Showing posts with label Kelly Hall-Tompkins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kelly Hall-Tompkins. Show all posts

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Kelly Hall-Tompkins, Concertmaster of Chamber Orchestra, Handel's 'Messiah,' Abyssinian Baptist Church 7 PM Dec. 2


[Kelly Hall-Tompkins, Concertmaster of Chamber Orchestra]

"The Cathedral Choir of the Abyssinian Baptist Church presents George Frederic Handel’s Messiah. The event will take place Friday, December 2, 2011 at 7PM at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, NY. This performance features one of the finest chamber orchestras in the city under the direction of James Davis, Jr with Kelly Hall-Tompkins as Concertmaster. Featured vocalists are Heather Hill, Soprano; Patrice Eaton; Mezzo-Soprano; Robert Hughes, Tenor, and Kevin Johnson, Baritone.

"Below is a link to a great video interview with Kelly Hall-Tompkins about the event as well as the connection between classical music and the African American community.
Please find the flyer attached. The concert is free and open to the public.

Abyssinian Baptist Church
132 Odell Clark Place
New York, NY 10030
212-862-7474

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Kelly Hall-Tompkins & Bridget Kibbey in '3 short duos for violin and harp' of Jeffrey Mumford 2 PM Dec. 4, NYC


[Jeffrey Mumford, Kelly Hall-Tompkins]

Composer Jeffrey Mumford (b. 1955) was born in Washington, D.C. His prolific composing has led to numerous awards and commissions. Mumford's works have been widely performed in the U.S. and abroad. His composition three short duos for violin & harp will be performed by Kelly Hall-Tompkins, violin, and Bridget Kibbey, harp, in a matinee performance on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 411 East 68th Street, New York, NY:

December 4, 2011. Sunday 2:00 PM
Illuminations Chamber Concert Series

Kelly Hall-Tompkins (Violin) and
Bridget Kibbey (Harp) in Concert

This matinee performance features two of New York’s most exciting and sought-after solo artists in a duo performance. In addition to classics by Saint-Saens and Piazzola, they present new works by Sebastian Currier, and a newly commissioned work by Jeffrey Mumford.

Camille Saint-Saens: Fantaisie
Jeffrey Mumford: three short duos for violin & harp
Ástor Pantaleón Piazzola: History of the Tango
Sebastian Currier: Night time

Tickets: $25.00
Reduced: $15.00 (students and seniors 65+)

Comment by email:
[On Nov. 13, 2011 violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins and harpist Bridget Kibbey performed Jeffrey Mumford's new work three short duos for violin and harp at The Phillips Collection, an art museum in Washington, D.C.] The DC performances went VERY well! J (Jeffrey Mumford)

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Kelly Hall-Tompkins in Debussy's Final Work & Ysayë's 'Ballade' Sonata at Harlem School of the Arts Nov. 19

[Kelly Hall-Tompkins]

On Nov. 6, 2011 AfriClassical posted: "Violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins in Recital at Harlem School of the Arts Nov. 19 at Noon." We have since learned the details of the intriguing program of violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins and pianist Craig Ketter. Kelly tells us the program at the Harlem School of the Arts in New York City will be the Debussy Sonata for Violin and Piano, and the Ysayë Ballade.

The liner notes of the CD Portrait Erik Reischl, Volume 3, explain the background of the Debussy Sonata, and have been translated into English by Elisabeth Ann Kruger:
"The Sonata for violin and piano is Debussy’s last work. It was written in 1917 and performed in Paris for the first time in May of the same year. Suffering from the symptoms of severe cancer the composer was prevented from finishing the cycle of sonatas in which each of the six sonatas was to include different combinations of musicians. Apart from the violin sonata Debussy was able to finish only the sonata for cello and piano and the sonata for flute, viola and harp.

“In his composing, Debussy considered himself a 'musicien français' (a French musician). During First World War this frame of mind was to assist in expressing national pride and to help differentiate between everything German (esp. the music of Richard Wagner). It was also intended to revive forms and values of the old French masters such as Rameau and Couperin."

