Ben Aldridge, trumpet
Lecturer of Music (Trumpet). BA, Yale University; MM, Yale School of Music. Member of the Northeast Pennsylvania Philharmonic and the Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, as well as the Binghamton Philharmonic and the Utica and Catskill Symphonies. Performs with and arranges for the Catskill Brass Quintet. Charter member of the International Trumpet Guild. Recordings on Columbia and Redwood records.
Donald Robertson, low brass
Lecturer in Music (low brass). Donald Robertson has been an Adjunct Lecturer in the music department at Binghamton University since 1974. He currently teaches all low brass instruments and coaches a low brass ensemble. He held a similar position at Hartwick College for ten years, and was the middle school band director in Sidney N.Y. from 1969 until 2006. Mr. Robertson received a B.M. from Ithaca College and a M.M. from Binghamton University. He has done post-graduate work at Yale University, Syracuse University, and the University of Colorado at Boulder. His trombone teachers include Reginald Fink, John Swallow, Per Brevig and Bill Harris.
Mr. Robertson is a member of the International Trombone Association and was invited to perform at International Trombone Festivals in Boulder Co. and Ithaca, N.Y. As a member of the Glimmerglass Trombone Quartet, he has also performed with the U.S. Army Orchestra and the U.S. Army Band at Eastern Trombone Workshops in Arlington, Va. Mr. Robertson is currently Principal Trombone with the Binghamton Philharmonic and the Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, and is a member of the Catskill Brass Quintet and the Glimmerglass Trombone Quartet. He is also frequently employed to back touring artists who perform in the upstate area. Private study on trombone with Reginald Fink, John Swallow, Per Brevig, and Bill Harris. Recipient of full scholarships from Yale Summer School of Music and the Aspen Music Festival. Currently principal trombone with the Binghamton Philharmonic and the Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra and a founding member of the Catskill Brass Quintet and the Hartwick Trombone Quartet. Served as principal trombone with the Tri-Cities Opera and the B.C. Pops Orchestras, and has performed with the Royal Philharmonic under Daniele Gati, the Aspen Chamber Symphony, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, and many regional orchestras. Performed at the 1998 International Trombone Festival in Boulder, Colorado, and at the 2000 and 2001 Eastern Trombone Workshop in Arlington, Virginia. Free-lance performances with touring productions of the Ice Capades, Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus, and the Moscow Circus and nationally known artists such as Bob Hope, Richard Klein, Dionne Warwick, Glen Campbell, Tom Jones, Sergio Franchi, Vic Damone, Bobby Vinton, and Lori Morgan.
Brian Sternberg, french horn
Lecturer (French Horn). BS Ithaca College. Studied the French horn with John Barrows, Joseph Singer, Harry Shapiro, Gunther Schuller, Milan Yancich, John Covert, Robert Prins and Theo Rollins. Performed with such artists as Gary Graffman, Leonard Rose, Placido Domingo, Richard Leech, Toby Hanks (tuba), David Ohanion (French horn-Canadian Brass Quintet), Connie Stevens, Sergio Franchi, Enzo Stuarte, Robert Rauch (French horn), and Barry Tuckwell (French horn). Performing member with the Binghamton Philharmonic, BC Pops, Tri- Cities Opera and Binghamton Woodwind Quintet. Member of the music faculty since 1977.
Paul Goldstaub, music theory and composition -see under theory
Bruce Borton, choral
Associate Professor of Music (Director of Choral Activities, University Chorus, Director of Graduate Studies in Music). Other assignments include teaching voice and directing the undergraduate and graduate choral conducting program. Served as department chair from 1998-2004. BMusEd. (magna cum laude) Illinois Wesleyan University; MM (vocal performance) Southern Illinois University; DMA (choral conducting) College Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati. Studied conducting with David Nott, Robert Kingsbury, Elmer Thomas, John Leman, and Robert Shaw. 1983 thesis, The Choral works of Domenico Scarlatti, a nominee for the Julius Herford choral dissertation award. Previously on the faculty of West Georgia College. Fourteen seasons as a performing member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Chamber Chorus, and from 1978 to 1988, served as rehearsal assistant to the chorus's music director, Robert Shaw. Assisted in the preparation of the chorus for performances and for its acclaimed series of recordings for the Telarc label. Served as conductor of the Binghamton Symphony Chorus from 1988-91, and continues to prepare choruses for Binghamton Philharmonic choral-orchestral performances. Choruses under his direction have toured throughout the United States and in Poland and Romania. His choruses have performed with The Catskill Symphony, and Binghamton Community Orchestra. Choral compositions and arrangements include published works with Broadman Press and Pro Art Publications. Active clinician and adjudicator in the New York area, and member of the American Choral Directors Association and Music Educators National Conference. He has been an active church musician, serving various churches for over 30 years. Member of the music faculty since 1988.
Peter Browne, chorus
Lecturer of Music (Harpur Chorale). BA (Organ), Bard College; MM (organ performance), Binghamton University. Studied organ with Paul Jordan and M. Searle Wright, and choral conducting with David Buttolph and Sir David Willcocks. Accompanist for University Chorus, Binghamton University. Interim choral director at Binghamton University 1986-87. Organist and choir director, Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church, Binghamton. Has appeared as conductor, accompanist and recitalist throughout eastern U.S. and Canada, and in England and Wales. Member of music faculty since 1998.
