Musical Biography of

Maestro Dr. Donald L. Appert

Donald Lawrence Appert has appeared as guest conductor in Japan, Australia, Central America, and throughout Europe.  In Italy La’ovadese wrote “the performance of the “Serenade in C Major of Tchaikovsky, under the exceptional direction of Appert, was in such a style that it brought out the elegance and grace of the melodic lines with Mozartian inspiration.  …The L’Orchestra Sinfonica Città di Grosseto… performed the Barber “Adagio” with rare effectiveness, emphasizing its intrinsically rich melody”.  Giornale di Sicilla praised his interpretation of Nielsen’s First Symphony as “lyrical with an airy freshness”, and his conducting as “precise, painstakingly accurate, and diligent”.  In the United States, he has appeared as a guest conductor of the Vancouver (Washington) Symphony, the University of Texas – Arlington Symphony Orchestra, the Eastern Washington University Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Central Arkansas Symphony.

 

Dr. Appert received the American Prize in Orchestral Programming – Vytautas Marijosius Memorial Award in 2011 for his work with the Oregon Sinfonietta.  In 2012 he has received Honorable Mention for the American Prize in Orchestral Programming for his work with the Oregon Sinfonietta, in addition to being a Semi-Finalist for the American Prize in Composition – Orchestra Professional Division for his Northwest Triptych.  In 2009 Dr. Appert received the Washington Community College Humanities Association Exemplary Status Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the Humanities.

 

Dr. Appert is a member of ASCAP, with most of his works published.  In May, 2012 he conducted the premiere of his Concerto in Mi for Piano and Strings with Maurizio Barboro and Atelier d’archi della Valle d’Aosta in Italy.  His Northwest Triptych was premiered by the Oregon Sinfonietta in November, 2010, and was performed by state orchestras in Romania, El Salvador, and Slovakia in 2011.  ABEditore (Milan, Italy) has agree to publish his Concertino for Bass Clarinet and String Orchestra and Vignette for String Quartet (or String Orchestra) this coming year.  Dr. Appert’s Nara Variations received its world premiere in December, 2007 by the Ashiya Chamber Orchestra in Kobe, Japan.  Additional performances in 2008 – 2009 of this work for string orchestra were by the El Salvador State Symphony, The L’Orchestra Sinfonica Città di Grosseto (Italy), Filharmonica “Milhail Jora” Bacau (Romania), and the Orquestra Sinfonica de Sant Cugat (Spain) with the composer conducting.  In October, 1998 the Ashiya Chamber Orchestra performed the Japanese premiere of In the Similitude of a Dream.  This piece for string orchestra was recorded by the Clark College Orchestra on its first compact disc, and received its Australian premiere in August, 1999.  The Ashiya Chamber Orchestra also gave the Japanese premiere of Thru a Glass Darkly in October, 1999, and on their November, 2001 concert they gave the world premiere of Elegy, a work they commissioned from the composer.  Dr. Appert has since conducted this work with orchestras in the United States, the Czech and Slovak Republics, France, Romania, and Portugal.  The Audienda-Chor premiered Who Shall Know? for a capella choir in Krefeld, Germany in November, 2002.  Dr. Appert has received an ASCAPLUS Award in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 for recognition of the performances of his music in Europe, Central America, Japan, and the United States.  His music may be heard via the Internet on his website at www.maestroappert.com, or either of his publishers’ websites at www.redhouseartspace.com/choral-music.html or http://harmonicservicesgroup.com/c/donaldappert/orchworks.html.

 

Dr. Appert received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Trombone from the New England Conservatory of Music, and he earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting at the University of Kansas.  Dr. Appert has studied conducting with Riccardo Muti, Otto Werner Mueller, Maurice Abravanel, Daniel Lewis, Fredrik Fennel, George Lawner, and Richard Pittman.  He was one of fourteen conductors chosen to participate in Helmuth Rilling’s Master Class at the 1992 Oregon Bach Festival.  His trombone teachers include Ronald Barron, John Coffey, and Tyrone Breuninger.  He has performed as a trombonist with the Kansas City Symphony, the Virginia Symphony, the Virginia Opera Orchestra, and the Springfield (Massachusetts) Symphony.  Currently Dr. Appert is a Professor of Music and Head of the Music Department at Clark College in Vancouver, Washington.  He has been Music Director/Conductor of the Clark College Orchestra since 1990.  In addition, he is the Music Director/Conductor of the Oregon Sinfonietta, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Jewish Community Orchestra (both in Portland, Oregon), and the Sanctuary Choir Director for the First United Methodist Church in Vancouver, Washington.

 

Dr. Appert lives in Vancouver, Washington with his wife Linda, a coloratura soprano and active voice teacher.  They have two daughters – Laura, a violist, and Rebecca, a violinist.  Both are graduates of the University of Cincinnati College – Conservatory of Music.

