For the past few years, ProMusica has welcomed select talented high school string students to perform onstage during one of our subscription concerts. In past years, these students have collaborated on pieces such as Dello Joio’s Choreography and Copland’s Hoe Down.

This season, we’re kicking it up a notch and inviting students to perform alongside the orchestra for Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 2, “Scottish”, a large part of our March 10 concert at the Southern Theatre. In addition to the performance, selected students will rehearse with the orchestra and work in sectionals with our wonderful professional musicians!

To take part in this unique opportunity, students must submit an application by Thursday, December 15th at 5pm. Because of the space limitations on stage, applications will be reviewed and a number of students will be selected to participate in the Side-by-Side performance.

For more information, please see the letter to students, or contact Education Manager Logan Kelly (614-464-0066; lkelly@promusicacolumbus.org)

This conversation features conductor Eric Jacobsen  and Soprano Othalie Graham, our guests for the November performance Voices from the Gallery. Listen to the conversation to hear Boyce, Eric and Othalie discuss:

• How Eric approaches conducting a soloist.
• How Othalie’s perception of the artwork in Voices from the Gallery changed after performing the piece.
• How Othalie prepared for her part as the narrator.
• The investment in Eric’s conducting.
• Why Othalie chose to narrate.
• How Eric’s chamber groups, The Knights and Brooklyn Rider were named!

Check back soon to hear the full conversation!

Join us for our next Casual Conversation! Check out ProMusica’s season schedule at www.promusicacolumbus.org. Coda is free to any ticket holder.

This conversation features violinist Stefan Jackiw, guest artist for the October arch performance Opening Night. Listen to the conversation to hear Boyce, Tim and Stefan discuss:

• How he interprets an already widely-performed piece.
• The difference between playing with Chamber Orchestra versus a larger orchestra.
• Where and when his violin (and bow) were made.
• His involvement and performance with the YouTube Symphony Orchestra in Sydney.
• Ensemble Ditto, his piano quartet, and how they make classical music accessible to younger people in Asia.
• The physical and emotional investment in his violin playing and how he stays in shape!

Hear the Conversation Here: CODA with Stefan Jackiw

Join us for our next Casual Conversation! Check out ProMusica’s season schedule at www.promusicacolumbus.org. Coda is free to any ticket holder.

Hosted by ProMusica’s Student Advisory Board, the Sneak Peak is a casual, behind-the-scenes look at ProMusica:

• Hear the program for our Opening Night concert before it happens!
• Meet Stefan Jackiw, our 26-year-old guest artist, and see him perform Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D Major
• Have a chance to tour the historic Southern Theatre
• Enjoy some munchies with other students – snacks will be provided!

The Sneak Peek is FREE and open to all Columbus-area students, but we need RSVPs! If you are interested in attending, contact ProMusica Education Manager, Logan Kelly, or talk to the Student Advisory Board representative at your school.

View the Sneak Peek flyer.

You might have guessed from the title of the program that the program was also ALL DANCES. Luckily, these kids were ready to dance! Now, you might be wondering, “Aren’t they supposed to be listening to the music? This is a concert!” Well, it was easy to see how much the young audience was listening just by some of their dancing. We saw slow, genie-like dances during the Nutcracker’s Arabian Dance, there were tangos during the Tango, and they definitely knew how to hoe-down!

That’s not all – the kids in the audience also learned about dynamics and tempo changes, heard a (very short) summary of the story of the Nutcracker, and were not shy about talking to the musicians afterwards.

ProMusica would like to thank our four wonderful musicians and the Bexley Library for making this event a success!! A special thank you to our sponsors, who make this all possible: the Siemer Family Foundation, Abercrombie & Fitch, and the English Family Foundation. We can’t wait for our next chance to be at the Bexley Library! Hope to see you there!

After we all enjoyed a picnic dinner, the quartet performed a mix of pieces to open the program – Mozart, Tchaikovsky, quartets, duets, a cello solo, and even some Lady Gaga. Of course, the crowd loved it! Plus, as a bonus, everyone at the picnic got to take home a copy of our Thurber’s Dog cd!

These students are talented emerging musicians in their own right, but I’m pleased to say that Paige, Mary, and Jason will all be joining us on the Student Advisory Board this coming season!

Students are encouraged to apply for fall semester internships in Operations/Production and Arts Marketing/Event Management. (Please see descriptions below.) A select number of qualified students are chosen by submitting a cover letter and resume stating their interests and learning goals. Intern schedules can be flexible, but please check our 2011-12 season schedule for important concert dates.

Fall Semester Application Deadline: JULY 22

Operations-Production Internship

Arts Marketing-Event Management Internship

We’ll kick off the day with crafts and activities starting at 11am. ProMusica musicians and Maestro Timothy Russell will put on a fun, family-friendly concert at 2pm in the atrium. Be sure to stick around for the Violin Petting Zoo and Drum Circle sponsored by thte Loft Violin Shop and Columbus Percussion!

All activities are free with admission to the Franklin Park Conservatory. For more information about Franklin Park and all their exhibits, please visit their website: www.fpconservatory.org

This conversation features pianist Jeremy Denk and composer Evan Chambers, our guests for the January performance World of Wonder. Jeremy joined us for Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1, and treated the audience to an encore from Ive’s Concord Sonata. The concert also featured Evan Chamber’s Hestia’s Fire, a work commissioned and premiered by ProMusica. Listen to the conversation to hear Boyce, Tim, Jeremy and Evan discuss:

• The background behind Hestia’s Fire.
• The community outreach involved in a new commission.
• Use of percussion in new music.
• Using the physical movements to make music.
• Musings on how Beethoven might have regarded his own compositions.

Hear the Conversation here: CODA with Denk and Chambers

Join us for our next Casual Conversation! Check out ProMusica’s season schedule at www.promusicacolumbus.org. Coda is free to any ticket holder.

This conversation features violinist Caroline Goulding, guest artist for the March performance Mozart & More. Listen to the conversation to hear Boyce, Tim and Caroline discuss:

• Keeping up with an education and a performing career.
• Choosing a cadenza.
• Caroline’s violin, “The General Kid”.
• Why Caroline chose the violin and her budding professional career.
• Favorite pieces for violin.
• Traveling, shopping, and hanging out with friends!

Hear the Conversation here: CODA with Caroline Goulding

Join us for our next Casual Conversation! Check out ProMusica’s season schedule at www.promusicacolumbus.org. Coda is free to any ticket holder.