY _____ Number of Keys ($500 per key)

Preferred Key _____ _____ _____ _____

PAY FOR A PIPER _____ Celebrate our Conductor ($1000)

_____ Back a Bassoon ($500)

_____ Vie for a Violin ($500)

_____ Highlight a Horn ($500)

_____ Value a Viola ($500)

_____ Target a Trumpet ($500)

_____ Choose a Cello ($500)

_____ Treasure a Trombone ($500)

_____ Bank on a Bass ($500)

_____ Tout a Tuba ($500)

_____ Favor a Flute ($500)

_____ Have a Harp ($500)

_____ Clamor for a Clarinet ($500)

_____ Power the Percussion ($500)

_____ Opt for an Oboe ($500)

_____ Tap into Timpani ($500)

VOLUNTEER OR HOST A COMPETITOR _____ I want to volunteer. _____ I would like to host a competitor.

Please consider joining the HHIPC family.

Email Director Steve Shaiman at sshaiman@hhso.org, and he’ll be happy to put you in tune with our organization!

WWW.HHIPC.ORG

37

The University of South Carolina School of Music presents

The 2024 Southeastern Piano Festival and Arthur Fraser Piano Competition June 9-15, 2024

Featuring concerts and masterclasses by

Plus, daily lessons with USC piano faculty Phillip Bush, Scott Price, Omar Roy and Nicholas Susi.

Competition First Prize: $5,000 and performance with SC Philharmonic; Second Prize $2,500; Third Prize $1,500

Rachel Breen

Lisa Moore

Marina Lomazov and Joseph Rackers

Inon Barnatan

Application information at SoutheasternPianoFestival.com Deadline to apply: March 15, 2024 Phillip Bush, Artistic Director • Caroline Earp, Executive Director

Supporting the Arts

50

on Hilton Head Island since 1973

38

RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

Enhancing People’s Lives

843-785-3848 • thegreeneryinc.com

through Beautiful Landscaping

HILTON HEAD • BLUFFTON • BEAUFORT • CHARLESTON • SAVANNAH AMELIA ISLAND • JACKSONVILLE • GREENVILLE • SPARTANBURG • DAYTONA

2024 BRAVOPIANO FESTIVAL

"PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS..."

2024 DONORS GIFT OF $10,000 AND ABOVE Mary and Mike Briggs Charles and Joan Dattelbaum GIFT OF $5,000 TO $9,999 Bret and Laura Jacobowitz Terry and Mary Ann Putnam Barbara Harris Sorkin* GIFT OF $2,500 TO $4,999 Chris and Mary Catherine Albright Bob and Heather Cherichella Todd and Liz Clist Eileen and Jerry Durkin Bill Hutchinson Ray and Linda Moloney Peggi Moon Constance Silvester GIFT OF $1,000 TO $2,499 Nancy and David Borghesi Ted and Clair Craver Ralph and Sandy Drayer Peter and Cary Fleming Mary Ann and John Goodrich Frederick and Carol Hack Michael and Susan Harter Joe and Mona Huff Mila Sheeline and Ryan Huff Laura and Michael Kling Robert and Joan Koenig Marty Neumeister William and Jane Murray Janine Nelson Mary Princing and Bill Clark William and Judy Thorpe Carol Tucker Julie Williams GIFT OF $500 TO $999 Peggy Ashworth John Austin and Susan Hartmann Austin Stephen and Dr. Karen Ball Dede Bethke Malcolm and Jillian Binks Dom and Estie Bonanno Michael and Ginger Caporal William and Linda DeArment David and Linda Dreisbach Chuck and Linda Eberly Karen and Buck Edwards Jay and Patricia Elliot Sally Evans

