Can't believe Christmas is almost here again!!!

Here's a fun version of "The 12 Days of Christmas" by Indiana University's Straight No Chaser - filmed last December at the Rialto Theater in Tacoma.

IU's Straight No Chaser returns on Saturday, December 19 - tickets are available now but going fast. Visit www.TacomaPhilharmonic.org for info & tickets.

Turn up your sound and enjoy...

"Symbols and Structures" - TCC Symphonic Band

Tomorrow I will be conducting the TCC Symphonic Band in a program titled "Symbols and Structures."  The concert explores how composers organize sound into meaning, and sometimes even have specific ideas and pictures they are trying to illustrate in sound.

PROGRAM:
George Washington Bridge - Schuman
Down a Country Lane - Copland
Serenade, Op. 7 - Strauss
After a Gentle Rain - Iannaccone
Portrait of a Clown - Ticheli
Sleep - Whitacre
Scenes from "The Louvre" - Dello Joio

Allow me to briefly explain my ideas about William Schuman's George Washington Bridge.  This work attempts to capture the vast structure of iron and concrete in heavy harmonies and complex blocks of brassy chords.  Another section of the composition might illustrate the hustle and business of people and cars whizzing across the bridge in and out of New York.  But my favorite section of the this music is right in the middle.  It is airy, blurry, light, and free.  Like standing in teh middle of a bridge, capturing the sensation of flying....  One of the genius elements of this music is the form: ABCBA - a bride depicted in symmetry and sound.

Each of the works we will perform has some formal and symbolic element.  The program was inspired by my students.  I find that form can be hard for some students and listeners to understand.  It can take time, patience, and repeated listenings to understand form.  I am hoping this concert will help all types of audience members understand how important and meaningful form is in music.

The concert is in building 3 on the TCC campus, 7:30 PM, on December 3rd.  It is free and open to the public.  We have a $5 suggested donation.

You can also watch the concert on the web.  It will stream live on this website:
http://www.tacomacc.edu/swf/live/channel2.html

Sold Out Performance!

I got this email announcement yesterday.  I am very pleased to hear that this concert is sold out - not something common for classical concerts in Tacoma.  I do wonder, what attracts an audience?  Is it the music?  The musicians?  The conductor(s)?  The venue?

I would love to hear your thoughts.  What attracts you to attend a classical music performance?
~JF

A Great (and busy) Time for Music!

Holy cow, it has been busy the last couple of weeks!  I cannot believe how many rehearsals and performances have been going on in and around Tacoma.  This week is another concert packed opportunity for you to get our and experience some great classical music performances in our community.  Here are some opportunities:

• Tonight you can see me conduct the TCC Chamber Orchetsra.  Our program Cycles in Time features works by Elgar, Dvorak, and Schumann.
• Friday night do not miss the New York Chamber Soloists, performing in the Pantages.  Their program features Handel's Water Music.  This will be a world-class performance.  (FYI - I am giving a pre-concert talk at 6:30 PM in the lobby of the Pantages).
• The Tacoma Concert Band performs in the Pantages on Saturday evening.  Their program is very interesting, with several contemporary works on to be played.  It should be a fantastic opportunity to hear some great works for winds.
• The Tacoma Young Artists Orchestra (part of the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association) performs this Saturday evening.  My wife, Cindy Renander, will be the guest soloist - performing Mozart's Clarinet Concerto.  This is a great student orchestra, led by a legend in local music education, Mr. Dale Johnson.  A wonderful chance for you to listen to young musicians performing and learning classical masterworks.

So go make your plans for the weekend.  There is a lot of music to experience!
~John Falskow

Handel's Water Music - New York Chamber Soloists to play in Tacoma

For the first time, the renowned New York Chamber Soloists are coming to Tacoma's Pantages Theater for a performance featuring Handel's Water Music.

Presented by Tacoma Philharmonic, the New York Chamber Soloists is an ensemble of 11 outstanding musicians from the music capitol of the world. The group's 50-year history includes numerous world tours and annual concerts in Washington DC. With more than 250 works in their repertoire, the Chamber Soloists have made a valuable contribution to the musical life of this country, and have helped to expand the audience for chamber music. Their programming innovations have included Bach's complete Brandenburg Concerti in a single concert.

