In June and July, Ives Hall on the Sonoma State campus will resonate with the sounds of young voices in song, while classically trained performers on all instruments pass on their love of music to talented players from beginning to advanced levels. Across the way in Person Theatre, apprentice teen actors will discover the secrets of the stage through comprehensive classes in acting, singing and dancing.
These activities and more are Greenfarm, now in its second year from June 24-July 28 as the arts plus education component of the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University. In addition to housing the Santa Rosa Symphony and SSU's performing arts programs, the Green Music Center will serve as a cultural and artistic hub for the greater North Bay region.
At present, Greenfarm harnesses conservatory-level training opportunities from the studios of symphony, university and Bay Area professional musicians, actors and dancers and provides a space to bring it all together with performances of orchestral, chamber and vocal music and an original theater piece during the summer. Current and future programs will find their home in the Green Music Center upon its completion. Additional program offerings include academic enrichment classes for youth and Orff-Schulwerk training for K-4 teachers.
Performances will take place throughout the five-week program, culminating in a final youth festival weekend, Greenfarmfest, on July 27-28, featuring two days of performances, guest artists and a celebration barbeque for participants and their families.
Tuition costs vary from $75-$600 depending upon the program. A limited number of scholarships are available. For information about individual programs or to receive a brochure, call (707) 664-3312 or visit Greenfarm's website at www/greenfarm.org.
Participating Greenfarm 2002 programs:
Young Artists Chamber Ensembles (YACE) for string, woodwind, brass and piano players ages 7-18. Led by pianists Marilyn Thompson, Peggy Nance and Robin Beloff-Wachsberg, composer-conductor Brian S. Wilson of the SSU Wind Ensemble and coaches from the SSU faculty, San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Opera Orchestra, Santa Rosa Symphony and Sonoma/Marin County educators. Meets 1-4 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week from June 24-July 28.
Santa Rosa Symphony Music Academy for young musicians ages 5-18, offering string classes for beginning through advanced levels; three levels of string orchestra, three wind ensembles, advanced jazz ensemble and Greenfarm Youth Festival Orchestra. Meets 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday from July 1-28. String groups led by Linda Ghidossi-DeLuca (Advanced), Jeanette Isenberg (Beginning and Intermediate) and Karen Zimmerman (Beginning and Intermediate and Bass Class) of the Santa Rosa Symphony. Wind groups led by Rincon Valley Middle School teacher Spiro Xydas (Beginning and Intermediate Wind Ensemble), Santa Rosa Junior College professor Meryl Wamhoff (Advanced Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble) and Sonoma State University professor Brian Wilson (Advanced Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble). Guest conductors of Greenfarm Youth Orchestra include Peter Jaffe, Michael Neumann and David Ramadanoff.
Greenfarm Children's Chorus for young singers ages 8-15, offering beginning voice and musicianship training centered around classical choral repertoire for children. Led by Carol Menke of Santa Rosa Junior College and director of the Santa Rosa Children's Chorus. Meets 1:30-3:00 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday from July 2-28.
Summer Arts for Youth (SAY) for teens ages 14-17 who love theatre. Training in acting, dancing and singing grows out of the creation of an original work for performance at Greenfarmfest. Led by SSU professor Nancy Lyons, with SSU professor Tori Truss and actor/playwright Charles Queary. A limited number of full scholarships are available to Santa Rosa students through the DeMeo Fund, with other need-based assistance available from the Evert B. Person Endowment. Classes meet from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday from July 8-28.
School of Performing Arts and Cultural Education (SPACE) of Ukiah offers a unique program of dance, drama, singing and cultural education, serving Northern California youth ages 3-18 at Mendocino College in Ukiah. Meets 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday from July 1-28 and performs at SSU during Greenfarmfest.
EXCEL 2002 for gifted and exceptionally motivated children grades 4-10. Three sessions of accelerated cultural enrichment classes with guest speakers and field trips, meeting from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Coordinated by Greer Upton of SSU's School of Extended Education. Session I: June 24-28. Session II: July 8-19. Session III: July 22-26.
Music and Movement for Teachers, an in-depth introduction to Orff-Schulwerk, a creative, improvisatory approach to teaching children music. Applications include model lessons integrating music and movement in science, math, language and social studies curricula. Led by Orff specialist Janet Greene of Sebastopol. Meets July 8-12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
