Clear Lake Symphony Newsletter Vol. 6 Issue 6
wwww.ClearLakeSymphony.org
Upcoming 2014 - 2015 Season Concert featuring Mike Smith, horn
Dr. Charles Johnson, starts its 39th season in the Fall of 2014. The
Symphony,
y
y recognized
g
as a premiere community
y orchestra, is a member of the Clear Lake Chamber of
Commerce, ASCAP and BMI. Its goals are to present classical music for the residents of the Bay Area and
to provide opportunities for the Bay Area musicians to create a variety of musical experiences for the
enjoyment of the community. Six regular season performances including the Christmas “Pops” will be
held featuring various classical selections and guest soloists.
The Clear Lake Symphony, with Music Director,
All concerts will be held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Auditorium, 18220 Upper Bay Road in Nassau Bay
across from NASA Johnson Space Center at 7:30 PM (see concert dates).
The Clear Lake Symphony will be performing the fifth concert of the
2014-2015 season on Friday, March 27, 2015 at the Gloria Dei Lutheran
Church Auditorium located at 18220 Upper Bay Road across from NASA
Johnson Space Center. Celebrating their 39th season, the Orchestra will
perform an evening of beautiful music featuring the winners of the
annual Youth Concerto Competition.
The Orchestra will be led by Dr. Charles Johnson, in his 34th year as
Conductor and Musical Director of the Clear Lake Symphony.
Dr. Charles Johnson
Conductor
& Musical Director
Reminder: All concerts will be
on Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m.
For a list of all the season
concerts, please click on the
following link:
www.ClearLakeSymphony.org
y p
y g
Concert Tickets are available from Eye Trends, 515 Bay Area Blvd., Suite 300 (next door to Starbucks).
Phone number: 281-488-0066. Individual are: $13 adults, $10 senior citizens (age 55 & up) & $8 students.
Tickets are also available at the concert ticket table the night of the concert.
Page 1 of 7
Clear Lake Symphony Newsletter Vol. 6 Issue 6
wwww.ClearLakeSymphony.org
March 27, 2015 Program Notes (excerpts from Wikipedia)
Friedrich Kuhlau (1786 - 1832). Elverhoj (Elve's Hill), Op. 100 - Kuhlau's most famous work, was
written as incidental music to a romantic festive play for a royal wedding.
wedding The overture concludes with the tune
"Kong Christian stod ved hojen mast" which became the Danish National Anthem.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827). Piano Concerto No.2 in B-flat major, Op. 19 - became an
important display piece for the young Beethoven as he sought to establish himself after moving from Bonn to
Vienna. He was the soloist at its premiere on March 29, 1795. While the work as a whole is very much in the
concert style of Mozart, there is a sense of drama and contrast that would be present in many of Beethoven's
later works.
Edvard Grieg (1843 - 1907). Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 - was composed in 1868, and was the
only
l concerto
t Grieg
G i completed.
l t d It is
i one off the
th mostt popular
l works
k and
d among the
th mostt popular
l off allll piano
i
concerti.
Camille Saint-Saens (1835 - 1921). Cello Concerto No.1 in A minor, Op. 33 - was composed in
1872 and was considered by Shostakovich and Rachmaninoff to be the greatest of all cello concertos.
Franz Berwald (1796 - 1868). Konzertstuck (Concert Piece) in F for Bassoon and Orchestra - is a
welcome addition to the bassoon repertoire. The 1827 work combines a strong classical strain with
original and almost unpredictable touches.
Samuel Barber (1910 - 1981).
1981) Violin Concerto,
Concerto Op.
Op 14 - Composed in 1939
1939, Herbert Baumel performed
the concerto in the 193911940 season as soloist with the symphony orchestra of the Curtis Institute conducted
by Fritz Reiner. That performance brought the piece to the attention of Eugene Ormandy, who soon scheduled
its official premiere in a pair of performances by the Philadelphia Orchestra in February of 1941. These
performances were followed by a repeat performance in Carnegie Hall and from that point the piece rapidly
entered the standard violin and orchestral repertoire. In fact, it has become one of the most frequently performed
of all 20th century concertos.
Claude T. Smith (1932 - 1987). Fantasia for Alto Saxophone - demands a most able soloist. Range and
flexibility are an absolute requirement along with a mature approach to solo work
work. Claude T
T. Smith was an
American band conductor, composer, and music educator. His composition Flight is the "official march" of the
Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum. Fantasia was originally written for band and has been
orchestrated for the Clear Lake Symphony by Dr. Charles A. Johnson.
