Sebastian Green, Wyatt Ambrose and Evan Jagels. (Photo provided)
By IAN KENYON
For Wyatt Ambrose, Sebastian Green and Evan Jagels, 2022 is a year nearly a decade in the making. In May, the trio—now officially the “Killdeer Trio”—sat down for their first rehearsal with the intent to perform as a band. Their debut performance followed in less than a month and since then has propelled Ambrose, Green and Jagels, all Otsego County residents, into back-to-back performances throughout the area.
“This group would not have been possible without the long-familiar chemistry and shared perspective between us,” Ambrose explained.
While identifying as a jazz trio, Killdeer Trio (coined by Green) concurrently leaves room for interpretation and adaptation.
“’Killdeer Trio’ could sound like a jazz trio or a disgruntled punk band and we enjoy this subtle artistic ambiguity,” Ambrose elaborated.
COOPERSTOWN – The recent, and almost sudden, appearance of Fenimore Chamber Orchestra on the scene in Cooperstown certainly has garnered salvos from every area. Needless to say, Maestro Żołtówski’s rich international background has brought about an extraordinary fabric of different styles and the ease in which those styles are communicated via conducting.
When asked who provided him with the greatest influence, without any hesitation, Maestro Żołtówski replied, “Krzysztof Penderecki. When I met him for the first time, I must say I was in awe of this man. After all, by that time he was already a living legend. On one occasion, I can hear him as if it were yesterday, he told me to never let go of my artistic vision and never give up!”
ONEONTA – Catskill Symphony Orchestra Music Director Maciej Żółtowski could not be more direct: “Czech composers occupy a very special place in my heart.”
Reflecting on his own graduation concert in 1997, Żółtowski elaborates.
“It opened with Smetana’s Overture from “The Bartered Bride.” I love the downright contagious optimism and inexhaustible energy. Since then, my programs frequently feature symphonies by Dvořák, including those lesser known—like the ‘Fifth’ or the ‘Sixth’—which we are going to play with the CSO.”
Rosemary Summers brings a lot of experience to the new Fenimore Chamber Orchestra.
“I actually got my start in the music business with the Catskill Symphony Orchestra and the Catskill Conservatory back in the 70s,” Ms. Summers, Chief Operations Officer of the new orchestra said.
“Everything that is involved in the physical production of a concert is what I am in charge of. Hiring the appropriate musicians, securing the venue, providing the sheet music for everyone…chairs, stands lights, front of house, ticketing ushers…that’s what I’m in charge of.”
“That was back in the 70s. I was a student of Carleton Clay, the founder of the Conservatory. He offered me a job and taught me how to be a music copyist. Chuck Schnieder saw my work and he asked me to be a copyist as well for Catskill Symphony.”
“I am still the Music Director at Catskill Symphony Orchestra and am now the Music Director at Fenimore Chamber Orchestra!”, he said. “It’s not unusual to be music director for two or three companies. I remember my first meeting with Thomas Wolf, Executive Director, and we developed a fruitful relationship. It just all grew from there.“
“In every organization, the music director is always the conductor of the orchestras that we are talking about. This works for me because my idea is to fill the seasons to compliment our concerts so we can provide the audiences in the area with a full season of symphonic concerts, chamber concerts, of different character that don’t conflict with each other. They are completely different types of music being presented,” Mr. Żółtowski said.
MUSIC – 7:30 p.m. The Vicki Kristina Barcelona Band performs a re-imagining of the lyrical genius of the Tom Waits songbook via inventive three-part harmonies and a treasure trove of instruments including banjos, bottles, squeezebox, and zills. Free admission. Franklin Stage Company, 25 Institute St., Franklin. 607-829-3700 or visit franklinstagecompany.org/events/vicki-kristina-barcelona/
Mary Ann Mazarak, age 90, passed away at Robinson Terrace in Stamford, NY on May 8, 2022.
She was born December 15, 1931 in Lancaster, Ohio to Henry and Freda Cook. They later moved to Steubenville, Ohio where she graduated from high school. She then attended Ohio State University where she obtained a BS degree in Music in 1954.
It was at Ohio State where she met a fellow music student, John Mazarak. They dated through college and were married after her graduation on June 18th, 1954. When John was hired at Oneonta State College, they moved to Oneonta in 1959. They had two children, Eric and Ann.
Mary Ann stayed very active throughout her life. She taught music in Mt. Vernon Ohio, as well as work as a librarian at Ohio State. Later in life she was Assistant Director of the Catskill Area School Study Council.
Music was a major part of Mary Ann’s life. She studied french horn in college until the cello became her instrument. She performed throughout her life, with the Oneonta/ Catskill Symphony from 1959 to 2008. She was a member of the original Glimmerglass Opera orchestra and performed with them until 1986. John and Mary Ann formed the Woodside String Quartet, performing for many events and weddings.