New York Chamber Soloists
HANDEL'S WATER MUSIC
Friday, November 20 @ 7:30pm
Pantages Theater, 901 Broadway in Tacoma
Presented by Tacoma Philharmonic

Pre-Concert Lecture begins at 6:30pm

MOZART Divertimento in D Major, K. 136
MOZART Bassoon Concerto, K. 191
MOZART Symphony No. 29
HANDEL Water Music

For tickets visit: www.TacomaPhilharmonic.org
CHARGE-BY-PHONE: 253-272-0809 or 253-591-5894

Ticket prices: $32.50-$62.50
Discounts for seniors/students/active military/children.

Opera!

Tacoma Opera will present Donizetti's Daughter of the Regiment starting Friday evening.  A great opera for seasoned listeners, as well as first time opera goers.  This is a comic opera, with a wonderful plot, and beautiful music.  A great opportunity for all of our community to experience wonderful entertainment and music making.

Here is the cute synopsis on the Tacoma Opera website, "Boys meets girl.  Boy sings a bunch of high notes.  Boy loses girl.  Girl sings a bunch of high notes.  Boy gets girl.  Everyone lives happily ever after.  This comedy about a young woman raised by a French regiment is that simple, that sweet, and that utterly delightful."

Tacoma Opera has a lot of helpful information on their website, click here for more information.  You will find a more detailed summary of the plot, biographies of the singers, and some wonderful behind the scenes photos.  Also - Tacoma Opera was on local cable television promoting this opera.  Click here to stream the October 29 edition of Cityline.

Order your tickets here:
www.tacomaopera.com
253-627-7789

Here is an article from the  Tacoma News Tribune:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/ae/artmuseums/story/939783.html

All-New KIDS KONCERTS SERIES in Tacoma

As a parent of two young children (age 2 & 4), I'm always looking for great family activities that are FUN, ENRICHING and AFFORDABLE. Starting October 31, Tacoma Philharmonic is presenting an brand-new series of concerts that is perfect for children from birth to 8 years of age. Tickets are just $5, and the Saturday morning concerts start at 10am & 11:30am at Theatre on the Square in downtown Tacoma.

Here's a great video introduction to the Series:

Featuring Lisa and Linda of "Let Your Music Shine," the Kids Koncerts Series is an enriching and engaging experience for young children and families. Filled with classical hits and sing-along favorites, each show lasts approximately 45 minutes and is carefully crafted to be both educational and entertaining for children.

• Where: Theatre on the Square directions
• When: Saturday, October 31 - Concerts begin at 10am & 11:30am
• Ages: Perfect for kids age birth to 8 (We encourage wearing Halloween costumes!)

CONCERT OVERVIEW: Let’s hear some symphonies and favorite rhymes, it’s Mother Goose goes to the Symphony time! Clap and sing while combining classic literature with symphony classics by Beethoven, Haydn, Schubert and Dvorak. Featured instruments: Trumpet, Trombone, and Tuba.

1. Additional Information: http://www.TacomaPhilharmonic.org
2. For tickets call: (253) 272-0809

You're going to love this!

The Tacoma Symphony opens up the 2009-10 concert season with a program filled with classical hits they are calling "American Spirit." Saturday, October 24, 7:30 PM, at the Pantages Theater.
 
Maestro Felder will lead the orchestra in Copland's Fanfare for the Commin Man, Bernstein's  West Side Story Dances, Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue (Andrew Armstrong, piano), as well as Dvorak's Symphony No. 9, From the New World.  This should be an exciting concert for classical music lovers, or first time concert goers.  It is a wonderful program of American and American-inspired music.  What a great way to welcome all listeners to the concert hall, and get our community excited about live music performances.

http://www.tacomasymphony.org

Once in a lifetime...

I am a proud board member of the Tacoma Philharmonic, and I want you all to know about our wonderful 2009-10 concert season opening event this Saturday - the Stradivari Quartet.  This is a world class string quartet, performing some of the best music, playing on 4 of the best instruments ever made, in one of the most historic performance venues in Tacoma.  How could anyone pass up this opportunity to hear this great music?  Did I mention killer 2-for1 deals on tickets?  Be there - Saturday, October 17, 7:30 PM, Pantages Theater.

The Stradivari Quartet plays on 4 instruments made by the master, Antonio Stradivari.  Instruments made by Stradivari are thought of as some of the best string instruments ever made, and can sometimes sell for over a million dollars.  The instruments have unique histories, impeccable craftsmanship, and a tone quality that sets the standard.  The opportunity to hear four Strads in one concert is very exciting!

Besides wonderful music, musicians, and instruments - this concert is titled "4 Strads, 4 Stories."  I expect the musicians will share the unique history of each of the instruments being played.  A neat opportunity to understand some history, hear great music, and enjoy the chance of a lifetime.

