Peter Boyer News

Pacific Symphony and Classical KUSC 91.5FM have joined forces to launch a new classical music series of three Friday-night concerts designed to trim some of classical music's longhair image to present shorter, engaging programs in a casual and unstuffy atmosphere. Audiences are encouraged to dress casually. Each concert features fun, knowledge-enhancing activities before and after the program, making a complete experience of the evening. The series targets 25- to 45-year-olds who would like to know more about classical music, but these concerts can be enjoyed by everyone.

The immigrant experience and evolution of diversity in America is highlighted by one of the nation's most diverse orchestras, Chicago Sinfonietta, and their spectacular, multimedia program of I.D.: Images of Diversity. Following its Millennium Park performance in early September, I.D.: Images of Diversity officially kicks off the Chicago Sinfonietta's 2018-2019 season. The orchestra and select special guests will perform concerts that invoke themes of the American Dream from several cultural perspectives today, September 22 at 8 p.m. at Wentz Concert Hall at North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, and Monday, September 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago.

Pacific Symphony's 2018-19 season, which celebrates the orchestra's 40th anniversary opens on Thursday, September 27 with a program featuring American composer Frank Ticheli's "Shooting Stars," commissioned for Pacific Symphony's 25th anniversary and newly revised for this season's celebration; Ravel's "Bolero" highlighting musicians of Pacific Symphony as soloists on stage and in a specially commissioned anniversary film; guest soloist Olga Kern in Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3. In addition, this opening concert presents the Symphony's new concertmaster, Dennis Kim, sharing the solo spotlight with the Symphony's principal violist Meredith Crawford in Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante.

The immigrant experience and evolution of diversity in America is highlighted by one of the nation's most diverse orchestras, Chicago Sinfonietta, and their spectacular, multimedia program of I.D.: Images of Diversity. Following its Millennium Park performance in early September, I.D.: Images of Diversity officially kicks off the Chicago Sinfonietta's 2018-2019 season. The orchestra and select special guests will perform concerts that invoke themes of the American Dream from several cultural perspectives on Saturday, September 22 at 8 p.m. at Wentz Concert Hall at North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, and Monday, September 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago.

Relive the magic of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial on the big screen accompanied by a magnificent, live performance by Pacific Symphony.

Great Performances and Pacific Symphony, led by music director Carl St.Clair, pay tribute to America's history with a performance of composer Peter Boyer's Grammy-nominated contemporary classical work "Ellis Island: The Dream of America," at a free, public screening in Orange County, June 29, 8:00 p.m. at the Musco Center for the Arts at Chapman University.   

Mei-Ann Chen, Music Director of Chicago Sinfonietta and Jim Hirsch, CEO of Chicago Sinfonietta, have announced the orchestra's programming for 2018-19---Chicago Sinfonietta's 31st season and Chen's eighth year on the podium.

THIRTEEN's Great Performances and Pacific Symphony, led by music director Carl St.Clair, pay tribute to America's history with a performance of composer Peter Boyer's “Ellis Island: The Dream of America,” a Grammy-nominated contemporary classical work celebrating the historic American immigrant experience.Great Performances – Ellis Island: The Dream of America with Pacific Symphony premieres nationwideFriday, June 29 at 10 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) in honor of Immigrant Heritage Month. It will be available to stream the following day via pbs.org/gperf and PBS apps.

Mei-Ann Chen, Music Director of Chicago Sinfonietta and Jim Hirsch, CEO of Chicago Sinfonietta, have announced the orchestra's programming for 2018-19---Chicago Sinfonietta's 31st season and Chen's eighth year on the podium.

Premiere violinist Anne Akiko Meyers returns to play with Pacific Symphony for "A Hero's Life" to close out the 2017-18 Classical series, joined by Concertmaster-Designate Dennis Kim.

Ozark Actors Theatre is excited to announce the full cast and creative team for their upcoming summer production of Shakespeare's As You Like It. The highly anticipated production has been adapted to a 1960s setting, featuring the music of that era, by Director and Choreographer Jenny Male.

THIRTEEN's Great Performances and Pacific Symphony, led by music director Carl St.Clair, pay tribute to America's history with a performance of composer Peter Boyer's “Ellis Island: The Dream of America,” a Grammy-nominated contemporary classical work celebrating the historic American immigrant experience. Great Performances – Ellis Island: The Dream of America with Pacific Symphony premieres nationwide Friday, June 29 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) in honor of Immigrant Heritage Month. It will be available to stream the following day via pbs.org/gperf and PBS apps.

Back in the late 90's I went to the old Vat Room at Arena Stage to see this Christmas show that my Catholic University professor talked about. Being the grandchild of a British war bride, I had many British Christmases growing up, so I knew what to expect. What I didn't expect back then was how enjoyable that night would be. Sometimes you go to the theater to have fun and escape from the troubles of your day.

This summer when I was watching a movie, I saw a trailer for the yearly sequel of Pirates of the Caribbean. I thought to myself, are pirates still a thing? With so many other film villain tropes out there, why do we keep coming back to pirates? Well, as evident by the hordes of children adoring How I Became A Pirate at Adventure Theatre MTC, the pirates are alive and well and soaring the high seas.

ODC/Dance presents an elegant and inspired afternoon on the idyllic grounds of McEvoy Ranch.

Higher Purpose Productions, LLC presents the launch of Orchestra Moderne NYC at Carnegie Hall on Saturday, October 7, 2017 at 8pm. Orchestra Moderne NYC is a new, dynamic, and game-changing ensemble founded by internationally known conductor Amy Andersson in March 2017.

Pacific Symphony's critically acclaimed American Composers Festival (ACF), led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, enters its 17th year with “Ellis Island”—a meaningful nod to the past, with lessons for the present, fortified by hope for the future.

The York Symphony Orchestra will present The American Dream on Saturday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center in York. It is the fifth concert of the 2016-2017 Classical Series, A Musical Journey Through Time. The performance will feature Chris Brubeck's Travels in Time for Three, Peter Boyer's Ellis Island: The Dream of America, and James Beckel's “The American Dream” from Night Visions.

Pacific Symphony's critically acclaimed American Composers Festival (ACF), led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, enters its 17th year with“Ellis Island”—a meaningful nod to the past, with lessons for the present, fortified by hope for the future. Each year, ACF uncovers a different facet of American music, and in 2017, the Symphony pays tribute to our nation's historic immigrant experience and the American dream by taking inspiration from the Grammy-nominated work composed by Peter Boyer, “Ellis Island: The Dream of America.” This ambitious blending of narration, projected images and orchestral writing highlighting individual immigrants who came to America's shores between 1910 and 1940 offers a searing, emotionally charged concert experience.