The Instrumental Music Program at Blair offers the student a multi-faceted range of experiences. From private lessons to a large Orchestra, students are exposed to all aspects of instrumental music, much of which meets during the academic day as full-credit classes. Instrumental students perform four major concerts each year, in addition to providing music for vespers services and other school functions.
Blair releases new CD, “Live”
Members of the music department are pleased to announce the release of their newest CD, “Live.” This double disc CD features Blair’s vocal and instrumental students and includes 27 tracks taken from concert seasons 2006-2009. Highlights include Jazz Ensemble’s Seven Steps to Heaven, String Orchestra’s “Spring” from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons and Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings, The Blair Academy Singers performing Fair Phyllis and Zion’s Walls, the Blair String Trio, and the Blair Orchestra performing Pirates of the Caribbean and The William Tell Overture. CDs are on sale for $15 and will be available for purchase at all music department performances, through the Blair bookstore and through the Blair Web site. All proceeds will go towards Blair’s orchestra trip this coming June.
Recent Performances and Tour Information
View Video of Historic “First” for Music Department From William Tell Overture to Pirates of the Caribbean
May 1 – often called May Day – is a celebration of Spring (recall the maypole), Labor Day in many countries, and even a bank holiday in the United Kingdom. But at Blair, May 1, 2009, will go down in School history as the first time Blair has boasted a full orchestra. View an excerpt by clicking the arrow button below.
Under the direction of Jennifer Pagotto, members of the music department took to the stage on Friday evening, May 1, including the string trio, jazz ensemble, wind symphony, string orchestra and full orchestra, heralding the season with such selections – entitled appropriately enough – as Primavera Portena and Gershwin’s Summertime.
In addition to the William Tell Overture and Pirates of the Caribbean, the full orchestra played Copeland’s Variations on a Shaker Melody. Jen introduced this impressive group by noting the historical nature of the moment – not only the founding of the full orchestra but the fact that it exists because of a talent pool of “high caliber” musicians. At the conclusion of their three selections, orchestra members received a standing ovation from the audience.
Please click here to view photos from the evening's performances.
Click arrow button to start/pause video.
New York Philharmonic Trip January 22, 2009 Blair’s instrumental and vocal music students traveled to New York City in January to visit the New York Philharmonic and tour Lincoln Center. Students heard masterworks by Franz Joseph Haydn and Johannes Brahms, as well as a solo vocal performance by internationally renowned baritone Thomas Quastoff. In addition to seeing this world-class orchestra perform, students toured the facilities at Lincoln Center, including Avery-Fisher Hall, the Metropolitan Opera House, New York State Theatre, the Vivian Beaumont Theatre and Alice Tully Hall.
The Blair Academy String Ensemble and Singers Take an International Tour Director of Instrumental Music Jen Pagotto recounts the European tour of the Blair Singers and String Ensemble as they made their way through Prague, Vienna and Budapest in June.
In early June, the Blair Academy Singers and String Ensemble embarked on an Eastern Europe concert tour, the first trip ever for a Blair Academy instrumental ensemble and the first tour in four years for Singers. During the 12-day trip, we performed four full concerts, participated in two mass services and gave several informal performances in Prague, Vienna and Budapest. Each performance received enthusiastic applause and requests for encores.
Blair On Stage Friday, October 23
9:00 PM Dubois Theatre, Armstrong-Hipkins Center for the Arts
A special preview of Blair’s performing arts for parents of Blair students.
Fall Concert
Friday, November 20 7:30 PM Dubois Theatre, Armstrong-Hipkins Center for the Arts
Join the Instrumental and Vocal ensembles for an evening of music.
Christmas Vespers
Sunday, December 6
4:30 PM & 7:00 PM
The First Presbyterian Church, Blairstown, NJ
The Blair Academy String Orchestra and Singers perform carols for our traditional candlelight service.
Friday Night Arts
Friday, April 30
7:30 PM Dubois Theatre, Armstrong-Hipkins Center for the Arts
Singers, dancers, strings, jazz and wind ensemble.
Introduction
The Blair Academy String Ensemble and Singers Take an International Tour