Michael Carbone, jazz
Lecturer of Music (Jazz Ensemble Director, Jazz Improvisation). BME Crane School of Music; MM (saxophone performance) Binghamton University. Private study with Dr. James Stoltie, J.R. Montrose and April Lucas. Director of middle school concert band and jazz ensemble, and co&endash;director of high school jazz ensemble in Johnson City School District. Private saxophone and jazz improvisation instructor. Member of Music Unlimited/Swing Street jazz groups, Central New York Big Band, Danny D'Imperio Big Band Bloviation, and leader of contemporary jazz group Cosa Nova. Served as guest conductor for Seneca and Tompkins County Music Educators Festivals, and as Saxophone/Jazz Improvisation Instructor for NYS School of Music of the Arts. Appeared with numerous artists, including Frank Foster, Al Martino, Natalie Cole, Tommy Tune, Mel Torme, Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Engelbert Humperdinck, Slam Stewart, Nick Brignola, Steve Gilmore, Tom Whaley, Duffy Jackson, Jeff Jarvis, and Jacque Washington. Member of the music faculty since 1997.
Timothy Perry, orchestra
Conductor and clarinetist Timothy Perry is currently Chair of the Department of Music and Director of the University Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. Dr. Perry joined the Binghamton University faculty in 1986, became Professor of Music in 2002 and received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Creative Activities in 2005. Prior to coming to Binghamton Dr. Perry taught at Bemidji (MN) State University from 1981-1986 and was a member of the Catskill Conservatory (Oneonta, NY) from 1979-1981. Mr. Perry hold the DMA, MMA and MM degrees from the Yale School of Music where he studied conducting with Otto-Werner Mueller, John Mauceri and Arthur Weisberg and Clarinet with Keith Wilson. He holds the B. Mus. degree in Clarinet Performance from the Manhattan School of Music where he was a pupil of Leon Russionoff, and attended the University of Wisconsin as a pupil of Glenn Bowen. As Music Director, Dr. Perry has directed the University Orchestra since 1986, directed the University Wind Ensemble from 1986-2005 and led the Binghamton Community Orchestra from 1994-2004. As Clarinetist he served as United States Musical Ambassador and has presented at three world conferences of the International Clarinet Association. He currently serves as President of the Northeast Division of the College Orchestra Directors' Association (CODA) and as New York representative to the National Association of Music Executives of State Universities (NAMESU) and is a member of the International Clarinet Association. He remains active on several locally and internationally as soloist, chamber musician and guest conductor.
Robert Smith, band
Lecturer in Music. Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Hartwick College, a Master of Music in Conducting from Binghamton University and a candidate for the Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Education from Boston University. Conductor of the Maine Community Band, the oldest band of its kind in the United States, and coordinator/conductor of the annual observance of TubaChristmas, an international event. Guest conducted all-county and community bands throughout central New York as well as the Goshen College (IND) Wind Ensemble and Orchestra. Conducting teachers include Frederick Fay Swift, Thurston Dox, Thomas Ives, Timothy Perry, Robin Linaberry, John Graulty and Mariusz Smolij. Principal euphonium with the Southern Tier Concert Band, and tuba with the Brass Nickel quintet and the Crown City Brass sextet. Immediate past president of Broome County Music Educators Association and recipient of the 2005 BCMEA Distinguished Service Award. Memberships include the New York State School Music Association, Music Educators National Conference, The National Band Association, The Association of Concert Bands, the Conductors Guild, the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, the College Band Directors National Association and the International Tuba and Euphonium Association. Member of the music faculty since 2005.
Jonathan Biggers, history/theory & organ/harpsichord
-see under KEYBOARD
James Burns, ethnomusicology
Assistant Professor of Music (Ethnomusicology). BA University of Texas , Austin, PhD School of Oriental and African Studies, London . Research Interests: Music, Languages, Religions, and Literatures of Africa and the Diaspora. Professor Burns joined the Binghamton faculty in 2005, having previously lectured in African music and culture at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London , and in African drumming at Goldsmiths College and City College of London. As an active ethnographic researcher, he has conducted over 6 years of ongoing fieldwork in Ghana , Togo , and Benin with Ewe-Fon, Akan, and Dagbamba (Dagomba) ethnic groups. Recently, he was the ethnomusicologist for a project entitled Transformations in African Music and Dance at the AHRC Centre for Cross-Cultural Music and Dance Performance based in the U.K. This research supported the publication of the multi-media work Our Music has become a Divine Spirit: Female voices from an Ewe dance-drumming tradition in Ghana - comprised of an ethnography of female musicians in Ghana accompanied by an original DVD documentary (Ashgate and SOASIS). Additional publications include a CD of Ewe dance-drumming entitled EWE DRUMMING FROM GHANA : the soup which is sweet draws the chairs in closer (2005 Topic Records), and the article “My mother has a television, does yours? Transformation and secularization in an Ewe funeral drum tradition,” published in the journal Oral Tradition (October 2005, online at: http://journal.oraltradition.org/issues/20ii/burns ). Professor Burns is also a performing musician of African and Afro-Caribbean traditional musics and directs the Nukporfe Dance-Drumming Ensemble at Binghamton .
Paul Goldstaub, theory and composition
Professor of Music Theory and Composition, Coordinator for Music Theory and director of Musica Nova concerts. BM, Ithaca College, MM and DMA, Eastman School of Music. Composition studies with Karel Husa, Samuel Adler and Warren Benson. Studies in Schenkerian Analysis with Dr. Charles Burkhart. Teaching positions at Ithaca College , College-Conservatory of Music of University of Cincinnati, Mankato ( Minnesota ) State University, and Eastern Michigan University. Guest lectures at Oberlin Conservatory, Syracuse University, Wells College, St. Olaf College, the Chautauqua Institution, and the Institute for Contemporary Music Education at St. Thomas University. Papers and workshops presented at national meetings of College Music Society, the National Association of Schools of Music, New York State School Music Association, New York State Music Teachers Association, and many colleges and universities. Articles published in the Music Educators Journal and the Encyclopedia of American Literature of the Sea and the Great Lakes. Guest performer at Syracuse University , regional meeting of the American Guild of Organists, and as pianist/composer for the dance program at Eastern Michigan University. Compositions performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, off-off Broadway, and in Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Japan, Russia and Italy. Awarded grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, Meet the Composer, and the Minnesota State Arts Board. Annual awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). National finalist in the St.Paul Chamber Orchestra's American Composer Competition. Works performed by the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Guthrie Theater, Minnesota Opera, Society for New Music, Cincinnati Opera and in many on-campus concerts with other faculty. Music published by Lawson-Gould, Roger Dean Publishing Company, Ken Dorn Publications and International Trombone Press/Southern Music. A compact disc of his instrumental music, featuring performances of five of his pieces, released in 1998. Member of the music faculty since 1998.
