In three January weekends you all showed up for a one-composer concert presented by A Notion, A Scream; a preview of In Medio's ACDA performance ahead in March; Resonance Ensemble on stage with Sweet Honey in the Rock®; Oregon Chorale's journey to The Planets with the Beaverton Symphony; and Evenstar Ensemble taking us all back to the days of Duchies.
Pam Allen, the music festival's executive director, worked with Bryant during his time as the festival's artistic director from 1987 to 2019. He was the most amazing man, she told CBC Radio's Here and Now. He had the best sense of humor. He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. He mentored thousands of musicians."
Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Sing for the Cure took the audience on a deeply personal and emotional journey through ten musical movements interwoven with compelling spoken narration designed to inspire and educate. Written collaboratively by ten American composers, the work shines a light on the importance of early detection and the ongoing need for research and support through the stories of individuals, families, caregivers, and medical professionals.
What does a painting sound like? That is precisely the experience that awaits at Vincent's Sky: the Music of Jake Runestad. For one night only the San Jose State University Choir and Choraliers along with the SJSU Wind Ensemble unite for an evening of storytelling through music. The performance will feature the world premiere of The Curse, The Crown, The Crimson Sky by San Jose composer Alec Schantz.
I've been good friends with composer Morten Lauridsen for seven years now. For those of you unfamiliar with Lauridsen, he is a National Medal of Arts recipient and the most frequently performed American choral composer in modern history. So in the choral world, he's a legend. I just returned yesterday from a visit with Skip (the name he goes by with friends) at his home on San Juan Island. He is a kind and generous soul, and such a treasure to spend time with.
