On this site, you will find the photographic perspectives of many of the participants and guests who were in attendance for the Jerry Kupchynsky Memorial on Saturday, February 13, 2010 at the Hammarskjold PAC in East Brunswick, NJ. Anyone who was present at this event will tell you that never before has such an honor been presented and witnessed for a teacher, supervisor, and friend! With an orchestra of more than 90 students, amateurs, and professionals - performing with less than 2 hours of total rehearsal time - this was a concert like none other. Under the very able leadership of conductor, Dr. Sandra Dackow, and concertmistress, Melanie Kupchynsky, the orchestra performed works by Tschaikowsky, Puccini, Bach, and so much more. A family ensemble with the Kupchynsky Harrison violinists and dad at the piano was a highlight - as well as the heart-felt speeches and personal tribute delivered by Jerry's daughter, Melanie, which concluded with a very moving slide show presentation accompanied by Melanie playing Jerry's favorite "Meditation". A wonderful Reception followed the concert, provided by Joan Kupchynsky and her daughters, which allowed participants and audience members the opportunity to enjoy some of Jerry's favorite foods, talk about old times with family and friends, and to meet many new faces - all of us connected through Jerry's amazing legacy! And an extra special THANK YOU to Dr. Anna Braun, whose tireless efforts made the whole event possible!
We hope you enjoy reliving this incredible day through pictures; it is one that none of us will likely ever forget.
http://www.wfmtintroductions.com/profiles/blogs/and-the-orchestra-played-on
Please check out this link for a wonderful radio interview in Chicago with Melanie Kupchynsky and Joanne Lipman - which includes a reading of Joanne's piece on the Kupchynsky Memorial that appeared in the op-ed section of the NY Times in February. The program ends with Melanie's recording of the "Meditation from Thaiis" - her musical "goodbye" to her father that is STILL bringing tears to my eyes!
Joanne Lipman, EBHS graduate and former student of Jerry Kupchynsky, has written an Op-ed piece about the Memorial - published in the Sunday, February 28, 2010 edition of the New York Times! The link for the article is : http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/28/opinion/28lipman.html?ref=opinion
I have also placed the link under "Favorite Sites" at the bottom of the right column on this share page. Please take a look: it's a wonderful piece!
On another note, the very moving slide show presented by Melanie Kupchynsky at the Memorial concert is now available for viewing on this site. Please check the video section on this page for the link.
Hoping you enjoy them both!
Miriam
This page has had more than 600 views in just six days! That is truly awesome, and tells me that there is great interest in staying "connected" not only to the event itself, but to the people involved in it. I hope that you will continue to visit the site, as changes will continue over time, and add your thoughts in the guest book and comment sections. There is also a Message Board if you would like to start a topic or two for discussion - please feel free to do so!
Again, if you have any pictures you would like to contribute (I know I saw a lot of cameras out there that day!), please email them to me at mtcotter@gmail.com or write to me to arrange an alternative method of delivery. Thanks in advance.
Look, listen, and remember - Jerry's spirit lives on!
I just wanted to point out that there are now several video clips available of the Memorial for viewing. Three of them posted in the video section on this page were done by my father, Albert Simon. Eight clips were filmed by Juno Suk's wife, Jing, and cover most of the musical portion of the program (Juno would also like to point out that these videos contain colorful commentary and state-of-the-art special fx [camera shake] by their 11-month old daughter!)
Many thanks to Al Simon, and Juno and Jing Suk for sharing these videos! They are especially precious to those who were unable to attend and wanted so much to share in the experience that so many of us were able to enjoy that day! ![]()
Miriam
My wonderful colleagues,
All of you outdid yourselves on Saturday as we celebrated the life of a great man and said thank you and farewell to a beloved friend, family member and teacher. The fact that so many of us found our way back to East Brunswick is a testament to how profoundly all of our lives have been touched by Jerry Kupchynsky. The gifts of music, family and fellowship were those he prized above all else, and, it was fitting that we returned to celebrate with equal measures of music and love.
It was touching to see so many extended families participating, making music side by side. What a pleasure to see former students playing next to younger versions of themselves, everyone bonded by a purpose greater than themselves. For all of the young performers, my congratulations: you will remember this day always, and let it be a reminder that one person can change EVERYTHING. Be that person, in your own way and give of yourself to others, without holding anything back.
Those former students, now grown, already know this. When we see someone so driven, so uncompromising in his quest to show us something extraordinary, to raise us above the everyday through the experience of something beautiful (which we EARN) we are forever changed. Bless you for returning to say Thank You.
All of you, from young students to established artists, became a family on Saturday, and it was an honor to collaborate with such an extraordinary ensemble; Thank you
At the Ukrainian liturgical service for those departed, everyone sings Vishnaya Pamyat: May Your Memory Live Forever. I can think of no one for whom this expression will be more true than Jerry Kupchynsky.
Sandra Dackow
To everyone who participated in my dad's memorial service,
Neither words, nor music, nor any language that I can think of, can express how touched and grateful I am to all of you. To everyone who made travel arrangements, juggled work and family obligations, schlepped instruments, practiced, brought food, set up chairs and music stands, made collages, played, spoke, took pictures, honored and remembered him....thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
It was a once in a lifetime thrill to perform on the same stage with many of my dearest friends and my entire family. And it is such a comfort to realize that despite the fact that my original family is gone I am still connected to people who loved them. I know my dad never imagined he would earn such a tribute, and that he would have been overwhelmed and honored and grateful, and so happy to realize that his life had such an immense positive impact on so many others. I also know how proud he would be to see what has grown from the seeds he planted so many years ago, both in us all as individuals and in the larger musical community of his beloved East Brunswick.
It was an amazing, unforgettable day.
With much love and gratitude,
Melanie