Marcus Lalli, history/theory
Lecturer of Music (Popular Music History, Jazz Appreciation, Music Theory for Non-Majors and Jazz Theory and Harmony). LA/AS Broome Community College, BA in Music Binghamton University, MM in Composition Binghamton University. Studied composition and arranging with David Brackett, Paul Goldstaub, and Michael Carbone, and private piano study with Douglas Beardsley. Served as the president for the Harpur Jazz Project, and as principal pianist for the Harpur Jazz Ensemble, appearing with many nationally recognized jazz artists including Rob McConnell, Rufus Reid, John McNeil, Houston Person, Jeff Jarvis, Bill Easley, and Dave Stryker. Compositions have been performed by the Binghamton University Harpur Jazz Ensemble and by graduate music students at Binghamton University. Worked as a professional vocalist and keyboardist both locally and regionally with a popular area group as well as his own original group. Owner and operator of a commercial recording facility for over a decade, and as an independent producer and songwriter, he has appeared on many regionally and nationally released CD's on independent labels as a guest artist/musician, and producer. Faculty member at Broome Community College teaching Sound Engineering and Music Theory and a member of the Binghamton University Music faculty since 2004.
Alice Mitchell, history
Associate Professor of Music (Music History and Literature). BA cum laude, Hunter College of the City of New York; MA with distinguished recital, Smith College. ABD Columbia University. Elected to Phi Beta Kappa, Junior year, Kappa New Epsilon, Senior Year. Taught music history, literature, and theory, Barnard College and Columbia University. Served as Chair of Music Department., Barnard College. Taught at Queens College, Vassar College, Rutgers University, before Binghamton University. Served as Chair of Binghamton University Music Department. and initiated joint graduate program with a specialization in opera between Binghamton University and Tri-Cities Opera. Articles published in Musical Quarterly, Musical Heritage Review; translated and edited Treatise on Improvisation by Carl Czerny, op 200 (Schirmer). Liner notes for Dover Records, program notes for Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, and music reviews for Sun-Bulletin newspaper. Author of article on Carl Czerny in Groves Dictionary, 6th ed. Performed as pianist and accompanist at Town Hall, Steinway Hall, Brooklyn Museum, Carnegie Recital Hall, and Hunter College.
Paul Schleuse, musicology
Assistant Professor of Music (Musicology). BA cum laude and BM cum laude, Rice University; MM (Composition), Manhattan School of Music; PhD (Musicology), City University of New York. Taught Music History and Bibliography courses at New York University, Hunter College, and The City College of New York. Research interests: Italian secular music of the 16th and 17th centuries, especially the works of Orazio Vecchi and Claudio Monteverdi, expression and representation in the Italian madrigal, and the organization of music books; also, text-music relations, 20th-century opera, and minimalism and post-minimalism. Edition of Orazio Vecchi's Selva di varia ricreatione (1590) forthcoming; papers read at national and chapter meetings of the American Musicological Society, the Society for Seventeenth-Century Music (awarded the Irene Alm Prize), The Renaissance Society of America, The Medieval & Renaissance Music Conference (Europe), and by invitation to the International Conference for the Quatercentenary of the Death of Orazio Vecchi, Modena (published proceedings forthcoming). As a composer, works commissioned and premiered by The Houston Symphony, The Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, The Menil Collection (Houston), and Cantori New York. As a singer, performed in choruses with several major orchestras at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and The Brooklyn Academy of Music, as well as in workshops with The Tallis Scholars, Jeffrey Skidmore (Ex Cathedra), and Andrew Carwood (The Cardinall's Musick). Member of the Music Faculty since 2006 .
Michael Carbone
See CONDUCTORS
Jonathan Biggers, organ/harpsichord & history/theory
Dr. Biggers hailed as "one of the most outstanding concert organists in the United States," maintains an active career as both a professor of organ and harpsichord, and as a concert organist of the first order. He holds the prestigious Edwin Link Endowed Professorship in Organ and Harpsichord at Binghamton University (State University of New York), and has presented hundreds of concerts in church and university settings throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. He has appeared as a featured soloist with orchestras in both the United States and Canada, including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Calgary Philharmonic, and has been featured frequently on NPR ("Pipedreams"), the Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC), and on Radio and Television Suisse Romande broadcasts in Geneva, Switzerland. Scott Cantrell, formerly classical critic of The Kansas City Star, stated that Biggers' performances demonstrate "authority and eloquence," and further stated "were there more performers like this, the organ would be far less a minority interest". Dr. Biggers studied with Russell Saunders (Eastman School of Music, DMA), Lionel Rogg (Conservatory of Music, Geneva Switzerland; Fulbright study); J. Warren Hutton (The University of Alabama, MM and BMus), and with Wallace Zimmerman (Atlanta, pre-college); he has also worked extensively with Harold Vogel (Bremen, Germany) and with Arthur Poister (former Professor of Organ at Syracuse University). A prizewinner of dozens of competitions, he was notably awarded a unanimous first prize in the 1985 Geneva International Competition, one of the most prestigious music competitions for organ in the world; second prize in the 1982 American Guild of Organists National Organ Playing Competition; and a unanimous first prize in the 1990 Calgary International Organ Festival Concerto Competition, where he presented with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra the world premier performance of Snowwalker: A Concerto for Organ and Orchestra by Pulitzer prize-winning composer Michael Colgrass. A champion of new music for the organ, he has premiered other works by notable 20th and 21st century composers such as Richard Proulx (Chicago; Concerto for Organ and Orchestra), Craig Phillips (Suite for Organ, Brass and Percussion), Persis Vehar (Soundpiece for Organ), and David Brackett, former composition professor at Binghamton University (Nightworks for organ). Two highly acclaimed compact disc recordings of his work have been released by Calcante Recordings (Sleepers Wake! A Reger Perspective, featuring five major organ works by Romantic composer Max Reger; and Bach on the Fritts!, featuring major organ works by Johann Sebastian Bach). At present, Dr. Biggers is embarking on a three-year presentation of the complete organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach in a series of 15 concerts, four to six events per season for the next three academic years. Plans are also underway for the production of several other CD releases in the future, including a recording of complete Bach organworks.
