Honors Recital Fall 2020 Program : Please click the link to view the full program for this semesters honors recital.
Here is the link to the youtube video: https://youtu.be/fCfhiur-UiE
Thank you to all the students and teachers for participating!
Category Archives: Music Department
Honors Recital Spring 2020 Program
Please click to view the program for our Spring 2020 NOVA Honors Recital: honors recital
Link to view video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1zEL6or5xI&t=3085s
Sing a Mighty Song with The NOVA Community Chorus
The NOVA Alexandria Music Department Presented, The NOVA Community Chorus performing their October 22, 2019 concert, “Sing a Mighty Song.”
Our first song for the evening was, “Sing a might Song,” performed by all four Choirs! The NOVA Community Chorus was joined by Annandale, South County and Woodson High School Choirs. We managed to fit everyone on stage and the sheer sound was as impressive as the numbers.
The NOVA Community Chorus began their segment with Anton Bruckner’s Lucus Iste, (Translation: This Place was made by God, a priceless Sacrament; it is without reproach) and Joseph Hadar’s, Erev Shell Shoshanim (Evening of Roses).
Craig Hella Johnson’s The Water is Wide was beautifully accompanied by Soprano Susan Lewis Kavinski and cellist, Rachel Sexton.
One of my favorite works of the night.
This was followed by Sing My Child by Sarah Quartel. Our Quartet included Sarah Calvino, Luna Para, Phillip Todd and Neo Upod.
Our next segment featured The Annandale Singers, conducted by Patrick Vaughn. The Choir performed Michael John Trotta’s Shenandoah, Elain Hagenberg’s When We Love and Brian Tate’s Connected.
Amy Moir Conducted The Woodson Vocal Ensemble in Gerald Finzi’s My Spirit Sang All Day and Anders Edenroth’s, Chili con Carne.
The South County Choirs were conducted by Antonio Rodriguez and accompanied by Esther Lee and Tammy Lydon. Their performance begin with Goodnight, by Matthew Emery.
The South County Bella Voce: Performed Famine Song by Matthew Culton. The soloists were Josie Springer and Laurie Evans. This was followed by The South County Singers performing Michael Engelhardt’s Wayfaring Stranger showcasing soloist Ian Pathak. The final song was Hans Bridger Heruth’s “Joy” and featured soloists: Damaris Williams, Warisha Hussain and Madeline Schneider.
The final song of the evening was a beautiful work by Jacob Narverud, “Sisi Ni Moja (We Are One) featuring Steven Barnett on Percussion.
Please come to our next concerts:
Monday, Nov. 11: Jazz Ensemble Concert titled “NOVA Jazz Night at the Carlyle Club” — The Carlyle Club; 7:30-9:30pm; Address: 2050 Ballenger Ave., Alexandria, VA 22314; $25 minimum food and beverage purchase required per person; For more info, visit https://www.thecarlyleclub.com/about-us.html
Tuesday, Dec. 10: Holiday Concert titled “Joy to the World” featuring the band, chorus, and jazz band — Schlesinger Concert Hall; 8-9:45pm; FREE admission and parking.
American Composers: NOVA Concert
Our music department wrapped up our semester with our 2019 spring concert! Friday, May 3, 2019 from 8-10pm.
It was a historic night for a couple of reasons. First, It was the final performance with a amazing chorus director, Chad Steffey. Chad has spend the past couple of years working with our chorus and helping build a new chapter in the chorus history with wonderfully fun Broadway reviews and bringing in fantastic guest singers.
The chorus gathered in the concert hall foyer to help send him off in style. Hugs, gifts and a massive round of applause.
The NOVA Community Chorus began the night with The Music of Living by Dan Forrest, followed by Selections from Old American Songs, Bring Me Little Water, Silvy, by Huddie Ledbetter, Cape Cod Girls, a traditional Sea Shanty and Ain’-a That Good News! by William Dawson.
