NortheastIowaSchoolofMusic
March2015
NISOMReceivesNationalGrantforChamberFest
NISOM was recently awarded a programming grant from the Stephen and Mary Birch Foundation, our first award from a national grant‐maker. The foundation will fund NISOM’s 2015 ChamberFest Dubuque Student Workshop, a part of our popular ChamberFest Dubuque. Held annually in June, ChamberFest Dubuque with Michael Gilbertson and friends features public concerts in addition to the workshop, including the audience‐favorite Gala Performance formerly known as Juilliard in June. The Birch grant funding will cover the expenses of the workshop, allowing participants to work with the festival’s highly‐trained guest musicians at no cost. Based in Wilmington, Delaware, the Stephen and Mary Birch Foundation was founded in 1938 and provides funding in support of nonprofit institutions, communities, and organizations that are or that have been instrumental in strengthening and heightening both culturally and educationally, the impact of research, medical, health, educational, sports, social service, and artistic programs in communities across the nation, from coast to coast. See next pages for more on ChamberFest Dubuque “SoundBoard”FundsGrandPiano
NISOM is excited to announce that due to the generosity of private donors, we have a new‐to‐NISOM, slightly‐used Yamaha Conservatory Grand piano! One of the needs identified during our focus groups in fall of 2013 was a professional‐quality grand piano for use during lessons, classes, and recital rehearsals. Then, last fall Foster Family Music announced that store was closing their doors, and owner Jim Foster offered us a significant discount. The piano was graciously funded by a “Sound Board” of individuals. On a piano, the sound board is a solid piece of quality wood located inside the piano underneath the strings that enhances the resonance and tone. We extend our deepest thanks to our Sound Board members Kevin & Leslie Kane, James & Susan Lindsay, Hillard & Angela Salas, and John & Terri Viner, who do indeed help our music education to more fully resonate! The piano resides in NISOM’s studio 6 where students and faculty alike have commented on the difference having a higher quality instrument makes for their music education. NISOM piano instructor Pam Crawford said, “I sense an eagerness for my students to play well, especially regarding dynamics and articulation [due to the new instrument].” The piano is also in memory of Farris A. Flint, whose daughter Sue Lindsay fondly remembers him playing piano in the evenings. ChamberFestDubuque
withMichaelGilbertsonandFriends
The concerts you know and love are back and better than ever! NISOM’s ChamberFest Dubuque began in 2009 as Juilliard in June, a single concert performed by NISOM alumnus Michael Gilbertson and a small ensemble of his fellow students from the prestigious Juilliard School of Music in New York City. Each year since that time, Gilbertson has brought a selection of his contemporaries home to Dubuque for what has grown into an entire music festival. ChamberFest Dubuque 2015 features Gilbertson and friends in two very different concerts and leading a student workshop, as well as a free recital performed by NISOM faculty members. ChamberFest Dubuque Orchestra Concert: A Salute to the Boston Pops Conducted by Nicholas Palmer and featuring Gilbertson & Friends Monday, June 15, 7PM UD Heritage Center, Butler Hall Nicholas Palmer Gilbertson and friends will be featured soloists backed by the Dubuque Festival Orchestra of local musicians on Monday, June 15, 2015. Maestro Nicholas Palmer, former conductor of the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, returns to conduct this concert at the University of Dubuque’s Heritage Center in John and Alice Butler Hall. Sponsored by Tim and Christine Conlon, this Salute to the Boston Pops is an evening of light classics, popular and movie music, and some exciting new works. Tickets are just $20 for adults and free for students through college; no purchase is necessary for free student tickets, but minors must be accompanied by an adult. Discounted adult ticket packages are available April 15 to May 15. ChamberFest Dubuque Gala Performance: Formerly Juilliard in June An Intimate Performance by Gilbertson & Friends Thursday, June 18, 7PM Clarke University, Jansen Hall Michael Gilbertson The festival culminates on Thursday, June 18, 2015, with a Gala Performance by Michael Gilbertson and friends in Clarke University’s Jansen Hall. Originally known as Juilliard in June, this audience favorite sells out every year! Following the chamber music concert of solos and small ensembles, the audience will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with the guest artists during a champagne reception. The Gala Performance is