Attendees at Oct. 25 concert can purchase new CD before public release
DANBURY, CONN. — Singer/songwriter Brianne Chasanoff soon will release her second CD, "Breathe," and those who come to hear her perform on Friday, Oct. 25, at Western Connecticut State University will have a chance to purchase the CD before it is available to the public on iTunes and cdbaby.com.
Chasanoff's performance, sponsored by the WCSU Alumni Association, will be at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 25 in the Ballroom of the Westside Campus Center on the university's Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury. The event will be free and open to the public. The CD will be available for $15.
"I decided to perform on campus because WCSU is my alma mater," said Chasanoff, who received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education with a concentration in voice and piano in 2003. "My education at WCSU in classical studies gave me a solid foundation for further growth," she added. "While I love all styles of music, you can easily detect the classical influence in my music. In fact, one of the pieces on the upcoming CD is an instrumental classical piece for cello and piano."
While at WCSU, Chasanoff performed on trumpet in the jazz ensemble and brass ensemble in addition to her voice and piano studies. She also took conducting and arranging classes, which sparked her interest in arranging.
"Arranging the music, deciding which instruments should be present in each song and writing out each part is just as exciting for me as writing the song," she said. "I tend to get so into the arranging aspect that I often include instrument solos within each song. I believe the arranging can make the song much more interesting and enhance the message that the lyrics are trying convey."
Chasanoff, of New Fairfield, has earned rave reviews for not only her songwriting, but also for her voice.
A Danbury News Times article said, "Brianne Chasanoff is known for her 'sultry voice, and she writes dark, melodic songs about love.' ... Brianne's passionate vocals speak to the listener intimately through her sensitivity and her depth of emotional expression. Her angelic voice has a soothing, natural clarity."
DJ Kendall, producer/host of "3rd Stone from the Sun" on 91.7FM, WXCI, proclaimed, "Wow! Brianne serenades you with her voice, and her lyrics and music soothe the soul ... I can't get enough, and the listeners agree!"
Chasanoff has performed in a number of regional venues. She also has accompanied musicals, chorus ensembles, church services and recitals, playing various styles of music from Broadway and classical to pop. She has performed as a vocalist for church services, weddings and other private venues, such as a benefit concert for the Canter Fitzgerald Fund for 9/11. Chasanoff currently teaches music at Pawling Elementary School in Pawling, N.Y. She was a semi-finalist in the National Pantene Pro Voice Singer/Songwriter contest for two consecutive years for her songs, "Does it Still Sound the Same" and "Blinded." Her music has reached the top of the charts on Broadjam.com for various categories including pop and mixed vocals.
After graduating from Western, she attended a songwriting workshop at the Berklee School of Music in Boston and went on to complete her Master's Degree in Studio Composition at SUNY Purchase. "Breathe" is Chasanoff's second CD. The first, "Broken," was released in 2007.
For more information, call the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.
Photos were contributed by Ms. Chasanoff.