Leroy Anderson Foundation News and Events

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Updated March 23, 2023

Leroy Anderson Foundation

Leroy Anderson House Open Days 2023
Leroy Anderson House, Woodbury, Connecticut, Open Days - Spring 2023

Leroy Anderson Foundation
Concerts
Spring - Early Summer 2023

Yale Octet Chamber Music Ensemble from the Yale Graduate School of Music performing Franz Schubert's Octet in F major, D.803; Friday, May 12 at 3:30 p.m.; Southbury Public Library, Kingsley Room, Southbury, Connecticut. Yale Octet concert sponsored by Leroy Anderson Foundation.

Candlewood Brass Quintet Performing a selection of classical and popular compositions for brass quintet; Saturday, May 20 at 3:00 p.m.; Rain Date: Sunday, May 21 at 3:00 p.m.; Leroy Anderson House, Terrace + Lawn, Woodbury, Connecticut

Westfarms Quartet Performing Beethoven String Quartet No. 13 in Bb Major, Op. 130; Saturday, June 10 at 3:00 p.m.; Rain date: Sunday, June 11 at 3:00 p.m.; Leroy Anderson House, Terrace + Lawn, Woodbury, Connecticut

Note: For outdoor concerts at the Leroy Anderson House, admission is free but email reservations are required. Bring your own folding chair and sit anywhere on the lawn that you like. The acoustics are excellent no matter where you sit. Create your own social distancing.


Adella-Carlson at Leroy Anderson House
Adella Carlson Contemporary Clarinet Recital
Leroy Anderson House, Woodbury, Connecticut
Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

Leroy Anderson House Open Days 2023
Leroy Anderson House, Woodbury, Connecticut, Open Days - February and March 2023
The House will also be open every weekend in April 2023

Biographical Videos about Leroy Anderson

The Leroy Anderson Foundation is producing a series of short biographical videos about Leroy Anderson. They are between two and eight minutes long and may be seen without advertising on this website. The first videos are:

  1. Harvard University Band, 1929 - 1935 (2:38)
  2. Jazz Pizzicato, 1938 (2:20)
  3. U.S. Army, 1942 - 1952 (2:01)
  4. Saraband - 1948 (4:05)
  5. Blue Tango - 1952 (2:57)
  6. Concerto in C for Piano and Orchestra - 1953 (7:36)
  7. Forgotten Dreams - 1954 (4:32)


Leroy Anderson Film Woodbury Public Library
Leroy Anderson Film
Woodbury Public Library, Woodbury, Connecticut
Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 6:30 pm
Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 10:00 am


Miller Porfiris Duo by Marc Russell
Miller Porfiris Duo - photo by Marc Russell
Woodbury Public Library, Woodbury, Connecticut
January 7, 2023


Leroy Anderson Exhibit
Leroy Anderson Exhibit at Woodbury Public Library, January 2023
in cooperation with the Leroy Anderson Foundation
Exhibit photo by Marc Russell

Many thanks to the Gallery Committee of the Woodbury Public Library
in Woodbury, Connecticut for their exhibit about composer Leroy Anderson
which was displayed for the month of Janury 2023.



The Epoch Times

Master of the Light Classic: Leroy Anderson

Article about Leroy Anderson by Neil Cotiaux
The Epoch Times, November 16, 2022


The Washington Post

The story behind some catchy music that punctuated late-night movies

Article about Leroy Anderson by John Kelly
The Washington Post, November 5, 2022


Music from the Leroy Anderson House

STRINGS AT A COMPOSER'S HOME
by Howard Fielding
Sept. 12, 2022

Leroy Anderson was the mid-century modern composer whose home in Woodbury, Connecticut was appropriately Mid-Century Modern. The house is owned by the composer's family foundation and is open on select weekends as a museum of his life and legacy. Several times a year, the home hosts concerts as part of a series. Usually these are outdoors on the lawn, but some more intimate performances have been in the living room around the composer's piano.

Westfarms Quartet by Marc Russell
Westfarms Quartet at Leroy Anderson House 2022 - photo by Marc Russell

The performance by the Westfarms Quartet that was originally scheduled for June took place Saturday, September 10, 2022. The Connecticut-based quartet features regulars Mike Winer, violin, and Dylan Lomangino, viola. On Saturday, they were joined by Selah Kwak on violin and Kaila Piscitelli on cello.

The Leroy Anderson House is in a quiet residential neighborhood perfect for an afternoon concert. Acoustics were fine for the nuanced performance of Mendelssohn's Quartet No. 2 in A Minor Op. 13 and Haydn's "Sunrise" Quartet No. 63 in Bb Major, Op. 76, No. 4. The quartet was accompanied only by the birds and crickets of the surrounding woods.

The quartet performed Anderson's "Blue Tango" as an encore, much as the Boston Pops would with the composer's works at the end of a concert. "Blue Tango," Anderson's first big hit, sounds quite different when played by a string quartet but still delighted the audience.

Afterward, a newcomer to the concert series described the afternoon as "a little bit of Tanglewood" - which is exactly what it was meant to be.

Tanglewoodbury. It sort of has a ring to it, doesn't it?

Howard Fielding
Blog: Living Here Together
Photo: Marc Russell



Concerts and Events
September 2022

  • Saturday, September 10, 2022 3 p.m.

    Westfarms Quartet
    will perform Haydn's Quartet No. 63 in Bb Major "Sunrise" Op. 76 No. 4 and Mendelssohn's Quartet No. 2 in A Minor Op. 13. This concert will take place on the Terrace and lawn outdoors at the Leroy Anderson House. Admission is free by advance reservation only.

    Returning for its second year, the Westfarms Quartet will include violinist Selah Kwak, violinist Mike Winer violist Dylan Lomangino, and cellist Kaila Piscitelli.

    If Saturday's weather does not allow the concert to take place, the concert will be postponed to the following day, Sunday, September 11 at 3:00 p.m.

    To reserve, please send an email with the number of guests and their names to: leroyandersonfoundation@gmail.com. We will confirm your reservation via email.

Many thanks to the Friends of the Leroy Anderson Foundation whose donations support the concerts at the Leroy Anderson House. Here is the link to the Friends Membership Form: Friends  
Leroy-Anderson

Enjoy a special music program on July 4, 2022 at 4 pm on WMNR Fine Arts Radio with Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart who narrates the hour-long holiday special featuring music composed by Leroy Anderson as performed by the Boston Pops. Seiji Ozawa, John Williams & Leroy Anderson provide commentary on the music. The program includes Leroy Anderson's distinctive arrangements of music by George Gershwin, Richard Rodgers and Meredith Willson. This program is underwritten in part by the Leroy Anderson Foundation. www.leroyandersonfoundation.org



The Westfarms Quartet concert at the Leroy Anderson House that was scheduled for Sunday, June 12 at 3 pm is postponed to a date to be determined. A forecast of rain with wind gusts to 20 mph for Sunday afternoon causes us to postpone this outdoor concert. Everyone who registered to attend the concert will receive an invitation to the rescheduled concert. We will also publicize the concert on our website and in newspapers.



