Helios Symphony Orchestra concert on Saturday, August 17th, and some dates for next season
Hello friends!
I have recently had the opportunity to join a brand-new orchestra- the Helios Symphony Orchestra. It was specifically founded for people to play in the summer, which is outside of the normal orchestra season. Helios is made up of people who play in community orchestras in Seattle, and some people who are home from universities on summer break, and want to play. It's an excellent group and I hope they do it again next year!
Here's what we're playing for you on the 17th:
I have recently had the opportunity to join a brand-new orchestra- the Helios Symphony Orchestra. It was specifically founded for people to play in the summer, which is outside of the normal orchestra season. Helios is made up of people who play in community orchestras in Seattle, and some people who are home from universities on summer break, and want to play. It's an excellent group and I hope they do it again next year!
Here's what we're playing for you on the 17th:
- Carnival Overture, Antonin Dvorak- I haven't played Dvorak in ages, and this is a fun, short ride. It's a cheerful, festive piece with a catchy tune that might have you dancing in your chair, if the rest of the program doesn't.
- The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires, Astor Piazzolla- I love tango music and Piazzolla is who many people think of when they think of tango music! I am sadly not playing in this piece because it calls for fewer musicians than the others, but I've heard it in rehearsal and it's great. My friend who teaches tango and is an experienced tango dancer has told me that Piazzolla is next to impossible to actually dance to, but that won't stop me from fantasizing about doing so.
- Danzon No. 2, Arturo Marquez- Salsa rhythms abound and if you don't dance in your chair to this, check your pulse, honestly.
- Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Johannes Brahms- There is a reason that a bunch of this piece shows up on orchestral audition excerpts. It's because it has a bunch of parts in it that are just ridiculously difficult to play. Fortunately, it's also a wonderful piece of music. Astute readers will note that I played this with LUCO a couple of years ago, and I mentioned that the third movement is really famous. It deserves that fame, but I think I'm enjoying the proud theme in the first movement the most this time around.
The concert is on Saturday, August 17th at 7:30pm, at Plymouth Congregational Church. All tickets are $15 at the door, but you can get them cheaper online - $12.50 for Adults, $10.00 for Seniors (65+) and free for kids aged 12 and under - here. Let me know if you're coming to this one!
Speaking of when orchestra season is, the schedules for the other two orchestras I normally play in have been announced. I don't know if I will be in all of these concerts - it depends on things like my travel schedule and exactly how much music I think I can cram into my life. If you're interested in getting a rough idea, though, take a look at what LUCO and the Seattle Collaborative Orchestra are up to in the coming season.
And as always, thanks for reading!
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