The Ensemble
Silverwood Clarinet Choir was founded in 2006 and is
an exciting professional clarinet group that encompasses all the voices of a true
choir. The sixteen member group consists of
Eb sopranino, Bb clarinets, alto clarinet, basset horn, bass clarinets ,
contrabass and contralto clarinets. The creative group
performs original compositions as well as arrangements of well-known pieces –
music in all styles and from around the world. The ensemble plays music that is both
entertaining and challenging throughout the Central New York area. Silverwood invites guest conductors for its challenging
performances.
Travis Newton, Guest Conductor
Travis Newton is Assistant Professor at Le Moyne College, where he directs the Le Moyne College Chamber Orchestra and teaches courses in music and arts administration. Travis has played and conducted more than 500 performances of Broadway musicals across the U.S. and Canada as well as multiple guest conducting appearances with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra and Central New York's new professional orchestra, Symphoria. He also performed as section violinist with the orchestras of Syracuse, Charleston and Greensboro, as well as the Eastern Philharmonic Orchestra at Eastern Music Festival, where he previously served as a faculty member. He has enjoyed collaborating with well-known composers, including conducting the world premiere of Academy Award-nominated composer Patrick Doyle's score for the silent film "IT" at the 2013 Syracuse International Film Festival. As director of Le Moyne College's music program, he lead the program through a period of renewal and growth including the College's interdisciplinary undergraduate arts administration program, new graduate programs in arts administration, and serves as Artistic Director of the Le Moyne College Summer Arts Institute String Camp.
Pamela Mastrobattisto, Previous Conductor
Pamela Mastrobattisto attended Peabody Conservatory, earned a BS degree in Music Education from Towson State University and a MS in Music Education from Syracuse University. She studied clarinet with Antonio Salatti, Sidney Forrest, Edward Palanker and David Abrams. Mastrobattisto was the first clarinetist in the Concert Band and performed with the Woodwind Quintet of the First Army Band, toured extensively throughout the Northeastern United States and California as a performer and guest clinician. Currently she teaches instrumental music in the East Syracuse-Minoa School District.
Dr. Ronald Caravan, Guest Conductor
Ronald Caravan has been a clarinet and saxophone teacher at Syracuse University and directs the SU Saxophone Ensemble. He earned the Performer’s Certificate on clarinet, MA in Music Theory and Doctor of Music Arts in Music Education from the Eastman School of Music. Dr. Caravan has broad experience as a solo and chamber-music recitalist and as a clinician performing with the Syracuse Symphony, recording with several saxophone chamber groups, Syracuse Symphony, Society for New Music, and collaborated on a multi-volume set of CDs. Dr. Caravan has published several works for clarinet and saxophone. Dr. Caravan is presently Woodwind Review Editor for the "New York State School Music News." He also has developed and markets a line of mouthpieces specially designed for "classical" performance.
Sean O'Boyle, Guest Conductor and Composer
Sean O’Boyle, an Australian composer and conductor, has conducted recordings and concerts with many leading Australian and international orchestras, including the Adelaide, West Australian, Melbourne and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras, the Queensland Orchestra, Dortmund Konzert, Lexington Philharmonic, Auckland Philharmonia, Malaysian Philharmonic and Orchestra Victoria. His compositions have been performed by all the major Australian orchestras and by International orchestras including the Berlin Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. Additionally, Sean is currently an Artist Lecturer at Moravian College in Bethlehem, P.A.
John Friedrichs, Guest Conductor
Since 1984, John Friedrichs has held the
position of Bass Clarinet and Assistant First Chair Clarinet with the Syracuse
Symphony Orchestra (currently Symphony Syracuse). Originally from Southern
California, he performed with the San Diego Symphony and did
occasional studio recordings. Mr. Friedrichs earned a Music Performance degree from
the Eastman School of Music as well as a Performer’s Certificate. In addition
to Friedrichs’s current duties with the SSO, he performs with the Society
for New Music, Glimmerglass Opera as well as with the Buffalo and
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestras having performed twice with this orchestra at
the Bravo Music Festival in Vail CO.
