Community Leaders and Supporters Gather at Hoff-Barthelson to Celebrate Music and Young Talent
- Details
- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 652
NY State Senator Shelly Mayer, Meera Chari, HBMS Executive Director Gabriella Sanna, Ariana Thomas, and Scarsdale Deputy Mayor Dara Gruenberg. Photo by Steven Schnur.Hoff-Barthelson Music School welcomed New York State Senator Shelly Mayer, Scarsdale Deputy Mayor Dara Gruenberg, and other supporters of the School for a festive afternoon of music, cocktails, and conversation celebrating HBMS students and the vibrant community that sustains them.
The event featured outstanding performances by HBMS high school seniors Meera Chari (cello) and Ariana Thomas (piano), whose artistry and dedication embody Hoff-Barthelson’s mission to inspire excellence and foster a lifelong love of music.
“We are deeply grateful for the partnership and support of our community,” said Gabriella Sanna, Executive Director of Hoff-Barthelson Music School. “It is through this shared commitment that our students are able to grow as musicians and as confident, creative individuals. Their success reflects the spirit of collaboration that defines Hoff-Barthelson.”
Dana Matsushita, Chair of the HBMS Board of Trustees, added, “Hoff-Barthelson’s strength lies in the extraordinary network of families, faculty, alumni, and friends who believe in the transformative power of music education. It was wonderful to see so many supporters come together to celebrate our students and reaffirm the School’s vital role in the cultural life of our community.”
Building On a Legacy
- Details
- Written by: Bill Doescher
- Hits: 850
The New Choral Society kicked off its new season with a performance of Vivaldi Gloria and Handel Coronation Anthems. (Photo credit: Tony Allen Photography)The New Choral Society (NCS) is back in town with all its glory, wonderful precision sounds, and the usual noticeable professionalism at many levels with six new choral singers, two new vocal soloists, and a different concertmaster for its first concert of the 2025-2026 season.
The 32nd season began earlier than in past years, on Sunday afternoon, October 26, in the sanctuary of the Hitchcock Presbyterian Church on Greenacres Avenue. The musicians, 48 singers and the 15-member orchestra with Elizabeth Lim-Dutton in the Violin 1 slot, replacing Una Tone who is now the concertmaster of Ragtime on Broadway, included two beautiful musical pieces—Vivaldi’s Gloria and Handel’s Coronation Anthems, all under the continued direction of Dr. John T. King, Artistic Director and Conductor for all those years.
Emma Marhefka, soprano, and Ashly Brown, mezzo soprano, were both excellent in their first performances with NCS. They sang a glorious duet of "Laudamus te." Ms. Marhefka sang a lovely, lilting "Domine Deus" and Ms. Brown sang a fiery "Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris." Ms. Brown also performed "Domine Deus, Agnus Dei" with the chorus.
Dr. Frayda Lindemann, benefactor of the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program of the Metropolitan Opera, was in attendance to support the chorus and young soloists, whom she greeted warmly backstage. Emma Marhefka is in her first year of the Lindemann Program.
“BRAVO,” which means “well done!” and “excellent!” is the only way to describe the first performance of its 32nd season. Without missing a beat, King is continuing to build on a well- deserved and marvelous legacy that he started when he founded NCS in 1994.
Next-up for NCS, and to usher in the holiday season, will be the always-to-look-forward-to annual performances of Handel’s Messiah, Part 1 on Friday, December 5 and Sunday, December 7. Tickets are going fast at www.newchoralsociety.org.
Dr. John T. King backstage with soloists Emma Marhefka and Ashlyn Brown.
Halloween Street Closures for Trick or Treaters
- Details
- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 1161
The Village of Scarsdale will experience several temporary neighborhood street closures on Friday, October 31, 2025, to accommodate annual community Halloween events. Residents and motorists are advised to plan ahead and use alternate routes during the affected times.
Neighborhood associations have coordinated with the Scarsdale Police Department to ensure safety for all participants, particularly trick-or-treaters and pedestrians. Barricades will be placed prior to event start times and removed promptly after each gathering concludes.
The following closures will be in effect: Fox Meadow Neighborhood
• Fox Meadow Halloween Parade Time: 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
Locations:
o Chesterfield Road between Hampton and Brewster Road
o Brewster Road between Chesterfield and Butler Road
• Evening Halloween Road Closures Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Locations:
o Shawnee Road
o Hampton Road between Cohawney and Chesterfield Road
o Chesterfield Road between Brite Avenue & Kensington Road o Cohawney Road between Brite Avenue & Kensington
o Kensington Road between Cohawney and Chestefield
o Brewster Road between Fenimore & Butler Road
Greenacres Neighborhood
• Greenacres Neighborhood Association Street Closures Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Locations:
o Corner of Brewster & Fenimore Roads o Brewster & Huntington Avenues
o Oakstwain & Fenimore Roads
o Sage Terrace & Putnam Road
o Sage Terrace & Brite Avenue East Heathcote Neighborhood
• East Heathcote Halloween Road Closure Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Locations:
o Carthage Road between Wakefield Road & Lincoln Road o Ardmore Road, Lebanon Road, & Fayette Road
o Crossway between Ardmore & Fayette Road
Other Closures
• Nelson Road between Scarsdale Boulevard and Sprague Road
Time: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in all neighborhoods throughout Halloween evening, as pedestrian activity is expected to be high. Police personnel will monitor closures and assist with traffic control where necessary.
