The best of Baroque with renowned harpsichordist Ed Clark– April 28 at 7 PM,
Brunilda Myftaraj -Violin, Kathy Schiano – Cello
Cyber Cafe – Tunxis Community College
Program:
J. S. Bach – Sonata III in G, for Violin, Cello & Harpsichord
Joseph Haydn – Trio No 1, for Violin, Cello & Harpsichord… and more
Ed Clark / Liturgy Education: BA – Tufts University; Master of Sacred Music – Union Theological Seminary’s School of Sacred Music in NYC
How I came to First Church: Fresh out of graduate school, I joined the staff of First Church in 1965 and have been here ever since! The most important thing I do here is: As Minister of Music, I both plan and provide music for Sunday worship as well as for special services and events. I currently direct the Senior Choir, the Handbell Choir and the First Church Drum Circle. I also serve as organist and pianist and, on occasion, find myself playing other instruments such as the harpsichord, chamber organ, solo handbells, hammered dulcimer, recorder, percussion and even shofar (ram’s horn)! I also oversee our wonderful volunteers who direct the Junior and Children’s Choirs. Additional Pursuits: When I’m not working at First Church, I enjoy making more music in my role as freelance musician in the southern New England area. This includes playing the organ and harpsichord with various professional orchestras, as well as with professional and amateur ensembles and choral groups. In particular, I value many memorable moments as organist for the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. Vision for the Future of First Church: To have the entire congregation involved in making music, not just listening to it.
Brunilda Myftaraj -violin Concertmaster of the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, conservatory of fine arts in Tirana, Albania, private studies Piero Farulli of the Quartetto Italiano, Alberto Lissy at the Yehudi Menuhin Academy, Phil Setzer, Eugene Drucker of the Emerson Quartet, Rafael Druian and Renato Bonacini. Soloist and recitalist in Europe, US, with Hartford Symphony and the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra, winner, Van Rooy competition and one of the winners of the Emerson string quartet competition. Brunilda is the Executive Director of the CT Virtuosi Music Academy where she also teaches violin and chamber music. She is a member of the Sylveen String Quartet and the Elektra Ensemble.
Kathy Schiano -cello
BM in cello performance, University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. MM SUNY at Stony Brook. Kathy serves as Principal cellist of the Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra. As a freelance cellist, she performs chamber music and teaches cello privately in the Hartford area. She also is a member of the faculty at Trinity college where she teaches cello and coaches chamber music.
