June 4, 2010

ProMusica 32nd Season Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                              For more information, contact:
May 24, 2010                                                                  Sarah Irvin Clark,
                                                                                        614-296-4057/614-225-9100, ext. 3

A classic tradition continues:
ProMusica Chamber Orchestra Introduces 32nd Season

(Columbus, OH) -- The 32nd season begins with a one-night-only performance by cellist Zuill Bailey at the Southern Theatre on Sunday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. The concert, featuring three Russian masterpieces, opens with a regional premiere of Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition” (arranged by Clarice Assad). The program also includes Prokofiev’s “Symphony No. 1” (“Classical”) and Bailey performing Shostakovich’s “Concerto for Violincello and Orchestra No. 1, Op. 107.”

In addition to the opening night performance, audiences will enjoy an entire season of musical evenings featuring such classics as Mendelssohn, Beethoven and Ravel and contemporary composer Joan Tower. The orchestra will be joined throughout the season by renowned guest artists including Vadim Gluzman (violin), Martina Filjak (piano), Caroline Goulding (violin) and Jeremy Denk (piano).

In December, the orchestra will celebrate the holiday season with a special three-concert weekend. The weekend kicks off on Friday, Dec. 10 at the Southern Theatre for its annual Messiah Sing Along. The holiday series continues on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the Pontifical College Josephinum and on Sunday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Southern Theatre with guest conductor Henry Charles Smith leading the orchestra. ProMusica will partner with Firefighters 4 Kids in its community-based toy drive and will encourage its patrons to donate a toy at these concerts to bring a happy holiday to Columbus children in need.

The Josephinum Series continues with three additional performances in February, March, and April of 2011 at the St. Turibius Chapel of the Pontifical College Josephinum

ProMusica will end its 2010/2011 season with a “Spring Soiree” featuring pianist Gabriela Montero, internationally acclaimed for the revival of the lost art of classical improvisation. Montero will join the Orchestra on Friday, May 6 at the Southern Theatre to perform Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.”

Throughout its 31 seasons, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra has been recognized for excellence in presenting the best of traditional chamber orchestra repertoire, as well as the presentation of new and crossover music by contemporary artists. Under the direction of Music Director Timothy Russell, ProMusica has commissioned 51 new works and has presented 106 world premieres.

The orchestra has won eight awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) for adventurous programming, and continues an active recording program as well as sponsoring educational events.
-- more –
ProMusica is funded in part by the Greater Columbus Arts Council, The Columbus Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, Nationwide Insurance and Thrive in Five. Media sponsorship is provided by WOSU 89.7 FM. Additional support is provided by Drury Hotels.

Reserved seating with a savings of up to 20 percent is available through four different subscription packages that include “flexible” options. Subscription options include: Saturday Series priced $131 - $175 per person; Sunday Series priced $159 - $222 per person; Compose Your Own Series priced at $108 per person; and Student Series at $25 per person. The Compose Your Own Series allows patrons to choose three concerts of their choice that best fits their schedule. Single tickets for performances at the Southern Theatre range from $33 to $46. Tickets to The Josephinum Series are $35. Student tickets are available for $5. “Xtreme” seating in the Upper Balcony (offering a “bird’s-eye view”, but incredible acoustics) are available for $10. Call the ProMusica Box Office 614.464.0066 or visit online at www.promusicacolumbus.org.

###

2010/2011 ProMusica Season Schedule

Mostly Mendelssohn
World-renowned violin virtuoso Vadim Gluzman returns to lead the orchestra in a concert inspired by Mendelssohn on Saturday, Nov. 6 at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Southern Theatre. The works include Schnittke’s “Suite in the Old Style for Violin & Strings”, Mendelssohn’s “Octet”, Schnittke’s “Fugue for Violin Solo” and Mendelssohn’s “Violin Concerto in D Minor.” Gluzman is featured in all four pieces.

Sounds of the Season
In the spirit of the season, on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the Pontifical College Josephinum and Sunday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Southern Theatre, ProMusica partners with Firefighters 4 Kids in its community-based toy drive. Donate a toy at the concert to bring a happy holiday to Columbus children in need. The orchestra will be led by guest conductor Henry Charles Smith and includes works such as Forsberg’s “Chorale Prelude,” Smith’s “Proclamation” (narrator and orchestra), Handel’s “Overture to Messiah,” Vaughan Williams’ “Fantasia on Greensleeves,” Bach’s “Brandenburg Concert No. 4,” Morricone’s “Gabriel’s Oboe,” the traditional “Three Kings Sequence” (with narrator), Schubert’s “Ave Maria” and Ramirez’s “Navidad Nuestra.” On Sunday the orchestra will also perform one movement from Haydn/Mozart’s “Toy Symphony.”

