Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to one and all! This has been a busy year for the Ferris Burtis Music Foundation. We have allocated $9,000.00 to help six talented young artists throughout the year. Yevgeny Kutik, The Elektra Ensemble, Julian Müller, and Morwenna Boyd have all received educational or career help from the Foundation.

We have been receiving end-of-year gifts from a number of people, including one very generous gift of $5,000.00. My thanks to these generous donors. I encourage you, if you are interested in helping the Foundation continue its work, to consider sending a tax-free gift to Ferris Burtis Foundation, %Berkshire Taconic Foundation, 800 North Main Street, Sheffield, MA 01257, before January 1st.

On June 10th, 2012, we will present our second gala Fund raising concert at the Sandisfield Arts Center with all of the above-mentioned artists performing. Save the date and plan to attend.

Thank you for any gift you may wish to make.

Herb

Morwenna Boyd, guitarist

The Ferris Burtis Music Foundation is happy to announce the latest young performer whom they are aiding in her education. Morwenna Boyd is a classical guitarist who is studying at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan.



She is studying with Michael Kudirka, a former student of William Kanengiser. While solo work is the core of the program, she is also taking part in an excellent guitar ensemble.

The Foundation has given her a grant to help with her tuition and plans to continue this help throughout her college years.

This year the Ferris Burtis has given $9000.00 to several young musicians for their study and for their careers.

Julian Müller is a 'cellist at Indiana University who is also a part of the Foundation. He is in his first year there.

Yevgeny Kutik is in the midst of a brilliant career. He makes his début at Alice Tully Hall on December 7th  playing the Mendelssohn Concerto with the Riverside Symphony. For tickets http://www.riversidesymphony.org/

The Elektra Ensemble is also having a busy season with concerts throughout the United States. http://www.elektraensemble.org/

In June, all of these fine musicians will come together to present the Second Annual Ferris Burtis Music Foundation Concert to raise funds to continue the work of the Foundation. More will be announced closer to the date of the concert.

Gifts to the Foundation are appreciated. If you wish to help support these young artists, please send a check made out to Ferris Burtis Foundation, %Berkshire Taconic Foundation, 800 North Main Street, Sheffield, CT 01257.

You may contact Mr. Burtis at http://www.hburtis.com/ ,
roodhill@verizon.net or 413 258 4456 for more information.

Yevgeny at Alice Tully Hall

The Ferris Burtis Music Foundation is proud to announce the debut of brilliant, young violinist Yevgeny Kutik at Alice Tully Hall in New York City on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. He will perform the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in D Minor  with the Riverside Symphony under the direction of George Rothman.

To order tickets for this concert go to:
http://www.riversidesymphony.org/

Yevgeny is represented by Parker Artists:
http://www.parkerartists.com/

Yevgeny has been aided in his education and career by the Ferris Burtis Music Foundation whose goal is to help young classical artists. They are also helping the Elektra Ensemble, http://www.elektraensemble.org/ , Jullian Muller, 'cellist, who is in his first year at Indiana University and Morwena Moore-Boyd, guitarist, who is studying at the Interlochen School of Music in Michigan.

If you would like to help this Foundation continue its work with young musicians, gifts may be sent to:
Ferris Burtis Foundation, 800 Main Street, Sheffield, MA 01257. Or for information, contact me at roodhill@verizon.net

Future engagements for Yevgeny include October 30, 2011, Benefit Concert for MOTL, Greensboro, SC, November 5, 2011, Mozart 3rd Concerto, East Texas Symphony, February 7, 2012, Concert for JFNA, Sarasota, FL, March 5, 2012, Concert for The Bohemians, New York City, March 18, 2012, The Hammond Series, Hingham, MA, March 28, 2012, Solo Concert, UMass, Amherst, MA, March 30, 2012, Mendelssohn Concerto, UMass Symphony, UMass Amherst, MA, April 10, 2012, Concert/Presentation, Boston, MA, April 16, 2012, Project in Europe, April 25, 2012, Totenberg Celebration, Boston, MA, May 5, 2012, Saint-Saens Concerto, Ludwig Symphony, Atlanta, GA, May 19 and 20, 2012, Norddeusche Philharmonic. Rostock, Germany,Tchaikovsky Concerto, May 23, 2012, Solo concert at the Lobkowicz Palace, Prague Castle, Czech Republic, June 8, 2012, Polish Embassy, Washington, DC, August 15-17, touring in Europe.

Julian Müller

I have just heard from Julian Müller who is now studying at Indiana University. Julian is the recipient of a scholarship from the Ferris Burtis Foundation this year.

