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Our Mission
Gateway Classical Music Society
was founded to foster excitement, appreciation and popularity for
classical music by presenting performances designed to achieve
impact and intimacy, and to provide opportunities for artists to
develop their skills and careers.
Our Philosophy
We are an organization dedicated to
bringing the thrill of great classical music performances to
audiences in city and suburban neighborhoods everywhere — not just
in the rarified precincts of large metropolitan concert halls, but
in houses of worship, theaters and other intimate settings. Gateway
presents high quality concerts of large music works, (opera,
symphony, oratorio) and highlights thereof, with intensity and
visceral impact.
Our aim is to make classical music
works of art more accessible to the public at large. We believe
there is great public hunger for the fruits of profound artistic
genius, irrespective of labels like ''classical.'' An example from
the world of visual art illustrates this point: In 1995, the
National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. presented a retrospective
exhibition of masterpieces by Johannes Vermeer. People from all
walks of life began lining up to see the paintings at 5:00 a.m. —
5:00 in the morning! In Germany, audiences hail the Berlin
Philharmonic with the ebullient enthusiasm that American audiences
lavish on rock and roll stars. Gateway believes that we can make a
difference in building that kind of popularity for classical music
in America.
History
Gateway has been in existence since
July of 2004 and, since that time, has produced several large music
works under our Great Works of Art up Close and Personal program in Connecticut and New York City with full orchestra, chorus
and soloists acquired through competitive audition. Beginning in
October, 2004 with Verdi’s Aida, Gateway produced Carmen
and Aida in 2005 and the Verdi Requiem as well as
a concert of Highlights of orchestral overtures, opera arias
and ensembles in 2006.
Audience Response
After our inaugural performance of
Aida, a young man exclaimed, ''Wow! I had no idea opera could
be like this. I was blown away.'' A woman who insisted her reluctant
husband attend Aida reported, ''His whole personality
changed. He couldn’t wait to clap and yell ‘bravo’ at every possible
opportunity. I’ve never seen him so excited by a concert.'' A young
woman who took her grandparents to see the Verdi Requiem said, ''They usually fall asleep at concerts but they were both
sitting there with their eyes wide open the whole time and said
afterwards that it was the best thing they’d ever heard.''
Artistic Director
Ida Angland is the Artistic
Director and Conductor for Gateway Classical Music Society.
Capitalizing upon her extensive experience as assistant conductor
and protégé to a world-recognized conductor,
Ida Angland’s commitment to providing opportunities for deserving
artists and connecting the public to high art on a powerful level
has, through her leadership, enabled Gateway to produce several
highly successful performances under Gateway’s Great Works of Art
Up Close and Personal program.
Our Programs
Great Works of Art Up Close
and Personal
This program features large works
of art (operas, symphonies and oratorios) presented in concert; or,
in some cases, with minimal staging etc., in somewhat smaller than
conventional venues. Musical masterworks presented in this way
provide greater intimacy between artists and listeners, thus
enabling the emotional impact of the music to be experienced with
the intensity and passion intended by the composer.
Masterworks Illuminated
This program is designed to
illuminate great musical masterpieces in concerts that will
encompass performances of complete works, or excerpts thereof, that
are highlighted by one or more innovative devices; such as,
narration and biographical vignettes. The aim of this program is to
open new vistas of music pleasure and appreciation to the general
public, families and young adults.
Organizational Structure
Our governing component consists of
a board of directors and an advisory board comprising artists and
business experts in diverse professional fields. Our artistic
component consists of an orchestra, chorus and soloists acquired
through competitive audition.
Future Plans
As growth allows, expanded programs
will be introduced to fulfill the mission. Among these will be the
development of an apprentice program for exceptionally talented
young adults that will help bridge the gulf between formal education
and a professional career.
Quotations
Oct 10, 2004 inaugural
performance of Verdi’s Aida in Old Greenwich, Connecticut ''…This
very professional group deserves much praise for its performance and
for adding yet another dimension to the lives of those fortunate
enough to have enjoyed their debut…'' Letter to the
editor…Greenwich Post, Oct. 14, 2004
May 22 and May 23, 2005
Bizet’s Carmen in Old Greenwich, CT ''On May 21, we attended a
rousing and magnificent performance of Bizet’s Carmen… Ida Angland
conducted a thrilling and compelling performance… The superb Gateway
Classical Music Society should not be a rose in the desert for none
to see…'' Letter to the editor…Greenwich Time, June 13,
2005
October 20, 2005 Gateway’s
New York City debut with Verdi’s Aida ''From the opening
bars to the soaring passages of The Grand March…to the silence of
the tomb finale, the superb Gateway Orchestra and Chorus sang as one
breath. The audience heard nuances and colors in the score that were
a revelation…This was an unforgettable experience and we all welcome
this new and amazing company to New York City.'' Review…The Italian Voice, Nov. 17, 2005
April 29 and May 2, 2006
Verdi Requiem in Old Greenwich and New York City ''The
soft opening notes took one into a spiritual realm that grew and
reached heights and depths that only a sorcerer could delve… The
orchestra literally wept in the Lacrymosa. Never have I heard it so
powerfully done.'' Review of Verdi Requiem in New York …
The Italian Voice, May 11, 2006
June 28, 2006 Highlights in
New York City ''Under the inspiring leadership of conductor Ida
Angland, an unforgettable magic carpet of a musical journey awaited
us… The cheers of the audience resounded throughout the church.
There is a great need for this kind of evening in the lives of us
all.'' Review of Highlights…The Italian Voice, July 6,
2006
Gateway Classical Music Society is
a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. All contributions are tax
deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
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