The NOVA Nighthawks Jazz Ensemble picked up a jazzy set, with Maiden Voyage, by Herbie Hancock, Whisper Not by Benny Golson, Moment’s Notice by John Coltrane and Senor Mouse by Chick Corea.
Lisa Eckstein treated the audience by opening the band set with Mark Camphouse’s Air Mobility Command March.
Then the band provided a stunning performance of Nathan Pereda’s Starless Night.
Nathan’s piece offered a wonderful set of antiphonal trumpets that brought such beauty to the hall. The piece was extraordinary!
The band finished the evening with Xerxes by John Mackey and African Symphony by Van McCoy.
Everyone LOVED it all
Another great season coming to the close, but we’ll be back in the fall with more music!
Jazz for Justice 2019
The Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, hosted this year’s JAZZ for JUSTICE event, featuring the NOVA Nighthawks with our very special guest Warren Wolf and TC Williams Jazz Ensemble!
The evening began with some music from one of NOVA’s Jazz student ensembles providing some wonderful sounds for the start of a great evening.
We had some artists from the Torpedo Factory take part in the evening as well. Pat Sargent (Studio 325), printed up some postcards for the evening that were beautifully done.
Rosemary Feit-Covey spent the evening doing demos on her card making on the second floor, in (Studio 224)
Lisa Schumaier was also there on the first floor in (Studio 16).
Patrons gathered and enjoyed an evening of music, art and silent auctions
The MainStage music portion started off with an introduction of The T.C. Williams Jazz Ensemble by Brett Johnson from The Torpedo Factory.
They had people dancing in no time.
There were proud parents friend and family everywhere.
And of course we had some of own NOVA support, come to check out the band!
There was a great crowd with a lot to enjoy between catching up and checking out the art!
Everyone looked like they had a great time enjoying conversation, the music the art and the reason for being there, JAZZ 4 JUSTICE!
The evening included a raffle some amazing prizes!
The later half of the evening featured the NOVA Nighthawks Jazz Ensemble featuring our very special guest, Warren Wolf! Warren is a world class performer and we were so lucky to have him. He’s traveled the world and played or recorded with the best: “Wynton Marsalis and The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Jeremy Pelt and “Creation”, Nicholas Payton, Tim Warfield, Adonis Rose, Donal Fox, Anthony Wonsey, Aaron Goldberg, Cyrus Chestnut, Lewis Nash, Willie Jones, Eric Reed, Mulgrew Miller, Terri Lyne Carrington, Yoron Israel, Larry Willis, David “Fathead” Newman, Stefon Harris, Reuben Rogers, Kevin Eubanks, Curtis Lundy, Steve Davis, Duane Eubanks, Ron Carter, Wycliffe Gordon, Robert Glasper, Esperanza Spaulding and many others.”
The Nighthawks Jazz Ensemble performed:
Flying Home by Benny Goodman and Lionel Hampton, arr. Dave Barduhn
Satin Doll by Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington, and Johnny Mercer, arr. Jerry Nowak “
Whisper Not by Benny Golson, arr.
Marty Paich “Maiden Voyage” by Herbie Hancock, arr. Mike Tomaro
Stardust by Hoagy Carmichael, arr. Bill Holman“
Moment’s Notice by John Coltrane, arr. Mark Taylor
Señor Mouse by Chick Corea, arr. Mike Tomaro “
Bag’s Groove by Milt Jackson, arr. John Clayton
Is That You? by Bryan Kidd
Oye Como Vaby by Tito Puente arr B Minzter
No Scuffle Shuffle by Dominic Spera
Not your Momma’s Samba by Paul Baker
La Malanga by Eddie Palmieri arr A Caceda
Nice ‘n’ Easy by Lew Spence, arr. S Nestico
Two Seconds to Midnight by AlanBaylock
Such Sweet Thunder by Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn arr. M Kamuf
Flow Chart – Paul Baker
The evening was a hit and all for a GREAT cause! JAZZ4JUSTICE
The concert for this event benefits the charitable endeavors of the Alexandria Bar Foundation, Legal Services of Northern Virginia and the music scholarship fund at NOVA.