Westfarms-Quartet-Leroy-Anderson-House

Westfarms Quartet will perform at the Leroy Anderson House, June 12, 2022. Admission is free by advance reservation only. To reserve, please send an email to: leroyandersonfoundation@gmail.com.



Many thanks to the Friends of the Leroy Anderson Foundation whose donations support the concerts at the Leroy Anderson House.

Here is the link to the Friends Membership Form: Friends  



Connecticut-Open-House-Day-Leroy-Anderson-House


Connecticut Open House Day 2022 on Saturday, June 11, 2022.

The Leroy Anderson House, a historic house museum, is located at 33 Grassy Hill Road. Admission is free. Please send an email to: leroyandersonfoundation@gmail.com.

Imperial-Brass-Leroy-Anderson-House


Imperial Brass of Westfield, New Jersey gave a superb concert on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at the Leroy Anderson House. The audience and the band appreciated the deep shade and gentle breeze which added to the enjoyment of the band's fine musicianship. Watch this video of images by Marc Russsell from the concert to Serenata by Leroy Anderson recorded in 2017 by the Imperial Brass for their compact disc.

Video link on leroyandersonfoundation.org (no advertising): Imperial Brass

YouTube video link (with advertising): Imperial Brass


Imperial-Brass-Leroy-Anderson-House


The Imperial Brass of Westfield, New Jersey will present a concert at the Leroy Anderson House in Woodbury, Connecticut on Saturday, May 21, 2022. The program, titled "Americans We", will include music by Leroy Anderson, George Gershwin, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Henry Fillmore, Adrian Drover, Dag Wirén and Emil Söderström. Formed in 1991, the 25-member Imperial Brass is conducted by Ronald Waiksnoris.

The concert is made possible by the generous support of the Friends of the Leroy Anderson Foundation and the Newtown Savings Bank.

The Leroy Anderson House, a historic house museum, is located at 33 Grassy Hill Road. Admission is free. Reservations are required. To reserve a place, send an email to: leroyandersonfoundation@gmail.com. Bring a folding chair.

Rain Date: Sunday, May 22, 2022 @ 3 pm.

Many thanks to the Friends of the Leroy Anderson Foundation whose donations support the concerts at the Leroy Anderson House. Additional support for today's concert comes from Newtown Savings Bank.

Here is the link to the Friends Membership Form: Friends  



Open Days April-May 2022

Open Days

April, May and June 2022

Saturday, April 2, 2022  12 - 4 pm
Sunday, April 3, 2022  12 - 4 pm

Saturday, April 9, 2022  12 - 4 pm
Sunday, April 10, 2022  12 - 4 pm

Saturday, April 16, 2022  12 - 4 pm
Sunday, April 17, 2022  12 - 4 pm

Saturday, April 30, 2022  12 - 4 pm
Sunday, May 1, 2022  12 - 4 pm

Saturday, May 7, 2022  12 - 4 pm
Sunday, May 8, 2022  12 - 4 pm

Saturday, May 28, 2022  12 - 4 pm
Sunday, May 29, 2022  12 - 4 pm

Saturday, June 11, 2022  10 am - 4 pm

To make an appointment to visit, contact the Leroy Anderson Foundation by email only:
leroyandersonfoundation [at] gmail.com.

Group Visits

The Leroy Anderson House is OPEN for Group Visits for the time being.     Group Visits may be arranged by advance reservation.  To arrange a group visit contact the Leroy Anderson Foundation by email only:
leroyandersonfoundation [at] gmail.com.

Many thanks to Yulia Fedorov and Mike McGrath for coordinating the March 21 visit by the faculty of the Trumbull Connecticut Public Schools Music Department to the Leroy Anderson House.

Leroy Anderson Foundation
Music from the Leroy Anderson House

Concerts and Events
April, May, June 2022

  • Sunday, April 24, 2022 3 p.m.
    Beethoven Sonatas

    Pianist Takeshi Nagayasu will perform Beethoven's Piano Sonata in A Major Opus 101, movements 1, 2, 3, and 4. Cellist Joseph Darcourt and Mr. Nagayasu will perform the Beethoven Cello Sonata in A Major Opus 69, movements 1, 2 and 3. Joseph and Takeshi will also perform their arrangement of "Forgotten Dreams" by Leroy Anderson whose father Bror Anton Anderson was born this day in 1879 near Kristianstad, Sweden.

    Takeshi Nagayasu is a student in the master's program at Yale School of Music. He received his B.A. in Piano from Juilliard. This will be Mr. Nagayasu's first performance at the Leroy Anderson House. Joseph Darcourt is a student of cellist Astrid Schween in the pre-college program at Juilliard. Mr. Darcourt has been performing every year at the Leroy Anderson House since 2019.

  • Saturday, May 21, 2022, 3 p.m.
    Imperial Brass
    from Westfield, New Jersey. The program, titled "Americans We", will include music by Leroy Anderson, George Gershwin, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Henry Fillmore, Adrian Drover, Dag Wirén and Emil Söderström. Formed in 1991, the 25-member Imperial Brass is conducted by Ronald Waiksnoris. The Imperial Brass is one of the best brass bands in the US. They have recorded the music of Leroy Anderson. This concert will take place on the Terrace and lawn outdoors at the Leroy Anderson House. In the event of rain, the concert will take place Sunday, May 22, 2022 at 2 p.m. Admission is free by advance reservation only.

  • Leroy-Anderson-House
    Saturday, June 11, 2022 12 - 5 p.m.
    Connecticut Open House Day 2022

    Tours, exhibit, free admission.


  • Sunday, June 12, 2022 3 p.m.
    Westfarms Quartet
    will perform Haydn's Quartet No. 63 in Bb Major "Sunrise" Op. 76 No. 4 and Mendelssohn's Quartet No. 2 in A Minor Op. 13. This concert will take place on the Terrace and lawn outdoors at the Leroy Anderson House. Admission is free by advance reservation only.

    Returning for its second year, the Westfarms Quartet will include violinist Selah Kwak, violinist Mike Winer violist Dylan Lomangino, and cellist Max Hanks.

Many thanks to the Friends of the Leroy Anderson Foundation whose donations support the concerts at the Leroy Anderson House. Here is the link to the Friends Membership Form: Friends  

The First Day of Spring

Leroy Anderson completed "The First Day of Spring" in 1954 just 7 months after moving into his new home on Grassy Hill Road in Woodbury, Connecticut.  His new piano did not arrive until 1956.  Susan Anthony-Klein's performance of Leroy Anderson's arrangement of "The First Day of Spring" on the composer's piano was recorded at the Leroy Anderson House in Woodbury, Connecticut on March 9, 2021.



Late 2021 Open Days//  Many thanks to Cynthia and Zander Bos for their piano and violin concert titled "Prelude to an Autumn Wedding" and to Joseph Darcourt, cello, Ivan Morozov, clarinet, and Luis Ortiz, piano from the Juilliard School for their concert.  It was a pleasure to welcome volunteers and board members from the Glebe House Museum recently for a tour.  We look forward to opening the Leroy Anderson House.  Look for the schedule of Open Days posted just above.



