Seattle Collaborative Orchestra Concert - February 11th

Hi friends! It's been a while since I've played a concert, so I'm happy to be back at it.

Next Tuesday evening, I'll be performing with the Seattle Collaborative Orchestra - a group of students, professionals, and community members who get together to play music that wasn't composed by dead white dudes.

Here's what this concert will bring you:

Ethel Smyth - Serenade in D Major (1889)


Most people know Ethel Smyth as a British suffragist who got arrested for throwing rocks through the windows of parliamentarians who voted against giving some women the vote. She saw herself as primarily a composer and musician, though, and wrote some critically acclaimed songs and operas, a march that became the anthem of the women's suffrage movement, and started a choir while serving time in prison. Smyth was friends with Tchaikovsky, and you can hear some of his influence in her music. Overall, this piece is quite modern, fresh, and has some lovely delicate moments. I'm glad to be playing it for you.

Maria Newman - Brass Chorales, Op. 35, No. 3 (1997)

I'll be hearing this for the first time at the concert, since I'm not in it myself! From the snippets I've heard, it's beautiful. Come hear it for the first time with me.

Michael Daugherty - “Red Cape Tango,” from Metropolis Symphony (1993)

This is the finale from a symphony about... Superman! Yes, Superman. It depicts the epic battle between Superman and Doomsday, as a tango, with a Dies Irae theme woven through.


It sounds about like this, really- I think that Daugherty got the tone right. It's cartoony and flashy and fun and big and loud.

Arturo Márquez - Danzón No.2 (1994)

I keep playing this piece and that's fine because it is FUN and if you can hear it without dancing in your chair, you should probably see a doctor. Apparently, the danzón is still popular in parts of México, which is what inspired Mexican composer Arturo Márquez to write nine danzóns in total, although number 2 is his most popular and famous.

The concert is on the stage at Roosevelt High School on Tuesday, February 11th at 7:30 pm. It is FREE! for people under 18 years old, $15 for people over the age of 65, and $20 for everyone else. You can get tickets in advance here or at the door.

Other upcoming performances: Later this month, I will be in the pit for this year's musical put on by Seattle Prep, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. If you liked the Disney movie, you could come hear a talented bunch of high school kids (and me, in the pit) do it live! Shows are on February 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and March 1.