Westminster Students and Alumni Perform in Katrina Benefit Concerts

Friday, October 7, Westminster Choir College of Rider University students and alumni will perform in concerts in Princeton and Philadelphia to benefit Hurricane Katrina relief programs.

In Princeton, The Westminster Chapel Choir, conducted by Sun Min Lee, will join community choral ensembles for "Songs of Support" in the Princeton University Chapel at 7:30 p.m.  The event is sponsored by the Princeton University Office of Religious Life and Chapel Music.  The suggested donation is $10, and the proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross.  Among the other groups performing will be The American Boychoir, The Tigertones, the Princeton University Gospel Ensemble and the Princeton High School Choir.The Chapel Choir will perform  Knut Nystedt's  Cry Out and Shout , Handel's  "Let the celestial concerts unite" from  Samson, and Moses Hogan's  Hear my prayer.

Composed of Westminster’s newest undergraduates, the Westminster Chapel Choir performs a wide variety of music.  It will perform again in Princeton in December as part of Westminster’s annual An Evening of Readings.  This spring it will perform in Wilmington, Del. and Bucks County, Pa.  Conductor Sun Min Lee is an assistant professor of choral conducting at Westminster, where she also conducts Westminster Symphonic Choir and teaches both undergraduate and graduate conducting classes.

In Philadelphia Westminster alumni will participate in An Evening Musicale, a benefit concert for the American Red Cross and The Humane Society of the United States,  at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill at 7:00 p.m.  Presented under the auspices of The Chestnut Hill Health Care Foundation, Plum Capital LLC, The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill and mCom Financial Services, An Evening Musicale will feature such artists as Mark Anderson, organist, Tara Buzash, jazz pianist, Cynthia Fleming, oboist, Sarah Khatcherian, soprano, Alicia Mendoza, soprano, Martin Nerón, piano, Doug Rowland, tenor and the Jacob’s Creek Bluegrass Band.

Program selections will include Brahms’ Intermezzo, songs by Kurt Weill and Kosma, original compositions by Ms. Buzash, operatic selections from Verdi’s La Traviata and Puccini’s Tosca, as well as some sacred works.

Joining the musicians will be a representative from the Red Cross, who will speak on ways to continue helping our nation recover from this tragedy.  Besides enjoying a wonderful evening of music, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a wine sale and bake sale, thanks to the generosity of the Chestnut Hill Friends of the Health Care Foundation.  Tickets are $20 and may be purchased at the door.  Checks should be made payable to The Chestnut Hill Health Care Foundation. 

Cynthia Fleming is an almost-lifelong Chestnut Hill resident and master of numerous musical instruments. Fleming has been an oboe soloist at Carnegie Hall and has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Orchestra, Philly Pops Orchestra, Berkeley Symphony Orchestra, Princeton Chamber Players, Concerto Soloists, Israeli Sinfonietta, Relache Contemporary Ensemble and Israeli Pops Orchestra/Columbia Artists Tour.

Tara Buzash is a jazz pianist, composer, and instructor in the Princeton area.  She is currently teaches at the Westminster Conservatory in Princeton where, last summer, she directed their first Jazz Piano Camp for high school students. Her most recent performance series is called "Creative Spirit" and consists of solo piano -- a true jazz offering with original compositions, new arrangements of old songs, audience requests, medleys, and impromptu compositions.  In February, she released her first CD: “Tara Buzash,” including original compositions as well as piano and keyboard arrangements of various styles of songs.

Mark Anderson has served as organist/choirmaster at The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill since 1996, and he is the founding conductor of the Pennsylvania Girlchoir of Philadelphia. Anderson is the founder and past director of the San Marino National Organ Competition, the San Marino Music and Arts program, and the Westminster Choir College Middle School Vocal Camp. Anderson has won awards for both his choral compositions and hymns, most recently, the AGO/Concordia University Composition Award.  He is a graduate of Westminster Choir College, Indiana University and The Eastman School of Music. His performances, both live and recorded, have been broadcast on the BBC, NPR and Icelandic State Radio.

Pianist Martin Néron graduated from the Université de Montréal, where he studied under the direction of Marc Durand and Denise Massé. The next year a grant from the Quebec Department of Culture allowed him to study privately with André Laplante in New York. He then specialized in vocal accompanying and coaching at Westminster Choir College and at the Manhattan School of Music where he has recently received his doctorate.  He has won the first prize at the national finale of the Canadian Music Competition in Ottawa and has recorded several concerts as soloist and collaborative artist for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

Also featured will be the vocal talents of Sarah Khatcherian and Alicia Mendoza, sopranos, and Doug Rowland, tenor.  Ms. Mendoza, a Westminster Choir College graduate, has presented recitals in Puerto Rico, the US and Austria.  She was the featured soloist in the Philadelphia Orchestra's centennial season Music in Motion Family Concert, directed by Andre Raphel Smith.  She recently performed the role of Violetta, in Verdi's La Traviata, with the Delaware Valley Opera Company in Philadelphia.

Doug Rowland is well known to area opera aficionados for his numerous appearances with the Delaware Valley Opera Company.  This past season, Mr. Rowland received acclaim for his interpretations of Alfredo in Verdi’s La Traviata and Dr. Cajus in Falstaff.  Last year, Doug had pleased audiences as Cavaradossi in Puccini’s Tosca.

Soprano Sarah Khatcherian specializes in art song repertoire. Her most recent recital, entitled "L'Invitation au voyage," was promoted by French organizations, presenting French melodies in their various contexts throughout the world. A guest speaker and singer at many humanitarian fundraisers, Ms. Khatcherian's vast background has exposed her to many cultures' fascinating musical and poetic heritage which she brings forth in song. Ms. Khatcherian is currently pursuing a Master degree in Voice at Westminster Choir College of Rider University. 

The official registration and financial information of Chestnut Hill Health Care Foundation may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999 

The Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill located at 8855 Germantown Ave in Philadelphia.  For more information about this concert please call 215-247-4300.