Have a sweet tooth? Support the Arts...

Lawrence University in Appleton is having a fund-raising event for its Academy of Music on Friday February 1 from 6:30 to 9 PM at the Warch Campus Center.  And if you enjoy desserts and auctions, this event is for you.

The event is called Tutti, the musical term for "everyone".  Admission is $30 in advance, $35 at the door for an evening of desserts, entertainment by faculty and students, silent auction items, raffles, and the like.  My favorite is the chocolates from Wilmar Chocolates of Appleton.  Not only are the chocolates decadent, inside each box is a prize.  It might be a dollar bill, or it might be a gift certificate.  But in either case, the chocolates are always wonderful! 

Proceeds from the event will help provide program support for lessons and ensembles, opportunities for teacher development, and tuition assistance to struggling families. Certainly a cause worth supporting!  You can find more information on tutti from the Lawrence University web site.  We will be there, and we hope to see you there.

The First Concert of the New Year

The first concert of 2013 will be hosted by the Menomonee Falls Symphony, on Friday and Saturday evenings, February 15 and 16.  The concerts will be a part of the MFSO Valentines Dinner Event at the Silver Spring Country Club.  Each year the MFSO hosts two evenings of dinner and music to help you celebrate Valentines Day!  Tickets include both the dinner and concert, and are $45.  The doors open at 6:30 PM both nights.

Maestro Michael Kamenski will be joined by local showman Tom Anthony and his band, and will present a romantic evening of music and stories, in a Las Vegas style dinner show.  For more information and to order tickets, please check the MFSO and Tom Anthony web sites.  You can also order tickets by calling 262-679-3905.

The tickets do go quickly, and concerts have sold out in the past.  In addition, Mr. Anthony performed with the MFSO last year at Christmastime, and the house was full.  (It was an outstanding salute to the Christmas Specials of Andy Williams.)  I expect that the Silver Spring Country Club will be full for both evenings.  Best not to wait.  Order your tickets very soon.

One additional bit of information:  Maestro Kamenski will appear on the Channel 4 TV show The Morning Blend on Thursday January 31, to talk about the dinner/concert. 

An opportunity for High School Musicians

This semester, the Milwaukee Festival Brass will continue to offer opportunities for High School Musicians to participate in their Apprentice Program.  Here's the information I received from the MFB:

The Milwaukee Festival Brass is currently seeking talented high school musicians to audition for membership in our High School Apprentice Program. An experience unlike any other, qualified students will perform within our British-style brass band, mentored by the gifted adult musicians seated next to them. 

Brass bands use a standard British instrumentation, consisting of Bb Cornets (in place of trumpets), Flugelhorns, Eb Tenor Horns (sometimes called Alto Horns – in place of French horns), Trombones, Baritones, Euphoniums, Tubas, and Percussion.  Students eligible for the High School Apprentice Program (HSAP) who normally play trumpet or French horn would be asked to switch to cornet or tenor horn.  Those auditioning, horn players in particular, should consult their band directors and private teachers regarding the differences between these instruments.  They require different mouthpieces and slightly different embouchures as well.  All of the brass musicians read treble clef with the exception of the bass trombone.  Students will be coached in new fingerings and/or clefs.

For information about audition requirements, dates and times and any other questions, please call our HSAP coordinator, Dawn Williams at (262) 309-9333 or visit www.mfbrass.org and select the Youth Opportunities link.

This is a wonderful and unique opportunity for a brass or percussion high school student.  The MFB performs a wide variety of music.  A talented high school musician can gain this type of experience in very few ways today.  I strongly encourage you to think seriously of participating.  You will not regret it.

Happy New Year

Here is the calendar of concerts I have for the spring concert season.  Lots of good ones coming up.  You might want to consider the two concerts by the Menomonee Falls Symphony.  The February concert is a dinner concert celebrating Valentines Day.  The May concert features Lorna Luft, performing the music of her mom, Judy Garland.  WOW, that will be a wonderful concert.

Enjoy.  Be sure to mark your calendar for the concerts you select.

FEBRUARY
15 and 16: Menomonee Falls Symphony Dinner Concert, 6:30 PM, Silver Spring Country Club

MARCH
3 - Milwaukee Festival Brass, 3 PM, St. John's Lutheran, Brookfield
3 - Lakeshore Symphonic Band, 4 PM, Cedarburg PAC

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

MAY
3 - Waukesha Area Symphonic Band, 7:30 PM, Shattuck Auditorium, Carroll University
5 - Lakeshore Symphonic Band, 3 PM, Cedarburg PAC
11- Menomonee Falls Symphony, 7:30 PM, Sussex Hamilton PAC
12 - Milwaukee Festival Brass, 3 PM, Wisconsin Lutheran College
27 - Knightwind Ensemble, 1 PM, Wisconsin Memorial Park