Concerts and Events
May to November 2021

  • Sunday, May 23, 2021 3 p.m.
    Westfarms Quartet

    Program: Mozart's String Quartet No. 17 in B flat, K. 458 "Hunt" and Dvorak's String Quartet No. 12 in F major, Op. 96 "American".

    Mike Winer, violin, has received music degrees in Cleveland, Boston, and Kansas City, Missouri. He is a member of the music faculty of the Glastonbury Public Schools, of the Farmington Summer String Academy, and gives private lessons.

    Mai Vestergaard, violin, is the concertmaster of the University of Connecticut Symphony Orchestra. She has undergraduate degrees in Music and in Pharmacy from UConn. She is currently pursuing a Master's in Public Health and a Doctor of Pharmacy at UConn. Mai has also performed the Bruch Double Concerto as a soloist with the West Hartford Symphony Orchestra. She has performed in engagements in China, Austria, Italy, and Japan.

    Dylan Lomangino, viola, received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Connecticut in 2014 and a Master of Science in Music Education from the University of Bridgeport in 2016. He plays viola in the CT Valley Symphony Orchestra and the Beth El Symphony Orchestra and is the music director of the Northeast Connecticut Community Orchestra. Dylan is currently the elementary strings teacher at Riverside Magnet School in East Hartford, a program that he began in the Fall of 2018. He lives in Bloomfield but grew up in Farmington where he still teaches during the summer at the Suzuki String Academy.

    Kai Vestergaard, cello, has been playing the cello for 14 years. He studied with Ole Akahoshi and Jeff Krieger. He was a soloist for annual West Hartford Symphony Orchestra concerts. He also played Dvorak's Cello Concerto with Glastonbury High School Orchestra as a soloist. He will be attending Brown University studying Mechanical Engineering and Cognitive Science starting in the Fall of 2021.

  • Saturday, September 25, 2021, 3 p.m.
    Mark and Beverly Davis Guitar Duo

    Program: Toy for Two Lutes by Thomas Robinson (1560-1609); La Rossignol (Anon), Drewries Accordes (Anon - Lady Jane Pickering's Lute Book of 1616), Sonata in A, L. 428 by Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757), Andante (Concerto for Two Mandolins) by A. Vivaldi (1678-1741), Sonata in A minor by Antonio Soler (1729-1783), Un Dia en Noviembre by Leo Brouwer (b. 1939), Suite all'Antica para dos guitarras by Guido Santorsola (1904-1994), Preludio, Tempo di Minuetto, Piccola Arietta, Finale; Three English folksongs (from "Chords and Thyme") by Edward Flower (b. 1948), The Death of Queen Jane, Barbara Allen, I Wish; Four Celtic pieces: Wild Mountain Thyme by Edward Flower, My Last Farewell to Sterling by Edward Flower, Farewell to Stromness by Peter Maxwell Davis (1934-2016), The Lass of Patey's Mill by Edward Flower.

    Mark Davis is the director of the New American Mandolin Ensemble, has conducted the Providence Mandolin Orchestra since 1989 and also performs on mandolin with The Hampton Trio.

    Beverly Davis studied the classical guitar with Reed Desrosier at Keene State College. She is President of the Providence Mandolin Orchestra and performs with the New American Mandolin Ensemble and the Hampton Trio.

  • Sunday, October 24, 2022, 2 p.m.
    Prelude to an Autumn Wedding
    Cynthia Bos, piano, Zander Bos, violin

    Program: Canon in D by Pachelbel, Prelude in G Minor by J. S. Bach, Nettleton (Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing) Unknown How Lovely is the Morning Star by Hugh Sung, Slane (Be Thou My Vision) Irish Folk Tune, Like a River Glorious by James Mountain, Thaxted (O God Beyond All Praising) by Gustav Holst, Pavane by Gabriel Fauré, Gabriel's Oboe (excerpt) by Ennio Morricone, Laudate Dominum by W. A. Mozart, Grassy Hill by Cynthia Bos, Autumn Wedding Waltz, Forgotten Dreams by Leroy Anderson.

    Cynthia Bos is a pianist who specializes in liturgical music and composition. She lives with her family in West Hartford, Connecticut. Cynthia's son, Zander Bos, is a violinist and trumpet player who enjoys playing different styles of music, including fiddle, folk and worship music. Zander has a special interest in creating his own arrangements and harmonies of the music he performs.

  • Sunday, November 7, 2021, 1:30 p.m.
    Joseph Darcourt, Ivan Morozov and Luis Ortiz

    Program: Bach Cello Suite No. 4: Prelude, Allemande, Sarabande, Gigue, Joseph Darcourt, cello; Étude No. 15 by Cyrille Rose, Ivan Morozov, clarinet; Clarinet Concerto No. 1 in F minor, Mvt. 1 by Ivan V. Morozov, Ivan Morozov, clarinet, Luis Ortiz, piano; Lalo Cello Concerto, Mvt. 1 by Edouard Lalo, Joseph Darcourt, cello, Luis Ortiz, piano; Salut d' Amour by Edward Elgar, Joseph Darcourt, cello, Luis Ortiz, piano; Arietta by Leroy Anderson, Joseph Darcourt, cello, Ivan Morozov, clarinet.

    Luis Ortiz holds degrees from Juilliard, Eastman School of Music and University of Rochester.
    Ivan Morozov is a Russian clarinetist who has lived in New York since age 10 and has studied clarinet at Juilliard for eight years. He is a self-taught pianist and composer who loves chess. This is his first performance at the Leroy Anderson House.
    Joseph Darcourt is a student of cellist Astrid Schween in the pre-college program at Juilliard. Mr. Darcourt has been performing every year at the Leroy Anderson House since 2019.

London Film Music Orchestra 2021

Enjoy this video of an exccelent performance of "Forgotten Dreams" by Leroy Anderson.  The lyrics by Mitchell Parish are rarely performed.  Soprano Jacqueline Dias is accompanied by Rossi Dusheva and Ivelina Martial.
Video: Forgotten Dreams (vocal)


5 Minutes That Will Make You Love the Trumpet

New York Times
August 31, 2021

Arts > Music > Classical Music, Trumpet, Jazz

//  Leroy Anderson, the master of the light orchestral miniature, recalled that his 1949 piece "A Trumpeter's Lullaby" had its origins backstage during a Boston Pops concert. The great trumpeter Roger Voisin, then principal with the Pops, was complaining that trumpet works tended to be loud, martial, triumphant. Voisin suggested that Anderson try writing something different.

The result was this mellow lullaby. Of course, it was still a trumpet piece, so Anderson couldn't help letting jazzy bits slip in: The beguiling melody has a slightly jumpy repeated-note figure, even as the orchestra maintains a lulling mood in the background, and a middle section turns restless and syncopated in a moment of mischief.

