"Music for a While" chamber ensemble -- acclaimed for drawing audiences into its performances through a creative blend of musicality, acting and staging, originated when Flickers Arts Collaborative brought soprano Julibeth Andrews, tenor Eric Bronner, and pianist Nancy Nicholson together for a concert in 1993. They have been performing together ever since.
"Music for a While" is known for its versatility, with a repertoire ranging from classical art songs to Broadway hits, to gems of the concert piano literature, to music by contemporary avant garde composers. "Music for a While" is often joined by musician colleagues for unique programming such as "East Meets West," which features arts songs of Ikuma Dan, and "Christmas Canticles," a celebration of the nativity through songs and readings.
"Music for a While" has been featured in music series at museums, mansions, colleges, festivals, and churches throughout Rhode Island and New England including RISD Art Museum, Blithewold Mansion, Linden Place Mansion, Brown University's Bell Art Gallery, Christmas in Newport, the Jubilé Franco-Americain, the Jamestown Chamber Music Series, and Salve Regina University, to name a few.
About the Artists
Julibeth Andrews, soprano—of Providence, is a singer and teacher in demand. She has appeared with the Sierra String Quartet in San Francisco. With Chicago's Mostly Music Inc., she sang in many premieres and performed in a national broadcast. Local audiences have heard her perform roles with Ocean State Light Opera, and solos with Swanhurst Chorus. In 1992 she was chosen to sing for Sherrill Milnes at the National Association of Teachers of Singing Conference. In 1994 she was a finalist in the Chloe Owen American Art Song Competition. In 1998 she received the Goldovsky Fellowship for opera direction from the National Opera Association. With a Master of Music degree from URI, she teaches voice and performance technique at Salve Regina University, Roger Williams University, and in her private studio, VoiceImages. She also directs for the CBC Players.
Eric Bronner, tenor—of Newport, performs regionally, nationally and abroad. He has been hired for the June 2002 Napa (CA) Zarzuela Festival. Last summer he sang concerts in Dayton, OH, and Louisville, KY. In June 2000, he was a soloist at the Aldeburgh Music Festival in England. He is a regular soloist with American Classics in Boston, and has sung roles with Longwood Opera (Boston) and Ocean State Light Opera. He pursued his Master of Music degree on scholarship at Longy School of Music in Cambridge, Mass. He teaches voice at the RI Philharmonic's Music School and the Wheeler School and serves as musical director for Flickers. For the past two years, he received the Cirino Arts Education Fellowship from the RI Foundation. Last June, he was selected for the prestigious professional teachers internship of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
Nancy Nicholson, piano—of Providence, has appeared as piano soloist regionally, nationally, and abroad at Royal Festival Hall's Purcell Room (London), and at the Salle Cortot and Schola Cantorum (Paris). A specialist in French music, her second place performance at the prestigious French Piano Institute won her a concert at the French Embassy in Washington, D.C. She performed as soloist with the Cape Cod Symphony and in the Concerts on the Island series in Newport. She has played with various chamber ensembles and was a founding member of the Cape Chamber Players. With a Master of Music degree from the University of Wisconsin, she teaches privately and has served on the faculties of Notre Dame University (Philippines), Cape Cod Conservatory, Cape Cod Community College, and Wheeler School.
Dynamic Style
"Music for a While" chamber ensemble delights audiences wherever it performs.
Whether your tastes are sophisticated or popular, classical or light, "Music
for a While" delivers entertainment. The trio's repertoire ranges from classical
art songs to Broadway hits, to gems of the concert piano literature, to contemporary
avant garde composers such as Philip Glass. "Music for a While" is acclaimed
for drawing audiences into their performances through a creative blend of musicality,
acting and staging. A sampling of "Music for a While" venues includes:
Blithewold Mansion & Garden, (Bristol, RI)
Brown University's Bell Art Gallery, (Providence, RI)
Christmas in Newport (Newport, RI)
First Evangelical Lutheran Church, (East Greenwich, RI)
FLICKERS Arts Collaborative, (Newport, RI)
Linden Place Sunday Concerts, (Bristol, RI)
RISD Museum Lunchart Series, (Providence, RI)
Rose Hall Music Series, (Kimberton, PA)
Salve Regina University Concert Series, (Newport, RI)
Temple Shalom, (Newport, RI)
Trinity Church Twilight Concert Series, (Newport, RI) plus Linden Place Mansion
Music on the Hill (East Greenwich)
Jubile Franco-Americain
Theatre-By-The-Sea (Matunuck)
Performance Versatility
Audiences are impressed with "Music for a While's" versatile command of musical
periods and styles including:
Art Song: the finest vocal expression by the foremost composers
through the centuries. Baroque, Classical, Romantic and Contemporary periods,
sung in the original languages (English, French, German, Italian, Japanese,
Latin and Spanish)
Standards and Broadway Hits: beloved songs from America's
treasure trove of popular music
Cabaret Songs: intimate, vibrant selections from the cabarets of
Berlin, Paris and New York
Concert Piano: celebrated classics from all periods; parlor music
and up-to-date arrangements of 20th-century favorites
Folk Songs: classical settings of traditional songs from America,
British Isles, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and Russia sung in their original
languages
Holiday Favorites: the right music for any occasion, whether it's
Christmas, New Year's, Valentine's Day, or July Fourth
Light Operetta and Grand Opera: experience the vocal artistry
of operatic splendor from "The Merry Widow" to "La Boheme"
Sacred Music: deeply devotional or celebratory, sacred settings
enhance religious services and spiritual occasions
Unique Programming
"Music for a While" concerts sweep listeners along an enjoyable, emotionally
satisfying journey. Programs explore a distinctive theme or concept with musical
selections flowing smoothly from one to the next. Inspiration for a concert
theme may come from an idea, an emotional feeling, or a particular musical genre.
A sampling of "Music for a While" programs includes:
An Evening of Romance from the Stage: a heart-warming selection
of romantic and comedic songs from Shakespeare, light operetta, and Broadway;
a perfect Valentine
The French Tradition: a sophisticated, yet amusing melange of mélodie,
chanson, and piano solo exploring French musical expression
A Night on Broadway: an entertaining evening of favorites from
the glittering musical theatre stages of New York
Christmas Canticles: a concert of charming songs and readings that
reflect the sentiment of the season
East Meets West: Japanese art songs by Ikuma Dan artfully blend
influences of Debussy and Puccini with Japanese scale patterns, creating
music of haunting beauty and emotional depth
Expansion Opportunities
When you engage "Music for a While," you can be assured that your audience will
be entertained. Choose from one of the programs listed here, or "Music for a
While" will customize a concert for your specific audience.
For programs calling for larger ensembles, "Music for a While" is often
joined by musician colleagues. The addition of flute, mandolin, violin,
and/or guitar to the core trio allows for myriad combinations of chamber,
popular and contemporary classical selections. Whatever the venue, "Music
for a While" is sure to please audiences and presenters alike.
Capsule Reviews
"The trio knows how to choose a program that will please an audience as much
as it will show off their talents. A wonderful group that deserves to be invited
back time and again." -- Temple Shalom
"The selections were gorgeous and all of you gave delightful performances."
-- RISD Art Museum
"The program was so appealing that it sold out quickly. We had to add a
second performance." -- Blithewold Mansion & Garden
