Program
Ralph Vaughan Williams – Six Studies in English Folk Song
I. Adagio
II. Andante Sostenuto
III. Larghetto
IV. Lento
V. Andante tranquillo
VI. Allegro Vivace
Alexander Borodin - String Quartet No. 2 in D Major
II. Scherzo
III. Notturno
Paul Chihara – Ellington Fantasy
IV. Mood Indigo
II. Sophisticated Lady
Bernard Herrmann – Souvenirs de Voyage
I. Andante pastorale - Allegro
II. Berceuse
III. Andante tranquillo quasi barcarolla
PERFORMERS
Christopher Cullen, clarinetist, appears frequently with the New Jersey Symphony, the American Symphony Orchestra, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and the Harrisburg Symphony. He is principal clarinet of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, and was formerly principal clarinetist with the New York City Opera National Company, the Berkshire Opera Orchestra, and acting principal with the Mississippi Symphony. Other appearances include the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, and the American Ballet Theatre. Mr. Cullen was a member of the orchestra for Lincoln Center’s production of The King and I, and has performed on many other Broadway productions over the past fifteen years. He holds Master’s degrees from the New England Conservatory and Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. Mr. Cullen resides in New Jersey with his wife Lisa and their two daughters.
Masako Yanagita, violinist, has been Concertmaster of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra for over 40 years. Winner of top honors in international competitions, including the Paganini (Genoa), the Carl Flesch (London), and the Munich International, Ms. Yanagita has performed throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. She has been a member, as well as a guest performer, of numerous chamber music groups. Ms. Yanagita began her violin studies in Japan, and came to the United States on Fulbright and J.D Rockefeller III grants to study with William Kroll at the Mannes College of Music. Currently, she serves as Concertmaster of the Queens (NY) Symphony Orchestra, Co-Music Director of the Mohawk Trail Concerts, and a faculty member at Greenwood Music Camp and Chamber Music Conference (formally at Bennington). Ms. Yanagita resides in both New York City and Charlemont, MA.
Miho Matsuno, violinist, has been a member of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra since 1992, and has performed extensively throughout the U.S. and abroad. She has performed at major concert venues in and around New York City, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Merkin Hall, Town Hall, Radio City Music Hall, and Broadway theaters. Ms. Matsuno was a violin instructor and chamber music coach for 20 years at the Kaufman Music Center in New York City. Ms. Matsuno received her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the Juilliard School under the tutelage of Christine Dethier and Joseph Fuchs. She also attended Mount Holyoke College with a focus on English Literature. A native of Yokohama, Japan, Ms. Matsuno resides in the Riverdale section of New York City.
Yuko Naito-Gotay, violist, a native of Tokyo, Japan, emigrated to the United States in 1989 to study with legendary violinist Aaron Rosand at The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. She has been a member of the first violin section of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra since 2004, and has appeared over the years with the New York City Opera Orchestra, Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, American Composers Orchestra, New York Pops, Westchester Philharmonic, and St.Louis Symphony Orchestra. Yuko has also performed in various Broadway productions, including War Paint, Anastasia, Soft Power, West Side Story, Paradise Square, Only Gold, and currently serves as the concertmaster at How To Dance In Ohio. She’s a frequent substitute player at Hamilton and Moulin Rouge.
Melissa Westgate, cellist, began her musical studies at the age of four in Philadelphia, PA. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Hartt School of Music and her Master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music as a full-scholarship student. She performed with the Albany Symphony, Springfield (MA) Symphony as Assistant Principal Cello, and the New Haven Symphony. She was also Principal Cello of the Ridgefield (CT) Symphony for 13 years before becoming a regular performer in shows, musicals, and studio sessions in NYC and CT. She currently holds the lead cello chair in the Broadway musical Hell’s Kitchen by Alicia Keys and is a member of the Greenwich (CT) Symphony. She has composed works for cello and piano and for cello duo, and completed the album Cello Flight and MetaCello.