Music Director Michael Morgan and the Oakland Symphony continue their annual exploration of world orchestral music traditions this season with Notes from Vietnam, Today, February 12, 2016, at 8 pm at the Paramount Theatre. Featured will be Emmy Award-winning composer performer Vân-Ánh Võ, who will give the world premiere of her Lullaby for a Country, performing on the ?àn tranh (Vietnamese zither), ?àn B?u (monochord), and vocals. In addition, TV and Broadway star and filmmaker Michael Urie (Ugly Betty, Modern Family) will narrate Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra. Completing the program will be Dvo?ák's Carnival Overture. The Symphony's Notes from . . . series has become a popular mainstay of the Bay Area music scene and annually explores symphonic music both new and traditional from cultures that may be less well known to audiences. Past Notes from . . . programs have focused on music from Mexico, Persia, the Philippines, China and the Middle East, among others. Free lobby entertainment, no-host drinks and pre-concert talk begin at 7 pm. And the concert is sponsored in part by California Waste Solutions. Tickets are priced $20-$75 and may be purchased at www.OaklandSymphony.org.
Oakland, CA, December 10, 2015—Music Director Michael Morgan and the Oakland Symphony continue their annual exploration of world orchestral music traditions this season with Notes from Vietnam, Today, February 12, 2016, at 8 pm at the Paramount Theatre. Featured will be Emmy Award-winning composer performer Vân-Ánh Võ, who will give the world premiere of her Lullaby for a Country, performing on the ?àn tranh (Vietnamese zither), ?àn B?u (monochord), and vocals. In addition, TV and Broadway star and filmmaker Michael Urie (Ugly Betty, Modern Family) will narrate Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra. Completing the program will be Dvo?ák's Carnival Overture. The Symphony's Notes from . . . series has become a popular mainstay of the Bay Area music scene and annually explores symphonic music both new and traditional from cultures that may be less well known to audiences. Past Notes from . . . programs have focused on music from Mexico, Persia, the Philippines, China and the Middle East, among others. Free lobby entertainment, no-host drinks and pre-concert talk begin at 7 pm. And the concert is sponsored in part by California Waste Solutions. Tickets are priced $20-$75 and may be purchased at www.OaklandSymphony.org.
Oakland, CA, February 1, 2016 – The world premiere of a new piccolo concerto by Bay Area composer Martin Rokeach highlights the Oakland Symphony's concert scheduled Friday, March 18, at 8 pm at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland. Music Director Michael Morgan will conduct and the program also includes Cherubini's Requiem featuring the Oakland Symphony Chorus, Lynne Morrow, Director, and Beethoven's Second Symphony. The evening begins at 7 pm with no-host drinks, free pre-concert lobby entertainment and a pre-concert talk. Tickets are priced $20-$75 and may be purchased at www.OaklandSymphony.org or by calling 510-444-0802.
10 Myths on the Proper Application of Beauty Products, the first full-length show of Buntport's 15th Season, could be called an adaptation of local author Miriam Suzanne's novel Riding SideSaddle*. However, it is more like a supplement to the novel, which is printed on 250 interchangeable index cards and is an 'open source' text, meant to be added to, adapted, morphed into something new. Following a group of friends that resist order, category and completion, this play weaves myth and storytelling with every day rituals. It is about people deeply in love, suffering loss, celebrating strangeness, all while they pluck their eyebrows. It is about the Greek myth of Salmacis and Hermaphroditus, who are merged into 'one being of both sexes' and about what we see when we look in the mirror. Oh, and the whole thing is underscored by a band standing in the bathtub.
