PV @ Kean University - April 24, 2014

PV was featured on the Ars Vitalis New Music Series at Kean University, hosted by one of PV's commissioned composers and faculty member at Kean, Matthew Halper (his "Trio [2008] released by PV on New American Masters, Volume 4).  We performed "Thumbnail Moon" [2009] by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, Melinda Wagner (New American Masters, Vol. 4) and "Trio No. 2 [2006] by Frank Ezra Levy (New American Masters, Vol. 2).  The concert was well attended, well received and followed by a yummy reception.

View fullsize

                    (l-r) Margaret, Melinda Wagner, Matthew Halper, Don, Frank Ezra Levy at the reception

NAM5 Release Party - April 1, 2014

The Puffin Foundation in Teaneck, NJ graciously hosted our New American Masters, Volume 5 release party on Tuesday April 1.  We had a nice group of friends who turned out to celebrate this milestone with us.  And even one of our composers was able to make it, Raymond Wojcik.  He was delighted when instead of performing a selection from his piece on the new release, we performed the arrangement of his "Love Song" that he had given us in 2012.  It was the first time he had gotten to hear it - the audience loved it!  We followed the short performance with a delicious reception and CD Signing!

PV @ Park Ridge - March 2, 2014

Just the very next day we performed a completely different program at the Park Ridge First Congregational Church on their 1st Sunday Concert series.  Our theme was "Hands Around the Globe" a variation on our "Around the World in 80 Minutes" program.  We featured the world premiere of "Fantasie" [2013] by Chilean-born composer, pianist and music director at the church, Patricio Molina.  His new work was enthusiastically received and we all enjoyed a delightful reception following the concert!

View fullsize

                                                              PV with composer Patricio Molina

PV Series Concert # 3 - "Musical Tales" - March 1, 2014

We all had a great time on March 1st.  Listening to Broadway Superstar and Tony Nominee Rob McClure weave his tales throughout our music was an adventure and the audience greatly enjoyed it!  Our guest artist, Owen Davitt, from Montclair State University dazzled us all with his beautiful playing!

View fullsize

                                     PV with guest artists Owen Davitt, oboe and Rob McClure, narrator

PV @ MSU - January 24, 2014

PV was featured on Ron Levy's "In Celebration of Composers" recital at Montclair State University, an encore presentation of his sold out performance last November in Carnegie Hall.  We performed "Whee!" [2013] by John Lampkin and  Patrick Finley's "Sonata for Flute, Clarinet & Piano" [2012].  

View fullsize

                                                John Lampkin's piece is appropriately titled "WHEE"!!

PV Series Concert #2 - Holiday Gala - December 7, 2013

Photos from our annual Holiday Gala at the 1st Presbyterian Church of Englewood - December 7th.  Guest artists Katy Henly, soprano and David Macfarlane, organist and music director at the church captivated and delighted our audience.  Katy's dad, Rick Henly appeared as a trumpet soloist with Katy and we were regaled with the sounds of the season before the concert and during intermission by the MSU's "Brass Force Five".  We also celebrated the world premiere of "Trio for Flute, Clarinet & Piano" by Bergen County composer and educator Patrick Finley.

View fullsize

             PV with Guest Artists Rick Henly, trumpet, Katy Henly, soprano and David Macfarlane, organist.  

View fullsize

                                            Brass Force Five plus one; guest artist Chris Hettema

View fullsize

                                         First Presbyterian Church decorated for the Christmas Season

PV @ Carnegie Hall - November 29, 2013

PV was featured on RonLevy's recent sold-out recital "In Celebration of the Composer" in Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall - November 29, 2013.  We performed two World Premieres; "More or Less Merengue"[2011] by Fred Messner commissioned by Elliot Pollack in honor of Ron and "Whee!" [2013] by John Lampkin commissioned by Ron Levy for this concert.  We also performed "Rondo for Ron" by Nancy Bloomer Deussen commissioned in 2011 by Ron Levy.

View fullsize

 PV with 13 of the 16 composers featured on Ron Levy's "In Celebration of the Composer" - 11-29-13 

(l-r) Margaret, Nancy Bloomer Deussen, Eric Ewazen, Joseph Turrin, Don Mokrynski, Ron Levy, David Gilbert, Patrick Finley, Michael D. Parsons, Godfrey Schroth, David Sampson, Dennis LeoGrande, Sunbin Kim, Ben Hackett, Fred Messner, John Lampkin

PV @ Maurice River Music - November 3, 2013

Back for their second appearance at Maurice River Music, PV performed their "H2O" program - all works inspired by various forms of water.  Highlighted on the program was David Sampson's "Undercurrents Redux" [2010] (to be released on their newest album of New American Masters next spring).  The concert series is run by esteemed composer and lecturer, Paul Mack Somers, also one of PV's commissioned composers, His "Arch of Miniatures" [2004] was included on our very first volume of New American Masters!

View fullsize

                                          PV with composers Paul Mack Somers and David Sampson

PV Series Concert #1 - October 12, 2013

PV opened its 11th season of concerts with "PV - The Next Generation" on Saturday October 12, 2013.  Guest Artists featured were MSU students Kyra Sims, French horn and Andrew Pecota, bassoon.  Our annual Young Artist Recognition Award was presented to Jacqueline Romeo, a senior at Westwood High School and our featured composer was Michael Parsons, whose Trio {2012] for flute, bass clarinet & piano won top young composer prizes from both BMI & ASCAP!!

View fullsize

PV with guest artists Kyra Sims & Andrew Pecota.  Seated are award winner Jacqueline Romeo and composer Michael Parsons