Saturday, October 02, 2010
“Note-worthy” Music Students to Receive Scholarships at “Concert from the Heart” from Buffalo Music Hall of Fame
Buffalo, New York: No doubt you’ve heard of Buffalo’s 27 year-old Music Hall of Fame. They’re most noted for inducting professional regional musicians who have achieved success in the music industry, often on an international scale. This year, however, BMHOF is increasing its community outreach efforts by doubling the number of scholarships given to outstanding music students in Western New York.
Michael Tumiel, 16, of Cheektowaga, is the winner of the $500 First Place for his performance on clarinet and guitar. Julie Sonne, 18, of East Bethany, has been named recipient of the $250 second scholarship for her performance on cello. The announcement was made today by Rick Mathews, Buffalo Music Hall of Fame President, and will be presented September 26th at the BMHOF-sponsored “Concert from the Heart” at Kleinhans Music Hall. Proceeds benefit the Food Bank of Western New York. “Scholarship applicants submitted essays,” explained Mathews, “and all were scored without judges’ knowledge as to the applicants’ names. We received a record number of applicants, so we are especially pleased to be able to increase our funding for future musicians.”
Michael Tumeil was first exposed to clarinet when, he explained: “Our elementary school band director and a few high school students walked into my third grade classroom to recruit students for band the following year. I didn’t think I’d be interested... but as soon as the clarinet began to play, I looked up, listened intently, and watched her fingers. I knew then that I did want to play, join the band, and play the clarinet.”
That was Michael’s enthusiastic start. Two years later, in fifth grade, he was accepted into the school band, the jazz band, and his first All-State competition. The next year, he discovered guitar. “Today in my house,” he added, “there are eight guitars, a ukulele, a mandolin, harmonicas in various keys, a drum kit, an alto flute, bass clarinet, my beloved B-flat clarinet, a sousaphone (that drives my mother crazy) and a piano.” Guess who pays them all. Well. Michael aspires to attend the Eastman School of Music and to becoming a professional clarinetist in an orchestra.
Julie Sonne is a classically trained musician who began her studies at age 3. An admirer and student of Dr. Shinichi Suzuki whose philosophy that anyone at any age can learn the universal language of music, Julie put Suzuki’s teaching to work at age 6 when she traveled to Japan. There, although she attended a class of mostly Japanese children with a Japanese-speaking teacher, she was able to participate without any trouble. Her music had become, indeed, a universal language!
Julie has played with the Buffalo Youth Orchestra, Buffalo Suzuki Strings and other musical groups, and has traveled with the Buffalo Suzuki String Ensemble to Italy in 2006, Spain in 2008, and will tour in Argentina in 2011. “In the future, I want to take the stage and solo with orchestras around the world,” stated Julie. “Performing exhilarates me; it is something I have dreamed of for a long time. I also envision using the stage to somehow better the world through music.”
“It’s particularly fitting that Michael and Julie will receive their presentations during our ‘Concert from the Heart’,” added BMOH 1998 Hall-of-Famer, Van Taylor of Taylor Made Jazz. “In March, 2009, the local 92 American Federation of Musicians, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, BMHOF and Taylor Made Jazz featured a first-time Spotlight ‘Concert from the Heart’. It was at this time that we were able to present our first scholarship in an outreach concert that combined the Philharmonic with some of the area’s greatest jazz musicians. We’re going to do that again on September 26th, but more musical genres and musicians than ever before!” he added.
“Concert from the Heart” tickets are $25.00 with lower prices available for groups. Sponsorships are available at the Presenter, Titanium, Platinum, Gold, and Silver levels that range from $10,000 to $250. “Angel” sponsorships to purchase individual tickets are encouraged to help attendees who might not otherwise be able to attend, and/or for those who may have never heard a Philharmonic Orchestra perform.
General ticket Information is available through the Philharmonic Ticket Office at 716-885-5000. For Corporate Sponsorships, contact BMHF President, Rick Mathews at 716-400-8934. Checks should be made payable to “Concert from the Heart, Buffalo Music Hall of Fame. P.O. Box 256, Buffalo, NY 14205.
For Group Tickets, contact Ron Daniels at 716-912-1365. Checks should be made payable to the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra c/o Kleinhans Music Hall, One Symphony Circle, Buffalo NY. 14201
Angel Sponsors should contact Van Taylor at 716-855-1754. Checks should be made payable to: “Concert from the Heart, Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.” P.O. Box 256, Buffalo, NY 14205.
