Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Y’all…Saturday, Sept. 22, is Practically Here!
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| (Celebrate where you are on the journey of life through music - step by step, measure by measure!) "Let’s journey through the music of the season together, remembering the experiences that have made us who we are, and perhaps along the way, rediscover who we want to be." - Maestro Bohuslav Rattay |
Opening Concert of Season 55
Saturday, September 22
By Angie Manning
Saturday, September 22
By Angie Manning
“When you’re a Jet, you’re Jet all the way!” – It’s Bernstein’s West Side Story suite (New York) to a Czech favorite by Smetana! This opening concert the “Journey from the Czech Republic to New York City” is going to be fantastic. (All the cool Jets are going to be there!) So, for sure mark your calendars, get a sitter or bring the kids. The night is going to be special on many fronts.
The Lake Charles Symphony under the direction of Maestro Bohuslav Rattay opens its 55th season with a concert honoring William Kushner, beloved and longtime conductor of the symphony. The symphony has chosen “Journeys” as its theme for the 2012-2013 season. Its theme reflects movement, both literally and figuratively. For Maestro Rattay, it was a journey which began in Prague and ended in Lake Charles, a journey from playing bassoon in the orchestra to conducting that same orchestra!
When the Lake Charles Symphony’s dynamic, young conductor takes the podium in Rosa Hart Theater, he brings energy and passion to the music, whether it’s from his native Czech Republic or perennial concert favorites. He has received acclaim from critics and audiences around the world. So, what I am saying is that you should totally make the scene to find out why, right?
When the Lake Charles Symphony’s dynamic, young conductor takes the podium in Rosa Hart Theater, he brings energy and passion to the music, whether it’s from his native Czech Republic or perennial concert favorites. He has received acclaim from critics and audiences around the world. So, what I am saying is that you should totally make the scene to find out why, right?
Rattay reflects on the upcoming season: “The gift of music allows us to take a journey of the soul. As human-beings, we relate to the sounds expressed in the music-the serenity, the sadness, the anxiety, the climax, and the final resolution all remind us of our past experiences - our own life journey. This season, I invite you to truly surrender to the music, and let it take you somewhere inside of yourself. Let’s journey through the music of the season together, remembering the experiences that have made us who we are, and perhaps along the way, rediscover who we want to be.”
Featured tenor will be Fred VanNess, Jr., a native of Kinder who studied at McNeese State University where his love of opera took flight. His recent engagements include Don Jose in Carmen with the North End Music Performing Arts Center, Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni with Longwood Opera, and Tamino in Die Zauberflöte with Opera del West. Other credits are Rodolfo in La Boheme, Dr. Cajus in Falstaff, Charlie in Das Kliene Magahonny and Fenton in Falstaff as part of the Montefeltro Music Festival in Novafeltria, Italy. His concert credits consist of Handel’s “Judas Maccabeus” and “Messiah,” Bach’s Cantata 131 and Scott Joplin's 100th Anniversary of his opera Treemonisha.
So, make it a night to remember for yourself, your family, a date…or whatever! Any occasion is the perfect occasion for great music. For more info, you can call the symphony office at (337) 433-1611 or go online at www.lcsymphony.org. You can also follow the Symphony on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lcsymphony or on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/lcsymphony.
So, make it a night to remember for yourself, your family, a date…or whatever! Any occasion is the perfect occasion for great music. For more info, you can call the symphony office at (337) 433-1611 or go online at www.lcsymphony.org. You can also follow the Symphony on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lcsymphony or on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/lcsymphony.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Music Can Move Your Feet: Become a Member of the Lake Charles Symphony!
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| Music can move your feet and guide your steps on a sonic adventure with the 55th Lake Charles Symphony's Season - Journeys! |
Hey, are YOU a member of
the Lake Charles Symphony?
The 55th Season - Journeys
(BTW, mark Sept. 22 on your calendar!)
-by Angie Manning
To be honest, it never even dawned on me to become an actual member of the Lake Charles Symphony until this year. (It totally never occurred to me), and I figured that maybe other people needed to get that memo too!
It’s a no-brainer for a music lover, and the 55th season is going to be fantastic. It’s called Journeys, and each of the concerts will concentrate on a series of songs that will take audience members on a musical adventure. Classical music is more of a sonic journey anyway, which is why I personally adore it. The first concert the “Journey from the Czech Republic to New York City” will be Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m. Did you mark that on your calendar? Okay, good!
Back to being a member…the Symphony has all sorts of events and concerts throughout the year from the Summer Pops (which we just had), to the Wild Beast Feast and the Christmas Gala and popular Holiday Home Tour – in addition to the classical concert season. When you attend all these amazing, cultural events, you will naturally start to feel part of a larger musical community in the area. It’s really smart to become a member too because with your membership, you get tickets to the classical concerts. Plus, for first-time members, you also get a free Discovery Series pass. So, I know what you’re thinking…what is the Discovery Series?
The Discovery Series is a sneak preview of the concert on the books. It’s when our brilliant conductor, Bohuslav Rattay and several musicians from the symphony perform in someone’s home. Pretty cool, huh? It’s an intimate mini concert with explanations, and further insight into the pieces that will be performed at the concert. So, not to be confusing, but it is generally a separate membership, which is $20. But, for a first-time Symphony membership, the Discovery Series is thrown in as a bonus. Score! (No pun intended!)
