NEWS RELEASE
Contacts: Jennifer Dahlgren, Dahlgren Communications
E-mail: dahlgrenpr@comcast.net
Phone: (530) 265-0538
Terry Brown, Music in the Mountains
E-mail: terry@musicinthemountains.org
Phone: (530) 273-1208
MIM Announces Line-up of Seven Concerts for WinterFest
Nevada County, CA, October 29, 2010 – Music in the Mountains, the largest classical music organization of the Sierra Foothills, announces the concert line-up for its WinterFest 2010 Series. Under the direction of Artistic Director Gregory Vajda, the collection of solo, chamber and choral concerts takes on a traditional flavor this year, designed to evoke the mood of a “Serenade by the Fire.”
WinterFest 2010 kicks off with a “White Christmas” fundraiser dinner on Tuesday, November 30 at Miners Foundry. The evening recreates the ambiance of an old Vermont lodge complete with a “comfort food” dinner by Antonio and a silent auction. Paul Perry, piano, Lorraine Gervais, vocals, and George Souza, guitar, will perform.
The Music in the Mountains Festival Chorale, under the direction of Ryan Murray, will present its renowned holiday choral concerts on December 3, 11 and 12, featuring masterworks such as the Rutter “Gloria,” complete with organ, brass and percussion; Bass’ “Christmas Ornaments;” along with other holiday favorites.
A Holiday Pops concert with a lighter theme is set for December 4. The program, perfect for the whole family, will feature the new Chamber Choir, Festival Orchestra Players, and special performances by Gregory Vajda and Ryan Murray. Artists from Music in the Mountains’ youth education program will also perform.
Virtuoso pianist Andrew Armstrong returns to Grass Valley on December 5 for a “Sunday Serenade,” featuring pieces by Dvorak, Janacek and Brahms.
“Folk Songs and Fire Dance” is the theme for the December 10 concert, featuring Soprano Christine Abraham and the Festival Players performing works of Ravel, Debussy and deFalla. The harp is the centerpiece of the Ravel piece and is an important part of the entire concert. “Every folk song on this program is from a different part of the world,” commented Vajda.
“Our aim for WinterFest is to present outstanding traditional music that you would listen to by the fire, while at the same time taking the spirit to faraway places,” explained Vajda. “Many of these pieces have not been previously performed in Grass Valley.”
All concerts, with the exception of the White Christmas event, take place at the Amaral Festival Center, Nevada County Fairground, Grass Valley. For tickets and more information, visit www.musicinthemountains.org or call (530) 265-6124.
Music in the Mountains, founded in 1982, is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Nevada County by presenting outstanding performances of predominantly classical music and by offering educational opportunities for youth and adults in music appreciation, performance and composition. Fueled by hundreds of volunteers and donors, the organization includes the Festival Orchestra, with 55 professional players from around the country, and the 85-voice Festival Chorale the premier auditioned vocal group of the Sierra Foothills.
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