Ewa Mackiewicz-Wolfe, piano
Lecturer in Music (Piano). Adjunct Professor of Piano at Binghamton University received her Bachelor and Master degrees in piano Performance with honors and high distinction from the Academy of Music in Lodz, Poland, where she continued as Assistant Professor and Master Lecturer in music. The First Prize winner of the International Competition of Renaissance and Baroque Music in Warsaw, Poland Mackiewicz-Wolfe is also the recipient of numerous awards including the international music competitions in Germany and Hungary. She has participated in several music festivals such as the Festival of Karol Szymanowski, the Piano Festival of Vladislav Kedra, Poland, and chamber music festivals in Germany and Hungary. Her piano career continued further as a results of concerts arranged by the Association of Polish Artists/Musicians, Government Art Agency (PAGART), The Karol Szymanowski Musical Society, Lodz Philharmonic Society, and Various music colleges. Since 1986, Mackiewicz-Wolfe has been on the faculty of Binghamton University Music Department. She continues an active performing career as a recitalist, chamber musician and a soloist with symphony orchestras. She performed throughout Europe, Canada and the Northeast United States including Jordan Hall of the New England Conservatory of Music, Phillips Academy and Boston University. Acclaimed for her performances of Fryderyk Chopin music, she has given remembrance concerts at the Consulate General of France, the Consulate General of Poland, New York City, the Hamilton Conservatory of Arts, Hamilton, Canada and the New England Chopin Society, Boston. Her CD on Classics Label features Piano Sonatas of Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin. In the concert season of 2008-2009, Mackiewicz-Wolfe appeared in recitals and chamber music concerts featuring Grieg' Sonata for Cello and Piano with cellist Stephen Stalker; Rachmaninoff's Suites No. 1, 2 and Symphonic Dances for Two Pianos and the Binghamton premier of John Adams's Hallelujah Junction for Two Pianos with pianist Michael Salmirs as part of the Fredheim Memorial Series.
Diane Richardson, piano
-see under VOICE and OPERA
Michael Salmirs, piano
Lecturer of Music (piano). Founding member and artistic director of Finger Lakes Chamber Ensemble. Recitalist and chamber pianist who has performed throughout New York and in Boston and Cleveland. Featured pianist on the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra Sunday Chamber Series. Toured and recorded for the Syracuse Society for New Music. The recipient of several new works composed for and dedicated to him as a soloist and as a member of the Crawford-Salmirs Duo. Soloist with Cayuga Chamber Orchestra. Studied at New England Conservatory and the Eastman School of Music. Teachers include Leonard Shure and Rebecca Penneys and composer Karel Husa. On the faculty at Hobart William Smith Colleges and at Syracuse University School of Music. Member of the music faculty since 1999.
Daniel Fabricius, percussion
Lecturer of Music (percussion). MM Ithaca College. Director of Bands at Owego Free Academy since 1989. Studied with Richard Talbot and Gordon Stout. Member of the percussion section of the Binghamton Philharmonic and the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes. Known in the region as a percussion soloist, chamber ensemble player, and as an ensemble player with a variety of artists on concert tours. Professional memberships in the New York State School Music Association, the International Association of JazzEducators, the Percussive Arts Society, and the National Band Association. Two terms as President of the New York State Band Directors Association. Music education clinician at numerous New York State School Music Association Conferences. Guest conductor of honor band festivals and adjudicator for Percussion, Jazz and Band performances at music festivals throughout New York. Member of the music faculty since 1992.
Chai-Kyou Mallinson, piano/accompanist
Lecturer (Piano, Accompanist). Chai-Kyou Mallinson joined the BU faculty in the Fall semester of 1974. She was appointed to the rank of adjunct lecturer in 1986. She received the Service Recognition Award in 2002 and 2007. She received her MA in Music degree from Binghamton University where she studied with Jean Casadesus, BM degree in piano performance from Julliard School of Music where she studied with Alton Jones, and prior to that, Licence d'Enseignement from Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris, France, where she studied with Jean-Michel Damase and Jules Gentil. She teaches studio piano, and coaches and accompanies the undergraduate and graduate voice students. As a performer she accompanies the Senior Honors recitals, Master's degree recitals. She has been an active performer of solo and ensemble concerts. She organized a piano trio group called the ‘Almost All American Trio' and performed four concerts in the spring of 2009. She was awarded an Individual Artist Award 2008-2009 by the Broom County (NY) Arts Council. She received a four-year French Government Scholarship, the Fontainebleau American Conservatory Full Scholarship, and Tanglewood Summer School Full Scholarship. She is a winner of the Korean National Music Competition. She is on the board of judges for the National Guild of Piano Teachers Association. She is a member of Music Teachers National Association and Southern Tier Music Teachers Association.