Anthony Tommasini, Times chief classical music critic



Andante-Concerto-in-C-for-Piano-and-Orchestra

Leroy Anderson composed the "Concerto in C for Piano and orchestra" in 1953 in Woodbury, Connecticut.  The family of Leroy Anderson commissioned Yulia Fedorov to make an arrangement for solo piano of the 2nd movement "Andante" from the "Concerto in C for Piano and Orchestra".  Yulia Fedorov's arrangement was first performed during a recording at the Leroy Anderson House in Woodbury, Connecticut on August 19, 2020.



//  "As I studied the score of Leroy Anderson's Concerto in C, the second movement, 'Andante', quickly became my favorite.  It resonated with many other romantic classical pieces that I love playing.  It reminded me of music by Schumann, Chopin, Liszt, and Tchaikovsky.  But along with its romantic lyricism, long phrases, sincere and breathtaking openness, there is a special, Leroy Anderson signature.

- Yulia Fedorov, August 19, 2020


Minuet from Bach Cello Suite No. 2 in D Major-performed-by-Joseph-Darcourt

Recorded at the Leroy Anderson House
in Woodbury, Connecticut on October 12, 2020 (3:44)
.


Arietta-by-Leroy-Anderson-arranged-and-performed-by-Joseph-Darcourt

Leroy Anderson composed "Arietta" in 1962 in Woodbury, Connecticut.  The main melody first materialized as a brief eight-measure sketch for viola and cello, intended for Leroy Anderson's daughter Jane on viola and himself on cello.  Anderson later decided to expand the melody into a composition for string orchestra.  Leroy Anderson is known for his polished orchestrations of descriptive compositions, characterized as romantic or nostalgic in theme.  "Arietta" stands in contrast as an elegant, cool and somewhat abstract piece.

Joseph Darcourt performs "Arietta" as a solo cello piece in this recording
at the Leroy Anderson House in Woodbury, Connecticut on October 12, 2020.


Music for Advent and Christmas

Salut-d'Amour-by-Edward-Elgar-performed-by-Joseph-Darcourt



Harvard University Band Archives
facadeOfficial Artist Channel on YouTube
for Leroy Anderson is here:

 

NOTICE:  We look forward to opening the Leroy Anderson House to visitors for tours and concerts in Spring 2021 when health safety conditions improve.

//

Leroy Anderson Is the Composer for Now

His charming, deceptively simple music will make you feel better about things.

During our present moment of crisis, Bach provides solace, Beethoven stirs us with resolve and Brahms probes aching emotional ambiguities. But trust me: Leroy Anderson will make you feel better about things.

Anthony Tomassini
New York Times
April 22, 2020

Anthony Tomassini, one of the most respected critics, reviewers and commentators of classical music, has written another excellent article about Leroy Anderson and his music. Mr. Tomassini's articles have consistently pointed out the complexity and sophistication of Leroy Anderson's unique compositions. It first appeared in the March 22, 2020 digital edition of the New York Times. The full article was published in the March 23 print edition of the New York Times in the Arts Section. Here is the link: Leroy Anderson Is the Composer for Now - NY Times

 




Cancellation: The Connecticut Department of Tourism announced Friday, May 15 that museums and other tourism attractions may not open to the public on Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14, 2020.  In early June Governor Lamont announced that Historic House Museums may open on June 17, 2020.  With such short notice we could not arrange to have a concert in June as is our custom.  The Leroy Anderson House is normally closed during the months of July and August.

 The Leroy Anderson House will open Saturday, August 22, 2020 and will be open on weekends throughout September, October, November and December.

 

//  The concert scheduled for this Sunday, March 15, 2020 at the Leroy Anderson House in Woodbury, Connecticut has been cancelled.

Out of concern for the safety of all, the Leroy Anderson Foundation has concluded that the safe and prudent thing to do is to cancel all public events at the Leroy Anderson until at least mid-May.  We do not want to create undue risk by having a public event in the midst of this epidemic which is in its early stages.

Notices concerning future events and Open Days will be posted here.  Thank you for your understanding and support.


Leroy Anderson Foundation
March 12, 2020

 


 

Leroy Anderson House: © Rolf AndersonMany thanks to clarinetist Daniel Williams and pianist Susan Anthony-Klein for a superb concert Sunday afternoon, Jan 5, 2020 at the Leroy Anderson House.  Daniel's and Susan's performance of the "Grand Duo Concertant, Opus 48" by Carl Maria von Weber, Massenet's Meditation de "Thaïs" by Jules Massenet, and the "Clarinet Sonatina (H 356)" by Bohuslav Martinů delighted the capacity audience which included some student musicians from Woodbury.  Thanks also to the Friends of the Leroy Anderson Foundation for their support of this concert.  It was wonderful to see so many new and old friends share in this wonderful musical performance by Daniel Williams and Susan Anthony-Klein at the former home of composer Leroy Anderson and Eleanor Anderson.

Open Days, Concerts + other Events
March, April, May + June 2020

Open Days, concerts and other events will be posted here as we develop our plans for March, April, May and June of 2020.


OPEN DAYS

January 2020

Saturday, January 4, 2020  1 pm - 5 pm


New Year's Concert
Daniel Williams, clarinet and Susan Anthony-Klein, piano

Sunday, January 5, 2020, 3 pm

Daniel Williams, clarinet and Susan Anthony-Klein, piano, will present a "New Year's Concert" of music for clarinet and piano at the Leroy Anderson House in Woodbury on Sunday, January 5, 2020 at 3 pm.  The duo will perform compositions by Carl Maria von Weber, Bohuslav Martinů and other composers.

The concert is free.  Seating is limited.  Reservations are required.

Daniel Williams excelled as a clarinetist in wind bands in middle and high school, receiving top awards in the New Hampshire and New England Band Festivals.  At UMass Amherst Daniel received his BA in Clarinet Performance and performed in the college orchestra, wind ensemble and wind quintet.  He even played tenor saxophone in the orchestra for Broadway shows produced by the Theater Guild.

He currently studies clarinet with Kai-Yun Lu, a clarinet teacher at Boston University and a frequent performer with the Boston Symphony.

Susan Anthony-Klein has her Bachelor of Music Performance degree from The University of Connecticut and her Master of Music Performance degree from Ithaca College in New York.  She was music director at Salem Covenant Church in Washington, CT for 28 years.  She was the accompanist for The St. Cecelia Chorus in New York City under the direction of David Randolph.  She performed with that group at Carnegie Hall for five years in a total of seven performances including major choral works of Bach, Haydn and Orff.  Susan toured throughout the United States with the Norman Luboff Choir and the Robert deCormier Singers.

At Western Connecticut State University she has taught class piano, private students and has been the accompanist for the opera program.  She is the accompanist for both The Naugatuck Community Choir and The Newtown Choral Society in rehearsal and performance.

The Leroy Anderson House is the former home of the composer Leroy Anderson and his wife Eleanor Anderson.  On the National Register of Historic Places, this historic house museum is owned by the Leroy Anderson Foundation.

For more information or for reservations contact the Leroy Anderson Foundation at leroyandersonfoundation@gmail.com.

