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For Santa Claus' schedule,
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Check back here later this
year for the 2008
8th Annual Festival of Trees Entertainment Schedule
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Date |
Time |
To be announced |
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ABOUT OUR
PERFORMERS
The Community Music School of
Springfield Choruses
Western Mass. Middle School
Honors Chorus
The Middle School Honors Chorus, under the direction of Richard
Matteson, is a select mixed chorus for students in grades 4-6 who
love to sing and want to join with other strong musicians to develop
their musical skills, learn to balance and blend with other singers,
and develop a repertoire of advanced middle school choral music. The
goals for this chorus are to create a choral sound that is
expressive and effective for a variety of song materials and styles,
as well as enhance their appreciation for choral music of different
time periods, cultures and languages. Students develop an
understanding of good vocal techniques, including breath support,
listening and diction. Male changing voice issues will also be
addressed. The Middle School Honors Chorus performs several concerts
during the year, including performances in the community.
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Western Mass. Upper Level
Honors Chorus
The Upper Level Honors Chorus, under the direction of Laura Williams,
is a select mixed chorus for students in grades 7-12 who wish to
develop their voices individually and within a choir by learning
upper level and advanced quality music, as well as advanced
musicianship skills. Students will explore music from many time
periods, cultures, languages, and styles, as well as continuing
their understanding of vocal technique. The Upper Level Honors
Chorus performs several concerts during the year, including
performances in and around Greater Springfield.
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Laura Williams holds B.S. and
B.A. degrees in music from UConn. She received her Master of Music
degree from UConn and her Kodaly certification from the Hartt School
of Music, University of Hartford. Mrs. Williams has more than twelve
years of choral directing and music education experience and is
currently a music educator in the Granby School system and private
teacher of voice, piano and oboe.
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Richard Matteson
is a graduate of Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford, with
a major in organ and minor in voice and choral conduction. Following
a forty-year career as a church musician, music educator and concert
performer in the Greater Hartford, CT area, Mr. Matteson relocated
to Western Mass, where he also serves as Director of Music at Old
First Church, Springfield and Accompanist at Western New England
College.
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The East Longmeadow High School Chorus and Select Ensembles
This ensemble, under the direction of Carol Toth, includes students in
grades nine through twelve. The ensemble studies a variety of repertoire
from madrigals to musicals, doo-wop to pop. The chorus sings several
performances throughout the year at the high school, as well as several
outside community performances. (Return
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Carol Toth has been
a choral conductor and public school educator for more than 10 years.
She is currently the high school choral director for East Longmeadow
Public Schools. (Return
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Laurie Festa
Laurie N. Festa is a Springfield, Ma native and BWE recording
artist/singer. She developed an interest in music at a very young age,
singing along with records at age three. Her first piano teacher taught
her much of the music theory and improvisational techniques that are now
part of her life long work. She subsequently developed an interest in
playing the guitar, teaching herself and learning from friends. She began
singing in high school and later joined the choir at Holy Cross Church.
She then pursued her musical education at Westfield State College,
receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Music. She majored in voice, with
concentrations in theory/composition and music education. Laurie performs
at club metings, special events, senior centers, nursing homes and
retirement communities throughout western and central MA and CT. Her
Christmas CD, "A Savior is Born, Spiritual Songs for Christmas" can be
purchased on the internet at itunes.com or rhapsody and is also available
at the BWE Studio in Springfield.
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Kung
Fu Academy
The Kung Fu Academy schools offer classes for ages three through adult. A
ladies cardio kick class is also available. We have three locations: 551
East St., Chicopee - 594-2560; 869 Memorial Ave., W. Springfield -
746-1375 and 149 North Rd., E. Windsor, CT, 860-627-8764. We are very
enthusiastic supporters of the Springfield Boys & Girls Club and have also
sponsored a tree for the Festival of Trees for three years. (Return
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Jimmy Mazz
Jimmy Mazz began singing at the age of fourteen and joined a band
with a group of friends. He made his debut as a lead singer at the
Ludlow Boys & Girls Club. He later learned to play the guitar and
performed with a number of local bands throughout the 80's and early
90’s. In 1993, he joined the wedding band "Breezin" and performed
with them for eight years. During that time, Jimmy learned how to
command an audience, structure a show, and how to really entertain
people.
With digital technology
so advanced, he then formed a "one-hit wonder band." He realized
that by sequencing the basic music tracks, a full group of musicians
and equipment was not required. Jimmy performed for smaller venues
and began concentrating on a cocktail/dinner set for more mature
guests. Based on the response and appreciation of that audience, the
"Jimmy Mazz Rat Pack Style Solo Show" of standards and classics
exploded with popularity.
With over 30 years of
entertainment experience, Jimmy Mazz truly understands how to
entertain an audience. His unique song selection and candid humor
add a genuine warmth to every performance. Combined with his ability
to sound like the original artists in many cases, his voice is rich
and elegant. Jimmy performs the hits of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin,
Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley, Ray Charles and many others.