Here are some quotes from his message: 'My teacher here is excellent. I am discovering many things about my body and how it relates to the cello. My sound has opened up and things seem as if they are going in the right direction.

I did very well on a screened orchestra audition and got into one of the two top ensembles of the University's five orchestras. I am in a Chamber Orchestra, one of four cellos which is very exposed and really exciting. I am in two chamber groups. So I am very busy and learning a lot, taking other classes, theory, piano, and a pedagogy class.'

Bravo, Julian! We cheer you on to greater heights.

Julian will play a recital for us here at Rood Hill Farm in the spring or summer when he returns from Indiana.

The Ferris Burtis Foundation welcomes your gifts to help us continue our work with young classical musicians. Checks made out to 'Ferris Burtis Foundation' may be sent to:
Berkshire Taconic Foundation, 800 North Main Street, Sheffield, MA 01257.

Elektra Ensemble

The wonderful Elektra Ensemble is even more wonderful now. Their new pianist is Anastasia Seifetdinova. She was born in the Ukraine and is a graduate of the Hochschule für Musik in Würzburg, Germany and holds a Master's Degree from the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford.

Of her Weill Hall début in 2006, the New York Concert Review wrote, 'For a critic, hearing a new pianist with a truly warm, luscious tone is like breathing the scent of jasmine blooming- a pleasure to be recalled again and again.' She is the recipient of numerous international prizes in piano.

I recently heard them in a sensational dress rehearsal for a concert in Mystic, CT. Their sense of musical unity is superb. They play as one. Anastasia adds a wonderful new dimension to this already exceptional trio.

The Ferris Burtis Music Foundation continues to support them in their on-going career.

Gifts to the Foundation are tax-deductible and may be sent to: Ferris Burtis Foundation, Berkshire Taconic Foundation, 800 North Main Street, Sheffield, MA 01257. Help us in our effort to promote brilliant young musical artists like these.

Yevgeny and Benedikt

This afternoon Yevgeny Kutik gave a violin lesson to young Benedikt Winzer in my music studio at Rood Hill Farm. This came about as a result of the Ferris Burtis Music Foundation contributing to Yevgeny's recent recording project. He offered a violin lesson to donors who gave a certain amount. I decided it was too late for me to take up the violin, so I offered it to Benedikt.

He has studied violin for five years. He is eight at present. We played the first movement of a Schubert Sonata for Yevgeny and Yevgeny went to work, helping Benedict with various technical problems. He felt that Benedict is very talented but needs to correct some physical habits before they become damaging.

He worked at relaxing Benedikt's bow arm as well as his left arm and hand. The results were obvious at once.

Benedikt hopes to work with Yevgeny from time to time. Benedict's parents, Andrea and Peter, came in for a part of the session.

Yevgeny in Prague

The Ferris Burtis Music Foundation is proud to join Prince William Lobkowicz in presenting Yevgeny Kutik in his Prague début at the Lobkowicz Palace in Prague Castle on May 23, 2012. Yevgeny has been under the aegis of the Foundation since winning the Ferris Burtis Scholarship eight years ago.

William Lobkowicz and myself

My very good friend Will is responsible for arranging this concert which will be given for 'Friends of the Princely Collections', the family's art museum located in the Lobkowicz Palace.

The Ferris Burtis Foundation is happy to accept gifts to help further our work with talented young musicians. If you wish to make a gift, send your check to Maeve O'Dea, Berkshire Taconic Foundation, 800 North Main Street, Sheffield, MA 01257.

Thank you.

Herbs new book

My newest book on singing and singers is just out. I am donating all of the proceeds to the Ferris Burtis Music Foundation.

To order a copy, send a check for $20.00 made out to Ferris Burtis Foundation, to Herbert Burtis, 53 Rood Hill Road, Sandisfield, MA 01255.

Any amount over the cost of printing and mailing is tax deductible.

I am happy to announce that Yevgeny Kutik's Kickstarter Campaign to fund his first professional album has gone over the top! Congratulations.

Yevgeny's new album

The Ferris Burtis Music Foundation has helped set in motion the recording process for Yevgeny Kutik's major new album. The recording was done in the studios of WGBH, Public Radio, in Boston with pianist Tim Bozarth.

To help Yevgeny in this project, go to http://www.kickstarter.com/ and choose 'Yevgeny Kutik's First Major Album'. You can pledge any amount from $1.00 to infinity.

In addition to the amount given by my Foundation I have also pledged an amount from my private funds. This brilliant young violinist is worthy of your support.

