Proving that the group is truly a community effort of talented local musicians, Reinecke has invited violinist, Joyce Pan, a member of the orchestra since 2008, to perform Sergei Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 in G-minor.

Pan brings to the concert stage a distinguished background in violin training, an academic career studded with honors at Stanford University and a current computer-tech job in the film industry. You might say she is a triple threat.
As a violinist, Pan began her studies as a youngster. Here talent was spotted by professionals, and that led to private studies with members of the St. Lawrence String Quartet. Notable solo performances have included appearances with the California Youth Symphony (she was concertmistress there for three years, as well), and the San Jose Symphony.

Her academic achievements include a B.A. and Masters Degree in Computer Science from Stanford University. In her senior year, Pan was named a Siebel Scholar receiving a $25,000 award during which she focused on computer graphics with a minor in Studio Art. The Siebel Foundation saw in Pan a remarkable woman Their scholarship award, they said, would offer her “the chance to combine the creativity of computer programming with the visual creativity of filmmaking and storytelling.”

She is currently employed as a Technical Director of lighting at DreamWorks Animation.

In addition to the Prokofiev Violin Concerto, the orchestra will perform Bedrich Smetana’s “Sarka” from the well-known “Ma Vlast”, or “My Country” and Mozart’s Symphony No. 39 in E-flat major.

Admission to the concert is free (donations are welcomed), as is parking.

The First Church of the Nazarene is located at 3700 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., Pasadena, one block west of Michillinda Ave.

Grammy-winning Turtle Island Quartet fuses the classical quartet esthetic with contemporary musical styles.

Many string quartets are taking on new trends in chamber music. Turtle Island Quartet is one of them. Often arranging modern tunes for string quartet, (John Coltrane is one—but more about that later), their exacting, full-bodied musicianship produces an exciting performance. You can see Turtle Island Quartet in their Los Angeles appearance, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20 at Le Lycée Francais de Los Angeles in the Raymond Kabbaz Theatre, on West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles.
Members of the quartet are David Balakrishnan and Mads Tolling, violins; Jeremy Kittel, viola and Mark Summer, cello.
Balakrishnan founded Turtle Island Quartet in 1985 with the vision to take quartets on forays into folk, bluegrass, swing, be-bop, funk, R&B, new age, rock, hip-hop, the Latin American and India genres and still have time and space for ingenious arrangements and originals. Balakrishnan graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in music composition and holds a masters in composition from Antioch University West.
Cellist Summer is also a founding member of the group whose bio shows both a strong base in classical roots (as do all the members), and continues to expand the cello repertoire and even unique techniques in percussion and pizzicato that pervade modern music. Mads Tolling is from Denmark and has pursued jazz in the US, prominently at the Berklee College of Music from which he graduated summa cum laude.. Jeremy Kittel has recently joined the quartet. He graduated from the University of Michigan, is an award winning Scottish fiddler and Celtic fiddler in addition to his classical work as a soloist with several symphony orchestras.
One way to catch up with this string quartet is to hear their Telarc CD “A Love Supreme”, songs from the legacy of John Coltrane. It is not one of their later CDs having been released in 2006, but the 13 track album includes not only Coltrane’s “Round Midnight” and “My Favorite Things” but is embellished with some original material. It is a testament to modern music’s relevance to today. Turtle Island Quartet’s music mastery keeps the traditional string quartet in place.
Seeing this group live, though, should be a thrill to a wide number of musical generations.
They are at Theatre Raymond Kabbaz of the Le Lycée Francais de Los Angeles for this one night only. The venue isa 220-seat theater that is dedicated to the promotion of art and culture providing an open window to French and international cultures.
Tickets are $35.
The Theatre Raymond Kabbaz is located at 10361 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. Information: (310) 286-0553.

See Turtle Island Quartet here:

Her stunning appearance at UCLA Opera West Coast in their production of “Flight” as the stewardess still has a lot of buzz. The Arizona State University grad, who won first place in the Central-Northern Arizona Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing in 2007, wowed the audience at Palm Springs Opera Guild’s Opera in the Park in several numbers at their March, 2011 event.

Music at Noon is a weekly presentation of the church and is designed to give a chance to hear selected talents perform on a relatively informal basis. The performance is under one hour and followed by lunch in the church courtyard—either your own brown-bag lunch or one provided for a $6 donation. Music at Noon series is free and open to the public.