 

Leroy Anderson House

Many thanks for a wonderful Advent concert

Sunday, December 8, 2019, 2 pm

Many thanks to Cynthia Bos, Zander Bos and Joseph Darcourt for a wonderful concert of music for Advent.  The trio performed "O Come, O Come Emmanuel", "What Child is this ?", "The Wexford Carol", "The Angel Gabriel, "O Little Town of Bethlehem" (Forest Green), "Ave Maria, Charles Gounod / J. S. Bach (Joseph Darcourt, cello), "Later Folia" melody / Laudate Dominum, "Once in Royal David's City", Henry J. Gauntlett, "Il est Né, Le Divan Enfant" (Zander Bos, voce), "Un Flambeau, Jeanette Isabella", "Ave Maria" (Franz Schubert) (Zander Bos, violin), "O Holy Night" / Placide Cappeau lyrics (Zander Bos, voce). The audience joined the trio by singing "Silent Night", Franz Gruber music / Joseph Mohr lyrics.

Compliments for the fine Advent concert at the Leroy Anderson House given by Cynthia, Bos, Zander Bos, and Joseph Darcourt included this note of appreciation:  "Thank you for the opportunity to hear wonderful, soulful music today.  It was truly an Advent blessing!  And The Swedish holiday décor was exceptional.  - Ron and Lillian Ames.

 

An Advent Afternoon - A Holiday Music Concert with Cynthia Bos

Sunday, December 8, 2019, 2 pm

Cynthia Bos will present a concert of piano music for Advent at the Leroy Anderson House on Sunday, December 8, 2019 at 2:00 PM.

Cynthia Bos is an accompanist, arranger and composer who plays and writes beautiful music for her own enjoyment and that of others.  She plays several instruments, including the piano, flute and guitar.  Cynthia specializes in liturgical church music and in composition and improvisation.  She has a particular interest in improvisational collaboration with other musicians.  She also seeks to encourage and develop the musical skills of others.  While Cynthia often plays for church and outside events, she most enjoys sharing her music with family and friends.  Cynthia and her family live in West Hartford, Connecticut.

Cynthia Bos will be accompanied by her son Zander Bos, violin, and by Joseph Darcourt, cello. The concert is free.  Seating is limited.  Reservations required.  leroyandersonfoundation@gmail.com

Scandinavian Christmas - December 2019 Holiday Open House

The Leroy Anderson House is decorated for Christmas in traditional Scandinavian style.  Come see the home of the Woodbury composer of "Sleigh Ride" and "A Christmas Festival".  Composer Leroy Anderson wrote such well known light concert music as "Blue Tango", "Bugler's Holiday", "Irish Suite", "Fiddle-Faddle", "Serenata", "The Syncopated Clock", "The Typewriter", "A Christmas Festival", "Sleigh Ride" and many more compositions that are performed throughout the world.

Woodbury Christmas Tree Lighting - Leroy Anderson Memorial Bandstand

The Leroy Anderson Memorial Bandstand on the North Green in North Woodbury is decorated each Christmas by the Woodbury Lion's Club on the first Sunday after Thanksgiving.  The Woodbury Fire Department decorates the Christmas Tree on the North Green in time for the Annual lighting of the Woodbury Christmas Tree on the first Saturday in December at 4 pm.

Leroy Anderson House

Leroy Anderson Foundation News

Musique Française: French concert music

November 3, 2019, 3 pm

"Musique Française," a program of French concert music and chansons, will be presented at the Leroy Anderson House in Woodbury, on Sunday, November 3 at 3 p.m.  The concert is sponsored by the Leroy Anderson Foundation.  Performers include Rebecca Nesmith, soprano, Jennifer Anthony-Bogue, flute, Joseph Darcourt, cello, and Susan Anthony-Klein, piano.  They will perform works by Berlioz, Debussy, Fauré, Gounod, Ibert, Massenet and Ravel.

The concert is free.  Seating is limited.  Reservations required.  leroyandersonfoundation@gmail.com

Leroy Anderson House

OPEN DAYS

Autumn 2019

Saturday, October 12, 2019  11 am - 5 pm

Saturday, October 19, 2019  11 am - 5 pm
Sunday, October 20, 2019  1 pm - 5 pm

Saturday, October 26, 2019  11 am - 5 pm

Saturday, November 2, 2019  11 am - 5 pm

Saturday, November 9, 2019  11 am - 5 pm

Early Winter 2019/2020

Sunday, December 1, 2019  1 pm - 5 pm

Saturday, December 7, 2019  11 am - 5 pm

Saturday, December 14, 2019  11 am - 5 pm

Sunday, December 15, 2019  1 pm - 5 pm

Saturday, January 4, 2020  1 pm - 5 pm


Divertimenti: Light concert music for a summer afternoon

June 30, 2019, 3 pm

"Divertimenti", a program of light concert music, will be presented Sunday, June 30 at 3 pm.  Performers include Rebecca Nesmith, soprano, Jennifer Anthony-Bogue, flute, Joseph Darcourt, cello and Susan Anthony-Klein, piano.  They will perform works by J.S. Bach, Bolling, Fauré, Franck, Gershwin, Massenet, Mozart, Rachmaninoff, and Leroy Anderson. Seating is limited.  Reservations required.  leroyandersonfoundation@gmail.com

Cynthia Bos and Zander Bos to perform at Leroy Anderson House

THANK YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR WONDERFUL, SOULFUL MUSIC TODAY. IT WAS TRULY AN ADVENT BLESSING! AND THE SWEDISH HOLIDAY DECOR WAS EXCEPTIONAL. Leroy Anderson House

Pianist Cynthia Bos and violinist Zander Bos will entertain visitors at the Leroy Anderson House in Woodbury, Connecticut on Saturday, June 8, 2019 from 12:00 to 3:00 pm as part of Connecticut Open House Day.

Cynthia Bos is a pianist, accompanist, arranger and composer who specializes in liturgical church music, composition and improvisation.  She lives with her family in West Hartford, Connecticut.  Cynthia's son, Zander Bos, age 11, is a classically trained violinist, who has been studying violin for six years.  Zander enjoys playing different styles of music, including fiddle and sacred music, and has a special interest in improvisation and writing his own harmonies.  In addition to playing the violin, Zander studies the trumpet.  Their program will feature familiar light concert pieces composed by Leroy Anderson.

The Leroy Anderson House, a historic house museum, is located at 33 Grassy Hill Road.  The Mid-20th Century Modern house is on the National Register of Historic Places.  It is one of the few homes of a composer in the United States that is occasionally open to the public.  Members of the Friends of the Leroy Anderson Foundation will be on hand to provide guided tours of the house from 11 am to 5 pm.  On Connecticut Open House Day admission to the Leroy Anderson House is free to residents of Connecticut thanks to the support of the Friends of the Leroy Anderson Foundation.  Reservations are not necessary.

