Programs

A wide array of programming is offered at Bayard Cutting Arboretum in conjunction with affiliate organizations.  The Bayard Cutting Arboretum Horticultural Society is a volunteer organization based at the Arboretum.   BCHAS offers horticultural classes and programs. For the most up to date information on classes and programs offered by BCAHS please visit their website at http://www.BCAHS.net.

We also offer guided tours of the first and second floors of Manor House from September thru June.

We offer special Holiday Manor House Tours during the month of December. The Manor House is festively decorated by local garden club volunteers for the holiday season.  The manor house tour fee is $6.00 per person. See below for a list of dates and times of Public House Tours.  Private Manor House Tours require 10 persons and advance registration and payment is required.  Private House tours require 2 weeks advance registration and a deposit.

Other types of programming offered at the Arboretum include art exhibits and Sunday concerts.  The Sunday Concert Series is organized through the Islip Arts Council and is funded by Bayard Cutting Arboretum, Natural Heritage Trust, NYS OPRHP, NYS Council on the Arts and the Islip Arts Council. See below for the Winter Concert Series and also visit http://www.islipartscouncil.org.

Friday, Dec. 4, 2009—13th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting
5:30 – 7:30 pm
Visit Santa and his elves & sing-a-long of traditional carols at tree
There is no admission fee for this event

Friday, Dec. 4 – Sun, Dec. 6—A Holiday Small Standard Flower Show
Presented by the Second District Federated Garden Clubs of NYS
There is no fee for admission to the flower show

November 27 thru January  3—Holiday Manor House Tours
Daily: Tues – Sat  1:00pm, Sunday: 2:00pm
Take a guided tour of the Bayard family summer home, the Manor House, including the entire first & second floors of the home. 
Tour length average - 1.5 hrs 
Fee:  $6.00 per person
Pre-register in-person or by mail with check and requested tour dates: Mail to:  BCA House Tours, P.O. Box 466, Oakdale NY 11769
Checks should be made out to: BCAHS  
Tours are limited to 20 people on first come first serve & non-refundable
Please note there will be no tours on Dec. 24, 25 and Jan 1

Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009—BCAHS Holiday Party
6:00 – 9:00 pm
for more details visit www.bcahs.net
Annual Horticultural Society Members Only Holiday Potluck gathering

2010 Winter Series – Sundays at 2:00 pm

Jan 17   DARIA RABOTKINA—PIANO -- Winner 2007 Concert Artists Guild   International Competition, Daria is lauded as “…a pianist full of fire and warmth. …whether in front of an orchestra, in the recital hall or in a chamber music setting, this ‘“Russian virtuoso”’ (The Miami Herald) impresses audiences and critics alike.

Jan. 24   BRIDGET KIBBEY—HARPIST-- Bridget Kibbey , winner  2007 Concert Artists Guild International Competition and recipient of Avery Fisher Career Grant.  The New York Times recently declared: “Bridget Kibbey…made it seem as though her instrument had been waiting all its life to explode with the gorgeous colors and energetic figures she was getting from it.” 

Jan. 31   PHILOMEL'S SONG—Mezzo-soprano Phyllis Fay Farmer, flutist Jill Sokol, and pianist Emily Olin are the heart and soul of Philomel’s Song, a dynamic partnership between flute and voice through art songs. 

Feb. 7   JESSICA LEE –VIOLINIST—Winner, 2005 Concert Artists Guild International Competition, and featured in the “Launch Pad” column of The Strad as the magazine’s “pick of up-and-coming musicians” June 2007.  Describing her recent recital on the Ravinia Rising Stars series, the Chicago Tribune said: “...Lee's breathtaking dexterity should enchant anyone within hearing distance.”

Feb. 21   CONSTELLATION TRIO —flute, guitar, oboe and duduk, instruments that are rarely, if ever, combined but produce ... ‘‘[a] distinct sound … [that] convinced us that there's a place for us,'' said Terry Keevil, the oboist in the group. ''The blend of the three instruments was quite extraordinary,'' said Steve Salerno, guitarist, and …” we decided to stay together”.

Feb. 28  Ruthann Turekian, soprano and Daniel Ragone, pianist
—A program of operatic selections including the works of Mozart, Verdi, Puccini, Lehar, Saint-Saens, J. Strauss, Cilea, Mascagni, and Wagner.

Mar. 7   Empire Viols—A musical visit to the fabulous court of Louis XIV, the Sun King,  featuring music of Marin Marais, François Couperin, and Gaspard le Roux. Martha McGaughey and Carlene Stober, bass and treble viols; Arthur Haas, harpsichord

Mar. 14   Hahn-bin - Violinist —Winner 2008-09 Young Concert Artists International Auditions, Hahn-Bin makes his New York debut at Carnegie’s Zankel Hall. as recipient of the Peter Marino Concert Prize, as well as his Washington DC debut this season at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater.  “Hahn-Bin performed brilliantly.  The virtuoso passages were astonishing, and his tone was rich, warm and noble.” – San Louis Obispo Tribune

Mar. 24   Ran Dank -Pianist—First Prize Winner in the 2008-09 Young Concert Artists International Auditions will make his debut in the Young Concert Artists Series at Merkin Concert Hall in New York, sponsored by the Jerome L. Greene Foundation Prize.  “Ran Dank is a pianist of the highest order, and his concerts are always a delight.” – Helsingin Sanomat (Finland)

Mar. 28   Cross Island   Cello, Reeds & Keys / cello, clarinet & piano  —Suzanne Mueller, Joseph Rutkowski, Jr. & Ellie Zayas  will provide an eclectic program, spanning styles and centuries, with music by Beethoven, Clara Schumann, Paul Juon, Astor Piazzolla, and Paul Schonfield. The program will also include one of Cross Island’s signature free improvisations - a spontaneous work never heard before and never to be performed again.
Private House Tours
We accept requests from groups or clubs for Private House Tours.  The tours are offered from September thru June to groups of more than 10 people. For more information, please call the BCA office at 631-581-1002.  A minimum of 1 month advanced notice for tour date requests please.
fee is $6.00 per person.

Arboretum Grounds Tours
We also offer both public and private outdoor tours of the arboretum grounds in the Spring, Summer and Fall (weather permitting).  For private grounds tours (i.e. – Boy Scout Troops etc.), advanced notice for requests is necessary and the fee is $25.00 per group.  We also have public grounds tours periodically throughout the year.  Public grounds tours  are free but advanced registration is required and space is limited.
Please note the park will be closed on December 25 & January 1