ON THE COVER: Dancer Emily Jonason as Clara in the 2023 RPO-RCB co-production of The Nutcracker THIS PAGE: Dancer Riley Hammond as Clara, Anna Shin as Ginger Baby (2023).
“...it’s our dream to continue bringing that tradition back to Rochester for the next 25 years and beyond.”
ROCHESTER CITY BALLET CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR SHANNON PURPURA.
4 FROM THE PODIUM Jherrard Hardeman is still standing
6 IN THE SPOTLIGHT
At 25, Nutcracker forges ahead while honoring tradition
9 IN TUNE
Saying Grace: RPO harpist gives thanks for the gift of music
10 IN HARMONY
RPO makes music that moves in new, high-tech venue
12 NOTEWORTHY A Philhamonics Double-header!
Hardeman
STANDING TALL: RPO Assistant conductor Jherrard Hardeman leads an RPYO concert in Kodak Hall.
After a bustling first year as Assistant Conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) and Music Director of the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (RPYO), Jherrard Hardeman has taken on another role for the 24/25 season: Guest Faculty at the Eastman School of Music, a gig that includes not only teaching ESM students but also conducting performances with the Eastman School Symphony Orchestra and Eastman Philharmonia.
MOVEMENTS: So, Jherrard, your new responsibilities at Eastman add another 18 to 20 hours to your workweek. This begs just one question: Are you crazy?
HARDEMAN: Am I crazy? The answer is, “yes.” (Laughs.) And that’s been the way since I was at age 2, when I decided to start drinking coffee. So, I think I’ve always been preparing for moments like this.
MOVEMENTS: With all else you have going on at the RPO, what made the opportunities at the Eastman School impossible to resist?
HARDEMAN: With the RPYO, I’m interacting with young musicians, which is one of the things I most love doing. At Eastman, I’m teaching college students who have decided to make music their careers. And that requires me to use an entirely different skill set.
MOVEMENTS: Speaking of the RPYO, the Fall Concert is just around the corner, Sunday, November 17 at Hochstein.
HARDEMAN: It’s called Fireside Stories, and it is a chance for us to present two major works that have folk-tale aspects to them: SaintSaëns’ Danse Macabre and Aaron Copland’s Billy the Kid. One of the things I’m hoping to impart to our young musicians the RPYO is that storytelling is such an important part of music.
MOVEMENTS: February 13th, you’ll be conducting the RPO for Thorgy Thor and Her Thorchestra—part drag show, part serious symphonic program. What are you expecting?
HARDEMAN: I am eager to see the people out there in their Valentine’s Day attire. In Thorgy’s announcement, she mentioned wanting the whole hall filled with love. And I couldn’t imagine a better way than this show to remind our community that music is all about love. I’m quite excited about it.
RPYO:
FIRESIDE STORIES
NOV 17
THORGY THOR & THE THORCHESTRA FEB 13
RPYO Fireside Stories Sunday, November 17 at 7 PM at Hochstein Performance Hall.
Thorgy Thor and the Thorchestra February 13 at 7:30 PM at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre.
in the spotlight
At 25, ‘Nutcracker’ forges ahead
while honoring tradition
Surprises in store for silver-anniversary presentation
By MIKE CIDONI Movements Senior Writer
THOMAS RODRIGUEZ
RCB co-artistic director Megan Kamler waits in the wings as The Snowflakes dance (2018 production)
Twenty-five years ago, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) broke one tradition to begin another. After decades of performing Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker score for a string of unpredictable dance companies from out of town, the orchestra decided there was no place like home to create a production that would live up to its own exacting standards.
The RPO didn’t need to look far for a dance partner. By the late ‘90s, artistic director Timothy Draper’s feisty, fledgling Rochester City Ballet (RCB) was producing its own Nutcracker to increasing success and acclaim. The RPO knew a good collaborator when it saw one, a deal was struck, and the first RPO/RCB Nutcracker debuted Friday, November 26, 1999. Democrat
RCB co-artistic directors Megan Kamler and Shannon Purpura said this year’s Nutcracker includes subtle nods to the silver anniversary. “We have a lot of new costumes that will be premiering this year,” noted Purpura. “We have an entirely new Land of Snow— so that’s 20 brand-new snowflake tutus, including The Snow King and The Snow Queen. There’s a lot of silver in the tutus.”
And that’s just the start of what’s new in this year’s Nutcracker. “You’ll have to come and see for yourself,” Purpura said, coyly.
The anniversary marks both professional and personal milestones for the RCB. “The dream of our founder, Tim Draper (who died in 2003 at age 49), was to bring the highest caliber of dance to Rochester, and I believe that’s exactly what he did,” Purpura explained. “I feel that’s what we’ve maintained for the last 25 years with the RPO. Megan and I have grown up with this production, danced almost every character. So, it’s our dream to continue bringing that tradition back to Rochester for the next 25 years and beyond.”