Music Director Michael Morgan and the Oakland Symphony continue their annual exploration of world orchestral music traditions this season with Notes from Vietnam, Friday, February 12, 2016, at 8 pm at the Paramount Theatre. Featured will be Emmy Award-winning composer performer Vân-Ánh Võ, who will give the world premiere of her Lullaby for a Country, performing on the ?àn tranh (Vietnamese zither), ?àn B?u (monochord), and vocals. In addition, TV and Broadway star and filmmaker Michael Urie (Ugly Betty, Modern Family) will narrate Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra. Completing the program will be Dvo?ák's Carnival Overture. The Symphony's Notes from . . . series has become a popular mainstay of the Bay Area music scene and annually explores symphonic music both new and traditional from cultures that may be less well known to audiences. Past Notes from . . . programs have focused on music from Mexico, Persia, the Philippines, China and the Middle East, among others. Free lobby entertainment, no-host drinks and pre-concert talk begin at 7 pm. And the concert is sponsored in part by California Waste Solutions. Tickets are priced $20-$75 and may be purchased at www.OaklandSymphony.org.
Oakland, CA, December 10, 2015—Music Director Michael Morgan and the Oakland Symphony continue their annual exploration of world orchestral music traditions this season with Notes from Vietnam, Friday, February 12, 2016, at 8 pm at the Paramount Theatre. Featured will be Emmy Award-winning composer performer Vân-Ánh Võ, who will give the world premiere of her Lullaby for a Country, performing on the ?àn tranh (Vietnamese zither), ?àn B?u (monochord), and vocals. In addition, TV and Broadway star and filmmaker Michael Urie (Ugly Betty, Modern Family) will narrate Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra. Completing the program will be Dvo?ák's Carnival Overture. The Symphony's Notes from . . . series has become a popular mainstay of the Bay Area music scene and annually explores symphonic music both new and traditional from cultures that may be less well known to audiences. Past Notes from . . . programs have focused on music from Mexico, Persia, the Philippines, China and the Middle East, among others. Free lobby entertainment, no-host drinks and pre-concert talk begin at 7 pm. And the concert is sponsored in part by California Waste Solutions. Tickets are priced $20-$75 and may be purchased at www.OaklandSymphony.org.
Pandora (NYSE: P), the world's largest music discovery platform, today released its list of Artists to Watch for 2016. Selected through a combination of Pandora's music industry expertise and data insights
Oakland, CA, September 8, 2015 – Music Director a Michael Morgan and the Oakland Symphony continue their 2015/2016 seastoday, November 13, at 8 pm at the Paramount Theatre with a program entitled Lost Romantics.The evening will feature the debut of 2015 James Toland Voice Competition winner Brent Turner, tenor, and the return of gifted young pianist Llewellyn Werner-Sanchez. The program includes the rarely performed 1895 Symphony No. 3 of “lost” Romantic composer Victor Bendix and Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto No. 1 with Mr. Sanchez Werner—who was featured in 2015 on the Symphony's Notes from Mexico concert. Mr. Turner will perform Lehar's Freunde, das Leben is lebenswert from Giuditta and Dein ist mein ganzes Herz from Das Land des Lachelns, and Offenbach's Au mont Ida, trois Déesses from La Belle Hélène. Completing the program will be the Bach/Stokowski Toccata and Fugue in D minor, which served as the opening work in Disney's groundbreaking and visionary 1940 film Fantasia, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. No-host drinks and a pre-concert talk will begin at 7 pm and there will be free lobby entertainment and informal intermission talks with orchestra musicians at the foot of the stage. The concert is sponsored in part by The Grubb Co. Tickets, priced $15-$70, may be purchased online at www.OaklandSymphony.org or by phone at 510-444-0802.
The Oakland Symphony and Chorus will share the stage with a holiday host of guest artists in celebration of the 100th birthday of American icon Frank Sinatra as part of the annual Let Us Break Bread Together concert Sunday, December 13, at 4 pm at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland. Oakland Symphony Music Director and conductor Michael Morgan will bring together guest artists including the award-winning Mt. Eden High School Choir, Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, new-comers Vocal Rush from Oakland School for the Arts and perennial favorites the ebullient Klezmer band, Kugelplex. Morgan has begun including musical tributes to American icons as part of the annual event that has come to be recognized as the Bay Area's most non-traditional holiday tradition. Last year's homage to composer-activist Pete Seeger was a near sell-out. This year the music and legacy of “Ol' Blue Eyes”, Frank Sinatra--who among other accomplishments was one of a handful of artists who re-defined the sound of the holidays in mid-century America—will be the subject of Let Us Break Bread Together in choral and orchestral arrangements of his music. As it has for the past 23 years, the event will also feature holiday music from many cultures and observances and, of course, audience sing-alongs. Pre-concert no-host drinks and free lobby entertainment begin at 3 pm. Tickets are $20-$60 and may be purchased at www.oaklandsymphony.org .
