Sunday, November 29, 2009

A short reminder

UPDATE Tuesday 12/1: The Friday concert in the Greendale Library begins at 5 PM.

Just a reminder that the Horns A Plenty Christmas concert at the Marcus Center is Wednesday evening this week at 7 PM, and that the Hornucopia Quartet is playing in the Greendale Library at 5 PM on Friday evening as a part of the Dickens of a Christmas celebration in Greendale.

Be sure to enjoy at least one concert this season...it makes the hustle and bustle go a lot easier!

See you on Wednesday and Friday! I'll be at both!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!

No post this week, just a wish that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday. Enjoy the feast and be sure to enjoy music during the celebrations!

The next post is on the morning of Sunday December 6th.

Until then, enjoy...and get going on your Christmas Shopping!!!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

The Holiday Season of Concerts

Update November 23: Note the time change for the concert on Friday December 4 to 5 PM.

And now, here is the calendar of Holiday / Christmas Concerts that I have, and the links to more information. (Note that all of the concerts I have listed are in December.) If you know of other concerts, leave a comment and add your concert to the list. Thanks.

2 - Horns A Plenty Christmas in Milwaukee at the Marcus Center, 7 PM
4 - Dickens of a Christmas Celebration in Downtown Greendale, performance by the Hornucopia Quartet, Greendale Library on Broad Street, 5 PM for about an hour
6 - Milwaukee American Legion Band, Milwaukee Lutheran High School, 3 PM
6 - Hartland Community Band, Holy Hill National Shrine, 3 PM
11 – Waukesha Area Symphonic Band, Carroll University – Holiday Favorites, 7:30
12 - Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band, Mitchell Park Domes, 1 PM, concert is included with paid admission to the Domes
12 – Menomonee Falls Symphony Orchestra, Sussex Hamilton Fine Arts Center, 7:30
13 – Lakeshore Symphonic Band, Holy Hill National Shrine, 6 PM
19 - Horns A Plenty Christmas in Appleton at St. Joseph Middle School, 2 PM
20 – Milwaukee Festival Brass, Wisconsin Lutheran College – Christmas for Kids, 3 PM

So be sure to enjoy at least one concert this Holiday Season.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Final concerts of the fall season

Today's post is a reminder of the last two concerts of the fall season. Next week I'll summarize the Holiday concerts that I have on the calendar.

On Saturday November 21, the Menomonee Falls Symphony Orchestra will perform at the Hamilton Fine Arts Center on the campus of Sussex-Hamilton High School. The concert is dedicated to the students of the school district. There will be a number of light classical works showcasing the many sounds of the symphony orchestra. The director, Michael Kamenski, will introduce the different pieces, explaining the different sounds to listen for, or explaining a bit about the composer of the music. There will also be movie music from Star Wars and Harry Potter. A great concert to enjoy, and maybe get a younger one interested in classical music!

On Sunday November 22nd, the Knightwind Ensemble will present Milestones at 3 PM in the Schwan Concert Hall on the campus of Wisconsin Lutheran College. All the details are at the Knightwind web page: www.knightwind.org. And, if you print out the page with the concert information, you'll receive $1 off the adult admission for everyone in your party. I know that will happen because I will be selling the tickets at the door. Stop by and say Hi!

As far as the concert, the music will be amazing, and I expect the performance will match the music! (The rehearsals have been going very well!) See you on the 22nd!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

New Event for Christmas

Here's something new and exciting for the Milwaukee area that has been around for a number of years in the Fox Valley...

To celebrate Christmas, the Fox Valley Horn Club and Choir (lots of French Horns) performs Christmas Music every year, the Saturday before Christmas. They call it Horns A Plenty Christmas. Two years ago, they set a Guinness world record for most French Horns playing Christmas Music. This year, they will again perform in Appleton on the Saturday before Christmas, Saturday December 19 at St. Joseph Middle School in Appleton, but Milwaukee will also get to experience Horns A Plenty Christmas concert at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday December 2. The concert begins at 7 PM.

The fun part is that, if you play a French Horn, you are welcome to join the group and play along! The music is not difficult so students are encouraged to play. And experienced horn players tell me that the concert is lots of fun. Just think of playing a concert with 80 other horn players! What fun!

Registration for hornists will begin at 5:30 at the Marcus Center on December 2.

For more information, or to get copies of the music, see their web site: http://www.hornsaplentychristmas.com/.

And I'll be there taking pictures, so say hi!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Concert Reminders

Just a few reminders this week.

First, the Wauwatosa Community Band performs their Halloween concert on Monday November 2 at Longfellow Middle School, corner of 76th and North Avenue in Wauwatosa, beginning at 7 PM. Lots of fun! Great music, including the Funeral March for a Marionette, and The Sorcerer's Apprentice. And to top it off, a magician as well. Great fun for all!

The good news is that kids who wear their costumes get in free! Another use of the costume is good news!


And one other note from Music Director Donna Kummer: she still needs a Tenor voice in the chorus at Plymouth Church (east side near UWM) for their Christmas Concert. If you are interested, email her at kummer@arcfile.com.


On Saturday November 7th, the Waukesha Area Symphonic Band performs at Shattuck Auditorium on the campus of Carroll University. The concert, entitled Songs and Dances, begins at 7:30 PM.

And finally, on Sunday November 8th, the Milwaukee American Legion Band performs at Milwaukee Lutheran High School at 3 PM.

As Obie Yadgar used to say on the old WFMR: "Find a concert, and go to it!"