William James Lawson, language and english diction
-see under VOICE AND OPERA
Margaret Reitz, piano/accompanist
Lecturer (Piano, Accompanist) is a native of the Binghamton Area. She received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in piano performance with accompanying emphasis. She attended Boston University, New England Conservatory and Binghamton University. She has studied piano with Jean Casadesus, Victor Rosenbaum, Seymour Fink and Walter Ponce and accompanying with Allen Rogers. She has accompanied throughout the United States, in England, South America, and at the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. She and Binghamton University faculty member Timothy Perry were winners of the 1997 Artistic Ambassadors Program by the United States Information Agency in partnership with the John F. Kennedy Center for the performing arts. She was an official accompanist for the MTNA State and Eastern Division Competition held at Ithaca College in 2001 and again 2006. She has been a guest chamber music artist in Morges, Switzerland. She also was selected to attend the Accompanying Workshop for Singers and Pianists held at Northwestern University with Chicago Lyric Opera Faculty and Coaches. She was recently invited to the International Clarinet Conference to play a recital with Timothy Perry, clarinetist and Stephen Stalker, cellist in Tokyo, Japan. She was a guest artist on the Cornell Summer Series this past summer. She was an official pianist at the International Double Reed Competition and Convention in 2007 at Ithaca College. She was selected to accompanying at the Interpretation of Spanish Music in conjunction with University of Madrid in Grenada, Spain July 2007 coached by Teresa Berganza and at Mannes School of Music summer 2008. She will be a Guest Artist on the Cayuga Chamber series this fall in Ithaca, NY. She will play concerts in Lenox, Ma and Manhattan this coming season.
Roberta Crawford, viola
Lecturer of Music (Viola). BFA, Fine Arts, Music Concentration, Ithaca College, Magna Cum Laude; MM Performance and Literature, Eastman School of Music. Viola studies with Jennie Hansen, George Neikrug, Heidi Castleman. Master Classes with Bruno Giuranna, Walter Trampler, Lynne Ramsey, Jeffrey Irvine. Chamber Music with the Portland and Lenox String Quartets. String Pedagogy with George Neikrug and Pamela Gearhart. Solo and Chamber recitals in the United States and the Caribbean. Numerous premieres of solo and chamber works featuring viola. Performances for Public Radio and Television. Founding member and Associate Director of Finger Lakes Chamber Ensemble. Appearances on numerous festivals including Skaneateles, Somerset, and Cornell Contemporary Festivals. Active string pedagogue, clinician, adjudicator. Member Cayuga Chamber Orchestra. Performed as a member of Portland, Binghamton and Syracuse Symphonies. Former Assistant to Heidi Castleman at the Eastman School of Music. Guest faculty member Phillips Academy, the Quartet Program, Eastman School, and Ithaca College.
Janey Choi, violin
Lecturer in Music (violin), joined the Department of Music faculty in 2006. BM, MM, The Juilliard School; DMA Mason Gross School, Rutgers University. Major teachers include Joseph Fuchs, Joel Smirnoff, Arnold Steinhardt, Harvey Shapiro. Carnegie Hall recital debut 1997, performs regularly with New York City Ballet, Mobius Ensemble, Kaleidoscope: The NY Teaching Artist Ensemble, Wired Strings, Key West Symphony Orchestra, Harrisburg Symphony, Princeton Symphony Orchestra. Former member of Santa Fe Opera, Sarasota Opera, Prometheus Chamber Orchestra. Festival appearances include Spoleto Festival Italy & USA, Mostly Mozart, Santo Domingo, Taos, Norfolk, Juilliard Focus Festival, Lilith Fair (London). National First Prize winner of Canadian Music Competition; Joseph Fuchs Prize, Juilliard Graduation Award; Artists International winner. Grant awards from Ontario Arts Council and American Music Center. Musical Director for Thomas/Ortiz Dance; Founder of Music+Art series, performances with Parsons Dance Co, Adele, Bono, Elton John, Enya, Jay-Z, Kanye West at Kennedy Center, Radio City Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Live 8, MTV, Saturday Night Live. Teaching Artist for New York Philharmonic, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
Stephen Stalker, cello/bass
Lecturer in Music (Cello, Bass). BM, MM, Manhattan School of Music. Part Time Past President of the New York Chapter of the American String Teachers Association; former Strings Chair of the New York State School Music Association; co-founder and officer of the Binghamton Cello Festival and the Southern Tier Music Teachers Association. Concerto appearances with the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, Catskill Symphony, Schenectady Symphony, Colgate Concert Orchestra, Binghamton University Symphony; former Principal of the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra; performs regularly with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic. Recital and chamber music appearances in New York State and Pennsylvania. As a member of the Madison String Quartet, Artist in Residence at Colgate University, finalist in the Evian International String Quartet Competition, finalist in the Naumberg Chamber Music Competition. As a member of the Catskill Chamber Players, concerts at Weill Recital Hall in New York City, over 70 performances in New York State.
Judy Berry, german diction
Adjunct Lecturer in German Diction.
William James Lawson, language and english diction
-see under VOICE AND OPERA
Carmen Swoffer-Penna, french diction
Adjunct Lecturer in Music and French (French Diction). BA, State University of New York at Binghamton.
Bruce Borton, voice & choral
-see under CONDUCTORS
Mary Burgess, voice/opera
Associate Professor of Music (Co-ordinator of Vocal Area, Voice, Opera). BMus Curtis Institute of Music. Private vocal study with Mme. Eufemia Giannini Gregory and Dick Marzollo. Special studies in opera and interpretation with Martial Singher and Herbert Graf. Recipient of scholarships from Brevard Music Center and Marlboro School of Music. Foundation grants from the William Matheus Sullivan Musical Foundation and from the Martha Baird Rockefeller Foundation for Music. New York City Opera debut at age 22 while still an undergraduate at Curtis Institute of Music. European opera debut at Holland Festival in title role of Cavalli's L'Erismena. Appeared as soprano soloist with over two dozen U.S. orchestras, including Boston Symphony (with Seiji Ozawa), Cleveland Orchestra (with Lorin Maazel), Chicago Symphony (with Simon Rattle), and Cincinnati Symphony (with Klaus Tennstedt, James Conlon). Appearances at such prestigious festivals as Spoleto (Italy), Ravinia, Aspen, Casals, Blossom, Chautauqua, Marlboro, and the Cincinnati May Festival, in repertory ranging from Bach to Mozart, Mahler, Ravel, and Shostakovich. Leading roles with numerous regional opera companies; repertory includes 38 opera roles from Monteverdi to Virgil Thomson, in five languages, and over forty-five works with orchestra. Recorded performances issued by CRI, CBS Masterworks, Columbia, Telarc, Sony Classics. Member of the music faculty since 1984.
