Severe Cold Weather Doesn’t Keep Scarsdale Music Devotees Home

Margaret Kampmeier, Ani Gregorian Resnick and Una Tone perform at the New Choral Society Chamber ConcertDespite all kinds of scarry warnings about the very cold weather in the area from the local radio and television stations, the evening of Chamber Music hosted by the New Choral Society on Saturday evening, February 7, in the sanctuary of the Hitchcock Presbyterian Church at 6 Greenacres, went on as scheduled.

The professional music of many varieties kept everybody warm.

The 11 seasoned musicians for the 11 pieces from the New Choral Society orchestra, some music teachers in their own right, showed-up and so did Dr. John T. King, NCS Artistic Director who founded NCS in 1994, Erica Westcott Kelly, Executive Director, and believe it or not, the sanctuary was nearly full. There’s no question that when NCS is performing, nothing will stop its devotees and strong supporters from coming out in droves. Sold out performances are the norm. This time, however, a few stayed home and some fur coats, hats, scarves, gloves and carpooling were the order of the evening.

Performances by the musicians in the approximately 90-minute performance included music by Brahms, Eric Ewazen, Louise Farrenc, Haydn, Johann Hummel, Massenet, Florence Price, Rossini, Vivaldi, and Alexander Zemlinsky. The talented musicians featured included Una Tone, Ani Gregorian Resnick, Kal Sugatski, Eliot Bailen, Peter Weitzner, Donna Elaine, Kathy Halvorson, Ben Fingland, Michael Green, Patrick Milando and Margaret Kampmeier. All were indeed great with some resonating a little more recognition from the audience, cold hands and feet or not.

Photo Credit Steven Schnur

Donna Elaine, Michael Green, and Ben Fingland perform at the New Choral Society Chamber Concert.

The audience seemed to pay special attention to Kampmeier, piano; Fingland, clarinet; Green, bassoon, and Tone, violin. When not playing in a number of combined pieces, Weitzner, double bass, handled the page-turning of the music for the pianist. The men wore black tie and the women selected their own look for the evening’s performances.