Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra and Bainbridge Chorale Join Forces for CARMINA BURANA

Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra (BSO) and Bainbridge Chorale join forces for another extraordinary partnership on April 22 and 23. Together they will perform iconic sacred works by Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms before turning their attention to Carl Orff's famed Carmina Burana. Led by conductors Wesley Schulz and Michael Austin Miller, this thrilling collaboration features the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra, Bainbridge Chorale, Olympic Girls Choir, Jessica Robins Milanese (soprano), and Paul Karaitis (tenor/baritone). The BSO and the Chorale last collaborated in the spring of 2014 for a production of Vaughan Williams' Serenade to Music and Verdi's Requiem.

In 1803 a manuscript was discovered in a Benedictine monastery in Germany. Carmina Burana contains beautiful poetry and songs written by wandering students and minstrels in the 12th and 13th centuries. Hardly sacred in nature, the poems satirize, celebrate, complain about, and revel in all aspects of life. First performed in 1937, this anthology of poems and songs for large orchestra, chorus, children's choir, and soloists has become a favorite of audiences all over the world.

Maestro Wesley Schulz made his Seattle Symphony Orchestra debut in a sold-out performance with singer/songwriter Gregory Alan Isakov in February 2015. As the 2014-2015 Conducting Fellow Schulz served as cover conductor for Maestro Ludovic Morlot, led seven world premieres at the Merriman Family Young Composers Workshop, and assisted with recordings for the symphony's Grammy-winning label, Seattle Symphony Media. A leader of educational and family concerts, Schulz makes frequent appearances with the Austin Symphony Orchestra conducting their Halloween Family Concert as well as their Young People's Concerts; the latter reaching over 30,000 Texas students. In addition to serving as Music Director and Conductor of Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra Schulz is Director of Orchestras at University of Puget Sound and Music Director of Seattle Festival Orchestra. Upcoming and recent conducting engagements include the Port Angeles Symphony, Auburn Symphony, Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra, Juneau Symphony, and the Venice Symphony Orchestra.

The 2016 - 2017 season marks the seventh year of Michael Austin Miller's tenure as Artistic Director of the Bainbridge Chorale. Under his direction, the Chorale continues to attract new singers and audience members while experiencing growth in vocal skills and exploring both contemporary and classic choral repertoire. As evidence of its increasing stature in the choral community, the Chorale has been privileged to perform at Seattle's St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral on three occasions and has had opportunities to perform at Benaroya Hall as well. Videos of their performance at St. Mark's can be found on YouTube.

Jessica Robins Milanese, soprano is critically acclaimed for the depth and sparkle she brings to her performances on the concert and opera stage. Most recently Ms. Milanese performed the roles of Miss Wordsworth, Albert Herring, and Soeur Constance, Dialogues des Carmelites, with Vashon Opera. Ms. Milanese has performed with many of the region's leading arts organizations such as Seattle Opera, Seattle Symphony, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Northwest Sinfonietta, Tacoma Opera, Tacoma Symphony and Orchestra Seattle.

Paul Karaitis is a versatile singer with international solo credits in oratorio, opera, concert stage, and recording studio ranging from the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Eugene Ballet, the Victoria (B.C.) Symphony, the Northwest Boys Choir, Seattle Opera Association, Portland Opera, Ballet Idaho, to the Pittsburgh (PA) Ballet. He is one of a select few who has sung all male solos (tenor and baritone) in Carmina Burana.

Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra's spring collaboration with Bainbridge Chorale will be presented off-site at Bainbridge High School Gym on April 22 and 23, Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Tickets, $26 for adults, $22 for seniors (age 62+), and $18 for students, military, and teachers, may be purchased at Brown Paper Tickets, www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2804376. Children (13 and under) receive free admission.

Bainbridge Chorale extends special thanks to sponsors Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island and Town & Country Market. Bainbridge Performing Arts extends special thanks to Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra Sponsor Carly's Rolling Bay Café and the BSO's "Youth in Music" Initiative Sponsor Wicklund Dental. BPA and Bainbridge Chorale are supported, in part, by Bainbridge Community Foundation and One Call for All.

Find out more about BPA at www.bainbridgeperformingarts.org