sponsored by US Bank. Tickets are $50 for adults and $25 for students; discounted ticket packages are available April 15 to May 15. Tickets Packages go on sale April 15 Individual concert tickets go on sale May 18 Save $10 when you purchase an adult ticket package to both concerts! Reserve your package for only $60 with an early‐bird discount from April 15 through May 15. Order your package through NISOM; call (563) 690‐0151 to order by phone or send orders by mail to 2728 Asbury Rd, Suite 200, Dubuque, IA 52001. Packages will be issued after May 20. After May 18, purchase tickets to the Orchestra Concert at the UD Farber Box Office (563.585.SHOW) or tickets to the Gala Performance at NISOM. Additional fees may apply for credit card or online payments. With questions or for more information call NISOM at (563) 690‐0151, or visit us online at nisom.com. FREEChamberFestDubuqueEvents
In addition to the ticketed concerts, this year ChamberFest Dubuque includes two free opportunities! ChamberFest Dubuque Showcase: NISOM Faculty Recital Sunday, June 7, 3PM Westminster Presbyterian Church Our 2015 festival kicks off with the ChamberFest Dubuque Showcase on Sunday, June 7 at Westminster Presbyterian Church. This year the Showcase will feature members of our own NISOM faculty, as well as our adult ensembles. Come hear our teachers perform, and you’ll see why the Northeast Iowa School of Music is your destination for music education! Admission is free, and all are encouraged to come celebrate the start of ChamberFest Dubuque, our most‐anticipated summer events. The Showcase is new to ChamberFest for 2015. During our focus groups and strategic planning last year NISOM identified a goal to continue to grow this festival to include more chamber music beyond the concerts with Michael Gilbertson and our other guest musicians. Look for even more expansion in the years to come! ChamberFest Dubuque Student Workshop Led by Gilbertson & Friends Wednesday, June 15, 5:30‐7PM Location TBA The ChamberFest Dubuque Student Workshop offers local musicians the rare opportunity to learn from our exceptional ChamberFest guest artists. Held on Wednesday, June 17, 2015, the workshop begins with a combined session and concludes with masterclasses for each instrument led by Michael Gilbertson and friends. Instrumentation is to be announced. Thanks to a grant from the Stephen and Mary Birch Foundation, the workshop is offered free of charge to both children and adults. Interested participants should contact NISOM for more information or to register. The student workshop was our first addition to what was then Juilliard in June, debuting in 2010 and paving the way for today’s ChamberFest Dubuque! Putting“Dubuque”inChamberFestDubuque When NISOM began Juilliard in June in 2009, the guest musicians consisted of students at The Juilliard School. They are now performing professionals who can be seen soloing and playing in orchestras across the country and around the world, but only during NISOM’s ChamberFest Dubuque do these musicians come together. Chamber‐
Fest Dubuque truly is just for Dubuque! Each year brings a unique set of artists! Visit nisom.com to meet the 2015 ChamberFest guest musicians. AdultEnsemblestoGiveFreeConcert
American Roots
American Roots Sunday, April 12 2PM, Emmaus Bible College Featuring: New Horizons Band Glenn Pohland, director Dubuque Community String Orchestra Tracey Rush, director Encore Chorale Sue Flogel, director Free Concert of American Music
NISOM’s three adult performance ensembles New Horizons Band, Dubuque Community String Orchestra, and the new Encore Chorale will give a joint spring concert on Sunday, April 12, 2015, at 2PM at Emmaus Bible College, located next door to NISOM. Admission is free; goodwill donations will be accepted. This concert of American music is the debut public performance by Encore Chorale that formed in Fall 2014. MusicMakesYouaBetter
Reader,SaysNeuroscience
According to the same‐named article by Kayt Sukel in Good Magazine published February 25, 2015, Music Makes You a Better Reader, Says Neuroscience. Nina Kraus, director of the Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory at Northwestern University, studied how musical training can affect biological changes in the brain and help students become better overall students and readers. In particular she wondered whether the benefits of music education can been seen in students from impoverished environments or whether such benefits are limited to the well‐off due to other environmental factors. In her study, students from an inner‐city Chicago high school were trained in music or another activity. After two years, those who received music training showed faster responses to a speech‐in‐noise stimulus than those who did not. She found that music did make a difference regardless of back‐
