Bill Peters Music News & Reviews » People

Pasadena Symphony is On the Move…

billpeters — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:28:28 +0000

It seems only a few months ago that Pasadena Symphony was on the ropes. That was 2008 when stuff hit. But now, with Paul Ian Zdunek having announced that the Symphony is in the black, the Pasadena Symphony Association is on the move in a really big way.
Pasadena Symphony announced today the naming of Altadena resident Peter Boyer as its composer-in-residence for the 2012-2013 season. Somewhat presumptively the organization says it has commissioned Boyer to compose and record with the symphony musicians what will be his most major work to date, a Symphony No. 1.
Boyer is a top-rated composer of new music having had his orchestral works, which have included “Ellis Island: The Dream of America” and “The Dream Lives On: A Portrait of the Kennedy Brothers”, performed by nearly 100 major American symphony orchestras at least 275 times with narration on the works at the premieres read by celebrities as Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris and Cherry Jones. He is also a Hollywood darling in his assistance to major film composers as an orchestrator.
In an interview posted on his website, Propulsive Music (an apt description of what I have heard) he tells journalist and art consultant Steve Metcalf that he fashions himself as a participant equally in three music worlds: classical music, cinematic works, and higher education.
“Traditionally,” he tells Metcalf, “the worlds of the concert hall, the film and television industry, and academia have been strictly separate.” He continues, “The personal irony for me is that, though part of my life is in academia, I’m about as far from an ‘academic composer’ as one can get!”
Boyer is right. He has shown his chops in all three worlds. In film, he has contributed to orchestrations to 20 films for all the major studios as well as the Academy Awards show, and others. We have already mentioned his success in the concert hall with his works realized by Keith Lockhart at Boston Pops, Miguel Harth-Bedoya at the Fort Worth Symphony, and Gerard Schwarz at Seattle Symphony, and the list goes on. In academia his tape-measure-long list includes tenure at Claremont Graduate University (who have provided the contribution to Pasadena Symphony for the commissioned work), a B.A. and an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Rhode Island College, a Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts from The Hartt School of the University of Hartford. At the Claremont Graduate University, Boyer holds the Helen M. Smith Chair in Music and ranks as a Full Professor.
Musically, Boyer says he understands the full spectrum of today’s music stretching from John Williams to Elliott Carter—but professes a leaning toward the more avant-garde styles, although he admits his most popular and performed works have been cinematic in style.
Pasadena Symphony under Zdunek will develop the Fresh Ink Society to keep the composer-in-residence program moving forward in coming years, following the seed money provided by the Trustees of the Claremont Graduate University.
“This Society is a recently formed new music collective of the regions most enthusiastic community leaders that are helping to realize the commission, performance and recording of its first project,” Zdunek said.
Names of participants in this new Society have not revealed as of today.
Boyer’s Symphony No. 1 is set for its premiere performance with the Pasadena Symphony at its April 27, 2012 concert. Details on the season are to be announced in the next few days.

By Bill Peters

Coleman Chamber Invites Pacific Trio for 3rd Concert, Jan. 22

billpeters — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 23:25:06 +0000

In a marked turnaround for the Coleman Chamber Music Association, a trio made up of local musicians, the Pacific Trio, performs in the third concert of six that comprises the 2011-2012 season at 3:30 p.m. this Sunday, Jan. 22 at Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium. Coleman has a strong bias to book foreign performers.

The Pacific Trio’s members are cellist John Walz, pianist Edith Orloff and violinist Roger Wilke. Walz performs in dozens of concerts each season with numerous groups, notably as principal cellist of the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra and the Long Beach Symphony. Orloff is a featured artist at many summer music festivals, and is a favorite at the San Luis Obispo Festival Mozaic; she frequently appears with Pacific Serenades at their concerts at the Neighborhood Church, Pasadena. Wilke is the concertmaster for the Long Beach Symphony; he appears regularly with the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and Pacific Serenades in addition to appearing as soloist with many local and regional orchestras.

As a trio, (which was founded in 1979) Walz, Orloff and Wilke have been seen in over 1,000 concerts throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. They serve as trio-in-residence at the Idyllwild Arts Summer Program. Their latest CD is “American Composers”.

Pacific Trio's CD "American Composers" is available at Amazon.com and other online retailers.