Barbara Fleisher Debby Graves Kathy Grote Lynn Gustafson Stephen Hasley and Sandy West Dahlia and Arthur Handman Karin and George Haupstein Barbara Holmes Alan and Karen Jordan Myla Lerner and Larry Kramer James and Clare Mackie Laura Marks Jane and Bill Murray Walt Nelson Mary Noonan Terry and Kathy Orr Ken Perkowski John Priester Tim and Mona Ridge Stu and Nina Rodman Charles and Frances Sampson Van and Lauren Schwiebert Ed and Elizabeth Simmons Pat and Charles Sinatra Hendrik and Mieke Smit Lorene Thornbury Marilyn Torrens Donna Varner Jerry and Connie Voight Jim Way Jim and Florence Willard Lois Wilson Barbara Wolf Kathy and Bill Zurilla GIFT OF $100 TO $499 Robert Ambrose Bryan Blade Judy Bluestone Stewart and Judy Brown Lynda Castle Barry and Naomi Cohen Pam and Peter Cooper Lee Crooks Donna DiMauro Rick and Laurel Johnson Patricia Kenworthy Robert and Eloise Mason Walter Pfaeffle Paul Pinnow Prudence and Burton Preston Don Flora and Janet Stallmeyer Nancy Williams

As of 1/31/2024

GIFT UP TO $99 Jonathan Aceto Barbara Altman Sherman and Carol Barker Barbara Borg Thomas Bresnick Ann Cafferty Jason Economides Tacy Edwards Greg Feltrup Micah Gangwer Scott Garrett Rafe Goldman Vasily Gorkovoy Anne Holmi Mario Incorvaia Lorraine Jones David Katz Paul Lott Lizhou Liu Angela Loizides Stephanie Mason Ray McClain Daniel Mumm Sandra Nikolajevs Kelly Odell Timothy O’Malley Matthew Peebles Christina and John Phelps Carl K. Polk Rebecca Preslar Gerome Stewart Cynthia Sulko Vadim and Marina Volynets Jeff and Mary Ann Watson Johnathan Wright Pamela Zeck

* Gift includes $3,500 in memory of Sidney Palmer This list is compiled as of January 31, 2024.

Occasionally, omissions and mistakes occur.

Please let us know if there is an error in your listing.

WWW.HHIPC.ORG

39

BRAVOPIANO!

88 KEY SOCIETY

As of 1/31/2024

The 88 Key Society is limited to a maximum of 88 members, each of whom “owns” one or more specific keys on the “competition piano.” One becomes a member of this exclusive group with an annual donation of $500 per key. Members enjoy special recognition and benefits including: • Their name on their key(s) of the 88 Key Society Keyboard displayed at all HHSO and HHIPC events throughout the concert season.

• Preferred seating for tickets purchased for HHIPC events.

• Listing in the HHIPC program book and on the HHIPC and HHSO websites.

• Invitations to exclusive events held throughout 2023-2024 including Movie Night, an evening featuring hors d’oeuvres, libations, and a film screening.

88 KEY SOCIETY • 2024 MEMBERS Chris and Mary Catherine Albright Peggy Ashworth Stephen and Karen Ball Dede Bethke Malcolm and Jillian Binks Dom and Estie Bonanno Nancy and David Borghesi Mary and Mike Briggs Bob and Heather Cherichella David and Romy Coquillette Theodore and Clair Craver Charlie and Joan Dattelbaum William and Linda DeArment Ralph and Sandy Drayer David and Linda Dreisbach Eileen and Jerry Durkin Charles and Linda Eberly Karen and Buck Edwards Jay and Patricia Elliot Sally Evans Barbara Fleisher Peter and Cary Fleming Mary Ann and John Goodrich Debby Graves Kathy Grote Lynn Gustafson Frederick and Carol Hack Michael and Susan Harter Karin Haupstein HHSO Musicians Mona and Joe Huff Mila Sheeline and Ryan Huff Bill Hutchinson

