… is looking for violists to join the ranks for their May 14th concert.

If you are interested in playing with them, email Cathy Ross at cross3430@aol.com.

“PRAYER”, the theme of viola recital at the Old Church features two Portland premieres

After a 40 year leave of absence, violist Dr. Sharon Eng, returned home to Portland in August 2010 to care for her parents, ages 89 and 87.  She will perform a viola recital in their honor at the famous Old Church (1422 S.W. 11^th between Columbia and Clay) on Saturday, November 13, 2010, starting at 5:00 p.m.

The theme of this free concert, Prayer, features two works written for the performer and performed for the first time in Portland.  Mrs. Trisutji Kamal is among Indonesia’s best known classical music composers.  Her Prayer of Redemption, written in 2004 employs Islamic idioms and rhythms of the “Tajwid”, the sing-song vocalizations used in the reading of the Holy Qur’an.  American composer, Dr. William Milner’s Fantasy on Jewish Themes, also written in 2004, is based on thematic material from the Hebraic Kaddish Prayer of Mourning and Old Chassidic folk music traditions.

Sharon welcomes collaborative pianist, Elizabeth Borowsky, a guest to Portland from Baltimore, Maryland.  Elizabeth has achieved international recognition as an outstanding musician of her generation, including solo performances with orchestras in the United States, Germany, Poland, China and Israel; U.S. representation at the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw; a 2008 Carnegie Hall debut recital; award-winning CD and DVD recordings, and more.

Sharon spent the first of twenty years after graduating in music performance and psychology from Portland State University studying, living and working in Washington, D.C. and New York City, where she graduated in viola performance from the Juilliard School of Music (BM, MM).  Her second twenty years were spent in Indonesia, many of those years as director of the Middle and High School strings program at Jakarta International School.

The concert also features active Portland Opera and Ballet violist, Michelle Mathewson, in J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 and a set of Bartok Duos for two violists.  Michelle, a native Californian who studied at Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, is principal violist of the Oregon Ballet and the summer Oregon Coast Music Festival.

The program will also include two small beautiful songs, Ibert’s Aria and Piazzolla’s Oblivion and ends with Paul Hindemith’s magnificent neo-romantic viola and piano sonata, Op. 11, #4.

Hey All!

There are several ensembles looking for violists to fill out their section. One is the Marylhurst Symphony (503) 636-1439. At this point, we have only three players, competing with 9 cellos, 9 Violin II, and 8 Violin I. Christa, our orchestra manager, has put notices on the Oregonian call board and on a board on Craigslist, but has had no violists respond. If you know of any non-pros that could join us, please pass the word! We rehearse from 7 – 9 pm on Thursday nights. We’re a nice bunch of people, no posturing, no pressure, just come and play and enjoy making music.

The other is the North Oregon Coast Symphony. They rehearse Tuesday nights in Cannon Beach. Collin Heade, conductor, says to tell interested violists that the orchestra has a very generous and amiable conductor who would be happy to have violists come in for the last few rehearsals and play the concerts (November 19, 21 and December 12).

Anyone interested in either of these groups can contact Dorianne Reinhardt Paul.

Dorianne also has info on other playing opportunities for violists in Oregon. If you are looking to join a group, she’s a great person to contact.

2 vacancies with the Newport Symphony Orchestra – Adam Flatt, Conductor.

newportsymphony.org

The NSO will be posting principal position and a position in the viola section as open for auditions once they have nailed down a date.

For more information, contact the NSO  newportsymphony.org or email  Hunter Petty codahaydn@gmail.com.

Classical Revolution will present a Haiti Benefit Concert on January 24th at 7pm at the Kennedy School. More info on their website.

Mattie Kaiser, Classical Revolution organizer writes-

Dear Revolutionaries,
It is time to use our power for good…
On January 24th at 7pm at the Kennedy School, Classical Revolution PDX and friends will perform free benefit concert to raise funds for Haiti Relief. We’re are still ironing out the details, but are seeking any corporations and individuals willing to provide donations and/or matching funds. We are also interested in those willing to donate goods and services for a silent auction to be held that night.

If you would like to help out or donate anything to this cause, please contact Miriam or email Mattie directly at classicalrevolutionpdx@gmail.com. Otherwise, please do attend the concert!

Another excellent agency with personnel already on the ground in Haiti is Doctors Without Borders.