Nov/Dec 2008
MTAC MARIN BRANCH NEWSLETTER
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
President: Elenor Barcsak
Tel. 415–383-0125
Email: zenezest@aol.com
Greetings my friends! The rainy weather reflects my feelings upon learning the news of the passing of a dear friend. It is not rain but tears that flow for the loss of someone dear to our hearts. The Marin Independent Journal ran a lovely photo of Barbara Vonk and a detailed article about her life. You will find more details below in the special page titled IN MEMORY OF BARBARA VONK. I include this article in this newsletter.
EVENTS: The October Student Recital was a hit! The students were received with great enthusiasm by adoring parents, grand parents and proud teachers. Special thanks to Sandra Simich who chaired the recital and made sure those parents had their treasured photo opportunities by pointing out the best place to take photos. Steven Shen and Karen Rogers also gave support and confidence to their students. We appreciated all who participated as they covered the cost of renting the Church.
November is full of many events. For those doing Certificate of Merit, remember that by midnight on NOV. 16th all Student Entries must be entered on the Web Site and the new required signed contracts and student applications fees are due in the hands of the CM Chair, Helen Konowitz. Her directive is below.
The next Monthly Student Recital will be held in Mill Valley on Sunday NOV. 16th at 3PM in The REDWOODS located across from Safeway and Tamalpais High School situated at the corner of Miller Ave. and Camino Alto. See more details below. Post entries by 11/10 to Chair Sally Fletcher: 492-8034.
I wish you all a very joyful Holiday Season and a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
CERTIFICATE OF MERIT NEWS
By now I’m sure you’re all busily registering students both new and old for this year’s program. Please be sure to print out and read, slowly and carefully, the revised CM Policy. Look through all the boxes on the CM – Forms and Information window at www.mtac.org. Explore the CM Newsletters, look up things in the CM Encyclopedia, and remember to PRINT the 2 addenda to the piano syllabus and then add the information to your copy. Please remember, DO NOT DELETE students, even if they are not participating this year! Be sure to choose “Re-Enroll” for any student who has ever participated – not just last year. Following these procedures allows us to keep track of high school students for various eligibilities and also permits the transfer of students between teachers and/or branches. CM Chair Helen Konowitz: 415 - 456 - 2132 helenkonow@aol.com
NOVEMBER STUDENT RECITAL
CHAIR: SALLY FLETCHER: TEL: 415 – 492-8034. Email: sally@heavenlyharpist.com Post entries by 11/10 to Sally Fletcher. 22 Surrey Lane, San Rafael, C.A. 94903.
RECITAL DATE: SUNDAY NOV. 16th. TIME: 3:00P.M.
ENTRY: Entry fee is $8.00 per student. Please send Sally one check per studio, payable to MTAC Marin Branch.
LOCATION: The REDWOODS, Mill VALLEY Corner of Miller Ave and Camino Alto. (right cross from Tamalpais High School and Safeway). All guests are free and they love us at the Redwoods!
DIRECTIONS: Take the Blithedale/Tiburon Exit off HWY #101. Go west on Blithedale and turn left on Camino Alto (you will see a 76 Service Station on the corner). Drive straight until you reach a major fork in the road at Miller. The Redwoods complex is on your left. Make a U-turn back onto Camino Alto to enter the Redwoods Parking Lot mid-block. Enter the building at the end of the courtyard. The recital hall is down the hallway to the right.
MARIN COUNTY BRANCH MEMBERS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Directory Changes:
ALLA ARTEMOVA
80 MURRAY AVE.
KENTFIELD C.A. 94904
Tel. # 415 – 847-8517.
Email: musiccleff@gmail.com
BARBARA WILKES
305 ORCHID DR.
SAN RAFAEL C.A.94903
Tel. # 415 – 491-5001.
EMAIL; wilkesrb@aol.com
Out and about: A Cancelled Concert: Please note that Jean Alexis- Smith has had to cancel her Recital on November 16th 2008 due to a pet emergency. The recital at Point Reyes will still be held at 4:PM with renowned pianist Helen Wickett graciously stepping in.
Elenor Barcsak, Joan Weinstein and guest Sandra Simich, performed for the Marin Music Study Club on October 28th 2008. Elenor played a Skryabin Prelude, Sandra and Joan played Chopin Waltzes.
Anne Hughs, a relative of Dmitri Mahailoff is assisting Dmitri’s son David with the sale of Dmitri’s grand pianos. There is a 9’, 1888 Steinway and a small Chickering. Call Anne at 510 – 848-1809.
Daniel Glover performs Amy Beach Concerto c#- Herbst Theater in San Francisco. NOV. 9 at 3:00PM.
Competition news: The Berkeley Piano Club announces the Van Waynen Piano Competition.Two scholarships of $2,000. and $1,000 as well as a solo recital provide, excellent performance and study opportunity.