Bret and Laura Jacobowitz Laura and Michael Kling Robert and Joan Koenig Myla Lerner and Larry Kramer James and Clare Mackie Laura Marks Peggi Moon William and Jane Murray Marty Neumeister Mary Noonan Mary Princing and Bill Clark Terry and Mary Ann Putnam Tim and Mona Ridge Stu and Nina Rodman Charles and Frances Sampson Van and Lauren Schwiebert Constance Silvester Edward and Elizabeth Simmons Pat and Charles Sinatra Hendrik and Mieke Smit Barbara Harris Sorkin Lorene Thornbury William and Judy Thorpe Marilyn Torrens Caroline Tucker Donna Varner Jerry and Connie Voight Jim Way Florence and Jim Willard Julie Williams Lois Wilson Barbara Wolf William and Kathleen Zurilla

This list is compiled as of January 31, 2024. Occasionally, omissions and mistakes occur.

Please let us know if there is an error in your listing.

40

2024 BRAVOPIANO FESTIVAL

"PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS..."

PAY FOR A PIPER

As of 1/31/2024

Our fabulous conductor and HHSO musicians are an “instrumental” part of the BravoPiano!

Festival as they accompany the finale artists’ concerto performances. “Pay for a Piper” offers supporters the chance to salute their favorite instruments and instrumentalists – their contributions “pay for the pipers.” We proudly present 2024’s Piper Patrons.

Celebrate the Conductor Constance Silvester Vie for a Violin Cary and Peter Fleming Mary Ann and John Goodrich Mona and Joe Huff Mila Sheeline and Ryan Huff Peggi Moon Walt Nelson Value a Viola Heather and Bob Cherichella Choose a Cello Joan and Bob Koenig Constance Silvester Bank on a Bass Heather and Bob Cherichella Judy and William Thorpe Favor a Flute Joan and Charlie Dattelbaum Linda and Ray Moloney Barbara Harris Sorkin Opt for an Oboe Mona and Joe Huff Ken Perkowski Mary Princing and Bill Clark Sandy West Kathy and Bill Zurilla

Clamor for a Clarinet Laura and Bret Jacobowitz Mary Princing and Bill Clark Book a Bassoon Susan and Michael Harter Highlight a Horn Stephen Hasley Barbara Holmes Kathy and Terry Orr Constance Silvester Target a Trumpet Karen and Buck Edwards Dahlia and Arthur Handman Treasure a Trombone Susan Hartmann Austin and John Austin Bill Hutchinson Tout a Tuba Karen and Alan Jordan Marty Neumeister Tap Into Timpani Sandy and Ralph Drayer Power the Percussion Ginger and Michael Caporal Have a Harp Carol and Frederick Hack Julie Williams

SALUTE TO OUR IMPRESARIOS! We are grateful to these generous donors whose gifts helped us underwrite BravoPiano! guest artist fees.

Mary and Chris Albright Dr. Karen and Stephen Ball Mary and Mike Briggs Liz and Todd Clist Joan and Charlie Dattelbaum Bill Hutchinson

Laura and Bret Jacobowitz Joan and Bob Koenig Linda and Ray Moloney Peggi Moon Mary Ann and Tarrant Putnam Barbara Harris Sorkin

WWW.HHIPC.ORG

41

25 Y

ea

rs!

F OUR CORNERS FINE ART & FRA MING

A UNIQUELY SOU THER N COLLEC TION

WELCOME TO THE LOW COUNTRY LIFESTYLE.

Come in to see how we can elevate your home to a fresh new Low Country vibe.

1263-B May River Rd

Old Town Bluffton, SC 29910

843.757.8185

www.fourcornersgallerybluff ton.com

42

2024 BRAVOPIANO FESTIVAL

"PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS..."

SUSTAINING THE FESTIVAL BUSINESS SPONSORS PLATINUM LEVEL

Official Hotel

Official Competition Piano

GOLD LEVEL

SILVER LEVEL

EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH SPONSOR

FESTIVAL SPONSORS

GRANTORS Town of Hilton Head • Howard Gilman Foundation R. J. Samulski Innovation Foundation WWW.HHIPC.ORG

43

Save the Dates!

