Music
Conducting
Melanie has conducted several pieces with the Rose Tree Pops Orchestra based out of Media, PA. Most recently she conducted an orchestral arangement of the classic show tune "Johnny One Note" from the Rodgers and Hart musical Babes in Arms, which featured vocalist Matthew Maisano.
In the summer of 2014 Melanie attended the prestigious Conductors Institute at the Bard College Conservatory of Music, where she studied under Harold Farberman, Eduardo Navega, Guillermo Figueroa, Gianmaria Griglio, Mark Gibson, and Apo Hsu. Please use the Contact page for inquiries regarding conducting footage.
From 2010-2012 Melanie worked with Greasepaint Productions as Music Director and Conductor for their performances of Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, Chicago, Songs for a New World, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
Melanie Shafer studying with Maestro Harold Farberman at the Bard Conductors Institute
Melanie Shafer conducting an excerpt from Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring with the Bard Conductors Institute Orchestra
Bassoon
Melanie currently plays with the Rose Tree Pops Orchestra and the Lower Merion Symphony. She is also a frequent guest artist with the Delaware County Symphony and the Rose Valley Chorus & Orchestra. Please visit their respective websites for upcoming performance dates.
The following is a collection of videos of Melanie's solo and chamber music performances.
Solo work
Mozart Bassoon Concerto - III. Rondo
Melanie Shafer playing the 3rd movement of the Mozart Bassoon Concerto with the Strath Haven High School Orchestra.
Springs Triumphant, solo for bassoon
This piece was written by my cousin Gabriel Arico, Conestoga High School class of 2010.
Chamber music
Mozart Sonata for Bassoon and Cello - I. Allegro
Melanie Shafer and Alex Stephenson playing at Swarthmore College during the Strath Haven High School 2008 Senior Commemoration.
Villa-Lobos Duo for Oboe and Bassoon - I. Allegro
Melanie Shafer performing the first movement from the Duo for Oboe and Bassoon, W535 by Heitor Villa-Lobos, with Catherine Divizio of Haverford College.
Beethoven Trio for Piano, Flute and Bassoon - I. Allegro
Students from Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges performing the 1st movement of the Beethoven Trio, WoO 37.
Jacques Ibert Cinq Pièces en Trio for Oboe, Clarinet & Bassoon
Melanie Shafer performing Cinq Pièces en Trio by Jacques Ibert with students from Haverford College.
Darius Milhaud Pastorale for oboe, clarinet & bassoon
Melanie Shafer performing the Pastorale, for oboe, clarinet & bassoon, Op. 147 by Darius Milhaud with students from Haverford College.