CMS Improvisers Orchestra • Kingston NY • Nov 30

CREATIVE MUSIC STUDIO presents the CMS IMPROVISERS ORCHESTRA conducted by Peter Apfelbaum and featuring Ingrid Sertso Berger

Awakening: A Meditation in Sound Celebrating the Year Of Compassion

Sunday, November 30

3-3:45pm open rehearsal

4-5:30pm performance

Handbell Studio at the Shirt Factory

77 Cornell St #118, Kingston, NY

$10-$30 suggested donation

Peter Apfelbaum - conductor, tenor sax, piano, percussion

Ingrid Sertso Berger - voice and poetry

Judi Silvano - voice
Chuck Ver Straeten - voice

Bill Horberg - flute

Ilene Marder - flutes, whistles

Kiki Ultan - viola

Aliya Ultan - cello

Chris Pasin - trumpet

Josh Roseman - trombone

David Rothenberg - clarinet, bass clarinet

Bill Ylitalo - baritone sax, piccolo

Phyllis Chen - toy piano

David Lizmi - guimbri, krakeb

Brittany Anjou - vibraphone, piano

Kenny Wessel - guitar

Stuart Leigh - guitar
Mike Gassmann - guitar

Michael Bisio - bass

Tani Tabbal - drums

Joakim Lartey - percussion

Savia Berger - dance

Started by CMS founder Karl Berger in the 1970's, the CMS Improvisers Orchestra continues its monthly series at Handbell. Led by CMS Artistic Director and multi-instrumentalist Peter Apfelbaum since Berger's passing in 2023, the Orchestra features vocalist/poet and CMS co-founder Ingrid Sertso Berger, along with a rotating cast of stellar musicians from diverse stylistic backgrounds. The group continues to honor the Year of Compassion, a global initiative spearheaded by the Central Tibetan Association to mark the 90th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The Year of Compassion encompasses a year-long celebration - from July 2025 to July 2026 - recognizing the Dalai Lama's message of compassion and his advocacy for human rights, religious freedom, and the cultural preservation of the Tibetan people. In recognition of this, the Orchestra offers a special sonic meditation - with Savia Berger dancing in tribute to her father, like always - as a collective call for peace.

This performance is dedicated to the memoriesof Jack DeJohnette and Howie Brown

From Ingrid: "Jack DeJohnette has left us, and it's a big loss. He was a fantastic musician - Karl and I adored his drumming. When he moved to Woodstock in the early 1970s, where (bassist) Dave Holland was already living and where Creative Music Studio was founded, he became very involved with CMS: he did many workshops and concerts and contributed a lot to what CMS was about. He also has a featured part in the 2018 film, Music Mind, in which he speaks about CMS - we are so grateful to have that. We love him, and we love his wife Lydia, and it's unthinkable that he's gone. We will never forget him."

Saxophonist/keyboardist/composer Howie Brown (1956-2022) was a devoted student of Karl Berger, Ingrid Sertso Berger and Creative Music Studio.A member of the Woodstock community for three decades, he was a beloved and respected friend known for supporting and encouraging others in the community of musicians.He was an accomplished saxophone, keyboard player,composer and teacher who was able to build a life immersed in and supported by music. We are extremely grateful for the generous contribution made by his wife, Wendy Dolber, tohonor Howie’s musical legacyin support of CMS and the CMS Improvisers Orchestra.

Using Karl Berger's "Music Mind" principles, CMSIO performances typically start with an open rehearsal, during which audiences can observe how the conductor shapes the sound and feel of the group, working on dynamics and deep listening.“The ability to give your own original sound was and is the beating heart of CMS and music. CMS is not about teaching; it is about supporting and empowering to bring out what is in you already.” – Ingrid Sertso Berger