Please make a pledge today. He must have over $7000.00 by July 9th to complete the project.

Thank you, Herb

http://www.yevgenykutik.com/

Under Management

The Ferris Burtis Music Foundation is happy to announce that the Elektra Ensemble has been signed by Parker Artists in New York City for representation. The Foundation is helping to finance these arrangements. http://www.parkerartists.com/

This wonderful trio of superb musicians recently performed brilliantly at the Ferris Burtis Benefit Concert at the Sandisfield Arts Center on May 22nd. DVDs and CDs of the concert are available from the Foundation. To order, send a check made out to Ferris Burtis Foundation, to Herbert Burtis, 53 Rood Hill Road, Sandisfield, MA 01255. Any amount over the cost of the CD and DVD and mailing is tax deductible.



Here are Igor Lovchinsky, Melissa Morgan, myself, and Bruna Myftaraj, the spectacular Elektra Ensemble.

http://www.elektraensemble.org/ 

The whole purpose of the Ferris Burtis Music Foundation is to support young musicians in their education and early careers.

That is exactly what we are doing.

If you want to participate in this endeavor send a check made out to Ferris Burtis Foundation to Berkshire Taconic Foundation, 800 North Main Street, Sheffield, MA 01027-0400. It's tax deductible and helps young musicians like these to achieve a concert career.

Classical music needs your help!
http://www.berkshiretaconic.org/



A wonderful concert!

The CDs and DVDs of the May 22nd Ferris Burtis Music Foundation benefit concert are now available for purchase. It was a marvelous concert and the CDs and DVDs are superb.

To order: send a check made out to Ferris Burtis Foundation to:
Herbert Burtis
53 Rood Hill Road
Sandisfield, MA 01255

Please include your mailing address and email.

The amount over the cost of the item plus postage is tax deductible. CDs and DVDs are $20.00 each.

Plan ahead: These will make wonderful Christmas gifts.

Five great young artists who are going places!

And me.

Thank you!

My sincere thanks to everyone who attended Sunday's concert and especially to those who gave generous gifts to the Foundation.

At the moment, over $5000.00 has accrued. This will make helping young musicians an even easier part of the work of the Foundation.

Checks made out to Ferris Burtis Foundation can be sent to Herbert Burtis, 55 Rood Hill Road, Sandisfield, MA 01255, along with orders for CDs and DVDs of the concert. These are $20.00 each and will be available soon. Anything over the cost of the CD or DVD plus postage, will be tax deductible.

Keep classical music alive!

You had to be there!

If you were not at the concert at the Sandisfield Arts Center this afternoon, you should have been. Five incredible young muscians raised the roof of this 1840 building with music of the spheres.

Before a packed house, these artists performed sublime music brilliantly, musically, emotionally, and perfectly for two hours. Yevgeny Kutik, Timothy Bozarth, Brunilda Myftaraj, Melissa Morgan, and Igor Lovchinsky played a concert in honor of the Ferris Burtis Music Foundation, thereby raising monies to help the continuing work of the Foundation.

Here, from left to right are Igor, Melissa, Herb, Bruna, Yevgeny, and Tim.



The concert was taped for audio and video and is available from the Ferris Burtis Foundation. If you wish to order a CD or DVD, please send a check made out to the Ferris Burtis Foundation, to Herbert Burtis, 53 Rood Hill Road, Sandisfield, MA 01255. Specify CD or DVD. The cost is $20.00 each. Please include your mailing address and email address. Any amount over the cost of the CD or DVD and mailing is tax-deductible. Check earlier posts to see the complete program.

My eternal thanks to these wonderful young artists for giving me the gift of their talent for this cause. The Ferris Burtis Foundation is dedicated to helping young classical musicians in their education and careers. These five musicians are examples of why we are doing what we do.

If music be the food of love, play on! And ON!

The Big Day

After months of planning and help from many friends, this coming Sunday will be a day to remember. The amount of talent that will be heard at the Sandisfield Arts Center is staggering. I am so lucky to know these amazing people to whom music is as important as it is to me.

The Ferris Burtis Benefit Concert will bring into this 1840 building that was first a Methodist Church and later a Jewish Synagogue, a program of fabulous music. Yevgeny Kutik, Tim Bozarth, Brunilda Myftaraj, Melissa Morgan, and Igor Lovchinsky are giving their wonderful talents to reinforce the importance of classical music in life.



My deepest thanks also goes to the board of the Sandisfield Arts Center and especially to Sheila Liberson and Susie Crofut who have been a great help to me in this project. Maeve O'Dea of the Berkshire Taconic Foundation, which manages our Foundation, has been invaluable in the planning and execution of this project.