Oakland, October 13, 2015 - Winners of the Young Composer Competition and the Concerto Competition will be featured as part of the three-concert 2015-2016 season of the Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra, Music Director Michael Morgan and Principal Conductor Omid Zoufonoun have announced. The home season runs November 15, 2015 through May 22, 2016, and will be followed by the Youth Orchestra's debut tour to Cuba. Concert details are listed below. Tickets for all Youth Orchestra performances are free of charge. For more information, visit www.OaklandSymphony.org .
Four years ago Bryan disappeared, abandoning his labor of love, a newspaper for truckers. Now he's returned, and things have changed. His former lover is filled with rage, his new coworker is filled with incessant adoration, and his paper is filled with personal ads. As he considers giving up for good, Bryan searches for what he couldn't find on the road: a way to keep faith in humanity.
Just in time for Halloween, Hershey Area Playhouse is proud to present the hilariously funny thriller, The 39 Steps, about a man who goes to the theater expecting entertainment, but quickly becomes a man on the run being chased across the top of trains.
Oakland, CA, October 7, 2015 – The Oakland Symphony and Chorus will share the stage with a holiday host of guest artists in celebration of the 100th birthday of American icon Frank Sinatra as part of the annual Let Us Break Bread Together concert Sunday, December 13, at 4 pm at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland. Oakland Symphony Music Director and conductor Michael Morgan will bring together guest artists including the award-winning Mt. Eden High School Choir, Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, new-comers Vocal Rush from Oakland School for the Arts and perennial favorites the ebullient Klezmer band, Kugelplex. Morgan has begun including musical tributes to American icons as part of the annual event that has come to be recognized as the Bay Area's most non-traditional holiday tradition. Last year's homage to composer-activist Pete Seeger was a near sell-out. This year the music and legacy of “Ol' Blue Eyes”, Frank Sinatra--who among other accomplishments was one of a handful of artists who re-defined the sound of the holidays in mid-century America—will be the subject of Let Us Break Bread Together in choral and orchestral arrangements of his music. As it has for the past 23 years, the event will also feature holiday music from many cultures and observances and, of course, audience sing-alongs. Pre-concert no-host drinks and free lobby entertainment begin at 3 pm. Tickets are $15-$60 and may be purchased at www.oaklandsymphony.org .
Music Director and conductor Michael Morgan and the Oakland Symphony continue their 2015/2016 season Friday, November 13, at 8 pm at the Paramount Theatre with a program entitled Lost Romantics.The evening will feature the debut of 2015 James Toland Voice Competition winner Brent Turner, tenor, and the return of gifted young pianist Llewellyn Werner-Sanchez. The program includes the rarely performed 1895 Symphony No. 3 of “lost” Romantic composer Victor Bendix and Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto No. 1 with Mr. Sanchez-Werner—who was featured in 2015 on the Symphony's Notes from Mexico concert. Mr. Turner will perform Lehar's Freunde, das Leben is lebenswert from Giuditta and Dein ist mein ganzes Herz from Das Land des Lachelns, and Offenbach's Au mont Ida, trois Déesses from La Belle Hélène. Completing the program will be the Bach/Stokowski Toccata and Fugue in D minor, which served as the opening work in Disney's groundbreaking and visionary 1940 film Fantasia, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. No-host drinks and a pre-concert talk will begin at 7 pm and there will be free lobby entertainment and informal intermission talks with orchestra musicians at the foot of the stage. The concert is sponsored in part by The Grubb Co. Tickets, priced $15-$70, may be purchased online at www.OaklandSymphony.org or by phone at 510-444-0802.
