An evening of 1960’s pop classics awaits everyone going to see Gary Lewis & the Playboys this Saturday, August 1, at the Villages Amphitheater. Although most concertgoers will be familiar with all of the tunes, many people will be surprised to learn of his celebrity lineage.
As the son of famous comedian Jerry Lewis, Gary rose to fame while still in his teens. It was the summer of 1964 when Gary Lewis and The Playboys were first discovered at an audition in Disneyland. Before long, they took their first single, “This Diamond Ring” straight to number one.
After their second hit titled “Count Me In” went to number two, Gary and the band proved that they weren’t just a flash in the pan. They followed with more Top 10 songs such as Save Your Heart For Me, Everybody Loves A Clown, She’s Just My Style, Sure Gonna Miss Her, and many more.
In 1965 Gary himself was Cash Box magazine’s “Male Vocalist of the Year”, winning the honor over other nominees Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. He was the first and only artist during the 1960’s to have his first seven releases reach Billboard magazine’s Top 10 on the Hot 100 chart. Along with his appearances on various popular television shows including American Bandstand, Hullabaloo, and The Tonight Show, Gary accumulated an impressive five appearances within two years on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Opening up for Gary that evening will be the ever-popular Sock Hops. Main Street Director, Brian Wismer, said “Out of all our previous opening acts, these guys are probably the most requested group to have back to the Villages. Everybody seems to be really excited about the pairing of these two acts.”
With 8 Gold Singles, 17 Top 40 Hits, 4 Gold Albums, and 45 Million records sold worldwide, Gary Lewis and the Playboys are still one of the hottest acts around. For tickets, call 770-719-4173 or visit www.villagesamphitheater.com
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Monday, July 27, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Sixteen Year-Old Guest Conductor Ilyich Rivas to Lead ASO
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park Saturday, August 15
Program To Feature Sphinx Competition Winner Elena Urioste Playing Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto
2009 Summer Classical Season To Conclude With Celebratory Fireworks
Sixteen-year-old rising star Ilyich Rivas will lead the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park in his U.S. professional debut on Saturday, August 15, 2009, at 8:00 p.m. Mr. Rivas will lead the orchestra in Verdi’s Vespri Overture, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, performed by another rising star, 22-year-old violinist, and Sphinx Competition winner, Elena Urioste. The 2009 summer classical season will conclude with a celebratory firework display by Pyrotecnico.
Last year Mr. Rivas was selected as one of seven young conductors from around the world to participate in the prestigious Cabrillo Festival Conductors Workshop in California with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Music Director Marin Alsop and Gustav Meier. During the workshop, he made a significant impression on both Ms. Alsop and Mr. Meier. Following an audition with the BSO, he was was awarded the position of Baltimore Symphony Orchestra/Peabody Institute Conducting Fellow, beginning in September 2009. This position permits him to study conducting at the Peabody Conservatory under Gustav Meier's guidance, and to work closely with the Baltimore Symphony alongside Marin Alsop and conducting the BSO on certain occasions. His performance with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will be his first public concert with a major orchestra.
The evening will begin with a pre-concert "Top of the Lawn" conversation hosted by ASO Insider Ken Meltzer at 7:10 p.m. and, as with all of the ASO summer concerts at the Verizon Amphitheatre, audience members will have the opportunity to send questions to the musicians and guest artists to be answered from the stage during the interval.
Although the August 15 concert marks the end of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s six-concert summer classical series at the Verizon Amphitheatre, concerts continue at the venue through October.
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Program To Feature Sphinx Competition Winner Elena Urioste Playing Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto
2009 Summer Classical Season To Conclude With Celebratory Fireworks
Sixteen-year-old rising star Ilyich Rivas will lead the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park in his U.S. professional debut on Saturday, August 15, 2009, at 8:00 p.m. Mr. Rivas will lead the orchestra in Verdi’s Vespri Overture, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto, performed by another rising star, 22-year-old violinist, and Sphinx Competition winner, Elena Urioste. The 2009 summer classical season will conclude with a celebratory firework display by Pyrotecnico.
Last year Mr. Rivas was selected as one of seven young conductors from around the world to participate in the prestigious Cabrillo Festival Conductors Workshop in California with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Music Director Marin Alsop and Gustav Meier. During the workshop, he made a significant impression on both Ms. Alsop and Mr. Meier. Following an audition with the BSO, he was was awarded the position of Baltimore Symphony Orchestra/Peabody Institute Conducting Fellow, beginning in September 2009. This position permits him to study conducting at the Peabody Conservatory under Gustav Meier's guidance, and to work closely with the Baltimore Symphony alongside Marin Alsop and conducting the BSO on certain occasions. His performance with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will be his first public concert with a major orchestra.
The evening will begin with a pre-concert "Top of the Lawn" conversation hosted by ASO Insider Ken Meltzer at 7:10 p.m. and, as with all of the ASO summer concerts at the Verizon Amphitheatre, audience members will have the opportunity to send questions to the musicians and guest artists to be answered from the stage during the interval.
Although the August 15 concert marks the end of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s six-concert summer classical series at the Verizon Amphitheatre, concerts continue at the venue through October.
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Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The Atlanta Opera Announces 2009-2010 Education Offering for Children
- School-Day Performances at Cobb Energy Centre for Grades K-12
- The Atlanta Opera Studio Tours The Ugly Duckling to Georgia Elementary Schools
- Workshops and Master Classes Available for Schools
- Opera Family Day To Be Held March 27, 2010
DETAILS AND CALENDAR INFORMATION FOLLOW
The Atlanta Opera – 2009-2010 Season – Educational Offerings
THE ATLANTA OPERA STUDIO TOUR
The Atlanta Opera Studio tours an opera production designed specifically for children to Georgia elementary schools each Spring.
February 1 – March 26, 2010
The Ugly Duckling
Music by Andrew Duncan
Libretto by Steven Malone
Description
All are happy with their simple and predictable life on the farm until the new ducklings arrive and one is quite different than the others! This delightful musical adaptation of the classic children’s story interweaves familiar components from other classic tales as well, teaching us that standing out and being different is not necessarily a bad thing.
Other Details
For Grades K-5Running Time: 45 minutesInteractive – Encourages student participation (non-singing roles)Educational prep materials correspond directly with Georgia Performance Standards in English Language Arts & Reading, Social Studies, Mathematics, and Science.
Booking Information
To book an in-school performance and for more information, please call Emmalee Iden at 404-881-8883 or email eiden@atlantaopera.org.
Atlanta Opera Student Shorts
The Atlanta Opera abridges two of its mainstage productions and offers special one-hour, school-day matinee performances for children kindergarten age through 12th grade.
The following Georgia Performance Standards and QCC Standards may be aligned with The Atlanta Opera’s 2009-2010 Student Shorts and accompanying educational materials: English Language Arts and Reading; Social Studies; Modern Languages and Latin; Career, Technical and Agricultural Education; Comprehensive Fine Arts; Choral Music; Dance; Fundamentals of Drama; Music Appreciation, Technical Theatre and Design.
2009-2010 Student Shorts
Orfeo & Euridice (Recommended for Grades 6-12)Music by Christoph Willibald GluckNovember 19, 200910 a.m. and Noon
Description
Eurydice dies on the day of her wedding to Orpheus. Rather than succumb to grief, Orpheus boldly ventures to the Underworld to rescue her. He overcomes the angry spirits of the dead in his attempt to bring her back to life. This operatic take on the classic Greek myth incorporates music, dance, and drama.
Other detailsPerformed in Italian with English supertitlesRunning Time: 55 minutesPerformance features full sets, costumes and lighting and is accompanied by The Atlanta Opera Orchestra.
The Magic Flute (Recommended for Grades K-12)
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus MozartApril 29, 201010 a.m. and Noon
Description
In Mozart’s imaginative and delightful fairytale, two young men – a prince and a bird catcher – find themselves caught up in the struggle between good and evil as they undergo trials and hardships in their quest for their true loves. In the process, they grow up while learning about both themselves and the world. This new production is designed to evoke the fantastical world of children’s stories and also will make use of puppets.
Other DetailsPerformed in German with English supertitlesRunning Time: 55 minutesPerformance features full sets, costumes and lighting and is accompanied by The Atlanta Opera Orchestra.
Tickets
Admission is $7. Reservations and ticket purchases may be made through the Cobb Energy Centre ArtsBridge Education Program. Call 770-916-2802 or email education@cobbenergycentre.com.
OPERA WORKSHOPS
Opera Workshops offer students an intimate, hands-on opera experience. Designed for a classroom of students, the workshops allow extensive interaction between students and artists. Workshops may feature a singer and accompanist, directors, set and costume designers, or other professionals who contribute to a production. Workshops are tailored to meet the needs of a particular class and its curriculum and provide ample time for students to ask questions.
Other DetailsTypically one hour in length.Workshops can be customized for Grades K-12Available September 2009 through May 2010Cost is $275.
Further information
To book an opera workshop and for more information, call Emmalee Iden at 404-881-8883 or email eiden@atlantaopera.org.
MASTER CLASSES
Depending on artist availability, The Atlanta Opera periodically offers master classes with artists currently performing in Atlanta Opera mainstage productions. Master classes are typically offered to college-level students. Master classes may feature a singer working with student singers, a singer discussing opera career paths or a conductor working with conducting students. Master classes are customized based upon the particular artist and the particular interests of the students.
OPERA FAMILY DAY
March 27, 201010 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Performances at 11 a.m. & 1 p.m.)
The Atlanta Opera Center 1575 Northside Drive, NWBuilding 300, Suite 350, Atlanta, 30318
Other Details
Cost is $5 per person at the door (Children under 3 admitted free)
Admission includes all activities and performances. Food will be available for purchase.
Free parking is available on-site.
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Monday, July 20, 2009
Army Ground Forces Band: Back by Popular Demand at ‘The Fred’
The Army Ground Forces Band will return to the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater in Peachtree City to perform a free “To the Colors: Tribute to the Stars & Stripes” concert on Thursday, Aug. 20, 7 p.m.
The concert will feature rousing, patriotic music fit for an audience of all ages.
The evening’s repertoire will include the Dudley Buck’s Festival Overture on the Star Spangled Banner, Fort McHenry Suite by Julie Giroux, Carolyn Bremer’s Early Light, Star in the Field of Blue by Paul Whear, and several pieces composed by “The King of March,” John Philip Sousa.
The band performed a special concert at “The Fred” on Aug. 7, 2008, in honor of opera’s great lyric tenor Luciano Pavarotti.
As one of only three Army bands with a national touring mission, the Army Ground Forces Band has traveled throughout the United States, performing at local, regional and national events and holding master classes and clinics at high schools and colleges.
The Army Ground Forces Band serves as an outreach asset for United States Army Forces Command, headquartered at Fort McPherson. The 58 Soldiers assigned to the band have passed a highly selective audition and are among the finest musicians in the United States Army Band Program. The majority of the band's members have studied music at some of the finest universities and conservatories in the United States and abroad.
The concert is free, and no tickets are required.
To learn more about the band, visit the band’s Web site www.armygroundforcesband.com.
by Larry Stevens
U.S. Army Forces Command Public Affairs
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The concert will feature rousing, patriotic music fit for an audience of all ages.
The evening’s repertoire will include the Dudley Buck’s Festival Overture on the Star Spangled Banner, Fort McHenry Suite by Julie Giroux, Carolyn Bremer’s Early Light, Star in the Field of Blue by Paul Whear, and several pieces composed by “The King of March,” John Philip Sousa.
The band performed a special concert at “The Fred” on Aug. 7, 2008, in honor of opera’s great lyric tenor Luciano Pavarotti.
As one of only three Army bands with a national touring mission, the Army Ground Forces Band has traveled throughout the United States, performing at local, regional and national events and holding master classes and clinics at high schools and colleges.
The Army Ground Forces Band serves as an outreach asset for United States Army Forces Command, headquartered at Fort McPherson. The 58 Soldiers assigned to the band have passed a highly selective audition and are among the finest musicians in the United States Army Band Program. The majority of the band's members have studied music at some of the finest universities and conservatories in the United States and abroad.
The concert is free, and no tickets are required.
To learn more about the band, visit the band’s Web site www.armygroundforcesband.com.
by Larry Stevens
U.S. Army Forces Command Public Affairs
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Sensational Summer Jazz Series Returns: Electric Violinist Ken Ford Sparks Off Season
Live It Up this summer with Live Jazz in the Gardens as Villa Christina celebrates the 6th annual Summer Jazz Series. Escape the city’s heat and hustle; allow the cool, smooth jazz transport you to nirvana. The sultry al fresco musical evenings are presented by C3 Marketing and Villa Christina.
Adam Ghali, General Manager of Villa Christina, states “our guests have really enjoyed the past six years of live jazz, and this years’ line-up is incredible. We love hosting the outdoor jazz concerts here. The series is a relaxing and festive way to spend time with family and friends, enjoying live jazz, terrific food and refreshing beverages outdoors. The outstanding entertainment combined with a gorgeous outdoor setting and incredible food is a temptation too strong to resist!”
Three complimentary outdoor concerts will be performed in the gardens on select Sundays in the late summer and early fall. Extraordinary electric violinist Ken Ford lights up the night as the music series kicks off on August 30th. A dynamic and electrifying performer, progressive musician Ford has released 3 CD’s and continues to jam with notable artists such as Wyclef Jean, Wayman Tisdale, Laylah Hathaway and Ledisi.
Rapidly rising star Ford will electrify the audience with his original, funky, eclectic musical style, so catch him while you can! On September 20th, listen and be amazed by national rising stars Jaspects, described as “redefining all aspects of jazz” and special guest, soulful songstress Tammy Allen opens. Grammy nominee Dionne Farris, formerly with Arrested Development, builds the series to a crescendo on October 18th.
Doors open at 4:00 p.m. and music begins at 5:30 p.m. Concertgoers should bring blankets or lawn chairs for comfortable seating. Children of all ages are welcome and will be delighted by free activities including a moonwalk and face painting. There will be a variety of exhibitors whose products and services will be available for purchase including exquisite hand made jewelry, original artwork and more.
A variety of food and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) will be offered for purchase on the premises. Nibble on light delicacies such as pasta and salmon salads, or feast on gourmet burgers stuffed with special seasonings, plump hot dogs with French fries, or real Italian-style pizza straight from the wood-burning-oven. Be sure to save room for an incredibly indulgent dessert such as tiramisu or cheesecake. No coolers are allowed on the grounds.
For more information on the Summer Jazz Series or Villa Christina, call 404-303-0133 or visit www.villachristina.com. For Corporate sponsorship or exhibitor information, contact Terri Harof at terriharof@bellsouth.net or call 404-786-7410.
Directions:
Directions to Villa Christina
4000 Summit Boulevard
Atlanta, GA 30319
Call 404-303-0133
From the Airport:
Take I-85/I-75N (14 miles) to GA 400 (exit 87) to I- 285 East (4B). Refer to directions below.
From GA 400:
Take I-285 East to Ashford Dunwoody Road (Exit 29). Stay in the far right hand lane, which will put you onto Lake Hearn Drive. At first traffic light turn LEFT onto Parkside Place. Travel one block and turn RIGHT onto Perimeter Summit Drive (into the Perimeter Summit Complex.) At the stop sign, turn LEFT onto Summit Boulevard. Villa Christina is the last building on the LEFT.
From I-85 & I 285 (Spaghetti Junction):
Take I-285 West to Ashford -Dunwoody Road (Exit 29) and turn LEFT. Crossover I-285. At the first traffic light and turn RIGHT onto Lake Hearn Drive. At next traffic light turn LEFT onto Parkside Place. Travel one block and turn RIGHT onto Perimeter Summit Drive (into the Perimeter Summit Complex.) At the stop sign, turn LEFT onto Summit Boulevard. Villa Christina is the last building on the LEFT.
Complimentary Valet Parking or Self Parking is available
Please click here for interactive map and printable directions
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Adam Ghali, General Manager of Villa Christina, states “our guests have really enjoyed the past six years of live jazz, and this years’ line-up is incredible. We love hosting the outdoor jazz concerts here. The series is a relaxing and festive way to spend time with family and friends, enjoying live jazz, terrific food and refreshing beverages outdoors. The outstanding entertainment combined with a gorgeous outdoor setting and incredible food is a temptation too strong to resist!”
Three complimentary outdoor concerts will be performed in the gardens on select Sundays in the late summer and early fall. Extraordinary electric violinist Ken Ford lights up the night as the music series kicks off on August 30th. A dynamic and electrifying performer, progressive musician Ford has released 3 CD’s and continues to jam with notable artists such as Wyclef Jean, Wayman Tisdale, Laylah Hathaway and Ledisi.