Inkpot.com discusses the Six Sonatas for Solo Violin, op. 27, of Eugène Ysayë (1858-1931). It tells us the Sonata No. 3 in D Minor “Ballade” is dedicated to George Enescu.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Kelly Hall-Tompkins & Bridget Kibbey in 'three short duos for violin and harp' of Jeffrey Mumford Nov. 13, 4 pm


[Jeffrey Mumford, Kelly Hall-Tompkins]

Composer Jeffrey Mumford (b. 1955) was born in Washington, D.C. His prolific composing has led to numerous awards and commissions. Mumford's works have been widely performed in the U.S. and abroad. His composition three short duos for violin & harp will be performed by Kelly Hall-Tompkins, violin, and Bridget Kibbey, harp, on Sunday, November 13, 2011 at the Phillips Collection, a prominent art museum in Washington, D.C.

"Encounter superb works of modern art in an intimate setting at The Phillips Collection, an internationally recognized museum in Washington's vibrant Dupont Circle neighborhood."

Program
Kelly Hall-Tompkins, violin
Bridget Kibbey, harp
November 13, 2011 at 4 pm
Jeffrey Mumford (b. 1955)
three short duos for violin & harp

Sebastian Currier (b.1959)
Night Time
Dusk
Sleepless
Vespers
Nightwind
Starlight

Ástor Piazzolla (1921-1992)
History of the Tango

Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)
Fantasie for violin and harp, Op.124

Kelly Hall-Tompkins is one of New York City’s most in-demand violinists, with a career that spans solo, chamber, and orchestral performance. In 2002 she released her debut CD recording. Hall-Tompkins released her second CD, In My Own Voice, in 2008 and was subsequently presented by Barnes and Noble Lincoln Triangle in New York and in Orlando, Florida. Her live performance broadcasts include Chicago on WFMT’s Jewel Box Series, New York and worldwide on New York City’s WNYC and BBC, and historic Trinity Church at Wall Street. She has performed at Bargemusic, live on WNYC’s Soundcheck, and at Raleigh Chamber Music Guild. Her performances in recital have been featured on several occasions on the McGraw-Hill Young Artist Showcase, broadcast in New York by WQXR.

Hall-Tompkins has been a soloist with the Dallas, Western Piedmont, Greenville, Monmouth, and Atlantic University orchestras, as well as the Chamber Orchestra of New York, the Gateways Festival Orchestra, and the Festival of the Atlantic Orchestra. In the winter of 2007, she was invited by actress Mia Farrow and conductor George Matthew to be a soloist in Carnegie Hall for a benefit for the victims of Darfur. On stage behind her was an orchestra comprised of musicians from every major orchestra in the world.

Hall-Tompkins’s distinguished orchestral career has included extensive touring in the United States and internationally with the renowned Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, including performances in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Japan, Singapore, Scotland and a recording with countertenor Andreas Scholl. She has also performed over 150 performances as a substitute with the New York Philharmonic, under conductors including Kurt Masur, Leonard Slatkin, Andre Previn, Charles Dutoit, and Valery Gergiev. In 2007, she became the concertmaster of the Chamber Orchestra of New York, which performed its debut concert in Carnegie’s Zankel Hall that fall with Hall-Tompkins as soloist.

A native of Greenville, South Carolina, Hall-Tompkins began her violin studies at age nine. She earned a bachelor of music degree with honors in violin performance and a minor in French from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Charles Castleman. While at Eastman she won the school’s prestigious Performer’s Certificate Competition and several scholarship awards from the New York Philharmonic and was invited to perform chamber music in the school’s Kilbourn concert series with members of the faculty. She earned a master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music under the mentorship of Glenn Dicterow, concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic. While there, she was concertmaster of both school orchestras. Hall-Tompkins studies and speaks seven languages in conjunction with her active international performance career. She lives in New York City with her husband Joe and their dog Billy.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Concertmaster Kelly Hall-Tompkins & Chamber Orchestra of New York Add Naxos CD to Ottorino Respighi Repertoire




[TOP: Kelly Hall-Tompkins BOTTOM: Respighi Violin Concerto in A; Chamber Orchestra of New York; Naxos 8.572332 (2011) (77:32)]