2023 - 2024 a

se a s o n

of

ILLUSTR ATIONS & INSPIR ATIONS ALL THINGS COLORFUL FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023

LIGHT & LIGHTER

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2023

INSPIRED BY ART

Dustin C. Ousley, Artistic Director

FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2024

A MERICA SINGS!

SUNDAY, MAY 26, 2024 Click “Tickets” at HiltonHeadChoralSociety.org or call 843-341-3818 All Concerts will be at 7:00 PM, FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 540 William Hilton Pkwy.

LEAN ENSEMBLE THEATER Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award Winner

5-TIME TONY WINNER - INCLUDING BEST MUSICAL

FUN HOMe MUSIC BY JEANINE TESORI BOOK AND LYRICS BY LISA KRON DIRECTED BY WEST HYLER

March 21-31

Proof May 9 - 19

by David Auburn Directed by Blake White

843.715.6676 LEANENSEMBLE.ORG 44

2024 BRAVOPIANO FESTIVAL

"PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS..."

BRAVO PIANO! COMMITTEE Director — Steve Shaiman

Merchandise Sales — Lynn Gustafson

Ambassadors — Laura Kling

Production — Jerry Durkin, Scott Camp

Grants/Fundraising — Linda Dreisbach Host Families — Barbara Holmes, Peggi Moon Marketing/Social Media — Bob Koenig Members-at-Large — E ileen Durkin, Barbara Sorkin

Program Book — Gayle Lang, Julie Williams Transportation — Mike Caporal, Scott Camp Volunteers — M ike and Kathy Emery, Bill and Kathy Zurilla

Musical Feast — Joan Dattelbaum, Eileen Durkin, Bob Koenig, Peggi Moon

2024 BRAVOPIANO! VOLUNTEERS

As of 1/31/2024

Look for our volunteers throughout our venues.

They are here to welcome and assist you. This dedicated group has been recruited and trained by Kathy and Mike Emery and Kathy and Bill Zurilla. A special thank you to all!

Sherman Barker

Sue Henderson

Anne Moseley

Jan Bender

Timothy Henderson

Colin Moseley

Sue Blake

Teresa Hicks

Barbara Nichols

Beatrice Buxton

Jan Hunter

Andrea Pfaeffle

Dan Castro

Bill Hutchinson

Joyce Prange

Celeste Crago

Patricia Killeen

Louise Rose

Meredith DiMuzio

Michael Kling

Joan Savage

Eileen Durkin

Ed Landis

Barton Smith

Sue Dussinger

Judy Landis

Kristina Smith

Kathy Emery

Suzy Makalous

Jan Stallmeyer

Michael Emery

Doris Malkowski

Marti Willits

Mary Ann Goodrich

Peg McCann

Laureen Yingling

Ann Harrison

Joy McNeill

Bill Zurilla

Morgan Harrison

Kathy Zurilla

WWW.HHIPC.ORG

45

SELECTION...SERVICE

BRAVOPIANO!

SPECIAL THANKS TO...

Ben Ham Gallery

Proudly supporting

The Hilton Head International Piano Competition Belfair Towne Village 105 Towne Drive • Bluffton, SC 843.815.9485 BelfairWinesandSpirits.com SAVVY SUGGESTIONS...SERENDIPITY

Jean-Marie Coté — thefrenchguyphotography Joe Chappell — Connected HHI Joan and Charlie Dattelbaum Eileen and Jerry Durkin First Presbyterian Church Charles Grace — Designer, LOCAL Life Magazine Carol Gyllenhoff — Ambrosia Catering Bill Gwynne — Audio Engineer Jeff and Jennifer Herrin — Owners, Kawai Piano Gallery Hilton Head Dance Theater

Hilton Head Chamber Music Institute An educational program presented by the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra

Mona Huff Kent James Joan and Bob Koenig League of the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra Lean Ensemble Theater Markel’s Card and Gift Shop Michael Anthony’s Cucina Italiana Rice Music House Nina Rodman

Founded in 2018, the HHCMI is an intensive training program focused on the art of small ensemble playing.