Miller Porfiris Duo to perform at Leroy Anderson House

Miller Porfiris Duo

The Miller Porfiris Duo will present a concert of classical music titled "An American Songbook, reimagined" at the Leroy Anderson House in Woodbury on Sunday, May 26, 2019 at 3:00 pm.  The program will include works by Jerome Kern, George Gershwin, Bohuslav Martinu, Leroy Anderson, Aaron Copland, and more.

Anton Miller (violin) and Rita Porfiris (viola) are members of the faculty of the Hartt School in Connecticut.  The duo has been in residency and given seminars and masterclasses at festivals and institutions across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.  Recent seasons have seen tours around the United States, Iceland,Taiwan and Israel; with critically acclaimed performances on the Chamber Music of Little Rock, Chamber Music Pittsburgh, Tel Aviv Museum, and Icelandic Chamber Society series.

The Leroy Anderson House, a historic house museum, is located at 33 Grassy Hill Road.  Admission is free thanks to a grant from the Newtown Savings Bank and with the support of the Friends of the Leroy Anderson Foundation.

Seating is very limited.  Reservations are required.  To reserve a place, send an email to: leroyandersonfoundation@gmail.com.

     

Spring 2019

leroy anderson house 2019
     

Open Days May + June 2019

leroy anderson house 2019
leroy anderson house 2019

Open Days 2019
at the Leroy Anderson House

The Leroy Anderson Foundation will open the Leroy Anderson House to the public on several weekends in late May and June of 2019.  Eleanor Anderson will be celebrated on the weekend of May 25 and 26, 2019 when the house will be open to the public.  Visit the Leroy Anderson House to learn about Leroy Anderson, his music, and to see where he and his wife Eleanor and their children lived.  With Mr. Anderson's music playing in the background, visitors will enjoy touring the house and grounds and learning about Mr. Anderson's life in Cambridge, Massachusetts, his Military Intelligence service in World War II, and his life in Woodbury from 1946 on.  Special musical performances are planned for Sunday, May 26, Saturday June 8 and Sunday June 30.

Friends of the
Leroy Anderson Foundation
Spring 2019 Meeting

The Friends of the Leroy Anderson Foundation held their spring meeting on Wednesday, May 8, 2019.  The Friends reviewed the Open Days, special group events and concerts that took place in 2018 at the Leroy Anderson House and reviewed plans for Open Days and concerts in May and June of 2019 at the Leroy Anderson  Thanks to New Morning Market catering and the Flour Garden Bakery, both in North Woodbury, Connecticut for the delicious lunch.

Juilliard MAP Wind Ensemble Orchestra and String Ensemble
to perform works by Leroy Anderson
Peter Jay Sharp Theater
Lincoln Center, New York, NY

The Juilliard School's MAP Wind Ensemble Orchestra and String Ensemble will perform"The Syncopated Clock", "Fiddle-Faddle" and "Arietta" by Leroy Anderson at their spring concert on May 4, 2019 at 4:30 p.m, at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater at Lincoln Center.  This performance was the result of a visit to the Leroy Anderson House by cellist and Juilliard music student Joseph Darcourt and his parents.  Joseph is a member of the Music Advancement Program (MAP) Wind Ensemble Orchestra and the String Ensemble.  Joseph Darcourt has been named the first place winner of the international American Protégé concerto and Musical Talent competitionS.

After performing at the Leroy Anderson House at an Advent concert on December 8 and 9, 2018, Joseph began to learn "Arietta" by Leroy Anderson as a solo performance for cello.  He then brought the composition to Murray Colosimo, conductor of the Juilliard's MAP Orchestra, for his consideration.  The result is that the Juilliard's MAP Wind Ensemble Orchestra and String Ensemble will perform "Arietta", "Fiddle-Faddle" and "The Syncopated Clock" by Leroy Anderson at their spring concert on May 4, 2019 at 4:30 p.m, at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater at Lincoln Center.  The concert is free and open to the public.  Tickets are not necessary.

Parnassus String Quartet
Leroy Anderson Foundation
Woodbury Senior Community Center

The Parnassus String Quartet of New Haven, Connecticut presented "An Afternoon with Mozart and Brahms," on Sunday, April 7 at the Woodbury Senior Community Center.  The free concert was made possible by the Leroy Anderson Foundation.  The members of the quartet - Emily Switzer (1st violin), Gregory Lewis (2nd violin), Marta Lambert (viola) and Bo Bae Lee (cello) are second-year Masters of Music students at Yale University School of Music.  They were awarded first prize in the annual Yale University String Quartet Competition.  The quartet was joined by Vincent de Luise (clarinet).  The ensemble presented the Mozart "Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet in A major" and the Brahms "Quintet in B minor".  Music series chair Lynne Kearney welcomed the 130 people who attended the concert and thanked the Leroy Anderson Foundation on behalf of the Friends of the Woodbury Senior Community Center.

 

Joseph Darcourt, cellist
Leroy Anderson House

Joseph Darcourt

Joseph Darcourt began to study cello at age 10.  He was a student of John Popham at the Juilliard School and was a member of the Music Advancement Program Orchestra and the String Ensemble.  He will spend two weeks with the Boston University Tanglewood Institute in late June 2019.  In September he will be a student of Astrid Schween in Juilliard's pre-college program.  Joseph had his Carnegie Hall debut in 2019.  He is from Long Island, New York.

In this video Joseph performs Méditation de Thaïs by Jules Massenet at the Leroy Anderson House, a historic house museum of the composer Leroy Anderson in Woodbury, Connecticut.


     

Winter 2018

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE DAYS

Early Winter 2018

Saturday, December 1, 2018  11 am - 5 pm
  Woodbury's Christmas Festival !

Sunday, December 2, 2018  1 pm - 5 pm

Saturday, December 8, 2018  11 am - 5 pm
  Music for Advent - A Holiday Concert with Cynthia Bos

Sunday, December 9, 2018  1 pm - 5 pm

Music for Advent - A Holiday Concert with Cynthia Bos

Saturday, December 8, 2018

Cynthia Bos will present a concert of piano music for Advent at the Leroy Anderson House on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 1:00 PM.

Cynthia Bos is an accompanist, arranger and composer who plays and writes beautiful music for her own enjoyment and that of others.  She plays several instruments, including the piano, flute and guitar.  Cynthia specializes in liturgical church music and in composition and improvisation.  She has a particular interest in improvisational collaboration with other musicians.  She also seeks to encourage and develop the musical skills of others.  While Cynthia often plays for church and outside events, she most enjoys sharing her music with family and friends.  Cynthia and her family live in West Hartford, Connecticut.

Admission is free.  Reservations are encouraged.  To reserve a place, send an email to: info [at] leroyandersonfoundation.org.

 

Yulia Fedorov performs at Leroy Anderson House
September 9, 2018

Yulia Fedorov

Pianist Yulia Fedorov of Trumbull, Connecticut presented a program of classical music at the Leroy Anderson House in Woodbury, Connecticut on Sunday, September 9, 2018 at 2:00 pm.  She presented works by Schumann, McDowell, Liszt, Grieg, Chopin, Beethoven, J.S. Bach and Leroy Anderson.  This was the first public music performance at the Leroy Anderson House since the Anderson home was designated a Historic House Museum by the Town of Woodbury.  The concert included the premiere of Ms. Fedorov's arrangement of the 2nd movement "Andante" of Leroy Anderson's Piano Concerto in C.  A capacity audience gave Ms. Fedorov a sustained ovation after her brilliant performance.

