Tickets available for Toledo Symphony season

8/1/2013

Summer isn’t over, although this week’s weather heralds autumn. But now is the smart time to firm up plans for concerts and events scheduled for the 2013-2014 season, as single event tickets for the Toledo Symphony go on sale today.

Insiders predict big sellers will include events like Four Seasons with a Twist, creating an odd yet intriguing musical couple with Antonio Vivaldi and Astor Piazzolla, on Nov. 15 and 16; the first Christmas at the Peristyle Holiday Pops family matinee concert on Dec. 7; the popular but rarely performed (because it is so complex) Verdi Requiem on March 21-22; a screening of the hit film, Amadeus, with selections from the soundtrack performed live on Feb. 7-8; the music of Queen March 15, and Boyz II Men April 19.

Deals can be closed at 419-246-8000 or toledosymphony.com.

●

For its first presentation of the top-ranked National Public Radio program From the Top, Bowling Green State University has announced three performers to appear and perform at the Sept. 28 event. The concert is the kick-off for this year’s Festival Series held in Kobacker Hall of the Moore Musical Arts Center.

Lena Goodson, a 15-year-old contrabassoonist from York, Pa. will perform with show host and pianist Christopher O’Riley. Also on the program will be 15-year-old pianist Patrick Pan, of Houston, and Quartet Lumiere, a string ensemble from the Academy at the Music Institute of Chicago.

Also on the Festival Series for 2013-2014 will be a collaborative concert with performers from BGSU’s College of Musical Arts, School of Art, and departments of theater, film, creative writing, and dance. That event is set for 8 p.m. Dec. 6.

Pianist Jeremy Denk will perform in Kobacker on Feb. 15, and the series will wrap up April 5 with the Improvised Shakespeare Company.

Series tickets run from $59 to $147 for all four events. For more information, visit bgsu.edu/cultural_arts.

●

August also is the time for wrapping up summer musical projects. The final and only public concert for the New York Voices camp at BGSU is set for 8 p.m. Aug. 10 in Bryan Recital Hall, Moore Musical Arts Center. Admission is free.

I enjoyed the spirited if abbreviated version of Mozart’s opera Cosi fan Tutti performed by six participants in Denise Ritter-Bernardini’s role development intensive at the University of Toledo late in July. Don Bernardini directed the action and Kevin Bylsma served as hard-working accompanist and coach.

●

The Jazz in the Gardens series at Toledo Botanical Garden makes a nice bridge for summer into fall, with concerts from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 12 in West Toledo’s beautiful public gardens, 5403 Elmer Dr.

Today’s show leads off the August schedule with vocalist Kelly Broadway; Aug. 8 will be the evergreen Cake Walkin’ Jass Band; Ramona Collins and her quintet are due Aug. 15.

Admission at the gate is $6-$8. Snacks and drinks are available, picnic hampers are allowed, including beer and wine, and listeners should bring chairs or blankets.

Parking is at the Bancroft Street entrance, although handicap parking is available at the main gate. A free trolley will transport listeners from the Bancroft lot to the Conference Center area.

●

Grand Rapids Arts Council and Historical Society announce their annual arts festival, set for Aug. 18 in the river city west of Toledo. Along Front Street, by the historic Erie Canal, and near the Maumee River, visual artists will have their works on display morning to early evening.

Some of the best area musicians and entertainers will fill the air with lively sounds. Performers include Laurie Swyers and Marie Dick (2:30-3:15 p.m.); Theresa Harris (3:30 -4:15 p.m.), and pianist Josh Silver (5:45-6:45 p.m.).

●

The Clarence Smith Community Chorus will accept new members for its 2013-2014 season. The 35-year-old choir founded and still directed by Clarence R. Smith, Jr., typically performs both traditional and updated spirituals plus classical, jazz, and Broadway music.

The choir rehearses from 7-9 p.m. Mondays at Christian Community Church, 2500 Nebraska Ave. Concerts are scheduled at the Christmas holidays and other times during the year.

To schedule an audition, call 419-534-2299.

●

Want to get out of the seats and onstage? Start practicing your band instrument, for the Owens College Community Band is ready to crank itself up for another season of rehearsals and concerts. 

First practice is Aug. 19, and, like every one after, will be 3:30-5 p.m. (always on Mondays), in Room 111 of the Fine and Performing Arts Center on campus.

Owens students, faculty, and community musicians will come together for eight concerts under the direction of William Dais. For details, call 567-661-7081.

●

Piano competitions are the sporting events of the classical music world, with young and talented hopefuls jumping through a series of artistic hoops in hopes of garnering cash prizes, performance bookings, and rave reviews.

The venerable Van Cliburn contest just wrapped up in Fort Worth where it has become a global music focal point for four decades. 

This year’s winners, chosen from an international array of contestants, are Vadym Kholodenko, Beatrice Rana, and Sean Chen.

No need to travel, either. You can watch the entire array of performances by high-powered musicians at Cliburn.org.

Send News of Music items to svallongo@theblade.com at least two weeks in advance of event.