St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Church Hosts Benefit Recital

St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church invites the public to attend a special benefit recital of violist Claire Satchwell accompanied by pianist John Scoville on Friday, August 18, 2017,  at 7:00 p.m. The recital will include works by J.S. Bach, Brahms and Hoffmeister. 

SYV Classical Music Series Coordinator Linda Burrows notes that, “Claire grew up in the Santa Ynez Valley in a family which highly values music and began studying violin at the age of five with Diane Byington of the Solvang Conservatory.  At age 10, this very talented young musician began studying viola with Mary Beth Woodruff, renowned violinist and violist, the founder and artistic director of Santa Barbara Strings and regional coordinator of Royal Conservatory of Music program.  Claire trained through the Santa Barbara Strings’ orchestras and in chamber groups from 2009 to 2014. For college, Claire has been accepted as a music major at The Juilliard School in New York City beginning her studies in late August 2017. She is performing the August 18th recital in preparation for her Juilliard orchestra and chamber group placement auditions as well as to help raise funds to support her studies.”

Born in Solvang, Claire attended Bethania Pre-school, Solvang School and freshman year at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. In 2014 as a high school sophomore, Claire gained entrance into Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan where she began studying with violist Renee Skerik. Claire distinguished herself at Interlochen by rehearsing four hours daily, holding the co-principal viola position in the Academy Orchestra for over two years and earning academic honors. 

According to Claire, “With my gift, I wish to bring happiness and peace to society. When I step onto the stage, I already know what the audience wants, because I have sat in those same seats countless times. I strive to touch my audience; to bring something to their memory or to awaken memories long forgotten with my music.”

The non-profit classical music education organization Santa Barbara Strings is serving as both the producer of the recital and as the fiscal sponsor for accepting tax-deductible donations on Claire’s behalf. St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Church is donating the concert venue which is renowned for its excellent acoustics. The recital will begin at 7:00 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. for first-come, first-seated admission.  Free-will donations at the door of $25 per person are suggested, though any amount is welcome. Checks can be made payable to “Santa Barbara Strings.” After the recital, there will be a complimentary reception to greet Claire and enjoy refreshments.

St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church is located at 2901 Nojoqui Avenue in Los Olivos, California (www.SMITV.org for directions).  For further information on the recital, please contact Linda Burrows at (805) 688-7423.