The age limits are 17 through 25 as of March 28, 2008. Residents of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties may enter. Repertoire: Candidates perform one work from each of the following periods 1) Baroque or Classic 2) Romantic or Impressionistic 3) Contemporary. Pieces must be played from memory except the Contemporary piece. The Entry Fee is $40, payable to the Berkeley Piano Club. Entry Deadline postmarked March 2, 2009.
The Audition is Saturday March 28 and Sunday March 29, 2009. The Winners’ Recital is Sunday May 3, 2009 at 2:30PM at Berkeley Piano Club, located at 2724 Haste St. Berkeley.
For further information or applications contact: Catherine Tonn, 3366 La Mesa Dr. #9 San Carlos CA 94070 Tel.# 650 – 593-1327.
YES WE CAN! CELEBRATE
with The Gini Wilson Trio
next Wednesday, November 12
and a classy rhythm section at
the sexy and smart FOUR Star
Restaurant great food, great atmosphere
Come meet some friends: Lots have been dropping by Shanghai 1930 in San Francisco to hear music and have some fun!
November 12, 7-11pm
featuring Amazing John Wiitala on Bass
and Elegant Ron Marabuto on Drums
133 Steuart Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
Tel: (415) 896 5600 Fax: (415) 896 5688
http://www.shanghai1930.com
Tune in! We had a great time at the San Jose Jazz Festival and made a lot of new friends. Now, those who have Comcast on Demand can see us on TV, choose Bay on Demand and Local Events for the 19th annual San Jose Jazz Festival and look for The San Francisco ChamberJazz Quartet, the second group in the show and they feature our version of "Oblivion" by Astor Piazzola -
Wow! all information and CDs at http://www.chamberjazz.com
The MTAC NEWS
The MTAC News is available at the state website.
Looking Forward to the Convention 2009 July 3 – 7, 2009 Santa Clara Marriott Hotel. Jon Nakamatsu and Hans Boepple are among the headliners. Book now!
Thought you would enjoy knowing about:
Jean Alexis Smith’s E – Newsletter Jean’s website:
Http://www.jeanalexissmith.com/ She will be performing November 16th, 3 P.M. at The Dance Palace, 503 “B” St., Point Reyes Station with a special guest appearance.
Check out www.classicalsonoma.org a great source for what is happening musically and includes reviews by some very notable names.
This is a jaw dropper! From pianist Daniel Glover Sunday, October 5, 4P.M. in Napa “Piano Fantasies”. A joint concert to honor Mrs. Robert Mondavi by Daniel Glover, Rebecca Bogart, Mack McCray, William Wellborn and others. At Pacific Union College in Paulin Hall (number 19 on the campus map) in Napa Valley. Admission FREE! Reservations suggested by calling (707) 965 – 7500.
Daniel’s website www.danielgloverpianist.com will give you more information and links for directions to his concerts as well as other performances that are forthcoming.
NEW CLASSICAL MUSIC WEB SITE
(Commercial Announcement)
The North Bay has a new web site for all aspects of classical music – www.classicalsonoma.org.
Contained in this user-friendly site are concert reviews and listings, information on almost 40 presenting organizations, and photos. Presenters can update schedules and events directly on-line without delays, including uploading art work. This exciting new way to publicize MMTA events was designed by Santa Rosa violinist and attorney John Thompson. Currently there are eight reviewers for events in four counties, including Tiburon pianist and writer Donna Kline.
Thanks.
Terry McNeill
Classical Sonoma
Concerts Grand
IN MEMORY OF BARBARA VONK
In 2008 Barbara Vonk installed me as the MTAC Marin Branch President.
Her first call to me was while I was still attending college in the mid 1980s, working full time for United Airlines as a flight attendant, and married with step children (all at the same time).She wanted to know if I could help with the MTAC, but I simply could not manage at the time, but told her after graduation that I would.
She worked indefatigably for the MTAC and the Discovery Scholarship Program. She sponsored me into the Marin Music Study Club and we attended countless recitals, master classes, workshops and charity events together. She loved nature, plants and trees. She treasured her time in her beautiful garden.
The Vonks made me feel like part of the family and I shall miss her greatly. On November 1, 2008, the following notice appeared in the Marin Independent Journal along with a lovely photo:
Barbara Vonk Passed away at her home in Mill Valley on October 28, 2008. Pianist, teacher, wife, mother and grandmother will be greatly missed by her devoted husband of 49 years, four children, 12 grandchildren and scores of students and friends.
Born in Chicago in 1928, Barbara grew up in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and in 1950 began a career as a public school music teacher in New York State.
She moved to San Francisco to teach music at South San Francisco High School where she was loved and admired as the choir director and leader of the Glee Club. In 1959 Barbara married Abraham “Chris” Vonk and moved to Mill Valley where together they raised four children.
