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.