Orchestra Feeds

Kudos to Kirk Muspratt and the New Philharmonic this past weekend. Besides playing a beautiful concert which featured a commissioned work for harp and orchestra by Doug Lofstrom, they also helped families in need. Through the Orchestras Feeding America campaign, New Philharmonic patrons donated more that 800 food items which will go to project partner People's Resource Center for distribution. I encourage you to check out the People's Resource Center if you are unfamiliar with the good work they do in our community and think of them year round. Thanks to our always generous patrons and to the New Phil for feeding our spirits.

be well
Stephen

Guest Blogger - Kirk Muspratt

What could be more classy, interesting, and in-touch than taking someone to a symphony concert? No matter whether you are taking your sweetheart, parent, child, sibling, neighbor, or BFF, inviting them to a concert of heart-pounding music is a complete winner of a choice.

AND – it’s TCHAIKOVSKY!! Yes, the same dude who wrote the 1812 cannon-blasting piece we love every 4^th of July and who also wrote “Romeo and Juliet” and “Sleeping Beauty”. He is the apotheosis of romantic composers. Yeah, there were the Mendelssohns before him - - but by the time he wrote his 5^th Symphony in 1888, they were longgggg gone and so very much has happened in the world, like two industrial revolutions.

What does that have to do with Tchaikovsky, you ask? By the 1870s men were working in huge factories getting wages, belong to unions, and thus they had a say in things; their opinions became important. Tchaikovsky’s audience that loved his music were no longer the rich land barons, but the common people of the new working class and their “Romantic” ideals.

I, myself, did not hear a piece of Tchaikovsky until I was about 16 years old, but, as a little boy, I liked him tons. Almost all of the children in my little town learned music history after school where we had to memorize lots of facts about the composers. Two of the facts I learned about Tchaikovsky were that he was born in a very tiny village at the base of a remote mountain in 1840, and later went away to the city and become a very famous musician. I thought, “I’m going to be just like that Tchaikovsky guy, eh?”

I also learned that Tchaikovsky was always very sad, struggling within himself, had secrets no one could know, and sadly, in the end, killed himself. This, plus the fact that there was a “phantom-type rich lady” who sent him large amounts of money, but refused to ever meet him; if I had known even a modicum of the meaning of the word “Romantic”, I would have thought him to be very much so.

So what could Tchaikovsky do for us ….this man so full of anguish and compelling melodies? I could answer the question this way: when the horn solo at the beginning of the slow movement of Tchaikovsky 5^th begins, you will feel yourself change inside. You will look over at the person that you brought to the concert and think about who they are and who they are to you; you will either smile or grasp their hand – or shed a tear.

You will! It is the eternal, soul –felt gift of the music of Tchaikovsky that will make this all happen; that miracle, that thing inexplicable.

In addition to Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, the concert will feature Doug Lofstrom’s world premiere “Concertino for Harp and Orchestra” performed by harpist, Kelsey Erdahl and Haydn, Symphony no. 88.

New Philharmonic Concerts on Friday and Saturday, March 5 and 6 at 8PM

Give us a Call

We just experienced another amazing weekend at the MAC. Buffalo Theatre's Love Song opened, we celebrated the culturally rich music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and Mojo brought the Bayou to the burbs. We take seriously our mission to enrich the cultural vitality of our community. As funding tightens at the Arts Center we will depend ever more on patron support to keep the best artists on our stages and in our theatres.

Private funding makes up only a small portion of our budget (less than 5%). In the wake of reduced state funding for higher education, reduced funding from the Illinois Arts Council and other granting agencies, and the rising cost of producing great performances will need to increase that percentage of private support. We have great patrons, many of whom give generously to the MAC. We'll need their continued support and the support of new friends to ensure dance, jazz, blues, theatre, modern art and classical music have a place in the Western suburbs.