Rapidly rising star Ford will electrify the audience with his original, funky, eclectic musical style, so catch him while you can! On September 20th, listen and be amazed by national rising stars Jaspects, described as “redefining all aspects of jazz” and special guest, soulful songstress Tammy Allen opens. Grammy nominee Dionne Farris, formerly with Arrested Development, builds the series to a crescendo on October 18th.
Doors open at 4:00 p.m. and music begins at 5:30 p.m. Concertgoers should bring blankets or lawn chairs for comfortable seating. Children of all ages are welcome and will be delighted by free activities including a moonwalk and face painting. There will be a variety of exhibitors whose products and services will be available for purchase including exquisite hand made jewelry, original artwork and more.
A variety of food and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) will be offered for purchase on the premises. Nibble on light delicacies such as pasta and salmon salads, or feast on gourmet burgers stuffed with special seasonings, plump hot dogs with French fries, or real Italian-style pizza straight from the wood-burning-oven. Be sure to save room for an incredibly indulgent dessert such as tiramisu or cheesecake. No coolers are allowed on the grounds.
For more information on the Summer Jazz Series or Villa Christina, call 404-303-0133 or visit www.villachristina.com. For Corporate sponsorship or exhibitor information, contact Terri Harof at terriharof@bellsouth.net or call 404-786-7410.
Directions:
Directions to Villa Christina
4000 Summit Boulevard
Atlanta, GA 30319
Call 404-303-0133
From the Airport:
Take I-85/I-75N (14 miles) to GA 400 (exit 87) to I- 285 East (4B). Refer to directions below.
From GA 400:
Take I-285 East to Ashford Dunwoody Road (Exit 29). Stay in the far right hand lane, which will put you onto Lake Hearn Drive. At first traffic light turn LEFT onto Parkside Place. Travel one block and turn RIGHT onto Perimeter Summit Drive (into the Perimeter Summit Complex.) At the stop sign, turn LEFT onto Summit Boulevard. Villa Christina is the last building on the LEFT.
From I-85 & I 285 (Spaghetti Junction):
Take I-285 West to Ashford -Dunwoody Road (Exit 29) and turn LEFT. Crossover I-285. At the first traffic light and turn RIGHT onto Lake Hearn Drive. At next traffic light turn LEFT onto Parkside Place. Travel one block and turn RIGHT onto Perimeter Summit Drive (into the Perimeter Summit Complex.) At the stop sign, turn LEFT onto Summit Boulevard. Villa Christina is the last building on the LEFT.
Complimentary Valet Parking or Self Parking is available
Please click here for interactive map and printable directions
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Thursday, July 16, 2009
White House Music Series to Highlight Country Music Talents
On Tuesday, July 21st, the White House will continue its music series celebrating the arts and demonstrating the importance of arts education by featuring Country Music and its stars Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss and Union Station. Paisley and Krauss will participate in an educational workshop from 2-3 PM where 120 middle and high school students from across the nation will come to learn about the craft of songwriting and country’s musical traditions. The musicians will then perform at 7:30 PM – President Obama will make remarks at this evening event.
The Country Music Celebration is presented with assistance from The Country Music Association, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and produced by the Grand Ole Opry and Great American Country Television. The event will be held in the East Room and is pooled press.
The First Lady launched the White House Music series to encourage arts and arts education. The White House featured Jazz last month and will feature Classical music this fall.
See below for more information on event participants.
Brad Paisley
Brad Paisley is a consummate singer, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer, which has earned him three GRAMMY’s, 12 Academy of Country Music Awards and 11 Country Music Association Awards. He has released eight critically acclaimed studio albums that have accumulated sales of over 10 million units, including 2x-Platinum 2005 ACM and CMA Album of the Year, Time Well Wasted. His most recent album, American Saturday Night, released on June 30 debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums sales chart. Paisley has 14 #1 singles – the last 10 consecutive – extending a streak already unmatched by any other country artist in the 19-year history of Nielsen BDS- monitored airplay. Paisley is a West Virginia native that currently lives on a farm outside of Nashville with his wife, Kimberly Williams-Paisley and two sons, Huck and Jasper.
Alison Krauss and Union Station
Alison Krauss and Union Station is the most prominent band in contemporary bluegrass music. Over the past two decades, Alison and her bandmates – Barry Bales (bass), Ron Block (guitar/banjo), Jerry Douglas (Dobro) and Dan Tyminski (guitar/mandolin) – have brought a modern sophistication to the genre through their song selection and arrangements, but have never lost respect for bluegrass traditions. Individually and collectively, they have left an imprint on nearly every genre of music, not only through their own recordings, but also through producing, songwriting and various collaborations, such as the renowned soundtrack to the film O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Alison has won 26 Grammy Awards, the most of any female artist in Grammy history, 8 Country Music Association Awards, 14 International Bluegrass Music Association Awards and has sold more than 11 million records worldwide. Raising Sand, her recent collaboration with Robert Plant, received the prestigious Record and Album of the Year awards at the 2009 Grammys.
Eddie Stubs, Performance MC
Eddie Stubbs is a native of Gaithersburg, Maryland. Born on November 25, 1961, he began playing the fiddle at the age of four under his father’s instruction. Eddie joined the highly acclaimed bluegrass band, the Johnson Mountain Boys, and played with them from 1978 to 1996. He moved to Nashville on March 21, 1995 to play fiddle for Kitty Wells and Johnnie Wright. A week after moving to town, Eddie was hired part-time by WSM. On June 23, 1995, he became an announcer on WSM’s Grand Ole Opry.
Jay Orr, Workshop Moderator
Orr holds a B. A. in English from the College of William & Mary (1974) and an M. L. S. in library science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1981). Orr worked at the Center for Southern Folklore in Memphis and as a consultant to the Library of Congress’s American Folklife Center before moving to Nashville in 1984. From 1984-1989 he served as a librarian and researcher at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. For ten years, beginning in 1989, he covered music and the music industry for daily newspapers the Nashville Banner and The Tennessean. In 2000, he became managing editor for CMT News and CMT.com, the Web site for cable channel CMT: Country Music Television. Orr has authored liner notes for more than twenty-five albums by artists such as Patsy Cline, Vince Gill, Elvis Presley, and Earl Scruggs, and for the Down from the Mountain concert album featuring the cast of O Brother, Where Art Thou? In 2007, he won the International Bluegrass Music Association’s annual award for best liner notes, for Sugar Hill Records: A Retrospective. He contributed to the Encyclopedia of Southern Culture and to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Encyclopedia of Country Music and Country on Compact Disc: The Essential Guide to the Music. From 1994-2004, Orr wrote the “popular music” entry for the Encyclopedia Britannica’s annual yearbook. His writing has been published in Billboard, Oxford American, the Journal of Country Music, the Journal of American Folklore, Request, Music Row, Bluegrass Unlimited, No Depression, and BMI Musicworld. Orr is a member of the Country Music Association and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, and is an alumnus and former board member of Leadership Music.
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
Country Music Association
Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association was the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. In 1961, CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame to recognize artists and industry professionals with Country Music’s highest honor. More than 6,000 music industry professionals and companies from around the globe are members of CMA. The organization’s objectives are to serve as an educational and professional resource for the industry and advance the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA’s core initiatives –t he CMA Awards, and the CMA Music Festival, which benefits music education for Nashville public school children.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is a not-for-profit educational institution dedicated to saving America’s songs of home. Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Museum takes as its mission the preservation of country music and related vernacular music rooted in southern culture. Through exhibits, publications, and programs, the Museum teaches its audiences about the enduring beauty and cultural importance of country music.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Words & Music program provides students with an extensive lesson plan which highlights the lyric-writing process. Teachers assist students in writing or co-writing lyrics in the classroom; the lyrics are then sent back to the museum, and are given to one of the museum’s professional songwriter volunteers, who refines the students’ lyrics and adds melodies. Finally, students visit the museum for a tour and a performance of their songs by their participating songwriter. More than 4,300 2nd through 12th-grade students at 45 Tennessee, Alabama, Florida and Kentucky schools wrote songs that were put to music by 46 professional songwriters throughout the 2008-09 school year.
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is known around the world as the show that made country music famous. The show first hit the radio airwaves on WSM over 80 years ago, introducing America to voices that helped define a musical genre. Today the magic continues as hundreds of thousands of people make pilgrimages to Nashville, Tennessee every year to see and hear some of the greatest stars in Country Music, while countless others tune in to enjoy the Opry on the radio, satellite radio, and the Internet.
VH1 Save the Music Foundation
The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization, dedicated to restoring instrumental music education in America’s public schools and raising awareness about the importance of music as a part of every child’s complete education. The Foundation was started due to the body of research that consistently shows children who have access to a sequential music program, do better in their academic and life endeavors. Since 1997, The Foundation has provided $43 million worth of music instruments to 1600 public schools nationwide.
This list is not comprehensive.
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The Country Music Celebration is presented with assistance from The Country Music Association, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and produced by the Grand Ole Opry and Great American Country Television. The event will be held in the East Room and is pooled press.
The First Lady launched the White House Music series to encourage arts and arts education. The White House featured Jazz last month and will feature Classical music this fall.
See below for more information on event participants.
Brad Paisley
Brad Paisley is a consummate singer, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer, which has earned him three GRAMMY’s, 12 Academy of Country Music Awards and 11 Country Music Association Awards. He has released eight critically acclaimed studio albums that have accumulated sales of over 10 million units, including 2x-Platinum 2005 ACM and CMA Album of the Year, Time Well Wasted. His most recent album, American Saturday Night, released on June 30 debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums sales chart. Paisley has 14 #1 singles – the last 10 consecutive – extending a streak already unmatched by any other country artist in the 19-year history of Nielsen BDS- monitored airplay. Paisley is a West Virginia native that currently lives on a farm outside of Nashville with his wife, Kimberly Williams-Paisley and two sons, Huck and Jasper.
Alison Krauss and Union Station
Alison Krauss and Union Station is the most prominent band in contemporary bluegrass music. Over the past two decades, Alison and her bandmates – Barry Bales (bass), Ron Block (guitar/banjo), Jerry Douglas (Dobro) and Dan Tyminski (guitar/mandolin) – have brought a modern sophistication to the genre through their song selection and arrangements, but have never lost respect for bluegrass traditions. Individually and collectively, they have left an imprint on nearly every genre of music, not only through their own recordings, but also through producing, songwriting and various collaborations, such as the renowned soundtrack to the film O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Alison has won 26 Grammy Awards, the most of any female artist in Grammy history, 8 Country Music Association Awards, 14 International Bluegrass Music Association Awards and has sold more than 11 million records worldwide. Raising Sand, her recent collaboration with Robert Plant, received the prestigious Record and Album of the Year awards at the 2009 Grammys.
Eddie Stubs, Performance MC
Eddie Stubbs is a native of Gaithersburg, Maryland. Born on November 25, 1961, he began playing the fiddle at the age of four under his father’s instruction. Eddie joined the highly acclaimed bluegrass band, the Johnson Mountain Boys, and played with them from 1978 to 1996. He moved to Nashville on March 21, 1995 to play fiddle for Kitty Wells and Johnnie Wright. A week after moving to town, Eddie was hired part-time by WSM. On June 23, 1995, he became an announcer on WSM’s Grand Ole Opry.
Jay Orr, Workshop Moderator
Orr holds a B. A. in English from the College of William & Mary (1974) and an M. L. S. in library science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1981). Orr worked at the Center for Southern Folklore in Memphis and as a consultant to the Library of Congress’s American Folklife Center before moving to Nashville in 1984. From 1984-1989 he served as a librarian and researcher at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. For ten years, beginning in 1989, he covered music and the music industry for daily newspapers the Nashville Banner and The Tennessean. In 2000, he became managing editor for CMT News and CMT.com, the Web site for cable channel CMT: Country Music Television. Orr has authored liner notes for more than twenty-five albums by artists such as Patsy Cline, Vince Gill, Elvis Presley, and Earl Scruggs, and for the Down from the Mountain concert album featuring the cast of O Brother, Where Art Thou? In 2007, he won the International Bluegrass Music Association’s annual award for best liner notes, for Sugar Hill Records: A Retrospective. He contributed to the Encyclopedia of Southern Culture and to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Encyclopedia of Country Music and Country on Compact Disc: The Essential Guide to the Music. From 1994-2004, Orr wrote the “popular music” entry for the Encyclopedia Britannica’s annual yearbook. His writing has been published in Billboard, Oxford American, the Journal of Country Music, the Journal of American Folklore, Request, Music Row, Bluegrass Unlimited, No Depression, and BMI Musicworld. Orr is a member of the Country Music Association and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, and is an alumnus and former board member of Leadership Music.
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
Country Music Association
Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association was the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. In 1961, CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame to recognize artists and industry professionals with Country Music’s highest honor. More than 6,000 music industry professionals and companies from around the globe are members of CMA. The organization’s objectives are to serve as an educational and professional resource for the industry and advance the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA’s core initiatives –t he CMA Awards, and the CMA Music Festival, which benefits music education for Nashville public school children.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is a not-for-profit educational institution dedicated to saving America’s songs of home. Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Museum takes as its mission the preservation of country music and related vernacular music rooted in southern culture. Through exhibits, publications, and programs, the Museum teaches its audiences about the enduring beauty and cultural importance of country music.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Words & Music program provides students with an extensive lesson plan which highlights the lyric-writing process. Teachers assist students in writing or co-writing lyrics in the classroom; the lyrics are then sent back to the museum, and are given to one of the museum’s professional songwriter volunteers, who refines the students’ lyrics and adds melodies. Finally, students visit the museum for a tour and a performance of their songs by their participating songwriter. More than 4,300 2nd through 12th-grade students at 45 Tennessee, Alabama, Florida and Kentucky schools wrote songs that were put to music by 46 professional songwriters throughout the 2008-09 school year.
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is known around the world as the show that made country music famous. The show first hit the radio airwaves on WSM over 80 years ago, introducing America to voices that helped define a musical genre. Today the magic continues as hundreds of thousands of people make pilgrimages to Nashville, Tennessee every year to see and hear some of the greatest stars in Country Music, while countless others tune in to enjoy the Opry on the radio, satellite radio, and the Internet.
VH1 Save the Music Foundation
The VH1 Save The Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization, dedicated to restoring instrumental music education in America’s public schools and raising awareness about the importance of music as a part of every child’s complete education. The Foundation was started due to the body of research that consistently shows children who have access to a sequential music program, do better in their academic and life endeavors. Since 1997, The Foundation has provided $43 million worth of music instruments to 1600 public schools nationwide.
This list is not comprehensive.
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Saturday, July 11, 2009
Free Concert with Erica Nicole Downtown Senoia
Erica Nicole LIVE Debut CD Release Concert Thursday, July 16, 7:00 pm. Historic Downtown Senoia. FREE Concert. Opening Act: Southern Pride Band. Bring chairs or blankets and enjoy this free outdoor concert. Erica Nicole’s First Album is out and will be sold at the show. For concert information: Gail Downs 770.599-9155. www.ericanicolemusic.com
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Bluegrass Around Georgia
July 10 & 11, 2009 - Raccoon Creek Bluegrass Festival - Raccoon Creek Music Park, 332 Music Park Path, Dallas, GA, 30132. Featuring NewFound Road, Lizzy Long & Friends, Barbed Wire, Blue Ridge Grass, Gerry's Bluegrass Kids, Heartfelt, Honey Creek Boys, Papa's Prayer, The East Dixie Boys, The Raven Welch Band. Admission: $12 Friday, $15 Saturday, $25 Weekend. For additional information and complete schedule please visit us at www.raccooncreekmusic.com, or email ibyforme@hotmail.com, telephone 770-943-2721
July 10-11 ~ Cherokee Farms Fiddlers Convention @ Cherokee Farms, 2035 Old Mineral Springs Rd., LaFayette, GA 30728. www.cherokeefarmsfiddlersconvention.com. Artists include Larry Keel & Natural Bridge, Snake Oil Medicine Show, Good Medicine, Chojo Jacques & Billy Bright, Curley Maple, Pea Ridge Ramblers, Bibb City Ramblers, Virginia Dare Devils, Smokey's Farmland Band, New Binkley Brothers, Rev. Jeff Mosier. 2-Day Advance tix only $25! Competitions in bluegrass/old-time fiddle & banjo both youth/adult, one division for mandolin, guitar. Fiddler's Open Mic!
Saturday July 25th - Terry Baucom will be conducting a free banjo workshop at the High Country Bluegrass Festival held in Boone NC on. Alan Johnson will also be holding a fiddle workshop at the festival. This years lineup includes Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Grascals, Darin Aldridge & Brooke Justice Quintet, Southern Accent, Surefire, and an All Star Jam with Alan Johnson/Terry Baucom & Friends. Campsites are limited so you must call to reserve site. For more info: www.highcountrybluegrassfestival.com or call 828 733 8060.