For the Coleman Chamber Concert, Pacific Trio will perform Robert Muczynski’s Trio No. 1; Maurice Ravel’s Trio in A Minor; and Bedrick Smetana’s Trio in G-minor.

Ticket prices range from $24 to $45.

The Beckman Auditorium, on the Campus of the California Institute of Technology, is located south of Del Mar Blvd. on Michigan Ave., Pasadena. (Information: (888) 222-8324.

It’s Wild – It’s Wildup LA, and it happens Jan 14 at Armory Center

billpeters — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:49:02 +0000

Christopher Rountree leads Wildup LA Saturday at the Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena --photo by Muriel Jordan

Twenty-two musicians arrive in Southern California ready to take the place by storm. Well, some do, some don’t. But they are all well-trained and ready to play. A congregation of 22 of these younger musicians will tell you all about the music of today at 8:00 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14 at Pasadena’s Armory for the Center of the Arts.

The group is Wildup LA and it is a happening presented by artistic director/conductor Christopher Rountree.
Music of today is their mission: “We make music. New music. Old Music. We’ll play it, as long as we love it. Wild Up is a modern music collective—a group of Los Angeles-based musicians committed to creating visceral thought-provoking happenings.” They go on. And on.

But, their commitment is catching. From Rountree (who claims a seven generation Pasadena history) to young, mostly recent graduates of top music conservatories and universities, they are out to show you a good time and make really good music at the same time.

Eclectic seems to mild a term for this ensemble. Their program for Jan. 14 is based on birds, up to and including a young composer, Andrew Bird. OK, let’s get serious. “Ornithology” is the title of the program, listed as “A study of fluttering winged life. For centuries,” their promotional material reads, “artists have been obsessed with the study of birds, their sounds and the freedom which they move through the world.”

To them, this means the music of Olivier Messiaen, Joseph Haydn, and moderns like Brian Ferneyhough, Charlie Parker, Chris Kallmyer, and our local favorite, Cal Arts guy, Mark Menzies. This is wild, that is, wild and wonderful.

Jessica Cameron is the vivacious percussionist with Wildup LA.

Members of Wildup LA are Matt Barbier, Joshua Bornfield, Jessica Cameron, Archie Carey, Ryan Darke, Maggie Hasspacher, Chris Kallmyer, Caitlin Kelley, Robin Kelleman, Joo Lee, Andrew McIntosh, Erin McKibben, Javier Orman, Melinda Rice, Derek Stein, Jeremy Swem, Andrew Tholl, Derek Tywoniuk, Richard Valitutto, Brian Walsh, and Eleanor Weigert.

Leader of the group, Christopher Rountree,

founded the group in 2010, locally appointed principal conductor of La Primavera Youth Orchestra in Orange County at age 22.

Tickets are $20.

The Armory Center for the Arts is located at 145 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena.

Pasadena Musicians agree to four-year deal

billpeters — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:13:53 +0000

Andrew Malloy, Pasadena Symphony Orchestra Committee Chair and principal trombonist with the orchestra.

People in the news…

The Pasadena Symphony and Pops orchestras and the musicians that serve in both orchestras have agreed to a four-year contract that provides a 5% increase in wages stretched over the term of the deal. In other words, the contract, which rolls back to October, 2011, will provide no increase for this season, a 2% increase next season and 3% the following season.

Paul Jan Zdunek, CEO at the Pasadena Symphony, is quoted by David Ng in a story appearing in the Los Angeles Times on Jan. 10, that the orchestra’s finances are now in order and that the orchestra has succsssfully paid down its back debt. Zdunek also told Ng that the Symphony Association has seen strong ticket sales and increasing support from sponsors.

Other press reports have indicated that the Symphony has seen a good spike in support as a result of Marvin Hamlich’s summer concerts of the Pasadena Pops and looking forward, ticket sales for the summer concerts at The Arboretum are already exceeding last year’s numbers.

The Pasadena Symphony’s season is underway with its next concert this Saturday, Jan. 14. The Pasadena Pops summer series at The Arboretum begins June 16.

Small-town Marching Bands Come to T of R Parade

billpeters — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 20:26:19 +0000

Of the 18 bands that will march down Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, in the 2012 Tournament of Roses parade on Jan. 2

Photo courtesy Pulaski Music Boosters

, only five are local groups. Ten are high school marching bands from mostly smaller communities. Three will represent foreign countries.