On July 13, 2011 AfriClassical posted: “MusicWeb-International on Respighi CD 'this is a novel and worthy release'; Kelly Hall-Tompkins is Concertmaster.” Violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins has released two CDs, including In my own voice on MSR Classics, MS1278 (2008). Kelly has performed frequently in recent years as both a soloist and a member of the O'Connor String Quartet led by fellow violinist Mark O'Connor. A role which has brought Hall-Tompkins extensive national media attention is that of Founder and Director of Music Kitchen, which presents professional musicians in performances of classical music at homeless shelters and soup kitchens in New York City.

Kelly Hall-Tompkins is Concertmaster of the Chamber Orchestra of New York, “Ottorino Respighi.” The recording was Album of the week on New York's influential radio station WQXR. It is generously timed at 77.5 minutes, very near the maximum length for a CD. We have previously presented excerpts of the review of this disc by Ian Lace of MusicWeb-International.com, who found the CD “a novel and worthy release.” In conclusion, he wrote: “The recorded sound is first class. A notable release for Respighi enthusiasts.”

The title work is the Violin Concerto in A major [21:08] of Ottorino Respighi (1879-1936). It has been revised and completed by Salvatore Di Vittorio, Founder and Music Director of the Chamber Orchestra of New York, “Ottorino Respighi.” The liner notes begin: “The Italian composer Ottorino Respighi is best known for his 'Roman Trilogy': Fontane di Roma (Fountains of Rome), Pini di Roma (Pines of Rome) and Feste romane (Roman Festivals).”

The notes say of the orchestra: “The Chamber Orchestra of New York, 'Ottorino Respighi' is a professional orchestra founded by composer/conductor Salvatore Di Vittorio in New York, NY in 2006 on the 250th anniversary of W.A. Mozart. Its debut was held on 11th October 2007 at Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall. Following European models, the Chamber Orchestra is one of the first auditioned orchestras in the history of New York to be entirely devoted to leading young professional musicians. A principal aim is the promotion of the music of Ottorino Respighi and other Italian masters, together with the standard orchestral repertoire.”

Kelly Hall-Tompkins has brought Ottorino Respighi to our attention for the first time in many years. His once-familiar works are brought to mind again now that they have a revised and completed companion work in the form of a Violin Concerto in A major which we find very attractive. The Aria for Strings (5:51) has been transcribed by Salvatore Di Vittorio, who has also revised the Suite for Strings (27:33). The program is rounded out by Rossiniana: Suite for Orchestra (23:01). This critically-acclaimed CD is on the Naxos label, whose global distribution will make possible a large audience for the performances of Violin soloist Laura Marzadori and the members of the orchestra under the direction of Concertmaster Kelly Hall-Tompkins and Music Director Salvatore Di Vittorio.
Disclosure: A review copy of this CD was provided by the record label.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

'Marcus Thompson making his Ritz Chamber Players Debut!' at Finale Concert Wednesday, 7:30 PM, June 8, 2011

[Marcus Thompson]

It is a very special guest who makes his debut with the Ritz Chamber Players at the group's Season Finale on Wednesday, June 8. A staggering 17 CDs grace the Recordings page of his website. They include 2 orchestral discs conducted by the legendary Paul Freeman. Among his chamber music discs are 2 with the Seattle Chamber Music Society, 4 with the Amsterdam Chamber Music Society and 5 with the Boston Chamber Music Society.

Marcus Thompson Bio
"Marcus Thompson is a distinguished performer both on viola and viola d'amore. A multi-faceted artist, he is equally esteemed as recitalist, orchestral soloist, chamber musician, recording artist and educator.

"Born in New York's South Bronx, he began violin studies at the age of six in a private studio, and at fourteen attended The Juilliard School Pre-College where he studied with Louise Behrend. After completing seven years of viola and viola d'amore studies with Walter Trampler, he received his Bachelors and Master's degrees, and Juilliard's first doctorate in viola performance."