Music Education continued to be her passion and she spent 49 years as a piano teacher in the Mill Valley community. Barbara was active in the public schools, supporting public music education and as President of the Music Teacher’s Association of Marin; she helped create the Discovery Scholarship Program that provides private music lesson for underprivileged children. Barbara never lost her passion for teaching and continued to teach students piano in her home even the week before she passed away.
Barbara is survived by her husband Chris, sons John (Nanette), Peter, (Andrea) Don (Kim) and daughter Anneka (Dennis Castro) and twelve grandchildren.
Friends, students, and the Marin County music community will sorely miss her.
Memorial tributes are suggested to the Discovery Scholarship Fund of the Music Teacher’s Association of Marin. Mail to Chair Christina Bradley, 127 Bolinas Ave. San Anselmo CA 94960 (checks payable to MTAC Marin Branch –Discovery Scholarship) or Operation Smile, 6435 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk, VA 23509. Chris welcomes calls from teachers.
A gathering for friends and family in honor of Barbara is planned by the family at the Mill Valley Recreation Center on Camino Alto Ave, Mill Valley, Saturday, November 29, 2008 from 12:00 to 3:30PM.
Directions: From HWY #101 take the Blithedale/Tiburon Exit. Go west on Blithedale to Camino Alto (the 76 Service Station is at the corner). Turn left onto Camino Alto and turn left into the first driveway to the Mill Valley Recreation Center Parking lot.
Concerts Coming To Marin Area
(Commercial Announcement)
 Elena Ulyanova
Nov. 14th
St. Hilary Church
Tiburon
Russian virtuoso Elena Ulyanova launches Concerts Grand’s collaboration with Tiburon’s St. Hilary Church Nov. 14 in an exciting West Coast debut recital, followed by a gala gourmet buffet dinner.
Ms. Ulyanova has programmed Soler’s Sonata in D, Beethoven’s mighty “Appassionata” Sonata and Chopin’s Andante Spianato and Grand Polonaise, Op. 22. In the second half she will play two Debussy Preludes and the Soiree Dans Grenada and Rachmaninoff’s volcanic B-Flat Sonata, Op. 36. There will be a pre-recital reception from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by the recital and buffet at 7. Tickets are $25 (reception and recital) and $50 (reception, recital and buffet) and are available from Concerts Grand – (707) 526-2447 and www.concertsgrand.com. Tickets for the Friday evening event are also available at St. Hilary Church at 761 Hilary Drive, 435-1122.
Jon Nakamatsu
Nov. 30th
Newman Auditorium
Santa Rosa
A North Bay favorite, internationally-acclaimed pianist Jon Nakamatsu returns to Newman Auditorium with an eclectic program: Haydn’s 33rd Sonata in C; Schumann’s commanding Carnaval, Op. 9; five Dances from Iranian composer Loris Tjeknavorian; and pieces by Liszt: two rarely-heard Impromptus and the powerful Dante Sonata from the Annees de Pelerinage.
Mr. Nakamatsu’s Website: http://www.jonnakamatsu.com
Program:
Haydn: Sonata in C, No. 33, Hob XV1/20
Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9; Tjeknavorian 5 Dances, Op. 2
Liszt: Two Impromptus and the Dante Sonata
 Ken Iisaka
January 25, 2009
JB Piano
San Rafael
Ken Iisaka returns to the Concerts Grand stage, this time near his Marin home, performing Haydn’s Sonata in C, No. 60; Berg’s Sonata, Op. 1; a Debussy Prelude; the Adagio from Krenek’s Third Sonata; and two demanding masterworks: the Brahms-Handel Variations and Fugue, Op. 24, and Nikolai Medtner’s Sonata-Ballada, Op. 27. The concert is 3 p.m. Sunday, January 25, 2009, at the JB Piano Emporium, 540 Irwin Street, in downtown San Rafael. Please purchase tickets from Concerts Grand (707 526-2447 and www.concertsgrand.com) or at the door. Adults are $17, seniors 55+ and students are $15.
Dmitry Rachmanov
February 1st, 2009
Santa Rosa
An audience favorite from the fourth Concerts Grand season, Professor Rachmanov makes his Sonoma County debut performance with an all-Schubert first-half, including the Huttenbrenner 13 Variations, D. 156, and the exciting Wanderer Fantasy in C Major. The recital’s final part contains Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin and Stravinsky’s acerbic Sonata (1924).
Prof. Rachmanov’s Website:http://www.dmitryrachmanov.com/
Program:
Schubert: "Huttenbrenner" Variations and the "Wanderer" Fantasy, Op. 15
Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin
Stravinsky: Sonata (1924)
Deadline for Jan.'09 newsletter: Dec. 20th
Please send items to President Elenor Barcsak
email: zenezest@aol.com
send a note to:
1065 Erica Rd; Mill Valley, C.A. 94941.
or Tel. 415- -383-0125.
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