Rollers Wine and Spirits

JUNE 12 – 22, 2024

Thea Tjepkema and John Morris Russell

Graduates of 8th through 12th grades may apply.

Faculty from Vanderbilt School of Music, University of Michigan, Florida State University, Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

TO BE HELD AT

SoundWaves 7 Lagoon Road, Hilton Head Island, 29928

www.hhso/hhcmi

For more information, contact judy.chambermusic@gmail.com 46

Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra/SoundWaves

2024 BRAVOPIANO FESTIVAL

Charles Sampson Savannah Hilton Head International Airport Savannah Music Festival Sonesta Resort — Official Hotel St. Luke’s Anglican Church Steinway & Sons thegreenery, inc.

"PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS..."

MEMORIES BRAVOPIANO! 2018 & 2021 thefrenchguyphotography

Steven Lin

Fei–Fei and Friends

Christian Sands Trio

Chamber Music Charleston

Cheng – Chow Trio WWW.HHIPC.ORG

47

BRAVOPIANO!

SAVE THE DATES “…a thoughtful, sensitive performer. Zhu balanced lyrical warmth and crisp clarity.” − The New York Times

ZHU WANG IN RECITAL

Thursday, April 18, 2024, 7:30 PM SoundWaves We are thrilled to welcome Zhu Wang back to the Lowcountry. We first met Zhu in 2011, when he won First Prize in the HHIPC’s inaugural Young Artists competition as the youngest competitor in the field (age 14). Now in his mid-twenties, he is enjoying a burgeoning career. In 2020 Zhu was awarded First Prize in the Young Concert Artists (YCA) Susan Wadsworth International Auditions. His resulting Carnegie Hall debut made The New York Times’ “Best of Classical Music 2021” list. Zhu received a Bachelor of Music degree from The Juilliard School, an Artist Diploma from the Curtis Institute of Music, and is pursuing his Master’s degree at Juilliard under the tutelage of Emanuel Ax and Robert McDonald. We are catching him between dates on an international tour with cellist Randall Goosby. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear this rising star of the piano world, whose program includes the music of Bach, Schubert, Chopin and Brahms’ Handel Variations.

Tickets are available at hhipc.org or by calling the HHSO office (843) 842-2055.

2O25 HILTON HEAD INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION

March 10–17, 2025

The HHIPC proudly returns next year to showcase twenty of the world’s most exciting pianists ages 18-30.

Venues to be announced.

HILTON HEAD INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION

48

2024 BRAVOPIANO FESTIVAL

Revitalizing Paradise

Embarking on an Exciting Renovation Journey!

Complement a perfect performance with a tasteful night out.

If you have yet to discover all that's new at our newly renovated hotel, come see us. With a new full-service Arum spa, indoor and al fresco dining, and relaxing accommodations, we're the all-new place to eat, meet and stay on the Island.

We are pleased to announce that the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island is the Official Hotel of the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra for the 2023-2024 season. Please consider making your reservations at the Sonesta when friends and family are visiting Hilton Head.

Enjoy the charm and warmth of one of the finest hotels in Hilton Head Island. Nestled along the coast with stunning views and lush landscapes our award winning Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island is a premier destination for getaways, gatherings or business.

Walk along the beach, or stroll through our verdant, tropical gardens. Dine at one of our multiple restaurants, but not before wading into our zero-entry lagoon swimming pool. Pamper your body and senses with a trip to our Arum Spa. Or venture outside to find some of the best activities on the island at your disposal from golf, tennis and kayaking to shopping, bike riding and exploring the natural wonders of Hilton Head.

130 Shipyard Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 843.842.2400 | Sonesta.com/HiltonHeadlsland

Live mu sic , on demand.

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