Saturday, Aug 22nd - Banjo Workshop with Jody Hughes at Matildas Cottage, 377 S. Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30004. Time 2:00pm-4:00pm. Topics will include: Backup material, Adding Dynamics to your repertoire, Effective Practicing, Developing Dexterity in your left hand, and basic Music Theory. This workshop is geared for the beginner to intermediate-beginner. Only fifteen people are to be accepted, so please sign up ASAP at fiverstring2003@yahoo.com.
All shows at the Newborn Opry have been cancelled while the roof is repaired due to the heavy rain. An announcement will be made when the Opry starts again.
July 10-11 ~ Cherokee Farms Fiddlers Convention @ Cherokee Farms, 2035 Old Mineral Springs Rd., LaFayette, GA 30728. www.cherokeefarmsfiddlersconvention.com. Artists include Larry Keel & Natural Bridge, Snake Oil Medicine Show, Good Medicine, Chojo Jacques & Billy Bright, Curley Maple, Pea Ridge Ramblers, Bibb City Ramblers, Virginia Dare Devils, Smokey's Farmland Band, New Binkley Brothers, Rev. Jeff Mosier. 2-Day Advance tix only $25! Competitions in bluegrass/old-time fiddle & banjo both youth/adult, one division for mandolin, guitar. Fiddler's Open Mic!
Saturday July 25th - Terry Baucom will be conducting a free banjo workshop at the High Country Bluegrass Festival held in Boone NC on. Alan Johnson will also be holding a fiddle workshop at the festival. This years lineup includes Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Grascals, Darin Aldridge & Brooke Justice Quintet, Southern Accent, Surefire, and an All Star Jam with Alan Johnson/Terry Baucom & Friends. Campsites are limited so you must call to reserve site. For more info: www.highcountrybluegrassfestival.com or call 828 733 8060.
Saturday, Aug 22nd - Banjo Workshop with Jody Hughes at Matildas Cottage, 377 S. Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30004. Time 2:00pm-4:00pm. Topics will include: Backup material, Adding Dynamics to your repertoire, Effective Practicing, Developing Dexterity in your left hand, and basic Music Theory. This workshop is geared for the beginner to intermediate-beginner. Only fifteen people are to be accepted, so please sign up ASAP at fiverstring2003@yahoo.com.
All shows at the Newborn Opry have been cancelled while the roof is repaired due to the heavy rain. An announcement will be made when the Opry starts again.
All Saints Anglican Sets Music Camp
All Saints Anglican Church in Peachtree City has scheduled its annual free Music Camp for July 20-24.
Curriculum for the camp includes singing, dancing, and an introduction to various instruments. No previous experience is required. Also, contests and games will be included in the event.
The camp will be conducted 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. daily and will conclude with a graduation “mini-musical” to which all parents and friends are invited.
The camp, which is open to the public and ages 5-12, will be held at 303 Kelly Drive. Music Director Shannon Bryan said those interested may sign up by calling the church at 770-486-5374.
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www.FayetteFrontPage.com
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Curriculum for the camp includes singing, dancing, and an introduction to various instruments. No previous experience is required. Also, contests and games will be included in the event.
The camp will be conducted 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. daily and will conclude with a graduation “mini-musical” to which all parents and friends are invited.
The camp, which is open to the public and ages 5-12, will be held at 303 Kelly Drive. Music Director Shannon Bryan said those interested may sign up by calling the church at 770-486-5374.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.PoliticalPotluck.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
ASO at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park July 11
Program To Feature Award-Winning Composer John Williams’s Star Wars Suite
Newly Released Hi-Definition NASA Footage To Accompany Holst’s The Planets
ASO Assistant Conductor and League of American Orchestras Fellow Mei-Ann Chen will lead the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra on a rocketing musical tour of the cosmos on the stage of Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park on Saturday, July 11, 2009, at 8:00 p.m. The night will begin with a pre-concert “Top of the Lawn” conversation hosted by ASO Insider Ken Meltzer at 7:10 p.m., and will follow with a concert featuring Strauss’s popular Sunrise, from Also sprach Zarathustra, immortalized in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey, followed by Award-winning composer John Williams’s Star Wars Suite, and concluding with newly released vivid hi-definition NASA footage choreographed to accompany Holst’s The Planets. This hi-definition footage explores our planets using spectacular visual effects, puting a new spin on our solar system. The new 12,000-seat state-of-the-art facility is located in Alpharetta, GA (north of Atlanta), and opened in May 2008.
The Amphitheatre — nominated by Pollstar Concert Industry Awards as 2008 “Best New Major Concert Venue” and “Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue,” — serves as the outdoor home to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The scope of Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park has brought a new dimension to the region’s seasonal artistic offerings by featuring concerts with the internationally-recognized Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, leading popular presentations, as well as an emphasis on community events — including high school graduations, local fundraising events, and collaborations to create family-themed days, high school music concerts, and competitions.
The Amphitheatre Experience
“When a cool breeze whisked away the muggy air at sunset, the north Atlanta suburbs felt a little like summer classic music festivals at Tanglewood, Aspen or Santa Fe,” said The Birmingham News after the ASO’s all-Beethoven concert last summer.
The Amphitheatre opened on May 10, 2008 with Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, including a 700-musician grand-finale performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. The 2008 inaugural classical concert season also featured Robert Spano and the
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in an array of programs including a concert-staged production of Puccini’s La Bohème, a 4th of July spectacular, a free concert for the community, and artists including Garrick Ohlsson, Robert McDuffie, Julie Andrews, Robert Osborne (Turner Classic Movies), and the Marcus Roberts Trio.
Each Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concert at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park offers table-seating in the main Orchestra section of the venue, reserved seating throughout the pavilion, and lawn seating. Complementing this seating variation is an experience influenced by the repertoire and theme of the Orchestra: Live on-site broadcasts, Top of the Lawn conversations, and themed cuisine allow audiences to create their own unique evening of enjoyment at the ASO’s summer home.
Live On-Site Broadcast & Text-Message Questions from Audience
The Atlanta Symphony continues the tradition of introducing members of the ASO to the audience with an evening-long live, on-site broadcast of the concert on large 15′x20′ screens, which are permanently affixed on either side of the stage. The live feed will include a pre-concert show, as well as live intermission interviews of guest artists and musicians from the Orchestra, fueled by text-message questions sent by the audience the night of the concert.
Top of the Lawn
Pre-concert Top of the Lawn events will continue in 2009. ASO Insider and Program Annotator Ken Meltzer will take his pre-concert conversations to the tree-lined lawn of the Amphitheatre prior to each Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concert at the venue. Ken’s conversations with ASO musicians will take place at the top-center of the lawn, and include a Q&A with the audience. All Top of the Lawn events begin at 7:10 p.m. before each 8:00 p.m. ASO concert.
Themed Cuisine
Ovations, the on-site caterer for Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, will offer themed cuisine to complement the programming of all ASO concerts at the Amphitheatre. For the ASO’s July 11th concert, a Space/Astronaut themed picnic basket will accompany the regular fare offered at the venue. The $30 picnic basket (which serves two people) will feature Martian Mash avocado dip. Fresh Skywalker salsa and chips, Take Me to Your Leader fresh mozzarella with heirloom tomatoes balsamic vinegar and EVOO, and Out of This World chilled shrimp and dill skewers. Concertgoers may also enjoy Wookie Cookies (cinnamon and chocolate chip cookies) from the concessions the night of the concert.
To pre-order a picnic basket, or to view the full menu available for each concert, visit the General Info/Food and Beverage section online at http://www.vzwamp.com/planvisit/food-and-beverage.php.
Family Four Pack
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is offering a Family Four Pack for this summer’s classical concerts at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. The Family Four Pack includes four General Admission Lawn Tickets, four Lawn Chair Rentals, four Food Baskets (e.g. four hot dogs, fries, sodas), and one Parking Pass for $75. For more information, visit atlantasymphony.org.
Remaining Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Concerts
Remaining scheduled ASO concerts at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park:
•
On Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 8:00 p.m., Hugh Wolff will lead the Orchestra in an all-Beethoven concert featuring pianist Juho Pohjonen in his ASO debut performing the Piano Concerto No. 3. Also on the program will be Leonore Overture No. 3, and the Symphony No. 7.
•
On Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 8:30 p.m.¸ Richard Kaufman will lead the ASO in “Rodgers and Hammerstein at the Movies,” a Turner Classic Movies Night hosted by TCM Host Robert Osborne. The program will feature footage from Rodgers and Hammerstein classics such as State Fair, The King and I, South Pacific, Oklahoma, The Sound of Music, and Carousel.
•
On Saturday, August 15, 2009 at 8:00 p.m., sixteen-year-old conductor Ilyich Rivas will make his U.S. debut leading the ASO in Verdi’s Vespri Overture, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto featuring Elena Urioste as soloist.
•
As part of the annual Starbucks Free Parks Concerts, the ASO will perform a free concert for the community at the Amphitheatre in September 2009. Details will be announced.
* The gates for all ASO concerts will open one hour before the start of each concert.
Community Concerts and Events
As part of the annual Starbucks Free Parks Concerts, the ASO will perform a free concert for the community at the Amphitheatre in September 2009. Details will be announced.
On Saturday, May 23, 2009, the local Alpharetta High School Class of 2009 held their graduation at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, one of a number of community events planned to take place at the venue.
On Saturday, April 18, 2009, the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce held its 36th Annual Chairman’s Gala at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park.
Popular Concerts
The ASO recently presented two sold-out concerts of the Dave Matthews Band on April 27 and 28, 2009. Other remaining scheduled concerts include: Stevie Wonder on June 24, 2009; StarFest featuring Jason Mraz on July 27, 2009; Bob Dylan with John Mellencamp and Willie Nelson on July 30, 2009; Incubus on August 14, 2009; Judas Priest/Whitesnake on August 20, 2009; O.A.R on August 21, 2009; and Journey on September 19, 2009, among others. Additional concerts will be announced. For up-to-date concert listings and information, visit vzwamp.com.
The 2009 venue sponsors include Verizon Wireless, Bud Light, AirTran Airways, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Georgia Natural Gas, Belvedere, Vineyard Brands, Publix, Shoreline Limousine and North Fulton Regional Hospital.
Artists
The first woman to win the Malko International Conductors Competition (2005), Mei-Ann Chen has established herself as a versatile, highly communicative and inspirational young artist. Currently Assistant Conductor of Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, she was awarded the 2007 Taki Concordia Fellowship; as a result of that award, she appeared jointly with Marin Alsop and Stefan Sanderling in highly acclaimed subscription concerts with the Baltimore Symphony, Colorado Symphony and Florida Orchestra. Past and upcoming engagements include all principal Danish orchestras, Symphonies of Alabama, Atlanta, Baltimore, Chattanooga, Chicago Sinfonietta, Florida, Fort Worth, Grand Teton Music Festival, Honolulu, Huntsville, Kalamazoo, Lexington Philharmonic, Manhattan School of Music, Memphis, National at Kennedy Center, Norrlands Opera in Sweden, Norwegian Radio (Oslo), Oregon, Princeton, Seattle, Taiwan National, Trondheim in Norway, Toronto in Canada, and Wintergreen Summer Music Festival.
Before coming to Atlanta, Mei-Ann served as Assistant Conductor of the Oregon Symphony from 2003 to 2005 and in 2002, Ms. Chen was unanimously selected as Music Director of the Portland Youth Philharmonic in Oregon, the oldest of its kind and the model for many of the youth orchestras in the United States. During her five-year tenure with the orchestra, she led its sold-out debut in Carnegie Hall, received an ASCAP award for innovative programming, established new partnerships with Oregon Symphony and Chamber Music Northwest, and developed new and unique musicianship programs for the orchestra’s members. She was honored with a Sunburst Award from Young Audiences for her contribution to music education.
Born in Taiwan, Mei-Ann Chen has lived in the United States since 1989. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting from the University of Michigan, where she was a student of Kenneth Kiesler. Prior to that, she was the first recipient in New England Conservatory’s history to receive double master’s degrees simultaneously in violin and conducting. As a violinist, she has performed in Carnegie Hall and Tanglewood Music Festival numerous times.
Chen came to Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as a member of the American Conducting Fellows Program, a national conductor-training program developed and managed by the American Symphony Orchestra League to support the musical and leadership development of exceptionally talented conductors in the early stages of their professional careers. Aiming to improve the qualifications of American conductors to assume leadership roles as music directors of American orchestras, the program is funded by major grants from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.
About the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, currently in its 64th season, is one of America’s leading orchestras, known for the excellence of its live performances, presentations, renowned choruses, and its impressive list of Grammy® Award-winning recordings. The leading cultural organization in the Southeast, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra serves as the cornerstone for artistic development and music education in the region. Under the Creative Partnership of Music Director Robert Spano, Principal Guest Conductor Donald Runnicles, and President and CEO Allison Vulgamore since September 2001, the Orchestra and audiences together explore a creative programming mix, recordings, and visual enhancements, such as the ASO Theater of a
Concert, the Orchestra’s continuing exploration of different formats, settings, and enhancements for the musical performance experience. Another example is the Atlanta School of Composers,
which reflects Mr. Spano and the Orchestra’s commitment to nurturing and championing music through multi-year partnerships defining a new generation of American composers.
During its 31-year history with Telarc, the Orchestra has recorded more than 100 albums and its recordings have won 26 Grammy Awards in categories including Best Classical Album, Best Orchestral Performance, Best Choral Performance, and Best Opera Performance. The ASO Chorus has earned nine Grammy® Awards for Best Choral Performance, most recently for the Berlioz Requiem in 2005.
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performs more than 200 concerts each year to a combined audience of more than a half million in a full schedule of performances which also feature educational and community concerts. A recognized leader and supporter of contemporary American music, the Orchestra recently received the 2007 award for Strongest Commitment to New American Music from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. In addition, Music Director Robert Spano was named Musical America 2008 Conductor of the Year. With the opening of the 12,000-seat Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park (vzwamp.com) in May 2008, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra became the first U.S. orchestra to annually perform and present in its concert hall, and in two amphitheaters. For 36 years, the Orchestra has also performed at the legendary Chastain Park Amphitheater, the award-winning 6,800 seat venue in Atlanta, during the ASO’s annual Delta Classic Chastain concert series (deltaclassicchastain.com).
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving more than 86.6 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 86,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
About the Woodruff Arts Center
The Woodruff Arts Center is the largest arts center in the Southeast as well as one of the largest in the nation. The Woodruff is unique in that it combines four visual and performing
arts divisions on one campus as one not-for-profit organization. Opening in 1968, the Woodruff Arts Center is home to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Alliance Theatre, High Museum of Art, and Young Audiences. To learn more about the Woodruff Arts Center, please visit woodruffcenter.org.
Ticket Information
Single tickets for Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concerts at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre are now available to the public. Tickets remaining for Orchestral and Popular Concerts may be purchased at the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office, located in the Woodruff Arts Center at 15th and Peachtree Streets. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Box Office Monday through Friday, noon to 4:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. To purchase tickets online, visit atlantasymphony.org or ticketmaster.com. Tickets may also be purchased by calling 1-800-745-3000, or by visiting any Ticketmaster outlet, including Publix Super Markets.
Saturday, July 11, 2009 (Star Wars) — table, concert, and lawn seating: $21–$59
Saturday, July 25, 2009 (All-Beethoven) — table, concert, and lawn seating: $21–$59
Saturday, August 1, 2009 (Rodgers and Hammerstein) — table, concert, and lawn seating: $21–59
Saturday, August 15, 2009 (Rising Stars) — table, concert, and lawn seating: $21–$59
The Starbucks Free Parks Concert for the community will be a free event, but will require tickets. Details will be announced.
Additional concert and ticket information for popular concerts will be announced.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.PoliticalPotluck.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
Newly Released Hi-Definition NASA Footage To Accompany Holst’s The Planets
ASO Assistant Conductor and League of American Orchestras Fellow Mei-Ann Chen will lead the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra on a rocketing musical tour of the cosmos on the stage of Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park on Saturday, July 11, 2009, at 8:00 p.m. The night will begin with a pre-concert “Top of the Lawn” conversation hosted by ASO Insider Ken Meltzer at 7:10 p.m., and will follow with a concert featuring Strauss’s popular Sunrise, from Also sprach Zarathustra, immortalized in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey, followed by Award-winning composer John Williams’s Star Wars Suite, and concluding with newly released vivid hi-definition NASA footage choreographed to accompany Holst’s The Planets. This hi-definition footage explores our planets using spectacular visual effects, puting a new spin on our solar system. The new 12,000-seat state-of-the-art facility is located in Alpharetta, GA (north of Atlanta), and opened in May 2008.
The Amphitheatre — nominated by Pollstar Concert Industry Awards as 2008 “Best New Major Concert Venue” and “Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue,” — serves as the outdoor home to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The scope of Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park has brought a new dimension to the region’s seasonal artistic offerings by featuring concerts with the internationally-recognized Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, leading popular presentations, as well as an emphasis on community events — including high school graduations, local fundraising events, and collaborations to create family-themed days, high school music concerts, and competitions.