So, if you love music and culture, step out onto the wild side and become a member of the Lake Charles Symphony. An individual membership is $50 and includes tickets to each classical concert. You can order your membership online here: http://www.lcsymphony.org/order-online.html, or you can call the Symphony office at 337.433.1611.
For an overview of the Symphony, go to www.lcsymphony.org. Don’t forget to “like” the Symphony on Facebook www.facebook.com/lcsymphony or follow @lcsymphony on Twitter at www.twitter.com/lcsymphony!
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Jump on the Soul Train!
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| Breaking out the polyester are Ann Barilleaux, Richman Reinauer, Nomica Guillory, Billy Edwards &Angie Manning. |
LAKE CHARLES SYMPHONY
GOES MOTOWN - JULY 14
(Time to get your Summer Pops tickets!)
-By Angie Manning
GOES MOTOWN - JULY 14
(Time to get your Summer Pops tickets!)
-By Angie Manning
Are you ready for this?! The Motown musical era boasts some of the all-time greats like Marvin Gaye, The Temptations and The Supremes. This year, the Lake Charles Symphony invites everyone to jump on the “Soul Train” and take a nostalgic trip through the sixties for the Summer Pops Motown concert next Saturday, July 14.
For music-lovers who have never made it to a symphony concert, it’s a perfect way to experience the orchestra for the first time and meet the symphony’s conductor, Bohuslav Rattay, beginning his third season with the symphony. You can also meet some of the locals who are involved in supporting and promoting the symphony like co-chair of the Summer Pops, Richman Reinauer.
“It has been a blast working as co-chair of the 2012 Summer Pops. This group was determined to bring to Lake Charles a night combining the best of what a local symphony means to the community...some fun...some friends and family...some toe-tapping and most importantly some musical culture. Our Motown theme will bring some of the best national talent combined with our acclaimed local symphony to create a unique night of artistic fun,” said Reinauer.
Joining the party will also be Broadway stars! Singing the tunes that topped the Billboard charts during the sixties will be Broadway’s Ramona Keller, Destan Owens, and Kimberly JaJuan. Keller made her Broadway debut in “Smokey Joe’s Café” and originated the role of Radio 1 in Tony Kushner’s “Caroline or Change.” She revived this role in London at the Royal National Theater. Destan Owens starred on Broadway in “Rent,” “Smokey Joe’s Café,” and in “Dreamgirls” with Jennifer Holliday. Kimberly JaJuan has performed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Tours of “Smokey Joe’s Café,” Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Music of the Night,” “Dreamgirls,” and “Ragtime.”
So, what’s important? You need to mark your calendars, make plans and get your tickets! Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the music begins at 7:30 p.m. Reserved seats are $40 each or $300 for a table of eight. Riser seats are $20 and $25. Mr. Gatti’s will provide pizza which may be ordered in advance for reserved tables and seats, or purchased that evening. A cash bar is available.
FOR TICKETS, call the Symphony Office at (337) 433-1611 or order online at www.lcsymphony.org. Follow the Symphony on www.facebook.com, www.twitter.com/lcsymphony and www.lcsymphony.blogspot.com. Don't miss the Soul Train!
Sponsors: First Federal Bank is the Title Sponsor of this year’s Summer Pops with major support from La Lottery, Sasol, NAI Lake Charles and Mr. Gatti’s. Funding is also provided through a Partnership Grant from the City of Lake Charles and the Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA and also a Marketing Grant from the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau.
For music-lovers who have never made it to a symphony concert, it’s a perfect way to experience the orchestra for the first time and meet the symphony’s conductor, Bohuslav Rattay, beginning his third season with the symphony. You can also meet some of the locals who are involved in supporting and promoting the symphony like co-chair of the Summer Pops, Richman Reinauer.
“It has been a blast working as co-chair of the 2012 Summer Pops. This group was determined to bring to Lake Charles a night combining the best of what a local symphony means to the community...some fun...some friends and family...some toe-tapping and most importantly some musical culture. Our Motown theme will bring some of the best national talent combined with our acclaimed local symphony to create a unique night of artistic fun,” said Reinauer.
Joining the party will also be Broadway stars! Singing the tunes that topped the Billboard charts during the sixties will be Broadway’s Ramona Keller, Destan Owens, and Kimberly JaJuan. Keller made her Broadway debut in “Smokey Joe’s Café” and originated the role of Radio 1 in Tony Kushner’s “Caroline or Change.” She revived this role in London at the Royal National Theater. Destan Owens starred on Broadway in “Rent,” “Smokey Joe’s Café,” and in “Dreamgirls” with Jennifer Holliday. Kimberly JaJuan has performed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Tours of “Smokey Joe’s Café,” Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Music of the Night,” “Dreamgirls,” and “Ragtime.”
So, what’s important? You need to mark your calendars, make plans and get your tickets! Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the music begins at 7:30 p.m. Reserved seats are $40 each or $300 for a table of eight. Riser seats are $20 and $25. Mr. Gatti’s will provide pizza which may be ordered in advance for reserved tables and seats, or purchased that evening. A cash bar is available.
FOR TICKETS, call the Symphony Office at (337) 433-1611 or order online at www.lcsymphony.org. Follow the Symphony on www.facebook.com, www.twitter.com/lcsymphony and www.lcsymphony.blogspot.com. Don't miss the Soul Train!
Sponsors: First Federal Bank is the Title Sponsor of this year’s Summer Pops with major support from La Lottery, Sasol, NAI Lake Charles and Mr. Gatti’s. Funding is also provided through a Partnership Grant from the City of Lake Charles and the Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA and also a Marketing Grant from the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau.
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