Concert this Saturday, October 17, at 7:30 PM in the Pantages Theater.  Pre-concert talk at 6:30.

Stradivari Quartet website = http://www.stradivariquartett.com/index_en.html

Tacoma Philharmonic = tacomaphilharmonic.org,  253.272.7525

Tacoma Concert Band Performance

We are so fortunate in Tacoma to have a great wind band.  The Tacoma Concert Band is a volunteer group of musicians that has been performing for over 25 years.  Conducted by Robert Musser, the band consistently performs at a very high level, and infuses our community with great artistic entertainment.

The TCB opens this season on Friday, October 9, at 7:30 PM, in the Pantages Theater.  The program includes a variety of music styles - classical concert music, Broadway medleys, and marches.  One of my favorite works is being played, the First Suite in E-flat by Gustav Holst.  The suite is a dramatic blend of compositional craft, folk song melodies, and contrasting emotions.  I think it is one of the best works ever composed for wind band, and will surely get a stunning performance by the Tacoma Concert Band.

You can download a performance of the Holst performed by the U.S. marine band by clicking here.

For tickets and more information:
http://www.tacomaconcertband.org/
253-591-5894


There are many other fine performances offer this weekend.  Take a look at the concert calendar above, and get out to hear some great music!

Tough decisions this week....

We are so fortunate to have such an active and varied concert season in our community.  It is really a wonderful reflection on the culture, talent, and artistry in Pierce County.  The concert year is just starting to get into full swing, and there are many concerts this week.  Whether you prefer chamber music, solo recitals, lecture recitals, or large ensembles - this week has it all!  Just browse the calendar at the top of this blog, and click on an event in the calendar to get more information.  I will try to provide some details about some of the concerts in a post later today or tomorrow.

I think it is a tough decision to choose which events to attend.  So I am wondering, what concerts are going to?  Why?

Another performance venue

Tacoma's Antique Sandwich Shop (5102 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA 98407, 253.752.4069) offers free classical music performances on many Sunday afternoons.  This is a neat restraunt/coffee shop, and is a nice casual venue to enjoy locals performing great music.  I do not have the schedule in the concert calendar yet, but you can call the number above to get information about upcoming concerts.

This Sunday the King Street Quintet is performing at the Antique Sandwich Shop.  This ensemble is a woodwind quintet (flute, oboe, horn, clarinet, and bassoon).  This is a standard form of chamber ensemble, and has a rich variety of timbres and tone colors.  The King Street Quintet has been around for many years, and plays a variety of classical and entertaining works.  Should be a lot of fun, so go check it out.

U.S. Marine Band

The "President's Own" U.S. Marine Band will be is Washington from October 3 through October 6.  They are not performing in Peirce County, but are giving concerts in Everett, Seattle, Auburn, and Chehalis.  This is a world class music ensemble, and is considered by many to be the best wind band in the world.  They do not charge admission for concerts, but you need to call the performance venue to reserve tickets.  More information about their concerts can be found at www.marineband.usmc.mil. 

On a related note...  the principal trumpet of the Marine Band will be giving a materclass at UPS on October 2.  It is my understanding that this is a FREE event, and is open to the public.  If you do not know what this is, a masterclass is like a one-on-one lesson between a teacher and student, but it is done infront of an audience.  This allows attendees to learn from watching the teaching process.  I expect that some UPS students and maybe some local high school students will play for the guest teacher.  This is a great opportunity to watch a very accomplished musician share his thought process and musical imagination.  I would recommend this to any musician, not just trumpeters.

School Music Concerts - Not Just for Students

For some reason, many educational institutions get a bum deal in classical music performances.  Sure Juilliard, Northwestern, Curtis Institute.... the world famous music schools have a large and dedicated following.  The smaller state and local educational organizations train our future performers and teachers, entertain their campus, and serve their communities.  These local institutions often attract students and parents.  I know I am biased - I do work in higher education, but it often feels like our concerts go "under the radar" of the general public.  I want to help change this.
I want to encourage you to go to a school campus this year and experience their music program.  On the concert calendar for this blog I have listed many of the local college concerts and recitals.  If you make a quick phone call or email you local high school, middle school, or elementary school I am sure you can find out their concert dates.  Many of these concerts are free, or are very reasonable in cost.  Some of the local schools have AMAZING concert auditoriums, and need to be appreciated by more of our community.  With a little digging you can find some rewarding events to attend.