I also appreciate the many gifts made by friends and strangers through reservations. Special thanks to those who gave generously beyond the price of admission.All of the monies received will go to further the education and careers of fine young musical artists.

As we spread the scope of the Burtis Ferris Foundation, we obviously need to have more money with which to work. This concert has gone a long way in helping this become a reality.

In addition to continuing to help Yevgeny and the Elektra Ensemble, we are now helping talented, young 'cellist Julian Müller with his college education. He represents the next generation of young musicians who will replace old fogies like me! 

While it is wonderful that we have great performers like Yoyo Ma, Peter Serkin, and the rest, it is up to us to ensure that the future of the world does not become some sort of mechanical-music-oriented

place. There is absolutely nothing like live music. We are trying to keep it healthy.

Therefore, although this concert is in a small hall in a small town, it is a piece of our future. These young musicians are the future.

The Ferris Burtis Music Foundation always welcomes gifts from like-thinking people.

Ferris Burtis Foundation

Berkshire Taconic Foundation

800 North Main Street

Sheffield, MA 01257-0400

A fine young musician

The Ferris Burtis Music Foundation is happy to announce that it will be giving scholarship support to an excellent young 'cellist, Julian Müller. Julian performed last night at Rood Hill Farm for Bruna Myftaraj and Melissa Morgan from the Elektra Ensemble, Maeve O'Dea from the Berkshire Taconic Foundation, which manages the Ferris Burtis Music Foundation, and myself. He was accompanied by Anne Chamberlain, pianist.

Julian has been accepted at both the Eastman School of Music and the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University where he will begin studies next fall. He has an impressive repertoire of concerti, sonatas, and other solo pieces. He has studied 'cello with Jay Shulman, Helene Annas, and currently studies with Ronald Feldman.

He has agreed to perform a recital here at Rood Hill Farm at the end of each school year.

I am delighted that the work of the Foundation, which John and I set up in 1987, is helping such fine young artists as Julian. Yevgeny Kutik and the Elektra Ensemble are also under our aegis. John would be very proud of the way the Foundation has grown. My thanks to the many people whose generous gifts are helping it grow.

Rood Hill Farm

Concert info

Ferris-Burtis Music Foundation Benefit Concert.
Sunday, May 22, 2011 at 4:00 p.m.
Sndisfield Arts Center, Hammertown Road,
Sandisfield, MA

The Ferris Burtis Foundation helps young classical musicians in their education and careers.

Reservations $20.00. Make checks payable to
Ferris Burtis Foundation and mail to Herbert Burtis
53 Rood Hill Road, Sandisfield, MA 01255. Please include your email address for confirmation.

Brilliant young violinist Yevgeny Kutik, pianist Timothy Bozarth and the spectacular Elektra Ensemble will perform. They are all under the aegis of the Foundation.

More generous gifts will receive two reservations and have their name listed in the program for all gifts of $100.00 or more.

Friend: $100.00-$299.00
Sponsor: $300.00-$499.99
Benefactor: $500.00-$699.00
Angel: $700.00-$999.00
Founder: $1000.00 or more.
Any amount over the cost of the reservation ($20.00) is tax-deductible.

Here is the updated program for the concert.
Johannes Brahms   Sonatensatz
Alfred Schnittke   Sonata No. 1
   Andante
   Allegretto
   Largo
   Allegretto-Largo
Joseph Achron   Hebrew Lullaby
Maurice Ravel   Sonata
   Allegretto
   Blues
   Perpetuum mobile
Yevgeny Kutik and Timothy Bozarth
Ernest Chausson   Piano Trio in G minor
   Pas trop lent
   Vite
   Assez lent
   Animé
Astor Piazzolla  Invierno Porteño
                        Primavera Porteña
        (From Cuatro Estanciones Porteñas)
 The Elektra Ensemble
Brunilda Myftaraj, Melissa Morgan, Igor Lovchinsky

Yevgeny Kutik under management

We are happy to announce that Yevgeny Kutik is now under the management of Parker Artists. To reach them you may contact Tom Parker at http://www.parkerartists.com/  and tom@parkerartists.com

You may also reach them by snail mail at:
Parker Artists
382 Central Park West, 9G
New York, NY 10024

At the moment they are negotiating European appearances for Yevgeny for next season, including his debut at the Lobkowicz Palace in Prague.

Prince William Lobkowicz and Herbert Burtis in front of the Lobkowicz Palace within Prague Castle.

