Jackson, Michigan

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Pianos!

The Sound Vision Campaign has brought a new "sound" to Orchestra Hall! A newly refurbished Steinway Grand Piano along with 3 excellent studio uprights arrived today to the delight of piano teachers, students and all musicians connected with the orchestra. The Steinway has the warm sound and rich bass associated with the model and brand.


"This will be an extremely versatile instrument not only shining as a solo instrument but a fine partner for chamber music and recital accompaniment. When I first heard it in the hall this morning it was a perfect match. Often an instrument will have one sound in the showroom and another in it final home. Here at the JSO is even better than the showroom. It makes even me want to practice."

What a Weekend!

An amazing weekend musically speaking, for Jackson. On Friday night the Sheila Landis Quartet performed some elegant Jazz at the Daryl's Downtown to a capacity crowd. Presented by the Jackson Symphony Guild was a very successful fundraiser. Kudos to all Guild members who played a role in making the evening such a success.


Then on Saturday at Orchestra Hall David Schultz and 15 of his colleagues from MSU presented a challenging program, Memories of the Past, Visions of the Future. The performers pulled of very polished performances of challenging literature. Stravinsky's Octet for Wind Instruments and Schoenberg's pre-serial Verklerte Nacht were both exceptional in their execution and expression. Truly amazing.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

March 22 Chamber Concert

6 p.m., Tuesday, March 22

Brad Richter and Viktor Uzur, Guitar/Cello Duo

Join us for a special event with these wild and crazy guys,
known around the world for their “Mash-ups” music inspired
by Spanish classical guitar music, 20th century Russian cello
music, as well as rock bands like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd
and Radiohead, funk beats such as Herbie Hancock and
Headhunters, and folky american and exotic eastern melodies.

Hear for yourself why these guys are such a favorite of
NPR’s Performance Today.

Admission $15 - Light refreshments
JSO Music Hall
215 W. Michigan Ave.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Une soiree en France

2 concert tickets and 2 after party passes $35

Celebrate all things French with the JSO!
Join us for an evening of great music featuring selections by Bizet, Debussy and Ravel then….

Unwind with late night refreshments ala francais and amusant entertainment.

March 19, 2011
Concert at 8:00pm, Jackson Community College
Complimentary Backstage Glimpse lecture series at 7:00pm
Federer Rooms, JCC

After Party directly following the concert in the Johnstone Supply Warehouse
903 Belden (southeast corner of Belden and Morrell St.)
Afterparty sponsored by Erin Mazur and Marco Pullan


*After Party tickets available to JSO season ticket holders $15 per couple

Tickets: www.jacksonsymphony.org/tickets_events/tickets.html

or
782-3221
or
215 W. Michigan Ave. Jackson, MI 49201

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Memories of the Past, Visions of the Future - Chamber Music February 19

JSO to open Chamber Music Series with
Memories of the Past, Visions of the Future

The JSO’s annual Chamber Music Series will begin February 19 with a program titled Memories of the Past, Visions of the Future. The Michigan State University Chamber Players, directed by David Schultz, will perform Igor Stravinsky’s Octet for wind instruments, Arnold Schoenberg’s Verklärte Nacht (Transfigured Night) for string sextet and other works.

“This will be a performance of revolutionary compositions from the early 20th century that defied historical categorization and changed the course of music forever,” Schultz said.

Stravinsky and Schoenberg were two of the most famous (and infamous) composers of the time.

“Each played a large part in steering the course of musical evolution in the 20th century while at the same time meeting their own share of musical scandals,” Schultz said. “These two works each mark turning points in the composers' musical output and each exemplify ways in which the composers both take cues from the past and look to the future.”

Octet, composed in 1923, was written partially as a reaction against the excessive indulgence of late 19th-century romanticism.

