Peekskill's Copland House Celebrating 15th Anniversary

PEEKSKILL, N.Y. -- With the 15th anniversary of the legendary Copland House of Peekskill coming up later this month, the group's music maestros are gearing up for a celebration of not only America's past but also its present and future.

Peekskill's Copland House is celebrating two anniversaries with a special concert Sept. 28.
Photo Credit: *Courtesy Copland House*

Bedford resident Michael Boriskin, who also works as executive director for Copland House, will be playing piano during the anniversary celebration that features many original pieces from the group.
Photo Credit: *Courtesy Copland House*

by Nathan Bruttell

09/12/2013 5:00 a.m.

A wide-ranging program featuring cajun and Hindustani folk music, bluegrass, West African drumming, spirituals and other pieces composed by the Copland House Ensemble will be the highlight of Copland House's 15th anniversary celebration at 8 p.m. Sept. 28. The night includes a celebration of the fifth season of music at Merestead in Mount Kisco.

Michael Boriskin, pianist and executive director of Copland House, said the night will include performances and pieces that many will remember for years to come.

"It's been a really exciting adventure to build this organization from scratch and we've put together a program that is just as exciting and I think people will love," Boriskin said. "I live in Bedford but Peekskill and Mount Kisco have become a second home because of Copland House and Merestead."

Copland House began out of the vision of a few Peekskill and Cortlandt residents, Boriskin said, and today it is celebrated by groups from across Westchester.

"We've reimagined the entire concert experience," he said. "We're exploring the American music landscape, which is as wide and diverse as the country is. On September twenty-eighth, we're especially excited because virtually all of the music we're playing are pieces that have been composed for Copland House Ensemble. These are pieces we've helped bring into existence. Most of the composers will be there. So, it should be a lot of fun."

Copland House has worked with the Peeksill, Cortlandt and Somers school districts to build upon the group's work and look forward to the future, Boriskin said. Keeping an eye on the future, the anniversary celebration also is a chance for the group to keep an eye on the future.

"Anniversaries are a very good time to not only celebrate past accomplishments but also really look forward to exciting programs that lie ahead," he said. "In that sense, we've got twenty years of programs on our lines without breaking a sweat. We've got all kinds of exciting things ahead. We're undertaking a vast public/private partnership with the county for the restoration and use of the Merestead Estate in Mount Kisco. The concerts there have become very popular, and they've sold out and we're looking to make it even bigger."

To learn more about Copland House and Merestead, go to the group's website. Tickets for the anniversary celebration are on sale for $50 through the website or by calling (914) 788-4659.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Peekskill and receive free news updates.