w Youth Concerto Competition Winners Concert March 23, 2018 The Clear Lake Symphony, with Music Director, Dr. Charles Johnson, starts its 42 nd season in the Fall of 2016. The Symphony, recognized as a premiere community orchestra, is a member of ASCAP and BMI. Its goals are to present classical music for the residents of the Bay Area and to provide opportunities for the Bay Area musicians to create a variety of musical experiences for the enjoymentofthecommunity. Six regular season performances including the Christmas Pops will be held featuring various classical selections and guest soloists. Join the Symphony as it celebrates its 42 nd Anniversary with a brand new Season of Music. All concerts will be held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Auditorium, 18220 Upper Bay Road in Nassau Bay across from NASA Johnson Space Center at 7:30 PM (see concert dates). The Clear Lake Symphony will be performing the fifth concert of their 2017-2018 season on Friday, March 23 rd at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Auditorium located at 18220 Upper Bay Road across from NASA Johnson Space Center. Celebrating their 42 nd season, the Orchestra will present the Youth Concerto Competition Winners in concert. The Orchestra will be led by Dr. Charles Johnson, in his 37 th year as Conductor and Musical Director of the Clear Lake Symphony. Dr. Charles Johnson Conductor & Musical Director Reminder: All concerts will be on Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m. For a list of all the season concerts, please click on the following link: Concert Tickets are available from Eye Trends, 515 Bay Area Blvd., Suite 300 (next door to Starbucks). Phone number: 281-488-0066. Individual are: $13 adults, $10 senior citizens (age 55 & up) & $8 students. Tickets are also available at the concert ticket table the night of the concert. Page 1 of 9
March 23, 2018 Concert Program Notes La Forza del Destino Overture (The Force of Destiny) was an Italian Opera by Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901). It was performed in Russia on November 10, 1862 and underwent some revisions before its debut in Europe and New York. Further revisions included the addition of a new overture. The "Overture" is now part of the standard repertoire for orchestras, often played as the opening piece at concerts. Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 19 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was used by the composer as a vehicle for his own performances as a young virtuoso. It was published in 1801 and became an important display piece for the young Beethoven as he sought to establish himself after moving from Bonn to Vienna. While the work as a whole is very much in the concerto style of Mozart, there is a since of drama and contrast that would be present in many of Beethoven's later works. Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major by Franz Liszt (1811-1886) was written over a 26 year period before its premier in 1855 and publication in 1856. Bela Bartok described it as "the first perfect Realization of cyclic sonata form, with common themes being treated on the variation principle. Symphonie espagnole in D minor is a work for violin and orchestra by Edouard Lalo (1823-1892). It was a work written n 1874 for violinist Pablo Sarasate. Although called a "Spanish Symphony" it is considered a violin concerto by musicians today. The piece has Spanish motifs throughout and launched a period when Spanish-themed music came into vogue. Concertino in E-flat Major, Op. 26 by Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826) was written for clarinetist Heinrich Baermann in 1811. Weber wrote the work in three days, March 29-Apil 3, Baermann learned the work over the next three days, and the command performance, for which King Maximilian of Bavaria purchased 50 tickets, took place on the evening of April 5. The Concertino unfolds in one movement. The form is theme and variations. Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) is his last large orchestral work. Although conceived in 1838, the work took another six years to complete and was not premiered until 1845. The work itself was one of the foremost violin concertos of the Romantic era and was influential on many other composers. It forms an important part of the violin repertoire and is one of the most popular and most frequently performed violin concertos in history. Tuba Concerto by Edward Gregson (born July 1945) was written in 1976. The first movement is a sonata form shell with two contrasting themes, the first rhythmic in character, the second lyrical. Gregson is an English composer of instrumental and choral music, particularly for brass and wind bands and ensembles, as well as for the theatre, film, and television. Concerto for Marimba and Strings by French composer and percussionist Emanuel Sejourne (born in July 1961) was composed in 2006. Commissioned and performed by Bogdan Bacanu, it became a standard work in the marimba repertoire. It has been described as unique because it is one of the rare pieces to put the marimba in a romantic context." After a performance at the Washington Square Festival in New York, a reviewer called it gorgeously composed." ---------------excerpts from Wikipedia Next Concert - April 27. 2018 7:30 PM at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Join the Clear Lake Symphony for a delightful evening of beautiful music of the German Masters - Schuman, Brahms, and Strauss. Featured will be the Symphony's Principal Clarinet - Robert Wall Page 2 of 9
