Symphony spook-tacular

Symphony spook-tacular
Originally uploaded by ValerieBW

Remember that I said Mark arose from a coffin? Here is a photo to prove it!

Loudoun Symphony Goes Spooky This Weekend

Getting "dressed up" for the symphony takes on a whole new meaning Saturday and Sunday as the Loudoun Symphony presents its "Spook-tacular" Halloween Concert Event.

Audience members are encouraged to come dressed in their scary best to enjoy some classical works that have become Halloween staples over the years. Maestro Mark Allen McCoy and the musicians of the orchestra utilize both their musical talents and engaging lighting and special effects during the program to enhance the night's festive theme.

Concert-goers will be greeted in the lobby by actual "characters" from some of the works to be performed, including Mickey Mouse as the "Sorcerer's Apprentice" and the Sorcerer himself. Other characters will be garbed in costumes and Venetian masks portraying "Dance Macabre's" ghost or the witch from "Witches Ride."

The symphony is offering free admission to ages 18 and under, affording the opportunity for the whole family to enjoy a healthy holiday treat.

The program will run for two nights, at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27, at Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28, at Loudoun Valley High School in Purcellville. Tickets for adults are $18 at the door and $15 in advance. Seniors enjoy a discount of $15 at the door and $12 in advance.

Tickets may be ordered by calling the Loudoun Symphony Office at 703-771-8287 or online at www.loudounsymphony.org.

Practicing for our upcoming concert makes me feel like this:

Aargh

What is he thinking?? Our music director of Loudoun Symphony has programmed some incredibly difficult music for our next concert. Here is the program: www.loudounsymphony.org
Dukas: Sorcerer’s Apprentice - crazy difficult
Berlioz: March to the Scaffold - not too bad, except for some ridiculous bow changes that make it impossible
Mussorgsky: Night on Bald Mountain
Saint-Saens: Dance Macabre
Bach:  Toccata and Fugue in D Minor - couldn't play it if I practiced for the rest of my life
Gounod: Funeral March of the Marionettes
Liszt:  Mephisto Waltz
Humperdinck: Witches Ride “Hexenritt”
Spook-tacular, indeed!! More like Strikeout-tacular!

Mormon Chamber Orchestra of Washington DC

Saturday night was our first concert, and it went very well. We played better than we had at any rehearsal, and we even had an audience. Gamarras were there with a Bolivian friend, and Adam's co-worker that he had invited. Turns out she is a flautist, so she especially enjoyed the "Pennywhistle Jig". Turns out the flute performer is Joyce Bennett, wife of Senator Bennett from Utah. I thought she looked familiar!! We have another concert sometime in the spring, and Marie and I are really looking forward to it.
On the program:
Rhosymedre - Vaughan Williams
Pennywhistle Jig - Mancini
The Last Spring - Grieg
Plink, Plank, Plunk - Leroy Anderson
If You Could Hie to Kolob - arr.Marshall McDonald
Holberg Suite - Grieg

Doing a happy dance

I just finished the LAST bit of getting venues taken care of for the season. Yippee!! <<>>

September stuff

Got one more venue accomplished. Three to go.
Practiced with Elizabeth Simmons, Marie, and Melanie Ulerich for the RS broadcast.
Right now going to practice for Saturday night concert at the Washington DC temple visitors center and for my lesson next week.