Spot the local luminaries! Nearly the full cast and crew of “A Roadhouse Coup” pose after shooting the cocktail party scene at Oneonta’s Masonic Lodge. Filmmaker Lori Bailey told a Cooperstown gathering on March 8 she hopes to have the feature-length film complete in time for a September premier. See story on page 6.
WALKING CLUB – 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Enjoy a fun walk on Mondays & Fridays with friends old and new and listen to music of the 70s. Free for members, non-members aged 50+. Clark Sports Center, Cooperstown. 547-2800, ext. 109 or visit www.clarksportscenter.com
ONEONTA – Adam Keator of Wilmington, NC, passed away October 25, 2021. He was born in Oneonta, NY, on March 15, 1983 to parents Holly Castagner and Joseph Keator . He attended Laurens Central School and went on to work as a driver for Filmwerks LLC, driving generators to venues across the country, before becoming a mechanic in the shop, a job which he loved.
Adam enjoyed helping his friends and neighbors with any project. He spent time restoring his pride and joy: a Mazda BTW. He loved making surprise visits to New York with more stuff than he would need for his stay. But he had to have a different pair of shoes for any occasion. Most of all he loved his children. Waking Ayvah up early in the morning to go watch a sun rise , teaching Adrian how to ride a mini bike and work on cars. Making Halloween decorations with the kids for his favorite holiday and just playing outside.
FIRST DAY HIKE – 9 a.m. – Noon. Celebrate the new year with beautiful 1.3 mile walk around Gilbert Lake and then warm up by the fire in Briggs Pavillion. Counts towards the Winter Octet challenge by Otsego Outdoors. Gilbert Lake State Park, 18 CCC Rd., Laurens. 607-432-2114 or visit otsegooutdoors.org/events/
FIRST DAY HIKE – 9 – 10:30 a.m. Celebrate the new year with a guided tour with Forest Ranger Erin Petit. Dress for the weather and bring Water & Snacks. Counts towards the Winter Octet challenge by Otsego Outdoors. Free, registration required. Texas Schoolhouse State Forest, Jones Rd., New Lisbon. 315-778-4107 or visit otsegooutdoors.org/events/
FIRST DAY HIKE – 10 a.m. – Dusk. Celebrate first day of 2022 with self-guided hike along the Overlook Trail. First 100 will receive First Day Hike giveaway. No minimum age, leashed pets are welcome. Please dress for the weather, wear appropriate winter shoes/boots. Will also be collecting nonperishable donations for the Cooperstown Food pantry. Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 Co. Rd. 31, Cooperstown. 607-547-8662 or visit www.facebook.com/GlimmerglassStatePark/
Terry Berkson, who has an MFA in creative writing from Brooklyn College, lives on a farm outside Richfield Springs. His articles have appeared in New York magazine, the New York Daily News Sunday Magazine, Automobile and other publications.
These days, much more than ever, there seems to be music playing in the background of almost every dramatic television program.
Years ago an experimental show called Cop Rock was aired for a while. It blended the drama with musical numbers. The songs were about what was happening in the story.
I thought it was a great idea but at that time it didn’t catch on. I was thinking of writing a story for several weeks but I wasn’t sure where to send it. In the meantime, a spontaneous score for the story kept playing in my mind. In fact, there’s always some kind of music going through my head — depending on the mood and situation I’m in. This was true of the title character in the movie “The English Patient” and I was wondering if this phenomenon was what jump-started the recent trend of music once again prominently being blended into a story. Again, unlike scores for cinema, this type of musical background also has words and the words reflect what’s going on in the plot.
MUSIC ONLINE – 8 p.m. “Thank You For Your Service: Songs Of Mineworkers And Their Families” concert by John O’Connor to celebrate mineworkers throughout US history. Presented by the Yager Museum, Hartwick College, Oneonta. Visit www.facebook.com/yagermuseum/ for info.
SUNDAY SERIES – 1 – 3 p.m. ‘Swart Dye Pot – Textiles’ presented by Jeanne Westcott. Learn how the Swarts, other Colonial Americans would have used the plants and resources at hand to color their fabrics, and textiles at The Swart-Wilcox House Musuem, Wilcox Ave., Oneonta. Visit www.facebook.com/SwartWilcoxHouseMuseum/ for schedule updates.
BASEBALL – Noon. Virtual Voices of the Game to honor Hall of Fame 2020 inductee Derek Jeter. Learn more about how the Yankees 5 world series titles with Jeter as the shortstop in every season. Jeter will be joined by fellow Hall of Famers Mariano Rivera, Joe Torre reflecting on their teams and the moments that shaped a dynasty. Visit baseballhall.org/events/virtual-legends-of-the-game-Ted-Simmons?date=0 for details.
