In the Media
VSO Jukebox Quartet meets VYO Quartet for a performance at Valley Players Theater in Waitsfield, VT.
From L to R: Brooke Quiggins (Violinist, VSO), Justin Lee (VYO, Violin, Essex HS), Emma Xia (VYO, Violin, South Burlington HS), Tom Toner (Principal Percussionist, VSO), Elizabeth Messier (VYO, Viola, Essex HS), Jonah Hutchin (VYO, Cello, Champlain Valley Union HS), and John Dunlop (Principal Cellist, VSO).
Music Review: Percussion gives VSO Jukebox exotic flair
The Barre Montpelier Times Argus, March 11, 2022
Some of the many fans of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra Jukebox Quartet may have been a little surprised when they showed up at the Valley Players Theater in Waitsfield on Thursday for the opening of its four-concert tour. For there was only half a string quartet, a whole slew of colorful percussion instruments, and two percussionists. Jukebox took on an exotic flair.
Not all tradition was forgotten: There was a string quartet of local Vermont Youth Orchestra players who actually performed the most beautiful piece on the program.
The VSO’s spring Jukebox program, curated and hosted by Matt LaRocca, may not have been as musically rewarding as some, but it was certainly its most entertaining. Violinist Brooke Quiggins, cellist John Dunlop and percussionists Nicola Cannizzaro and D. Thomas Toner, all top VSO instrumentalists, mixed and matched to form some of the most unexpected — and most fun — combinations.... (cont'd)
As for the most beautiful piece on the program, local violinists Justin Lee and Emma Xia, violist Elizabeth Messier and cellist Jonah Hutchin performed the Notturno (third movement) of Alexander Borodin’s String Quartet No. 2. It also is well known as the melody of the song “And This Is My Beloved” from the 1953 Broadway musical “Kismet.”
The two quartets joined to close the program with Irene Sazer’s Latin-flavored “Fonte Abondonada/Passatempo,” arranged by LaRocca. It was charming and a real crowd-pleaser — as was the entire program.
Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s Jukebox Quartet performs at Valley Players Theater in March
The Valley Reporter, March 7, 2022
The Vermont Symphony Orchestra's statewide tour of its Jukebox Quartet featuring a talented local youth string quartet from the Vermont Youth Orchestra comes to the Valley Players Theater in Waitsfield on March 10 at 7:30 pm. The youth string quartet will perform their opening act, starting at 7 pm..... (cont'd) Members include Justin Lee and Emma Xia, violin; Elizabeth Messier, viola; and Jonah Hutchin, cello.
VYO Quartet opens for the VSO Jukebox Quartet at Velley Players Theater in Waitsfield, VT.
From L to R: Justin Lee (VYO, Violin, Essex HS), Emma Xia (VYO, Violin, South Burlington HS), Matt LaRocca (Jukebox Curator and Artistic Advisor, VSO), Elizabeth Messier (VYO, Viola, Essex HS), and Jonah Hutchin (VYO, Cello, Champlain Valley Union HS).
VSO Jukebox Quartet & VYO Quartet members after their 2nd performance at ArtsRiot in Burlington, VT.
From L to R: Emma Xia (VYO, Violin, South Burlington HS), Nicola Cannizaro (Percussionist), Elizabeth Messier (VYO, Viola, Essex HS), Brooke Quiggins (Violinist, VSO), Justin Lee (VYO, Violin, Essex HS), John Dunlop (Principal Cellist, VSO), Jonah Hutchin (VYO, Cello, Champlain Valley Union HS), and Tom Toner (Principal Percussionist, VSO).
VYO Quartet Members with VSO Executive Director, Elise Brunelle and VYO Executive Director, Rosina Cannizzaro after the performance at ArtsRiot in Burlington, VT.
From L to R: Emma Xia (VYO, Violin, South Burlington HS), Rosina Cannizaro (Executive Director, VYO), Justin Lee (VYO, Violin, Essex HS), Elizabeth Messier (VYO, Viola, Essex HS), Jonah Hutchin (VYO, Cello, Champlain Valley Union HS), and Elise Brunelle (Executive Director, VSO).
JUKEBOX QUARTET SPRING TOUR – ARTSRIOT
Vermont Symphony Orchestra
For our March 2022 concerts, we’re shaking things up and swapping two string players with two percussionists for a new, whirlwind take on Jukebox. Violinist Brooke Quiggins and cellist John Dunlop are joined by percussionists D. Thomas Toner and Nicola Cannizzaro for a singular musical experience, curated by VSO Artistic Advisor and Project Conductor Matt LaRocca. Our Jukebox musicians dive into works by traditional and cutting-edge composers, and are joined in this concert by the Vermont Youth Orchestra Quartet featuring Justin Lee and Emma Xia, violin; Elizabeth Messier, viola and Jonah Hutchin, cello.
VYO Quartet program, starting at 7:00 p.m.
String Quartet No. 1 in C Major, Op. 1 by Joseph Bologne
Quartet No. 2, Mvt. III “Notturno” by Alexander Borodin
String Quartet in G Minor from Knives Out by Nathan Johnson
Jukebox Program, starting at 7:30 p.m.
Opening from Glassworks by Philip Glass, arr. LaRocca
Hammers by Andy Akiho
Boris Kerner by Caroline Shaw
Bawa (traditional) arr. Sowah Mensah
Duo for Violin and Cello, Mvmt. III by Jessie Montgomery
Head To Toe by Molly Joyce
Slide Rule by Jeanne Woodbury and Josh Gottry
Closing from Glassworks by Philip Glass, arr. LaRocca
Finale with Jukebox Quartet and youth string musicians:
Fonte Abandanoda/Passa Tempo by Irene Sazer, arr. LaRocca
VYO Quartet Members perform at Governor Phil Scott's candlelight vigil for Ukraine, where he signed H.717, an act relating to providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine and announced more than $640,000 of aid would go to Save the Children.
From L to R: Justin Lee (VYO, Violin, Essex HS), Emma Xia (VYO, Violin, South Burlington HS), Elizabeth Messier (VYO, Viola, Essex HS), and Jonah Hutchin (VYO, Cello, Champlain Valley Union HS).
Vermonters show support for Ukraine, Scott signs Ukrainian aid bill
Vermont Business Magazine, March 16, 2022
At a candlelight vigil Tuesday, Governor Phil Scott signed H.717, An act relating to providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine(link is external) and announced more than $640,000 of aid will go to Save the Children(link is external), a humanitarian organization dedicated to supporting children around the globe.
“We are here today to send a message to the people of Ukraine and to the tyrant in Russia: We stand united with Ukraine – for its freedom, and with its people,” Governor Scott (link is external)said in his remarks. “The fact is, Ukraine’s fight to protect their people, their rights and their land – and what that means for democracies across the globe – is too important for us to sit out. We must do our part.”....
The Tuesday evening event included reflections from Father Mark Korban of St. Jacob of Alaska Orthodox Church and performances by members of the Vermont Youth Orchestra, Justin Lee (violin 1), Emma Xia (violin 2), Elizabeth Messier (viola) and Jonah Hutchin (cello).
Top: VYO Quartet Members meet Governor Phil Scott after his candlelight vigil for Ukraine.
Left: VYO Quartet Members pose with their instruments in the Governor's office.
Performing classical music to expose young children to the sounds and experience. Photo by Cindi Robinson.
Lots of things to do, discuss or meditate upon this fall
The Charlotte News, September 22, 2022
Jonah Hutchin of Charlotte shares the beauty of the cello on the porch of the Charlotte Library on Sept. 16 with an audience that included a number of younger musical aficionados. Hutchin is in his third year at New England Conservatory Prep.