AWARD WINNING SINGERS AND KEYBOARDIST TO PERFORM RECITAL

The second performance of the Music in the Somerset Hills (MISH) 2014-2015 Concert Series will feature award winning singers and keyboardist with roots in the Somerset Hills. Singers Stephen and Kristin Sands and Tom Mulder are joined by keyboardist Brian Harlow and will perform a recital of intimate music featuring baroque harpsichord and vocal music at Peapack Reformed Church in Gladstone on November 8, 2014 at 7pm. This venue is located at 224 Main Street in Gladstone, New Jersey approximately six miles north of the intersection of I-287 and I-78.

All performers on this November 8th recital have their own personal connection to the Somerset Hills area and each brings a unique musical background to this collaborative program. Graduate of Bernards High School in 2008, tenor Tom Mulder who will be performing with the Met Opera Chorus in December this year in a production of Wagner’s Der Meistersinger von Hurnberg, praises his high school for having so many talented musicians saying that all students were able to learn from each other. Being the youngest of the group, he says of his career so far, “I find [it] interesting and fulfilling… it allows me to travel and meet brilliant people from all over the world.”

Husband and wife, Stephen and Kristin Sands settled in the Somerset Hills when Stephen found his first job out of Westminster Choir College in the Somerset Hills School District. Kristin had graduated from BHS just a few years before. Now, Kristin runs a private studio where she teaches piano and voice to many students, along with balancing time prepping for performances and being a mother to a young daughter. “These moments of diving into beautiful repertoire, with students or while on stage are like an oasis.” Kristin always looks forward to singing duets with her husband and is excited to perform two on this recital. Husband Stephen continues to teach in the Somerset Hills School District and along with being the founder and artistic director of MISH, finds time to sing professionally at Trinity Wall Street, along with other solo, conducting and other musical commitments. He looks forward to performing two pieces from The Messiah in November, both of which he remembers learning the importance of from his high school voice teacher. The Sands both enjoy living in the area because of its beautiful scenery. Kristin says, “I love the trees, the horses, the hills, the smell of wood burning in fireplaces in the winter mixed with just a hint of NYC air.”

Brian Harlow, also employed at the Somerset Hills School District, is organist at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Gladstone, and works with MISH and other organizations as accompanist, teacher and performer. He appreciates the area for its highly educated and sophisticated population… “especially for their appreciation of music.” Harlow enjoys playing harpsichord saying it is much more intimate to play than organ and is excited to play some of Rameau’s pieces for harpsichord. This coming June, Harlow and husband Christopher Jennings will be performing an organ duo program for the American Guild of Organists Regional Convention in Pittsburgh.

This November 8th recital is presented by Music in the Somerset Hills which is an organization dedicated to education, artistry and community through music. Its mission is to provide musical experiences of the highest quality to those who live and work in the Somerset Hills and the surrounding communities. Each year a concert series of world-class musical performances is offered at local venues. American soprano, Julianne Baird was featured in the first of MISH’s Concert Series on October 5th at Trump National Golf Club at the organization’s annual fundraiser.

To order tickets for any of the upcoming Music in the Somerset Hills Concerts, visit: MusicSH.org/Concerts or call 973-339-7719.

Contact: Katharine Baer, Administrator - katharine@musicsh.org