Yevgeny will be joined by the Elektra Ensemble in the Gala Benefit Concert for the Ferris Burtis Music Foundation on May 22 at 4:00 p.m. at the Sandisfield Arts Center. Find more information in earlier posts.

The Sandisfield Arts Center is located on Hammertown Road just off Rte. 57 in Sandisfield, MA.

Concert time

Only 22 days to concert time! Please make your reservations for the Gala Ferris Burtis Benefit Concert on May 22 at 4:00 p.m. at the Sandisfield Arts Center.
For information, check earlier posts.

Here are the artists:

Yevgeny Kutik

The Elektra Ensemble

Brunilda Myftaraj, violin

Melissa Morgan, 'cello

Igor Lovchinsky, piano

All of these brilliant young artists are sponsored by the Ferris Burtis Foundation.

At the moment we are also auditioning high school graduating seniors for scholarship help.

Classical music needs help to survive.

That is our goal!

The Founders

The Ferris Burtis Foundation was founded by the late John Ferris, for thirty-two years the University Organist and Choirmaster at Harvard, and by Herbert Burtis, internationally known pianist, organist, harpsichordist, and teacher of voice. He has taught at Harvard University and Smith College.

The Foundation assists young classical musicians in their education and careers.

Herbert Burtis and the late John Ferris.

Gifts to the Ferris Burtis Music Foundation are tax-deductible. Contributions may be sent to the Ferris Burtis Foundation, Berkshire Taconic Foundation, 800 North Main, Sheffield, MA 01257. A benefit concert for the Foundation will be held on Sunday, May 22, at 4:00 p.m. at the Sandisfield Arts Center in Sandisfield, MA.

Prague Concert planned

While I was in Prague recently, I had an opportunity to speak with my friend William Lobkowicz about the possibility of having Yevgeny Kutik make his Prague debut at the Lobkowicz Palace which is within Prague Castle. William and Sandra Lobkowicz have listened to the CD I gave them of Yevgeny's playing, were delighted with his performance, and plans are now underway to make this idea become a reality.

William Lobkowicz and myself in front of the Lobkowicz Palace within the grounds of Prague Castle.

The Ferris Burtis Foundation is proud to be able to help bring this about financially by assisting in the costs for this venture.

Yevgeny is already in the midst of an international career, having played throughout the United States, Japan, Gemany and Spain. In July he will perform at the Ludwigsburg Festival in Germany.



The Ferris Burtis Foundation has been proud to assist this brilliant young violinist in his education and his career. He, along with the Elektra Ensemble will be donating their talents in the Ferris Burtis Foundation Gala Benefit Concert to be held at the Sandisfield Arts Center on Sunday, May 22nd at 4:00 p.m. The Elektra Ensemble is also being assisted by the Foundation. For more details see the earlier entry on this blog. Reservations and gifts are already coming in for this exciting concert.

Contact Herbert Burtis at 413 258 4456 or roodhill@verizon.net

Off to Prague

Before I leave for Prague I want to post the exciting program that is planned for the Ferris-Burtis Foundation Benefit Concert at the Sandisfield Arts Center on May 22 at 4:00 p.m.

I will also be doing a Prague Blog (Prague Blague) while I'm there at http://albertitalks.blogspot.com/ starting March 26th if you want to follow my adventures at the Prague State Opera and other exciting places.

Program May 22, 2011

Johannes Brahms    Sonatensatz
Maurice Ravel        Sonate
     Allegretto
     Blues
     Perpetuum mobile
Claude Debussy    Beau Soir
Peter Iljitsch Tschaikowsky   Russian Dance
       (From Le Lac des Cygnes)
Henryk Wieniawski    Polonaise in D Major
Yevgeny Kutik, violin and Timothy Bozarth, piano

Intermission
Ernest Chausson    Piano Trio in G Minor, Op. 3
     Pas trop lent
     Vite
     Assez lent
     Animé
Astor Piazzolla    Invierno Porteño
                          Primavera Porteña
           (From Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas)

      The Elektra Ensemble 

Reservations- $20.00 each
Friend- $100.00-$299.00
Sponsor- $300.00- $499.00
Benefactor- 500.00-$699.00
Angel- $700.00- $999.00
Founder- $1000.00 or more
Friends and higher categories will have names listed in the program
Please make all checks payable to Ferris-Burtis Foundation. Gifts over the $20.00 reservation fee are tax-deductible.
Send to Herbert Burtis
53 Rood Hill Road
Sandisfield, MA 01255
413 258 4467
roodhill@verizon.net