The Pasadena Presbyterian Church is located at 585 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena.

Andrew Shulman

The San Gabriel Valley has always been welcoming to the British, so it is not unexpected that the Pasadena Symphony would kick off its 2012-2013 season with two of the Queen’s subjects, conductor David Lockington, and cellist Andrew Shulman and perform an almost-all United Kingdom program of English composers.

The opening concert will be held Saturday, Jan. 14 at Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena, in two concerts, at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The Symphony’s season stretches to April 28 and consists of four remaining concerts, each program with two performances.

The almost all-British program includes a snappy overture by Phillip Sawyer (b. 1951, London); a soulful Edward Elgar (b.1857, Broadheath) cello concerto performed by Pasadena Principal cellist, Andrew Shulman (b. 1960, London); and Felix Mendelssohn’s muted “Scottish” symphony (b. 1809, Hamburg, Germany, but spent about 2 years over time in England and was much revered there); all of it conducted by visiting conductor, David Lockington, (b. 1956, Dartford).

Elgar, best known in the US for his “Pomp and Circumstance” march (and should be remembered for his “Variations on an Original Theme, Enigma” for its repeated performances by Pasadena Symphony), has become heralded for his Cello Concerto in E-minor. Locally, patrons of the Los Angeles Philharmonic under its then Music Director, Zubin Mehta, were privileged to hear cellist Jacqueline Du Pré perform this piece in 1968. Her recording of the Cello Concerto is still considered one of the best.

Shulman recalled that Du Pré made the Elgar Concerto “very famous”. “I was fortunate enough to have lessons with her when I was a student. She was a great inspiration, and the wonderful piece has been in my repertoire ever since.”

Shulman is set musically to also render a fine interpretation of the Elgar work given his extensive musical training and performance record. The first British winner of the “Piatigorsky Artist Award”, he has performed concertos of A-list conductors and orchestras. Since Schulman is an LA resident, it is not surprising to hear that has been heard as a major player on dozens, if not hundreds, of movie soundtracks. In addition to Pasadena, Shulman also serves as principal cellist for the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.

David Lockington

Lockington has achieved a fine reputation as Music Director of the Grand Rapids (Mi.) Symphony Orchestra, Associate Conductor of the Denver (Co.) Symphony, and in his numerous engagements internationally. He began his career as a cellist, earning a Master’s degree in cello performance from Yale University.
He has conducted all of music on the Pasadena Symphony program in several of his conducting appearances, and, of course, performed the Elgar Cello Concerto.

This concert is a reunion of sorts for Shulman and Lockington as they were childhood friends. “Andrew and I met in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain when we were teenagers,” Lockington said.

Ticket prices begin at $35.

The Ambassador Auditorium is located at 131 St. John Ave., Pasadena. Information: (626) 793-7172 or onsite on the day of the concert.

An announcement of the performing musicians has been released.  Please see the list of performing musicians for this concert. – BP

A perfect musical gift just before the family descends upon hearth and home! That’s Enlightenment Chamber Music Series’ “Essential Baroque for Holidays” they will present at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23 at Neighborhood Church, Pasadena.

Arcangelo Corelli, the Scarlatti family, Antonio Vivaldi, Georg Phillip Telemann, Francesco Geminiani and, of course, the Bach family’s Baroque music will be performed by the multi-generational expert chamber musicians, soloists and recording artists representing many countries.

Added information Dec. 17 – this concert will be performed by Marina Maukian,  John Wittenberg, Anna Landauer and Radu Peiptea, violins; Victoria Miskolczy, Victor de Almeida, violas; John Walz and Andrew Eckard, cellos; David Young, double bass; and Byron Pezzone, piano.

Among the players often contributing to Enlightenment Chamber Music are Marino Manukian, violin; Neil Samples, violin; Sarkis Gyurgchyan, violin; Curtis Berak, harpsichord; Bruce Teter, recorder; Charles Hebenstreit, viola; Jordan Charnovsky, guitar; John Walz, cello; David Young, double bass; and Mark Robson, piano.

Admission to this concert is free.

The Neighborhood Church is located at 301 N. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena.