Jacoby Symphony Hall
Finale Concert June 8, 2011
Times-Union Center
for the Performing Arts
Jacksonville, Florida
7:30 PM

Bruch 8 Pieces for Clarinet, Viola, and Piano, Op. 83
Piazzolla “History of the Tango”
Beethoven String Trio in C Minor, Op. 9, No. 3
Brahms Piano Quartet in G minor, Op. 25

Terrance Patterson - Clarinet
Tahira Whittington - Cello

Sunday, April 10, 2011

50th Music Kitchen Performance: 'Kelly Hall-Tompkins, violin and Kyle Armbrust, viola'

[50th Music Kitchen Performance: 'Kelly Hall-Tompkins, violin and Kyle Armbrust, viola']

Violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins, Founder and President of Music Kitchen: Food for the Soul sends AfriClassical word of the 50th Music Kitchen Performance:

Kelly Hall-Tompkins, violin and Kyle Armbrust, viola
Turning Point Youth Shelter December 14, 2010

“This evening's performance at Turning Point Youth Shelter marks a landmark 50 Music Kitchen performances since I founded this program! Tonight's listeners, even though they were 90% different from previous clients here, approached the event with a centered eagerness for us to get started. They were in their chairs as we warmed up, watching us silently and drinking in the music, even the sporadic and incoherent phrases of warm up. 'Are y'all playing a concert?' someone asked. 'Not yet - at 7,' I said. 'We’ll definitely let you know when we start for real.' 'It sounds good already,' he said. When finally there seemed no more reason to wait, almost everyone had been there for 20 minutes already, we started.

“This evening’s program featured two signature works for violin and viola, and joining me was a wonderful violist Kyle Armbrust. We played the Mozart G major duo, dubbed 'Michael Haydn' since Mozart wrote it in his stead. Kyle asked if they could hear the musical dialogue that happened between us and they certainly did. I also pointed out to them the fact that classical music can change moods many times within a movement. After the inevitable references to the cartoon 'Tom and Jerry', we got more under the surface with this group. The slow movement, with its sublime lyricism, reminded one listener of a romantic dialogue 'between two lovers.' After the last movement rondo, one listener exclaimed, 'Wow! I like that!'

“Three of the young clients who told me fondly of their previous musical experiences were here once again, but this time when Kyle asked if anyone played an instrument, there were a flurry of responses: one young woman played the piano, and another recalled being in an all county youth orchestra. 'We played at Carnegie Hall every year,' she said proudly. There were fond memories of past instruments, lessons and performances popping up all over the room. 'It's amazing how inspiring a great music teacher can be, isn't it?' Once again we had an easy-going, engaging, warm and fun interaction with our audience. This was Kyle’s first Music Kitchen performance but he gets the dynamic right away: he is not only a wonderful musician, but makes the music approachable and endearing to audiences. That is the ideal quality I seek in Music Kitchen artists.

“We then went on to the virtuosic Handel-Halvorsen Passacaglia. We demonstrated the main theme and chord progression and explained how it basically repeats for the entire piece by adding more and more variations. As I often like to explain to people, I mentioned that it’s like ‘classical blues’. The piece is very virtuosic with its lightning fast runs exchanged between instruments, flying staccatos, harmonics and soaring scales. The listeners were moved and impressed. But one listener, who I have successfully facilitated getting back to her bygone violin playing, said confidently, 'I’ll be able to play that one day too. Maybe not right this second, but just give me a couple of years.'

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Kelly Hall Tompkins: 'O'Connor Quartet Performs in Enlow Hall, Kean University in Union, NJ' Feb. 20, 3 PM


[O'Connor Quartet (Photo Jeff Fasano)]

Violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins, Founder and President of Music Kitchen: Food for the Soul sends AfriClassical this news of the O'Connor Quartet, of which she is a member:

O'Connor Quartet Performs in Union, NJ

February 20th, 3 PM

Kean University - Enlow Hall

Kelly Hall-Tompkins, Violin
Gillian Gallagher, Viola


Upcoming Concert Preview: Tanglewood on July 7th!