The Amphitheatre Experience
“When a cool breeze whisked away the muggy air at sunset, the north Atlanta suburbs felt a little like summer classic music festivals at Tanglewood, Aspen or Santa Fe,” said The Birmingham News after the ASO’s all-Beethoven concert last summer.
The Amphitheatre opened on May 10, 2008 with Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, including a 700-musician grand-finale performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. The 2008 inaugural classical concert season also featured Robert Spano and the
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in an array of programs including a concert-staged production of Puccini’s La Bohème, a 4th of July spectacular, a free concert for the community, and artists including Garrick Ohlsson, Robert McDuffie, Julie Andrews, Robert Osborne (Turner Classic Movies), and the Marcus Roberts Trio.
Each Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concert at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park offers table-seating in the main Orchestra section of the venue, reserved seating throughout the pavilion, and lawn seating. Complementing this seating variation is an experience influenced by the repertoire and theme of the Orchestra: Live on-site broadcasts, Top of the Lawn conversations, and themed cuisine allow audiences to create their own unique evening of enjoyment at the ASO’s summer home.
Live On-Site Broadcast & Text-Message Questions from Audience
The Atlanta Symphony continues the tradition of introducing members of the ASO to the audience with an evening-long live, on-site broadcast of the concert on large 15′x20′ screens, which are permanently affixed on either side of the stage. The live feed will include a pre-concert show, as well as live intermission interviews of guest artists and musicians from the Orchestra, fueled by text-message questions sent by the audience the night of the concert.
Top of the Lawn
Pre-concert Top of the Lawn events will continue in 2009. ASO Insider and Program Annotator Ken Meltzer will take his pre-concert conversations to the tree-lined lawn of the Amphitheatre prior to each Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concert at the venue. Ken’s conversations with ASO musicians will take place at the top-center of the lawn, and include a Q&A with the audience. All Top of the Lawn events begin at 7:10 p.m. before each 8:00 p.m. ASO concert.
Themed Cuisine
Ovations, the on-site caterer for Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, will offer themed cuisine to complement the programming of all ASO concerts at the Amphitheatre. For the ASO’s July 11th concert, a Space/Astronaut themed picnic basket will accompany the regular fare offered at the venue. The $30 picnic basket (which serves two people) will feature Martian Mash avocado dip. Fresh Skywalker salsa and chips, Take Me to Your Leader fresh mozzarella with heirloom tomatoes balsamic vinegar and EVOO, and Out of This World chilled shrimp and dill skewers. Concertgoers may also enjoy Wookie Cookies (cinnamon and chocolate chip cookies) from the concessions the night of the concert.
To pre-order a picnic basket, or to view the full menu available for each concert, visit the General Info/Food and Beverage section online at http://www.vzwamp.com/planvisit/food-and-beverage.php.
Family Four Pack
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is offering a Family Four Pack for this summer’s classical concerts at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. The Family Four Pack includes four General Admission Lawn Tickets, four Lawn Chair Rentals, four Food Baskets (e.g. four hot dogs, fries, sodas), and one Parking Pass for $75. For more information, visit atlantasymphony.org.
Remaining Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Concerts
Remaining scheduled ASO concerts at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park:
•
On Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 8:00 p.m., Hugh Wolff will lead the Orchestra in an all-Beethoven concert featuring pianist Juho Pohjonen in his ASO debut performing the Piano Concerto No. 3. Also on the program will be Leonore Overture No. 3, and the Symphony No. 7.
•
On Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 8:30 p.m.¸ Richard Kaufman will lead the ASO in “Rodgers and Hammerstein at the Movies,” a Turner Classic Movies Night hosted by TCM Host Robert Osborne. The program will feature footage from Rodgers and Hammerstein classics such as State Fair, The King and I, South Pacific, Oklahoma, The Sound of Music, and Carousel.
•
On Saturday, August 15, 2009 at 8:00 p.m., sixteen-year-old conductor Ilyich Rivas will make his U.S. debut leading the ASO in Verdi’s Vespri Overture, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto featuring Elena Urioste as soloist.
•
As part of the annual Starbucks Free Parks Concerts, the ASO will perform a free concert for the community at the Amphitheatre in September 2009. Details will be announced.
* The gates for all ASO concerts will open one hour before the start of each concert.
Community Concerts and Events
As part of the annual Starbucks Free Parks Concerts, the ASO will perform a free concert for the community at the Amphitheatre in September 2009. Details will be announced.
On Saturday, May 23, 2009, the local Alpharetta High School Class of 2009 held their graduation at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, one of a number of community events planned to take place at the venue.
On Saturday, April 18, 2009, the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce held its 36th Annual Chairman’s Gala at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park.
Popular Concerts
The ASO recently presented two sold-out concerts of the Dave Matthews Band on April 27 and 28, 2009. Other remaining scheduled concerts include: Stevie Wonder on June 24, 2009; StarFest featuring Jason Mraz on July 27, 2009; Bob Dylan with John Mellencamp and Willie Nelson on July 30, 2009; Incubus on August 14, 2009; Judas Priest/Whitesnake on August 20, 2009; O.A.R on August 21, 2009; and Journey on September 19, 2009, among others. Additional concerts will be announced. For up-to-date concert listings and information, visit vzwamp.com.
The 2009 venue sponsors include Verizon Wireless, Bud Light, AirTran Airways, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Georgia Natural Gas, Belvedere, Vineyard Brands, Publix, Shoreline Limousine and North Fulton Regional Hospital.
Artists
The first woman to win the Malko International Conductors Competition (2005), Mei-Ann Chen has established herself as a versatile, highly communicative and inspirational young artist. Currently Assistant Conductor of Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, she was awarded the 2007 Taki Concordia Fellowship; as a result of that award, she appeared jointly with Marin Alsop and Stefan Sanderling in highly acclaimed subscription concerts with the Baltimore Symphony, Colorado Symphony and Florida Orchestra. Past and upcoming engagements include all principal Danish orchestras, Symphonies of Alabama, Atlanta, Baltimore, Chattanooga, Chicago Sinfonietta, Florida, Fort Worth, Grand Teton Music Festival, Honolulu, Huntsville, Kalamazoo, Lexington Philharmonic, Manhattan School of Music, Memphis, National at Kennedy Center, Norrlands Opera in Sweden, Norwegian Radio (Oslo), Oregon, Princeton, Seattle, Taiwan National, Trondheim in Norway, Toronto in Canada, and Wintergreen Summer Music Festival.
Before coming to Atlanta, Mei-Ann served as Assistant Conductor of the Oregon Symphony from 2003 to 2005 and in 2002, Ms. Chen was unanimously selected as Music Director of the Portland Youth Philharmonic in Oregon, the oldest of its kind and the model for many of the youth orchestras in the United States. During her five-year tenure with the orchestra, she led its sold-out debut in Carnegie Hall, received an ASCAP award for innovative programming, established new partnerships with Oregon Symphony and Chamber Music Northwest, and developed new and unique musicianship programs for the orchestra’s members. She was honored with a Sunburst Award from Young Audiences for her contribution to music education.
Born in Taiwan, Mei-Ann Chen has lived in the United States since 1989. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting from the University of Michigan, where she was a student of Kenneth Kiesler. Prior to that, she was the first recipient in New England Conservatory’s history to receive double master’s degrees simultaneously in violin and conducting. As a violinist, she has performed in Carnegie Hall and Tanglewood Music Festival numerous times.
Chen came to Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as a member of the American Conducting Fellows Program, a national conductor-training program developed and managed by the American Symphony Orchestra League to support the musical and leadership development of exceptionally talented conductors in the early stages of their professional careers. Aiming to improve the qualifications of American conductors to assume leadership roles as music directors of American orchestras, the program is funded by major grants from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.
About the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, currently in its 64th season, is one of America’s leading orchestras, known for the excellence of its live performances, presentations, renowned choruses, and its impressive list of Grammy® Award-winning recordings. The leading cultural organization in the Southeast, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra serves as the cornerstone for artistic development and music education in the region. Under the Creative Partnership of Music Director Robert Spano, Principal Guest Conductor Donald Runnicles, and President and CEO Allison Vulgamore since September 2001, the Orchestra and audiences together explore a creative programming mix, recordings, and visual enhancements, such as the ASO Theater of a
Concert, the Orchestra’s continuing exploration of different formats, settings, and enhancements for the musical performance experience. Another example is the Atlanta School of Composers,
which reflects Mr. Spano and the Orchestra’s commitment to nurturing and championing music through multi-year partnerships defining a new generation of American composers.
During its 31-year history with Telarc, the Orchestra has recorded more than 100 albums and its recordings have won 26 Grammy Awards in categories including Best Classical Album, Best Orchestral Performance, Best Choral Performance, and Best Opera Performance. The ASO Chorus has earned nine Grammy® Awards for Best Choral Performance, most recently for the Berlioz Requiem in 2005.
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performs more than 200 concerts each year to a combined audience of more than a half million in a full schedule of performances which also feature educational and community concerts. A recognized leader and supporter of contemporary American music, the Orchestra recently received the 2007 award for Strongest Commitment to New American Music from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. In addition, Music Director Robert Spano was named Musical America 2008 Conductor of the Year. With the opening of the 12,000-seat Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park (vzwamp.com) in May 2008, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra became the first U.S. orchestra to annually perform and present in its concert hall, and in two amphitheaters. For 36 years, the Orchestra has also performed at the legendary Chastain Park Amphitheater, the award-winning 6,800 seat venue in Atlanta, during the ASO’s annual Delta Classic Chastain concert series (deltaclassicchastain.com).
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving more than 86.6 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 86,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
About the Woodruff Arts Center
The Woodruff Arts Center is the largest arts center in the Southeast as well as one of the largest in the nation. The Woodruff is unique in that it combines four visual and performing
arts divisions on one campus as one not-for-profit organization. Opening in 1968, the Woodruff Arts Center is home to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Alliance Theatre, High Museum of Art, and Young Audiences. To learn more about the Woodruff Arts Center, please visit woodruffcenter.org.
Ticket Information
Single tickets for Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concerts at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre are now available to the public. Tickets remaining for Orchestral and Popular Concerts may be purchased at the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office, located in the Woodruff Arts Center at 15th and Peachtree Streets. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Box Office Monday through Friday, noon to 4:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. To purchase tickets online, visit atlantasymphony.org or ticketmaster.com. Tickets may also be purchased by calling 1-800-745-3000, or by visiting any Ticketmaster outlet, including Publix Super Markets.
Saturday, July 11, 2009 (Star Wars) — table, concert, and lawn seating: $21–$59
Saturday, July 25, 2009 (All-Beethoven) — table, concert, and lawn seating: $21–$59
Saturday, August 1, 2009 (Rodgers and Hammerstein) — table, concert, and lawn seating: $21–59
Saturday, August 15, 2009 (Rising Stars) — table, concert, and lawn seating: $21–$59
The Starbucks Free Parks Concert for the community will be a free event, but will require tickets. Details will be announced.
Additional concert and ticket information for popular concerts will be announced.
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Tuesday, July 07, 2009
ASO - Aug. - Dec. Concerts
RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN AT THE MOVIES
Turner Classic Movies Night
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, Alpharetta, GA
Saturday, August 1, 2009, 8:30 p.m.
Richard Kaufman, conductor
Robert Osborne, host
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Program to feature footage from Rodgers and Hammerstein classics like State Fair, The King and I, South Pacific, Oklahoma, The Sound of Music, and Carousel.
RISING STARS
Ilyich Rivas Makes His U.S. Debut With A Major American Orchestra
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, Alpharetta, GA
Saturday, August 15, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Ilyich Rivas, conductor*
Elena Urioste, violin
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
VERDI Vespri Overture
MENDELSSOHN Violin Concerto
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 4
OPENING CONCERTS
ROBERT SPANO AND GARRICK OHLSSON
Delta Classical Series
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Thursday, September 24, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 26, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 27, 2009, 3:00 p.m.
Robert Spano, conductor
Garrick Ohlsson, piano
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 6, “Pathétique”
RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No. 3
ROBERT SPANO TO CONDUCT WORLD PREMIERE OF DEJAN LAZIC’S
NEW TRANSCRIPTION OF BRAHMS’S CONCERTO FOR VIOLIN
Delta Classical Series
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Thursday, October 1, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 2, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 3, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Robert Spano, conductor
Dejan Lazic, piano
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
BRAHMS (arr. Dejan Lazic) Concerto in D Major for Piano (world premiere)
MUSSORGSKY/RAVEL Pictures at an Exhibition
BROADWAY ROCKS
nsoro SuperPOPS!
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Friday, October 9, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 10, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Michael Krajewski, conductor
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Program to feature music from: Mamma Mia, Tommy, The Wiz, Hairspray, Phantom of the Opera, and others.
WORLD PREMIERE:
ROBERT SPANO AND YO-YO MA PERFORM ANGEL LAM’S
NEW CELLO CONCERTO
ASO THEATER OF A CONCERT:
ROBERT SPANO LEADS STRAVINSKY’S THE NIGHTINGALE
Delta Classical Series
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Thursday, October 15, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 16, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Robert Spano, conductor
James Alexander, stage director
Yo-Yo Ma, cello
Celena Shafer, Nightingale*
Jessica Rivera, Cook
Thomas Glenn, Fisherman
Denis Sedov, Chamberlain
Dimitry Ivashchenko, Bonze*
Kostas Smoriginas, Emperor*
Irina Tchistyakova, Death*
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chamber Chorus
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
ANGEL LAM ANGEL LAM Awakening from a Disappearing Garden
for Cello and Orchestra (world premiere)
STRAVINSKY The Nightingale …
DONALD RUNNICLES AND JAMES EHNES
Delta Classical Series
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Thursday, October 22, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 23, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 24, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Donald Runnicles, conductor
James Ehnes, violin*
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
WEBER Overture to Oberon
KORNGOLD Violin Concerto
R. STRAUSS Also sprach Zarathustra
ASO FAMILY CONCERT — HALLOWEEN MAGICAL MUSICAL TOYBOX
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Sunday, October 25, 2009, 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 25, 2009, 3:30 p.m.
Jere Flint, conductor
Lee Harper & Dancers
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
DONALD RUNNICLES AND THE ASO CHORUS PERFORM
BRAHMS’S A GERMAN REQUIEM
Delta Classical Series
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Thursday, October 29, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 30, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Donald Runnicles, conductor
Chen Reiss, soprano*
Matthew Worth, baritone*
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
HAYDN Symphony No. 44, “Trauer”
BRAHMS A German Requiem
ASO AROUND GEORGIA
Classic Center, Athens, Ga.
Thursday, November 5, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Robert Spano, conductor
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chamber Chorus
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 6, “Pathétique”
STRAVINSKY The Nightingale
ASO AT CARNEGIE HALL
Ancient Paths, Modern Voices: Celebrating Chinese Culture
Robert Spano and the Orchestra To Perform Angel Lam’s New Cello Concerto
With Yo-Yo Ma as Soloist
Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY
Saturday, November 7, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Robert Spano, conductor
Yo-Yo Ma, cello
Celena Shafer, Nightingale*
Jessica Rivera, Cook
Thomas Glenn, Fisherman
Denis Sedov, Chamberlain
Dimitry Ivashchenko, Bonze*
Kostas Smoriginas, Emperor*
Irina Tchistyakova, Death*
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chamber Chorus
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
ANGEL LAM ANGEL LAM Awakening from a Disappearing Garden
for Cello and Orchestra (New York premiere)
STRAVINSKY The Nightingale
HANNU LINTU AND VADIM REPIN
Delta Classical Series
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Thursday, November 12, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Friday, November 13, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 14, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Hannu Lintu, conductor*
Vadim Repin, violin
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
TCHAIKOVSKY Suite from Swan Lake
GLAZUNOV Violin Concerto
SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 1
Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra – Fall Concert
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Sunday, November 15, 2009, 3:00 p.m.
Jere Flint, conductor
Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra
___________________________________________________________________
WORLD PREMIERE–ASO COMMISSION:
ROBERT SPANO LEADS WYNTON MARSALIS’S AMERICAN SYMPHONY
Delta Classical Series
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Thursday, November 19, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Friday, November 20, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 22, 2009, 3:00 p.m.
Robert Spano, conductor
Olli Mustonen, piano
Laura Ardan, clarinet
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
BERNSTEIN Prelude, Fugue and Riffs
WYNTON MARSALIS American Symphony (world premiere)
RAVEL Piano Concerto in G
GERSHWIN An American in Paris
CIRQUE DE LA SYMPHONIE
nsoro SuperPOPS!