ground. Kraus says, “Accessible community‐based music training programs can—and do—promote positive change.” BookSale:PianoMusic
Deep discounts on new piano music! Saturday, May 16 10:30AM‐3PM NISOM Selections For All levels: E‐Z play to advanced All ages: Young children through adult Books & sheet music Piano, plus organ, voice, guitar, and harmonica Huge variety of genres! Pop, classics, oldies, show tunes & movie music, Broadway, jazz, ragtime, blues, wedding music, Christmas & holidays Lesson method books include theory, sight‐reading, ear‐training, group classes, activity books, and solos. Thanks to a donation from Foster Family Music, NISOM has a large selection of new piano books and music to offer the Articles like these explain over and over again why we at public for sale at deep discounts! A one‐day sale will be held on NISOM are so determined to make music accessible to Saturday, May 16 from 10:30AM to 3PM at NISOM. everyone, from scholarships for private lessons, to youth Most books just $2! Don’t miss this chance to stock up! outreach programs, to adult ensembles. Science says music education is valuable! FreeKids’MusicPrograms
We have had a wonderful season of introducing children to a variety of instruments and styles of music at our monthly Lollipops and Music for Our Preschoolers (L&MOP) concerts. On the second Saturday of each month, September through April, a different performer or ensemble has presented a 30‐minute concert for children and their families. Thanks to our sponsors Drs. Mark Niemer and Yasyn Lee and partner Carnegie‐Stout Public Library, L&MOP events are free and open to all. Children leave with a greater appreciation of music and a lollipop! Our 2014‐2015 season of performers had included the Dubuque Senior High Orchestras, world musician Mak Dervo, the NISOM Woodwind Quintet, the Dubuque Chorale Children’s Choir, and more. Audiences have numbered 100 or more for some events! At the February 14 concert Amy and Bob Ressler of Great Midwestern Educational Theater Company presented a special Valentine’s Day event with songs and stories of love and plenty of movement (pictured top). In January the folk/rock band Tapestry got children involved in making music with hand‐held instruments (pictured middle). Thanks to everyone involved, L&MOP helps instill a life‐long love of music shown on these little ones’ faces! While not a part of the L&MOP series, NISOM also partnered with Carnegie‐Stout Public Library to hold an Instrument Petting Zoo on January 24, 2015 (pictured bottom). Kids ages 3 to 8 got to experience a variety of instruments up close to see, hear, and even play them! Special thanks to the members of our Dubuque Community String Orchestra and New Horizons Band who showed off their instruments! One L&MOP event remains this spring. Bring the kids out to Carnegie‐Stout Public Library on Saturday, April 11 at 10AM to hear The Matriarchs, a banjo, fiddle, and bass trio. This returning favorite was last seen at L&MOP in November 2013 when they got the crowd going with whimsical folk tunes, sing‐along’s, and lots of dancing! GreatGiveDay
A 24‐hour online giving event Tuesday May 5, 2015 12 midnight to 11:59PM Easy as 1‐2‐3 1. Visit greatgiveday.org. 2. Search for Northeast Iowa School of Music and make your contribution. 3. Congratulations! You just supported music education! You rock! On May 5, 2015, from 12AM (midnight) to 11:59PM, NISOM is participating in Great Give Day. During this time, every donation of $10 or more will be stretched further when you donate to Northeast Iowa School of Music through GreatGiveDay.org. The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque is sponsoring this event for its endowed nonprofit partners as part of a nationwide day of giving. The goal of Great Give Day is to raise as much money as possible for local nonprofits in 24 hours. Every gift will go directly to our organization and may be amplified by local match dollars or bonus funds. Great Give Day is a fun opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate giving! We hope you will consider supporting us on May 5! NISOM gratefully accepts donations to our organization at any time. If you are unable to participate on May 5, visit nisom.com to place your donation at your convenience. To donate offline, mail your contribution to 2728 Asbury Rd, Ste 200, Dubuque, IA 52001. Only those donations made on GreatGiveDay.org on May 5 will count toward our Great Give Day total, but all contributions support our programming and help make the music happen. FreeStudentRecitals
