We Have a Dream - January 19, 2008

The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra continues its symphonic season with “We Have A Dream” on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 8:00p.m. in Western Michigan University’s Miller Auditorium. Playwright, actor, and director Von Washington joins the symphony to celebrate the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the dream of our shared future in Kalamazoo (see sidebar).

Currently director of Multi-Cultural Theatre at Western Michigan University, Von Washington received his B.S. and M.A. degrees from WMU. He has a Ph.D. from Wayne State University. Dr. Washington has worked nationally as an actor and director on stage, screen, and television for more than 300 productions. He is also a published playwright and his plays have been produced in amateur and professional theatres across the country.

Dr. Washington will join the KSO as narrator on the piece New Morning for the World by Joseph Schwantner. The spoken text is taken from speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The orchestral setting is one of drama and pathos and reflects Schwantner’s view of Dr. King as “a man of great dignity and courage.”

The January 19 program will also include African Suite for Strings by Fela Sowande. Sowande is arguably the best-known African composer of music in the European classical vein. His African Suite from 1944 presents a blend of traditional and popular music from the continent in a European orchestral setting. The program will conclude with Death and Transfiguration by Richard Strauss.

Concert tickets are $49, $39, $29, and $19 for adults (half-price for students/children) and Harvey ’s Hideaway tickets (balcony, general admission seating) are $5 ($7 day of performance). Tickets may be purchased at all Miller Auditorium Ticket Office locations: phone (269) 387-2300 or (800) 228-9858 or on the web at www.KalamazooSymphony.com. Student rush tickets are $7 (with valid student I.D.) on the evening of the performance.

Winter Evening - February 1 & 2, 2008

The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra continues the third season of its “Epic Evenings” series with “Winter Evening” on Friday, February 1 and Saturday, February 2. Both concerts are at 8:00p.m. in the Epic Theatre.

Wagner’s “Siegfried Idyll” will be the featured work of this chamber music program. A small chamber orchestra will perform this work without a conductor. The work was originally written as a birthday present for Wagner’s wife, Cosima, and it abounds with sentimental sounds tying together Wagner’s love for his wife, his children, and his family.

Rounding out the evening’s program will be “Six Bagatelles for Woodwind Quintet” by Ligeti and Mozart’s “String Quartet No. 16 in E-Flat Major, K. 428. These will be performed by the KSO’s Woodwind Quintet and the Burdick-Thorne String Quartet. These small ensembles regularly perform in schools and community centers throughout Southwest Michigan.

“Epic Evenings” provides a new twist to the common classical chamber music concert. With the Epic Theatre as its venue, the KSO provides audience members with bistro table seating. Coffee will be served by staff from Heilman’s Nuts & Confections prior to the concert, and musicians will introduce the piece from the stage. The informal, coffee-house atmosphere is designed to offer audience members a relaxed, intimate feel. Dessert is provided by the Epic Bistro following the concert.

The “Epic Evenings” series was created by KSO Music Director Raymond Harvey. One other pair of concerts completes the series: “Spring Evening” on March 14 & 15, 2008. Each concert is at 8:00p.m.

Concert tickets are $18 for adults ($5 for students/children) and may be purchased at all Miller Auditorium Ticket Office locations: phone (269) 387-2300 or (800) 228-9858 or on the web at www.KalamazooSymphony.com.

The Legend of Faust - February 15, 2008

The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra continues its symphonic season with “The Legend of Faust” on Friday, February 15, 2008 at 8:00p.m. in Western Michigan University’s Miller Auditorium. Raymond Harvey will lead the orchestra in a dynamic performance of “A Faust Symphony” by Franz Liszt.

This symphony is the perfect sequel to the opera “Faust” that the KSO presented last season. This year, the Faust legend is portrayed in the form of character sketches represented through music, each movement representing a different character.

Western Michigan University Men’s Chorus directed by James Bass and Portage Northern High School Men’s Ensemble directed by Whitney Wade will join the KSO for the dramatic choral ending of the symphony. Tenor Alan Schneider joins the groups as featured soloist.

“A Faust Symphony” is Liszt at his finest. The opening movement is five motifs that reveal Faust, a complex dreamer with a thirst for truth and knowledge. Richard Pohl, a critic and close friend of Liszt, titled the motifs “Passion”, “Pride”, “Longing”, “Triumph” and “Love”. Gretchen’s theme comprises the second movement of the work. The closing movement represents Mephistopheles (Satan) who, unable to create anything of his own, takes the Faust themes from the first movement and distorts and transforms them. Chorus and tenor soloist bring the work to its masterful conclusion.

