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The first tour stop in Leavenworth! Impressive list of renowned international artists!

Vibrant rhythms and rhymes are set to resound as Sankusem’s African Music Festival begins its Northwest tour at Icicle Creek Music Center in Leavenworth, Washington October 28-30 2011.

The African Festival, produced by Sankusem, a New York based non-profit organization dedicated to the performance and promotion of African music written for classical instruments, makes its second appearance at Icicle Creek Music Center where it debuted in June 2010 to rave reviews. This year it will include three concerts in Leavenworth as part of a larger Northwest tour.

The African Festival will once again bring an impressive roster of eminent international artists including Chicago-based violinist Rachel Barton Pine, a sought after soloist worldwide who frequently appears on the cover of Strings and other major classical magazines; UK/African soprano/conductor Margaret Ferguson, called “Africa’s Lady of Song”, who has performed operas, oratorios,
spirituals, and jazz concerts throughout the UK, Europe, United States, and Africa; Kofi Anang, traditional storyteller/drummer on faculty at Cornish College of the Arts; George Francois, lauded Ghanian pianist and Executive Director of Sankusem; and Sally Singer, acclaimed cellist on faculty at Whitman College and Artistic Director of Sankusem. There will also be a special appearance by esteemed master drummer Obo Addy and his Okropong Drum & Dance Ensemble (pictured upper left; photo by Chris Parsons) in the Leavenworth leg of the tour.

Three concerts will be presented at Canyon Wren Recital Hall:

-African/Classical Fusion Concert featuring Rachel Barton Pine, Margaret Ferguson, Sally Singer, and George Francois on Friday, October 28, 2011 at 7pm

Tickets: General Admission: $20

-African Traditional Drum and Dance Concert featuring Obo Addy and his Okropong Drum and Dance Ensemble and Kofi Anang on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 7 pm

Tickets: General Admission- $25

-African Choral Concert featuring local choirs led by Margaret Ferguson on Sunday, October 30, 2011 at 3 pm

Tickets: General Admission: $15

Come experience the power and passion of African music performed live and up close by world-class artists. Get your tickets today!

Tickets: www.icicle.org or call 1-800-838-3006. Tickets are also available for purchase at Avalon Music, Wenatchee and A Book For All Seasons, Leavenworth. More Information: www.sankusem.org

Location: Canyon Wren Recital Hall –7409 Icicle Road, Leavenworth, WA. 98826

Icicle Creek Music Center presents two concerts as part of its first Young Pianists’ Festival.

The marvelous music of a plethora of pianos will fill Icicle Creek Music Center when it presents two concerts: a Faculty Concert on July 26, 2011 at 7 pm and a Young Artists Concert on July 31, 2011 at 11 am. As part of a special new program, The Young Pianists’ Festival is taking place at Canyon Wren Recital Hall  on July 24 – 31, 2011 in Leavenworth, Washington.

Directed by Oksana Ezhokina, Icicle Creek Music Center’s resident pianist and member of the internationally acclaimed Icicle Creek Piano Trio, and featuring sought-after MTNA clinician and piano professor at Eastern Washington University, Dr. Jody Graves as guest faculty, the Young Pianists’ Festival will welcome aspiring young pianists ages 13 – 18 for a week of lessons, masterclasses, workshops, concerts, and outdoor fun amid the beautiful Cascade mountains. Ezhokina, who also directs Icicle Creek’s popular Winter Piano Festival each January, established The Young Pianists’ Festival to give young pianists who aspire to pursue music degrees and a professional career, a chance to experience first-class coaching and get a taste of the thrill of intensive study.

The Faculty Concert on July 26, 2011 at 7 pm will feature Festival faculty Oksana Ezhokina and Dr. Jody Graves performing the works of Chopin, Fauré, Liszt, Piazzolla, and Gershwin.

Tickets are General Admission – $20; Seniors: $18. The Young Artists Concert on July 31, 2011 at 11 am will feature performances by the talented young pianists and is free admission. Tickets: www.icicle.org or call 1-800-838-3006. Tickets are also available for purchase at A Book For All Seasons, Leavenworth.

More information: www.icicle.org Location: Canyon Wren Recital Hall – 7409 Icicle Road, Leavenworth, WA. 98826 The Young Pianists’ Festival is sponsored by Alpen Chalet, Too / Alex Schmidt & Stacey Barnhill & Karen Strom, Theresa Druzak, Tina & Dick Reiman, Buford Howell, Janna Sparks, Lisa Bergman and Walleye Cards / Heather & Pat Murphy. Partner in Education: Wenatchee Valley Medical Center.

Chamber Intern Celia and I went to WVSO’s 65th Anniversary celebration, and found they had quite a few exciting announcemnts. Sounds like they have a great year ahead! Check out the pictures of the event on FaceBook.

New Venue
Wenatchee Valley Symphony Orchestra Music Director and Conductor Nikolas Caoile announced that the Symphony will present their 65th Anniversary Season concerts at the Performing Arts Center of Wenatchee.