William James Lawson, coach, english diction, sacred music, vocal pianist.
Adjunct Lecturer in Music. BA with Honors, Binghamton University, MA (Performance Studies) New York University. Studies in church music with M. Lee Suitor and M. Searle Wright, piano with Seymour Fink and Patricia Hanson, vocal coaching with Stevenson Barrett, voice with Curtis Streetman and Catherine Fitzmaurice. Served as Assistant Organist, University of Pittsburgh (Heinz Memorial Chapel). Organist and Director of Music Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church, New York City, since 1998. Publications include articles in The International Encyclopedia of Dance (Oxford University Press, 1998) and Ballet Review. Edited seven annual editions of Stern's Performing Arts Directory and three biennial editions of the Dance Magazine College Guide. Editions of music include Felix Draeseke's Sonata No. 2 in F Major for Viola and Piano, WoO 26, published (Wollenweber Verlag, 1996) and recorded (AK Coburg DR0001), and an 18th-century arrangement of Mozart's Gran Partita performed by the chamber ensemble An die Musik in New York City and at the Flanders Festival in Belgium. Served as librarian and research associate and wrote program notes for the Classical Band, a period-instrument orchestra in New York City directed by Trevor Pinnock. Current research interest is Anglican church music of the Victorian-Edwardian era. Member of Faculty since 1998.
Timothy LeFebvre, voice/opera
Assistant Professor of Music (voice). BFA (voice), Carnegie Mellon; MM (Opera) Binghamton University. Member of music faculty since 1998. Nationally acclaimed baritone Timothy LeFebvre recently made his debut with Opera Delaware singing Sharpless in Madama Butterfly. Other recent performances include Vaughan-Williams' Sea Symphony with Berkshire Choral Festival, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and Dvorak's Te Deum with Jacksonville Symphony, Brahms' Requiem with Chattanooga Symphony and Opera and Cornell University, and The Ballad of Baby Doe and The Coronation of Poppea with Central City Opera. Mr. LeFebvre has appeared in concert with the Jacksonville Symphony, Pensacola Symphony, West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Vermont Symphony, Minnesota Symphony, Syracuse Symphony, American Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, Spokane Symphony, Binghamton Philharmonic, Rochester Bach Festival, Berkshire Choral Festival, Williamsport Symphony, Syracuse Chamber Music Society, the Skaneateles Festival and the Marlboro Music Festival. He has also appeared in concert at New York's Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall. His operatic experience includes leading roles with Tri-Cities Opera, Sarasota Opera, Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, Syracuse Opera, Indianapolis Opera, Opera Delaware, and Opera Theater of Pittsburgh. Mr. LeFebvre is a winner of the New York Liederkranz Vocal Competition, and other awards include the Richard F. Gold Career Grant, an Opera Fellowship at Binghamton University and Regional Finalist in several Metropolitan Opera Competitions. Mr. LeFebvre is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and Binghamton University and is currently Assistant Professor of Voice at Binghamton University. Future performances include the title role in Rigoletto with Tri-Cities Opera, Messiah with Jacksonville Symphony, Ping in Turandot with Jacksonville Symphony, and the Brahms Requiem with the Binghamton Philharmonic.
Diane Richardson, vocal coach & collaborative pianist
Associate Professor of Music - part-time (Vocal Literature, Accompanying and Coaching). BM Oberlin College; MA Teachers College Columbia University. Professional training at the Juilliard School studying vocal repertoire with Sergius Kagen, Robert Starer, and piano with Adele Marcus. Studies at the Mozarteum, in Salzburg, Austria and L'Universita Per Stranieri in Perugia, Italy. Toured extensively with leading artists throughout the United States and Europe. For more than a decade, an assistant conductor with the New York City Opera Company. Taught five years at the Yale School of Music. Served as assistant conductor in the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, Italy; associated with the Santa Fe Opera Festival, and the Spoleto USA Festival in Charleston, South Carolina since its inception in 1977. Holds concurrent faculty appointments at the Juilliard School and at Binghamton University. Member of the music faculty since 1983.
Peter Sicilian, voice/opera
Artistic Director, Tri-Cities Opera
Stage Director
Director Peter Sicilian has been producing theatrically vivid and musically inspiring opera committed to enhance and broaden the appeal of a musical arts experience on the national opera scene for the past decade. Sicilian began his career as a coach accompanist under Boris Goldovsky and Arthur Lessac, pursued vocal studies and had a successful career singing over 40 roles, including leading roles in The Magic Flute, Don Giovanni, The Marriage of Figaro, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Rigoletto, joined the Tri-Cities Opera company as a stage director and was subsequently appointed Artistic Director of the company as well as the head of the Resident Artist Training Program. Receiving accolades for his direction of The Magic Flute, Madama Butterfly, Faust, Don Giovanni, The Barber of Seville, Carmen, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Hansel and Gretel, The Elixir of Love and La Bohème with Tri-Cities Opera, Sicilian's directing is described as "inventive but unobtrusively natural", and his approach to lesser performed works such as Dido and Aeneas and The Medium proved "a striking demonstration of the company's versatility". Mr. Sicilian also received critical acclaim for his direction of the 2003 National Opera Association Award winning production of Rigoletto.