Student ensembles and concerts are thrilling to listen to.  They sometimes lack the ease and polish of a professional ensemble, but they never lack in intensity, conviction, and excitement.  There is nothing like the sound of a young orchestra performing Beethoven for the first time.  Hearing young musicians perform gives us the honor to watch history passed down to a younger generation.  It is inspiring.  Whether you go to hear the orchestra at PLU, the Wind Ensemble at UPS, the Tacoma Youth Symphony, or the Mason Middle School Honor Band - you will have a thrilling experience.

Most college campuses also offer faculty concerts and recitals.  These are events you do not want to miss!  Some of the most accomplished musicians in our area teach at local colleges.  They want to share their music, to model for their students, and to bond with our community.  This weekend there are two such events:  Friday evening at UPS, and Saturday afternoon at PLU.  

So why would you not want to attend a campus concert event?

Concert Cancellation...

I just got this email.  Tonight's Camas Quintet concert at PLU is cancelled.  Here is an excerpt from the note sent from one of the quintet members:

Dear John,

I just became aware of your new classical music blog today.  This is a great new resource for all of us.  I am a member of the Camas Wind Quintet at PLU, where I also teach horn.  I am writing to let you know that tonight's concert has been cancelled due to a medical emergency...  We're sad that we can't play tonight, but I thought I'd let you know so you could put up a note (if you haven't already heard).  I'm sure you'll be hearing from me in the future when I have recitals and such.

Thanks,
Gina Gillie

TNT Historical Keyboard Article

Here's a great article from this morning's Tacoma News Tribune.  This keyboard conference has a lot of different concerts and workshops, and I did not get them all listed in the performance calendar.  Read below to get information on the specifics of these events.  Here is the website for the Western Early Keyboard Association - http://www.wekaweb.org/

Historic keyboards: Instruments of imagination

Sweet, sweet music: Conference for historical keyboards puts beautiful sounds and sights on display

Joe Barrentine   

Martin Pasi poses with a 17th-century Neapolitan organ he rescued from an attic in Italy at Christ Church Episcopal in Tacoma. Pasi is taking part in the Western Early Keyboard Association's biennial conference.

ROSEMARY PONNEKANTI; The News Tribune

Published: 09/15/09  12:05 am   |   Updated: 09/15/09   6:57 am

Tacoma isn’t exactly the keyboard capitol of the U.S. But that’s going to change this weekend – and perhaps permanently – when Tacoma hosts an array of those instruments, thanks to a growing community of musicians here.

Through the centuries, people have been entranced by keyboards that came way before our modern pianos and electronica. In the renaissance, they sang airs with the virginals. In the baroque era, they composed fugues on the harpsichord. By the 19th century, they were hammering away on startling new pianos.

Those instruments and others will be here for the annual conference for the Western Early Keyboard Association. Based in San Francisco, the WEKA – made up of players, teachers and students of early keyboards – usually holds its get-togethers in the Bay Area. But this year, the conference is in Tacoma.

It’s partly because Christ Church Episcopal Church is temporarily home to a baroque Italian organ restored by Roy builder Martin Pasi, as well as having its own Brombaugh instrument. It’s partly because Pacific Lutheran University boasts an internationally known organ by Tacoma maker Paul Fritts.

But it also is because of excellent musicians who’ve chosen Tacoma as home.

“There’s a growing nucleus of outstanding keyboardists who’ve moved here recently,” says David Dahl, organist at Christ Church and one of the conference organizers. Citing performers such as Naomi Shiga, John Wohlers and Mark Brombaugh (brother to the famous organ builder), Dahl is excited about the local early keyboard community. “They’re people who understand early music and historically inspired instruments as much as anybody. I’m not sure Tacomans realize just what we have here.”

The two-day conference, held at both Christ Church and PLU, is co-organized by respected Northwest musicians Jillon Stoppels Dupree, Barbara King and Kathryn Habedank, as well as Dahl. It features these performers and more, including PLU faculty members like Svend Ronning on baroque violin and international organists Jordi Vérges-Riart and Fabio Ciofini. There’ll be lectures/demonstrations of the historic 1750 Italian organ, the English virginals and two 19th-century pianos, plus a keyboard builders’ symposium. A Saturday night concert features Vérges-Riart and Ciofini playing four-hand organ music; the Sunday one sees PLU faculty playing music from the time of Thomas Jefferson. There’s a tour of the Fritts organ factory and numerous chances to see instruments up close. All events are open to the public as well as WEKA members.

But if you’re wondering what exactly is the difference between a harpsichord and clavichord, here’s the low-down on the unique instruments you can see and hear this weekend.