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Friday, November 27, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 28, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Michael Krajewski, conductor
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
HANDEL’S MESSIAH
Coca-Cola Holiday Concerts
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Thursday, December 3, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 5, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Norman Mackenzie, conductor
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chamber Chorus
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
ASO GOSPEL CHRISTMAS
Coca-Cola Holiday Concerts
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Friday, December 4, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 5, 2009, 2:00 p.m.
Chelsea Tipton II, conductor
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Gospel Choir
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
ASO KID’S CHRISTMAS
Coca-Cola Holiday Concerts
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Sunday, December 6, 2009, 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 6, 2009, 3:30 p.m.
Sunday December 13, 2009, 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 13, 2009, 3:30 p.m.
Jere Flint, conductor
Lee Harper & Dancers
Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra
CHRISTMAS WITH THE ASO
Coca-Cola Holiday Concerts
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Thursday, December 10, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Friday, December 11, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 12, 2009, 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 12, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Norman Mackenzie, conductor
Morehouse College Glee Club
Gwinnett Young Singers
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
DONALD RUNNICLES AND THE ASO CHORUS
PERFORM A GERMAN REQUIEM WITH THE BERLIN PHILHARMONIC
Berliner Philharmonie, Berlin, Germany
Thursday, December 17, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Friday, December 18, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 19, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Donald Runnicles, conductor
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus
Berlin Philharmonic
BRAHMS A German Requiem
A VERY MERRY HOLIDAY POPS
Coca-Cola Holiday Concerts
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Friday, December 18, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 19, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Michael Krajewski, conductor
Lassiter and Walton High School Choruses
Janna and Brian Williams, directors
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
ASO NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH SYLVIA MCNAIR
Coca-Cola Holiday Concerts
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Thursday, December 31, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Michael Krajewski, conductor
Sylvia McNair, soprano
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Turner Classic Movies Night
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, Alpharetta, GA
Saturday, August 1, 2009, 8:30 p.m.
Richard Kaufman, conductor
Robert Osborne, host
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Program to feature footage from Rodgers and Hammerstein classics like State Fair, The King and I, South Pacific, Oklahoma, The Sound of Music, and Carousel.
RISING STARS
Ilyich Rivas Makes His U.S. Debut With A Major American Orchestra
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, Alpharetta, GA
Saturday, August 15, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Ilyich Rivas, conductor*
Elena Urioste, violin
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
VERDI Vespri Overture
MENDELSSOHN Violin Concerto
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 4
OPENING CONCERTS
ROBERT SPANO AND GARRICK OHLSSON
Delta Classical Series
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Thursday, September 24, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 26, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 27, 2009, 3:00 p.m.
Robert Spano, conductor
Garrick Ohlsson, piano
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 6, “Pathétique”
RACHMANINOV Piano Concerto No. 3
ROBERT SPANO TO CONDUCT WORLD PREMIERE OF DEJAN LAZIC’S
NEW TRANSCRIPTION OF BRAHMS’S CONCERTO FOR VIOLIN
Delta Classical Series
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Thursday, October 1, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 2, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 3, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Robert Spano, conductor
Dejan Lazic, piano
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
BRAHMS (arr. Dejan Lazic) Concerto in D Major for Piano (world premiere)
MUSSORGSKY/RAVEL Pictures at an Exhibition
BROADWAY ROCKS
nsoro SuperPOPS!
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Friday, October 9, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 10, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Michael Krajewski, conductor
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Program to feature music from: Mamma Mia, Tommy, The Wiz, Hairspray, Phantom of the Opera, and others.
WORLD PREMIERE:
ROBERT SPANO AND YO-YO MA PERFORM ANGEL LAM’S
NEW CELLO CONCERTO
ASO THEATER OF A CONCERT:
ROBERT SPANO LEADS STRAVINSKY’S THE NIGHTINGALE
Delta Classical Series
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Thursday, October 15, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 16, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Robert Spano, conductor
James Alexander, stage director
Yo-Yo Ma, cello
Celena Shafer, Nightingale*
Jessica Rivera, Cook
Thomas Glenn, Fisherman
Denis Sedov, Chamberlain
Dimitry Ivashchenko, Bonze*
Kostas Smoriginas, Emperor*
Irina Tchistyakova, Death*
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chamber Chorus
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
ANGEL LAM ANGEL LAM Awakening from a Disappearing Garden
for Cello and Orchestra (world premiere)
STRAVINSKY The Nightingale …
DONALD RUNNICLES AND JAMES EHNES
Delta Classical Series
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Thursday, October 22, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 23, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 24, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Donald Runnicles, conductor
James Ehnes, violin*
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
WEBER Overture to Oberon
KORNGOLD Violin Concerto
R. STRAUSS Also sprach Zarathustra
ASO FAMILY CONCERT — HALLOWEEN MAGICAL MUSICAL TOYBOX
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Sunday, October 25, 2009, 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 25, 2009, 3:30 p.m.
Jere Flint, conductor
Lee Harper & Dancers
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
DONALD RUNNICLES AND THE ASO CHORUS PERFORM
BRAHMS’S A GERMAN REQUIEM
Delta Classical Series
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Thursday, October 29, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Friday, October 30, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Donald Runnicles, conductor
Chen Reiss, soprano*
Matthew Worth, baritone*
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
HAYDN Symphony No. 44, “Trauer”
BRAHMS A German Requiem
ASO AROUND GEORGIA
Classic Center, Athens, Ga.
Thursday, November 5, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Robert Spano, conductor
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chamber Chorus
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 6, “Pathétique”
STRAVINSKY The Nightingale
ASO AT CARNEGIE HALL
Ancient Paths, Modern Voices: Celebrating Chinese Culture
Robert Spano and the Orchestra To Perform Angel Lam’s New Cello Concerto
With Yo-Yo Ma as Soloist
Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY
Saturday, November 7, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Robert Spano, conductor
Yo-Yo Ma, cello
Celena Shafer, Nightingale*
Jessica Rivera, Cook
Thomas Glenn, Fisherman
Denis Sedov, Chamberlain
Dimitry Ivashchenko, Bonze*
Kostas Smoriginas, Emperor*
Irina Tchistyakova, Death*
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chamber Chorus
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
ANGEL LAM ANGEL LAM Awakening from a Disappearing Garden
for Cello and Orchestra (New York premiere)
STRAVINSKY The Nightingale
HANNU LINTU AND VADIM REPIN
Delta Classical Series
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Thursday, November 12, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Friday, November 13, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 14, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Hannu Lintu, conductor*
Vadim Repin, violin
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
TCHAIKOVSKY Suite from Swan Lake
GLAZUNOV Violin Concerto
SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 1
Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra – Fall Concert
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Sunday, November 15, 2009, 3:00 p.m.
Jere Flint, conductor
Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra
___________________________________________________________________
WORLD PREMIERE–ASO COMMISSION:
ROBERT SPANO LEADS WYNTON MARSALIS’S AMERICAN SYMPHONY
Delta Classical Series
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Thursday, November 19, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Friday, November 20, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 22, 2009, 3:00 p.m.
Robert Spano, conductor
Olli Mustonen, piano
Laura Ardan, clarinet
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
BERNSTEIN Prelude, Fugue and Riffs
WYNTON MARSALIS American Symphony (world premiere)
RAVEL Piano Concerto in G
GERSHWIN An American in Paris
CIRQUE DE LA SYMPHONIE
nsoro SuperPOPS!
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Friday, November 27, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 28, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Michael Krajewski, conductor
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
HANDEL’S MESSIAH
Coca-Cola Holiday Concerts
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Thursday, December 3, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 5, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Norman Mackenzie, conductor
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chamber Chorus
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
ASO GOSPEL CHRISTMAS
Coca-Cola Holiday Concerts
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Friday, December 4, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 5, 2009, 2:00 p.m.
Chelsea Tipton II, conductor
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Gospel Choir
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
ASO KID’S CHRISTMAS
Coca-Cola Holiday Concerts
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Sunday, December 6, 2009, 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 6, 2009, 3:30 p.m.
Sunday December 13, 2009, 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 13, 2009, 3:30 p.m.
Jere Flint, conductor
Lee Harper & Dancers
Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra
CHRISTMAS WITH THE ASO
Coca-Cola Holiday Concerts
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Thursday, December 10, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Friday, December 11, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 12, 2009, 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 12, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Norman Mackenzie, conductor
Morehouse College Glee Club
Gwinnett Young Singers
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
DONALD RUNNICLES AND THE ASO CHORUS
PERFORM A GERMAN REQUIEM WITH THE BERLIN PHILHARMONIC
Berliner Philharmonie, Berlin, Germany
Thursday, December 17, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Friday, December 18, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 19, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Donald Runnicles, conductor
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus
Berlin Philharmonic
BRAHMS A German Requiem
A VERY MERRY HOLIDAY POPS
Coca-Cola Holiday Concerts
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Friday, December 18, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 19, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Michael Krajewski, conductor
Lassiter and Walton High School Choruses
Janna and Brian Williams, directors
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
ASO NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH SYLVIA MCNAIR
Coca-Cola Holiday Concerts
Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center
Thursday, December 31, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Michael Krajewski, conductor
Sylvia McNair, soprano
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Men's Acappella Group Holds Auditions
The Southern Nights Chorale is a men’s precision, acappella chorus that draws singers from five counties. We have sung at the Governor’s Mansion, Clayton County Performing Arts Center, in concert with the Chattanooga Boys Choir, and annually sing at Braves’ games. Rehearsals take place on Monday evenings throughout the performance season across from Piedmont-Fayette Hospital. Auditions for the 2009-10 Season are taking place during July. Prerequisites for auditioning include previous choral experience, music-reading ability, able to maintain tonal pitch, and availability to meet the schedule. If you enjoy singing, and would like to improve your singing skills, please call J.D. Holmes, 770-461-3258, or visit our website: www.SouthernNightsChorale.org.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Conductor Grant Llewellyn to Make His ASO Debut June 27
Llewellyn to Lead the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in an All-Mozart Concert at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park Saturday, June 27
Program To Feature Pianist Pedja Muzijevic In His ASO Debut Performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto in D Minor
Also On the Program is Overture to Marriage of Figaro and Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter”
Conductor Grant Llewellyn will make his ASO debut leading the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
in an all-Mozart concert at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park on Saturday, June 27,
2009, at 8:00 p.m. The concert will feature pianist Pedja Muzijevic, also in his ASO debut,
performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto in D Minor. Also on the program is the Overture to
Marriage of Figaro, and the Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter.” The new 12,000-seat state-of-the-art
facility is located in Alpharetta, GA (north of Atlanta), and opened in May 2008.
The Amphitheatre — nominated by Pollstar Concert Industry Awards as 2008 “Best New Major
Concert Venue” and “Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue,” — serves as the outdoor home to the
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The scope of Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park has
brought a new dimension to the region’s seasonal artistic offerings by featuring concerts with the
internationally-recognized Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, leading popular presentations, as well
as an emphasis on community events — including high school graduations, local fundraising
events, and collaborations to create family-themed days, high school music concerts, and
competitions.
Additional Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Concerts
Other scheduled ASO concerts at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park:
• On Saturday, July 4, 2009 at 8:00 p.m., Bridget Reischl will lead the Orchestra in an
Independence Day concert featuring The U.S. Army Chorus. Fireworks will follow
the concert.
• On Saturday, July 11, 2009 at 8:00 p.m., ASO Assistant Conductor and League of
American Orchestras Fellow Mei-Ann Chen will lead the Atlanta Symphony
Orchestra in the music of Star Wars. Also on the program is R. Strauss’s Prelude to
Also sprach Zarathustra, and Holst’s The Planets, which will feature NASA footage
of the solar system.
• On Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 8:00 p.m., Hugh Wolff will lead the Orchestra in an all-
Beethoven concert featuring pianist Juho Pohjonen in his ASO debut performing the
Piano Concerto No. 3. Also on the program will be Leonore Overture No. 3, and the
Symphony No. 7.
• On Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 8:30 p.m.¸ Richard Kaufman will lead the ASO in
“Rodgers and Hammerstein at the Movies,” a Turner Classic Movies Night hosted by
TCM Host Robert Osborne. The program will feature footage from Rodgers and
Hammerstein classics such as State Fair, The King and I, South Pacific, Oklahoma,
The Sound of Music, and Carousel.
• On Saturday, August 15, 2009 at 8:00 p.m., sixteen-year-old conductor Ilyich Rivas
will make his U.S. debut leading the ASO in Verdi’s Vespri Overture, Tchaikovsky’s
Symphony No. 4, and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto featuring Elena Urioste as
soloist.
• As part of the annual Starbucks Free Parks Concerts, the ASO will perform a free
concert for the community at the Amphitheatre in September 2009. Details will be
announced.
* The gates for all ASO concerts will open one hour before the start of each concert.
Community Concerts and Events
As part of the annual Starbucks Free Parks Concerts, the ASO will perform a free concert for the
community at the Amphitheatre in September 2009. Details will be announced.
On Saturday, May 23, 2009, the local Alpharetta High School Class of 2009 held their
graduation at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, one of a number of community
events planned to take place at the venue.
On Saturday, April 18, 2009, the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce held its 36th
Annual Chairman’s Gala at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park.
The Amphitheatre Experience
“When a cool breeze whisked away the muggy air at sunset, the north Atlanta suburbs felt a little like summer classic music festivals at Tanglewood, Aspen or Santa Fe,” said The Birmingham News after the ASO’s all-Beethoven concert last summer.
The Amphitheatre opened on May 10, 2008 with Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony
Orchestra and Chorus, including a 700-musician grand-finale performance of Tchaikovsky’s
1812 Overture. The 2008 inaugural classical concert season also featured Robert Spano and the
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in an array of programs including a concert-staged production of
Puccini’s La Bohème, a 4th of July spectacular, a free concert for the community, and artists
including Garrick Ohlsson, Robert McDuffie, Julie Andrews, Robert Osborne (Turner Classic
Movies), and the Marcus Roberts Trio.
Each Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concert at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park
offers table-seating in the main Orchestra section of the venue, reserved seating throughout the
pavilion, and lawn seating. Complementing this seating variation is an experience influenced by
the repertoire and theme of the Orchestra: Live on-site broadcasts, Top of the Lawn
conversations, and themed cuisine allow audiences to create their own unique evening of
enjoyment at the ASO’s summer home.
Live On-Site Broadcast & Text-Message Questions from Audience
The Atlanta Symphony continues the tradition of introducing members of the ASO to the
audience with an evening-long live, on-site broadcast of the concert on large 15′x20′ screens,
which are permanently affixed on either side of the stage. The live feed will include a preconcert
show, as well as live intermission interviews of guest artists and musicians from the
Orchestra, fueled by text-message questions sent by the audience the night of the concert.
Top of the Lawn
Pre-concert Top of the Lawn events will continue in 2009. ASO Insider and Program Annotator
Ken Meltzer will take his pre-concert conversations to the tree-lined lawn of the Amphitheatre
prior to each Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concert at the venue. Mr. Meltzer’s conversations
with ASO musicians will take place at the top-center of the lawn, and include a Q&A with the
audience. All Top of the Lawn events begin at 7:10 p.m. before each 8:00 p.m. ASO concert.
This event will begin at 7:40 p.m. on Saturday, August 1 (Rodgers & Hammerstein at the
Movies) when the concert begins at 8:30 p.m.
Themed Cuisine
Ovations, the on-site caterer for Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, will offer themed cuisine to
complement the programming of all ASO concerts at the Amphitheatre. For the ASO’s June 27
concert, an Austria-Euro themed cuisine will accompany the regular fare offered at the venue.
Concertgoers may pre-order a $30 picnic basket (which serves two people) of sliced breast of
roasted paprika chicken, zesty dill cucumber salad, and hazelnut cheesecake. Concertgoers may
also enjoy an Almond Concerto of chili, sea salt and dark chocolate almonds from the
concessions the night of the concert.
To pre-order a picnic basket, or to view the full menu available for each concert, visit the
General Info/Food and Beverage section online at http://www.vzwamp.com/planvisit/foodand-
beverage.php.
Popular Concerts
The ASO recently presented two sold-out concerts of the Dave Matthews Band on April 27 and
28, 2009. Other scheduled concerts include a sold-out Kenny Chesney performance on May 28,
2009; Chicago/Earth Wind & Fire on June 6, 2009; Styx and REO Speedwagon on June 21,
2009; Stevie Wonder on June 24, 2009; StarFest featuring Jason Mraz on July 27, 2009; Bob
Dylan with John Mellencamp and Willie Nelson on July 30, 2009; Incubus on August 14, 2009;
Judas Priest/Whitesnake on August 20, 2009; O.A.R on August 21, 2009; and Journey on
September 19, 2009, among others. Additional concerts will be announced. For up-todate
concert listings and information, visit vzwamp.com.
