An Opportunity for High School Wind Musicians

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This is another opportunity for a high school musician.  This time it’s for those who play wind instruments. Equity Arc is a national coalition dedicated to increasing racial equity within the field of classical music in the United States.

Magee Capsouto, the Associate Director of Equity Arc says they are now taking applications for their first Equity Arc Wind Symphony. It offers young musicians of color an opportunity to learn from the members of The President’s Own, The United States Marine Band. The primary deadline is November 10th. 

An Eclectic Fall Season at Texas Performing Arts

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Patrons of the arts are getting a variety of choices this fall season from Texas Performing Arts.  There’s the always popular Broadway in Austin musicals and plays.  There’s also the acts whose work could be described as curious and imaginative or maybe even mind blowing.

Bob Bursey, the Executive and Artistic Director of Texas Performing Arts says he looks for balance in booking shows because he wants to offer something for everyone. 

Chorus Austin Celebrates Its 60th Season

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Chorus Austin is celebrating a big milestone this year.  It’s the choir’s 60th anniversary. 

Ryan Heller, the conductor and artistic director of Chorus Austin says the all-volunteer choir is thriving. He’s designed their 60th season with all sorts of collaborations with Austin’s performing arts organizations. That includes their annual Messiah singalong in December.

Classical Guitarists From All Over the World Come To Play In Austin

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Two of Austin’s most distinguished performing arts organizations are opening their seasons on the same weekend.

The upcoming 2024 season of Austin Classical Guitar could be called a musical United Nations.  Classical Guitarists from all over the world are on the schedule. 

Matt Hinsley, executive director of Austin Classical Guitar says he and artistic director Joe Williams were looking express their season theme of “Give”. Their first show is September 14th. 

The Austin Symphony opens its season Friday night, September 13th.  It’s called Dancing Around the World, with violinist Soojin Han. 

The Fall Season Ahead:

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ATX Chamber Music and Jazz

After the rush of Labor Day and the hectic days of a new school year, it might be time to socialize with some chamber music or perhaps some jazz.  In our annual series of seasons ahead, ATX Chamber Music and Jazz is offering a social experience.

Co-founders and Artistic Directors Geoffrey Herd and Anna Petrova say they give patrons the time to socialize with drinks and hors d’oeuvres before listening to a selective program of chamber music or jazz.  

The Season Ahead:  The Central Texas Philharmonic

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In just a few weeks performing arts groups will unveil the first shows of the 2024 Fall season.  There are many more in Central Texas than there used to be, so you have more than a few choices.

We’re starting with the Fall 2024 season for The Central Texas Philharmonic led by Music Director Stefan Sanders.  

Gustav Mahler Need Not Apply: The Symphonina

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It was the age of the audience at a classical music concert that lit a fire under David Fogel. 

He seems to have invented another genre of classical and orchestral music.  The Symphonina.  A short symphony just right for the younger set and older ears too. 

Sophie Mathieu – The Draylen Mason Composer in Residence

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Imagine what it’s like to actually be doing the job you love so much. 

It’s a feeling that Sophie Mathieu knows well.  She’s KMFA’s Draylen Mason Composer In Residence for 2024. 

Mathieu, a cellist, with a Masters from the Butler School of Music, is also the first local composer who’s been chosen for the program. Since the announcement in January, she’s been taking part in educational events, public and private workshops of her work with Austin Unconducted and various other activities.  This is in addition to working on her new piece.  Sophie is pretty sure she’’ll call it “Night Poem” when it premieres on September 22nd. 

Another Texan Wins The Jimmys

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It was a back to back win for Texans at this year’s Jimmy Awards.  These are the National High School Musical Theatre Awards that recognize the best high school-age musical theater talents in America.  It was held in June on Broadway in New York.

This year, it was Damson Chola Jr. from Cleburne, Texas, matching his win with last year’s winner Langston Lee from Leander, Texas.

Mount Rainier’s Composer in Residence   

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Stephen Lias always has music on his mind. He’s the Dean’s Circle Endowed Professor Of Composition at Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas.  Lias is also an outdoor kind of guy.  Over the years, he’s composed music for a variety of national parks either on commission or just because.  Now he’s been named Washington State’s Mount Rainier National Park’s first-ever composer in residence. His composition will celebrate the 125th anniversary of the park but won’t premiere until 2026.