MUSIC ACADEMY OF THE WEST INSTRUMENTALISTS NAMED FOR THE 2016 NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC GLOBAL ACADEMY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM Santa Barbara, CA — Ten outstanding Music Academy of the West musicians have been selected to travel to New York in January 2016 to participate in the second year of the New York Philharmonic Global Academy Fellowship Program, which offers opportunities to train and play with Philharmonic musicians, representing a new approach to training the next generation of world-class musicians for successful careers.
The 2016 Zarin Mehta Fellows were selected by audition from 65 Music Academy of the West instrumentalists, all full-scholarship participants during the summer of 2015. They are: Carl Anderson, double bass; Benjamin Hoffman, violin; Maki Kubota, cello; Nikolette LaBonte, horn; Rainer Saville, trumpet; José Martínez, tuba (current CFA Doctor of Musical Arts student); Rebecca Reale, violin; Samuel Sparrow, clarinet ; Mark Teplitsky, flute; and Naho Zhu, bassoon.
These ten Music Academy of the West fellows will travel to New York in a ten-day training program with a full schedule of events, including rehearsing and playing alongside Philharmonic musicians, conducted by Music Director Alan Gilbert, in selections from Wagner and Strauss for the Philharmonic’s subscription concerts on January 7-9 and 12. Described by Alan Gilbert as “a window into the real life of the orchestral musician”, the Fellows will learn directly from Philharmonic musicians, a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will immerse them in all aspects of an orchestral player’s life, from audition to performance, learning invaluable career skills. President and CEO of the Music Academy of the West Scott Reed, said, “This is an extraordinary opportunity to gain valuable experience alongside the musicians of one of the world’s greatest orchestras.”
“I congratulate the ten impressive Music Academy fellows who have been selected to join the New York Philharmonic in January 2016 as Zarin Mehta Fellows,” said Philharmonic President Matthew VanBesien. “We truly believe this kind of unique immersion in the life of an orchestral musician is an unparalleled experience, and we’re proud to be able to offer it to these and other students through our Global Academy. The Philharmonic’s first performance residency at the Music Academy of the West was a magnificent culmination of the first year of this cornerstone New York Philharmonic Global Academy collaboration, and we look forward to several more successful years of partnership.”
The Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara is the first American partner in the New York Philharmonic Global Academy. The four-year partnership, which began in the summer of 2014, combines training of Music Academy fellows by Philharmonic musicians; biennial performances by the Philharmonic at the Music Academy Summer Festival; and Academy Festival Orchestra performances at Music Academy Summer Festivals led by Alan Gilbert. This collaboration is the formalization of a long relationship between the Orchestra and the School; thirteen New York Philharmonic musicians are alumni of the Music Academy of the West. Music Director Alan Gilbert said: “Our musicians have an astounding amount to share, in terms of both performance and education. Their ability to give uplifting and excellent concerts is integrally linked with their potential to inspire and educate future orchestral musicians. This partnership with the Music Academy will give us the opportunity to showcase both of these sides through performances in beautiful Santa Barbara and ongoing work with their very promising Fellows.”
In 2016 Alan Gilbert will return to rehearse and conduct the Academy Festival Orchestra, and Philharmonic musicians will again serve as guest faculty in Santa Barbara to train Music Academy Fellows in collaboration with Academy faculty (including leading master classes, chamber music coaching sessions, private lessons, and lectures). Activities with Philharmonic and Music Academy musicians are currently being planned for 2017 to commemorate the Music Academy of the West’s 70th anniversary.
The Music Academy’s partnership with the New York Philharmonic has been made possible through the generosity of lead sponsors Linda and Michael Keston.The Global Academy Fellowship Program, in association with the New York Philharmonic Global Academy, is supported in part by The Alec Baldwin Foundation, Inc., an anonymous donor, and other gifts made towards the Zarin Mehta Fund.
José Martínez (tuba), 30, a proud native of Chelva, Spain, is completing a doctorate degree in performance at Boston University as a student of Mike Roylance, supported by a Fulbright-equivalent fellowship from “la Caixa” Foundation. Mr. Martinez has played principal tuba with the Boston Symphony and Pops, Spanish National Orchestra, Tanglewood Music Center, Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Spoleto Festival, and the European Union Youth Orchestra. He is a regular substitute with the Bilbao Symphony Wind Orchestra, and has appeared on tour with the Gothenburg Symphony. Engagements for the 2015-2016 season include concerts with the Naples Philharmonic, Spanish National Orchestra, Porto Symphony, and the Chicago Symphony. Martinez has studied extensively with Gene Pokorny. This was his first summer at the Music Academy of the West.
For Immediate Release August 11, 2015
