Concerts for Kids

Whew!  What a crazy couple of months.  I have had a ton of concerts - both conducting and playing trumpet.  And then getting Fall quarter shut down, and Winter quarter up and running.  It's been busy.  I hope you have been out listening to many of the concerts in the Tacoma area.  Tons of great music to experience, and I try to keep it listed on the calendar for this website.  Please check back frequently to see what performances you might want to attend in the Tacoma area.

This weekend (1/23 and 1/24) have some great opportunities for listeners of all ages.  First, there are several concerts on 1/23 for kids and families.

The Tacoma Philharmonic is hosting two concerts for young families, listeners can be as young as 3 months old!  These are great concerts designed for very young listeners, with lots of physical motion to respond to the music.  They are also nice and short - just 45 minutes long.  And did I mention tickets are just $5?  A great opportunity for families to experience classical music. More information here:  www.tacomaphilharmonic.org

That same day(1/23) the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association is hosting family concerts at the University of Puget Sound.  They will be performing Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf, a favorite for young and older listeners.  This is great music to introduce young listeners to instruments of the orchestra.  It is also so inspiring to hear this music played so well, by a young and talented youth orchestra.  More information:  www.tysamusic.org

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