Plus - March 30 - Chicago; April 3 - Brooklyn; April 30 - Ventura, CA

Friday, January 14, 2011

Kelly Hall-Tompkins in '2 Miniatures' of Jeffrey Mumford at Phillips Collection, Washington DC, Jan. 16, 4pm




[Kelly Hall-Tompkins and Jeffrey Mumford]

Recital at The Phillips Collection , Washington DC
1600 21st Street Northwest

Sunday January 16th at 4pm

Kelly Hall-Tompkins, violin
Craig Ketter, piano

Program: Debussy Sonata ~ Jeffrey Mumford 2 Miniatures ~ Richard Strauss Sonata

Violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins is known for her mastery of the violin in solo performance, as a member of a Duo with Mark O'Connor, and a member of the Mark O'Connor String Quartet. Kelly is also Founder and President of the very successful organization of musicians who provide classical music entertainment at soup kitchens in New York City, Music Kitchen: Food for the Soul.

Jeffrey Mumford (b. 1955) is a composer of contemporary music. His works are in demand for performances and are frequently recorded. His 2 Miniatures is part of this recital with Craig Ketter on piano.

Born in Washington, D.C. in 1955, composer Jeffrey Mumford has received numerous fellowships, grants, awards and commissions.

Kelly Hall-Tompkins attends Kennedy Center Honors, visits White House and meets President Obama










As guest of Mark O'Connor, Kelly Hall-Tompkins attended the Kennedy Center Honors events in Washington DC. The weekend featured dinner with the honorees at the US State Department, hosted by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, brunch at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, a reception at the White House, meeting President Obama, followed by the Honors Concert at the Kennedy Center!
Photos from the TOP:

President Bill Clinton
Secretary Clinton speaks
Alec Baldwin
In the White House-Gown by Gilles Montezin
Sydney Poitier
with Mark O'Connor in the White House West Room
Joshua Bell
The Honorees and President and Michelle Obama- Bill T. Jones, Jerry Herman, Merle Haggard, Oprah Winfrey and Paul McCartney
Itzhak Perlman and family

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Kelly Hall-Tompkins: 'Happy New Year 2011: Prosperity, Abundance, Joy & Love'



[Kelly Hall-Tompkins; (Oil painting by Beata Wojcik- available on http://fineartamerica.com)]

Violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins, Founder and President of MusicKitchenNYC.org sends AfriClassical this greeting:

In 2011...


May your Rooms know Joy,

May your Walls hold Laughter, and

May your Windows open to Great Possibilities

(Maryanne Radmacher-Hershey, 1995)


Happy New Year 2011!

Pros·per·i·ty - a successful, flourishing, or thriving condition, esp. in financial respects; good fortune.

A·bun·dance - an extremely plentiful supply, a great or plentiful amount, overflowing fullness, affluence; wealth

Joy - a very glad feeling; happiness; great pleasure; delight

Love - a virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion and affection

Friday, December 17, 2010

Listen to WNYC 93.9FM (WNYC.org) Leonard Lopate Show Today at 12noon for a Gala Ticket Giveaway!


Listen to WNYC 93.9FM (WNYC.org)
Leonard Lopate Show Today at 12noon for a
Gala Ticket Giveaway!
and
Listen for Gala Promotionals on WQXR continuing this weekend

Buy your ticket today at http://www.MusicKitchenNYC.org


Kelly Hall-Tompkins cordially invites you to Music Kitchen - Food For the Soul's, first annual Gala - 'The Gift of Music' on December 21st from 6:45pm -10:30pm at the spacious and grand Bogardus Mansion at 75 Murray Street in TriBeca.

This two-part regal-high end Gala will be showcasing top musicians such as World Renowned Pianist Emanuel Ax and Violinist/Composer/Fiddler Mark O’Connor. The evening will include ample displays of the finest foods, holiday themed cocktails, swag bags & a silent auction. Please see below for further info or to purchase tickets - visit http://www.musickitchennyc.org

For sponsorship opportunities, press/media & celebrity or special guests inquires/RSVP, please contact Veronica Lee Anne 646.467.4406

The Music Kitchen Mission is to bring top emerging and established professional musicians together in order to share the inspirational, therapeutic, and uplifting power of music with New York City’s disenfranchised homeless shelter population.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Music Kitchen - Food For the Soul's, first annual Gala - 'The Gift of Music' on December 21st

The Music Kitchen Mission is to bring top emerging and established professional musicians together in order to share the inspirational, therapeutic, and uplifting power of music with New York City’s disenfranchised homeless shelter population.

Violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins cordially invites you to Music Kitchen - Food For the Soul's, first annual Gala - 'The Gift of Music' on December 21st from 6:45pm -10:30pm at the spacious and grand Bogardus Mansion at 75 Murray Street in TriBeca.

This two-part regal-high end Gala will be showcasing top musicians such as World Renowned Pianist Emanuel Ax and Violinist/Composer/Fiddler Mark O’Connor. The evening will include ample displays of the finest foods, holiday themed cocktails, swag bags & a silent auction. Please see below for further info or to purchase tickets - visit http://www.musickitchennyc.org

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Kelly Hall-Tompkins & Mark O'Connor String Quartet: Shawnee State Univ., Portsmouth, OH 7:30 PM Nov. 9

[Kelly Hall-Tompkins]

Violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins tells AfriClassical she and the other members of the Mark O'Connor String Quartet will perform at Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, Ohio at 7:30 PM Tuesday, November 9, 2010:

Tuesday, November 09, 2010 7:30PM
Shawnee State University
Verne Riffe Center for the Arts
940 Second Street
Portsmouth, OH 45662
phone: 740-351-3600
Price: $38.00

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Kelly Hall-Tompkins: Come Hear the Mark O'Connor Quartet 5PM Today!


[Kelly Hall-Tompkins and Mark O'Connor of Mark O'Connor Quartet]

Kelly Hall-Tompkins: Calling All Manhattanites

Reminder: Come Hear the Mark O'Connor Quartet Today!

Free Concert Uptown Manhattan

MOSA Series

189th Street and Bennett Avenue
(near Ft. Tryon Park - check out the concert following the annual Medieval Festival in the park)

5pm

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Kelly Hall-Tompkins teaches and performs this week at Mark O'Connor String Camp NYC


[Kelly Hall-Tompkins]

Violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins is not only prominent in the world of classical music; as Founder and Executive Director of the widely publicized Music Kitchen: Food for the Soul she has also become a familiar figure at facilities for the homeless men and women of New York City. Millions of television viewers have been introduced to her advocacy of classical music performances as a powerful tool for providing important aesthetic and emotional support to the homeless. This week Kelly plays a different role, as an Instructor at the Mark O'Connor String Camp in New York City:

Kelly Hall-Tompkins

Ethical Culture Society at 64th and Central Park West

Free Concerts of Instructors Showcase

Monday at 7pm - O'Connor String Quartet #2, "Bluegrass"

featuring:

Kelly Hall-Tompkins, violin

Mark O'Connor, violin

Gillian Gallagher, viola

Patrice Jackson, cello

Wednesday July 28 at 7pm - Richard Strauss Sonata first movement

featuring:

Kelly Hall-Tompkins, violin

Craig Ketter, piano


Sunday, May 30, 2010

Kelly Hall-Tompkins plays the Quartets of Mark O'Connor in Bryant Park Monday May 31


[Photo by Jeff Fasano ]

Free Concert in Bryant Park - Monday
An Evening with Mark O'Connor and Friends

Bryant Park After Work Music hosted by Bill McGlaughlin
O’Connor String Quartets

Bryant Park (Fountain Terrace) NYC – Free Public Concert
Monday, May 31, 2010, 6:00pm–7:30pm
6th Avenue at 41st Street

Program:
O’Connor String Quartet No. 2 “Bluegrass” and
O’Connor String Quartet No. 3 “Old-Time”

Mark O’Connor – violin
Gillian Gallagher – viola
Patrice Jackson - cello


Bryant Park hosts a brand-new, free jazz and classical music series at 6pm, curated and hosted by public radio’s Bill McGlaughlin.

