Epp-Karike Sonin.
Epp-Karike Sonin always amazes, inspires and delights us — especially on January 11 when she beautifully performed at the dedication of the “Epp Sonin Music Room” at the Follen Church in Lexington, Massachusetts.
Her lovely lyric soprano captivated everyone. The spacious room, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and cathedral ceiling, was filled to capacity. The overflow audience watched the program being streamed to monitors to other church function rooms.
The historic church had recently undergone a $4.1 million dollar expansion with the addition of another floor to the existing administrative/ meeting space. The third floor has been named the “Sonin Music Center” in recognition of the lead challenger grant from Epp.
For over 40 years Epp has been a Follen Church member and soprano soloist, and is the founder of the Lexington Music School.
She has also been board member and president of the Lexington Symphony Orchestra, and is an active member of the Cantata Singers. Epp, among her many other commitments, is on the Board of Directors of Musica Viva NY and is a trustee of the Boston Landmark Orchestra.
The concert “My Musical Journey — A Life in Song and Story” was dedicated by Epp to the re-tired Revered Louise Curtis who lay the foundation of Follen as “the Music Church.” (The Follen Chruch, the oldest church in Lexington, includes Ralph Waldo Emerson as one of its ministers in the 19th century.)
The program consisted of songs in four languages and with each song Epp told the story behind the song and how it was part of her personal story.
As always, Epp included a selection of Estonian folk songs in her program. A champagne reception with cake and kringel (baked by Karen Ojamaa) was waiting downstairs for the hundreds of well wishers.
For Estonians in Boston, Epp has always been the mainstay of all events. Since she moved to Boston in the 1970s she has not only performed at all of the Estonian functions, but has also introduced other musicians to the Estonian community.
She invited Diana Liiv and Hando Nahkur to teach at her Lexington Music School in the Munroe Center for the Arts which she opened in 1984.
She has introduced Estonian music by Veljo Tormis and Arvo Pärt to American audiences. Because of her, the Lexington High School Chorus has not only visited Estonia, but also per-formed Estonian songs at various concerts.
It is no wonder that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts recently recognized Epp’s contribution and dedication, and presented her with an Official Citation in Recognition of her contributions to the success of the Lexington Symphony Orchestra on their 25th anniversary.
Marilem Soodla Ferentinos
January 20, 2020
Hello Epp,
I fondly recall attempting to play flute with you “back in the day” at your apartment near the Staten Island C.C.
Jim Foster here. In Yountville, California. Retired from the contracting business here in California. A stroke 6 months ago has placed me in hospital, Wife of 44 years died in my arms, literally; Next day, had stroke. Been here since this past February the 27th.Out here on the West Coast, i did plenty of playing. Before, when active duty I stayed busy playing for various Motown groups when they would perform in Atlanta. Once out of military, i immediately got married. Wife pretty good singer. a lot of music in the south. Never warmed up too much of what was right in front of me, though. Looked up like-minded individuals to explore Jazz and played with various ethnic groups.:
Guys from the West Indies, as well as Affrica liked my playing. I could read, which put me in some big bands. Lots of fun. Got married. Two daughters. A.A college degree in Construction technology, much of it at night, got me jobs right away. Eventually got my own California contractors license; (room additions, as well as union work). I also played with various groups on weekends as well as during the week. Up to this point in my life when stroke knocked the crap out of me, i was playing as well as improving daily on all horns (tenor sax, sop sax, as well as flute. Now, I am not so sure if I ‘ll ever be able able to get back to any of that. Friend gave me a book on big band arranging. After Army, I was in Berkeley in Boston for one semester, working on getting that together. I am well retired from construction industry, relatively healthy, so, there is no longer to put it off again That is it, basically, in a nutshell.
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