If you can help - give us a call. If your corporation can sponsor a series for kids that serves annually 10,000 - give us a call. If jazz or theatre is your thing - give us a call. If you value having an acclaimed contemporary art gallery in the burbs - give us a call. We are the community's arts center at the community's college - we're here for you, please be here for us.

be well
Stephen
630-942-3008

Guest Blogger - Bryan Burke

We have just completed our technical rehearsal for Buffalo Theatre Ensemble’s upcoming presentation of Love Song by John Kolvenbach (opens Feb. 12th), and the long process of pre-production (we first met to discuss the production almost three months ago, and the play itself was selected for production more than a year ago), and rehearsal (which started five weeks ago) are coming to fruition as all the aspects of the show are finally being realized. As the play’s title implies, Love Song is concerned with the experience of love, and how it affects so many aspects of our lives when it is present, and, equally importantly, when it is not. The play also delves into our perception of love, and how our imagination is affected by love and how love affects our imagination. Our scenic designer, Galen Ramsey, has created a playing space that speaks directly to this aspect of the play, and Michael Moon’s evocative lighting design (as well as his sound design) effectively compliment and augment the scenic design. Seeing it all come together during tech was thrilling, and everyone (designers, cast, and crew) were pretty “wowed” by the cumulative effect. Speaking of cast, BTE ensemble member Sandy Smillie heads up the cast, and is joined by BTE newcomers Cortney McKenna, Kelli Walker, and William Green. The rehearsal process has been particularly gratifying for me due mainly to the fact that I have been able to witness this cast develop into a true ensemble, and I have been able to be a part of their funny, touching and ultimately inspiring work. They have been laughing a lot during the process (and not just at me), and I always take that as a very good sign. I believe their camaraderie and love for the play is reflected in the work that is being done onstage, and I certainly hope you come and listen to our “song.” We will be playing through Feb 28th in Theatre 2.

Best-
Bryan Burke
BTE Ensemble Member and director of Love Song
I

Loud & Rich

Two of our favorite artists are coming back to the MAC. Loudon Wainwright III and Richard Thompson will play the MAC on Saturday, April 17 and we couldn't be more thrilled. Tickets go on sale this Saturday, Feb 13 at 10 AM. If you are a subscriber or a friend call the box office today and get in early.

be well

Stephen

Gracious Artists

I am always struck by how much artists give and how gracious they are.

We just had another amazingly diverse weekend at the MAC. One of the most prolific group of artists, Kronos Quartet, graced our stage on Friday evening. Saturday morning Justin Roberts brought his whimsical songs to thunderous applause from the sippy cup set. Paula Poundstone had all the answers for the post recession blues and sent hundreds out into the night wiping tears of laughter from their eyes.

All of these artists left it all on the stage and then when we thought they could give no more they stayed to talk and meet and greet. Kronos, David, John, Hank and Jeffrey, met with music students prior to the concert and then stayed afterwards to answer questions from the audience. One young woman had a particularly profound question about the point in a piece of music when it becomes transcendental. David Harrington made a point after the discussion to seek her out and tell her how much he appreciated her thoughtfulness.

Paula and Justin moved to the lobby after their performances visiting with fans and friends. Paula chatted with people until we looked around and she and I were the last two in the lobby. We quietly walked out together.

A performing arts center is only a building, but it becomes alive and unique when artists give of themselves night after night. My thanks to the gracious artists we present.

Keep your eyes out for guest bloggers in the future.

Be well

Stephen

WInter Jazzfest in Swing

We are on the eve of the first WDCB/ MAC Winter Jazzfest. Actually the festivities began yesterday morning when some 600 plus school children dropped by the center to hear Tom Tallman and his big band perform KidJazz! The performance which focused on Duke Ellington was a smash and lots of smiling kids left the center humming on kazoos.

Tonight Orbert Davis, Ari Brown, and the Mambo Zombies take the stage and tomorrow Kurt Elling, Zvonimir Tot and Steve Ramsdell will perform. There is a Saturday AM performance of KidJazz so if you want to swing and blow a kazoo - stop by.

Jazz is such a rich part of American music. There was a panel this week of NEA Jazz Masters in New York where I was and I thought to myself we are so lucky to have great masters like Jimmy Cobb and Kenny Barron grace our stage, but we are also blessed to have young players like Ramsdell, Davis, and Elling swinging just as hard as the lions.

Special thanks to WDCB radio for being the home of Jazz in Chicago and our friend.

be well

Stephen