Pasadena Pro Musica, conducted by Stephen Grimm, is seen at a recent concert at Neighborhood Church, Pasadena. --photo by Gerard Holzmann

The magical sounds of the season will be performed by Pasadena Pro Musica in a concert centering on the Christmas story through a collection of 16th-century madrigals and motets from France, Germany, England and Spain. This very special holiday concert is at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18 at the Neighborhood Church, Pasadena.

Conductor of the ensemble, Stephen Grimm has selected French chansons, Spanish villancicos, German Weinachtmusic and English carols.
Grimm’s program will include the music of Jean Mouton, Eustache Du Caurroy, Guillaume Costeley, Thomas Morley, and Gustav Holst.

Grimm says the group will also offer a few handbells and recorders, but, “our favorite composer, Anonymous, [and the others] will weave a rich tapestry of legends, tales and traditions surrounding the Christmas story.”

Tickets ordered online no later than 4 p.m. Dec. 17 are $15; or $20 at the door. Online: www.pasadenapromusica.org.

The Neighborhood Church is located at 301 N. Orange Grove Blvd., Pasadena. Information: (626) 628-2144.

The Holidays got underway musically on Saturday at Walt Disney Concert Hall when the Los Angeles Master Chorale, 60 strong in this outing, strode to the stage brightly singing “Here We Come A-Caroling”, the English Wassail song, under the direction of the Chorale’s Music Director, Grant Gershon.

The 16 programmed carols plus two encores sung by the Chorale rang through the Hall with the Christmas spirit in full gear. The Chorale was ably assisted throughout the program by an eight-piece brass choir, two percussionists, organist John West at the Disney organ, arranger (and Los Angeles Master Chorale singer) Shawn Kirchner at the piano, and the Chorale’s staff pianist, Lisa Edwards, at both the celesta and the piano. John Rutter’s arrangement of “Deck The Hall” opened the “Holiday Wonders: Festival of Carols” program,

Arranger/composer Shawn Kirchner is a regular singer with the Los Angeles Master Chorale. A new work by Kirchner was premiered at Saturday's Holiday concert.

Gershon leading off at a racing tempo, something that set the stage for the entire afternoon’s songfest.

Centerpiece for the afternoon concert was John Rutter’s “Gloria” and the premiere of arranger Shawn Kirchner’s (whose arrangements dotted the musical menu) “Behold New Joy: Ancient Carols of Christmas” based on four centuries-old carols. The Rutter piece closed the top half of the program and Kirchner’s music ended the performance—notwithstanding two encore pieces and a visit by Santa Claus.

The Los Angeles Master Chorale is known for its clear diction, but an overly enthusiastic orchestra and organ taxed the ability to hear words for Rutter’s and Kirchner’s music—the difficulty enhanced since the lyrics for both pieces were in Latin. Even with house lights up and printed text provided, the words drowned in what Gershon termed (at least for Kirchner’s music) “an all-stops out performance.” Nevertheless, the hall resounded with Christmas spirit for both works.
While Gershon did not slight well-trod carols of the season, he did offer new works, all of which blended nicely. Edwards, at the celesta, prompted a shimmering sound to Matthew Brown’s “Sweet Was the Song”. A group in Minnesota and the American Composers Forum is encouraging the composing of new carols. Brown’s new song won the group’s competition in 2007. Combining the use of modern chords in a 16th-century anonymous text setting, Brown sets both a new twist to choral music and a high standard.