2018 Youth Concerto Competition Winners The Clear Lake Symphony held a competition on Saturday, January 27, 2018 for young artists from Houston Metro area high schools, junior highs, and elementary schools. The Youth Concerto Competition winners will be provided with a scholarship and perform as a featured soloist with the Clear Lake Symphony at the Friday, March 23, 2018 concert at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church at 18220 Upper Bay Road, in Nassau Bay. A total of thirty five (35) participants participated in this year's competition. Junior Wind Division Kyle Tsai (clarinet) Winner, Junior Wind Division, Concertino in E-flat Major, Op. 26 by Weber. Age 14 in the 9 th grade at DeBakey High School. Kyle is the son of Robert Tsai and Laura Wu. He has studied the clarinet for 3.5 years and is the student of Alexander Potiomkin. Kyle enjoys playing basketball, swimming, watching movies, listening to music, trying new cuisine, and world traveling. His dream is to have the opportunity to play alongside of some of the world-class concert clarinetists. TMEA 6A All-State Band (2018) Finalist, Symphony North of Houston Young Artist Concerto Competition (2017) Houston Youth Symphony (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) Symphony Orchestra Honorable Mention: Jack McBurnett. (bassoon), "Concerto for Bassoon & Strings, 1 st mvt." by Gordon Jacob. Music teacher: Jan Cutting Senior Wind Division Brandon Benson (tuba) Co-Winner, Senior Wind Division, Tuba Brandon Concerto, 1Benson st mvt., by(tuba) Gregson. Co-Winner, Age 15 and Senior in thewind 10 grade Division, at Ridge Tuba Concerto, Point High1School. st mvt., by Brandon Gregson. is theage son15 of and Jakeinand thestacey 10 grade Benson. at Ridge He Point has studied High School. the tuba Brandon for 4 is years the son and of is Jake the student and of Ali Benson. Jackson. He has Brandon's studied goals theare tuba to study for 4 music yearsperformance and is the in student collegeof and AlitoJackson. play in Brandon's a professional goalssymphony are to study orchestra. music When he is not in college practicing andthe to play tuba, in abrandon professional enjoyssymphony watching sports orchestra. and playing When he in his not church practicing band. the tuba, Brandon enjoys watching sports and playing in his church band. Musical TMEA Achievements: Region 23 Band Member - 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 TMEA Music Doing All-State Good (2018) Scholarship Recipient 2016-2017 2Houston nd Place, Flute Houston Club Brass Denise Band Jennings Young Soloist Competition - 1 st (2017) prize 2016 All-Region, UIL State Solo 1 st Chair, Contest, Orchestra 1 Division (2016, Rating 2017) 2014, 2015, 2016 No Honorable Honorable Mention: Mention Gilberto Torres Jr. (trumpet), "Concert for Trumpet" by Artunian. Music teacher: Randy Brennan. Page 3 of 9
Senior Wind Division Nevin George (marimba) Co-Winner, Senior Wind Division, Concerto for Marimba and Strings, 2 nd mvt., by Sejourne. Age 17 and in the 11 th grade at Cinco Ranch High School. Nevin is the son of Babu George and Deepa Joseph. He has studied percussion for 6 years and is the student of Brady Spitz. Nevin enjoys participating in math and physics competitions, computer programming and volunteering. Some of his hobbies include playing basketball, ping pong, frisbee, baking and playing on his drum set. He hopes to double major in math and computer science, and eventually work as a data scientist. TMEA All-State Percussionist (2018) 3 rd Place - Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition (2018) All-Region - High School Symphony Orchestra (2015, 2016, 2017) No Honorable Mention Junior Piano Division Bryant Li (piano) Winner, Junior Piano Division, Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 19, 1 st mvt., by Beethoven. Age 13 in the 7 th grade at Beckendorff Junior High. Bryant is the son of Jia Guo and Gar Li. He has studied piano for seven years and is the student of John Weems. Bryant is the founder for Music of Harmony, a non-profit organization with over 200 student volunteers which has presented over 80 volunteer performances and outreach concerts at senior homes and hospitals. He is also in the highly competitive school science Olympiad, as will as on the math and science teams. Bryant wishes to major in both neuroscience and music, and to utilize the sensation and happiness of music to aid in cure for patients.. 1 st Place - Clear Lake Youth Concerto Competition (2016) 2 nd Place - MTNA Texas Division - Junior Piano (2017) 1 st Place - Texas State University Young Pianist Competition (2016, 2017) HYAC Young Artist (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) Music Doing Good Scholarship Recipient (2016, 2017) No Honorable Mention If you would no longer like to receive future emails, please forward this email to Mike Matula, CLS Webmaster, at mkmatula@prodigy.net and insert Unsubscribe in the Subject field. This email was sent by: Mike Matula Clear Lake Symphony Webmaster Email: mkmatula@prodigy.net Page 4 of 9