The 2009 venue sponsors include Verizon Wireless, Bud Light, AirTran Airways, Cadillac,
Chevrolet, Georgia Natural Gas, Belvedere, Vineyard Brands, Publix, Shoreline Limousine and
North Fulton Regional Hospital.
Artists
Conductor Grant Llewellyn is Music Director of the North Carolina Symphony as well as
Principal Conductor of the Handel & Haydn Society. Born in Tenby, South Wales, Mr.
Llewellyn won a Conducting Fellowship to the Tanglewood Music Center in 1985 where he
worked with such major artists as Bernstein, Ozawa, Masur and Previn, and was later appointed
Assistant Conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Mr. Llewellyn began his tenure as North Carolina Symphony Music Director in 2004. Critics
have praised his “transcendent performances,” “masterful pacing and control,” and “graceful and
expressive direction.” Notable recent European guest engagements have included the Frankfurt
Radio Symphony Orchestra, the City of Birmingham Symphony, the SWR Radio Symphony
Orchestra Stuttgart, and the Helsinki Philharmonic. These concerts will mark his Atlanta
Symphony Orchestra debut.
Pianist Pedja Muzijevic has toured extensively as a soloist with orchestras and as a recitalist
throughout eastern and western Europe, Great Britain, Canada, the United States, South
America, Australia and Asia. His artistic curiosity has led him to explore both the music of the
18th and 19th centuries on period instruments and the music of contemporary composers.
Mr. Muzijevic has performed with the Milwaukee Symphony, the Residentie Orkest in The
Hague, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Dresden Philharmonic, Shinsei Nihon Orchestra in Tokyo,
Orquesta Sinfonica in Montevideo, and the Zagreb Philharmonic, among others. He has played
solo recitals at Lincoln Center, Alice Tully Hall, and the Frick Collection in New York, Casals
Hall and Bunka Kaikan in Tokyo, Teatro Municipal in Santiago de Chile, Da Camera of
Houston, and the National Gallery in Washington, DC. His Carnegie Hall concerto debut
playing Mozart Concerto K. 503 with the Oberlin Symphony, led by ASO Music Director Robert
Spano, was recorded live and has been released on the Oberlin Music label. These performances
will mark his Atlanta Symphony Orchestra debut.
About the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, currently in its 64th season, is one of America’s leading orchestras, known for the excellence of its live performances, presentations, renowned choruses, and its impressive list of Grammy® Award-winning recordings. The leading cultural organization in the Southeast, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra serves as the cornerstone for artistic development and music education in the region. Under the Creative Partnership of Music Director Robert Spano, Principal Guest Conductor Donald Runnicles, and President and CEO Allison Vulgamore since September 2001, the Orchestra and audiences together explore a creative programming mix, recordings, and visual enhancements, such as the ASO Theater of a Concert, the Orchestra’s continuing exploration of different formats, settings, and enhancements
for the musical performance experience. Another example is the Atlanta School of Composers, which reflects Mr. Spano and the Orchestra’s commitment to nurturing and championing music through multi-year partnerships defining a new generation of American composers.
During its 31-year history with Telarc, the Orchestra has recorded more than 100 albums and its recordings have won 26 Grammy Awards in categories including Best Classical Album, Best Orchestral Performance, Best Choral Performance, and Best Opera Performance. The ASO Chorus has earned nine Grammy® Awards for Best Choral Performance, most recently for the Berlioz Requiem in 2005.
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performs more than 200 concerts each year to a combined audience of more than a half million in a full schedule of performances which also feature educational and community concerts. A recognized leader and supporter of contemporary American music, the Orchestra recently received the 2007 award for Strongest Commitment to New American Music from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. In addition, Music Director Robert Spano was named Musical America 2008 Conductor of the Year. With the opening of the 12,000-seat Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park (vzwamp.com) in May 2008, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra became the first U.S. orchestra to annually perform and present in its concert hall, and in two amphitheaters. For 36 years, the Orchestra has also performed at the legendary Chastain Park Amphitheater, the award-winning 6,800 seat venue in Atlanta, during the ASO’s annual Delta Classic Chastain concert series (deltaclassicchastain.com).
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving more than 86.6 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 86,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and highresolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
About the Woodruff Arts Center
The Woodruff Arts Center is the largest arts center in the Southeast as well as one of the largest in the nation. The Woodruff is unique in that it combines four visual and performing arts divisions on one campus as one not-for-profit organization. Opening in 1968, the Woodruff Arts Center is home to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Alliance Theatre, High Museum of Art, and Young Audiences. To learn more about the Woodruff Arts Center, please visit woodruffcenter.org.
Ticket Information
Single tickets for Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concerts at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre are
now available to the public. Tickets remaining Orchestral and Popular Concerts may be
purchased at the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office, located in the Woodruff Arts Center at
15th and Peachtree Streets. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00
p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased at the
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Box Office Monday through Friday, noon to 4:00 p.m., and
Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. To purchase tickets online, visit atlantasymphony.org
or ticketmaster.com. Tickets may also be purchased by calling 1-800-745-3000, or by visiting
any Ticketmaster outlet, including Publix Super Markets.
Saturday, June 27, 2008 (All-Mozart) — table, concert, and lawn seating: $21–$59
Saturday, July 4, 2008 (Independence Day) — table, concert, and lawn seating: $21–$59
Saturday, July 11, 2008 (Star Wars) — table, concert, and lawn seating: $21–$59
Saturday, July 25, 2008 (All-Beethoven) — table, concert, and lawn seating: $21–$59
Saturday, August 1, 2008 (Rodgers and Hammerstein) — table, concert, and lawn seating: $21–59
Saturday, August 15, 2008 (Rising Stars) — table, concert, and lawn seating: $21–$59
The Starbucks Free Parks Concert for the community will be a free event, but will require
tickets. Details will be announced.
Additional concert and ticket information for popular concerts will be announced.
* * *
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park is owned by the Robert W. Woodruff Arts Center, Inc., and is operated by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Upon the opening of the Amphitheatre, the ASO became the first U.S. orchestra to perform and present in its concert hall and in two amphitheaters. For 36 years, the ASO has presented and performed concerts at Chastain Park Amphitheater, the legendary award-winning 6,800-seat venue in Atlanta. The investment by the Woodruff Arts Center, with the support of the Woodruff Foundation, will advance the mission of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and also continue to have a significant economic impact on the entire region.
* * *
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park is located at 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta, GA, 30009. For information, visit atlantasymphony.org or vzwamp.com, or call (404) 733-5010.
* * *
Major support is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Fulton County Arts Council.
* * *
MAGNIFICENT MOZART
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, Alpharetta, GA
Saturday, June 27, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Grant Llewellyn, conductor*
Pedja Muzijevic, piano*
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
MOZART Overture to Marriage of Figaro
MOZART Piano Concerto in D minor
MOZART Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter”
* denotes ASO debut
Program To Feature Pianist Pedja Muzijevic In His ASO Debut Performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto in D Minor
Also On the Program is Overture to Marriage of Figaro and Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter”
Conductor Grant Llewellyn will make his ASO debut leading the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
in an all-Mozart concert at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park on Saturday, June 27,
2009, at 8:00 p.m. The concert will feature pianist Pedja Muzijevic, also in his ASO debut,
performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto in D Minor. Also on the program is the Overture to
Marriage of Figaro, and the Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter.” The new 12,000-seat state-of-the-art
facility is located in Alpharetta, GA (north of Atlanta), and opened in May 2008.
The Amphitheatre — nominated by Pollstar Concert Industry Awards as 2008 “Best New Major
Concert Venue” and “Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue,” — serves as the outdoor home to the
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The scope of Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park has
brought a new dimension to the region’s seasonal artistic offerings by featuring concerts with the
internationally-recognized Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, leading popular presentations, as well
as an emphasis on community events — including high school graduations, local fundraising
events, and collaborations to create family-themed days, high school music concerts, and
competitions.
Additional Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Concerts
Other scheduled ASO concerts at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park:
• On Saturday, July 4, 2009 at 8:00 p.m., Bridget Reischl will lead the Orchestra in an
Independence Day concert featuring The U.S. Army Chorus. Fireworks will follow
the concert.
• On Saturday, July 11, 2009 at 8:00 p.m., ASO Assistant Conductor and League of
American Orchestras Fellow Mei-Ann Chen will lead the Atlanta Symphony
Orchestra in the music of Star Wars. Also on the program is R. Strauss’s Prelude to
Also sprach Zarathustra, and Holst’s The Planets, which will feature NASA footage
of the solar system.
• On Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 8:00 p.m., Hugh Wolff will lead the Orchestra in an all-
Beethoven concert featuring pianist Juho Pohjonen in his ASO debut performing the
Piano Concerto No. 3. Also on the program will be Leonore Overture No. 3, and the
Symphony No. 7.
• On Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 8:30 p.m.¸ Richard Kaufman will lead the ASO in
“Rodgers and Hammerstein at the Movies,” a Turner Classic Movies Night hosted by
TCM Host Robert Osborne. The program will feature footage from Rodgers and
Hammerstein classics such as State Fair, The King and I, South Pacific, Oklahoma,
The Sound of Music, and Carousel.
• On Saturday, August 15, 2009 at 8:00 p.m., sixteen-year-old conductor Ilyich Rivas
will make his U.S. debut leading the ASO in Verdi’s Vespri Overture, Tchaikovsky’s
Symphony No. 4, and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto featuring Elena Urioste as
soloist.
• As part of the annual Starbucks Free Parks Concerts, the ASO will perform a free
concert for the community at the Amphitheatre in September 2009. Details will be
announced.
* The gates for all ASO concerts will open one hour before the start of each concert.
Community Concerts and Events
As part of the annual Starbucks Free Parks Concerts, the ASO will perform a free concert for the
community at the Amphitheatre in September 2009. Details will be announced.
On Saturday, May 23, 2009, the local Alpharetta High School Class of 2009 held their
graduation at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, one of a number of community
events planned to take place at the venue.
On Saturday, April 18, 2009, the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce held its 36th
Annual Chairman’s Gala at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park.
The Amphitheatre Experience
“When a cool breeze whisked away the muggy air at sunset, the north Atlanta suburbs felt a little like summer classic music festivals at Tanglewood, Aspen or Santa Fe,” said The Birmingham News after the ASO’s all-Beethoven concert last summer.
The Amphitheatre opened on May 10, 2008 with Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony
Orchestra and Chorus, including a 700-musician grand-finale performance of Tchaikovsky’s
1812 Overture. The 2008 inaugural classical concert season also featured Robert Spano and the
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in an array of programs including a concert-staged production of
Puccini’s La Bohème, a 4th of July spectacular, a free concert for the community, and artists
including Garrick Ohlsson, Robert McDuffie, Julie Andrews, Robert Osborne (Turner Classic
Movies), and the Marcus Roberts Trio.
Each Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concert at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park
offers table-seating in the main Orchestra section of the venue, reserved seating throughout the
pavilion, and lawn seating. Complementing this seating variation is an experience influenced by
the repertoire and theme of the Orchestra: Live on-site broadcasts, Top of the Lawn
conversations, and themed cuisine allow audiences to create their own unique evening of
enjoyment at the ASO’s summer home.
Live On-Site Broadcast & Text-Message Questions from Audience
The Atlanta Symphony continues the tradition of introducing members of the ASO to the
audience with an evening-long live, on-site broadcast of the concert on large 15′x20′ screens,
which are permanently affixed on either side of the stage. The live feed will include a preconcert
show, as well as live intermission interviews of guest artists and musicians from the
Orchestra, fueled by text-message questions sent by the audience the night of the concert.
Top of the Lawn
Pre-concert Top of the Lawn events will continue in 2009. ASO Insider and Program Annotator
Ken Meltzer will take his pre-concert conversations to the tree-lined lawn of the Amphitheatre
prior to each Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concert at the venue. Mr. Meltzer’s conversations
with ASO musicians will take place at the top-center of the lawn, and include a Q&A with the
audience. All Top of the Lawn events begin at 7:10 p.m. before each 8:00 p.m. ASO concert.
This event will begin at 7:40 p.m. on Saturday, August 1 (Rodgers & Hammerstein at the
Movies) when the concert begins at 8:30 p.m.
Themed Cuisine
Ovations, the on-site caterer for Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, will offer themed cuisine to
complement the programming of all ASO concerts at the Amphitheatre. For the ASO’s June 27
concert, an Austria-Euro themed cuisine will accompany the regular fare offered at the venue.
Concertgoers may pre-order a $30 picnic basket (which serves two people) of sliced breast of
roasted paprika chicken, zesty dill cucumber salad, and hazelnut cheesecake. Concertgoers may
also enjoy an Almond Concerto of chili, sea salt and dark chocolate almonds from the
concessions the night of the concert.
To pre-order a picnic basket, or to view the full menu available for each concert, visit the
General Info/Food and Beverage section online at http://www.vzwamp.com/planvisit/foodand-
beverage.php.
Popular Concerts
The ASO recently presented two sold-out concerts of the Dave Matthews Band on April 27 and
28, 2009. Other scheduled concerts include a sold-out Kenny Chesney performance on May 28,
2009; Chicago/Earth Wind & Fire on June 6, 2009; Styx and REO Speedwagon on June 21,
2009; Stevie Wonder on June 24, 2009; StarFest featuring Jason Mraz on July 27, 2009; Bob
Dylan with John Mellencamp and Willie Nelson on July 30, 2009; Incubus on August 14, 2009;
Judas Priest/Whitesnake on August 20, 2009; O.A.R on August 21, 2009; and Journey on
September 19, 2009, among others. Additional concerts will be announced. For up-todate
concert listings and information, visit vzwamp.com.
The 2009 venue sponsors include Verizon Wireless, Bud Light, AirTran Airways, Cadillac,
Chevrolet, Georgia Natural Gas, Belvedere, Vineyard Brands, Publix, Shoreline Limousine and
North Fulton Regional Hospital.
Artists
Conductor Grant Llewellyn is Music Director of the North Carolina Symphony as well as
Principal Conductor of the Handel & Haydn Society. Born in Tenby, South Wales, Mr.
Llewellyn won a Conducting Fellowship to the Tanglewood Music Center in 1985 where he
worked with such major artists as Bernstein, Ozawa, Masur and Previn, and was later appointed
Assistant Conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Mr. Llewellyn began his tenure as North Carolina Symphony Music Director in 2004. Critics
have praised his “transcendent performances,” “masterful pacing and control,” and “graceful and
expressive direction.” Notable recent European guest engagements have included the Frankfurt
Radio Symphony Orchestra, the City of Birmingham Symphony, the SWR Radio Symphony
Orchestra Stuttgart, and the Helsinki Philharmonic. These concerts will mark his Atlanta
Symphony Orchestra debut.
Pianist Pedja Muzijevic has toured extensively as a soloist with orchestras and as a recitalist
throughout eastern and western Europe, Great Britain, Canada, the United States, South
America, Australia and Asia. His artistic curiosity has led him to explore both the music of the
18th and 19th centuries on period instruments and the music of contemporary composers.
Mr. Muzijevic has performed with the Milwaukee Symphony, the Residentie Orkest in The
Hague, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Dresden Philharmonic, Shinsei Nihon Orchestra in Tokyo,
Orquesta Sinfonica in Montevideo, and the Zagreb Philharmonic, among others. He has played
solo recitals at Lincoln Center, Alice Tully Hall, and the Frick Collection in New York, Casals
Hall and Bunka Kaikan in Tokyo, Teatro Municipal in Santiago de Chile, Da Camera of
Houston, and the National Gallery in Washington, DC. His Carnegie Hall concerto debut
playing Mozart Concerto K. 503 with the Oberlin Symphony, led by ASO Music Director Robert
Spano, was recorded live and has been released on the Oberlin Music label. These performances
will mark his Atlanta Symphony Orchestra debut.
About the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, currently in its 64th season, is one of America’s leading orchestras, known for the excellence of its live performances, presentations, renowned choruses, and its impressive list of Grammy® Award-winning recordings. The leading cultural organization in the Southeast, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra serves as the cornerstone for artistic development and music education in the region. Under the Creative Partnership of Music Director Robert Spano, Principal Guest Conductor Donald Runnicles, and President and CEO Allison Vulgamore since September 2001, the Orchestra and audiences together explore a creative programming mix, recordings, and visual enhancements, such as the ASO Theater of a Concert, the Orchestra’s continuing exploration of different formats, settings, and enhancements
for the musical performance experience. Another example is the Atlanta School of Composers, which reflects Mr. Spano and the Orchestra’s commitment to nurturing and championing music through multi-year partnerships defining a new generation of American composers.
During its 31-year history with Telarc, the Orchestra has recorded more than 100 albums and its recordings have won 26 Grammy Awards in categories including Best Classical Album, Best Orchestral Performance, Best Choral Performance, and Best Opera Performance. The ASO Chorus has earned nine Grammy® Awards for Best Choral Performance, most recently for the Berlioz Requiem in 2005.