"Her program was delightful and her performance was perfect", said Rolf Anderson, Vice President of the Leroy Anderson Foundation.  "We look forward to Yulia Fedorov's next performance at the Leroy Anderson House."

A native of Ukraine, Yulia Fedorov earned a degree in Piano Performance and Music Theory at Dnipro Conservatory of Music.  She next received her Master's degree in Music Education, Music Theory, Composition and Music History from Lviv Conservatory of Music.  In Connecticut she earned her Master of Science in Music Education at Western Connecticut State University.  Since 2002 Yulia has been teaching piano and music in Westport and Trumbull, Connecticut and performing in multiple concerts as a soloist and an accompanist.  Yulia has been enjoying teaching music and inspiring her students for over twenty years.  She lives with her husband and three children in Trumbull, Connecticut.

 

Eleanor Anderson Memorial Garden

June 16, 2018

woodbury_connecticut

The Pomperaug Valley Garden Club of Woodbury, Connecticut will dedicate the perennial garden at the Leroy Anderson Memorial Bandstand to the memory of Eleanor Anderson on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at 2 pm.  Eleanor Anderson was a member of the Pomperaug Valley Garden Club for over 40 years and was responsible for creating and maintaining the Botany Trail at the Flanders Nature Center in Woodbury.  Eleanor Anderson lived in Woodbury from 1949 until her death in 2014.  She raised four children, was active in several organizations including the Woodbury League of Women Voters, the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, L'Alliance Francaise, and the Cub Scouts.  She was the wife of composer Leroy Anderson.  The public is invited to attend the dedication on Saturday, June 16 at 2 pm on Woodbury's historic North Green at 11 Main Street South.  Present will be members of the Pomperaug Valley Garden Club, members of the Anderson family, representatives of the Town of Woodbury and of the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra.  There will be a short concert of music by Leroy Anderson.  The event is free and open to the public.  Reservations are not necessary.  Parking will be along "Green Circle", the gently curving town road along the East side of the North Green.  Refreshments will be provided by the Pomperaug Valley Garden Club.  Bring a lawn chair if you like.

 

Anderson Family thanks Pomperaug Valley Garden Club

woodbury_connecticut

The family of Eleanor Anderson would like to thank the Pomperaug Valley Garden Club for dedicating the perennial garden at the Leroy Anderson Memorial Bandstand to the memory of Eleanor Anderson.  The ceremony on Saturday, June 16, 2018 was attended by approximately 30 people on a warm and sunny day.

The Pomperaug Valley Garden Club has worked hard to make the gardens on many of Woodbury's town greens and parks some of the most beautiful in Connecticut.  The garden club was awarded the "HISTORIC, MEMORIAL, AND PUBLIC GARDENS AWARD OF EXCELLENCE" by the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc. in 2016 for a "...significant installation at the Leroy Anderson Bandstand in Woodbury" on Woodbury's historic North Green.  It is this garden that was dedicated to Eleanor Anderson.

As a member of the Pomperaug Valley Garden Club for over 40 years, Eleanor Anderson was devoted to the Botany Wildflower Trail at the Flanders Nature Center and Land Trust.  Her son Kurt Anderson of Roxbury thanked the garden club for the honor of the garden dedication and spoke of his mother's other volunteer work in Woodbury.  Lili Wadsworth, formerly of Woodbury, and Eleanor Anderson's dearest friend attended the dedication along with many other friends and neighbors.

Thanks also go to Selectman Bill Butterly for arranging to have the bandstand receive a fresh coat of paint in time for the dedication.

Please join the Anderson family in supporting the Pomperaug Valley Garden Club and their work "to promote an interest in gardens, horticulture, floral and landscape design, to cooperate in the protection of wild flowers, trees and birds and to encourage public plantings, beautification and conservation."  Send a donation and/or become a member of the garden club by visiting their website at: www.pomperaugvalleygc.org.


Northeast Connecticut Community Orchestra

June 21, 2018

The Northeast Connecticut Community Orchestra will present a concert titled "From Bach to Blue Tango" at the Southbury Public Library on Thursday, June 21, 2018 at 7:00 pm in the library's Kingsley Room.  Based in Woodstock in Connecticut's "Quiet Corner", the Northeast Connecticut Community Orchestra was founded in 2012 by music teacher Yaroslav Tereshchenko, then of Mansfield, CT.  Since then, the string orchestra has played one spring and one winter concert each year, performing music written by composers ranging from Vivaldi and Mozart to Scott Joplin and the Beatles.  After the 2016 Christmas concert, Tereshchenko joined the Omaha (Nebraska) Conservatory faculty.  Dylan Lomangino of Mansfield, CT became the orchestra's conductor and music director.  Along with playing viola and teaching music in Connecticut schools, he now considers conducting to be his calling.  Comprised of 20 musicians performing on violin, viola, cello and double bass, the Windham County-based ensemble will bring approximately 10 members to the Southbury performance.

The Northeast Connecticut Community Orchestra is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization.  The concert in Southbury will be their first performance in Western Connecticut.  This concert is made possible by the Friends of the Southbury Public Library and the Leroy Anderson Foundation.  Light refreshments will be provided.

Like all Southbury Public Library programs, this presentation is free to attend and open to anyone regardless of town of residency.  Registration is required.  Please call 203-262-0626 ext. 130 to register or visit the Reference Desk.

Contact: Shirley Thorson, Head Librarian
Southbury Public library
100 Poverty Rd.
Southbury, CT 06488
203-262-0626 ext. 140 www.southburylibrary.org


Connecticut Open House Day
June 9, 2018

The Connecticut Open House Day saw 34 people visiting the Leroy Anderson House on Saturday, June 9, 2018 to learn about Leroy Anderson, his music, and to see where he and his wife Eleanor and their children lived.  With Mr. Anderson's music playing in the background, visitors enjoyed touring the house and grounds and learning about Mr. Anderson's life in Cambridge, Massachusetts, his Military Intelligence service in World War II, and his life in Woodbury from 1946 on.  We look forward to opening the house to visitors again starting in late August and continuing through the autumn of 2018.



 

The Foundation seeks to create partnerships with others to further the foundation's goal of honoring Leroy Anderson and supporting music and music education.

The Foundation supports music performance and music education through charitable support of:

  • music programs at the Leroy Anderson House
  • exhibits and lectures
  • scholarships for music students

 

Music Performances and Music Education

The Leroy Anderson Foundation is pleased to support music performances and music education in 2018 and 2019 at the Leroy Anderson House in Woodbury, Connecticut and at the Woodbury Senior Community Center in Woodbury, Connecticut. In 2018 and prior years the Leroy Anderson Foundation has provided support for music programs organized by the Gunn Memorial Library in Washington, Connecticut; the Naugatuck Community Choir in Naugatuck, Connecticut; the Northeast Connecticut Community Orchestra in Woodstock, Connecticut; the Connecticut Valley Symphony Orchestra in West Hartford, Connecticut; and at the Southbury Public Library in Southbury, Connecticut.

