(MAURICETOWN, NJ) -- Maurice River Music’s series of salon concert will return for its 14th season of salon concerts with debut salon concert appearances by tubist Scott Mendoker and pianist Elisabeth Tomczyk, on Sunday, November 7 at 2:30pm, at a residence in the Mauricetown, NJ area.
Their program will include David Uber’s Legend of the Purple Hills and David Sampson’s Sightline, both written for Mendoker; John Stevens’ Autumn; Barbara York’s Snapshots, with poems by Steven A. Ridpath; Halsey Stevens’ Sonatina; Jan Sandström’s Sång till Lotta; Steven Heitzer’s Suite for Tuba and Piano; and Harold Arlen’s Over the Rainbow, arranged by Heitzer.
Scott Mendoker has performed recitals and given master classes in Japan, Taiwan, South Africa, Bolivia, and throughout the United States. Highlights include the world premieres of The Bezoar Concerto by Vern Miller, Jr. with the United States Army Band, “Pershing’s Own”, Serenata for Solo Tuba and Wind Ensemble by David Sampson in Carnegie Hall with the Rutgers Wind Ensemble and, again, with the United States Air Force Academy Band in Denver and Heavy Weather for Solo Tuba and Wind Ensemble by Jess Langston Turner at the University of Hartford’s Hartt School.
He has also recorded Heavy Weather with the Hartt Wind Ensemble for the Naxos label. Other recordings include Kansas City Dances, a tuba concerto by David Holsinger with the Rutgers University Wind Ensemble , and works by Eddie Sauter, and other works by Sampson on the Mark, Summit Records, and Naxos labels
Mendoker has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony, American Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. From 1979 to 1982,, he was principal tuba with the National Symphony Orchestra of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)
He was a longtime student of the late Arnold Jacobs, widely considered to be one of the greatest brass teachers of the 20th century and principal tuba with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for over 44 years. He has also studied with Warren Deck, retired principal tuba with the New York Philharmonic. Mendoker’s former students hold positions in many highly-respected colleges and universities, several major orchestras both in the United States and abroad, as well as some of our nation’s top military bands.
Before joining The Hartt School of the University of Hartford, CT, he served on the faculty of the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University for 21 years. He is a member of the award-winning brass quintet, Philadelphia Brass, and is an endorsing artist for Eastman Tubas.
Elisabeth Tomczyk is a sought-after collaborator and chamber musician based in Vernon, CT. A native of Wisconsin, she began her study of piano at the age of three and was accompanying choirs and instruments by the age of nine. Currently on staff at The Hartt School, she performs in over 100 concerts a year with students, faculty, and guest artists. She is also an avid supporter of current music, premiering and recording many new works.
She performs regularly with the Hartford Independent Chamber Orchestra (HICO) and has done concerts all over the United States and Europe including New York City, Boston, St. Louis, Washington D.C., Vienna and Reykjavik.
Tomczyk holds a Master of Music in piano performance from The Hartt School, having studied with Dr. David Westfall, and a Bachelor of Music in piano from Webster University, having studied with Daniel Schene. She is also an avid sewist and bag designer, running a small business on Etsy.
Future Maurice River Music salon concerts will include a return appearance by pianist Clipper Erickson on January 9, 2022, return appearances by flutist Janet Somers and pianist Norma Meyer on January 30, the Lyra Flute Quartet on February 20, and La Bernardinia Baroque Ensemble: Rainer Beckmann (recorders), Donna Fournier (viola de gamba), and Marcia Kravis (harpsichord) on March 27. All concerts will be at 2:30pm.
Seating is limited to 20 persons, so prompt reservations are required. Donations to assist in covering expenses will be accepted. It is expected that those attending will be fully vaccinated and those attending must wear masks. To reserve seats, receive directions, or receive more information on the series, please call Maurice River Music at 856-506-0580, e-mail them at [email protected], or visit their website at www.mauricerivermusic.com.
For those not wishing to attend in person, a video recording of the concert will be sent by e-mail to those who send a check in the amount of their choosing and made out to the artist, with a deadline of arrival by the Friday before the concert. Checks must be sent to Maurice River Music, PO Box 133, Mauricetown, NJ, 08322. Please include your e-mail address and telephone number on the check.
