ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—On Feb. 2, the Woman’s Club of Englewood’s clubhouse on Brinckerhoff Court resounded with the beautiful music of the Carriage House Concert.
Under the leadership of world-renowned cellist Ani Kalayjian, the Woman’s Club of Englewood’s Carriage House music series has brought incredible performers to the Bergen County community.
It also partners with local educational institutions to give young children a platform to experience great live music, and take artists directly into the community to play outreach for patients at the Englewood Hospital and the Bergen Family Center.
The event also starred violinist Eric Silberger, British pianist Philip Fisher and the string students of the Elisabeth Morrow School (EMS) in Englewood.
Attended by over 150 residents, guests and community leaders, the program began at 1:30 p.m., as EMS music teacher Brittany Sklar welcomed everyone.
“We don’t just bring musicians,” said Sklar. “We’re trying to create future concert goers, arts supporters and lovers of music.”
With bows held proudly in hand and immaculate posture, EMS string students, ranging in age from 3 to 13, were joined by EMS music teachers Sklar, Misako Sato, Seojin Yang and Isaac Park as they performed.
Bea Barbieri, a board member of the Woman’s Club of Englewood, was one of many people who were enthralled at the youngsters’ performance.
“They were fabulous!” she raved.
Lucy Tovmasian agreed.
“It’s wonderful to see so much talent at such an early age,” she said.
Mayor Michael Wildes also praised the legacy of the Carriage House, which was the residence of Englewood’s first mayor. Wildes expressed how grateful he was to have Kalayjian as one of Englewood’s treasures who is keeping the Carriage House a vibrant cultural center.
“We see our children learning the discipline and majesty of music here,” said Wildes.
After the students’ performance, Club President Susan Eastham came to the stage and thanked the Nazarian Family Foundation for providing the seed money for Kalayjian to grow the Carriage House Concerts.
Kalayjian has been hailed by the Los Angeles Times as “representing the young, up-and-coming generation,” and the Journal Tribune as a “superb cellist with a large, expressive, singing tone, passionate musicianship, and magnificent playing.”
She makes it one of her missions to give back in the form of outreach performances in communities that would otherwise not be able to access classical music.
At 2 p.m., the featured musicians took the stage and proceeded to dazzle the audience.
Silberger and Fisher began with “From the Homeland,” for violin and piano, composed by Bedrich Smetana, followed by a piano and cello duet, “Children of Conflict: A Boy and a Makeshift Toy” by Mary Kouyoumdjian. The final piece, “Piano Trio in G Minor, Op. 15,” which was also composed by Smetana.
Fisher and Silberger both enjoyed performing to an audience that was much smaller than those in their usual concert hall venues.
Fisher remarked, “This is a real community event, and I like the fact that they got the kids involved. You get a really personal connection here and you can see people smile which you can’t do from a big stage.”
Silberger added, “Performing here is a great experience for me, especially because I live in Englewood. I also get to see and meet people afterwards and develop friendships.”
Kalayjian spoke about the success of the event and the Carriage House Concert series.
“We are so elated to start this decade with the gift of music. This season, we welcome incredible artists who have traveled the globe, partnering with Dwight-Englewood School and Elisabeth Morrow School to open up for our artists and share with the community and going into non-profit organizations such as The Bergen Family Center and more,” she said. “With the support of the Woman’s Club of Englewood as its home, Carriage House Concerts was born. We are now approaching our second season and I would like to convey my deep gratitude for their continuous support in helping me bring this idea to life.”
A second Carriage House Concert for the 2020 season is planned for Sunday, April 26, at 3 p.m.