Induction to the 2010 Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Gala will be held on October 7, at 7PM at the Tralf, 622 Main Street, Buffalo. Tickets for this event are available by calling 852-2860.
Michael Tumiel, 16, of Cheektowaga, is the winner of the $500 First Place for his performance on clarinet and guitar. Julie Sonne, 18, of East Bethany, has been named recipient of the $250 second scholarship for her performance on cello. The announcement was made today by Rick Mathews, Buffalo Music Hall of Fame President, and will be presented September 26th at the BMHOF-sponsored “Concert from the Heart” at Kleinhans Music Hall. Proceeds benefit the Food Bank of Western New York. “Scholarship applicants submitted essays,” explained Mathews, “and all were scored without judges’ knowledge as to the applicants’ names. We received a record number of applicants, so we are especially pleased to be able to increase our funding for future musicians.”
Michael Tumeil was first exposed to clarinet when, he explained: “Our elementary school band director and a few high school students walked into my third grade classroom to recruit students for band the following year. I didn’t think I’d be interested... but as soon as the clarinet began to play, I looked up, listened intently, and watched her fingers. I knew then that I did want to play, join the band, and play the clarinet.”
That was Michael’s enthusiastic start. Two years later, in fifth grade, he was accepted into the school band, the jazz band, and his first All-State competition. The next year, he discovered guitar. “Today in my house,” he added, “there are eight guitars, a ukulele, a mandolin, harmonicas in various keys, a drum kit, an alto flute, bass clarinet, my beloved B-flat clarinet, a sousaphone (that drives my mother crazy) and a piano.” Guess who pays them all. Well. Michael aspires to attend the Eastman School of Music and to becoming a professional clarinetist in an orchestra.
Julie Sonne is a classically trained musician who began her studies at age 3. An admirer and student of Dr. Shinichi Suzuki whose philosophy that anyone at any age can learn the universal language of music, Julie put Suzuki’s teaching to work at age 6 when she traveled to Japan. There, although she attended a class of mostly Japanese children with a Japanese-speaking teacher, she was able to participate without any trouble. Her music had become, indeed, a universal language!
Julie has played with the Buffalo Youth Orchestra, Buffalo Suzuki Strings and other musical groups, and has traveled with the Buffalo Suzuki String Ensemble to Italy in 2006, Spain in 2008, and will tour in Argentina in 2011. “In the future, I want to take the stage and solo with orchestras around the world,” stated Julie. “Performing exhilarates me; it is something I have dreamed of for a long time. I also envision using the stage to somehow better the world through music.”
“It’s particularly fitting that Michael and Julie will receive their presentations during our ‘Concert from the Heart’,” added BMOH 1998 Hall-of-Famer, Van Taylor of Taylor Made Jazz. “In March, 2009, the local 92 American Federation of Musicians, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, BMHOF and Taylor Made Jazz featured a first-time Spotlight ‘Concert from the Heart’. It was at this time that we were able to present our first scholarship in an outreach concert that combined the Philharmonic with some of the area’s greatest jazz musicians. We’re going to do that again on September 26th, but more musical genres and musicians than ever before!” he added.
“Concert from the Heart” tickets are $25.00 with lower prices available for groups. Sponsorships are available at the Presenter, Titanium, Platinum, Gold, and Silver levels that range from $10,000 to $250. “Angel” sponsorships to purchase individual tickets are encouraged to help attendees who might not otherwise be able to attend, and/or for those who may have never heard a Philharmonic Orchestra perform.
General ticket Information is available through the Philharmonic Ticket Office at 716-885-5000. For Corporate Sponsorships, contact BMHF President, Rick Mathews at 716-400-8934. Checks should be made payable to “Concert from the Heart, Buffalo Music Hall of Fame. P.O. Box 256, Buffalo, NY 14205.
For Group Tickets, contact Ron Daniels at 716-912-1365. Checks should be made payable to the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra c/o Kleinhans Music Hall, One Symphony Circle, Buffalo NY. 14201
Angel Sponsors should contact Van Taylor at 716-855-1754. Checks should be made payable to: “Concert from the Heart, Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.” P.O. Box 256, Buffalo, NY 14205.
Induction to the 2010 Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Gala will be held on October 7, at 7PM at the Tralf, 622 Main Street, Buffalo. Tickets for this event are available by calling 852-2860.
