Chandor Gardens Foundation News

A very special Classical & Jazz Piano Concert - "A Tribute to Ina Chandor and the music that she played" was held, on the evening of March 9, 2024 at 7:00 P.M. (doors opened at 6:30 P.M.), to welcome the newly acquired 1979 Steinway & Son Model M Chippendale piano, which now permanently resides in the Great Room of Chandor Gardens.

Dr. Hyeyoung Song and Mr. Fredrick Sanders,  both members of the Fine Arts Department of Weatherford College, presented outstanding performances.

Chandor Gardens Foundation recently purchased the 1979 Steinway & Son Model M Chippendale piano as it is the same model and style of Steinway piano which Ina Chandor used to own and play for guests in the Great Room.

Ina Chandor was an accomplished pianist and often played for guests. She had a degree in Music from Texas Female Seminary and Conservatory of Music, Weatherford, TX. She took private lessons in classical music from Professor Harold von Mickwitz. Professor Mickwitz was Dean of Music at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, and was a piano teacher at the Institute of Musical Art (Juilliard), New York. Ina also studied under Eddy Duchin the distinguished American jazz pianist and bandleader of the 1930's and 1940's, known for his graceful and clever way of playing the piano referred to as the "Duchin style".

For this inaugural concert, it was only fitting to pay tribute to Ina Chandor and the music that she played. As such, the evening’s program was made up of music selections which Ina Chandor may have played, during the 1930's through the early1950's, when she and Douglas Chandor lived in the home.

Attendees enjoyed complimentary drinks (selection of wine and beer) while they explored Chandor Gardens before the concert.

This was a fundraising concert, as such all proceeds from ticket sales and the  "Choose the Encore Song" Silent Auction went toward paying down the bank loan on the newly purchased Steinway piano. The winning bidders of the "Choose the Encore Song" Silent Auction, Doug & Beth Batista, selected the following encore songs:
Dr Song: Embraceable You (Gershwin/Wild) 
Mr Sanders: In a Sentimental Mood (Duke Ellington) 

Here are a few photos from the evening:

Dr Hyeyoung Song

Mr Fredrick Sanders

Duane Durrett, Director of Fine Arts, Weatherford College, Dr Hyeyoung Song & Mr Fredrick Sanders

Performers Bios:

Dr. Hyeyoung Song

Pianist Hyeyoung Song is an active performer who has concertized extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia; noted for her warm and beautiful tone, tireless energy, and great musical temperament. Praised for her “exquisite sensitivity and a beautiful tone” and as a pianist who “captures audiences’ ears and hearts,” Song enjoys her career as a performer and educator.

In 2016, Song had an international tour that included France, Spain, and Korea and gave a sold-out concert at Carnegie Hall. The New York Piano Group, in reviewing her Carnegie Hall performance, hailed her interpretations as “Warm, expressive, yet powerful! Ms. Song gave a colorful account of this piece, making the piano sound like the orchestra. She is a keen listener who is aware of the voices and their movements. It was tender, calm, graceful, and gentle.” In 2018, Song played Mozart’s piano concerto No. 23 with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro John Giordano.

As a dedicated educator, Song has been invited to present recitals and masterclasses in many festivals and institutions such as Southwestern University, Texas Women’s University, Central Texas College, North Texas College, Stony Brook International Piano Festival, Gijon International Piano Festival, Booker T. Washington Performing Arts High School, Ewha Woman’s University, Myeongji University, and Seoul Theological University Piano Festival.

Her most recent performances included recitals at Carnegie Weil Recital Hall, Ewha Woman’s University, American Church in Paris, Gijon International Piano Festival, Steinway Hall, Tenri Cultural Institute, Yamaha Hall, LBJ Fine Arts Auditorium, First State Bank Performing Art Center, Margo Jones Performance Hall, Caldwell-Carvey Hall, Sejong Performing Arts Center, and Alkek Fine Arts Center Theatre. She is also a founding member of the piano duo AZUL with pianist Amy Gustafson and actively performs duo recitals throughout the United States.

Song won the top prizes in competitions, including the Janice K. Hodges Piano Competition, the International Chopin Piano Competition in Corpus Christi, the Sydney Wright Piano Competition, and the Ewha Woman’s University Concerto Competition. She has also received the Teaching Excellence Award from the UT Austin Keyboard Department for superior teaching. Song holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Ewha Woman’s University, an Artist Diploma from Texas Christian University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

Song joined Weatherford College in 2007, where she is Professor of Piano and Artist-in-Residence. She is founder and director of the Weatherford College Chamber Music Ensemble and the Weatherford College International Piano Competition. In 2019, Song was honored with the title “Master Pianist” by Weatherford College in acknowledgment of her contributions and dedication as a performer, educator, and administrator. In 2023, Song was inducted into the Steinway & Sons Teacher Hall of Fame – a prestigious designation recognizing the work of North America’s most committed and passionate piano educators. Her name is displayed on a commemorative display wall inside the Steinway Factory in New York City.