Saturday, May 16 9:30AM, 11AM, and 1PM Emmaus Bible College NISOM students will show off their skills in our final student recitals of the school year on Saturday, May 16, 2015. Three recitals will be held that day at 9:30AM, 11AM, and 1PM, all in the Marble Chapel of Emmaus Bible College, next door to NISOM. Each recital will last approximately one hour and features a variety of instruments, ages, and skill levels. All student recitals are free and open to the public; good‐
will donations will be accepted. Join us for free music and hear what our students are learning! Then stop by NISOM for the piano book sale. NISOM students Luke Williams and Maya Kilgore, who study with Irene Verdegan, Be sure to join us for the faculty recital on June 7 as part of ChamberFest, too! perform a piano duet at the February 21, 2015, recital at Emmaus. Spotlights
Flutists Bethany Manders and Maddie Cable, NISOM students of Tara Meade, participated in the Dorian Honor Band at Luther College on February 23, 2015. Miss Cable also participated in the Simpson Honor Band in Indianola, Iowa, on January 22, 2015. Congratulations to these exceptional young flutists! Elizabeth Graber (left) has completed one year of guitar lessons at NISOM with instructor Bill Encke, and her mother Nicole Graber says, “She looks forward to learning and improving her skills.” In May 2014, after only a few months of lessons, Elizabeth was among the NISOM students who performed a recital in TownClock Plaza in downtown Dubuque during DubuqueFest. This spring she plans use her guitar skills to audition for her school talent show at Drexler Middle School, where she is in 6th grade. Elizabeth, age 12, is very active in all areas of music. At Drexler she is a member of both band and choir and participated in honor band on flute in January. Elizabeth is also trained in piano, and this year she has had the privilege of singing soprano in the Dubuque Chorale Children’s Choir. This summer she plans to register in UD for Kids 2015, for which she was nominated. There, she hopes to enroll in a class for the visual or performing arts. Submitted by NISOM voice student Mimi Ottavi (right), in her own words “I came to Mrs. [Pam] Crawford with an undeveloped voice, but an overwhelmingly developed passion for music and singing. Right from the start, she was picking pieces that I thought would be too hard for me, but instead of causing stress, that extra push and show of her confidence in my ability caused me to strive to become better and work as hard as I could. She opened many doors for me performance wise; helping me send in auditions for different honor choirs, such as a 6 state choir which I've been accepted into twice, as well as Opus Honor Choir. She's encouraged me and worked with me constantly each year in preparation for solo contest, in which I've received a Superior score twice. Mrs. Crawford has helped me develop the voice I, at the beginning, had no idea what to do with, and for that I'm so grateful. I'm so happy I can continue to work with her and see Mimi Ottavi, a junior at Wahlert High School, has studied how much more I can advance in my understanding of music voice with Pam Crawford for four years. She has also and my voice.” taken lessons in piano and guitar at NISOM previously. NISOMBoardofDirectors
Patrick Niemer, President Senior VP & CFO, Premier Bank Danita Gant, Vice President Attorney, Fuerste, Carew, Juergens & Sudmeier, P.C. —Dubuque, IA Jill Heitzman, Secretary, Faculty Rep. Voice & Flute Instructor, NISOM 2728AsburyRd,Suite200
Dubuque,IA52001
(563)690‐0151
www.nisom.com
Donna Perkins, Treasurer Professor Emeritus of Business Administration, University of Wisconsin‐Platteville Kelly Fassbinder, Parent Representative Owner/Designer, Imagine That! Lee Ann Buchheit Librarian, New Horizons Band Marilynne Field Small business owner Diane Muir Adjunct Professor, Loras College Tracey Rush Executive Director, NISOM Hillard Salas Physician, Dubuque Internal Medicine
SpringCalendar:
April 11: L&MOP: The Matriarchs April 12: American Roots concert May 11: New student summer registration opens May 16: Student Recitals May 16: Piano Book & Music Sale June 7: ChamberFest Showcase Faculty Recital June 8: Summer session begins June 15: ChamberFest Orchestra Concert June 17: ChamberFest Student Workshop June 18: ChamberFest Gala Performance Visitnisom.comforallthelatest
NISOMnewsandeventinformation.
Our thanks to the City of Dubuque for helping make all NISOM’s programming possible through an Arts and Culture Commission FY 2015 operating grant. NISOM Summer Registration Summer is the perfect time to try a new instrument or dust off an old one! Programs for Children and Adults No Experience Necessary Private Lessons in Piano, Voice, Guitar, Composition, and Band & Orchestra Instruments Small Group Classes in Select Instruments Registration begins for current students April 27 Registration opens to new & former students May 11 Summer Begins June 8 Join our email list! Sign up now at nisom.com