RENAISSANCE VIRGINALS

The virginals (or virginalls) was one of the earliest keyboard instruments, seen in paintings by Vermeer and heard by King Henry VIII. The one in the WEKA conference is a copy of a 1600 Ruckers from Amsterdam.

Looks: Shaped like a rectangular box without legs, it has strings running parallel to the length of the keyboard. Most have only 45 notes. They often had beautiful inlay or painting on the case.

Sound: Like harpsichords the strings are plucked, but because of the layout the sound is rich and fluty. And the name? Probably because the sound was like the voice of a young girl or virgin.

Hear it: At a seminar on early English music by Dr. Janet Pollack, Colorado State University, on Saturday (1 p.m.)

EARLY BAROQUE HARPSICHORD

Pretty, portable and louder than the virginals or clavichord, the harpsichord became the keyboard instrument of choice from around 1650-1750. Maker Owen Daly from Salem, Oregon will bring his 1995 copy of a 1681 French-school Vaudry.

Looks: Harpsichords have the same shape as a grand piano (triangular lid) but are much smaller and lighter, often with paintings inside the lid. Keys are carved wood, numbering around 48.

Sound: Keys activate plectra which pluck the strings, making a silvery, somewhat tinkly sound which doesn’t vary a lot in volume or tone.

Hear it: During the builders’ forum on Saturday afternoon (2:45 p.m.) and played by PLU professor Kathryn Habedank in the Sunday concert (3 p.m.)

BAROQUE ITALIAN ORGAN

Looks: Made around 1750 in Naples, this is a jewel among organs. It’s small – just nine feet high, four feet wide and two feet deep – with only five stops and no pedals. It’s a joy to look at, with elaborate carvings on the keys and gold leaf swirling all over. It’s housed at Christ Church until Roy restorer Martin Pasi can find a buyer.

Sound: The size gives the organ’s 241 pipes a delicate, fluty tone. Most importantly, though, is that it’s tuned to baroque pitch (lower than modern) in meantone temperament, a system that tunes some intervals exquisitely sweet and others deliciously discordant.

Hear it: It’s featured in a Saturday morning meantone organ workshop (11 a.m.) and a concert that night by Italian organist Fabio Ciofini and Jordi Verges-Riart from Spain (7:30 p.m.)

CLASSICAL CLAVICHORD

Looks: A rectangular keyboard instrument with keys on the left of the soundboard, the clavichord was popular as a practice keyboard from the medieval through classical periods. Seattle maker Jack Peters will bring his replica of a recently discovered 1762 clavichord by famous American builder David Tannenberg. He’ll also be bringing a harpsichord and a French epinette, a small harpsichord all the rage among rich 18th-century French ladies.

Sound: Similar to a harpsichord, but quieter.

Hear it: During the builders’ forum on Saturday afternoon (2:45 p.m.)

ROMANTIC-ERA PIANOS

These days, the piano sound we’re used to is the edgy and loud. But before the 20th century, the pianoforte (or, early on, the fortepiano) had far more subtlety. It was a new invention, having keys that activated hammers to hit the strings instead of pluck them, and it could play both softly (piano) and loudly (forte). For the WEKA conference, local restorer Michael Reiter is bringing a 1789 Broadwood and an 1846 Streicher.

Looks: The Broadwood is four feet square, mahogany, with no pedals. The Streicher looks more like a modern piano, 8 feet long, walnut finish and two pedals.

Sound: Early pianos have a whole range of nuanced tone colors. With just 65 notes (a modern piano has around 90), the Broadwood has a “very bright, thin tone,” says Reiter. The Streicher has 85 notes, a more mellow, singing voice, and while it’s quiet, it has a unusual length of sustain.

Hear them: Both in early piano presentation on Sunday afternoon (1:30 p.m.); the Streicher in the Sunday afternoon concert.

MODERN BROMBAUGH ORGAN

Looks: Built in 1979 by noted American builder John Brombaugh of Eugene, Oregon, this organ was modeled on the great baroque European organs. It has a mechanical key action and a hand-carved cedar and oak frame.

Sound: The Brombaugh has a singing tone, which is partly achieved through hammered high lead pipes.

Hear it: In a Saturday morning two-hands organ workshop (9:15 a.m.) and in the Saturday night concert by Ciofini and Verges-Riart.

