News Release
Walla Walla Symphony Announces 2010-2011 Season
05/07/2010
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
May 3, 2010
Contact: Michael Wenberg
CEO, Walla Walla Symphony
Phone: 509-529-8020
E-mail: michael@wwsymphony.org
The Walla Walla Symphony announces its 104th Season
The 2010-11 Season Features Nationally Known Guest Artists, Nutcracker, and The Celtic Tenors
Walla Walla, WA - (May 3, 2010). Internationally-known artist, violinist Lindsay Deutsch, highlights the Walla Walla Symphony’s 2010-11 season which also features a horn solo by the Symphony’s own Dean Kravig, a romantic Viennese evening, and spectacular violinist Lindsay Deutsch, all directed by Maestro Yaacov Bergman. Two special events include The Eugene Ballet, returning in December for The Nutcracker, and The Celtic Tenors performing in October. The Discovery Series features the popular Mares ‘n Music in June. Four Chamber Music Soirees will feature musicians from the Walla Walla Symphony, and the Family Foodraiser concert features Mr. Smith’s Composition by Gregory Smith, and Gentle Blessings, an original composition by Gwyneth Walker, with a youth choir directed by Terry Koch.
“We’re one of the best music deals in the region," said Michael Wenberg, CEO of the Walla Walla Symphony. "World class music performed by one of the finest small town orchestras in the country, some fabulous guest artists, and our least expensive Symphony Series ticket is just $7. What can be better than that?”
Online season ticket sales begin May 15. Season ticket purchasers (or renewals) for the 2010-11 Symphony Series will get first opportunity to purchase tickets for special concerts, The Celtic Tenors and The Nutcracker. Until July 14, tickets to these events are only available via phone orders (please call 509-529-8020) and limited to 2010-11 season ticket holders. On July 15, 2010, ticket sales will be opened up to the general public. The Celtic Tenors perform at Cordiner Hall on Sunday, November 21, 2010, at 3:00 p.m. Performances for The Nutcracker are Tuesday, December 14 at 7:30 pm and Wednesday, December 15 at 7:30 pm, 2010, both at Cordiner Hall.
The Symphony Series for the new season includes “Opening Night” on Tuesday, October 26, 2010, with Symphony trumpeter William Berry’s composition, A Cup of Rejoicing, Schumann’s Cello Concerto in A Minor, and Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 in D Major. “Viennese Romance” on February 15, 2011 features a celebration of the Strauss family with waltzes and polkas, as well as Horn Concerto No. 1 in Eb by Richard Strauss, performed by Dean Kravig. Also on the program is Schubert’s Symphony in C Minor, known as the “Great” Symphony. On March 15 an all-strings concert, “The Four Seasons,” will thrill the audience with Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, Serenade for Strings Opus 48 by Tchaikovsky, and The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires by Piazzola, performed by world-renowned violinist Lindsay Deutsch. The final concert of the series is on April 19 with soprano Sarah Parnicky and baritone Jeremy Irland , program to be announced.
For the first time ever in Walla Walla, The Celtic Tenors perform on Sunday, October 17, 2010 at Cordiner Hall. The Irish-born group, Matthew Gilseman, James Nelson and Daryl Simpson, have established themselves as the most successful classical crossover artists ever to emerge from Ireland. They have sung leading roles in top opera companies, and performed in oratorios and concerts across the globe, appeared on TV in Europe, Canada and the USA, have sung for world leaders, and performed with orchestras including the BBC Concert Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, the Vancouver Symphony, and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. They have also headlined Irish and Celtic festivals in Europe and the USA.
The ever-popular Mares ‘n Music will be held on Sunday, June 12, 2011 at the Walla Walla Fairgrounds with Western riding and horsemanship featured with the Walla Walla Symphony.
The Saturday Soiree Chamber Music series concerts will be on January 22, February 12, March 12, and April 16 at the Walla Walla Country Club.
“We’re delighted to bring The Celtic Tenors to town to help us kick off the season,” said Wenberg. “We’re also looking forward to collaborating once again with The Eugene Ballet Company. We had such a great response from the community to their performance of The Nutcracker two years ago, we thought it would be fun to have them return.”
The Walla Walla Symphony, the oldest continuously operating symphony west of the Mississippi, has been under the artistic leadership of Music Director and Conductor Yaacov Bergman since 1987, and has performed in Cordiner Hall on the Whitman College campus since 1967. The Symphony is recognized for its adventurous programming, school programs, and tradition of performing original compositions. From October through June, the Walla Walla Symphony plays or sponsors concerts in a schedule that includes a mix of symphony concerts, special concerts and chamber music concerts. For more information, visit the Symphony’s website at www.wwsymphony.org or call the symphony office at 509-529-8020.