 

Special projects

  • Creating a U.S. Postal Service commemorative stamp for Leroy Anderson.
  • Adding Leroy Anderson's name to the Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade in Boston.  This was where the Boston Pops gave free summer concerts and where the annual July 4th concert is presented.
  • Bringing a special exhibit created by Leroy Anderson's family to libraries and museums across the country.  More >>> Leroy_Anderson_Exhibitions.pdf
  • Establishing a series of a music concerts in Leroy Anderson's honor.
    >>> Read more

Exhibits about the life and music of composer
Leroy Anderson

Exhibits about Leroy Anderson have been created and presented in various places, including: the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota; the Yale University Music Library in New Haven, Connecticut; Kristianstad City Library in Kristianstad, Sweden; Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury, Connecticut, Whittemore Memorial Library in Naugatuck, Connecticut and in Woodbury, Connecticut where the composer lived for many years.  Please contact the Leroy Anderson Foundation if would like to host an exhibit about Leroy Anderson as part of your performance of his music.


 


Past Exhibits

Mattatuck Museum

A Wonderland of Snow: The Life and Music of Leroy Anderson
November 19, 2015 - February 7, 2016

The Leroy Anderson Foundation is pleased to partner with the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury, Connecticut in presenting an exhibit featuring Leroy Anderson.  With materials borrowed from the Leroy Anderson Foundation, the Mattatuck Museum is honoring the life and music of Leroy Anderson who made his home in nearby Woodbury, Connecticut.

The museum describes the exhibit with these words: "Leroy Anderson was a composer of orchestral songs without words that have permeated the American culture.  Using music, photographs, archives and other memorabilia, this exhibition explores the career of the man whose music has become a part of our everyday life."

The Mattatuck Museum is located at 144 West Main Street in downtown Waterbury, Connecticut on the north side of the Waterbury Green.  The Mattatuck Museum is closed on Mondays.  The museum is open Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sundays: 12 noon - 5:00 p.m.  Please note that the galleries are cleared 15 minutes before closing.  The museum will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year Day.

Admission: Museum Members: Free, Adults: $7, Seniors (65+) and Students with valid College I.D: $6, Children under 16: Free.

 

Leroy Anderson Exhibit

The Howard Whittemore Memorial Library presented an exhibit from December 1 to December 29, 2012 about the life and music of Leroy Anderson in cooperation with The Leroy Anderson Foundation.  The exhibit was titled "A Sleigh Ride Together With You".

A reception for the exhibit took place Sunday, December 9, 2012 at 2 pm at the Whittemore Library. Rolf Anderson and Kurt Anderson, two sons of the composer, presented the PBS documentary film "Once Upon A Sleigh Ride" about their father.  This film was produced and directed by Peter Rosen.  Following refreshments, William Braun presented a program of music for solo piano.  Mr. Braun presented works by Leroy Anderson, Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, Virgil Thompson and Ned Rorem.

The Howard Whittemore Memorial Library is located at 243 Church Street, Naugatuck, Connecticut.  The library is adjacent to the town hall and across from the town green.  Parking is on the street.  The library is open on Monday 12 - 6, Tuesday and Wednesday 10 - 8, Thursday 10 - 6, Friday 10 - 4, and Saturday 10 - 2.  For other information call: 203.729.4591. www.whittemorelibrary.org/.

 

The Woodbury Public Library in Woodbury, Connecticut presented an exhibit about the life and music of Leroy Anderson in 2012.  The exhibit was titled "A Sleigh Ride Together With You".

A reception for the exhibit took place Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 2 pm at the Woodbury Library.  Rolf Anderson, a son of the composer, presented a short video and spoke about his father.

Both the exhibit and the reception were open to the public free of charge.  The exhibit was on display for the months of January and February 2012.

 


     Leroy Anderson House

National Register of Historic Places

Composer's Home Named to NRHP

The National Park Service named The Leroy Anderson House to the National Register of Historic Places on December 31, 2012.  The house contains an exhibit about Leroy Anderson and is occasionally open to the public.  For information about visiting the Leroy Anderson House, see the Leroy Anderson House page on this website.

Leroy Anderson Bandstand

The Leroy Anderson Memorial Bandstand on Woodbury's historic North Green was built by the Woodbury Lions Club in 1986.  The West Point Military Academy Band gave a concert on the North Green in 1986 as part of the dedication ceremony to honor Leroy Anderson.  The West Point Military Academy Band performed several compositions written by Leroy Anderson as well as traditional patriotic music.  The concert was attended by several hundred residents.  Leroy Anderson was a Captain in the U.S. Army during World War II.  He served in Iceland in the U.S. Army Counter Intelligence Corps and as Chief of the Scandinavian Desk of Military Intelligence at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

The Leroy Anderson Memorial Bandstand is within Woodbury's Historic District #1 which is on the National Register of Historic Places.  The Leroy Anderson Memorial Bandstand on Woodbury's North Green is maintained by the Town of Woodbury which owns the Woodbury North Green.  The Pomperaug Valley Garden Club maintains a beautiful garden of perennial and annual flowering pants at the Leroy Anderson Memorial Bandstand.  The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut gave the Pomperaug Valley Garden Club an award in 2015 for the flower garden at the bandstand.  The Leroy Anderson family is pleased to provide financial support to the Pomperaug Valley Garden Club for their good work in maintaining flower gardens at all of Woodbury's Town Greens.



For Music Directors

Performances of the music of composer Leroy Anderson

The Leroy Anderson Foundation is writing a history about the composer Leroy Anderson.  The book will include a chapter describing the popularity of Leroy Anderson's music in Europe. We would like to include information about performances of his music with a special focus on the centennial year 2008.  Please help by sending information about your performances of Leroy Anderson's music.  We appreciate receiving text in the original language.  Physical copies of concert programs are of special interest for the archives.  We appreciate, however, receiving a digital file via e-mail.

If we receive information about future concerts well in advance, we can help to publicize the concert through the newsletter page of the official website for the composer: leroyanderson.com.  Musicians as well as listeners may send comments about Leroy Anderson's music in their native language to the Guestbook page of the composer's official website: leroyanderson.com.  Your comments will help us to present a European perspective about Leroy Anderson's music.

Charles River Esplanade Hatch Shell

The "Hatch Shell" on the Charles River Esplanade in Boston, Massachusetts was where the Boston Pops gave free summer concerts and where the annual July 4th concert is presented.  Many important musicians have been honored by having their names placed on the "Hatch Shell."  The Massachusetts Dept of Conservation and Recreation has recently announced that Leroy Anderson is one of 10 composers whose names will be added to the "Hatch Shell".  The Leroy Anderson Foundation is working with several partners in Boston to make this happen.