West Point - The United States Military Academy Cadet String Ensemble (Army Strings), under the direction of Ms. Ellen Gartner Phillips, will present a concert on Saturday, May 10th at 7:00 p.m. in the Eisenhower Hall Ballroom. This concert is free and open to the public and will be followed by a reception. This is the first full orchestral performance by the cadet group, and perhaps the first such concert in the history of the Academy.
The Army Strings was first named as an official cadet club in 2006 but traces its roots to the previous year. In the fall of 2005, Cadet Renee Rysiewicz ‘07, then a yearling (sophomore), decided she wanted to continue playing the violin while at the Academy and that doing so in a small ensemble would be fun. The club began with informal meetings as cadets found free time to play. Since then, the club has grown to include a full string ensemble with weekly rehearsals. This year, the club celebrated its first year with a director, Ellen Phillips, making this historic performance possible. The club has provided string music in chamber groups for numerous events at West Point to include receptions, dinners, weddings and special events. The club includes cadets who play violin, viola, cello and the string bass.
The program includes a wide range of music for string ensembles. Britten’s Simple Symphony and Rossini’s The Barber of Seville are featured classical pieces. The program also includes diversity with music by Sousa, Gershwin, Bach and the Beatles. In addition to the full ensemble, cadet violin and cello soloists will be featured.
Director Ellen Gartner Phillips is a classically trained violist. She has played with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and has worked under the baton of acclaimed conductors Larry Rachleff, Stephen Sanderling, Joseph Silverstein and Michael Stern. She holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and a Master of Music Degree from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music in Houston, Texas. Ms. Gartner Phillips also manages a private studio of violin and viola students in Poughkeepsie, New York and is married to Staff Sgt. Joshua Phillips, a horn player in the U.S. Military Academy Band. Anticipating the upcoming concert, she notes "the Army Strings have come a long way in a very short time. I am thrilled to be a part of that growth and excited that these cadets continue to make music a part of their already busy lives."
Please allow extra travel time for the 100% vehicle and photo I.D. inspection at Stony Lonesome and Thayer gates.
For concert information, cancellations and updates, call the club Officer-in-charge, Lt. Col. Rod Sturdivant at (845) 938-3322; or visit http://www.usma.edu/uscc/dca/clubs/club%20setup%20info/astg.html
