Exciting January Performances

The welcome solitude between the myriad of  joyful Holiday concerts and the rest of the symphony season creates a space for much-needed practice and planning. Both of these are necessary to have a successful beginning to 2018.

I look forward to the first concert of 2018 on January 13th with the South Carolina Philharmonic and their tribute to Leonard Bernstein (the first of many for this year as the musical world celebrates his centennial). The Symphonic Dances from West Side Story are always fun to play, and I’m glad to have another chance to work on Joseph Schwantner’s New Morning for the World. Challenging piccolo parts are always good for the soul.

The following week, I finally return to the Columbus (GA) Symphony for the first time this season to play Rachmaninov’s Second Symphony and Jan Jarvlepp’s Garbage Concerto for percussion and orchestra on January 20th. Two weeks in a row of new-ish orchestral music is an unusual treat. It will be great to see my Columbus colleagues and visit the Iron Bank Coffee Shop.

For Mozart’s 262nd birthday, and, more importantly, on my grandmother’s 85th on January 27th, I am the featured soloist with the Savannah Philharmonic. I am honored to perform the rarely programmed A Minor Piccolo Concerto of Antonio Vivaldi–a beautiful work.

And it doesn’t stop there! I end the month at the gorgeous Spivey Hall, on the campus of Clayton State (where I played my first piano lessons). Savannah Baroque will be performing works of Thomas Arne, Henry Purcell, Michel Blavet, Jean-Philippe Rameau, Tobias Hume, and George Frideric Handel for the students of Metro Atlanta for Spivey Hall’s Education series.

The pleasure of practice, score study, and listening time are the luxuries of this brief winter respite. Onward to 2018 and all its musical treasures.