All Over Albany

The Musicians of Ma'alwyck

Project: The Musicians of Ma'alwyck -- a local, classical chamber ensemble -- wants to produce their debut CD, recorded in the Schuyler Mansion, where they are musicians in residence.

Who: Ann-Marie Barker Schwartz

Short bio
Ann-Marie Barker Schwartz is director and violinist of Musicians of Ma'alwyck. She received a B.A. in Music Performance from Boston University where she studied with Roger Shermont. A member of the the Albany Symphony Orchestra from 1982-1997, she currently performs with the Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra. She received an M.A. in American History from the University at Albany, researching music in America during the 18th and 19th centuries. A Cunningham Research Resident at the New York State Library, she worked on early 19th century musical events in Albany, culminating in a production of George Washington's favorite opera, The Poor Soldier, by William Shield and John O'Keefe, in 2009. Ms. Schwartz taught music history at the University at Albany and Siena College, and is adjunct professor of violin and viola at Schenectady County Community College (SCCC) and at Union College.

Musicians of Ma'alwyck is a flexible-size chamber ensemble in residence at the Schuyler Mansion New York State Historic Site and Schenectady County Community College. The group specializes in music performed in America during the 18th and 19th centuries. Many of the performance materials are drawn from the Special Collections of the New York State Library.

In 2002, Musicians of Ma'alwyck performed for television producer Norman Lear to celebrate his purchase of the last private copy of the Declaration of Independence. Musicians of Ma'alwyck has played for National Public Radio, WMHT-FM and WMHT-TV. Their 2009 production of the 1783 opera, The Poor Soldier, drew national attention. Musicians of Ma'alwyck was named the best chamber music ensemble of the Capital Region for both 2008 and 2009 by Metroland. In 2009 the ensemble made its television documentary debut, performing in a film titled Greene County USA. The 2015, "A Matador's Prayer" concert was recognized by music critic Joseph Dalton as one of the outstanding chamber music presentations of the 2014-15 season. Musicians of Ma'alwyck was featured at the 2016 Albany Institute of History and Art Gala celebrating their 225th year.

A description of the proposed project
The CD recording will feature three Musicians of Ma'alwyck, violinist and director Ann-Marie Barker Schwartz, flutist Norman Thibodeau, and guitarist Sten Isachsen, playing music of Carlo Cannobio (1741-1822), Philip Ernst (1792-1868), Joseph Kreutzer (1790-1840) and Charles August Blum (1786-1844). The repertory was recorded in two recent sessions, the first on July 10-11, 2016; and the second on August 21-23, 2016, at the Schuyler Mansion.

Musicians of Ma'alwyck formed in 1999, and while we have had many performance broadcasts and have played live on radio, a lack of funds has prevented us from producing our first commercial recording. This year a private gift enabled us to cover the cost of recording the music at the Schuyler Mansion. However, we still lack the funds needed to produce and market the CD.

Musicians of Ma'alwyck has been in residence at the Schuyler Mansion since our first concert in the spring of 2000, and we continue to perform four concerts there each year in the upstairs hall, which historically suits the sound of a small chamber ensemble with a warm acoustic resonance. Musicians of Ma'alwyck perform -- and are recording -- music of the era that the former residents, Philip and Catherine Schuyler, Alexander Hamilton and Eliza Schuyler Hamilton may have heard and shared with their guests, as well as later residents of the house.

Recording the CD at The Schuyler Mansion honors our residency with them, and benefits the Mansion too, by raising its profile along with ours, as a local historic treasure in a year of heightened interest in the life of Alexander Hamilton, in which they share.

All established musical groups need to issue professional recordings, as a way of reaching larger audiences, establishing credibility, capturing the ensemble's defining musical quality and eventually contributing additional revenue to support the artistic enterprise. Audiences frequently ask us after concerts where they can buy our CDs, but we have never had the capital to make one. This year, with the popularity of Hamilton the Musical and the spotlight it puts on the Schuyler family, the Mansion has had unprecedented tourism. We feel that it is very important to complete the CD while this interest is current and benefits us both.

Though the ensemble has enough cash to fund the actual recording sessions, including paying for the engineer and producer, the costs of mastering the recordings, producing the art and graphics for the CD booklet, manufacturing and marketing the CD are beyond what the ensemble can afford. These costs are estimated at $3,100 as follows:

+ Editing and mastering the recordings, Bender Studios: $800
+ Artwork and CD booklet production: $500
+ CD duplication and packaging by discmakers.com: $1,800
TOTAL CD Production: $3,100*

Funding from the AOA Startup Grant would allow us to finish producing the CD this season and schedule a special CD release party in time for the winter holiday gift shopping, to draw attention to it and stimulate sales.

* We have assurances from a few patrons, that if we can secure the $2,500 Startup grant from All Over Albany, they will provide the $600 balance to help us complete and launch the CD this fall.

How would the grant money help?

Musicians of Ma'alwyck produces music of the highest caliber and -- like many arts organizations -- struggles for funds to support our musicians and the logistical and administrative expenses needed to mount our annual concert seasons. While we have steadily built a loyal and growing audience throughout the Capital Region, our subscription and ticket sales cover about one third of our annual production costs -- leaving us raising the balance through a variety of creative endeavors.

We don't have the funds to produce this CD -- though we do have the recordings for it. Receiving the AOA grant would help us secure the remaining $600 to complete the CD production in time for a special CD launch celebration at the Schuyler Mansion prior to the winter holidays.

It would substantially raise the profile and professional stature of Musicians of Ma'alwyck, thereby increasing our audience reach, concert opportunities, and revenue stream to sustain our work. It would also raise the profile of the beautiful Schuyler Mansion at a special moment of historic opportunity for them.