To celebrate the new series, restaurants 'wichcraft and The Southwest Porch are offering a deal for attendees of the After Work with Bill McGlaughlin & Friends concerts. The Porch is a comfortable outdoor lounge, just steps away from the After Work stage on the Fountain Terrace, offering a unique food and beverage menu from Tom Colicchio’s ‘wichcraft.

Bring your concert program to The Porch and show to your waiter or bartender to receive a 10% discount off any ‘wichcraft sip or snack. The discount is valid only with a program from the current evening’s concert.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Kelly Hall-Tompkins: 'Music Kitchen featured on CBSNews.com Now!'


[In my own voice; Kelly Hall-Tompkins, violin; MSR Classics MS 1278]

“Music Kitchen- Food for the Soul
April 27, 2010 1:59 PM
Kelly Hall-Tompkins is one of New York's most sought after violinists. When she's not touring the world, you can find her and fellow musicians playing at a soup kitchen near you.”

“Dear Friends of Music Kitchen,
Please click to view the latest Music Kitchen story by journalist Whitney Dehart directly on CBSNews.com. Thank you all for your well wishes and support of this project!
Sincerely,
Kelly Hall-Tompkins, Violinist/Founder/Director”

“Mission: To bring top emerging and established professional musicians together in order to share the inspirational, therapeutic, and uplifting power of music with New York City’s disenfranchised homeless shelter population. I believe a shelter exists to provide not only physical but emotional and spiritual support to those who, for whatever reason, have lost the foundation of their homes and communities. I believe that music reaches the core of our being and can play a vital role in nourishing hope, love and strength, particularly when performed at an extremely high artistic level and in a friendly, relaxed setting.”

Friday, April 2, 2010

Kelly Hall-Tompkins on ABC News Video: 'American Heart: the Music Kitchen Performs for the Homeless'



ABC World News With Diane Sawyer
By Catherine Cole
April 1, 2010
“The melodies from the world's great classics play all over New York City, echoing from the great halls like Lincoln Center down to the deep tunnels of the city's subways. People pay to see performers at the top of their field, or they toss spare change at street performers.

“But one night last week on New York's Upper West Side, five soloists from the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church choir gave a very different performance. They sang music from the Renaissance to the Baroque, from Orlande de Lassus to Johann Michael Bach. They ended the night with an American spiritual called 'Give Me Jesus.' Their audience? A group of homeless men. Some of the audience showed up in the church basement, expecting to be served sloppy joes, not treated to a concert. One man said, 'I expected to come in here and eat, sleep and then get tossed.'

“Instead, they got to listen to the Music Kitchen. Its mission is to bring what founder Kelly Hall-Tompkins calls 'the inspirational, therapeutic, and uplifting power of music' to New York City's homeless population. Hall-Tompkins, a professional freelance violinist who has performed in the New York Philharmonic and is a member of the New Jersey Symphony, wears many hats for the Music Kitchen. She does everything that has to be done as the organization's founder, director, public relations manager, violinist, and chief fundraiser, to name a few of her responsibilities. 'Music Kitchen, I've presented, in five years, 42 concerts, engaged almost 70 of New York's greatest artists on a shoestring budget,' she said.”

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Kelly Hall-Tompkins & Mark O'Connor Perform O'Connor's 'Double Violin Concerto'


[Kelly Hall-Tompkins & Mark O'Connor]

AfriClassical hears from violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins, http://www.kellyhall-tompkins.com/, that she and violinist Mark O'Connor are presented by Columbia Artists Management in his “Double Violin Concerto.”

Upcoming Concert Preview, including performances of O'Connor String Quartets featuring:
Kelly Hall-Tompkins - violin
Mark O'Connor - violin
Gillian Gallagher - viola
Patrice Jackson – cello

December 17, 2009 - Music Kitchen - Food for the Soul - Double Concerto Excerpt, Appalachia Waltz
January 15, 2010 - Chamber Music America Conference, New York City, Panel Discussion and Performance of O'Connor String Quartet #2
February 2, 2010 - American String Celebration, Tennessee Tech University,Cookeville, TN - String Quartet #2