“Stravinsky looked back to the music of Bach and Mozart to highlight elements of formal structure and a more subtle emotional palate,” Schultz said. “He fused these ideas with his own innovations of complex rhythms and meters, and complex instrumental effects to create music that is at the same time distinctly old, distinctly new, but most of all, distinctly Stravinsky.”

Schoenberg also was rebelling against indulgent 19th-century romanticism when he wrote Verklärte Nacht in 1899.

“The work features free forms, lush melodies and chromatic harmonies, all designed to depict the torrential nature of human emotion,” Schultz said.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the JSO’s Peter A. Weatherwax Hall, 215 W. Michigan Ave. in downtown Jackson.

Sixteen music performance majors and graduate students from MSU — plus recent graduate Ji Hyun Kim — will perform at this concert. Kim teaches at Spring Arbor University, the JSO’s Community Music School, Ezra Eby Elementary School in Napoleon and Paragon Charter Academy in Summit Township.

Admission is $10. Tickets available at http://www.jacksonsymphony.org/tickets_events/tickets.html , 782-3221, or at 215 W. Michigan Ave. in Jackson

Two additional concerts in the series are scheduled for 7 p.m. March 22 (the Richter Uzur Duo), admission $15, light refreshments will be served, and an April concert with concertmaster Xie Min, time and date to be announced soon.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

SYMPHONY GUILD JAZZ NIGHT FEBRUARY 18

Friday, Feb. 18, 2011, 7:30-10:30 PM
Daryl’s Downtown, 151 W. Michigan Ave., Jackson

Sheila Landis, seven-time winner of “Outstanding Jazz Vocalist” in the annual Detroit Music Awards, will perform at the Jackson Symphony Guild’s Night of Jazz and Blues on Feb. 18.

Vocalist with passion for Jazz to be featured performer at Guild event

A seven-time winner in the Detroit Music Awards will be the star of the Guild’s 12th Annual Night of Jazz and Blues. Vocalist and bandleader Sheila Landis has been tapped to perform her unique style of jazz, Latin and blues at this year’s event from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Feb. 18 in the Rose Room at Daryl’s Downtown, 151 W. Michigan Ave., downtown Jackson. She won her Detroit Music Awards for “Outstanding Jazz Vocalist.” She draws her inspiration from Classic jazz vocalists Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Billie Holiday as well as from such modern artists as Joni Mitchell, the Beatles and Antonio Carlos Jobim.

Accompanying Landis will be musicians with impressive credentials. Rick Matle, a performer for over 25 years, his formative studies included jazz and classical guitar. Keyboard player Duncan McMillan, began studying piano at age 5. He is in demand as both a pianist and organist. Jazz percussionist David Taylor studied percussion performance under various teachers. He has performed shows at the Fox, Fisher Theatre and with the Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra.

The Landis Quartet will be performing selections from the well-loved repertoires of Duke Ellington‘s I’m Beginning to See the Light, Antonio Carlos Jobim’s Girl from Ipanem, Stevie Wonder’s Another Star, Louis Jordan’s Knock Me a Kiss. Included also will be songs of George Gershwin, Peggy Lee and Burt Bacharach.

Landis began her music career in 1973 and formed her own company in 1981. Since then she has produced more than 20 LPs and disks. She is a regular participant in jazz festivals, and she performs regularly at nightclubs, restaurants, art fairs, fund-raising events, corporate events and universities.

Admission is $40 per person in advance and $45 per person at the door (if seating is still available). Corporate tables for eight are available for $400. The table will be marked with the company or individual’s name. Reserved tables also are available for patrons with eight paid reservations. An hors d’oeuvres buffet including chicken satay, meat and vegetable wraps, penne pasta, and other delectable items will be available from 8:30-9:30 p.m. Cash Bar

To make a reservation or for more information, call the Jackson Symphony Orchestra at 517-782-3221, ext.117. Make checks payable to the Jackson Symphony Guild and mail to 215 W. Michigan Ave., Jackson, MI 49201. VISA, MasterCard and Discover are accepted. Reservation deadline is February, 12.