April 2008
14 posts
2 tags
The Bizness
The name of a legendary hip hop tune, and also the subject of a perceptive critique by Matthew Guerrieri of Soho the Dog.
Apr 30th
2 tags
Now that's programming!
Eugene Wallingford, of Knowing and Doing and head of the CS department at the University of Northern Iowa, normally writes about one type of programming. Last week he took a detour to reflect on ours at the WCFSO.
Apr 28th
6 tags
Back in Iowa
On April 15 Antonín Dvořák returned to northern Iowa. Over 4,000 Cedar Valley elementary school students attended the WCFSO Youth Concerts and experienced much of the same music the composer himself performed on his visit to our area 115 years ago. Nathan Friend, a junior at Ogden High School and winner of our 2008 Young Artist Concerto Competition, was featured. This photoset by Noah...
Apr 26th
2 tags
Expect the Unexpected
Introducing the 2008-09 season of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony. We offer one of the most creative and exciting concert series in Iowa [and perhaps among regional orchestras around the country]. Next season brings a fresh take on several favorites and, as ever, a healthy dose of the unexpected. View the season guide → Update: Here is a preview of the upcoming concert season from...
Apr 25th
1 tag
Earache
A gaggle of posts and public appearances coming over the next few days, as I recover from some minor inner ear issues and the WCFSO prepares to announce a new season and perform Broadway hits all at once. Speaking of earaches, EU workplace decibel-cap legislation has recently gone into effect. For orchestras, the situation seems to be causing headaches more than anything else.
Apr 24th
2 tags
Mechanical maestro
Overheard in the lobby: ‘Sure he can keep time, but what an awful pre-concert talk!’
Apr 24th
7 tags
Let's do some Rachmaninoff, dude
What happens when two friends and former roommates get together for a heavy duty Romantic piano concerto? Find out here. Click to listen → Sergei Rachmaninoff – Piano Concerto no. 3, Intermezzo: Adagio featuring Alex Solomon, piano WCFSO – April 2008
Apr 17th
4 tags
Haimovitz, WCFSO on air
Broadcast – My October 6, 2007 concert with Matt Haimovitz and the WCFSO will be featured on Iowa Public Radio’s Symphonies of Iowa series tonight at 8:00 pm and Thursday, April 17 at the same time. [As always, time given is local.]
Apr 14th
2 tags
Another one bites the dust
At the tender age of 83 Alan Rich, one of this country’s most respected music critics, has been let go by the LA Weekly. Don’t know his work? Check him out for a few more weeks at his page on the paper’s website. Thankfully, Mr. Rich appears set to continue his musings on the web. A link to his new site will come as soon as it is live.
Apr 11th
4 tags
Side-by-side
For the past several seasons the WCFSO has hosted a side-by-side rehearsal with members of our community. This year’s event featured an inside look at the third movement of Dvořák’s Eighth Symphony. Local arts advocate Melody Parker of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier wrote about the experience of being onstage with us.
Apr 9th
1 tag
Orchestra Iowa
Michael Morain has a series in the Des Moines Register this week detailing the state of symphonic music in Iowa. Three articles discuss programming, engagement and marketing at five of the state’s professional orchestras – Des Moines, Quad Cities, Cedar Rapids, Dubuque and the WCFSO. Today’s piece covers marketing efforts at Iowa orchestras. Monday’s article looks at new...
Apr 8th
5 tags
Accidental Americans preview
There are some fascinating stories behind this weekend’s WCFSO Accidental Americans concert: Click to listen → Interview with Jacqueline Hallbloom Iowa Public Radio – April 2008
Apr 4th
5 tags
It's elementary
Music education and community engagement are two of my top priorities as music director of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony. In general, I believe that efforts in these areas define the future of symphonic music in this country. In advance of the 2008 WCFSO Youth Concerts I visited Edison School in Waterloo [with whom the symphony is a Partner-in-Education] and a diverse group of eleven other...
Apr 3rd
3 tags
Letter links
First day of the month brings links. April focuses on a random side interest – type design. Best typefaces of 2007 Selected by Typographica Briar Press For and by letterpress enthusiasts typedifferent.com by Swiss designers Buro Destruct I Love Typography Clearly, enough said And for all you Helvetica lovers out there – a movie, a site and a screensaver.
Apr 1st