Duane Skrabalak, voice/opera
Artistic Director and Resident Conductor, Mr. Skrabalak was chosen years ago by Co-Founders Carmen Savoca and Peyton Hibbitt to be the person to bring the company into its second half century and the new millennium. In addition to his duties as Artistic Director and Conductor, he is also Choral Director for TCO, Music Director of Opera-Go-Round (the touring educational program of TCO), vocal coach for the Resident Artist Training Program and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of the M.M. program with a specialization in opera at Binghamton University. Mr. Skrabalak joined TCO as a singer and pianist in 1970. He soon became choral director and eventually crossed the footlights to concentrate on conducting, coaching voice and language. He made his conducting debut in 1974 with Gounod’s Faust. Since then he has conducted more than 60 productions, as well as numerous chamber productions and excerpt shows. Among his many credits, Mr. Skrabalak served as music director for the world premiere of Myron Fink’s Chinchilla, and serves as host of TCO’s Operalogues which are also broadcast on public radio. His conducting credits include appearances with the Atlanta Civic Opera, the Jerusalem Symphony for the Israel Festival, the Clemens Center and the Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh. As a sought-after vocal recital pianist, he has toured throughout the U.S. and abroad.
Sarah Chandler, clarinet
Lecturer of Music (Clarinet). BM Northwestern University; MA the University of Iowa. Ms. Chandler has served as Lecturer of Clarinet at Binghamton University since 2007. She holds a BM from Northwestern University and an MA from the University of Iowa. Her teachers include Russell Dagon, Robert Marcellus and Clark Brody. Ms. Chandler teaches private lessons and coaches chamber ensembles at BU. She is second clarinetist with the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra and substitute clarinetist with the Binghamton Philharmonic. She has also performed as substitute clarinetist with the Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra and the Tri-Cities Opera Orchestra. Her past orchestral experience includes the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra, the New World Symphony and the Spoleto (Italy) Festival Orchestra. She was a prize winner at the International Clarinet Society Competition three times and won the grand prize in 1988. She also has pursued a career as an academic librarian, having most recently held positions at Binghamton University and Cornell University. She lives in Ithaca with her librarian husband and two young children.
John Lathwell, oboe
Lecturer of Music (Oboe). BM the University of Iowa; MM the Manhattan School of Music. Principal oboist of the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra (Ithaca, NY), the Binghamton Symphony, the Tri-Cities Opera, and the BC Pops. Chamber musician throughout the central New York area with appearances as soloist with the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, The Syracuse Society for New Music and the BC Pops. Private teacher of oboe, previously taught at Ithaca College. Primary teachers: Richard Killmer, oboe professor at the Eastman School of Music, and Joseph Robinson, principal oboist of the New York Philharmonic. Member of the music faculty since 1988.
April Lucas, saxophone
Professor of Saxophone at Binghamton University , performs as principal saxophonist and bass clarinetist with the Binghamton Philharmonic and the Tri-Cities Opera Orchestra. She is co-founder and business manager of the Empire Saxophone Quartet and tours regularly with the New Sousa Band under the direction of Keith Brion where she has appeared many times as soloist.. As a member of these organizations, Ms. Lucas has presented clinics and workshops in universities and public schools throughout the United States and Japan . Ms. Lucas has been a guest conductor for festival bands throughout New York State and Pennsylvania . She has been a past regional director for the North American Saxophone Alliance and has served on the faculties of Hartwick College and Broome Community College . Currently a music educator in the Susquehanna Valley Central School District , she has also served as an adjudicator for NYSSMA. Her recordings include releases with the Empire Saxophone Quartet, the New Sousa Band, the Saxophone Sinfonia, and the Hudson Valley Saxophone Quartet. Ms. Lucas has also performed with the Catskill Symphony, the Utica Symphony, and the Corning Symphony Orchestras. Ms. Lucas will perform with the New Sousa Band in February at the Ohio State Music Educators Conference in Cincinnati and at Ohio State University in Columbus . She will present clinics and workshops at both events. Ms. Lucas will also conduct the Pennsylvania Honors Band, grades 7 and 8, at Blue Ridge High School in April of 2008 and serve as a woodwind adjudicator for the NYSTMA solo competition to be held at Binghamton University in October of 2007. During the past few years the Empire Saxophone Quartet has been a guest performance group at the National Saxophone Conference in Montreal , Canada , performed with the United States Navy Band in Washington , DC , with the Cincinnati Conservatory Wind Ensemble, and the Madrigal Choir of Binghamton. Ms. Lucas has done several arrangements for the Empire Saxophone Quartet, including quartet accompaniments for the Madrigal Choir of Binghamton. Recordings include “Escape to the Center” ,“Winter Branches” (music by David Kechley), and “Classic Saxophone” with the Empire Saxophone Quartet; “Music from the Biltmore Estate” (works by Caryl Florio) with the New Hudson Saxophone Quartet,; The Saxophone Sinfonia” and “Holiday Homecoming” with the Saxophone Sinfoniea; and “The Original All-American Sousa” (Delos Label) with the New Sousa Band.