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performs more than 200 concerts each year to a combined audience of more than a half million in a full schedule of performances which also feature educational and community concerts. A recognized leader and supporter of contemporary American music, the Orchestra recently received the 2007 award for Strongest Commitment to New American Music from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. In addition, Music Director Robert Spano was named Musical America 2008 Conductor of the Year. With the opening of the 12,000-seat Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park (vzwamp.com) in May 2008, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra became the first U.S. orchestra to annually perform and present in its concert hall, and in two amphitheaters. For 36 years, the Orchestra has also performed at the legendary Chastain Park Amphitheater, the award-winning 6,800 seat venue in Atlanta, during the ASO’s annual Delta Classic Chastain concert series (deltaclassicchastain.com).
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving more than 86.6 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 86,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and highresolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
About the Woodruff Arts Center
The Woodruff Arts Center is the largest arts center in the Southeast as well as one of the largest in the nation. The Woodruff is unique in that it combines four visual and performing arts divisions on one campus as one not-for-profit organization. Opening in 1968, the Woodruff Arts Center is home to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Alliance Theatre, High Museum of Art, and Young Audiences. To learn more about the Woodruff Arts Center, please visit woodruffcenter.org.
Ticket Information
Single tickets for Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concerts at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre are
now available to the public. Tickets remaining Orchestral and Popular Concerts may be
purchased at the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office, located in the Woodruff Arts Center at
15th and Peachtree Streets. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00
p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased at the
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Box Office Monday through Friday, noon to 4:00 p.m., and
Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. To purchase tickets online, visit atlantasymphony.org
or ticketmaster.com. Tickets may also be purchased by calling 1-800-745-3000, or by visiting
any Ticketmaster outlet, including Publix Super Markets.
Saturday, June 27, 2008 (All-Mozart) — table, concert, and lawn seating: $21–$59
Saturday, July 4, 2008 (Independence Day) — table, concert, and lawn seating: $21–$59
Saturday, July 11, 2008 (Star Wars) — table, concert, and lawn seating: $21–$59
Saturday, July 25, 2008 (All-Beethoven) — table, concert, and lawn seating: $21–$59
Saturday, August 1, 2008 (Rodgers and Hammerstein) — table, concert, and lawn seating: $21–59
Saturday, August 15, 2008 (Rising Stars) — table, concert, and lawn seating: $21–$59
The Starbucks Free Parks Concert for the community will be a free event, but will require
tickets. Details will be announced.
Additional concert and ticket information for popular concerts will be announced.
* * *
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park is owned by the Robert W. Woodruff Arts Center, Inc., and is operated by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Upon the opening of the Amphitheatre, the ASO became the first U.S. orchestra to perform and present in its concert hall and in two amphitheaters. For 36 years, the ASO has presented and performed concerts at Chastain Park Amphitheater, the legendary award-winning 6,800-seat venue in Atlanta. The investment by the Woodruff Arts Center, with the support of the Woodruff Foundation, will advance the mission of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and also continue to have a significant economic impact on the entire region.
* * *
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park is located at 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta, GA, 30009. For information, visit atlantasymphony.org or vzwamp.com, or call (404) 733-5010.
* * *
Major support is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Fulton County Arts Council.
* * *
MAGNIFICENT MOZART
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, Alpharetta, GA
Saturday, June 27, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Grant Llewellyn, conductor*
Pedja Muzijevic, piano*
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
MOZART Overture to Marriage of Figaro
MOZART Piano Concerto in D minor
MOZART Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter”
* denotes ASO debut
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
LeAnn Rimes to Appear at the Fred June 5th & 6th
The Fred, Peachtree City’s premier 2500 seat outdoor amphitheater, continues the Lexus of South Atlanta Summer Concert Series on June 5th and 6th with country music super-star LeAnn Rimes. Tickets are still available and may be purchased at the Fred Box Office (770-631-0630) or by ordering online at www.amphitheater.org.
Always mature beyond her age, the 13-year-old girl with the Patsy Cline twang earned two Grammy Awards for Blue, her 1996 major label debut. RIAA-certified multi-platinum, the album has sold 8 million copies and the title track remains one of her signature songs. She followed that impressive bow with a series of best-selling albums and hit singles (23 total for a combined sales of 15 million units) like the chart-topping "How Do I Live," the longest running single on the Billboard Hot 100, and "Can't Fight the Moonlight," one of four songs Rimes contributed to the multi-platinum soundtrack album Coyote Ugly. The album spent more than 100 weeks on Billboard's pop and country album charts, peaking at #1 and #10 respectively on Billboard's Top Country Album and Top 200 Album charts. LeAnn Rimes has gone from that "little girl with the big voice" to a woman who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to fight to get it.
LeAnn Rimes has sold more than 37 million albums, won two GRAMMY Awards, three Academy of Country Music Awards and twelve Billboard Music Awards. Rimes is the youngest GRAMMY Award-winner ever and was the first country recording artists to win the GRAMMY”S “Best New Artist” category. Rimes also became the first artist to have a song on Billboard’s Country, Adult Contemporary and Dance charts simultaneously.
Earlier this year, her heartfelt self-penned song, “What I Cannot Change,” was nominated for a GRAMMY® Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance this year. The remix of the song is currently climbing the Billboard “Hot Dance Club Play” chart as well.
Aside from the Summer Concert Series, The Fred hosts a full schedule of events from May – October including Flicks at the Fred, a Family Sock Hop, spotlight concerts and more. For a complete listing of events visit the web site at www.amphitheater.org.
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Always mature beyond her age, the 13-year-old girl with the Patsy Cline twang earned two Grammy Awards for Blue, her 1996 major label debut. RIAA-certified multi-platinum, the album has sold 8 million copies and the title track remains one of her signature songs. She followed that impressive bow with a series of best-selling albums and hit singles (23 total for a combined sales of 15 million units) like the chart-topping "How Do I Live," the longest running single on the Billboard Hot 100, and "Can't Fight the Moonlight," one of four songs Rimes contributed to the multi-platinum soundtrack album Coyote Ugly. The album spent more than 100 weeks on Billboard's pop and country album charts, peaking at #1 and #10 respectively on Billboard's Top Country Album and Top 200 Album charts. LeAnn Rimes has gone from that "little girl with the big voice" to a woman who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to fight to get it.
LeAnn Rimes has sold more than 37 million albums, won two GRAMMY Awards, three Academy of Country Music Awards and twelve Billboard Music Awards. Rimes is the youngest GRAMMY Award-winner ever and was the first country recording artists to win the GRAMMY”S “Best New Artist” category. Rimes also became the first artist to have a song on Billboard’s Country, Adult Contemporary and Dance charts simultaneously.
Earlier this year, her heartfelt self-penned song, “What I Cannot Change,” was nominated for a GRAMMY® Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance this year. The remix of the song is currently climbing the Billboard “Hot Dance Club Play” chart as well.
Aside from the Summer Concert Series, The Fred hosts a full schedule of events from May – October including Flicks at the Fred, a Family Sock Hop, spotlight concerts and more. For a complete listing of events visit the web site at www.amphitheater.org.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
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www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
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Bluegrass Around Georgia
Wednesday, May 27 - Kentucky’s The Last Frontier, headed by J. P. Mathes of Hazard Community College will bring Tokyo Japan’s well known performer,Takeharu Kunimoto, to the Redlight Café for a very special and entertaining bluegrass music performance. The show kicks off at 8pm and you do not want to miss it. For more information: www.myspace.com/japanesebanjo or www.RedLightcafe.com.
Thursday, May 28 – Bluegrass Thursday at the Redlight Cafe, 553 Amsterdam Ave, Atlanta, GA 30306, will feature the returning Mayhem String Band from Oxford, MS. Jams start at 7pm, Show starts at 9pm. For more info, go to www.RedlightCafe.com or www.mayhemstringband.com.
Saturday, May 30 – Potter's Clay, Kirkland & Friends, Honey Creek Boys, Mark Hall & Filmore House Band will be featured at the Hollonville Opry in Hollonville, GA, A full evening of good bluegrass & country music. Donations accepted. First show starts at 6:30pm. For more info go to www.HollonvilleOpry.com or call 770-228-4832.
Saturday, May 30 – Three bands will be featured at the Williamson Music Barn, 2233 Hwy 362 West, Williamson, GA 30292. Donations accepted. For more info, please contact Dan Kilgore, 706-975-9045.
Tuesday, June 2 - Appearing at Eddie's Attic, 515-B North McDonough St, Decatur, GA 30030 will be Pert Near Sandstone from Minneapolis. Show starts at 8:00, $10 tix. This ole timy band is a riot to see. Fore more info: www.eddiesattic.com, eddie@eddiesattic.com or call 404-377-4976 x 0.
June 6, 2009 – Everetts Music Barn Benefit – The annual “Singing All Day and Dinner on the Ground” fund-raiser for the Everetts Music Barn. Performances will include many local bands and musicians plus some special onstage reunions. Stage show starts at 1:00 and continues until all bands have performed. Bring your favorite food or dessert for the covered dish dinner which starts at 5:00. All donations will benefit the Everetts Music Barn to help defray some of the annual operating expenses of the barn (taxes, insurance, etc.) The Everetts Music Barn (courtesy of the Everett Family) has been offering bluegrass shows every Saturday night for approximately 45 years. Please join us to say “THANKS” for the Everett Family’s dedication to the bluegrass community in Georgia. To volunteer or donate please call Diana Dunaway at 770-945-5628 or Connie Morris at 404-918-6217. www.everettbrothers.com or e-mail conniem1999@aol.com
Effective immediately: All shows at the Newborn Opry have been cancelled while the roof is repaired due to the heavy rain. An announcement will be made when the Opry starts again.
Every Tuesday – Bluegrass Jam - 7-9 at the Austrailian Bakery on the Square in Marietta, GA with plenty of space for jamming in the square on those fair weather days. For more info, Email John Andrews at bluegrass@australianbakery.com .
Every Tuesday– Bluegrass Jam, 7 – 9 pm (on the Antibelum trail between Athens and Macon) in Eatonton Georgia. Keith Rowell, Red Wing Old Time Music Show. For more info: http://redwingmusic.blogspot.com/ or E-mail Rowell@mindspring.com or call 706-923-0031
Every Thursday – 6pm to Dusk - Pickin' In The Park in McCaysville, Georgia (1.5 hours north of Atlanta, 10 miles from Blue Ridge). At Horseshoe Bend Park alongside the beautiful Toccoa River. For more info: www.PickinthePark.com - or - 423-496-4653 - or emai: lisa@pickinthepark.com
Thursday nights - 6:30pm until ?? - Cherry Log Pickin' Whitepath Fire Station #11 (behind Blue Ridge Auto Auction of SR 515. Cross RR tracks, new station on left. Location @ 3 miles N. of Ellijay on left, look for the American Flag). Bring chairs and friends for family fun. Admission:FREE Contact: Al or Dana Henderson 706-635-3786.
Friday night before the second Saturday of each month except October and December - From Ringgold, Ga. Sacred Sounds Fridays at the Ringgold Depot, U.S. 41 and Depot Street, Ringgold, Ga. Gospel concert begins at 7:30 p.m., Donation of $5 at the door. Share America Foundation, Inc. event benefits the Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship Fund. Randall Franks, "Officer Randy Goode" from TV's "In the Heat of the Night" emcees. For more information and talent info: www.shareamericafoundation.org.
Every Saturday - Mountain Music Jam, 2-6 p.m. (rain or shine) in Dahlonega at the Gold Museum on the Public Square. For more info: http://www.cityofdahlonega.com/announcements/Appalachian%20Jam%202009.pdf or email dahlonegadda@windstream.net or call Joel Cordle 706-864-6133; join its Facebook group. From the Facebook page, search groups for “Dahlonega Appalachian Jam.”
Last Saturday of each month – Apr through Sept - Eddie Rawlins has organized Pickin in the Grayson City Park. Pickin' starts at 6:30 PM and all pickers and listeners are invited. Shows are free. Bring your own chair.
Wanted – 1 old Gibson F4 Mandolin (1914 to the 20's). Please contact Tom Tyson or Jack Masters, JackMasters@mindspring.com
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Thursday, May 28 – Bluegrass Thursday at the Redlight Cafe, 553 Amsterdam Ave, Atlanta, GA 30306, will feature the returning Mayhem String Band from Oxford, MS. Jams start at 7pm, Show starts at 9pm. For more info, go to www.RedlightCafe.com or www.mayhemstringband.com.
Saturday, May 30 – Potter's Clay, Kirkland & Friends, Honey Creek Boys, Mark Hall & Filmore House Band will be featured at the Hollonville Opry in Hollonville, GA, A full evening of good bluegrass & country music. Donations accepted. First show starts at 6:30pm. For more info go to www.HollonvilleOpry.com or call 770-228-4832.
Saturday, May 30 – Three bands will be featured at the Williamson Music Barn, 2233 Hwy 362 West, Williamson, GA 30292. Donations accepted. For more info, please contact Dan Kilgore, 706-975-9045.
Tuesday, June 2 - Appearing at Eddie's Attic, 515-B North McDonough St, Decatur, GA 30030 will be Pert Near Sandstone from Minneapolis. Show starts at 8:00, $10 tix. This ole timy band is a riot to see. Fore more info: www.eddiesattic.com, eddie@eddiesattic.com or call 404-377-4976 x 0.
June 6, 2009 – Everetts Music Barn Benefit – The annual “Singing All Day and Dinner on the Ground” fund-raiser for the Everetts Music Barn. Performances will include many local bands and musicians plus some special onstage reunions. Stage show starts at 1:00 and continues until all bands have performed. Bring your favorite food or dessert for the covered dish dinner which starts at 5:00. All donations will benefit the Everetts Music Barn to help defray some of the annual operating expenses of the barn (taxes, insurance, etc.) The Everetts Music Barn (courtesy of the Everett Family) has been offering bluegrass shows every Saturday night for approximately 45 years. Please join us to say “THANKS” for the Everett Family’s dedication to the bluegrass community in Georgia. To volunteer or donate please call Diana Dunaway at 770-945-5628 or Connie Morris at 404-918-6217. www.everettbrothers.com or e-mail conniem1999@aol.com
Effective immediately: All shows at the Newborn Opry have been cancelled while the roof is repaired due to the heavy rain. An announcement will be made when the Opry starts again.
Every Tuesday – Bluegrass Jam - 7-9 at the Austrailian Bakery on the Square in Marietta, GA with plenty of space for jamming in the square on those fair weather days. For more info, Email John Andrews at bluegrass@australianbakery.com .
Every Tuesday– Bluegrass Jam, 7 – 9 pm (on the Antibelum trail between Athens and Macon) in Eatonton Georgia. Keith Rowell, Red Wing Old Time Music Show. For more info: http://redwingmusic.blogspot.com/ or E-mail Rowell@mindspring.com or call 706-923-0031
Every Thursday – 6pm to Dusk - Pickin' In The Park in McCaysville, Georgia (1.5 hours north of Atlanta, 10 miles from Blue Ridge). At Horseshoe Bend Park alongside the beautiful Toccoa River. For more info: www.PickinthePark.com - or - 423-496-4653 - or emai: lisa@pickinthepark.com
Thursday nights - 6:30pm until ?? - Cherry Log Pickin' Whitepath Fire Station #11 (behind Blue Ridge Auto Auction of SR 515. Cross RR tracks, new station on left. Location @ 3 miles N. of Ellijay on left, look for the American Flag). Bring chairs and friends for family fun. Admission:FREE Contact: Al or Dana Henderson 706-635-3786.
Friday night before the second Saturday of each month except October and December - From Ringgold, Ga. Sacred Sounds Fridays at the Ringgold Depot, U.S. 41 and Depot Street, Ringgold, Ga. Gospel concert begins at 7:30 p.m., Donation of $5 at the door. Share America Foundation, Inc. event benefits the Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship Fund. Randall Franks, "Officer Randy Goode" from TV's "In the Heat of the Night" emcees. For more information and talent info: www.shareamericafoundation.org.
Every Saturday - Mountain Music Jam, 2-6 p.m. (rain or shine) in Dahlonega at the Gold Museum on the Public Square. For more info: http://www.cityofdahlonega.com/announcements/Appalachian%20Jam%202009.pdf or email dahlonegadda@windstream.net or call Joel Cordle 706-864-6133; join its Facebook group. From the Facebook page, search groups for “Dahlonega Appalachian Jam.”
Last Saturday of each month – Apr through Sept - Eddie Rawlins has organized Pickin in the Grayson City Park. Pickin' starts at 6:30 PM and all pickers and listeners are invited. Shows are free. Bring your own chair.
