Conductor’s Corner
I am very pleased at the audience response, as more people seem to be coming to our concerts. Our next program on March 27 features the works of Franz Schubert. Both the Mass in G Major and the Fifth Symphony don’t have as large orchestrations as the later masses and symphonies, but are nonetheless very melodic and well-loved works. In the opening overture Rossini uses a musical effect new at the time – watch the second violins to see what they do. We are working very hard to complete our 2011-2012 season and expect to be able to announce our full program by the next concert, including some wonderful guest artists.
Letter from our President
For the March 27 concert we are delighted to once again present the Brevard High School Concert Chorus under the direction of Mary Beth Shumate. The Chorus last appeared with the Brevard Chamber Orchestra, our predecessor orchestra, in 2002. Mary Beth has been holding forth at Brevard High School for twenty years, and we will be the beneficiaries of all the training, inspiration, and love she has given to these students.
At the last concert I was very gratified, after mentioning my experience with the white-gloved ladies, to witness the tumultuous response of our audience to the orchestra and to our guest artist, Lori Hicks. Donald suggested as an encore to do the end of My Man’s Gone Now and Lori begged off, saying that once was all she could manage. With regard to the BHS Chorus, I have inside information that, should a tumultuous response happen again, this time an encore will be presented.
Additionally, Ms. Shumate’s talents have been brought to bear on the birthing of the BHS Jazz Choir, which will be featured in our free pre-concert performance beginning at 1:45pm in Scott Concert Hall. There’s lots of room, unlike Scott Commons, so please won’t you all come!!!
Following the concert there will be a Q&A session with Mary Beth and Maestro Portnoy. At the last Q&A with Lori the audience just kept growing, and they asked some very perceptive questions of Lori. This is your chance to interact with an artist and try to discover what really makes them tick.
For this concert we have invited the participants of the VISION 2011 class to attend as our guests. If you know any, please encourage them to come, and if you know any VISION participants from prior years, please also encourage those people to come. As you know, we are trying to bring everyone into the fold that we can, and greatly appreciate your help in doing so.
Invitations for the Spring Benefit on April 10 will be going out by the middle of March. Please watch your mail as we expect it to be a sell-out, and reservations are accepted on a first come first served basis.
Those of you in attendance at the last concert heard Maestro Portnoy announce some of our exciting repertoire and guest artists for next season, and we hope to have the entire slate available for you at the March concert. Shortly thereafter season tickets will go on sale, and we encourage you to sign up as soon as possible. Thank you so much for all that you do for us to make Brevard Philharmonic Brevard’s Orchestra!!!
Pre-Concert Events
Our free pre-concert activity will be the debut performance of the Brevard High School Jazz Choir, under the direction of Mary Beth Shumate, beginning at 1:45pm on March 27 in Scott Concert Hall.
