Tutti - Everyone plays

This week's news is about a special fundraising event happening at The Academy of Music at Lawrence University in Appleton, on Friday February 3.  The event is called Tutti and it raises funds for music scholarships.  I've attended it in the past and had a wonderful time.  The thing I like best about it is that organizers priced the event reasonably - I've wanted to attend some fundraising events for other groups but could not afford the high cost of the ticket.  Nearly everyone can attend Tutti, and all will have a great time.

This year's event will be held in the Somerset Room at the Warch Campus Center from 6:30 to 9:30 PM.  Entertainment during the evening will be provided by Music Academy faculty and students.  Desserts provided by Bon Apetit are included.  There will be silent auction items of all kinds (judging from last year's selection) as well as a live auction.  This year, some auctions are available for bid online before the event.

One of my favorite purchases at Tutti is the chocolate boxes from Wilmar Chocolates.  Not only are the chocolates wonderful, but there is a surprise in each box.  It might be a dollar bill, or it might be a certificate for jewelry.  And the chocolates are so good, that every box is a winner!

Advance tickets are $30 and can be purchased at the Academy of Music at 100 Water Street in Appleton.  You can also purchase tickets online from the Tutti web page.  Tickets will be available at the door for $35.

I'll be there, barring a nasty winter storm.  I hope to see you there as well!

Concert Preview - Menomonee Falls Symphony Orchestra

Join the Menomonee Falls Symphony as they present Romance and All That Jazz, a special dinner and concert presented on February 10 and 11, 2012 at the Silver Spring Country Club.  Doors open at 5:30 PM (cash bar) with dinner serving at 6:30.  The concert begins about 7:30.

Maestro Kamenski welcomes jazz artists Pam Duronio and Tim Stemper for an evening of romantic music, both jazz and symphonic.  It is a perfect evening for you and your loved one held in a wonderful setting.  And the MFSO welcomes a second special guest:  Milwaukee Saxophone Legend Warren Wiegratz.  Great jazz and symphonic sounds for you and your special someone!

Tickets are just $45 for the dinner and concert.  You can find all the details about the event at the MFSO web site.  Just click on the Brochure link.  Or you can phone Barb Osberg at 262-679-3905.  Note that all tickets will be sold in advance only:  no tickets will be available at the door.

The reservation deadline is February 6.  Don't miss out on this event.

The Symphonic Music of Genesis

Back in October I previewed the concert with the Menomonee Falls Symphony and special guest Daryl Stuermer and his band.  The two groups collaborated on a symphonic treatment of the music of Genesis.

For those who might be interested in this type of concert, I have some good news.  Daryl Stuermer recently updated his web site to include some of the pieces from the concert with the Menomonee Falls Symphony.  Two of my favorites, Something Happened On the Way to Heaven and Invisible Touch are included on the updated web site.  To access the videos, choose the DS Symphony Link and click on Videos.  You can also find a number of videos on You Tube if you search for Daryl Stuermer.

Congratulations to the Menomonee Falls Symphony on their performance, some of which can now be enjoyed over and over again.  Be sure to check it out.

Milwaukee Festival Youth Brass Openings

The new year brings new opportunities, and 2012 is no exception.  If you know of a budding musician between the ages of 11 and 17, you'll be interested to know that the Milwaukee Festival Youth Brass has openings in all sections.  The Youth Brass is an extension of the Milwaukee Festival Brass to introduce young musicians to the music of the British Brass Band, but it also trains the members for virtuoso brass and percussion performance.

The Youth Brass is under the direction of Dr. Walter H. Rich.  Dr. Rich is currently on the faculty of Edgewood College, where he conducts their concert band.  He also conducts the Sheboygan Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Ocomonowoc American Legion Band.  As a Tubist, he performs with the Sheboygan Symphony and the Smashing Tubas Quartet.

I got to see the Youth Brass perform at the Milwaukee Festival Brass Christmas concert in December, and they are a high quality group, but a bit small.  A few more members will fill out the sound quite nicely.  Be sure to pass this information on to young musicians you know.

The Milwaukee Festival Brass website has more details. 

Happy New Year

As promised, here is the list of concerts up to June of 2012.  As Obie Yadgar used to say on the old WFMR, "Find a concert and go to it!"

JANUARY

No concerts

FEBRUARY
10 and 11: Menomonee Falls Symphony Dinner Concert, 6:30 PM, Silver Spring Country Club
26: Kettle Moraine Symphony Mostly Mozart, 3:30, Our Savior's Lutheran Church, West Bend

MARCH
4 - Lakeshore Symphonic Band, 3 PM, Cedarburg PAC
25 - Milwaukee Festival Brass, 3 PM, Wisconsin Lutheran College
30 - Suburban Concert Band, 7:30 PM, Nathan Hale High School
30 - Knightwind Ensemble, 7:30 PM, Chapel at Lawrence University, Appleton

APRIL
3 - Knightwind Ensemble, 3 PM, South Milwaukee PAC

MAY
6 - Lakeshore Symphonic Band, 3 PM, Cedarburg PAC
11 - Suburban Concert Band, 7:30, Nathan Hale High School
12 - Menomonee Falls Symphony, 7:30 PM, Sussex Hamilton Fine Arts Center
15 - Milwaukee Festival Brass Youth Brass, 7 PM, Mount Mary College
19 - Kettle Moraine Symphony Pops Concert, 7:30 PM, Washington County Fair Park
20 - Milwaukee Festival Brass, 3 PM, Wisconsin Lutheran College
28 - Knightwind Ensemble, 1 PM, Wisconsin Memorial Park