And if Purpura has anything to say about it, that dance will continue with the RPO. “Every year when we first enter the Eastman Theatre and you hear the first strings being played and they’re warming up in the pit, it kind of creates this buzz. And I think that’s so special, especially for the young dancers who may be on that stage for the first time ever and have never performed to anything but a CD. So, being able to give our kids that experience, to have a chance
Rochester City Ballet co-artistic directors Megan Kamler and Shannon Purpura
A note from an aspiring sugarplum fairy after watching a performance.
to be on stage with that amazing live orchestra, is special. And it speaks volumes to what our community really has: a world-class orchestra the community can see all year ‘round.”
When asked what this Nutcracker will look like another 25 years from now, Kamler said she hopes it won’t stray far from its roots. “Part of why this production is so special is tradition. So, being able to come back and know you’re going to see what you saw last year—maybe a little bit better, maybe with different dancers—but being able to feel how you felt when you first danced it, or when you first saw it in that beautiful theater, that’s my hope.”
‘NUTCRACKER’ NUGGETS:
• The Nutcracker ballet debuted to a sold-out audience December 18,1892 at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia.
• Many opening-night critics were harsh, noting scenes did not flow together, there was not enough ballet, and there were too many children on stage.
• Tchaikovsky died less than a year after that first production and did not live to see the ballet’s success.
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Rochester City Ballet present The Nutcracker:
Wednesday, November 27 at 7 PM
Friday, November 29 at 2 and 7 PM
Saturday, November 30, at 2 and 7 PM
Sunday, December 1 at 2 PM.
Tickets start at $30 and are available at RPO.ORG | (585) 454-2100; or stop by RPO Patron Services, 255 East Ave., Rochester, NY, 14604.
THE NUTCRACKER NOV 27, 29–30 DEC 1
• Mass audiences in the U.S. were first introduced to The Nutcracker music score in Disney’s 1940 film Fantasia.
• The first full-length production of The Nutcracker ballet in the U.S. was in 1944 at the San Francisco Opera Ballet.
• In 1954, George Balanchine created his version of The Nutcracker for the New York City Ballet. That production brought new life to The Nutcracker, launching its popularity in the US.
• More audiences have seen The Nutcracker, and more dancers have performed it, than any other ballet.
in tune
Saying Grace: RPO harpist gives thanks for the gift of music
By GRACE BROWNING RPO Principal Harp
I started singing in my church choir at age 3, taking piano lessons at age 6, followed by harp and clarinet lessons at age 9. Suffice to say, the harp is the instrument that not only stuck but literally struck a chord in my heart. Over the last 30-plus years, music has served as my direct connection to all things otherworldly, and to the deepest and truest parts of myself.
Sitting down at the instrument is like sitting in front of a mirror. You are at once humbled and elevated. Perhaps most significantly, once the music has stripped you to your essence, it allows you to connect deeply and radically with those around you. When we’re knee-deep in a symphony, the world softens and becomes malleable: an inclusive entry point for authentic expression and vulnerability that unites us all.
While music has given me access to this beautiful experience, it’s also instilled a tireless pursuit to share this gift widely and wildly. It’s our greatest responsibility to serve not as gatekeepers but as artist-citizens who understand the role of engaging with and meeting our community exactly where they are. This is one of the many reasons why I’m proud to be a musician in Rochester—a city with a rich cultural history, limitless potential, and the biggest heart.
It’s an honor to serve this community and the privilege of a lifetime.
RPO harpist Grace Browning and son (with RPO cellist Benjamin Krug) Ernest Paul Krug.
RPO@RIT: RPO String Quartet performs in new Student Hall for Exploration and Development (SHED) venue on RIT’s campus.
in harmony
RPO makes music that moves in new, high-tech venue
Three-concert series continues collaboration with RIT
JIMMY
ON-CAMPUS COLLABORATION:
RPO musicians
Perrin Yang (violin), Claire An (violin), Marc Anderson (viola), and Benjamin Krug (cello) perform as part of the RPO@RIT Concert series.
Late on a sunny September afternoon, RPO musicians Perrin Yang (violin), Claire An (violin), Marc Anderson (viola), and Benjamin Krug (cello) walked into the soaring, high-tech Student Hall for Exploration and Development (SHED) on RIT’s campus to perform as part of the 24/25 season’s RPO @ RIT community concert series.
But this was no ordinary string quartet performance. In a venue built to foster and stimulate creativity, collaboration, and discovery, the group presented a musical mash-up of sorts, pairing Mozart and Mascagni alongside Rascal Flatts and Radiohead.
To pull this off, the musicians came equipped with some tech of their own: iPads with software that can instantly display arrangements for nearly any music imaginable, allowing the group to take requests and collaborate spontaneously with the crowd of RIT students, faculty, and staff. The event also included a 15-minute Q&A session with the musicians.
