February 3, 2010
The West Valley Symphony has a special treat for its patrons. The upcoming
March 14th program will feature a rare, 200-year-old violin with special
meaning – it was the personal instrument of one the Symphony’s Trustees.
Maestro Cal Stewart Kellogg will lead the orchestra in a program titled Melodic
Masterpieces, featuring Tessa Gotman performing Johannes Brahms’ Concerto
for Violin in D major. Ms. Gotman is currently pursuing her Masters
Degree in Violin Performance with Dr. Jonathan Swartz at Arizona State University.
The program also includes Franz Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 99 and Zoltán
Kodaly’s Galanta Dances
Ms. Gotman will perform the Brahms Concerto on the superb
violin, crafted by Joannes Gagliano, which was gifted to Arizona State University
by the West Valley Symphony’s own Louisa Kellam. Mrs. Kellam,
a Symphony Trustee and former West Valley Symphony musician, donated the rare
instrument to the Arizona State University School of Music which makes it
available to talented graduate students. This past Fall, Louisa learned
that the first student to benefit from the gift, Ms. Gotman, is the daughter
of a fellow musician and good friend from her days of performing with the
St. Louis Symphony. “I was so pleased to hear Tessa’s superb playing
at her Graduate Recital. Knowing that my beloved violin is being played
by such a talented artist is a great joy to me” says Mrs. Kellam. “And
what a small world it truly is, imagine of all the people in the music world,
that it would be the daughter of my St. Louis friends.”
The Melodic Masterpieces concert is the fourth and final one of the 2009-2010
season. The concert begins at 3:00PM at Prince of Peace Catholic Church,
14818 W. Deer Valley Road in Sun City West. Tickets are $25 for adults.
Youth (18 years and under) tickets are available for $15. All seating
is general admission. Call (623) 236-6781 or visit westvalleysymphony.org
for ticket information.
Area residents have been treated to an outstanding season of performances
by the West Valley Symphony. The orchestra, led by Music Director/Conductor
Cal Stewart Kellogg, earned rave reviews from attendees at every concert including
a sell-out crowd at January’s “Hollywood Meets Broadway” program. “The
Board of Trustees is excited by the support we are receiving from the community.
The level of enthusiasm shown by our patrons is so rewarding” says Barbara
Lashmet, Vice-President. “Everyone involved, the musicians, Maestro
Kellogg and the Trustees were so delighted with January’s sold-out concert.
We look forward to many more.”
In addition to its concert series, the Symphony and Rio Salado College’s
RISE Learning for Life have developed for the first time a series of educational
and fun events. On March 5th, Maestro Kellogg will lead attendees in a program
titled “An Introduction to Rhythm”. The session will start at 10:00am with
an upbeat study of how musicians keep their performances together. A
lunch break will offer participants an opportunity to support Interfaith by
visiting Birt’s Bistro and Bookstore, located next door on the Interfaith
Campus. And at 1:00pm, participants will reconvene to hear a performance
by the West Valley Symphony Brass Quintet. The community
event is free, open to the public and takes place on the Rio Salado/RISE campus
at 12535 W. Smokey Drive in Surprise. Seating is limited. To
sign up call RISE at (480) 377-4251.
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