For more information on Jimmy, visit
www.jmazzsings.com
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Meadow Brook Elementary School Chorus
The Meadow Brook Elementary School Chorus, in its' seventh year of
existence, consists of eighty-three second grade students. The chorus
rehearses before school once per week, for forty-five minutes. The
children are working hard on how to use their singing voices
correctly, perform rhythms correctly, sing in 2-parts, as well as
other musical concepts. The children are also having a lot fun singing
a variety of songs. Some of the songs that they are learning to sing
include: "Put Your Hand in my Hand", "Best Friends", "Winter Fantasy",
"Oh, Be Joyful", "O Chanukah", as well as others. This year the chorus
is under the direction of Mrs. Jeanne Marker. We are looking forward
to our fifth performance at the Festival of Trees.
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The Pioneer Valley Fiddlers
The Pioneer Valley Fiddlers is a fiddler’s club dedicated to the
preservation and performance of traditional fiddle music. The club was
formed in 1992 by Chris Keenan. We perform mainly in the northeast fiddle
style, including Irish, Scottish, Canadian and other traditional music. We
also do an occasional southern, Cajun or Texas style piece. Our members
range in age from 4 - 70 years old. All ability levels are represented
from beginner to advanced player. Our performance size varies depending on
the type of venue. We have played with as few as four players for smaller
settings (cocktail hours, weddings, open houses, and 20 players for large
stage performances (The Summit House, The Big E, concerts in Western Mass
and CT.) We also have musicians that play keyboard, accordion, mandolin,
guitar, wash tub, washboard, and spoons. Most of the music we play is
associated with early dance music, such as jigs, reels, two-steps, polkas,
and waltzes. Someone who heard us described our playing as "happy music."
If you don’t feel like jumping out of your chair to start dancing, we are
not doing our job! (Return to top)
MaryAnn Studio of Dance
The MaryAnn Studio of Dance is very proud to be celebrating its’ 50th
season this year under the ownership of Mary Ann Langone, Director. We
have supported the Festival of Trees for the last five years by providing
entertainment and also by sponsoring a tree. Our students range in age
from toddler through adult. Through the years. the studio has had the
pleasure of offering quality dance education to generations of dancers.
Moms who danced as children are now bringing their own children to enjoy
the thrill of dance. Students from the Mary Ann Studio of Dance are always
eager to share the love and joy of dancing with others. (Return
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Sullivan School Band
The Sullivan School of Holyoke consists of instrumentalists in grades 4 -
8. Conductor, Steve Damon, gives weekly lessons on flute, oboe, clarinet,
sax, trumpet and trombone. When students arrive at a certain achievement
level, they are invited to join Band. Students performing at the Festival
of Trees have shown extra effort to learn their solo music. (Return
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The Violin Students of Lani Bortfeld
The STEP Suzuki Strings, a multigenerational group of Suzuki
string students from Greater Springfield and Northern Connecticut
aged five to adult, will perform holiday music from the celebrations
of Chanukah, Christmas, Yule-tide and Three Kings Day, along with
seasonal music and fiddle tunes, at the Festival of Trees on Sunday
Dec. 2 from 3-4 PM.
About the Suzuki
Talent Education Partnership (STEP):
STEP was founded in September 2002 by Lani Bortfeld, with the help
of students, parents and the Christ Church Cathedral in Springfield,
and is now an outreach program of Faith United Church. STEP is
dedicated to furthering the principles and teachings of renowned
Japanese music educator and humanitarian Dr. Shinichi Suzuki. Dr.
Suzuki believed that every child that could learn to speak could
learn to play violin, dedicated his life to making instrumental
study easier for children, and encouraged families to support their
children in all educational efforts. It is STEP's vision that
students of all backgrounds will thrive by experiencing the joy of
making music together using Dr. Suzuki's teachings.
The STEP Suzuki program
follows Dr. Suzuki’s model. Parents are expected to be active
participants in their child’s learning and practices, come to
lessons and group classes, and in the case of children aged 8 and
younger, learn to play violin or viola alongside their children. The
STEP parents’ group is a member of the Suzuki Association of the
Americas, and holds fundraisers to bring Dr. Suzuki’s dream to
low-income families in Greater Springfield and Northern Connecticut.
We’re a small program with high standards and a big heart. Together
we have fun, perform a wide range of music from around the world,
and work hard to share our music with the community around us.
Need-based financial aid is available. (Return
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Lani Bortfeld, director of
the STEP Suzuki Strings, is a 25-year member of the Suzuki
Association of the Americas (SAA), and has presented at two of its
national conferences. Ms. Bortfeld is also a member of the Waterbury
(CT) Symphony Orchestra and first violinist with the Arcos/iris
Quartet, a Springfield-based string quartet which is on the
Education Roster of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. An active
freelance musician, she is a member of Local 171 of the American
Federation of Musicians, and performs in schools, houses of worship,
arts festivals, care facilities, libraries and concert halls
throughout New England. Ms. Bortfeld received an Artist Fellowship
from the Springfield Cultural Council in 1999, and is an
artist-teacher on the Creative Teaching Partners roster of the
Massachusetts Cultural Council. (Return
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Festival runs from November 28th – December 14th, 2008
| Thursdays
& Fridays |
To be
announced |
| Saturdays |
To be
announced |
| Sundays |
To be
announced |
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