World of Wonder
On Saturday, Jan. 8 at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. enjoy a quintessential ProMusica concert. Join the Orchestra as it honors new and old friends with the presentation of a piece by our old friend composer Joan Tower and a performance by new friend and rising star Martina Filjak (Cleveland International Piano Competition Winner). The evening’s repertoire includes Benjamin Britten’s “Soirees Musicales, Op. 9,” Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Op. 93,” Joan Tower’s “Made in America” and Maurice Ravel’s “Piano Concerto in G Major” (featuring Filjak).

Mozart and More
Rising-star violinist Caroline Goulding joins ProMusica for two performances on Saturday, March 12 at 5:30 p.m. at the Pontifical College Josephinum and Sunday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Southern Theatre. Goulding will perform Mozart’s “Violin Concerto No. 5.” Additionally, the concert will include Bach’s “Orchestra Suite No. 1 in C Major,” Delius’ “Two Pieces for Small Orchestra,” Bartok’s “Rumanian Folk Dances” and Faure’s “Pavane.”

Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1
On Saturday, April 9 at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 10 at 7 p.m., American classical pianist Jeremy Denk takes the stage for an evening that pairs classics with a world premiere. The Orchestra will perform Wagner’s “Siegfried Idyll,” a commission and world premiere by Evan Chambers and Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 1” featuring Denk. On Saturday, local high school musicians will perform side-by-side ProMusica musicians for a special collaboration featuring Copland’s “Hoe-Down.”

The Josephinum Series (7625 N. High St.)
ProMusica’s season also includes four performances at the St. Turibius Chapel of the Pontifical College Josephinum. The St. Turibius Chapel offers concerts full of acoustical splendor and visual delight with its intricate architecture. The concerts this season will be: "Sounds of the Season" on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m.; "All for Strings" on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m.; "The Lark Ascending" on Saturday, March 12 at 5:30 p.m.; and "An Evening of Brass and Organ" on Saturday, April 16 at 5:30 p.m.

SPECIAL EVENTS
ProMusica offers specials events throughout the season outside of their typical subscription series concerts.

Messiah Sing Along [and Toy Drive]
On Friday, Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m., ProMusica invites the Columbus community to the Southern Theatre to enjoy favorite holiday classics including selections from Handel’s Messiah. Orchestra students and music directors from partner high schools join ProMusica musicians onstage for an evening filled with holiday cheer. Bring friends, families and church choirs to join us at the Southern and raise your voice in song. Tickets available for $20 per person; $5 per student.

In partnership with Firefighters 4 Kids, bring a donation of a toy to this community-based toy drive to give a happy holiday to Columbus children in need.

Musicians in Harmony
ProMusica, Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus and Columbus Children’s Choir come together to present this special weekend event on March 18 and 19 at the Lincoln Theatre. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for students.

Culinary Capers
ProMusica Sustaining Board’s Culinary Capers is taking on a Southern flair this year! On Thursday, November 11 the guest chefs at this fundraising event will be James Beard award-winning cookbook authors and brothers Matt and Ted Lee. They will demonstrate recipes from their new cookbook Simple Fresh Southern, after which attendees will enjoy lunch created using their recipes. Our event takes place at the Bridgewater Banquet Center in Powell from 9 am to 2 pm, and features shopping with local artisans, chances to win unique prizes, and a book signing by the authors.

Spring Soiree
Prepare to be dazzled as pianist Gabriela Montero, internationally acclaimed for the revival of the lost art of classical improvisation, joins the Orchestra to close the season in style with the raw passion and poetic musicality of spontaneous composition. Montero will join the Orchestra on Friday, May 6 at the Southern Theatre to perform Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” Time and additional programming to be announced at a later date.

Youth & Family Day
Youth and Family Day is the celebratory culmination of our Youth & Family Program, which shares the joy of classical music with underserved children in the Columbus area. Spring 2011, ProMusica welcomes children and families to this community-centered event, offering children opportunities to meet musicians, learn about instruments, and participate in hands-on activities. The ProMusica concert is free with admission.

Please visit www.promusicacolumbus.org/outreach to learn more about our additional educational programs: Stop! Look! Listen!, Musicians in the Schools, Student Advisory Board, Creative Hybrids and Open Rehearsals for Seniors.