For additional information, please contact the Village Manager’s Office at (914) 722-1110.
Vintage Cars Line the Streets of Scarsdale
- Details
- Written by: Claudia Wang
- Hits: 1020
On Sunday, 5th of October, Scarsdale Village was transformed into a vibrant open-air gallery of vintage cars as the annual Scarsdale Concours d’Elegance returned for another year. From morning through to afternoon, Chase Road and Christie Place was host to a dazzling collection of classic vehicles, with their polished and elegant curves, and rich histories drawing a crowd from across the community.
This year’s event featured over 150 automobiles, ranging from pre-war collectibles to rare European sports cars, each carefully restored and proudly displayed by its owner. For long-time attendees, the Concours is a beloved tradition. For newcomers, it’s a delight tucked into the heart of Westchester. Whether you came for the Ferraris and Rolls-Royces, or the lovingly preserved family heirlooms, there was something for everyone to admire.
The show’s unique charm lies not only in the cars themselves, but in the people and stories that come with them. Owners stood by their vehicles, sharing the journeys behind each restoration, while visitors, many with children, started conversations, took photos, and honored the fine details. There was a true sense of openness, community, and connection.
While the event has grown in scale over the years, its origins remain local. The Scarsdale Concours began in 2003 as a student-led initiative by two Scarsdale High School students with a passion for cars. Their community spirit is still at the core of the annual event today. Entry to the show is free, while donations are encouraged, and proceeds go toward a multitude of charity organizations, including the Paulie Strong Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, and local emergency services.
The weather on Sunday was beautiful, cool and sunny, encouraging residents to walk into the Village, grab some coffee and breakfast, chat with neighbors, and take their time wandering through the rows of cars.
More than just a car show, the Scarsdale Concours d’Elegance has become a day for the community to come together and celebrate creativity and history. It’s about craftsmanship, but also conversations between generations, locals and visitors.
Bach, Mozart and Ravel at Hoff Barthelson Concert Series
- Details
- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 1123
Hoff-Barthelson Music School proudly opens its 2025–26 HB Artist Faculty Concert Series with a dynamic program of chamber and solo works on Friday, October 24, 2025, at 7:30 pm in the School’s Joan Behrens Bergman Auditorium in Scarsdale.
The HB Artist Series offers audiences an intimate opportunity to experience the artistry of Hoff-Barthelson’s renowned faculty, reflecting the School’s enduring commitment to musical excellence and cultural enrichment in Westchester County.
“Each season of the Artist Faculty Concert Series is a celebration of the exceptional musicians who make up our faculty,” said Gabriella Sanna, Executive Director of Hoff-Barthelson Music School. “Their performances not only inspire our students but also enrich the broader Westchester community. We are delighted to open the 2025–26 season with a program that spans the brilliance of Bach and Mozart, the lush colors of Ravel, and the modern vitality of Ingolf Dahl.”
Program Highlights
• Johann Sebastian Bach – Keyboard Fantasia in C minor, BWV 906
Performed by Vered Reznik, piano
A dazzling fantasia filled with dramatic contrasts and virtuosic passages, this work anticipates the expressive spirit of the Romantic era.
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Fantasie in C minor, K. 475
Performed by Vered Reznik, piano
Mozart’s profound Fantasie blends dark improvisatory gestures with lyrical interludes, showcasing both turbulence and grace.
• Maurice Ravel – Piano Trio in A minor, M67
Performed by Eriko Sato, violin; Michael Finckel, cello; Emily White, piano
Ravel’s trio is a tour de force of color and texture, from the flowing Modéré to the sparkling Pantoum, the monumental Passacaille, and the fiery Finale.
• Ingolf Dahl – Concerto a Tre for Clarinet, Violin, and Cello
Performed by Daniel Spitzer, clarinet; April Johnson, violin; Peter Seidenberg, cello
A witty and lyrical neoclassical work, Dahl’s trio brims with rhythmic vitality and spirited interplay among the instruments.
General Admission is $20; HBMS Students are free of charge. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Program and artists are subject to change. Faculty artist biographies can be found at https://hbms.org/faculty_bio/.
About the Faculty and the School
The Hoff-Barthelson faculty comprises some of the nation’s most distinguished performers and educators. Many hold chairs in major New York orchestras, perform with internationally renowned chamber ensembles, appear regularly on Broadway, and are sought-after soloists worldwide. Others teach at leading conservatories, including The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, and Mannes College of Music. Together, these artist-educators uphold the School’s national reputation for excellence, providing students with unparalleled access to world-class musicianship.
Photo Caption and Credit: Clarinetist and HBMS Faculty Member Daniel Spitzer is one of the faculty artist members set to perform on the season-opening HB Artist Series. Photo by Steven Schnur.
