Rome Art and Community Center

308 West Bloomfield
Rome NY 13440

Phone: 3153371409
Contact: Peter Costianes
Email: [email protected]

The B Sharp Music Club in collaboration with the Rome Art and Community Center (RACC) is proud to present an evening of music of classical/opera/jazz/musical theater selections on Wednesday, May 18 at 7PM in the RACC living room.

Jon Frederic West (Heldontenor) – Mr. West performed his  graduate work at Manhattan School of Music and at the Juilliard American Opera Center. In 2006 Mr. West was awarded a Doctor of Musical Arts, from his Alma Mater. In his singing career, as one of the top Heldentenors in the world of his generation, he sang at most every major opera house, with most every major conductor and most every major symphony orchestra in Europe and the U.S.

Sharon West – Ms. West graduated on Full Scholarship from the Masters program in Opera Theater at Manhattan School of Music in New York. She has performed leading roles as a lyric soprano with the Boris Goldovski Touring Company and the Amato Opera in New York which included Madama Butterfly, Madellena in Andre Chenier, Mimi in La Boheme and Leonora in Il Travatore. Teaching and coaching remain a great love.

Sar-Shalom Strong (classical pianist) – Mr. Strong is well-known by audiences as both a soloist and a collaborative pianist.  For over 30 years, he has had the privilege of collaborating with many international artists as well as multitudes of the fine musicians who live and perform in upstate New York.  He has been a soloist with the Utica Symphony, Hamilton College Orchestra, and Symphoria. Mr. Strong is a Lecturer in Piano and Coordinator of Staff Pianists for Hamilton College,

Dan Evans (jazz pianist) – Mr. Evans has been a professional jazz pianist for over 50 years. He spent 40 years in New York City playing piano bar at hotels, restaurants and clubs throughout the city. He moved back to his home town of Barneveld after retiring and has played with several groups in this area to include No Name Band, Clef  Dwellers, Above Standards, Raddison, Hotel Utica, and several wedding receptions, 

Pete Ruben (saxophonist) – Mr. Ruben graduated from the Naval School of Music in Washington DC. He spent 2 years in Orleans, France after which he returned to the local area playing in the Rome Civic Band, Sal Alberico Big Band, Utica Civic Band and many other groups in the Utica/Rome area.

Linda LoRusso (alto) – Ms. LoRusso previously sang with a 5 piece band in the 70’s, has performed with the Hamilton College Community and Masterworks Chorale, and presently performs at the Jazz Workshops sponsored by CNY Jazz Arts in Syracuse. She is a student of Nancy Kelley.

Peter Costianes (bass/baritone) – Mr. Costianes has been involved in over 60 productions in local theater with the Capitol Theater  Summerstage since 1989 and the Rome Community Theater as actor and director. He presently sings with the Hamilton College Community Masterworks Chorale and performs at the Jazz Workshops sponsored by CNY Jazz Arts in Syracuse.

The members of the group will perform musical theater/jazz selections – Porgy and Bess Medley, Georgia, Girl from Ipanema, Take the A Train, If Ever I Would Leave You,  Old Black Magic,  Watch What Happens, and Satin Doll. There will also be classical selections – Le Charme, Little Blue Boy, Porgi amor, The Lake Isle of Innisfree, Ireland Mother Ireland, Go! Let my tears flow now , The Green-eyed Dragon,  Sonata in B-flat major K. 570, and Prelude for Akiko.

            This is a free concert. Donations to the B Sharp student scholarship fund will be gratefully accepted.