Uncategorized
Big Sky Classical Musical Festival returns for ninth year
Published
5 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersBy Michael Somerby EBS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
BIG SKY – When the likes of Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven were crafting their timeless symphonies, the United States of America we know today was but a twinkle in an eye. Big Sky, for certain, was practically non-existent, as far as the European settlers populating the Eastern regions of the nation were concerned.
In fact, the term “classical music” didn’t yet to exist, and was later applied to the period of music spanning 1750-1820 in order to dignify music considered by many to be beyond reproach.
Fast forward nearly two centuries from the close of the Classical era, and the small mountain town of Big Sky will play host from Aug. 9-11 to the ninth annual Big Sky Classical Musical Festival, an homage to the great works of those days of old.
Atypical to rest of the Arts Council of Big Sky’s summer musical offerings, which tend to include a balance of rock, country, reggae, bluegrass, big band, folk and Americana sounds featured at the weekly Music in the Mountains concert series, this is an opportunity for fans of classical music to relish in the sounds and styling’s that have influenced countless artists ever since.
“I think one of our main goals as the Arts Council of Big Sky is to provide a variety of music throughout the summer,” said Brian Hurlbut, executive director of ACBS. “For a segment of population, classical is important.”
According to Hurlbut, the performances of Big Sky’s festival are unique to summer symphony in Montana, not only due to a level of talent unparalleled at other festivals, but also because the musicians will play classical compositions rather than just “pops” pieces—modern tracks played with orchestra instruments.
“For one, conductor Peter Bay is perhaps one of best known in the world,” Hurlbut said.
The festival kicks off on Aug. 9 at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center, with an intimate quintet recital consisting of Jonathan Gunn, clarinet, Angella Ahn, artistic director for the festival and professor of violin and viola at Montana State University, Yvonne Lam, a Grammy winner for her work with Eighth Blackbird ensemble on viola, Alexandra Osborne, violin, and John Eckstein, cello.
Between the five performers, the quintet has performed at the highest levels and on some of the biggest stages in classical music, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, New York City’s Lincoln Center, The Beijing Concert Hall and the White House.
Expect performances of timeless numbers such as Johannes Brahm’s “Clarinet Quintet in B minor.”
On Aug. 10, a free concert is available to the public at Center Stage in Town Center Park, with musicians from the Iron Horse Youth Orchestra opening at 6 p.m., followed by Dallas Brass at 7 p.m.
With a career spanning over 35 years, Dallas Brass has cemented its position as one of the U.S.’s preeminent musical ensembles, blending traditional brass instruments with drums and percussion for a unique, electrifying sound.
Their range is also notable, playing classical masterpieces, Dixieland and swing tunes, Broadway, Hollywood and patriotic music, performing numbers for the likes of Presidents Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush, sharing stages with the late Bob Hope, collaborating with New York, Philadelphia and Cincinnati Pops, and playing in legendary venues such as Carnegie Hall and the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
The group’s music has also been featured a number of times on the hit soap opera series, “The Young and the Restless.”
“The Saturday night performance is where we branch out and have some crossover from the classical genre,” Hurlbut said. “Dallas Brass, a premiere brass ensemble, features classical, Broadway, Hollywood and pop tunes … it’s not necessarily a sit down performance.”
The festivities conclude on Aug. 11 with a free symphony performance from the 40-person Big Sky Festival Orchestra, comprised of musicians from the Utah Symphony, Fort Wayne Philharmonic and Dallas Opera Orchestra, among others, held on Center Stage in Town Center Park. Clarinet soloist Jonathan Gunn will play once more, performing Mozart’s “Clarinet Concerto,” this time under the able guidance of Maestro Peter Bay.
Bay has appeared with 75 different orchestras including the National, Chicago, Colorado, Bochum (Germany), Carinthian (Austria), Lithuanian National, and Ecuador National Symphonies, to name a few.
Bay is considered a living legend in the classical genre, and will conduct a performance in Big Sky with the same precision a mastery that has allowed him to lead those orchestras on countless prestigious stages.
For Hurlbut, so much of the festival is geared toward accessibility and exposure.
“We want to make it accessible for everyone,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for people that might not normally go see classical music. For one, there aren’t that many options in this area, and two, performances may be on the expensive side … A family of four can go for free, rather than $150. And this exposes them to the music … when it’s offered for free, maybe they’ll go and be pleasantly surprised.”
Visit bigskyarts.org/big-sky-classical-music-festival/ for more information on the Big Sky Classical Music Festival.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
Event Details
Area parents are encouraged to bring their young children to Symphony Storytime with a Bassoon which will be presented at the Bozeman Public Library’s Community Room during
more
Event Details
Area parents are encouraged to bring their young children to Symphony Storytime with a Bassoon which will be presented at the Bozeman Public Library’s Community Room during their regular Toddler and Preschool Storytime on Wednesday, March 20, at 10:15 a.m. The free program, presented by the Bozeman Symphony is especially for children ages 3 to 5. Children will be able to listen to Montana Shakespeare in the Parks actor Emma Rather, who will be joined by Bozeman Symphony Bassoonist Sam Macken. The goal of the program is to encourage a love of music, literacy, and discovery. Additional programs are scheduled at the Library on April 10 and June 12. For more information, visit www.bozemansymphony.org or call 406-585-9774.
Time
(Wednesday) 10:15 am - 10:45 am
Location
Bozeman Public Library
626 E. Main St, Bozeman, MT