Senior Piano Division Aditya Deshpande (piano) Winner, Senior Piano Division, Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major, 1 st, mvt., by Liszt. Age 18, Aditya is the son of Ashish and Swati Deshpande. He has studied the piano for 11 years and is currently under the tutelage of John Weems. Aditya's interests include classical music history, improvisation and soccer. He wants to major in computer science and music. 1 st Place, Symphony North of Houston Concerto Competition (2017) 1 st Place, TMTA Concerto Competition (2017) 2 nd Place, TMTA Piano Solo Competition (2016) Finalist Seattle International Piano Competition (2015) 3 rd Place, lnternational Keyboard Odyssiad Competition (2015) Pianist for Houston Young Artist Concerts (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) No Honorable Mention Junior String Division James Li (violin) Winner, Junior String Division, Symphonie Espagnole in D minor, 1 st mvt., by Lalo. Age 15 in the 9 th grade at Bellaire High School. Jimmy is the son of May Wu and Miao Li. He has played violin for ten years and has studied with Ying Fu and currently Assia Dulgerska. Jimmy's interests outside of music include debate and political science. Winner - Houston Youth Symphony Concerto Competition (2017-2018) Concert Master - Houston Youth Symphony (2012, 2013) Honorable Mention at Philadelphia International Music Festival Honorable Mention: Timothy Feng (violin), "Violin Concerto in E minor, Op 64, 1 st mvt." by Mendelssohn. Music teacher: Yong Chun Li Page 5 of 9
Senior String Division Emily Jihee Sonn (violin) Winner, Senior String Division, Concerto in E minor, Op. 64, 1 st mvt., by Mendelssohn. Age 16 in the 10 th grade at Memorial High School. Emily is the daughter of Hye Won An and Song Dok Sonn. She has studied the violin for ten years and is the student of Ji Yeon Min. Emily enjoys listening to classical, hip-hop and K-pop music. She enjoys running with friends and singing Karaoke music. around Houston. All Region - 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, Concertmaster 2015 and 2016 TMEA All-State (2017) 1 st Division Rating, UIL State Solo Contest (2017) No Honorable Mention Clear Lake Symphony wishes to express our special appreciation to the George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation for underwriting the January 2018 Youth Concerto Competition and the March 2018 Concert featuring the Competition Winners. Page 6 of 9
Thank You Becky Merritt! Many thanks go to Competition Co-Coordinator, Becky Merritt for her tireless work to put this competition and concert together. A big thank you also goes to their committee who helped during the competition and the judges on January 27, 2018. A fine job was done by the competition Judges. This year's judges were the following: WIND DIVISION Mr. Robert Wall Assoc. Conductor - Clear Lake Symphony Principal Clarinet - Clear Lake Symphony Dr. Angie Schindler Co-Principal Oboe Player - Clear Lake Symphony Mr. John Stuckey H.S. Band Director (retired) Principal Horn - Galveston Symphony & Co-Principal Clear Lake Symphony Adjudicator in marching concert contests PIANO DIVISION Dr. Janice Fehlauer Professor of Piano - Kingwood Music School Dr. Charles Johnson Conductor & Music Director - Clear Lake Symphony Viola Player - Houston Ballet Orchestra (retired) Dr. So Yoon Lee Piano Professor - Lone Star College STRING DIVISION Ms. Laurie Arnold Orchestra Director - Pasadena ISD Former Member - San Antonio Symphony Substitute cellist - Dallas Symphony Dr. Julie Carlson Concertmaster - Clear Lake Symphony Violin Instructor - University of Houston Preparatory and Continuing Studies Violinist - Clear Lake Chamber Ensemble Mr. George Tate Principal Viola - Clear Lake Symphony Viola Player - Halcyon String Quartet Past President - Texas Orchestra Directors Association Page 7 of 9
Special Features In-School Performances The Symphony is dedicated to the musical education of our children and brings classical music to the public schools, at no cost to the students or taxpayers, through classroom demonstrations and discussions. The Symphony annually donates numerous tickets to the students to provide them with the opportunity to enjoy a free symphony concert. For information, call Sherrie Matula (281) 486-0224. Clear Lake Area Symphony Society CLASS is a group of volunteers who assists with concert production on a regular basis, assuming the responsibilities for box office, receptions, promotion, and Ad sales. For more information, call Sherrie Matula (281) 486-0224. For more information or to become a CLASS member go to: http://clearlakesymphony.org/class.htm. Special Contribution Recognition The Clear Lake Symphony recognizes those patrons who donate $100 or more by including their names in the Hall of Honor section of our subscription concert programs and on the Symphony web site. The six categories as listed below are: Underwriter -- $2500 or more Sponsor -- $1000 to $2499 Benefactor -- $500 to $999 Patron -- $300 t0 $499 Donor -- $200 to $299 Friend -- $100 to $199 The Clear Lake Symphony is a non-profit organization with a 501 c(3) status with the IRS. All contributions are tax deductible. Make checks payable to: "Clear Lake Symphony". All contributions can be mailed to: Clear Lake Symphony Attn: Betty Wall P. O. Box 890582 Houston, TX 77289-0582 Additional Ways to Support the Clear Lake Symphony When you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to Clear Lake Symphony at UH-CLC. Bookmark the link http://smile.amazon.com/ch/76-0035368 and support the Symphony every time you shop. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service. Please support our symphony sponsors! Some of our sponsors offer a discount at local restaurants. Bring the coupon from the Symphony Program with you when going out to dine and receive a 10% discount off your bill. We thank our donors! Your support helps the Clear Lake Symphony present classical music for the residents of the Bay Area! Page 8 of 9
Join us to celebrate the 42 nd season with the Clear Lake Symphony! February 9, 2018 Gloria Dei Concert Tickets are available from Eye Trends, 515 Bay Area Blvd., Suite 300 (next door to Starbucks). Phone number: 281-488-0066. Individual are: $13 adults, $10 senior citizens (age 55 & up) & $8 students. Tickets are also available at the concert ticket table the night of the concert. Page 9 of 9