Of the high school groups, Arcadia’s Arcadia High School Apache Marching Band will be joining the 5.5 mile trek for the 15th time. But the Pulaski, Wi. Pulaski High School Red Raider Marching Band is making its second appearance in the internationally famous Pasadena parade.

The Pulaski marching band has struggled this time to obtain full funding for its 185-member band. A recent fire in the downtown area devastated the central Wisconsin community of 3,000, thereby slowing down fundraising activities, but the spirit of the community is solidly behind their trip here. The band has raised only half of the $300,000 needed to fund the six-day trip that includes a marching date at Disneyland and other activities. But they will come with their longtime director D. Thomas Busch, accompanied by assistant director Kayla Koch and 12 adult chaperones.

The Pulaski group has been recognized in Wisconsin by Congress, their State Senate and the Green Bay Packers for its outstanding music performances.
In addition to Southern California’s entertainment attractions, band-members likely will enjoy the expected daytime temperatures during the parade of high-70′s while the folks back home watch the parade in Pulaski with a high temperature of 47 degrees and a low of 27.

Other marching bands from American towns include American Fork High School, (American Fork, Ut.); Ben Davis High School, (Indianapolis, In); Crestview High School, (Crestview, Fl.); Franklin Regional High School, (Murraysville, Pa); Mercer Island High School, (Mercer Island, Wa.); and the Siloam Springs High School Band, (Siloam Springs, Ar.)

To enjoy all of the bands, you can attend Bandfest, the two-day event of field marching by all 18 entrants. Bandfest will be held at Robinson Stadium, Pasadena City College, at 2:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30 and in two shows, 9:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. Admission is $15; children age five years and younger, free.

Pasadena City College is located at 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Parking is in the parking structure Lot 4, entering off of Del Mar Ave.

By Bill Peters

Many Churches Offer Special Music with Christmas Services, Here’s a few

billpeters — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 22:17:26 +0000

The Sanctuary at the San Marino Congregational United Church of Christ decorated for Christmas services.

All Saints Episcopal Church, 132 N. Euclid Ave., Pasadena
Christmas Eve: Family Service, 3:00 p.m.—Mastersingers and Troubadours, directed by Jenny Price offer music of Gray and Bach.
Festive Eucharist, 5:30 p.m.—Trouveres with instrumental ensemble, the music of Caldwell and Ivory.
Festive Eucharist, 8:00 p.m.—Canterbury Choir and chamber orchestra offer Haydn’s “Missa Sancti Nicolai”, music of Willcocks, Walker.
Festive Eucharist, 11:00 p.m.—Coventry Choir and chamber orchestra offer Haydn’s “Heiligmesse”, music of Holst.
Christmas Day: Eurcharist, 10:30 a.m.—Coventry Choir soloists, carols.
Spanish language Eucharist, 12:00 p.m.—Dan Cole and Ensemble.

Church of the Good Shepherd, 400 W. Duarte Rd., Arcadia
Christmas Eve: Family Service, 5:00 p.m.—Traditional Christmas pageant, Carol Choir, Youth Choir, Handbell choirs.
Sanctuary Service, 9:00 p.m.—Chancel Choir, Carillon Ringers, handbell quartet, string quartet, organ. Music Director, Timothy Durkovic.
Chapel, Holy Communion, 11:00 p.m.—soloist and piano.
Christmas Day: Sanctuary Service, 10:00 a.m.

First United Methodist of Pasadena, 500 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
Christmas Eve: Family Worship, 5:00 p.m.—FUMC orchestra, children’s choir, carols.
Concert, 10:30 p.m., organ and handbell music.
Lessons and Carol Service, 11:00 p.m.—Chancel Choir, brass ensemble.
Christmas Day: Morning Worship, 10:00 a.m.—informal carols.

Pasadena Presbyterian Church, 585 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
Christmas Eve: Family Worship, 4:00 p.m.—kid-friendly service with childrens’ choirs and in pageant.
Candlelight Communion, 9:00 p.m.—Kirk Choir, Van Etten handbell choir.
Christmas Day: Worship, 10:00 a.m.—congregational carol singing.

San Marino Congregational United Church of Christ, 2560 Huntington Dr., San Marino
Christmas Eve: Candlelight and Carols, 7:00 p.m.—Soprano Allison Foster and instrumentalists Murray Middleman and Albert Mendoza.
Christmas Day: Morning Service, 10:00 a.m.—congregational carol singing.

Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1757 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena
Christmas Eve: Family Service, 4:00 p.m.—familiar Christmas Carols in this “com-as-you-are” for all ages.
Traditional Christmas Eve Service, 11:00 p.m.

L A Master Chorale Names SGValley Residents Danner, Brooks to Board

billpeters — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 23:37:37 +0000

Brian Brooks (above) and Bryant Danner join board of L A Master Chorale--photos courtesy of LA Master Chorale

Brian Brooks of Pasadena and Bryant Danner of La Cañada Flintridge have been named members of the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Master Chorale. Brooks and Danner join several other board members who live in the area, including chair, Mark Foster, of Pasadena.

Danner began his three-year term in October; Brooks began in November.

Danner has already been active in the affairs of the L A Master Chorale. He and his wife, Judi, had already recognized the quality of the Los Angeles Master Chorale and had supported the Chorale’s High School Choir Festival. The festival, held in April, 2011, reached out to over 900 local Southern California students from 24 schools.
The Danners participated in underwriting the purchase of music scores for all of the high school choirs that participated in the festival.

Bryant Danner

LAMC chair, Mark Foster welcomed both men to the board, noting that “they are both enthusiastic supporters of the Chorale’s artistic and educational programs and bring tremendous skills to the Board.”

Danner served at Latham and Watkins law firm for nearly 30 years; he was appointed General Counsel of Edison International in 1992, becoming the firm’s Executive Vice President in 1996. He began teaching at USC Law School in 2006 and is currently a visiting professor there.

Brooks was a partner at O’Melveny and Meyers and is now Vice Chairman of OneWest Bank and in that role serves on several executive committees.

Pasadena Dance Theatre’s Fully Staged “Nutcracker” Dec. 17, 18, 22, 23

billpeters — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:51:15 +0000

Stella Abrera is a soloist with the American Ballet Theatre, seen here as Aurora in "Sleeping Beauty". She will perform "The Nutcracker" with the Pasadena Dance Theatre at the Pasadena Playhouse in three special performances, Dec. 22, 23 and 24.--photo courtesy of the RNZB

Back in October, auditions began at the Pasadena Dance Theatre to prepare for their longtime Holiday favorite, “The Nutcracker”. Now, with more than 70 dancers, exquisite sets, costumes and special effects, the PDT will offer its 33rd annual full-length production at two locations: the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse, San Gabriel on Dec. 17 and 18; and at the Pasadena Playhouse on Dec. 22, 23, and 24.

Enthusiasm for these productions runs high as former students recall their days as youngsters performing following rigorous ballet training at the Pasadena Dance Theatre’s dance conservatory, headed by Artistic Director of the group, Cynthia Young. Grace DeVoll, a former dancer with the Conservatory remembers her experience in the corps of dancers as the highlight of her high school years.

” ‘Nutcracker’ memories are bursting with the contagious happiness of tradition and holiday spirit. ‘The Nutcracker’ ballet, whether seen from the audience or performed from the stage provides an irreplaceable story magic, childhood and Christmas for everyone who loves the holiday season,” DeVoll reminisces.

Memories for audiences and performers alike will be formed at the two locations where “The Nutcracker” will be presented. In San Gabriel, at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse, the Dec. 17 and 18 matinees will offer Clara’s Nutcracker Party—hosted by the ballet’s heroine, Clara, for young audience attendees at an additional charge. At Pasadena’s Pasadena Playhouse, three gala performances of the holiday ballet will feature guest dance soloist, Stella Abrera at the evening performances on Dec. 22, 23, and the matinee performance on Dec. 24.

Abrera, a soloist with the American Ballet Theatre, is an alumna of the Pasadena Dance Theatre. The South Pasadena resident began her studies with Philip and Charles Fuller and Cynthia Young at Le Studio in Pasadena. Abrera joined the ABT in 1996 and became a solo dancer in 2001. She has performed several roles in “The Nutcracker” with ABT as well as starred in several vehicles internationally for them.

The Pasadena Dance Theatre is a non-profit organization providing classical and innovative contemporary choreography through professional dance performance and offers dance training through its conservatory. The PDT is served by its Board of Directors President, Richard Herrera; Treasurer, Lynette Davis; Secretary, Pamela Groff; and members Joan Augustiny, Alex Gaffney, Jacqueline Howorth, and Leslie Kawai.