While the RPO and RIT have a history of collaboration, this new, three-part concert series marks the orchestra’s first oncampus performances since the inception of RIT’s School of Performing Arts program in July 2022.
According to RPO VP of Education Barbara Brown, RIT’s recent investment in the arts, including the 200,000 square foot SHED that unites technology, art, and design under one roof, will provide a host of unique opportunities for the orchestra to connect with the entire RIT community.
“Whether it’s collaborating with visual artists and illustrators, working with student composers on video-game music, or providing behind-the-scenes access to our rehearsal process, we hope to continue to expand this collaboration of music and technology,” said Brown.
Brown added that while the details of final concert of the series in April are still being finalized, her hope is that it will feature a collaboration between the RPO and an ensemble of RIT student musicians.
The next performance in the RPO @ RIT series will be Tuesday, November 12 in the SHED’s Sklarsky Glass Box Theater. The concert will feature the RPO’s Herb Smith and The Freedom Trio, which incorporates digital sampling and looping technology in their live performances.
All RPO @ RIT performances begin at 5:30 PM and are free and open to the public to allow access to as many students, faculty, staff, and community members as possible.
RPO @ RIT: HERB SMITH AND THE FREEDOM TRIO NOV 12
HANDEL’S MESSIAH DEC 12 7:30 PM
One Night Only
WIZARD OF OZ JAN 15 | 7 PM THORGY THOR FEB 13 | 7:30 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN WILLIAMS! FEB 15 | 8 PM
Important Schedule Reminder:
Two performances of Peter & the Wolf on Saturday, November 23!
NOVEMBER
SATURDAY
Your typical RPO concert weekend features two nights of performances (or an occasional afternoon!), but for the 24/25 season we are offering a handful of unique “one-night-only” concerts.
First, Handel’s Messiah and Christopher Warren-Green return to our holiday schedule Thursday, December 12 at 7:30 PM. Green last conducted the Messiah with your RPO in December 2016.
Next, we travel down East Main Street to the West Herr Auditorium Theatre for our second live-to-film concert of the season, The Wizard of Oz. Read why this particular film can be difficult to play live in the October issue of Movements, then join us Wednesday, January 15 at 7 PM.
Then, February boasts two single-night events. Classically trained in violin and viola, NYC drag queen Thorgy Thor is bringing her Thorchestra to the RPO and inviting a few surprise friends on stage. Make it a pre-Valentine’s Day date and celebrate love with your RPO on Thursday, February 13 at 7:30 PM!
Finally, Saturday, February 15 at 8 PM, we say “Happy Birthday” to iconic composer John Williams! Your RPO will play many unforgettable songs from his most enduring movie soundtracks including Jaws, E.T., Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and more!
Both performances of Peter & the Wolf will take place Saturday, November 23, with showtimes at 2 PM and 8 PM. Some early season subscription packets were sent out with an incorrect date.
PETER & THE WOLF NOV 23 2 & 8 PM
date and time of your performance.
institutions features Rev. Dr. Rickey Harvey, Dr. Crystal Sellers Battle, and other members of the Mount Olivet community alongside your RPO, led by Assistant Conductor Jherrard Hardeman.
“Mount Olivet has been a pillar of this community for well over 100 years,” said Hardeman, “so we need to honor the space we’re going into.”
While the event marks the second year of the collaboration, Hardeman says he hopes this year’s audience leaves with a somewhat different feeling.
“Last year I wanted everyone to feel a sense of belonging and joy,” Hardeman said. “This year, I want to make sure they leave feeling invigorated.”
RPO For All community concert events are free and open to the public. Visit rpo.org/rpoforall for upcoming events.
1. Eastman East wing entrance closest to East End Garage
2. Wolk Atrium entrance—for purchasing tickets day or night of and Will Call tickets; handicap accessible entrance*—closest to the elevators
3. NEW Oval Lobby entrance—if you already have tickets in hand already 4. Gibbs Street entrance—entry through Kilbourn Hall
* Please Note: Our handicap accessible entry location has changed from Gibbs Street to the Wolk Atrium entry on Main Street for your convenience.
Reminder: New Entrances at Kodak Hall
For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, Kodak Hall’s Oval Lobby Doors (3) are open to ticketholders during all RPO concerts at Eastman Theatre.
RPO patrons who arrive for a concert with tickets in hand or on their phone can now enter through the Oval Lobby doors and be scanned in by our ushers.
We’ve also moved the handicap accessible entrance from Gibbs Street (4) to the Wolk Atrium entrance (2) to provide close access to the elevators for our patrons needing assistance.
If you need to purchase tickets on the day or night of show, or are picking up tickets at Will Call, our Patron Services and Box Office tables will remain in the Wolk Atrium (2).