Fredrick Sanders

Fredrick's masterful piano style, replete with youthful-yet seasoned chords, has been enthusiastically enjoyed by audiences ranging from elementary school to heads of state. He is well versed in a variety of modern jazz styles which includes New Orleans Trad, New Orleans Brass Band, swing, Bop, and Avant-garde. He began studying classical cello at the age of 10. He excelled at cello, winning awards for outstanding performances.

Sanders received his early jazz education at Arts Magnet High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, TX. Sanders was recognized as Downbeat Outstanding Instrumentalist for Cello and was named High School arranger of the year for his arrangement of Dan Haerle's "Crib Chimp".

After high school, Fredrick's desire to enhance his musicianship kept him busy. Sanders found time to serve as sideman for jazz greats such as Clark Terry, David "Fathead" Newman and Texas tenor James Clay. He was chosen to open for pianist Shirley Horn at the Caravan of Dreams in Fort Worth, TX.

In 1992 Fredrick was afforded the opportunity to study with avant-garde jazz legend Alvin Batiste and pianist/conductor Frank White at Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA. Sanders' skill and execution on piano won him a position in a group of musicians that accompanied Alvin Batiste at the De Oosterport Groninga New Music festival in Amsterdam and appear on Alvin Batiste CD entitled "Late."

In 1994, his music and academic pursuits took him to Southwest Texas State University. While there, Sanders performed with a Downbeat Award winning combo that was featured at the Montreaux and North Sea Jazz Festival. Sanders performed at several national and international jazz festivals and appearing with such artist as Erykah Badu, Frank Foster, David Newman and Roy Hargrove.

The release of Fredrick's 1997 debut CD entitled "East of Vilbig" on Leaning House Records received rave reviews from periodicals such as Austin Chronicles, The Jazz Attic, The Dallas Morning News and Dallas Observer. He was featured in Jazztimes and appeared on "BET" on Jazz. This recording reunited Fredrick with his high school friend Roy Hargrove, who is also joined by Texas Tenor Marchel Ivery, guitarist Mark Whitfield, bassist Roland Guerin and drummer Donald Edwards. He has given performances at Chopin Conservatory of Music in Warsaw, Poland, Den Haag Netherlands, and Ontario Canada. Touring Japan, Europe and our great country has allowed him to teach and learn from the most prominent thinkers and institutions of higher learning in the world.

In recent years Fredrick Sanders has been commissioned by Wynton Marsalis to accompany and record with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra on piano. He has also recorded with notable artist such as Nora Jones, Benny Golson, and Dr. John.

In 2003 Fredrick Sanders released his greatly awaited sophomore recording entitled "Soul Trinity vol.1" featuring bassist Rodney Whitaker and drummer Troy Davis. The CD was featured at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

Fredrick Sanders and his wife vocalist Sheila Sanders performed for the PBS special "Journey Back To Gospel" hosted by New Orleans vocalist Kim Prevost featuring Jimmy Smith, Zion Harmonizers, Wess "Warm Daddy" Anderson, and Leah Chase. Fredrick Sanders continues to maintain a busy schedule as a cellist and pianist lending his abilities to several recordings, performances, and compositions.

Fredrick Sanders earned his Associate in Arts degree from Weatherford College in Weatherford, Tx., Bachelors of Music from Texas State University in San Marcos, Tx. and Masters of Music degree from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. For over three decades he has been nationally and internationally recognized for his accomplishments as a performer, composer, arranger and educator. In the fall of 2004 Fredrick became the Jazz Piano instructor at Delgado College in New Orleans, La. In 2005 along with teaching at Delgado College, Fredrick accepted the position as Jazz Piano Instructor at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA.

Fredrick Sanders has served eight years as the Music Director for Church of The King in Mandeville, LA. while working globally on stage, in film, as well as television. He was featured in the November 2011 issue of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Campus News, May 2012 issue of Southwestern Musician Magazine and Worshipper Magazine.

Fredrick has served as the Commercial Music professor at Cedar Valley College in Dallas, TX. the instructor of jazz piano at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and piano instructor for Keys4Kids through the Dallas Jazz Piano Society.

In the fall of 2017 Fredrick Sanders returned to his Alma Mater Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts as Head of Jazz Studies, including serving as professor of Jazz at The University of Texas Arlington.

Fredrick Sanders was hired as the Director of Jazz Studies at Weatherford College in the fall of 2020. He has been named Product Specialist for the Steinway Spirio technology. Through the partnership of Steinway Pianos and Weatherford College Mr. Sanders will be working with the Buddy Holly Museum and Arlington ISD in educating music students with this technology. Fredrick's goal is to ensure that music students of all levels are equip to apply their musical knowledge with modern technology.

