Tag Archive for: Austin

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. 

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.

Preludes, Fugues and Friends

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What a sad and joyful time it is for the friends of the late composer Matt Dibble.  This English lad was only 40 when he died in 2021 from complications from a covid vaccine.  He left behind 48 tracks of Preludes and Fugues that he kept secret until hours before his death. 

His good friend Jon Hargreaves helped crowdfund the necessary funds to record the album with the pianist Matt Dibble loved the most.  Freddie Kempf.  There’s also a documentary about Matt Dibble. 

Twelve from Texas.  One From Austin. 

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So, your child is leaving home for a summer of music, travel, learning and fun?

In the case of Noah Semsar, it’s to play with Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America.

Semsar, who plays the trumpet, is a graduate of Atkins High School, and is the only Austin resident among 12 Texans chosen to be in the orchestra. He’ll join about 100 others from all over the country. He says this has cemented his choice, for now, to be a professional musician especially since he’s headed to music school in the fall. 

A Love Letter To Home, Wherever It May Be

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There’s no place like home.  A familiar line from a familiar movie and so very true.  The Miro Quartet, The University of Texas String Quartet In Residence with an international reputation and a GRAMMY nomination, honed in on the theme with their latest album Home. They illustrated the essence of Home with a video of their performance of Over The Rainbow. 

Daniel Ching, one of the founding members of the group says Home is a love letter to and appreciation of all the things they call home. 

The Young Masters

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Imagine what it must be like to have someone give you a free trip to the arts camp you’ve always wanted to attend.

That happened to 15 high school students all over Texas via the Young Masters Program of the Texas Commission on the Arts and the Texas Cultural Trust. 

Lerchen Zhong of Westwood High School in Round Rock is the only local student chosen for the program.  He already knows where he wants to spend his summer. 

Dr. Gary Gibbs, the executive director of the Texas Commission On The Arts says the grants are for all disciplines in the arts.

The Heller Awards for Young Artists

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Something bright and refreshing graced the stage at the Long Center a few weeks ago.  It was the Heller Awards for Young Artists.  It honors the best high school musical productions from this school year. Two students are headed to the national competition, the Jimmys in New York next month. 

Ginger Morris, who runs the Hellers, is hoping more schools take part next year.