Upcoming concert: Menominee Falls Symphony

Join the Menominee Falls Symphony Orchestra on Saturday April 18 at the Sussex Hamilton Fine Arts Center.  The concert begins at 7:30 and will complete the season devoted to Fairy Tales and Fantasies.

The program includes music of fairy tales and fantasies including the stories of Billy the Kid (Copland) and Hansel and Gretel (Humperdinck).  Included on the program is the Capriol Suite of Peter Warlock.

The concert will also feature the first and second place winners of the Young Artist competition.  Henry Allison, the first place winner, will perform the first movement of the Sebelius Violin Concerto and Heather Beckman (second place) will perform the first movement of the Barber Violin Concerto.

For more information and to purchase advance tickets, please see the MFSO web site.

And be sure to attend the Concord Chamber Orchestra's concert on March 21 at St. Sebastian's at 5400 Washington Boulevard.  See the CCO web site for all the details.

Concert Preview: Concord Chamber Orchestra

The Concord Chamber Orchestra continues its season of concerts based on the works of Shakespeare.  On Saturday March 21, they will present The Histories at St. Sebastian Church, 5400 Washington Boulevard.  The concert will begin at 7 PM. 

I think the summary on the CCO web site is a good one:

 William Shakespeare was a keen reader of history, always looking for the dramatic impact of historical characters and events. His interpretation of those events and figures has shaped the way we think of them today. In this concert, we also welcome the winner of our annual Walter A. and Dorothy J. Oestreich Concerto Competition, who we hope will also go on to make musical history.

The program will include:

• Richard III by Bedrich Smetana
• Suite from Henry V by William Walton
• Three Dances from Henry VIII by Edward German
• Heather Beckman, the winner of the Walter A. and Dorothy J. Oestreich Concerto Competition, will perform the Violin Concerto of Samuel Barber 

I have enjoyed all of the CCO concerts that I have attended, and the sound in the St. Sebastian Church is excellent.  It is a great venue for classical music.  

For more information about the concert, or to order advance tickets, please see the CCO web site.  

Upcoming concert: Kettle Moraine Symphony

Welcome to 2020.  The concert season is restarting.

The Kettle Moraine Symphony will perform a Classical Light concert on Sunday February 23 at 3 PM in the Kewaskum High School Theater.  The Symphony will use a smaller chamber orchestra for these pieces:

• Mozart's Symphony No. 40, 
• Strauss's Serenade No.7 for 13 Winds, 
• Beethoven's "Little" Symphony No.8 in F, and 
• Morton Lauridsen's "O Magnum Mysterium"

All I can say is Wow, what a program.  All the pieces are wonderful.  

Ticket prices are: Adults $18, Senior $15, Student $5 (w/valid ID) and Family Packages: $30 (2) adults + children, $20 (1) adult + children.

Advance tickets are available through the KMS web site.  Tickets can also be purchased in advance at: 

• Horicon Bank in West Bend
• White House of Music in West Bend and Germantown
• Douglas Jeweler in Hartford.

Tickets will also be available at the door.

And don't miss the 2 PM pre-concert talk presented by Dr. Peter Gibeau, UWM-WC music professor and KMS principal bassist.

Have a wonderful Holiday Season

And be sure to thank the volunteer musicians you hear during the season.  They play for the joy of playing but they do appreciate knowing that the audience enjoys it as well.

The next post will be in January.  Until then.....

A Holiday Favorite - Horns a plenty Christmas

It will be worth the trip to Appleton to the Fox Valley Lutheran High School on Saturday December 21 to attend the Horns A Plenty Christmas concert at 3:30 PM.  The horn players all over Wisconsin will attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records for largest Horn Choir performing Christmas Music. 

If you have not heard a performance of Horns A Plenty Christmas, it is worth the effort to attend.  The horn players all volunteer for the performance.  There is no admission charge, although free will offerings are accepted.  All money goes to scholarships for young horn players.

So take time out of your busy holiday schedule for some wonderful music the afternoon of the 21st.  See you there. 

Waukesha Area Symphonic Band Holiday Concert

Join the Waukesha Area Symphonic Band on Friday December 13 for their Holiday Concert, which begins at 7:30 in the Waukesha South High School auditorium.  Free admission to everyone who brings a donation for the Food Pantry of Waukesha County. 

Featured on the program is music by Michael Ball, Percy Grainger and Alfred Reed.  Take some time out of your busy schedule to enjoy the music of the season, and maybe support the food pantry as well. 

For more information, see the WASB web site.

Menominee Falls Symphony upcoming concert

The Menominee Falls Symphony will present Christmas Fairy Tales and Fantasies on Saturday December 14 at the Sussex Hamilton Fine Arts Center.  The music begins at 7:30.

The MFSO will perform some wonderful Christmas favorites, including selections from the Snow Maiden and Babes in Toyland.  The program is especially geared for younger audience members to become more interested in classical music.

Joining the orchestra is internationally acclaimed Milwaukee accordionist Stas Venglevsky.  He will perform the Concerto for Accordion and Orchestra by Anthony Gala-Rini, as well as music from the Nutcracker and other Holiday favorites. 

Tickets are $15 for Adults, $12 for Seniors, and $6 for Students, and can be purchased from the MFSO web site or at the door.  See you there.