Scott Elkins Tuxedo Park's Schools

• Royal College of Music , Class of 1994 Received a DipARCM, 1993; MMus Masters of Music Degree, 1994 in Music performance

Scott Elkins Tuxedo Park's Publications

• Scott Elkins on Vladimir Horowitz, Scott Elkins of Tuxedo Park's Blog on Bigsight June, 2011 An accomplished business executive and current Chief Executive Officer of SE Advisors, LLC, in Tuxedo Park, New York, Scott Elkins enjoys playing the piano and composing music in his free time. A graduate of Graceland University with a Bachelor’s degree in Music, Scott Elkins connects his community with a variety of classical music compositions through the Tuxedo Park Performing Arts Group. The group has produced concerts that feature swing, jazz, chamber music, and the work of famed traditional musicians. Throughout the 20th century, few classical pianists have had as much impact or enjoyed as much popularity as the Russian-American virtuoso Vladimir Horowitz. Born to a Jewish family living in Kiev, Ukraine, Horowitz received piano instruction from his mother at an early age. At the age of eight or nine, Horowitz enrolled at the Kiev Conservatory, where he studied under several accomplished musicians before giving his first solo recital in 1920. Horowitz quickly grew in popularity in Russia until his family lost all its possessions after the Russian Revolution, prompting Horowitz to go west in 1925 and attempt to support his family. After a series of concerts in cities such as Berlin and Paris, Horowitz received an invitation to perform at the 1927 International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, Poland. However, Horowitz stood by his decision to stay in Western Europe and declined the invitation. In 1928, Horowitz made his debut in the United States with a concert at Carnegie Hall, where he performed Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1. The concert was a resounding success with American audiences and established Horowitz as one of the premier pianists performing in the United States. Throughout his career, Horowitz earned a reputation for his expressive and emotional playing style, which prompted one New York Times writer to call his playing a “tornado unleashed from the steppes.” Many critics hailed Horowitz’s delicate treatment of dynamics and his ability to extract a wide range of tones from the instrument. Horowitz also exhibited a remarkable technical proficiency, as evidenced by his ability to play demanding passages entirely in octaves. Horowitz displayed a penchant for Romantic compositions, particularly the works of Russian composers such as Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff, and Tchaikovsky. While Horowitz possessed the ability to perform precise renditions of highly complex works, he also became known for his quiet, intimate performances of works such as Schumann’s Kinderszenen. In one particularly memorable performance in 1986, Horowitz gave a concert in Russia for the first time in more than 50 years. For his encore, he played an emotionally charged rendition of Schumann’s Traumerei, a highly symbolic piece that represents the massive loss of human life at the Battle of Stalingrad.

• Scott Elkins Discusses Aaron Copland, Scott Elkins of Tuxedo Park's Blog on Bigsight August, 2011 On of the most prominent 20th century composers, Aaron Copland played an instrumental role in defining American classical music. Although his style varied significantly over different periods of his life, he pioneered the sweeping, slow harmonies that many find characteristic of American composition. In the mid-1900s, he wrote a number of accessible pieces, such as Appalachian Spring and Fanfare for the Common Man, that solidified his popularity within American popular culture. Before that time, he had already built his reputation among other composers and music professionals. Born in New York City, Copland was surrounded by music at an early age and received his first piano instruction from his siblings. He quickly took an interest in furthering his skills and decided to become a composer by the age of 15. During this period, he began studying theory and composition with Rubin Goldmark and later continued his education under Victor Wittgenstein. As his obsession with European style grew, he traveled to Paris and enrolled at the Fontainebleau School of Music, where he worked with Nadia Boulanger. When Copland returned to the United States, he moved close to Carnegie Hall and devoted himself to composing full-time, aided by two Guggenheim Fellowships. Copland additionally established himself as a notable critic and a celebrated lecturer. During his life, he finished three influential books on music and instructed a number of rising American composers. As a teacher, he emphasized expression over technical points. Copland’s El Salón México, finished in 1936, first brought him popular acclaim, followed by his score for Billy the Kid, a ballet that premiered in 1939. The score captured the imagination of audiences and critics alike with its use of polyrhythm and polyharmony. He became famous as a composer of patriotic music the following decade with Fanfare for the Common Man and A Lincoln Portrait, both of which remain staples for political conventions and national holidays. During his career, Copland finished several more ballets, multiple symphonies, and even musical scores for film. He has become a truly iconic American composer of the 20th century. About the Author Scott Elkins holds a BA in Music from Graceland University, as well as a DipARCM and an MMus from the Royal College of Music in London. Since graduating, he has worked as a pianist and composer. In addition, Scott Elkins serves as CEO of SE Advisors, LLC, a capital fundraising firm in Tuxedo Park, New York. In this position, he partners with a number of nonprofit organizations as a fundraising advisor.

• The Helen Bamber Foundation Helping Victims of Human Trafficking , Scott Elkins' Blog on Bigsight October, 2011 In addition to his professional obligations as the Chief Executive Officer of SE Advisors, LLC, a capital fundraising company that assists organizations in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors, Scott Elkins of Tuxedo Park, New York, actively participates in local and global humanitarian organizations. Among these philanthropic efforts is the U.K.-headquartered Helen Bamber Foundation. As an advisor of the U.S. Friends of the Helen Bamber Foundation, Scott Elkins engages in fundraising efforts with celebrities such as Emma Thompson, a British actress and screenwriter. Scott Elkins, Emma Thompson, and other like-minded individuals work to raise awareness about the rising epidemic of human trafficking. In 2005, the Helen Bamber Foundation was formed to address the ongoing human rights violations committed around the globe. Among the primary issues the foundation tackles is human trafficking, a type of slavery that affects children and adults in every country. In fact, the rise of human trafficking has catapulted it to the forefront of top illegal industries in the world. Although each person seeking assistance from the Helen Bamber Foundation comes from a unique set of circumstances, universal factors include control mechanisms that tie a person into labor or commercial sex acts. The Helen Bamber Foundation offers several services for those whose civil rights have been violated: Legal Representation. Many clients come to the Helen Bamber Foundation for legal advocacy. Because the Helen Bamber Foundation works with many human rights attorneys who offer their services pro bono, the organization is well-equipped to assist its clients in navigating the justice system. Health Care. The Helen Bamber Foundation offers numerous health care services for its clients, ranging from general medicine to psychiatry. These dedicated and qualified volunteers help clients work through the anguish and pain caused by commercialized rape and slavery. By utilizing therapeutic and other specialized methods for rehabilitation, the dedicated workers at the Helen Bamber Foundation strive to help clients toward a path of mental and physical well-being and healing. The Helen Bamber Foundation also employs visual arts, music, and writing programs as tools to facilitate the healing process. As an American advisor to the program, Scott Elkins’ background in music is just one of many valuable skills he offers clients. A pianist and composer, Mr. Elkins understands the powerful therapeutic effects of music and writing.

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