In 2001, Fairfax attorney Ed Weiner attended a student recital at George Mason University. He was impressed by the music, but distressed by the small audience. As the President of the Fairfax Law Foundation (FLF), he saw an opportunity for a new part- nership — the GMU School of Music would provide the musical
talent and the local Bar Association would provide the audience and sponsors. Thegoal would be to raise funds to support local Legal Aid, as well as the university’sjazz program. With the support of George Mason and FLF leadership, Jazz 4Jus-ticeTM was born.
Today, through partnerships with 7 universities and numerous local Bar Associa- tions, 48 Jazz4Justice concerts have been held across the Commonwealth: George Mason University, James Madison University, Virginia Commonwealth Universi- ty, Christopher Newport University, Northern Virginia Community College, the University of Virginia, and the University of Mary Washington. These concerts have raised over $450,000 for jazz programs and an array of educational and chari- table legal services benefiting Virginia’s local communities.
Jazz4Justice has received awards from the American Bar Association and the Virginia State Bar. J4J is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Visit us atwww.jazz4justice.com.
Alexandria Bar Foundation
The Foundation of the Alexandria Bar Association is an integral part of theBar’s structure. The Foundation works with local organizations to providescholarships to high school seniors and provides grants to local organiza-tions to help them serve the community more effectively. The Foundation’s “Beat the Odds” program has been singled out for awards for their contribu-tions to the City of Alexandria and its citizens. The Alexandria Bar Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Jazz Studies Student Recital 2019
Jazz/Composition Recital
Tuesday, April 23⋅7:30 – 9:30pm
The 2019 Children’s Concert!
On Thursday, March 7th we gathered in the concert hall at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center for a great evening of music and fun, all around.
The NOVA Community Band began the evening with The Thunderer by John Philip Sousa, followed by Children’s March “Over the Hills and Far Away” by percent Grainger.
Clarinet soloists, Brian Jones and Charles West joined the band for Il Convegno by Amilcare Ponchielli. Hearing them together was a treat! What incredible nuance!
Trombonist Harry Watters took the crowd with Cherokee by Ray Noble and Over the Rainbow, by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. What a phenomenal stage presence!
The last piece from The Band for their first performance section, offered up a beautiful World Premiere by composer Robert Thurston, titled “Civil Discourse” which featured Dennis Edelbrock on Trumpet. The piece’s complexities and journey was stunningly written and we were lucky to have Robert Thurston in the audience to hear it performed.
The George Mason Elementary School Jazz Band rocked the house with Michael Sweeney’s “Blue Machine” and the Sesame Street Theme by Joe Raposo. Director, Heather Rosner, has everyone at a superb level of musicianship.
The annual Recognition for Student Winners from Alexandria City public Schools in the Visual and Performing Arts Categories of the National PTA Reflections Program was another heart-felt moment. Each student winner had the opportunity to tell the audience about their award.
The George Washington Middle School Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Richard Seracino, performedDouble Play by Carl Strommen, Buckjump by Troy Andrews and Mdke Ballard, and Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing” by Stevie Wonder.
The final number of the night brought school children from area elementary and middle schools together with the NOVA Alexandria Band.
They all played Havana and Fanfare and Fireworks!!! What a great experience it was for everyone!!!
Please join us at The Torpedo Factory in Alexandria for a great benefit concert with the NOVA Nighthawks Jazz Ensemble!
Also, PLEASE COME TO THE LAST CONCERT OF THE SEASON!
May 3rd, 8:00-9:30PM at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center!
We will have a combined concert featuring ALL of our ensembles! The Community Choir, The NOVA Alexandria Community Band and the NOVA Nighthawks Jazz Band!
We look forward to seeing you soon!
For more information contact Lisa Eckstein at Leckstein@nvcc.edu
Jon Metzger Master Class!