Special Features
In-School Performances
The Symphony is dedicated to the musical education of our children and brings classical music to the
public
bli schools,
h l att no costt to
t the
th students
t d t or taxpayers,
t
th
through
h classroom
l
d
demonstrations
t ti
and
d
discussions. The Symphony annually donates numerous tickets to the students to provide them with
the opportunity to enjoy a free symphony concert. For information, call Sherrie Matula (281) 486-0224.
Clear Lake Area Symphony Society
CLASS is a group of volunteers who assists with concert production on a regular basis, assuming the
responsibilities for box office, receptions, promotion, and Ad sales. For more information, call Sherrie
Matula (281) 486-0224. For more information or to become a CLASS member go to:
http://clearlakesymphony org/class htm .
http://clearlakesymphony.org/class.htm
Special Contribution Recognition
The Clear Lake Symphony recognizes those patrons who donate $100 or more by including their
names in the Hall of Honor section of our subscription concert programs and on the Symphony web
site. The six categories as listed below are:
Underwriter -- $2500 or more
Sponsor -- $1000 to $2499
Benefactor -- $500 to $999
Patron -- $300 t0 $499
Donor -- $200 to $299
Friend -- $100 to $199
The Clear Lake Symphony is a non-profit organization with a 501 ©(3) status with the IRS. All contributions are tax deductible.
Page 2 of 7
Clear Lake Symphony Newsletter Vol. 6 Issue 6
www.ClearLakeSymphony.org
2014 Youth Concerto Competition Winners
The Clear Lake Symphony held a competition on Saturday, January 24, 2015 for young artists from Houston
Metro area high schools,
schools junior highs,
highs and elementary schools.
schools The Youth Concerto Competition winners will be
provided with a scholarship and perform as a featured soloist with the Clear Lake Symphony at the Friday, March
27, 2015 concert at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church at 18220 Upper Bay Road, in Nassau Bay. A total of thirty three
(33) participants participated in this year's competition.
Junior Wind Division
Samuel James (bassoon) Winner, "Concert Piece", by Berwald. Age 15
in the 9th grade at Clear Falls High School. Samuel is the son of Stephen
James & Beth Weilder.
Samuel has studied bassoon for 4 ½
years. Music teacher: Robyn Watson. Sam's hobbies are playing
bassoon, band, and playing video and computer games with friends. His
favorite class in school, after band, is his engineering design class. As of
this point, Sam has not decided what to do with the "rest of his life", but
the bassoon will be a large part of it.
Musical Achievements:
· Clear Lake Symphony Concerto Competition Winner, Junior Wind
Division (2013)
· All-State Orchestra on Contrabassoon - #2 (2015)
· 6th chair Area F - bassoon, Clear Falls High School (2015)
· 1st chair Region 17 - bassoon, Clear Falls High School (2015)
· Member of Clear Falls Front Ensemble during marching season playing
vibraphone (2015)
· Member of Clear Falls Wind Ensemble (2015)
(
)
· Member of Houston Youth Symphony (2014, 2015)
No Honorable Mention
Senior Wind Division
Adrian Falco (saxophone), "Fantasia", by Claude T. Smith. Age 17 in
the 12th grade at Friendswood High School. Adrian is the son of Michael
and Hong Falco. Studied saxophone for 6 years. Music teachers: Dan
Gelok, Johnny Salinas and Bob Eason. Adrian enjoys cycling, jogging
and swimming. He also enjoyed participating in the Friendswood High
School Marching Band and being section leader of the saxophone
section.
Musical Achievements:
· TMEA All-State Musician on Alto Saxophone (2013, 2014, 2015)
· Judges Choice and 1st Place Winner in American Protégé International
Brass and Woodwind Competition (2014)
· 1st Chair, Alto Saxophone, Area F (2013, 2014, 2015)
No Honorable Mention
Page 3 of 7
Clear Lake Symphony Newsletter Vol. 6 Issue 6
www.ClearLakeSymphony.org
Junior Piano Division
John Cao (piano) Winner, "Piano Concerto No. 2, 1st mvt." by
Beethoven. Age 14, in the 9h grade at Manvel High School. John is the son
of Qirong Cao and Rong Shen. John studied piano for 10 years. Music
teacher: John Weems. John's interests other than piano are: choir, figure
skating, swimming and math. His ambitions are to study both ophthalmology
and piano in college. John loves doing volunteer work for his church.