Monk Rowe, Guest Conductor and Arranger
Monk Rowe has composed and arranged music for a variety of ensembles including the Utica Symphony, the Fredonia Alumni Jazz Ensemble, and the Jewel Winds Quintet. He is an Instructor of Saxophone at Hamilton College, and Director of the Fillius Jazz Archive. In this capacity he has conducted over 300 videotaped interviews with jazz artists across the country. Monk works frequently as a saxophonist and pianist and has recorded two CD's of original music. Visit monkrowe.com
Marco Mazzini, Guest Soloist and Conductor
Clarinetist Marco Antonio Mazzini has performed internationally in such prestigious places as Carnegie Hall, Tama Center (Tokio), Paleis voor Schone Kunsten (Brussels), Bijloke Concert Hall (Gent), Gasteig Cultural Center (Germany), FilmMuseum (Amsterdam), Museo de la Nacion (Lima) and the Paris Conservatory. He has also appeared in concert halls in Spain, Luxembourg, Italy, USA, France, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia and Guatemala.
Allan Kolsky, Guest Soloist and Conductor
Allan Kolsky is the Principal Clarinet of Symphoria. He held positions with the Louisiana Philharmonic and the Utah Symphony before joining the Syracuse Symphony as Principal Clarinet in 2002.
John Bird, Previous Conductor
John Bird received his Bachelors degree from the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York (SUNY) in Potsdam. He completed his Masters degree at SUNY Oswego. John taught at Altmar-Parish-Williamstown High School and currently teaches in the Phoenix Central School District. John is the conductor and percussionist with the Silverwood Clarinet Choir and also performs in the Central Winds Music Educators’ Wind Ensemble.
Paul DiPastena
Paul DiPastena received both his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from SUNY Fredonia. After college he joined the Navy as a musician and also attended the Armed Forces School of Music. Following his military service he became an instrumental music teacher in the North Syracuse School District and retired in 2003. Paul has performed with many well-known local and national artists. He continues as a certified woodwind adjudicator for NYSSMA. In addition he is a member and performs regularly with the Mario DeSantis Orchestra and Salt City Jazz Collective.
Paul DiPastena received both his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from SUNY Fredonia. After college he joined the Navy as a musician and also attended the Armed Forces School of Music. Following his military service he became an instrumental music teacher in the North Syracuse School District and retired in 2003. Paul has performed with many well-known local and national artists. He continues as a certified woodwind adjudicator for NYSSMA. In addition he is a member and performs regularly with the Mario DeSantis Orchestra and Salt City Jazz Collective.
Kathleen Freer
Kathleen Freer, Artistic Director is a founding member of the clarinet choir. She has played clarinet since the age of 7. She received a Bachelor of Music in Performance from the University of Illinois and a Masters in Performance from Northwestern University where she studied with Jerry Stowell and Walter Wollage of the Chicago Symphony. She completed additional work in music education at Syracuse University and received a CAS in administration from SUNY Oswego. Previous to moving to NY, she taught at North Park College and the College of Mt. St. Joseph. In NY, Mrs. Freer taught music for OCM BOCES and had administrative duties as team leader. Mrs. Freer teaches woodwind students privately.
Kathleen Freer, Artistic Director is a founding member of the clarinet choir. She has played clarinet since the age of 7. She received a Bachelor of Music in Performance from the University of Illinois and a Masters in Performance from Northwestern University where she studied with Jerry Stowell and Walter Wollage of the Chicago Symphony. She completed additional work in music education at Syracuse University and received a CAS in administration from SUNY Oswego. Previous to moving to NY, she taught at North Park College and the College of Mt. St. Joseph. In NY, Mrs. Freer taught music for OCM BOCES and had administrative duties as team leader. Mrs. Freer teaches woodwind students privately.
Kenneth Freer
Kenneth Freer, Business Manager is a businessman who owns a security company in Syracuse and has always enjoyed playing clarinet. He studied with Jerry Stowell (clarinetist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra). His performing career includes playing in the University of Illinois Bands and Marching Illini during college, the North Shore Concert Band in Chicago for ten years and playing professionally for the summer concert series in the parks in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Freer enjoys playing with the Silverwood Clarinet Choir and the Phoenix Community Band.