Wanted – 1 old Gibson F4 Mandolin (1914 to the 20's). Please contact Tom Tyson or Jack Masters, JackMasters@mindspring.com
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www.FayetteFrontPage.com
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Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Southern Nights Chorale to Share Great Music at Annual "Friends and Family Concert" June 19th
The Southern Nights Chorale presents its season-ending “Friends & Family Concert” on Friday, June 19th at 7:30 p.m.. The Chorale will introduce its 2009 repertoire, which include special crowd-pleasers “You Raise Me Up” and “Joshua Fit De Battle of Jericho.”
Everyone is invited to enjoy a melodic evening of popular, sacred and patriotic music performed by this precision, men’s a cappella chorus.
Founded in 2004, the Southern Nights Chorale is achieving widespread recognition, and has been invited to sing at the Governor’s Mansion, Clayton County Performing Arts Center, and Atlanta Braves’ stadium.
As an added feature, locally-acclaimed classical guitarist, Alex Smith, will entertain with several selections that you'll find very moving.
This year’s concert will be held at Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, Hwy 54 @Peachtree Parkway in Peachtree City. Admission is free, and the performance will be followed by coffee and dessert.
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Everyone is invited to enjoy a melodic evening of popular, sacred and patriotic music performed by this precision, men’s a cappella chorus.
Founded in 2004, the Southern Nights Chorale is achieving widespread recognition, and has been invited to sing at the Governor’s Mansion, Clayton County Performing Arts Center, and Atlanta Braves’ stadium.
As an added feature, locally-acclaimed classical guitarist, Alex Smith, will entertain with several selections that you'll find very moving.
This year’s concert will be held at Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church, Hwy 54 @Peachtree Parkway in Peachtree City. Admission is free, and the performance will be followed by coffee and dessert.
---
Community News You Can Use
Follow us on Twitter: @gafrontpage
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.PoliticalPotluck.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
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Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Opens Second Classical Season
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Music Director Robert Spano
and The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus to perform excerpts from Barber of Seville, and Carmina Burana
Concert To Feature Soprano Georgia Jarman,
ASO Debuts of Tenor Nicholas Phan and Baritone Matthew Worth,
and the Gwinnett Young Singers
Music Director Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus will open the second classical season at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, the Orchestra’s new 12,000-seat state-of-the-art facility located in Alpharetta, GA (north of Atlanta), on Saturday, June 20, 2009, at 8:00 p.m. The concert will be led by Mr. Spano and feature Soprano Georgia Jarman, the ASO debuts of Tenor Nicholas Phan and Baritone Matthew Worth, and the Gwinnett Young Singers in excerpts from Rossini’s Barber of Seville, and Orff’s complete Carmina burana. Mr. Spano, who is currently rehearsing for Seattle Opera’s Ring Cycle in Seattle, is making the trip back to Atlanta especially to open the season.
“The Orchestra’s inaugural season at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park last summer was exhilarating. Audiences reaching far across North Georgia, and into neighboring states, have greatly expanded our footprint, with our attendance averaging at double the capacity of Atlanta Symphony Hall,” said Atlanta Symphony Orchestra President & CEO Allison Vulgamore. “This summer, we look forward to again offering the best musical talent on stage, and co-creating anew, with our committed new audiences, great concert experiences of all kinds in our new summer home.”
The Amphitheatre — nominated by Pollstar Concert Industry Awards as 2008 “Best New Major Concert Venue” and “Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue,” — serves as the outdoor home to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The scope of Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park has brought a new dimension to the region’s seasonal artistic offerings by featuring concerts with the internationally-recognized Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, leading popular presentations, as well as an emphasis on community events — including high school graduations, local fundraising events, and collaborations to create family-themed days, high school music concerts, and competitions.
Additional Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Concerts
In addition to the June 20 opening concert, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will perform seven concerts in the summer of 2009:
· On Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 8:00 p.m., an all-Mozart evening will be led by Grant Llewellyn in his ASO debut, and feature pianist Pedja Muzijevic in Mozart’s Piano Concerto in D minor. Also on the program is the Overture to Marriage of Figaro, and Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter.”
Music Director Robert Spano
and The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus to perform excerpts from Barber of Seville, and Carmina Burana
Concert To Feature Soprano Georgia Jarman,
ASO Debuts of Tenor Nicholas Phan and Baritone Matthew Worth,
and the Gwinnett Young Singers
Music Director Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus will open the second classical season at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, the Orchestra’s new 12,000-seat state-of-the-art facility located in Alpharetta, GA (north of Atlanta), on Saturday, June 20, 2009, at 8:00 p.m. The concert will be led by Mr. Spano and feature Soprano Georgia Jarman, the ASO debuts of Tenor Nicholas Phan and Baritone Matthew Worth, and the Gwinnett Young Singers in excerpts from Rossini’s Barber of Seville, and Orff’s complete Carmina burana. Mr. Spano, who is currently rehearsing for Seattle Opera’s Ring Cycle in Seattle, is making the trip back to Atlanta especially to open the season.
“The Orchestra’s inaugural season at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park last summer was exhilarating. Audiences reaching far across North Georgia, and into neighboring states, have greatly expanded our footprint, with our attendance averaging at double the capacity of Atlanta Symphony Hall,” said Atlanta Symphony Orchestra President & CEO Allison Vulgamore. “This summer, we look forward to again offering the best musical talent on stage, and co-creating anew, with our committed new audiences, great concert experiences of all kinds in our new summer home.”
The Amphitheatre — nominated by Pollstar Concert Industry Awards as 2008 “Best New Major Concert Venue” and “Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue,” — serves as the outdoor home to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. The scope of Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park has brought a new dimension to the region’s seasonal artistic offerings by featuring concerts with the internationally-recognized Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, leading popular presentations, as well as an emphasis on community events — including high school graduations, local fundraising events, and collaborations to create family-themed days, high school music concerts, and competitions.
Additional Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Concerts
In addition to the June 20 opening concert, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will perform seven concerts in the summer of 2009:
· On Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 8:00 p.m., an all-Mozart evening will be led by Grant Llewellyn in his ASO debut, and feature pianist Pedja Muzijevic in Mozart’s Piano Concerto in D minor. Also on the program is the Overture to Marriage of Figaro, and Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter.”
· On Saturday, July 4, 2009 at 8:00 p.m., Bridget Reischl will lead the Orchestra in an Independence Day concert featuring The U.S. Army Chorus. Fireworks will follow the concert.
· On Saturday, July 11, 2009 at 8:00 p.m., ASO Assistant Conductor and League of American Orchestras Fellow Mei-Ann Chen will lead the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Chorus in the music of Star Wars. Also on the program is R. Strauss’s Prelude to Also sprach Zarathustra, and Holst’s The Planets, which will feature NASA footage of the solar system.
· On Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 8:00 p.m., Hugh Wolff will lead the Orchestra in an all-Beethoven concert featuring pianist Juho Pohjonen in his ASO debut performing the Piano Concerto No. 2. Also on the program will be Leonore Overture No. 3, and the Symphony No. 3.
· On Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 8:30 p.m.¸ Richard Kaufman will lead the ASO in “Rodgers and Hammerstein at the Movies,” a Turner Classic Movie Night hosted by TCM Host Robert Osborne. The program will feature footage from Rodgers and Hammerstein classics such as State Fair, The King and I, South Pacific, Oklahoma, The Sound of Music, and Carousel.
· On Saturday, August 15, 2009 at 8:00 p.m., sixteen-year-old conductor Ilyich Rivas will make his U.S. debut leading the ASO in Verdi’s Vespri Overture, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto featuring Elena Urioste as soloist.
· As part of the annual Starbucks Free Parks Concerts, the ASO will perform a free concert for the community at the Amphitheatre in September 2009. Details will be announced.
* The gates for all ASO concerts will open one hour before the start of each concert.
Community Concerts and Events
As part of the annual Starbucks Free Parks Concerts, the ASO will perform a free concert for the community at the Amphitheatre in September 2009. Details will be announced.
On Saturday, May 23, 2009, the local Alpharetta High School Class of 2009 will hold their graduation at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, one of a number of community events planned to take place at the venue.
On Saturday, April 18, 2009, the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce held its 36th Annual Chairman’s Gala at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park.
The Amphitheatre Experience
“When a cool breeze whisked away the muggy air at sunset, the north Atlanta suburbs felt a little like summer classic music festivals at Tanglewood, Aspen or Santa Fe,” said The Birmingham News after the ASO’s all-Beethoven concert last summer.
The Amphitheatre opened on May 10, 2008 with Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, including a 700-musician grand-finale performance of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. The 2008 inaugural classical concert season also featured Robert Spano and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in an array of programs including a concert-staged production of Puccini’s La Bohème, a 4th of July spectacular, a free concert for the community, and artists including Garrick Ohlsson, Robert McDuffie, Julie Andrews, Robert Osborne (Turner Classic Movies), and the Marcus Roberts Trio.
Each Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concert at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park offers table-seating in the main Orchestra section of the venue, reserved seating throughout the pavilion, and lawn seating. Complementing this seating variation is an experience influenced by the repertoire and theme of the Orchestra: Live on-site broadcasts, Top of the Lawn conversations, and themed cuisine allow audiences to create their own unique evening of enjoyment at the ASO’s summer home.
Live On-Site Broadcast & Text-Message Questions from Audience
The Atlanta Symphony continues the tradition of introducing members of the ASO to the audience with an evening-long live, on-site broadcast of the concert on large 15′x20′ screens, which are permanently affixed on either side of the stage. The live feed will include a pre-concert show, as well as live intermission interviews of guest artists and musicians from the Orchestra, fueled by text-message questions sent by the audience the night of the concert.
Top of the Lawn
Pre-concert Top of the Lawn events will continue in 2009. ASO Insider and Program Annotator Ken Meltzer will take his pre-concert conversations to the tree-lined lawn of the Amphitheatre prior to each Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concert at the venue. Mr. Meltzer’s conversations with ASO musicians will take place at the top-center of the lawn one hour before each concert, and include a Q&A with the audience. All Top of the Lawn events begin at 7:10 p.m. before each 8:00 p.m. ASO concert. This event will begin at 7:40 p.m. on Saturday, August 1 (Rodgers & Hammerstein at the Movies) when the concert begins at 8:30 p.m.
Themed Cuisine
Ovations, the on-site caterer for Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, will offer themed cuisine to complement the programming of all ASO concerts at the Amphitheatre. For the ASO’s June 20 concert, Spanish-themed cuisine will complement the regular fare offered at the venue. Concertgoers may pre-order a $30 picnic basket (which serves two people) of traditional Gazpacho, marinated olives, Manchego cheese, fresh baked bread, and almond cakes in advance of the concert. Concertgoers may also enjoy almond cakes from the concessions the night of the concert.
To pre-order a picnic basket, or to view the full menu available for each concert, visit the General Info/Food and Beverage section online at http://www.vzwamp.com/planvisit/food-and-beverage.php..
Popular Concerts
The ASO recently presented two sold-out concerts of the Dave Matthews Band on April 27 and 28, 2009. Other scheduled concerts include a sold-out Kenny Chesney performance on May 28, 2009; Chicago/Earth Wind & Fire on June 6, 2009; Styx and REO Speedwagon on June 21, 2009;Stevie Wonder on June 24, 2009; StarFest featuring Jason Mraz on July 27, 2009; Incubus on August 14, 2009; Judas Priest/Whitesnake on August 20, 2009; O.A.R on August 21, 2009; and Journey on September 19, 2009, among others. Additional concerts will be announced. For up-to-date concert listings and information, visit vzwamp.com.
The 2009 venue sponsors include Verizon Wireless, Bud Light, AirTran Airways, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Georgia Natural Gas, Belvedere, Vineyard Brands, Publix, Shoreline Limousine and North Fulton Regional Hospital.
Artists
Music Director Robert Spano, currently in his eighth season as music director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, is recognized internationally as one of the most imaginative conductors today. Since 2001 he has invigorated and expanded the Orchestra’s repertoire while elevating the ensemble to new levels of international prominence and acclaim.
The Orchestra and audiences together explore a creative programming mix, recordings, and visual enhancements, such as Theater of a Concert, the Orchestra’s continuing exploration of different formats, settings, and enhancements for the musical performance experience, including the first concert-staged performances of John Adams’s Doctor Atomic in November 2008. The Atlanta School of Composers reflects Mr. Spano and the Orchestra’s commitment to nurturing and championing music through multi-year partnerships defining a new generation of American
composers, including Osvaldo Golijov, Jennifer Higdon, Christopher Theofanidis, and Michael Gandolfi. Since the beginning of his tenure, Mr. Spano and the ASO have performed nearly 100 contemporary works (composed since 1950), including seven ASO-commissioned world premieres, two additional world premieres, and one U.S. premiere.
Last season, Mr. Spano conducted and recorded the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in Puccini’s La Bohème, the first American recording of the opera since 1956. It was released by
Telarc in conjunction with the semi-staged performance he led at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, the Orchestra’s new state-of-the-art 12,000-seat venue in Alpharetta, GA, where he conducted all of the orchestral concerts in the venue’s inaugural season.
Mr. Spano continues to expand the discography of the Atlanta Symphony to include the music of Atlanta School composers Christopher Theofanidis, Jennifer Higdon, and Michael Gandolfi, as well as John Adams, David Del Tredici, Sibelius’ Kullervo, Brahms’s Requiem, a recently-released live recording of La Bohème and the Grammy® Award-winning recordings of Vaughan Williams’s A Sea Symphony and Berlioz’s Requiem. Mr. Spano and the ASO have also recently
recorded two discs of the music by Atlanta School composer Osvaldo Golijov for Deutsche Grammophon: one including Three Songs and Oceana, and the other including the chamber opera Ainadamar, which was awarded two Grammys. In 2008, Robert Spano was named Musical America Conductor of the Year.
Soprano Georgia Jarman has been hailed by the New York Times for her “luminous, appealing, and agile voice, and crystalline coloratura.” She now returns to New Orleans Opera for the role of Violetta in La Traviata, and to the Opera de Colombia for Mimi in La Bohème. She also sings the Three Heroines in Les contes d’Hoffmann with Boston Lyric Opera, in a return to Polish National Opera and Rozenn in Lalo’s Le roi d’Ys with the American Symphony Orchestra in her Avery Fisher Hall debut, and joins the Metropolitan Opera roster. Ms. Jarman most recently performed with the ASO at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater at Encore Park for a concert-staged production of Puccini’s La Bohème — she also appears as Musetta on the Telarc recording with the Orchestra.
Tenor Nicholas Phan joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for performances of Stravinksy's Pulcinella both in Chicago and in New York and appeared with the Music of the Baroque in
performances of Hercules. He will also be presented in recital by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Oberlin Conservatory of Music (under the auspices of the Marilyn Horne Foundation), and the University of Chicago. Upcoming engagements include his debuts with the San Francisco Symphony, returns to the Marlboro Festival and the Rheingau Festival, and his debut at the Edinburgh International Festival. These performances will mark his Atlanta Symphony Orchestra debut.
Baritone Matthew Worth has been noted for his “dashing, fine bright baritone” by the Dallas Morning News, and by the The New York Times for a voice that is “fully powered and persuasively expressive.” His engagements in 2008-09 include the title role in Britten's Owen Wingrave in a return to Chicago Opera Theater, Silvio in I Paglacci with Opera Company of North Carolina, Belcore in L'elisir d'amore with Opera Grand Rapids, Danilo in The Merry Widow with Dayton Opera, and Mercutio in Roméo et Juliette with Syracuse Opera. These performances will mark his Atlanta Symphony Orchestra debut.
The Gwinnett Young Singers of Atlanta was organized in 1990 to provide an advanced choral opportunity for singers in second through twelfth grade. Under the direction of Founder and Music Director, Lynn Urda, the choir is a nationally recognized children's chorus, well-known for its mastery of challenging repertoire and high musical standard. The Gwinnett Young Singers have performed for ten holiday seasons with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in Christmas with the ASO, and are featured in the PBS National Television Broadcast of Christmas with Robert Shaw. Other performances with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra include Bizet's Opera, Carmen, Kid's Holiday Concerts, Hallelujah Handel, Carl Orff's Carmina burana, Benjamin Britten's War Requiem, Pucinni's La Bohème, Howard Shore's The Lord of the Rings, and John Adams' El Nino and On the Transmigration of Souls. The Young Singers will be featured on the upcoming CD release of La Bohème and On the Transmigration of Souls with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. The choir has performed for thousands of music educators at the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) conferences in Charleston, South Carolina and Nashville Tennessee. They have also had the distinct privilege of performing three joint concerts with the world renowned American Boychoir of Princeton, New Jersey. The new Georgia Young Men's Ensemble, under the direction of Phillip Shoultz, has gained accolades from Fernando Malvar-Ruiz, Music Director of the American Boychoir who states, “I am so very impressed with your new young men's ensemble. In such a short time they have become an excellent choir!”
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