Spring 2022 Fredrick Sanders served as a guest professor at the University of North Texas as well as perform with the UNT faculty that featured Jazz vocalist Kurt Elling and the Caribbean Jazz Project featuring Paquito D'Rivera. Due to the pedagogic method of Mr. Sanders, his students from Weatherford College and The University of North Texas were featured in the 2022 Rising Star Piano showcase in Plano, TX.

SPONSOR THANK-YOU

A special Thank-You to Weatherford College, Fine Arts Department for sponsoring the performances of Dr. Song and Mr. Sanders for this concert.

The Friends of Chandor Gardens Meeting held on Wednesday, Novenber 15, 2023 featured guest speaker/singer Judy James presentating; “Texas History in Song and Story"  part of her Keeping Our Western Heritage Alive program.

The talented Judy James (singer, songwriter, guitarist, educator, and radio host}, from right here in Weatherford, TX, presented the history of Texas through music and song, as only the masterful balladeer that she is could do.  She had all those present clapping and singing along. Learning history has never been so entertaining and fun.  

Biography of Judy James

• Lady Balladeer of Texas and Western Music DJ of Cowboy Jubilee with Judy James and Western Heritage Radio
• Former educator of Choral Music
• 6 CDs – Cowboy Jubilee, The Gift of the Cowboy, Beneath These Western Skies, My God and I, Christmas in My Hometown, and Beautiful Texas
• One of the Top 100 Most Heard Individual Artists on Cowboy/Western Radio Programs
• Four-Time DJ/Program of the Year – Cowboy Jubilee with Judy James AND Western Heritage Radio
• Cowboy Jubilee with Judy James is heard on QXFM 88.5 in North Texas & www.qxfm.com on Saturday mornings at 7:30 Central time
• Western Heritage Radio can be heard on www.judyjamesradio.com
• Cowboy Jubilee Gospel Hour can be heard on Sunday mornings at 8:00 Central time.
• Author: Western Wisdom – Educator’s Guide for Teachers of Western Heritage.
• Co-Author – Parker County Legends: Trail Bosses and Wild Horses (the story of Charles Goodnight, Oliver Loving, and Bose Ikard)
• Buckaroo youth director of Cowtown Opry in Fort Worth
• Board member Cowtown Opry in Fort Worth
• Available for history programs for schools, museums, groups, etc.
• Available to Emcee events and programs

 For more information about Judy James and to hear some of her songs - CLICK HERE

“ONE IS NICE. TWO IS BETTER. THREE IS A COLLECTION.” – JOHN PHIFER MARRS

On the evening of Saturday, November 11, 2023 our on going “Wine & Words” Speaker Series featured interior designer and author John Phifer Marrs at Chandor Gardens speaking about designing Interiors for Collectors, which he presented with charm and a magical sense of humor through entertaining stories and anecdotes.

John Phifer Marrs, an expert interior designer and purveyor of antiques, presented a luxurious look at unique and beautiful ways to display collected objects of just about anything and everything you can imagine - from arranging in a cabinet or on a small table to using an entire wing of a house.

When a client has multiple items that could make up a collection, gathering them and displaying them in a beautiful arrangement is his specialty. But aesthetics aren’t the only considerations. Many clients’ collections include valuable art, books, or historical documents that need to be preserved and protected in the proper casing, framing, and lighting.

Here are a few of John's quotes regarding decorating:

     “I think everyone should collect something,” 

     "Buy one really fabulous piece each year ... In five years you wil have five fabulous things!"

     "Every room needs a bit of whimsy"

     "Great wallpaper is better than bad art"

     "If deciding between two chandeliers - always go with the larger"

     "Untill you find the right thing leave it bare" 

      "Decorate you bedroom before your living room - it's the first thing you see in the morning and the last thing you see in the evening" 

His book Interiors for Collectors is about the joy of collecting and his passion for displaying just about anything and everything in unique and beautiful ways. It is an inspirational guide for displaying collections exquisitely, and contains many lavish photographs.

John’s book Interiors for Collectors was available for purchase ($40/book) at this event.

Book signing immediately followed the presentation.

About John Phifer Marrs:

John Phifer Marrs is a premier Southern interior designer known for an elegant, fresh and inviting style often called “The New Southern Style.” His interiors reflect his southern roots and combine a sense of the past with comfort and convenience. Funny and irreverent, with a “Saturday Night Live” sense of humor, John has been very busy entertaining his A-list clients and creating magical interiors in Texas, across the United States and in Europe and Central America. His projects include major residences, vacation homes, executive offices and even the official residence of a United States Ambassador. In 2014 “D Magazine” named him one of “The Dallas Dozen” – a salute to the twelve most important players in the city.

His education includes post-graduate studies in the U.S., as well as in the European Program at the Parsons School of Design in both Paris and Rome. He is an accredited interior designer, having successfully completed the NCIDQ Examination, and is a registered interior designer in the state of Texas