Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra to Present RAISE THE ROOF!, 2/28-3/1

This special Bainbride Symphony Orchestra program is one of celebration, community, and the American spirit. Through the generous support of the Fletcher Bay Foundation the BSO showcases its brand new set of timpani in American composer Michael Daugherty's thrilling concerto, Raise the Roof! performed by Gunnar Folsom. Kevin Puts won the Pulitzer Prize in 2010, and his work for orchestra, Millennium Canons, has its BSO debut in this winter concert, which also features the Introduction to Also sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss, Down a Country Lane and Variations on a Shaker Melody by Aaron Copland, and Antonín Dvo?ák's American Suite, op. 98b. Closing the performance in grand fashion is Beethoven's Chorale Fantasy featuring the BSO, Mark Salman on piano, and the Amabile Choir with Director Anne Pell. Singing of strength, unity and joy this masterpiece is the perfect end to this unique program.

Gunnar Folsom is one of the Pacific Northwest's most in-demand percussionists. A connoisseur of a wide range of styles and genres including symphonic music, musical theater, contemporary chamber music, R&B, and jazz, Gunnar has performed as a freelance percussionist with such luminaries as Patti Austin, David Benoit, Sheena Easton, Marvin Hamlisch, James Ingrahm, Al Jarreau, Melissa Manchester, Doc Severinsen, the Smothers Brothers, the Three Irish Tenors, and Allen Toussaint.

Hailed as a "heroic virtuoso," and "a dazzling performer," Mark Salman's performances have been described as "powerful," "astonishing, exacting and evocative," "dramatic," "wildly imaginative" and "touchingly lyrical." Of his performance of Beethoven's Hammerklavier sonata one authority stated, "there are probably only five or six pianists in the world who can play [it] as perfectly." His performance of Liszt's transcription of the Beethoven Seventh Symphony was named one of three "Performances of the Year" by the Seattle Weekly.

The Amabile Choir is a group of 50 singers who seeks to inspire singers and audience members by performing choral music with love and joyful intention, enriching lives through musical excellence. Founder Anne Pell is also the Director of Side by Side, Schola Nova, and Compline Choir, and the creator of the "For Our Children" benefit concerts performed locally each fall. She served as the accompanist for the Bainbridge Chorale for 14 years and has been composing, arranging and interpreting music for many years. She is a full-time private piano instructor specializing in jazz, blues, and classical music, composition, theory, and jazz ensembles. Her original works include choral compositions, liturgical chants and hymns, piano duets, jazz tunes, and more.

Music Director of the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Festival Orchestra and the Bainbridge Island Youth Orchestra, Maestro Wesley Schulz has been lauded by musicians for his "intensity and emotion" in performances and for his "approachable and inspiring" leadership. Last fall, he also assumed the new post of Conducting Fellow at the Seattle Symphony with Music Director Ludovic Morlot. Passionate about this program, Wesley says, "This music brings together an army of musicians (orchestra, pianist, and chorus) in unity and strength. Bainbridge Island is an incredible place to make music, and this program is our gift to you."

Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra performs at Bainbridge Performing Arts on Saturday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 1 at 3:00 p.m. A special pre-concert chat will be held on Sunday at 2:15 p.m. Tickets, $19 for adults, and $16 for seniors, students, military, and teachers may be purchased online at www.bainbridgeperformingarts.org, by phone at 206.842.8569 or in person at Bainbridge Performing Arts (BPA), 200 Madison Avenue North, Bainbridge Island. Under BPA's Youth in Music Initiative generously sponsored by Wicklund Dental, each youth receives free admission when accompanied by a paying adult. BPA Box Office hours are 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and one hour prior to each performance.

Bainbridge Performing Arts extends additional thanks to Fletcher Bay Foundation, who also funded music acquisition for the season. BPA is supported, in part, by Bainbridge Community Foundation and One Call for All.