Basie Center welcomes famed Monmouth Conservatory of Music to its family of musical performance programs
(APRIL 12, 2017 | RED BANK, NJ) The historic Count Basie Center for the Arts, a recognized 501 (c) (3) not for profit organization dedicated to arts education and outreach, announced today that the Monmouth Conservatory of Music, which has taught more than 10,000 area students to perform, understand and appreciate classical music for more than 50 years, will become part of the Basie’s family of musical performance programs.
“Adding the Monmouth Conservatory to our repertoire of musical and vocal offerings at the Count Basie Theatre is a dream come true,” said Basie CEO and President Adam Philipson. “Our organizations share a similar vision to provide education that enriches individuals and the quality of life through the study and appreciation of music. This addition complements other programs offered at the Basie, from jazz to rock to Broadway vocals, which inspire and illuminate students while promoting the discipline required to succeed.”
Classes in all aspects of classical music – including studies in piano, violin, viola, cello, string bass, guitar, harp, voice, flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, organ, harpsichord, recorder, lute and drums will continue to be offered under the Basie’s stewardship. The conservatory will be housed on the Basie campus at the completion of its current $20 million expansion.
“We gift our non-profit classical music school and its over 50 year legacy to the Count Basie Theatre knowing that we can trust this historic cultural center to continue the conservatory’s mission of excellence in teaching, performing and the life-long learning and appreciation of great classical music,” said Vladislav Kovalsky, the conservatory’s executive director since 1998. “This union is significant not only for our two organizations but for the entire community.”
“We believe that the Count Basie Theatre is destined to become one of New Jersey’s premium cultural centers,” Mr. Kovalsky’s wife and conservatory associate director Irina Kovalsky added, “and the Monmouth Conservatory of Music is proud to become a member of its artistic family.”
To honor the occasion, a community concert will be held onstage at the Basie on Wednesday, May 3 at 6:30pm, featuring Conservatory students onstage along with Basie partner programs Rockit!, Phoenix Productions, Jazz Arts Academy and the Count Basie Theatre Voices vocal ensemble.
Tickets, priced at just $5, are on sale now at the Basie box office and theBASIE.org. All proceeds and donations will assist the Count Basie Theatre in establishing a classical music scholarship.
“This is an exciting time for the Basie,” said Yvonne Scudiery, the Basie’s Vice President of Education. “We’re welcoming the Conservatory to our program and inviting the community to see all of our music programs and some of our friends, live on the Basie stage.”
The Monmouth Conservatory of Music, the only not-for-profit community music school in the area, is dedicated to excellence in music education, performance and life-long learning. The conservatory was founded by Felix Molzer and his wife, Jeanette, in 1964. Professor Molzer was a graduate of the Vienna Academy of Music and director of the Vienna Boys Choir.