$70* per person - dinner & program
$29 per person - cocktail & program only
Join fellow members and guests for a gourmet dinner preceded by a cocktail hour and wonderful artistic performance.
Program
With or Without You - U2
Duo for Violin and Cello, Kodaly
1st movement
Ashokan Farewell
Third Cello Suite JS Bach
Prelude, Courante, Sarabande, Gigue
Sonata for solo violin Op. 31 no.2, Hindemith
Final Movement
Passacaglia, Handel-Halvorsen
Maestro Stephen Czarkowski, based in Washington, D.C., stands as a prominent figure in the realms of classical music and education, being a celebrated conductor, cellist, and educator. His conducting career, spanning nearly two decades, is adorned with rich experiences. As of 2023, he serves as the Music Director and Conductor for the Central Pennsylvania Symphony and holds the title of Principal Guest Conductor of the Newark Symphony Orchestra. His baton has led the National Symphony Orchestra during its National Conducting Institute under the direction of Leonard Slatkin. Furthermore, he’s extended his expertise to orchestras in diverse locations from Honolulu, HI to the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and the Symphony of the Potomac.
Over eleven seasons with the Apollo Orchestra, Czarkowski not only conducted but also collaborated with eminent soloists from institutions like the New York Philharmonic and Washington National Opera. Many of these collaborations culminated in memorable performances at the iconic Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. His association with the York Symphony since 2015, as Assistant Conductor, has seen him share the stage with Music Director Lawrence Golan.
In the sphere of cello performance, Czarkowski exhibits versatility, performing both as a soloist and as a member of the Tryos Ensemble, harmonizing with trumpeter Neil Brown.
On the academic front, he boasts a Graduate Artist Diploma in Orchestral Conducting from the Catholic University of America. Further, he has a Masters’ Degree in both Cello Performance and Conducting, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Cello from Mannes College, all pursued under the expert guidance of Carter Brey, the renowned Principal Cellist of the New York Philharmonic.
A passionate educator, Czarkowski actively leads the Frederick Regional Youth Orchestra, the Symphonette at Landon School, and orchestras at both Norwood School and Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School. His youth ensembles have showcased their talent at prestigious venues like the Library of Congress, Hershey Park Music Showcase Festival, and Orlando Music Festival. He’s also conducted masterclasses at notable institutions including West Point Military Academy, The Catholic University of America, Howard County Schools, and Loudon County Schools.
Outside the concert hall and classroom, Czarkowski serves on the International Conductor’s Guild Board of Directors and holds esteemed positions on The New School Alumni Council and The Paper Bag Mask Foundation Board of Directors.
Violinist Sally McLain received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees with High Distinction from Indiana University, where she studied with and was assistant to James Buswell. Critically hailed as a “violinist with lots of style” (Washington Post), Ms. McLain has performed as soloist to critical acclaim in a variety of venues that include the Clarice Smith Center Gildenhorn Hall, Kennedy Center Terrace Theater, Library of Congress, Lisner Auditorium, National Gallery of Art and Smithsonian American Art Museum. She was a member of the Theater Chamber Players, as well as the Potomac String Quartet, which recorded the complete quartets of David Diamond and Quincy Porter for Albany Records. She is a founding and current member of the Left Bank Quartet, which has been praised for its “brilliant focus and timbral variety” (Gramophone Magazine). Ms. McLain was the concertmaster of the Washington Chamber Symphony for ten seasons and appears frequently as concertmaster with the Cathedral Choral Society, the Washington Concert Opera and the Washington Ballet.
6:00 pm - cocktail hour
6:45 pm - program
7:45 pm - dinner
A reservation is required for dinner by 8 pm the day before. Due to the construction of the kitchen we can only accommodate 60 guests. Once we reach our maximum capacity, we regrettably will not be able to accommodate additional guests. Please RSVP early!