Conductor Emeritus Cindy H. Petty

 

Originally from Utah, Cindy is a graduate of the University of Utah in both conducting and education and then continued to develop her conducting skills with Kurt Masur , Riccardo Chailly and Maren Alsop – selected as apprentice for special projects in New York City, Chicago and Baltimore. Cindy has taught music in the public and private education systems for over 20 years and has conducted orchestras throughout the world. In Utah Cindy served as the Music Director and Conductor of the Granite Youth Symphony, Jordan Symphony Orchestra, and the Lincoln Youth Symphony;performed with the Utah Philharmonia, the Salt Lake Symphony and The Orchestra on Temple Square. In 2001 Ms. Petty moved to Oregon where she served as the Principal Conductor of the Portland Youth Philharmonic Conservatory Orchestra; as the Music Director and Conductor of The Oregon Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra; the Oregon Pro Arte Youth Chamber Orchestra; the Pro Arte Conservatory Strings; The Jewish Community Orchestra; The Portland Mormon Symphony and the Portland Adventist String Orchestra; As guest conductor of the Rose City Chamber Orchestra and the Newport Symphony; and performed as acting Concertmaster of the Columbia Symphony Orchestra. Working closely with the Portland-Sapporo Sister City Association, Cindy traveled to Japan appearing as Guest Concertmaster, Soloist, and Guest Conductor of the Sapporo Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition she maintained a private studio specializing in violin / viola instruction and coaching small chamber ensembles. In 2007, Ms. Petty was knighted by the Royal Rosarians, under the banner of the rose “Artistry” for her extensive contributions to the community through music.

 

As a violinist, Cindy currently performs with the Newport Symphony Orchestra (Oregon) and Musica Nova (Arizona). As a Conductor, she continues to serve as Principal Guest Conductor of the Sapporo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Jewish Community Orchestra, and the Oregon Arts Orchestra who have recently returned from a successful performance tour of Austria and the Czech Republic. Ms. Petty has made previous guest conducting appearances with numerous orchestras in Chicago, New York, Washington D.C., North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Michigan, California, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah, and is sought after as a clinician and adjudicator for National Music Festivals, All-State Orchestras and Youth Honors Orchestras throughout the United States. During the 2012 / 2013 season she will guest conduct orchestras in Washington D.C., Arizona, New Mexico, and Washington D.C.

 

Recently Maestra Petty has accepted a position with Music Celebrations International producing orchestral and choral concerts worldwide for the concert series: “American Celebration of Music” throughout Europe, and Asia and also for the series: “National Festival of the States” which appears in Washington D.C. Chicago, New York and Los Angeles and includes performances in the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C, Orchestra Hall in Chicago, Benaroya Hall in Seattle, and Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.

 

Ms. Petty firmly believes that music is essential to and complements every other area of our lives. It is cognitive, physical, expressive, goal oriented, aesthetic, exciting and rewarding. Music must be accessible to everyone to truly touch lives. Music is an aural sport, a lifelong skill which ensures the human element of life! It is work and recreation at the same time. It requires a high level of commitment and dedication to excellence! As stated by Ms. Petty, “Music is not just my profession…..it is my passion!”

 

 

Board of Directors:

• Orchestra President – Cara Fong
• Vice President – Karl Moltmann
• Artistic Director & Conductor – Don Appert
• Treasurer – Ralph Cohen
• Librarian – Cathy Ross
• Fundraising – David Boe
• Publicity – Galen Breckenridge
• Secretary – Teryl Williams
• Member-at-large – Lotus Steering

Violin I

• Hunter Petty, Concertmaster
• Cathy Ross, Assoc. concermaster
• Carrie Bailey
• Lisa Jean Hoefner
• Merya Kazmierski
• Richard Lowensohn
• Aaron Pikus
• Stuart Sawai
• Sara Schooley
• Nancy Nordwall

Violin II

• Nancy Vink
• Ralph Cohen
• Patty Greenfield
• Julia Harries
• Jo Ann Jex
• Betsy Leonardi
• Miriam Levitt
• Alden Moss
• Audrey Perino
• Lorene Vanhoeter
• Teryl Williams

Viola

• Jon Lexau
• Linda Asburry
• Lauretta Deforge
• Sharron Ogden
• Gabrielle Proust

Cello

• Isaiah Hsu
• Sue McDowell
• Stephanie Holtman
• Kay Lynn Moltmann
• Ann Von Ofenheim

Bass

• Willy Weeks
• Alice Newberry
• Deanna Pretlow
• Kay Robbins

Flutes and Piccolo

• Trudy Stenger
• Mihail Elisman
• Janet Franco

Oboes, English Horn

• Julia Drayton
• Susan Richmond
• Betty Booher

Clarinet

• Lou Tauber
• Johanna White

Bassoon

• Cara Fong
• Keith Neubauer

Trumpet

• David Boe
• Michael Hohnbaum
• Phillip DeLuca

Horn

• Galen Breckenridge
• Alexandra Arnholt
• Fred Clingman
• Kirk Steputis

Trombone

• Tom Foley
• Eric Olson
• Gary Powers

Tuba

• Bob Passarge

Percussion

• Guy Snyder

Piano/Celeste

• Nancy Vink