Upcoming Events:
Pianist Shaun Tirrell in Concert
Concert and Music Petting Zoo for Kids
Greetings,
Welcome to the newly designed Washington Conservatory newsletter! The Conservatory is a nationally accredited community music school, offering individual music lessons and classes to students of all ages and levels.
In addition, we are happy to present special events for our community such as the wonderful upcoming concert by pianist Shaun Tirrell, and a fun musical instrument petting zoo for kids. I hope our musical offerings can be an antidote for troubling times and look forward to seeing you soon.
Musically yours,
Kathy Judd
Executive and Artistic Director
One Westmoreland Circle
Bethesda, Maryland 20816
301.320.2770 |
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Washington Conservatory of Music presents
Shaun Tirrell, pianist Saturday, November 1 at 8 PM
Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ
One Westmoreland Circle, Bethesda, MD 20816
No tickets - Pay as you can
 Shaun Tirrell, who garners praise from music critics and audiences worldwide, will perform the opening concert of the Concerts for the Nation's Capital series presented by the Washington Conservatory of Music on November 1 at 8 PM at Westmoreland Congregational UCC Church in Bethesda. Tirrell will perform music of Scarlatti, Gershwin, Chopin and Liszt.
At his recent solo debut in Bayreuth Germany (August 2008) the critic from the Bayreuth newspaper called him a "Hurricane at the Piano." For his solo concert at the Kennedy Center the Washington Post noted his Chopin for "having an impressive control of phrasing and dynamics and the kind of expressive freedom and emotional depth that lie in the heart of Chopin's style." The Irish Times speaking of his live radio concert with the Irish National Symphony said, "The American pianist thundered through the Liszt with great style and stunning virtuosity."
His performances include solo recitals at the Kennedy Center's Terrace Theatre, Jordan Hall in Boston, and the "Great Hall" in St. Petersburg, Russia. As a concerto soloist he has appeared with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, Heidelberg's (Germany) Collegium Musicum, The Irish National Symphony (Dublin Ireland) and the St. Petersburg Symphony (Russia) to name a few. His recent recital at the National Gallery of Art was filmed by the American Arts Network and is available on DVD.
Shaun Tirrell earned his Bachelor of Music degree at Oberlin Conservatory, studying under Joseph Schwartz and receiving the John Elvin Prize and the Rudolph Serkin Prize. Further studies under Julian Martin at Peabody Conservatory lead to a Masters of Music degree and acceptance into the Artist's Diploma program. He shared first prize in the Pro Piano International Competition in New York.
Mr. Tirrell lives in Gaithersburg MD with his wife and three children.
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Program
Sonata in G Major K 146 Scarlatti
Sonata in F Minor K 466
Preludes for Piano Gershwin
Mazurka Op. 33, No.4 Chopin
Waltz in E Minor (1830)
Scherzo No.1 in B Minor Op.20
Intermission
Isolde's Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde Wagner/Liszt
Funerailles (October 1849) Liszt
Vallee d'Oberman Liszt
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Westmoreland Congregational Church
in collaboration with the Washington Conservatory
present
The Carnival of the Animals
(for Chamber Ensemble)
by Camille Saint-Saens
with "Laberinto" (World Premiere)
by Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez
Conducted by Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez
Narrated by David Batson
Performed by faculty members of the Washington Conservatory and guests
Sunday, Oct. 26 at 4 pm
Westmoreland Congregational Church
1 Westmoreland Circle, Bethesda, MD 20816
(Intersection of Massachusetts and Western Avenues)
Petting Zoo: Following the concert there will be a "Petting Zoo" of various musical instruments. To wrap up this unique afternoon, everyone will be treated to hotdogs and ice cream!
Children: you are encouraged to dress like animals, or wear a t-shirt with a picture of your favorite animal.
For additional concert information, telephone
301-229-7766 during regular business hours.
For information about the petting zoo call
301-320-2770. |
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 Faculty Spotlight  Dr. Alejandro Hernandez Valdez has been a piano faculty member at the Washington Conservatory since September 2005 and Director of Music and Keyboard Artist at Westmoreland Congregational United Church Christ in Bethesda, MD since August of 2006. His career as a solo and chamber pianist, conductor, organist, composer, and teacher is remarkable for its versatility and productivity. Dr. Hernandez-Valdez received his master's and doctorate degrees in piano performance from the University of Texas at Austin where he was a Teaching Assistant, an Assistant Instructor, as well as the Coordinator for Piano Project.
Dr. Hernandez-Valdez has been awarded first prizes at the Virginia Music Teachers Association Piano Competition and the Sidney M. Wright Collaborative Artists Competition.
He appeared as pianist, organist, harpsichordist, and conductor and coordinated the musical examples for the fifth edition of "Tonal Harmony" by Kostka and Payne and also recorded selected examples for the new Anthology of Music Analysis by Kostka and Greybill. These text books and their recordings are used by the most distinguished music schools and conservatories in America.
He has studied with Rita Sloan, Gregory Allen, Elizabeth Temple, Richard Tetley-Kardos, Anton Nel, Gabriel Chodos, and Frank Weinstock and has appeared in master-classes with Leon Fleischer, Claude Frank, John Perry, John Nakamatsu, Lambert Orkis, and John O'Connor. Dr. Hernandez-Valdez has worked under the baton of such famed conductors as David Zinman, Sir Neville Mariner, John Williams, Robert Spano, James Conlon, Julius Rudel, James DePriest, Michael Stern, Murray Sidlin, James Ross, Robert Shafer, and J. Reilly Lewis.
A dedicated advocate of Latin American music, Dr. Hernandez-Valdez has performed music of Mexican composers at the Aspen Music Festival, the Garth Newel Music Center, and the Salida concert series. His success in promoting Latin American music has led to distinctions such as being named in four occasions an International Fellow by the Institute of Latin American Studies and receiving the Republic of Mexico Solidaridad Presidential Scholarship.
Dr. Hernandez-Valdez has been on the faculties of the Orpheus Academy of Music, the Austin Chamber Music Center, and is currently on the faculty of both the Washington Conservatory of Music and Shenandoah University. He has performed with the Garth Newel Piano Quartet, has been a five-time fellowship recipient at the Aspen Music Festival, has served as Director of Music at All Saints' Lutheran Church in Bowie.
He has performed in important venues nationally and internationally such as Harris Hall, Benedict Music Tent, Bates Recital Hall, Jessen Auditorium, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Washington National Cathedral, Instituto Cultural Cabaņas, Ex-convento del Carmen, Paraninfo de la Universidad de Guadalajara, and the Terrace and Eisenhower Theaters at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
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| Who We Are
The Washington Conservatory serves the greater DC area. With our exceptional international artist faculty, we offer a personal approach to music for young children, teens and adults. No audition required. Lessons on all instruments, including voice - ensembles - jazz - early childhood classes - and much more.
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| Faculty Spotlight
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