Sunday, January 31, 2010

Young Artist Competition - Menomonee Falls Symphony Orchestra

The Menomonee Falls Symphony Orchestra will hold their annual Young Artist Competition on the afternoon of Sunday March 7th at Alverno College. Young Artists, no older than 25 on March 7th, may apply. The winner will receive $500 and an opportunity to perform with the Orchestra. The second place finisher will receive $250 and an opportunity to perform as well.

All the details of the competition, as well as the application, at at the Orchestra's web site: http://my.execpc.com/~regent/mfso.htm.

And don't forget to pace your reservation for the Menomonee Falls Symphony Dinner and Concert at the Silver Spring Country Club on the 12th and 13th. See the web site above for details and reservation information.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Upcoming Concert: Menomonee Falls Symphony Orchestra

Our one Community Orchestra has a special concert coming up with two performances: Friday February 12 and Saturday February 13, both at 6:30 PM. The concerts will be held at the Silver Spring Country Club and will include dinner. This is the big fund raising event for the orchestra, but also a good time and wonderful music, just in time for Valentine's Day.

The theme of the concert this year, in keeping with Valentine's Day, is Romance: Mars and Venus. The program will include musical portrayals of romantic encounters between the sexes. I also have it on good authority that the concert will also include a preview of their classical concert coming up in May, which will include the New World Symphony of Antonon Dvorak.

Tickets are $40. The brochure with all the details and the ticket form are at the Orchestra's web site: http://my.execpc.com/~regent/mfso.htm. Reservations are due by February 8th.

Not only is it a wonderful evening at a great price, you are also supporting the one Community Orchestra in our area. And that is wonderful in itself.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Waukesha Area Symphonic Band Concerto Competition

The Waukesha Area Symphonic Band is now taking applications for their annual Concerto Competition. It is open to all 9th through 12th graders in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington, Ozaukee, Dodge and Jefferson Counties.

This year WASB is opening the audition to all instrument groups, so if your high school student plays a string instrument, he or she can audition as well (providing the solo work has an arrangement for Band). The winner will receive $500 and be invited to perform a selection with the Band at their concert on Friday April 30th. The Honorable Mention winner will be invited to perform with the Band at the concert on a selected piece.

The auditions will be held on Saturday February 20th in the Shattuck Music Center on the campus of Carroll University in Waukesha. The deadline for applications is Friday Jauary 22, 2010. The entry fee is $15. Questions should be emailed to nancyherro@sbcglobal.net. And see the WASB web site for more details: www.wasband.org.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

A change is coming

Actually, the change is in progress!

The Knightwind Ensemble of Milwaukee has had the same Music Director for over 30 years, until now. Maestro John Steinke retired as Music Director of the group after their November concert. Since that time, the Ensemble has been searching for candidates to replace the Maestro. A number of candidates have emerged and the interview process has begun. I expect we will hear more of the progress later in the spring. But for now, I can tell you that if you were interested in the position but had not submitted your resume, you are too late.

Some of you may know that I volunteer for the Knightwind Ensemble. In the spirit of full disclosure, I must tell you that I am not a part of the process for evaluating the applicants for the Music Director position. However, as news becomes available, I will post it.

I can also tell you about the music planned for the Spring Concert on Sunday March 21 very soon. Rehearsals have begun and I will be able to discuss the program with the Associate Conductor and Acting Music Director Don Glassel.

More to follow.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

As Promised...

Below is the calendar of community concerts I have for the spring concert season. New to the list are the concerts of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band. They will have a spring concert in March, and a concert on Memorial Day. They will also participate with the Wisconsin Lutheran College Band in a joint concert with the Dallas Winds in April. That will be an event you won't want to miss. The event will include a Master Class for musicians and students. More on that event in the coming weeks.

Until then, something for your calendar, or maybe your refrigerator!


February
12 & 13 – Menomonee Falls Symphony Orchestra, Silver Spring Country Club, Dinner/Concert
20 – Waukesha Area Symphonic Band, Concerto Competition open to wind and percussion players in grades 9 through 12, time TBA

March
7 – Lakeshore Symphonic Band, Cedarburg PAC
7 – Milwaukee Festival Brass, Wisconsin Lutheran College – Italia, 3 PM
16 - Wauwatosa Community Band, Longfellow Middle School, 7 PM
21 – Knightwind Ensemble, Wisconsin Lutheran College, 3 PM
27 - Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band, Wisconsin Lutheran College, 3 PM

April
25 - Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band welcome the Dallas Brass, Wisconsin Lutheran College, 6 PM, Master Class in the afternoon
30 – Waukesha Area Symphonic Band, Carroll University – Luminescence, 7:30

May
6 - Wauwatosa Community Band, Longfellow Middle School, 7:30
8 – Menomonee Falls Symphony Orchestra, Sussex Hamilton Fine Arts Center, 7:30
16 – Lakeshore Symphonic Band, Cedarburg PAC
16 - Milwaukee American Legion Band, Milwaukee Lutheran High School, 3 PM
31 - Knightwind Ensemble, Milwaukee County Zoo, 1 PM
31 - Wauwatosa Community Band, TBD
31 - Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band, Milwaukee County War Memorial, 5 PM

June
6 – Milwaukee Festival Brass, Wisconsin Lutheran College – Spirituelle, 3 PM