Rosemary Ponnekanti: 253-597-8568

rosemary.ponnekanti@thenewstribune.com

Camas Wind Quintet at PLU

I found some information about tomorrow's Camas Woodwind Quintet recital.  This was posted on Facebook, an announcement from composer Greg Bartholomew:

The Camas Wind Quintet, ensemble in residence at Pacific Lutheran University, will perform Greg Bartholomew's "Second Suite from Razumov" on the Regency Concert Series on Tuesday, September 15, 2009, at 8 p.m.


The concert will take place at Lagerquist Concert Hall, Mary Baker Russell Music Center.


Tickets: $8 General; $5 senior citizen (55+); $3 Alumni and PLU Guests; Free for PLU Community, Students, and Children under 12.


The Second Suite from Razumov derives from the second act of Razumov. The opera tells the story of a young Russian, Razumov, who is caught up in the consequences when Victor Haldin, a fellow university student, assassinates a government minister. Themes for the first movement of the Second Suite are taken from the opening scene of Act Two, in which Haldin's mother, in exile in Geneva and worried by the lack of news from her son, learns that Victor was the assassin and has now been caught and executed. The second movement is an instrumental interlude. The third movement is based on the scene in which Razumov is urged to visit Mrs. Haldin, an encounter Razumov dreads because it is he who turned Haldin in to the government. The concluding movement corresponds to the scene in which Razumov learns that news received from Russia has released him from suspicion for Haldin's death by placing responsibility on an innocent man.


The Second Suite from Razumov was commissioned by a consortium of twenty wind quintet ensembles from around the world. The Aeolian Winds of Pittsburgh presented the world premiere on November 9, 2008, in Pittsburgh. Other regional and national premieres will take place throughout 2009 and 2010.


For more information, visit gregbartholomew.com.

Jacobsen Series at UPS

The Jacobsen Series at the University of Puget Sound is a concert series that features their school of music faculty, guest artists, students, and alumni.  These concerts are a great way for the public to experience excellent recital performances including many fantastic local musicians.  Ticket money goes to support a UPS scholarship fund.  You get to listen to great music, and support local music education - a win/win situation. 

Here are details on tonight's recital, cut-and-paste from the UPS website:

Chamber music from the late 1800s fin de siècle style of Paris will be featured at University of Puget Sound's first Jacobsen Series concert for the new academic year. The performance by faculty members and student musicians will begin at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 11, in Schneebeck Concert Hall on campus. Tickets are required.

The fin de siècle period was a time of upheaval following the withdrawal of German troops from Paris after the Franco-Prussian War of 1871, and the brief Commune of Paris, established by anarchists. The impending end of the century coincided with a new radicalism in the arts, expressed through decadence, scandal, and an escapist devotion to beauty. The music, influenced by composers such as Debussy and Ravel, likewise explored sensuality, renewal, and delicate shadings of sound. The evening's program includes:

Ernest Chausson's Concerto for Violin, Piano, and String Quartet (1889-1891)

Camille Saint-Saëns' Septet for Trumpet, String Quartet, and Double Bass (1881)

Claude Debussy's Violin Sonata (1917)

George Enescu's Légende for trumpet and piano (1906)

Performing are faculty members Duane Hulbert (piano), Timothy Christie (violin), Judson Scott (trumpet), and Stephen Schermer (bass); with student performers Sara Johansen '11, Grace Youn '13, Kendal Freyer '10, and Jack Van Amburg '10.

Admission is $12.50 for the general public; $8.50 for seniors (55+), students, and Puget Sound faculty and staff. It is free for current Puget Sound students. For tickets contact Wheelock Information Center, or order by credit card by calling 253.879.3419. Tickets will be available at the door.

The Jacobsen Series Scholarship Fund awards annual music scholarships to outstanding student performers and scholars. The fund is sustained entirely by ticket sales.

 For directions and a map of the campus: http://www.pugetsound.edu/directions.xml

Getting Started...

I have created this blog as a way for Tacoma area people to be informed about classical music performances in our community.  I envision this blog serving our community in several important ways:

• The Pierce County Classical Music calendar has been created on Google, and can be viewed at the top of this blog.  This calendar will be updated frequently, and should list most of the classical music performances in our community.  It is a public calendar, so anyone can post a concert and details about an event.
• The body of this blog will allow myself, and other local classical musicians to post ideas and information about upcoming events.  It is a casual way for performers and concert producers to share ideas and insights about future events.
• The beauty of a blog is that people and comment on blog posts, and spark conversation.  This will provide a direct way for musicians and audience to ask questions, correspond, and even debate.

I am very new to the world of blogs, and hope you will find this useful.  Please feel free to contact me with any suggestions.

~John Falskow

email me here