Ahhh, there’s nothing like sitting in the garden with a cup of coffee, a good book and some classical music playing in the background.  It’s also fun to get out again and catch some music by your Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra.  Although our 07-08 season is officially over, we still are active with community concerts right now.  Plus, we’re ramping up for our 80th season, which starts just a few short months from now, in September.

Glenn Bugala
Marketing Director

CALENDAR

• Afternoon Delights, May 14, 2 pm, Jewish Community Center
• Side by Side Concert, May 15, 7:30 pm, Pinckney High School
• Songs of Israel at Her 60th, May 18, 7 pm, Michigan Theater.  Call 734-665-4744

Our Afternoon Delights concert on May 18th was to feature Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra's Principal Horn Andrew Pelletier in concert.  Unfortunately, Andrew had to undergo an emergency appendectomy, so he will be unable to attend.  Our thoughts are with him, and we wish him a speedy recovery.

The show must go on, so we have provided a last minute substitution that will delight and amaze you.  Pianist Joel Schoenhals will be performing a concert of Schubert and Rachmaninoff. This concert, at the Jewish Community Center, will offer dessert at 1:30 pm followed at 2:00 pm by the one-hour concert. Single tickets are available at the door for $7.

Both pieces on the program actually have the same title, Moments Musicaux, and each piece is made up of six short movements.  Although chiefly remembered for his songs and symphonies, Schubert let his Moments Musicaux run free with pianistic effects. Moment #1 is a short conversation that wanders between major and minor. #2 is very lyrical but has outbursts of passion. #3 is a lively tune that makes its way to an extended coda in F Major. #4 uses a sixteenth note figuration reminiscent of Bach. #5 has been described as a scene of battle, while #6 is a melancholy piece with appogiaturas that help maintain tension.

Inspired by Schubert's piece, Rachmaninov's Moments Musicaux was composed during his mature compositional period and may have served as a study for his Preludes.  Its six movements feature a nocturne, a song without words, a barcarolle, virtuoso etude, and theme and variations.  The work is thick and textured, with virtuostic flourishes, and very enjoyable.
Joel Schoenhals is currently Associate Professor of Piano at EMU, and this is his 10th summer as a faculty member of the Chautauqua Insitution.  An active performer and recording artist, he has received praise for his recordings of Bartok, Schubert and Stravinsky.  He is an active member of the MTNA, lecturing and performing across the nation with music teachers associations.  Dr. Schoenhals holds a Master of Music, Doctorate of Musical Arts and Performer's Certificate from the Eastman School of music.  He earned his undergraduate degree in piano performance at Vanderbilt University.  He played Rhapsody in Blue with the Ann Arbor Symphony in our Intersections concert in Ypsilanti last April.

The Afternoon Delights series (formerly known as Matinée Musicale) provides an opportunity for everyone to enjoy top-quality professional music at an affordable price, midday time and convenient location. These non-denominational concerts are supported by the Howard Ando & Jane Wilkinson in memory of Florence Ando, the Rosebud Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs.

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The A²SO will join the adult and children’s choirs Kol Halev & Shir Chadash as Temple Beth Emeth presents "Songs of Israel at her 60th" at the Michigan Theater on May 18th at 7 pm. This event is part of the Ann Arbor Jewish Community’s celebration of Israel’s 60th Anniversary.

This is our yearly Stained Glass Concert with Temple Beth Emeth which usually takes place at the Temple, but because of the anniversary it is being moved to the Michigan Theater. 

The Symphony will play these pieces on the program:

• American and Israeli National Anthems
• Fanfare for Israel by Paul Ben-Haim
• Zigeunerweisen by Sarasate, with Yehonatan Berick as violin soloist
• Emek by Lavry
• Halutzim lieder

Prices are $12.00 General seating; $75.00 Reserved orchestra seating and afterglow with Maestro Arie Lipsky. Tickets are not being sold by the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are available by phone at 734-665-4744 or online at templebethemeth.org

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Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and Pinckney Orchestras at last
March’s Side-by-Side Concert at the High School.

On May 15 at 7:30 pm the Pinckney School Orchestras and the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra will play together in their second annual side-by-side concert at Jane Tasch Theater. Tickets are $10 and are on sale now at Pinckney Community Education at 810-225-3950, Pinckney Central Offices at 810-225-3900, and Busch's at 734-878-7500.

The Side-by-Side concert features the newly formed Pinckney High School Orchestra, Pinckney Middle School Orchestra students and the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra sharing stands and making great music. Together, they will perform a movement from Tchaikovsky’s light-hearted Symphony No. 2, often called Little Russian; the beloved Western favorite Hoe Down by the American composer Aaron Copland; and the Ashokan Farewell by Jay Ungar, a lilting Scottish waltz that was used in the PBS series The Civil War.

The A²SO will also reprise the final movement of Symphony No. 2, Op. 73, by Johannes Brahms, which was so brilliantly played at our April 18th concert. The final movement opens in a swirl of colors that contrasts with briefly with softer, singing moments before the movement drives to an energetic end.  The Symphony will also present West Side Story Selections and the Hungarian Dance No. 5.

This performance builds upon years of collaboration between the Pinckney Community Schools and the A²SO. The Pinckney Schools’ orchestra students have also been receiving group lessons in preparation for this concert as part of a grant received from the Southeastern Community Foundation. The Pinckney Elementary Schools are also very involved with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra.  Four of the schools are enrolled in the A²SO's Orchestra 101 program, which includes visits from the Brass, Wind, String and Percussion Ensembles, a visit from Maestro Lipsky and a field trip to the A²SO Youth Concert.

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Marne Smiley modeling at
String Fling 2008.

We presented our second annual String Fling luncheon and strolling fashion fundraiser on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at Barton Hills Country Club.  The event featured fashions from Vintage to Vogue and the opportunity to purchase special items from Lewis Jewelers and five other vendors.  Other vendors were on hand to sell one-of-a-kind trunk show items, too.

The fundraiser attracted more people than last year and resulted in more income for the Symphony than last year’s event.  Attendees enjoyed the venue this year and came home with many treasures.

The third annual event will take place April 22, 2009 at a venue yet to be determined.  Be sure to mark that date and take part in the popular ladies event of the season.

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The A²SO has teamed with the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum to explore how sound is generated, how humans hear, and how instruments and the human voice can make beautiful music. During the first half of the day, campers will have a chance to make musical instruments, play musical instruments, learn simple conducting patterns, explore symphonic music, move to the music, learn about sound waves and how the human ear hears and so much more! Then, after lunch, the class will work together to create a MUSIC VIDEO, premiering it for parents on the last day of class! This camp will be collaboratively (and harmoniously) taught by Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum staff and Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra staff.

Campers should bring their own snack, lunch and drink each day.

To register for this camp fill out the Hands-On Museum's Summer Camp Registration Form and fax (734.995.1188), mail (220 E. Ann St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104) or drop it off at the Museum during regular business hours. For availability and more information call 734.995.5439.

DATES August 18 - 22, 2008
TIME 9:30am - 3:30pm
COST $300 per person (10% off for Hands-On Museum members)
Location Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
Ages students entering grades 2 - 4

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