Outside the concert hall, the KSO is teaming with Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes (KLF) to assist those in need. The winter is a critical time for KLF as it falls between the peak times of holiday collections and summer food drives. Collection will take place in the lobby and patrons may bring food items or make cash donations. KLF encourages patrons donating food items to bring peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, soup or juice.

Prelude , a pre-concert lecture, precedes the concert at 7:00 p.m. and is open to all ticket holders at no additional charge. Maestro Harvey illustrates the evening’s repertoire from the piano, providing an in depth look at the music, composer, and historical lore of the pieces to be performed.

Concert tickets are $49, $39, $29, and $19 for adults (half-price for students/children) and Harvey’s Hideaway tickets (balcony, general admission seating) are $5 ($7 day of performance). Tickets may be purchased at all Miller Auditorium Ticket Office locations: phone (269) 387-2300 or (800) 228-9858 or on the web at www.KalamazooSymphony.com. Student rush tickets are $7 (with valid student I.D.) on the evening of the performance.

Rotten Richie and the Ultimate Dare - February 24, 2008

The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra continues the Family Discovery Series with Rotten Richie and the Ultimate Dare on Sunday, February 24, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. in Chenery Auditorium.

The concert drama is based upon the popular children’s book by Patricia Polacco. In this adaptation by Barry Ross and Jane Rooks Ross, Richie sets his mind to making his sister Trisha’s life impossible – especially when he takes to teasing her about her beloved ballet class. So she challenges Richie to perform in her ballet recital, and Richie agrees under one condition: Trisha has to join his hockey team for the big game!

These sibling shenanigans feature the return to Kalamazoo of actor Tim Marrone. Marrone performed with the KSO in last year’s production of “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs” portraying Mother Goose and the Big Bad Wolf. For this production, he will be joined by Kalamazoo actors Hannah Schubkegel Sielatycki and Cathleen Huling and dancers from the Ballet Arts Ensemble. The drama will be complemented by the music of Chopin, Rossini, Tchaikovsky and more.

The concert will be conducted by KSO Assistant Conductor Barry Ross. Dr. Ross began the Family Discovery Series in 1990. Concerts are one-hour programs of music and story. The popular Instrument Petting Zoo precedes the concert starting at 2:00 p.m. Assisted by volunteer docents, children are given an opportunity to hold and play orchestral instruments – strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. The instruments for this event are provided by Marshall Music.

“The afternoon provides a complete musical experience,” states KSO Education Director Elizabeth Youker. “The children attend the instrument petting zoo, then enter the hall to listen to beautiful music and watch the story unfold. It’s wonderful!”

Groups of 15 or more may contact the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra office (349-7759, ext. 211) for group rate information. “We always have several groups at these concerts,” observes KSO Marketing Director Thom Andrews. “It’s a great outing for school groups, scout troops, church groups, and others.”

Concert tickets are $9 and $11 for adults and may be purchased at all Miller Auditorium Ticket Office locations: phone (269) 387-2300 or (800) 228-9858 or on the web at www.KalamazooSymphony.com.

KSO continues Epic Evenings Series with Spring Evening

“Lullaby for String Quartet” by Gershwin, performed by the Burdick-Thorne String Quartet (BTSQ), will open the program. The opening theme of the Lullaby was later used as part of an aria that ultimately inspired Paul Whiteman to commission Gershwin’s famous “Rhapsody in Blue.” BTSQ will also perform Brahms “String Quartet in A minor, Op. 51, No. 2”. The quartet is comprised of violinists Julia Neckermann and Lisa Williams, violist Grace Byrd, and cellist David Peshlakai.

“Trio for Brass” by Lauren Bernofsky completes the evenings’ program. Written in 2002 this piece was commissioned by the Del Mar Trio. A native of Rochester, Minnesota, Ms. Bernofsky has been the recipient of numerous commissions and has written music for ensembles ranging from solo instruments to chamber to symphony. Says Ms. Bernofsky of the work “I tried to create variety in the piece through different textures…Most importantly, my intent was to write a piece that would be fun to play as well as to hear.”

The “Epic Evenings” series was created by KSO Music Director Raymond Harvey, and it provides a twist to the common classical chamber music concert. With the Epic Theatre as its venue, the KSO provides audience members with bistro table seating. Coffee and tea will be served from Heilman’s Nuts & Confections prior to the concert, and musicians will introduce each piece from the stage. The informal, coffee-house atmosphere is designed to offer audience members a relaxed, intimate feel. Dessert is provided by the Epic Bistro following the concert.

Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra’s Japanese Garden concert to feature KSO Pianist Reiko Yamada

The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra continues its symphonic season with “ Japanese Garden” on Friday, March 28, 2008 at 8:00p.m. in Western Michigan University’s Miller Auditorium. Reiko Yamada, principal keyboardist of the KSO, joins the symphony in a performance of Akira Ifukube’s work “Ritmica Ostinata.”

Reiko Yamada has performed extensively as a recitalist and chamber musician in the United States and Japan. She has served as principal keyboardist with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and has performed with such groups as the Chicago Symphony and Fontana Chamber Arts. Ms. Yamada holds degrees from the Tokyo College of Music and Roosevelt University’s Chicago Music College and also studied at DePaul University.

While at the Tokyo College Ms. Yamada studied under Akira Ifukube and later met with him several times to discuss his scores in preparation for performance of his music. Ifukube says of the work, “ Ritmica Ostinata is in a sense my absolute music. I composed Ritmica Ostinata as an embodiment of the Japanese spirituality inherited through thousands of years.”

Ms. Yamada responds, “It became clear to me that learning this great work would be essential for me to discover my own artistic identity.”

The March 28 program will also include “Gli Uccelli (The Birds)” by Respighi, “Dream/Window” by Toru Takemitsu and “Symphonic Metamorphoses” by Hindemith. The 2008-2009 season, a celebration of Maestro Raymond Harvey’s 10 th anniversary season, will be announced at the concert.

Prelude , a pre-concert lecture, precedes the concert at 7:00 p.m. and is open to all ticket holders at no additional charge. Maestro Harvey illustrates the evening’s repertoire from the piano, providing an in depth look at the music, composer, and historical lore of the pieces to be performed.

Concert tickets are $49, $39, $29, and $19 for adults (half-price for students/children) and Harvey ’s Hideaway tickets (balcony, general admission seating) are $5 ($7 day of performance). Tickets may be purchased at all Miller Auditorium Ticket Office locations: phone (269) 387-2300 or (800) 228-9858 or on the web at www.KalamazooSymphony.com. Student rush tickets are $7 (with valid student I.D.) on the evening of the performance.

Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Season Finale The Planets to feature Guest Conductors and 3-D Imagery

The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra presents its season finale, “The Planets” on Friday, April 18, 2008 at 8:00p.m. in Western Michigan University’s Miller Auditorium. Guest conductors Christopher Ramaekers, Karin Hendrickson and Nicholas Chong lead the KSO through a collection of overtures, and Maestro Raymond Harvey conducts Holst, “The Planets.”

Christopher Ramaekers will open the program conducting Beethoven’s “Coriolan Overture.” A graduate of Western Michigan University, Mr. Ramaekers is currently the Music Director for the New Music Project in Kalamazoo. Karin Hendrickson will lead the KSO in a performance of Weber’s “Oberon Overture.” Ms. Hendrickson holds a Masters Degree in Conducting from George Mason University and was a Music Fellow at Oxford University. She has been the Assistant Conductor for both Choralis and the Prince William Symphony and is the founder and Artistic Director of Crew Ensemble, a scholarship orchestra in the Washington D.C. Nicholas Chong closes the first half of the evening with Dvorak’s popular “Carnival Overture.” Mr. Chong is a graduate of Yale University where he spent three years as a conductor of the Berkeley College Orchestra, including two years as music director. He currently is pursuing a Masters Degree in Conducting from the University of Cincinnati.

Each of the three guest conductors has been a conducting student of Maestro Harvey. Their week together is designed as an intensive conducting workshop of score study and rehearsal techniques – a unique and highly-desired opportunity for these up-and-coming conductors.

The season draws to a close with Maestro Harvey leading the KSO on a journey into space with “The Planets” by Holst. The first notes of “The Planets” will immediately remind many listeners of Star Wars. The first movement, “Mars,” not only inspired John Williams, but it also has been used in Gladiator and Apocalypse Now. An astrological journey in music, “The Planets” explores various ideas and emotions associated with the human psyche. Publicly premiered in 1920, this seven-movement orchestral suite is notable for its large orchestra with some unusual instruments (e.g., alto flute, bass oboe). It also is the first piece of orchestral music to have a “fade-out” ending – very ethereal!

Real time 3D animation of deep space images will accompany the work. The images have been choreographed to the music, and a computer operator executes the video ‘dance.’ The visual presentation is the product of Video Ideas Productions (more at www.videoideas.com/planets).

Prelude , a pre-concert lecture, precedes the concert at 7:00 p.m. and is open to all ticket holders at no additional charge. Maestro Harvey illustrates the evening’s repertoire from the piano, providing an in depth look at the music, composer, and historical lore of the pieces to be performed.