The Oakland Symphony opens its 22nd season with a West Coast premiere by Bay Area composer Mason Bates tonight, October 2, at 8 pm at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland. The program, with Music Director and conductor Michael Morgan on the podium, includes the West Coast premiere of Bates's Devil's Radio, Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 2 with guest soloist and young Bay Area artist Kenneth Renshaw, selections from Brahms' Liebeslieder Waltzes with the Oakland Symphony Chorus conducted by Lynne Morrow, who celebrates her tenth year with the Chorus, and Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances. The Oakland Symphony 2015-2016 season is sponsored by the California Arts Council, Art Works, the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Oakland and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. The season opening concert is sponsored by Wells Fargo. For more information and tickets, priced $15-$75 and on sale August 15, visit www.oaklandsymphony.org .
Just in time for Halloween, Hershey Area Playhouse is proud to present the hilariously funny thriller, The 39 Steps, about a man who goes to the theater expecting entertainment, but quickly becomes a man on the run being chased across the top of trains.
Oakland, CA, September 8, 2015 – Music Director a Michael Morgan and the Oakland Symphony continue their 2015/2016 season Friday, November 13, at 8 pm at the Paramount Theatre with a program entitled Lost Romantics.The evening will feature the debut of 2015 James Toland Voice Competition winner Brent Turner, tenor, and the return of gifted young pianist Llewellyn Werner-Sanchez. The program includes the rarely performed 1895 Symphony No. 3 of “lost” Romantic composer Victor Bendix and Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto No. 1 with Mr. Sanchez Werner—who was featured in 2015 on the Symphony's Notes from Mexico concert. Mr. Turner will perform Lehar's Freunde, das Leben is lebenswert from Giuditta and Dein ist mein ganzes Herz from Das Land des Lachelns, and Offenbach's Au mont Ida, trois Déesses from La Belle Hélène. Completing the program will be the Bach/Stokowski Toccata and Fugue in D minor, which served as the opening work in Disney's groundbreaking and visionary 1940 film Fantasia, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. No-host drinks and a pre-concert talk will begin at 7 pm and there will be free lobby entertainment and informal intermission talks with orchestra musicians at the foot of the stage. The concert is sponsored in part by The Grubb Co. Tickets, priced $15-$70, may be purchased online at www.OaklandSymphony.org or by phone at 510-444-0802.
The Oakland Symphony opens its 22nd season with a West Coast premiere by Bay Area composer Mason Bates Friday, October 2, at 8 pm at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland. The program, with Music Director and conductor Michael Morgan on the podium, includes the West Coast premiere of Bates's Devil's Radio, Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 2 with guest soloist and young Bay Area artist Kenneth Renshaw, selections from Brahms' Liebeslieder Waltzes with the Oakland Symphony Chorus conducted by Lynne Morrow, who celebrates her tenth year with the Chorus, and Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances. The Oakland Symphony 2015-2016 season is sponsored by the California Arts Council, Art Works, the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Oakland and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. The season opening concert is sponsored by Wells Fargo. For more information and tickets, priced $15-$75 and on sale August 15, visit www.oaklandsymphony.org .
SPEAKER: Michael Morgan, Music Director, East Bay Symphony Orchestra, Festival Opera, Walnut Creek, and the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra and Sacramento Opera; Oakland Youth Orchestra
Oakland, CA, August 13, 2015 – The Oakland Symphony opens its 22nd season with a new name and a West Coast premiere by Bay Area composer Mason Bates Friday, October 2, at 8 pm at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland. The program, with Music Director and conductor Michael Morgan on the podium, includes the Bates's Devil's Radio, Prokofiev's Violin concerto with guest soloist and young Bay Area artist Kenneth Renshaw, selections from Brahms' Liebeslieder Waltzes with the Oakland Symphony Chorus conducted by Lynne Morrow, who celebrates her tenth year with the Chorus, and Rachmaninoff's Symphonic Dances. The Oakland Symphony 2015-2016 season is sponsored by the California Arts Council, Art Works, the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Oakland and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. The season opening concert is sponsored by Wells Fargo. For more information and tickets, priced $15-$75 and on sale August 15, visit www.oaklandsymphony.org .
