Ashley Hall Performing Arts Department presents
Faculty, Family & Friends Concert
featuring Head of School, Jill Muti
Sunday, April 24 | 2:00 p.m.
Jill Muti
Ashley Hall celebrates the talent of its exceptional faculty and guest artists. This afternoon concert also pays tribute to outgoing Head of School Jill Muti as she takes the stage in her final Ashley Hall performance.
Artists Featured:
Ricard Bordas, countertenor | Faculty
Maggie Cook, soprano | Faculty
Aubrey Goio, cello | Faculty
Julia Harlow, harpsichord | Friend
Flora Nevarez, violin | Faculty
Laura Magnani, piano | Friend
Jill Muti, flute | Head of School
This classical program includes works by Chopin, Corigliano, Poulenc, and Quantz.
New Performance Location: 159 Rutledge Avenue, Ashley Hall’s New Performing Arts Building
Reservations are now closed for this concert. Thank you.
There is limited parking at 159 Rutledge Avenue. Best parking availability will be in Ashley Hall’s lot on Ogier Street.
Attendees of this year’s String Fling at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke and St. Paul weren’t prepared for the heartwarming and emotional program that unfolded. In addition to performances by the Kindergarten and Pre-First Strings as well as the Lower School Orchestra and Fifth through Eighth Grade Orchestra, Upper School students played a superb rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody and selections from the Lion King. Interspersed between the music selections, sixth graders served as emcees.
Particularly inspiring in their performance was the Senior String Quartet, and senior Loulou Byars gave a moving presentation to Head of School Jill Muti. As Byars said, “Fourteen years ago Mrs. Muti arrived at Ashley Hall and quickly became an important part of our family. The following year, the Class of 2018 entered kindergarten, and Mrs. Muti implemented the new strings program, a program that has had an immense impact upon my own life and the lives of countless others in the Ashley Hall community.”
Afterward, there wasn’t a dry eye in the church as Performing Arts Chair Liz Dinwiddie and the Upper School Chamber Ensemble played for the four graduating seniors of the Senior String Quartet. These girls have been a part of something special that Mrs. Muti started fourteen years ago and represent the limitless possibilities for everyone at Ashley Hall. PQV!
As part of Ashley Hall Travel Programs, Upper School string students spent a week of their winter break touring the Umbrian-area of Italy. The girls played two public concerts, one in Trevi and the other in Spoleto, sharing the stage with 3 Italian musicians, 2 high schoolers and 1 adult amateur.
Time on the trip was also spent exploring historical sights in Rome, Siena, Perugia, and Spoleto as well as enjoying Italy’s culinary offerings. In the picture above, the group—including faculty members, Liz Dinwiddie and Aubrey Gray, along with Jill and Lorenzo Muti—enjoy an authentic multi-course Italian meal to ring in the new year.
This spring includes trips to India, Mexico, and West Africa.
The members of Ashley Hall’s inaugural strings class (from left to right: Eliot Hall ’18, Lou Lou Byars ’18, Ann Sheridan ’18, and Meaghan Bonds ’18) are preparing to graduate this year completing the Ashley Hall Learning Spiral. (The program launched in 2004 – how time flies!) When asked their thoughts on the impact of this program, words like “transformative“, “inclusive“, “inspiring” were shared. These talented young musicians have helped pave the way for what is now considered one of Ashley Hall’s signature programs and have surely inspired other young strings players to pick up an instrument. “I love the connectedness of the strings program,” says Eliot. “We’re able to play throughout the year with much younger Ashley Hall girls and also work with other musicians in the community.” Ann chimes in with “classical violin led me to the celtic fiddle, how cool is that!”
The Ashley Hall Strings Program is also available to the community through private and group lessons for both children and adults through the Carolina Strings Academy. For lesson details, click here.
The Intermediate Program strings classes participated in their first masterclass with violinist, Ms. Tessa Lark. All 5th through 11th grade string players were invited to attend as part of the audience. Four students were chosen to play solos and receive feedback. Two Intermediate Program students, Chloe Ross and Leddy Scheurer, were honored for their hard work this year. They each performed a solo and worked with our guest in front of the audience of string players. Leddy is shown in the picture with Ms. Lark during her turn in the masterclass. Ms. Lark was on campus for the Performing Artists in Residence series and she provided wonderful playing tips and tricks for the girls to utilize in their own string playing.
Don’t miss the Performing Arts Department’s Candlelight Cabaret on January 31. This exciting variety show features performances by the Red and Swing Choirs, poetry readings, the Strings Ensemble, and dance in a program of familiar tunes. Tickets are $25 and include a lovely dinner of almond crusted chicken with lemon buerre blanc, pesto mashed potatoes, haricot verts, chocolate mousse cups and mini cream puffs for dessert! Dinner begins at 6:00pm.
Ticket sales for this event are now closed.