Kenneth Freer, Business Manager is a businessman who owns a security company in Syracuse and has always enjoyed playing clarinet. He studied with Jerry Stowell (clarinetist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra). His performing career includes playing in the University of Illinois Bands and Marching Illini during college, the North Shore Concert Band in Chicago for ten years and playing professionally for the summer concert series in the parks in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Freer enjoys playing with the Silverwood Clarinet Choir and the Phoenix Community Band.
Jan Gilkey
Janette Gilkey received her Bachelors of Music Education from Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio and a Masters of Music Education from Syracuse University. She has loved playing clarinet since the fifth grade. At Syracuse University Janette studied with Gerald Zampino and Barbara Rabin. Janette taught General Music and Instrumental Music in the North Syracuse Central School District for 33 years retiring in September 2011. She enjoyed playing with the Onondaga Civic Symphony under the direction of William Mercer and is currently a member of the Silverwood Clarinet Choir, Liverpool and Baldwinsville Community Bands.
Janette Gilkey received her Bachelors of Music Education from Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio and a Masters of Music Education from Syracuse University. She has loved playing clarinet since the fifth grade. At Syracuse University Janette studied with Gerald Zampino and Barbara Rabin. Janette taught General Music and Instrumental Music in the North Syracuse Central School District for 33 years retiring in September 2011. She enjoyed playing with the Onondaga Civic Symphony under the direction of William Mercer and is currently a member of the Silverwood Clarinet Choir, Liverpool and Baldwinsville Community Bands.
Michael King
Michael King received a bachelors of Music Business and Clarinet Performance from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam where he studied with Dr. Julianne Kirk-Doyle. After graduating he began working with Music & Arts as an Educational Representative working with many schools in Central New York, providing them the necessary resources they need to maintain and grow their programs. He also works as a Music Instructor with the Central Square Marching Band, his Alma Mater.
Elena Kleinhenz
Rebecca True
Rebecca True teaches general music with the Syracuse City School District. Rebecca earned a Bachelor's of Music Education from Stetson University studying with Dr. Lynn Musco. After several years of teaching, she earned a Master of Music in clarinet performance with a concentration in music theory at the University of Florida studying with Mitchell Estrin. Rebecca enjoys playing with the Silverwood Clarinet Choir and teaching woodwind lessons online to students around the world.
Anastasia Urtz
Anastasia Urtz is a college administrator and lawyer who took a hiatus from serious musical study in college on the road to a busy career. When her career and musical paths crossed once again several years ago, she rediscovered an old friend in the clarinet. Today Anastasia plays principal clarinet with the Cazenovia Community Band, plays in the Onondaga Community College Wind Ensemble, other regional groups, and now Silverwood. Anastasia’s life in music is a testament to the profound and lasting impact of the teachers who introduced her to the clarinet, especially the late Sheldon V. Endres, with whom she studied privately in her formative years.
Anastasia Urtz is a college administrator and lawyer who took a hiatus from serious musical study in college on the road to a busy career. When her career and musical paths crossed once again several years ago, she rediscovered an old friend in the clarinet. Today Anastasia plays principal clarinet with the Cazenovia Community Band, plays in the Onondaga Community College Wind Ensemble, other regional groups, and now Silverwood. Anastasia’s life in music is a testament to the profound and lasting impact of the teachers who introduced her to the clarinet, especially the late Sheldon V. Endres, with whom she studied privately in her formative years.
Wally Merriam
Wally Merriam is an ophthalmologist in Syracuse who began playing clarinet in fourth grade. In high school, he studied with Louis Bartolone, who was the first clarinet player in the West Point Military Band. After college and medical school he did not play clarinet but took piano lessons. He resumed playing clarinet about 10 years ago and is currently a member of the Central Winds Music Educators Wind Ensemble and the Silverwood Clarinet Choir and the Phoenix Community Band.
Wally Merriam is an ophthalmologist in Syracuse who began playing clarinet in fourth grade. In high school, he studied with Louis Bartolone, who was the first clarinet player in the West Point Military Band. After college and medical school he did not play clarinet but took piano lessons. He resumed playing clarinet about 10 years ago and is currently a member of the Central Winds Music Educators Wind Ensemble and the Silverwood Clarinet Choir and the Phoenix Community Band.