Guitar Recital by Alex Komodore

Alex Komodore will present a guest artist recital on Wed., April 7, Kilworth Memorial Chapel, University of Puget Sound. Recital is free.

As a performer Komodore’s powerful interpretations, formidable technique, and natural musicianship have won unanimous praise from critics, audiences, and many of the world’s finest guitarists.

Contact: Office of Public Events, 253.879.3555, University of Puget Sound.

March Madness

Wow.  What can I say?  This quarter has been really busy.  Since the end of January I have been slammed with concerts, music education presentations, TCC business, and many performances.  All of this on top of the normal routine:  daily classes, 3 ensembles rehearsals a weeks, and teaching several classes.

I knew it would be a challenge to keep up with managing a blog.  Thanks for your patience.

There are a couple events to highlight this week in the Tacoma area:

• On Friday, 3/12 at 7:30 PM, I will conduct the TCC Chamber Orchestra and TCC Singers in an exciting program of vocal and instrumental works.  The program includes the Overture and selected arias from Mozart's Magic Flute.  I am pleased to feature two great local soloists with the orchestra.  We are also performing Schubert's Mass in G.  It will be a wonderful performance - and it's FREE.  Come to TCC Building 3, 7:30 PM, Friday (3/12).

• The 5 Browns are also appearing in Tacoma.  The Tacoma Philharmonic is presenting this wonderful team of pianistic brothers and sisters.  It should be a fantastic, entertaining, and musical spectacle.  Read the post below for more details.

The 5 Browns: In Tacoma

Have you ever heard Beethoven's Rhapsody in Blue performed on 5 grand pianos?

Me either, but I'm certainly looking forward to it! The 5 Browns, the superstar siblings who are Juilliard-trained and concert hall tested, bring their sensational 5-piano showcase to Tacoma's Pantages Theater on Saturday, March 13.

They've been featured on 60 Minutes, The Today Show, Oprah & many other television shows, and this month their brand new PBS special The 5 Browns: In Concert begins airing nationwide (watch it locally on KBTC on March 7 @ 7:30pm).

Tickets & Information: http://www.tacomaphilharmonic.org/

Charge-By-Phone: 253-272-0809

Sounds of Brass

I am fortunate to be conducting and playing trumpet with a great group here in Tacoma.  Brass Unlimited is a wonderful brass quartet (2 trumpets, 2 trombones), and has been performing in the South Sound for over 10 years.  Every January they give a recital and invite other local brass player to form a large brass ensemble.  This year is going to be a lot of fun.  I get to play a couple of solos as a featured trumpet, and I also get to conduct a majority of the large ensemble stuff.  My wife, Cindy Renander, is also performing a couple of clarinet solos.

More information is here:
http://www.brassunlimited.org/events.html

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