The Concerts
The Symphony’s 2011-12 season will add a fifth full orchestra concert featuring Pops music to their schedule as well as four special events. Concert dates and themes for the season are October 15, “Venerable Variation, ” December 17 & 18, “Columbia Chorale Collaboration,” March 3, “Piano Pieces,” April 14, “POPS,” and May 19, “Around the World.” All concerts will be held at the PAC at 7:00 pm with the exception of the December 18 concert which will begin at 4:00 pm. All patrons are invited to attend freem educational Concert Preludes hosted by Nikolas Caoile in the PAC Lobby one hour prior to each concert.

The Symphony and the Columbia Chorale will join in December for their holiday concerts. In addition to a Saturday evening performance, this collaboration will add a Sunday afternoon concert to the Symphony’s schedule.

The WVSO has planned a season of great repertoire including Copland’s Appalachian
Spring, Ravel’s arrangement of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and Schubert’s “Unfinished” Symphony No. 8.

World Premieres
This season, the Symphony will perform World Premieres of pieces by two local composers. A composition by Juel Iwaasa of the Wenatchee Valley College music department will be presented as well as a premiere of Earth from symphony violist Aaron Davis’ master’s composition The Elements.

Soloists
Three soloists are scheduled for the Symphony’s 65th season. Oboeist Brent Hages, a popular Northwest performer, will be a featured guest artist in Mozart’s Concerto
for Oboe and Orchestra. Symphony English hornist John Dimond will perform
Sibelius’ The Swan of Tuonela and WVSO Young Artist Competition winner Maggie Whiteman will be featured in Reineke’s Ballade.

The Symphony is partnering with the PAC for two events in their 2011-12 seasons.  Together, they will present a Youth Education Concert on January 12, 2012, and the Symphony will also provide an orchestra for the PAC event Arrival: The Music of ABBA on January 25, 2012.

Special Events
The Symphony will offer four Special Events this season. On September 24 at 7:00 pm, the Symphony will hold a “Kick Off the 65th Season” Celebration at the Wenatchee
Valley Museum and Cultural Center. Two Chamber Soiree’s have also been added, both at the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center. On October 29, 2011, Apple Umpkin” Chamber Soiree will be held, and a “Sweetheart” Chamber Soiree will be offered on February 11, 2012. The Symphony’s annual Gala “In the Mood to Dance”, featuring the Wenatchee Big Band, will be held on March 24, 2012 at the Wenatchee Golf and Country Club.

Sponsors
The Wenatchee Valley Symphony Orchestra has formed corporate partnerships this season with several local businesses. Gold partners for their 2011-12 season will be the Wenatchee Valley Medical Center, New York Life, the Wenatchee World and LarsonAllen Accounting. Blind Renaissance Design will be a Silver Partner and Plaza Super Jet, a Bronze Partner.

The Dir

In June, 2010, the Symphony appointed Nikolas Caoile, director of orchestral activities at Central Washington University, as their Music Director and Conductor. At
CWU, Nikolas has grown the orchestra program into one of the preeminent collegiate programs of the Northwest. A passionate believer in music education for all ages, Caoile has conducted numerous educational and community engagement concerts and is a popular guest conductor and clinician with youth orchestras, collegiate ensembles, and high school honor orchestras. Also an accomplished pianist, Caoile is a frequent recitalist, performing throughout Washington State and the Northwest.

The PAC will be the WVSO’s exclusive ticketing source for 2011-12 season tickets and special events. The Symphony is offering discounts for their All-Inclusive 65th Anniversary Packages if purchased prior to September 1. Their full season brochure will be mailed in August, with season ticket sales opening on August 15. Current season ticket holders may make their purchases and reserve their seats beginning Friday, July 15 through the PAC.

Contact:
Teri Snyder
President, Wenatchee Valley Symphony Association
509.670.7197
509.667.2640
wensymphpres@gmail.com
www.wenatcheesymphony.org

Music, Magic, Mountains…

The 18th International Chamber Music Festival arrives to Icicle Creek Music Center on July 10 -24th. You are invited to join us in celebrating years of inspired music by the world’s most beloved composers. Mingle with the international artists that make Icicle Creek so special, while sampling local wines and artisan cheeses. Receptions will follow each concert throughout the festival.

For a complete concert schedule or to purchase your tickets, visit icicle.org

I have to say, this looks like a great way to top off the parade experience! -R

Mark your calendars for Wine-Apple-OOSA!, a Wine Garden and live concert featuring Glen Isaacson’s “Easy Money” 5-piece jazz ensemble.  1-5 p.m. at the PAC Plaza after the Grand Parade on May 7.  $20 for 12 tastes of wine and a souvenir glass.  Cheers to Apple Blossom!

Also, celebrate Spring with Barrel Tasting at Wenatchee Wine Country wineries and tasting rooms, May 20-22. It’s Open House time with food and a “preview of coming attractions” of wine before it is bottled, as well as new releases.  Some wineries may charge nominal tasting fees.  For a list of participating wineries and hours, go to www.wenatcheewines.com.