Composer's Night is Back at Sands Point Preserve

At the first Composer’s Night at Hempstead House in May, Solomon Hoffman and his ensemble of talented musicians drew standing ovations in the mansion’s former billiards room at Sands Point Preserve.

Hoffman returns to the Preserve on Thursday, June 16, at 8 p.m. for the second night of the series, which showcases emerging artists. The program features Hoffman’s original works that span classical, jazz and contemporary influences as well as selections by other composers. Joining him is Caroline Sonnett, a flutist he’s performed with since the pair met as freshmen at Columbia University in 2010.

"Our first concert in the Composer's Night series was a really special evening, and I'm excited to return and share another program,” Hoffman said. “The natural acoustics of the space really help bring the music to life, and it was wonderful to see the Port Washington community come out to enjoy this beautiful spot we have right here in town.”

For the June program, “we'll be pairing music I've written for flute with other classical and jazz compositions to explore connections between music of different times,” he said. “We'll also be joined by a bassist and drummer for some pieces, so it will be a chance to explore a wider range of genres and styles."

Hoffman works primarily as an orchestrator for musical theatre and cabaret. His credits as orchestrator include Far From Canterbury (FringeNYC, Fringe Encores), Plath (FringeNYC), Rope (Pace New Musicals, RSO at 54 Below), War Lesbian (Dixon Place), Columbia Songbook (54 Below), and Trailblazers (NYMF-SLP). As founder of The Songwriter’s Orchestra, he has created over 50 orchestral arrangements of new songs that have been performed at 54 Below, The Laurie Beechman Theatre, Miller Theatre, The Dolphin Café, and (Le) Poisson Rouge.

Sonett is a doctoral candidate at the Eastman School of Music, and has performed at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, and the Kennedy Center. She was featured on the McGraw Hill Young Artist’s Showcase as the first prizewinner of the Friday Woodmere Music Club’s Young Artist Competition. Sonnet has performed with Buffalo’s Slee Sinfonia, the Eastman Philharmonic, Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra, Bronx Opera Company, and in the New York Philharmonic’s subsidiary program “Very Young Composers,” alongside members of the New York Philharmonic. A dedicated chamber musician, Sonnett performs internationally with Trio Alexander. This summer, Sonnet will serve as a fellow at the Talis Festival and Academy in Saas-Fee, Switzerland.

Composer’s Night is just one of many new cultural arts programs at the Preserve this season. On July 10 at 3 pm, Dance Visions NY will perform works by Isadora Duncan, the legendary choreographer who created the foundation for modern dance in the same time period when the Gould-Guggenheim estate was formed. The North Shore Music Festival will present “Madama Butterfly” on July 30 at 6 p.m.; the evening includes dinner and spans both Hempstead House and Castle Gould for a new experience at the Preserve.

To purchase tickets for all cultural events, call the ticket line at 516.304.5076. To purchase a 12-month membership, visit www.TheSandsPointPreserve.org, call 516-571-7901 or visit the Gate House at 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point, NY, 11050. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sands Point Preserve Conservancy is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to protect and preserve the 216-acre waterfront grounds and historic mansions and to provide a range of cultural arts events in Hempstead House and Castle Gould and educational programs for families and schools in the Phil Dejana Learning Center and Outdoor Classroom.