“The Nutcracker” is presented by the Pasadena Dance Theatre at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 and at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18. Their will be seven performances at the Pasadena Playhouse: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22; 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23; 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24 (with ABT soloist Stella Abrera); 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29 and 2:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30.

Ticket prices range from $39 to $85 and vary according to date and venue. Children age 12 and younger, $22, both venues.

The San Gabriel Mission Playhouse is located at 320 S. Mission Dr., San Gabriel. The Pasadena Playhouse is at 30 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Information: (626) 683-3459.

Cellist Zuill Bailey Performs Korngold with LA Phil Dec 9 and Dec 11

billpeters — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:50:59 +0000

Zuill Baily, cellist

Charisma is the descriptive word for the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s artists performing this weekend, at 8:00 p.m. Friday, Dec 9 and 2:00 p.m. Sunday, Dec 11. The LA Phil will be conducted by Thomas Wilkins, guest artist is cellist Zuill (pronounced Zool) Bailey.

Wilkins is the popular conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, serving as its Principal Guest Conductor. Bailey is leader of two important musical festivals, El Paso, Texas Pro Musica Chamber Festival and the Sitka, Alaska, Summer Music Festival and Series. His TelArc CDs have been at the top of classical music charts.

Thomas Wilkins, conductor

The two week-end concerts by the LA Phil at Walt Disney Concert Hall is a part of the local art collaboration, Pacific Standard Time and carries the title “The Hollywood Sound”. As such, Wilkins will lead the orchestra in suites from Hollywood film scorers Alex North, Bernard Herrmann, Elmer Bernstein, Henry Mancini, Jerry Goldsmith, and John Williams. Bailey will perform Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s Cello Concerto in C based on themes from the film “Deception”.

Zuill Bailey , a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of Music and The Julliard School, performs on a 1693 Matteo Gofriller cello. Young (40), good looking, carrying a nice personality, Bailey knows how to charm an audience. He is particularly good at enticing younger audiences into both listening and enjoying hearing the classics.

Wilkins currently serves as Music Director of the Omaha Symphony, and the Boston Symphony’s Youth and Family Concerts Conductor. Past assignments have included Resident Conductor, Detroit Symphony, Florida Symphony and Associate Conductor of the Richmond (Va.) Symphony.

Bailey and Wilkins will be present at the meet-and-greet Q&A following the Dec. 9 concert.

Ticket prices range from $57.25 to $180.

Walt Disney Concert Hall is located at 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Information: (323) 850-2000.

‘Amahl and the Night Visitors’ at Playhouse This Week-end

billpeters — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 01:47:24 +0000

"Amahl and the Night Visitors", the moving Christmas story is at the Pasadena Playhouse Dec 9 to 11.

Gian Carlo Menotti’s memorable, delightful, and moving opera of a crippled shepherd boy who greets three Wisemen on their way to visit a newborn king and joins them on the desert trek to bring a gift to the baby will be presented by Opera Posse at the Pasadena Playhouse this week-end for five performances with mezzo-soprano Suzanna Guzman reprising her starring role as Mother in a production directed by Stephanie Vlahos.

Vlahos directed this production last year when it appeared at the Pasadena Playhouse as an effort of Intimate Opera. This year, the production is supervised by Vlahos under the strange moniker, Opera Posse.

Guzman, who originated the role of Mother under composer Menotti’s direction, is repeating her performance we described last year as delivered “with vocal gusto, her lower-register mezzo-soprano voice wringing everything she can from the role.”

After significant coverage of this Holiday event the cast list become available only this afternoon, when we received it through the online journal, Pasadena Now. That story says that in this year’s cast will be tenor Greg Fedderly, returning to recreate his wonderful Kaspar, baritone LeRoy Villanueva as Balthazar—replacing last year’s Cedric Berry (but a man who performed for the BBC in a film version); Hector Vasquez as Melchior and Caleb Glickman as

Leroy Villanueva

Amahl. Glickman performed the shepherd boy role last year only at matinee performances. We suspect he has been moved up because last year’s “Amahl”, Leighton Saxby, had a maturing voice that probably put him out of the running now.

Pasadena Master Chorale, under the direction of Jeffrey Bernstein, will lend cast support as villagers and shepherds. Bernstein will be in the pit for these performances, except Saturday night. Rachael Worby will step in for that performance.

Performances are 8:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9; at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10; and at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11.

Ticket prices are $49 to $100.

The Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Information: (626) 356-7529.