First Presbyterian Church, Mendham, NJ Thomas R. Berdos, Director of Music Ministries April 17, 2008 Press Release First Presbyterian (Hilltop) Church is pleased to present violist Peter Kenote, clarinetist Pascual Martinez Forteza, and pianist Jacqueline Schiller-Audi in concert on Sunday, May 18, 2008, at 4:00 PM. The concert is part of the Hilltop Concert Series, and is open to the public. Suggested donation at the door is $10.00 / $5.00 students. Pascual Martinez Forteza joined the New York Philharmonic as Second Clarinet in May 2001 after a tenure with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, where he had been Second Clarinet since 1998. From 1999-2000, he also served as that orchestra’s Acting Associate Principal Clarinet. Prior to his appointment in Cincinnati, Mr. Martinez Forteza was Assistant Principal Clarinet of the Symphony Orchestra of Baleares, Spain, from 1991-1998. He also performed with Madrid’s National Orchestra of Spain from 1993-1995. After earning a professor’s degree from the Baleares and Barcelona Superior Music Conservatories, Mr. Martinez Forteza pursued advanced studies at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. There, he received first prize in the University’s 1998 Concerto Competition. His principal teachers have included Yehuda Gilad, Guy Deplus, and Pascual Vicente Martinez. In addition, Mr. Martinez Forteza has performed in master classes under Andrew Marriner, Anthony Pay, Enrique Perez, Michele Zukovsky, Mitchel Lurie, and Walter Seyfarth. Peter Kenote was born in Seattle, Washington. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Washington, and his master’s and doctorate degrees in music performances from The Juilliard School. Since 1983, he has been a member of the New York Philharmonic viola section. His interests include spending time with family, hiking, running, and Bible study. Peter has served as principal viola in Hilltop Church’s annual Messiah presentation. Jacqueline Schiller-Audi, pianist, graduated from The Juilliard School of Music where she studied with Peter Serkin. She recently returned from England where she spent the last three years with her family teaching and performing solo and chamber music recitals, including one at St. Martin in the Fields in London. Here in New Jersey, Jackie has performed as soloist with orchestras including the North Jersey Philharmonic, the Adelphi Chamber Orchestra, the Julius Grossman Chamber Orchestra, and the Wayne Chamber Orchestra. She has collaborated with members of the New York Philharmonic in chamber music concerts at Merkin Hall, the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts and the Roerich Museum. Jackie teaches piano and has recorded a solo CD of piano music by Bach, Mozart, Chopin, Gottschalk and Beethoven. She performed in the Hilltop Concert Series last year with her parents, violinists Eleanor and Allan Schiller. She lives in Paramus with her husband, Rami and three beautiful children, Benjamin, Ariella and Leora. The trio will perform music of Mozart, Grieg, and Reinecke. Both Mr. Kenote and Ms. Schiller-Audi have participated in the Hilltop Concert Series in the past. Mr. Kenote has served for years as as principal viola for Hilltop Church’s annual presentation of Handel’s Messiah, and Ms. Schiller-Audi performed with her parents, Allan and Eleanor Schiller, in a chamber music recital in 2007. We welcome them back to Hilltop Church, and extend a warm welcome to Mr. Forteza. The beautiful and historic sanctuary of Hilltop Church at 20 Hilltop Road has long been a focal point for the Mendham community. As a house of worship, it has served the community since the 1850s. it is the fourth building on its site, serving a congregation organized in 1738. In addition to serving as a house of worship, the acoustically elegant sanctuary makes a wonderful venue for musical events from solo and chamber music to full choral and orchestra concerts. For more information, please call the Hilltop Church office at (973) 543-4012, or consult the church’s website at http://www.hilltopchurch.org.