Georgetta Gatto Maiolo, flute
Georgetta Maiolo is a member of the faculty of Binghamton University and Broome Community College, teaching Flute and directing Flute Ensembles. From 1977 to 1996, she held the position of Assistant Professor of Flute at Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York. She also taught Flute at Hartwick College, Oneonta, New York and West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia. Mrs. Maiolo is a graduate of Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and attended graduate school at West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia. She studied with Bernard Goldberg, principal flutist of the Pittsburgh Symphony, Marcel Moyse at Marlboro School of Music, and Victor Saudek. At the age of 15, she made her solo debut with the Pittsburgh Symphony. Mrs. Maiolo is the recipient of numerous honors, including the Very Reverend Thomas J. Quigley Award, the NCMEA National music award, the Pittsburgh Tuesday Musical Club, the Enola M. Lewis Scholarship and the Mu Phi Epsilon Sterling Achievement Award. Mrs. Maiolo is the principal flutist of the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, Tri-Cities Opera Orchestra, and Downtown Singers Orchestra. In addition to her playing positions, she concertizes as a soloist, recitalist and chamber musician. Mrs. Maiolo has been recognized for the breadth of her contributions to performance and music education. She has premiered compositions for flute by Jack Martin, Dan Locklair, Edith Borroff, Malcolm Lewis, Richard Herman, Jeffrey Nitch, Timothy Rolls and Paul Goldstaub. In 1985, Mrs. Maiolo was honored to conduct the NYSSMA All-State Flute Choir. She served as the flute chairperson for the NYSSMA Manual from l981 to 2001. She is chapter advisor for Mu Phi Epsilon, Zeta Eta Chapter at Binghamton University. She is a “clinician” for the Selmer Company. She is a member of the National Flute Association. She has recorded for Crest Records and NPR. Her performances have earned her lavish praise: “Georgetta Maiolo provided some exquisite musical moments in her flute solos,” wrote Alice Mitchell in a review in The Press & Sun-Bulletin in Binghamton, New York. “Georgetta Maiolo should be singled out for praise in her work with Soprano Louise Wohlafka in the ‘Mad Scene’ in Lucia. Her tone was like another lovely voice in the cadenza…Ms. Maiolo’s wonderful tone and musicianship were in evidence here and through the entire opera,” commented a critic for WSKG-FM radio. In the August 1999 Opera News review of Tri-Cities Opera production of Die Zauberflote, William W. West stated “…with some lovely flute playing from Georgetta Maiolo”.
Timothy Perry, clarinet
-see CONDUCTORS
Martha J. Weber, bassoon
Martha Weber returned to teach Bassoon at Binghamton University in 2006. Ms. Weber has also taught bassoon at Hartwick College. She is the Band Director at Ann G. McGuinness Intermediate School, in the Union-Endicott District, where she is also a trained mentor for new teachers. Ms. Weber is a Certifed NYSSMA Adjudicator. Martha Weber received her Bachelor's of Music in Music Education and her Master's Degree in Applied Music from Ithaca College. She has done post graduate work at the American Band College. Ms. Weber has studied bassoon with Edward J. Gobrecht, Jr., David Ross and Julie Gregorian. Ms. Weber teaches bassoon lessons, bassoon methods, bassoon reed-making and small ensemble coaching at Binghamton University. Ms. Weber is a master reed maker. She studied reed-making with Edward J. Gobrecht, Jr., Louis Skinner and Julie Gregorian. Ms. Weber is actively sought for Bassoon and Reed-making Master Classes. She maintains an active private bassoon studio in her home. Ms. Weber has been a member of the Binghamton Philharmonic and Tri-Cities Opera Orchestras since 1985. She actively performs with her woodwind quintet, "The Fair Winds." She has also performed with the BC Pops, Cayuga Chamber Orchestra, Catskill Symphony, Utica Symphony and the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes. She maintains membership in the Music Educators' National Conference (MENC), for which she has had several articles published, New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA), and the International Double Reed Society (IDRS), for which she has been a presenter.
Jan Delli-Bovi, piano technician
Amy Phillips Keough, assistant to the chair
Amy Keough joined Binghamton University music staff in January 2007. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse (UWL) with a major in Nuclear Medicine Technology and a minor in Chemistry. Her careers include technical writing, and clinical and commercial nuclear medicine. Ms. Keough is musically trained in piano, flute, and voice. Amy is a proud mother of two and parent to four children, and is excited to be married to her husband and best friend, Jim. She is happy to be among the distinguished faculty and staff of Binghamton University’s Music Department.
René Neville, secretary
Ms. Neville joined the Binghamton University music staff in July 2008. She received her Associates Degree in Secretarial Science from Broome Community College and earned her Bachelors Degree from Binghamton University where she majored in English Literature and minored in Socio-Cultural Anthropology. Aside from her professional secretarial career, René is involved in community theatre and has performed with many area theatre and dance companies and is currently artistic director of A Dance Collaborative. René is married to Rick Lonzinski whom she loves for his magnificent soul, intelligent wit, and quiet strength. She hates hotdogs, laughs heartily at slapstick and buffoonery, creates at her best when surrounded by crazy friends, and hopes people will never forget to include art, dance, and music in their lives.
Pam Walker, secretary
Ms. Walker joined the Music department of BU in late summer of 2006. She received her Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts from BCC. Pam and her husband, Steven, are life-long residents of the Triple cities. They have enjoyed raising their family here. They have three grown children whose musical talents include dance, drums, piano, saxophone, guitar and voice. Pam thrives interacting with the faculty and students and loves the vibrant campus mood.
Marnie Wrighter, concert manager, joined the Binghamton University staff in August 2005. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration with a double major in Marketing and Management from St. Bonaventure University. During her time at St. Bonaventure, she spent a semester abroad at Ealing College in London, England. Upon graduation, she became the Sales Coordinator for Hilton Hotel's Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. She was then promoted to the Rye Town Hilton as the Director Conference Center where she won the prestigious Conference Center Market Sales Excellence Award from Hilton Hotels Corporation. In 1997, she moved back to her hometown of Endicott, New York and accepted the position as the Director of Marketing at Ridley-Lowell Business & Technical Institute. In 2004, she was published in Manchester's "Who's Who Among Executive and Professional Women". She was the Chair of the Ways and Means Committee and the Chair of the Cultural Arts Committee from 2007-2009 for the Tioga Hills PTA. This year she will co-Chair the PARP reading program. She is blessed to have her loving husband, Don, her two beautiful children, Brody and Tayli and her supportive family and friends and is honored to work with the exception staff and faculty in the Music Department at Binghamton University.