Kirchner, whose arranging talent is absolutely tops, was responsible for arrangements of half the regular program. That included a combination “Joy to the World” with “All My Heart This Night Rejoices” (mis-stated, I think, in the program as “All This Night My Heart Rejoices”); “Once in Royal David’s City”; “One Sweet Little Baby”; “Who am I, O Child of Wonder?”‘ “Brightest and Best”; “Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella” and “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” (here, Kirchner’s arrangement up-dated significantly with the use of the smooth sound of Gary Foster’s saxophone playing).
Rounding out the afternoon was “Silent Night” in a new arrangement provided by L A composer, David O; and a sing-along of two Christmas chestnuts, “The First Noel” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” sung lustily by the crowd. Gershon sent the almost full house out the door with two encores, the Ukrainian carol, “Carol of the Bells” and “We Wish you a Merry Christmas”, but not before Santa Claus made his way to the stage warmly hugging conductor Gershon. Gershon invited all to greet Santa in the lobby, but warned that they should get there quickly before Los Angeles Master Chorale members muscle in to get their Holiday requests in.
This excellent program will be repeated at 2:00 p.m. next Saturday, Dec. 10 at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles.
Other Los Angeles Master Chorale Holiday concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall are scheduled over the next two weeks. At 7:00 p.m. Sunday, Dec 11, the Chorale presents a program of four Christmas classical works. On Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, the annual “Messiah” Sing-Along will take place—where the audience is the chorus (scores are provided for in addition to ticket prices, at $10, or you can bring your own) and Ayana Haviv, soprano, Tracy Van Fleet, mezzo-soprano, Jon Lee Keenan, tenor, and Steve Pence, bass, provide the solo work, and backed by a chamber-sized orchestra. Then, at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, the Chorale wraps its holiday programming with a traditional concert version of Handel’s “Messiah” with a 48-member Los Angeles Master Chorale, chamber orchestra and soloists SunJoo Yeo, soprano, Janelle DeStefano, mezzo-soprano, Daniel Chaney, tenor, and Abdiel Gonzalez, bass.
Ticket information can be obtained by calling (213) 972-7282 or by visiting www.lamc.org.
The Walt Disney Concert Hall is at 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles.

By Bill Peters

Dr. Peter Green

Selections from Handel’s “Messiah” and other popular Christmas favorites will be performed by the 60-voice choir and chamber orchestra in its seasonal concert at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4 at the First Presbyterian Church of Monrovia, Monrovia.
Under the direction of the church’s Music Director, Dr. Peter Green will lead the choir and soloists Johanna Kent, Jan Freemyer, Linda Sharpe and Jennifer Miller.
This concert has become a favorite and draws a good crowd. Admission is free, but you may want to arrive early.
The First Presbyterian Church of Monrovia is located at 101 E. Foothill Blvd., Monrovia—at the corner of Myrtle Ave. and Foothill Blvd.

Ciatlin Kelley, violin

Camerata Pacifica will have a guest violinist joining its ensemble for the Nov. 22 concert at The Huntington Library in San Marino.
Colburn School of Performing Arts student Caitlin Kelley will add her violin for the Santa Barbara-based group’s performance of the String Sonata No. 3 in C-major for two violins, cello and double bass by Gioachino Rossini. Regular Camerata Pacifica members Catherine Leonard, violin, Andrew Janns, cello, and Timothy Eckert, double bass, will perform the piece with Kelley.
There is the mild suspicion that Kelley may have caught the eye of Camerata Pacifica’s founder-Music Director, Ireland-born flutist Adrian Spence, due to her ability to play an Irish fiddle.
Kelley, as she tells the story, auditioned for the PBS program “From the Top”, the weekly program that encourages young talented musicians, and her interest in Irish country music came to light. Kelley explained to Lila Kaiser, an intern with the show, that “From the Top” ‘s Music Producer Tom Vignieri asked Kelley to embellish her remarks on the program’s written application that asks, “What’s a funny thing about you?”. She had revealed on the application that she enjoyed Irish fiddling. After playing the two classical pieces she had prepared for “From the Top”, Vignieri asked for an Irish jig. That would seem to have clinched the deal as Kelley was selected for the nationally broadcast program. It is her classically trained violin, however, that is pushing her career.
Kelley is finishing her studies at the Colburn School, where she serves as co-concertmaster for the Colburn Orchestra. She is a winner of several major competitions and has performed with a number of professional orchestras during the last two seasons. In May of this year she performed with the Pasadena Community Orchestra as their Young Artist Competition winner.
Other music on the program will include Henri Wieniawski’s Polonaise Brillante in D-major with pianist Adam Neiman (with Kelley also playing in this piece); Elisabeth Lutyen’s 1971 work “Driving Out the Death, for Oboe Quartet”; English composer Peter Weigold’s 2003 composition “Earth, receive an honoured guest, for cor anglais and string trio”; and concluding with Schubert’s “Trout”, the Piano Quintet in A-major.
Nicholas Daniel is the featured oboe/cor anglais performer; Richard Yongjae O’Neill, viola is also a member of the ensemble.
Tickets are $45.
The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens is at 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino. Information: www.cameratapacifica.org, or call (805) 884-8410.