Ready to lead: Sheboygan Symphony announces its 2010-11 season lineup
The Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra has announced its lineup for its 2010-11 season, the first undertaken by new music director and conductor, Kevin McMahon.
"The start of my tenure with the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra fills me with excitement, joy and the promise of years of service to the symphony family and the community," McMahon said. "I am also thrilled about the exciting season filled with wonderful music and talented guest artists that the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra is poised to offer to our patrons."
Opening Night with Kevin McMahon
Saturday, Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m.
McMahon's first concert features Gabrieli's Canzon "Septimi Toni No. 2" and Sibelius' Symphony No. 5 in E flat major. Arutunian's "Trumpet Concerto" will spotlight the talents of guest artist John Urness.
Urness, a Plymouth native, has been principal trumpet of the State of Mexico Symphony Orchestra (OSEM) in Toluca, Mexico, since 1997. The OSEM presents more than 80 concerts each year in the Mexico City area and on tours to China, Germany, Spain, France and Poland.
A well-traveled musician, Urness has performed with the Royal Philharmonic of London and the Israel Philharmonic, holds a master's degree in music from Rice University and a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
A Night at the Movies with Rich Ridenour
Saturday, Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m.
Patrons will experience both sides of Ridenour as they enjoy some of the greatest movie scores of all time, including the theme from "Peter Gunn," "The Pink Panther" theme and "Ghost Busters."
"Sheboygan is one of my favorite places to visit," Ridenour said. " It all began about 10 years ago when I was called in at the last minute to perform Concerto in F with the Sheboygan Symphony because a scheduled pianist had canceled. At the time I had not yet performed Concerto in F and had two weeks to learn it. It was a great challenge and turned out to be a rewarding experience to perform with an outstanding, warm orchestra. Since the November concert features a movie theme, I would enjoy revisiting the last movement of Gershwin's Concerto in F since it comes from the great film, "American in Paris."
Other selections Ridenour will be performing are Addinsell's "Warsaw Concerto" from "Dangerous Moonlight" and "Brazil" from "The Eddie Duchin Story."
"There will be many surprises because I plan time for requests that I poll in the lobby at intermission," Ridenour said.
Celebrate Mahler's 150th Birthday
Saturday, Feb. 5, 7:30 p.m.
As a tribute to Mahler's 150th birthday, the Sheboygan Symphony's midwinter concert features Mahler's majestic Symphony No. 4 in G major. The orchestra also will present Weber's widely performed "Concertino."
Soprano Joelle Barrett will be featured in the last movement in the song, "Das himmlische Leben," which presents a child's vision of heaven. Weber's "Concertino" will spotlight Matthew Griffith on an extremely challenging work for the clarinet.
Barrett is an instructor of music education and voice at Lakeland College and teaches music at Howards Grove Elementary School. A former member of numerous choral ensembles, including the Chicago Symphony Chorus and Elgin Choral Union, Barrett received her bachelor's degree from Millikin University.
Griffith is co-principal clarinet of the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra Senior Symphony, Chamber Orchestra and first chair of the UW-Milwaukee Youth Wind Ensemble. A former student of Dr. Jill Hanes and Todd Levy, Griffith received two exemplary soloist awards at the Wisconsin State Music Association Festival.
Classical Collaborations
Saturday, March 12, 7:30 p.m.
Deeply inspiring, this purely traditional concert features several of the great classical works of the masters. Enjoy Rachmaninoff's "Symphonic Dances," Saint-Saens's Concerto No. 2 and Tchaikovsky's "Andante Cantabile." Cellist Parry Karp's mastery will enhance the performance of "Andante Cantabile."
Karp is artist-in residence, professor of chamber music and director of the string chamber music program at UW-Madison. He has been cellist of the Pro Arte Quartet for the past 34 years, during which time he has performed more than 1,000 concerts throughout North, Central and South America, Europe and Japan, and recorded six solo CDs.
The Last Work of the Master
Saturday, May 14, 7:30 p.m.
The final concert of McMahon's inaugural season focuses on the last work of Mozart. The Sheboygan Symphony Chorus joins the orchestra for a production by one of the great composers of all time.
Janet L. Herrick, chorus conductor, said, "This wonderful piece full of intimate beauty and stirring passion is a favorite of choruses around the world. We all love singing Mozart's 'Requiem.' The unique circumstances surrounding the completion of the work only adds to its drama. I'm thrilled to be able to prepare this work with the chorus for a second time and experience once again the genius of a great master as he stared death in the face."
Christmas Treasures
Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010, 7:30 p.m.
The Sheboygan Symphony's holiday tradition, "Christmas Treasures," will delight all ages with holiday favorites. The orchestra will be joined by the Sheboygan Symphony Chorus.
Some of the popular holiday musical selections will be "Gloria" by Bass, "The Holly and the Ivy" by Arnold/Palmer, "Carol of the Drums" by Davis, "Ave Maria" by Schubert/Luck, "I'll Be Home for Christmas" by Kent/Hayes and "Gesu Bambino" by Baron.
