ROCKPORT — Bay Chamber Concerts and Music School announces receipt of a major gift of $50,000 to endow a Chamber Music Prize for its Young Stars of Maine Prize Program. This new prize fund was established with funds donated by Anna Bereziuk (deceased) and Lindley Wood Jr (her grandson) and is called the Anna Bereziuk and Lindley Wood Prize for Ensemble Endeavors.

The prize offers a cash prize to each member of the ensemble of $500 and the opportunity to perform on the concert series.

At age 16, Anna Bereziuk emigrated from the Ukraine, she later married and lived on a dairy farm in Malden Bridge, NY.  Bereziuk had one daughter, Stephania, and like all mothers, wanted her daughter to have more opportunities than she had. Exposure to musical training was chosen. Bereziuk sold eggs to pay for her daughter’s voice and piano lessons. 

After high school, Stephania won a scholarship to the Bishop Lee Music School in Boston graduating in 1936.

Lindley Wood inherited his mother’s and grandmother’s love of music and theatre. He started as a young trombonist – because he could reach seventh position – and later, at graduate school, a friend’s wife, who was a classically trained singer, suggested he pursue vocal training which he did. 

Although he received his doctoral degree in organic chemistry, he began a long avocational hobby of appearing in staged theatre and opera productions with regional music companies. He has appeared in some 15 roles in 20 different operas. Highlights include the roles of Belcore (The Elixir of Love); Prince Yamadori and the Imperial Commissioner (Madama Butterfly); El Dancairo (Carmen); Alidoro (La Cenerentola) and the Sacristan (Tosca). 

He recalled “on some nights you escaped the rehearsal detailing and became the character you were portraying,” according to Bay Chamber, in a news release. “This being ‘in character’ was a transformative experience for both the singer and audience.”

Bay Chamber’s Ensemble Endeavors prize encourages risk-taking by ensemble musicians to catalyze this transformation. The ensemble addresses the composer’s intent and the composition’s demands. The ensemble’s spontaneity and teamwork are noted and each ensemble member may also be featured via improvisation or ritornello. The audience’s realization of a deeper meaning within the music itself is the desired transformation for these Ensemble Endeavors.

Each June, Bay Chamber offers, now, eight prizes to Maine students between the ages of 11 and 25. Prize winners receive cash awards between $500 and $1,000 and perform in a concert at the Rockport Opera House. This year’s concert takes place on June 23, at 4 p.m. It is free and open to the public.

For more information about Bay Chamber programming, visit www.baychamberconcerts.org or call (207) 236-2823.