Internationally known vibraphonist, three time Grammy nominee, author and winner of the National Endowment for the Arts, JON METZGER, visited NOVA Alexandria on November 2nd for a master class in music. The students were absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to learn from him.
He performed with our jazz faculty before the harder work of the master class. “All the Things You Are” was beautifully improvised by Jon, Kevin Pace and John Kocur.
He also performed with the faculty again, including Wade Beach, at the end of the class. I have never heard “Stella by Starlight” performed so conversationally before. Honestly, it was class in and of itself.
The students learned so much about how to up their abilities and perform at an even higher level.
Yon worked through collaborative jazz performance concepts with Rodney Avery on piano and Mary Himel on saxophone.
His innovative ideas on piano technique, collaborating through octave ranges during improvisation, where a lesson for all of us.
He coaxed Andrew Grabowski into the nuances of a whole new level of soloing. It was amazing to see how quickly he could change each students approach.
One of the great joys for everyone was jamming with Jon. The students were thrilled! What an incredible opportunity, this was.
Jon was able to funnel years of professional knowledge toward each students specific needs. It was a joy to hear the differences one master class could make.
After working with everyone, he answered question from all of us in the audience as well as the musicians he had just been coaching.
Truly, a great time was had by all! They are still talking about it!
A special thanks to Musser for helping sponsor Yon and to everyone who participated and the audience who came to learn!
NOVA Community Chorus at The National Cathedral!
On Friday, May 11th, Music at messiah presented “Evening Prayer” Music of Praise and Petition by Messiah Community Chorus and Friends, St. Peter’s in the Woods Choir and the NOVA Community Chorus.
Both Jessica Irish and Chad Steffey conducted the evening.
The wonderful mission of the Music at Messiah Concert Series brings community members into the Cathedral and allows donations to help the local community.
The evening’s performance donations benefited The Weekend Backpack Program which helps food-insecure children in Springfield, VA,
Our own John Kocur, who heads our Jazz Studies program mesmerized everyone with his solos on Evening Prayer”
It’s not often anyone gets a chance to play such an beautiful room and one that holds such ambiance and meaning. Everyone had a lovely time.
To everyone who came to the concert, THANK YOU! We so appreciate your support. Please keep an eye on the blog and on our Facebook Page for up to date concert announcements and news! www.Facebook.com/MusicAtNova
Blog post by Britt Conley: Music Department Assistant
The 5th Annual Alexandria JAZZ4JUSTICE
Each year The Alexandria Bar Association and The NOVA Nighthawks Jazz Ensemble collaborate for an evening of JAZZ4JUSTICE!
Today, through partnerships with 9 universities and numerous local Bar Associations, 44 Jazz4Justice concerts have been held across the Commonwealth: George Mason, James Madison University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Christopher Newport University, Northern Virginia Community College, Shenandoah University and the University of Mary Washington.
These Concerts have raised over $400,000. for jazz programs and an array of education and charitable legal services benefiting Virginia’s local communities.
The evening began with a wonderful opportunity to enjoy our NoVA ensemble, grab some food and drinks and listen to the pre-concert concert.
The concert’s have raised over $400,000. for jazz programs and an array of educational and charitable legal services benefiting Virginia’s local communities.
This year the T.C. William s High School Jazz Ensemble joined us.
They were fantastic as always!!!
We also had wonderful raffle offerings for the events which featured restaurants around the area, classes, spa treatments, wine baskets and more…
Everyone came together to play the evening out….
John Kocur gave us one of his renowned solos…
The night included works by Cole Porter, Lionel Ritchie, Jimmy Van Jeusen, Mack Gordon & Harry Warren, Paul Baker, Jelly Roll Morton, Duke Ellington , Bill Potts, Antonio Jobin, Norman Whirfield, Barrett String and Billy Page.
It was another GREAT night, had by all!
Don’t miss next years! Come on over and help bring Jazz4Justice!
Blog post by Britt Conley, Assistant to the Music Department.