Musical Achievements:
· HMTA Piano Contest,, 1st place
p
(2013
(
- 2014))
· HYAC Artist (2012 - 2016)
· Finalist in TMTA - 7th & 8th grade
· All State Choir (2015)
Honorable Mention: Steven Dong (piano) , "Piano
Piano Concerto No
No. 20 in D minor
minor, K466
K466, 1st mvt.
mvt " by Mozart.
Mozart
Music teacher: John Weems, Parent: Jianrong Dong
Senior Piano Division
David Li (piano) Winner, "Piano Concerto in A minor, 1st mvt.", by
Grieg. Age 16 in the 11th grade at Klein Collins High School. David is the
son of Qingzhou
g
Li and Yu Shen. He studied p
piano for 9 yyears. Music
teacher: John Weems. In addition to classical music, David enjoys all
kinds of music and playing basket ball. He is an active member of the
Math club, HOSA and DECA. Along with a very rigorous class schedule
of six AP classes this year, David is ranked first in his class of 813. He
plans to major in medical science.
Musical Achievements:
· 1st place, Piano Concerto Competition, Texas Musical Teacher
Association (2014)
(
)
· Overall Owner (2013), and 1st place (2013, 2014) , Blinn College Young
Pianist Competition
· 1st place, Houston Forum for Young Artist Competition (2014)
· 1st place, CCMTA - Paul Schmitt Piano Competition (2014)
· 1st place, Texas State University Young Artist Piano Competition (2012)
Honorable Mention: David Nie (piano) , "Piano Concerto No. 1" by Prokofiev. Music teacher: John Weems,
Parents: Henry Nie and Jean Wang
Clear Lake Symphony
wishes to express our special appreciation to the
Fred and Nancy Forshey of
Forshey Piano Company
for providing the studio piano for the Youth Concerto Competition and
the beautiful Schimmel Grand Piano for the March 27th performance.
Page 4 of 7
Clear Lake Symphony Newsletter Vol. 6 Issue 6
www.ClearLakeSymphony.org
Junior String Division
James Biak (cello) Winner,
Winner "Cello
Cello Concerto No.
No 1,
1 1st mvt.
mvt ", by Saint
Saintth
Saens. Age 13 in the 8 grade at Garland McMeans Juniors High
School. James is the son of John and Youngsook Baik. Studied cello for 5
years. Music Teacher: Christopher French. James enjoys playing tennis
and basketball and exploring technology.
Musical Achievements:
· Member of TMEA Region 23 Junior High Symphony Orchestra
(2012 2013
(2012,
2013, 2014)
· Houston Young Artist (2015)
· 1st place, Houston Civic Symphony Concerto Competition (2015)
Honorable Mention: Randy Tan (violin) , "Symphonie Espagnole in D minor, op. 12, 1st mvt." by Lalo. Music
teacher: Henry Rubin, Parent: Jiasen Tan
Senior Piano Division
Jiakai Pan (violin) Winner, "Violin Concerto, 1st mvt." by Barber. Age 15 in the 10th
grade at Bellaire High School.
School Jiakai is the son of Jen-Jung Pan and Chaoru Chen.
Chen
He studied violin for 8 years. Music teacher: Kenneth Goldsmith. Jiakai interests
are creative writing and computer gaming. His hobbies include reading and
listening to music. Jiakai 's ambition is to have a lifelong interest in classical music.
Musical Achievements:
· Houston Youth Symphony Concerto Competition Winner (2015)
· Houston Young Artists member (2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2016)
· All-State Symphony Orchestra (2014, 2015)
Honorable Mention: Simon Yao (violin) , "Violin Concerto in D minor" by Sibelius. Music teacher: Ming Qi,
Parents: Yixin Yao and Shaoying
y g Xin
Clear Lake Symphony
wishes to express our special appreciation to the
George
G
g and Mary
y Josephine
J p
Hamman Foundation
for underwriting the January 2015 Youth Concerto Competition and
the March 2015 Concert featuring the Competition Winners.
Page 5 of 7
Clear Lake Symphony Newsletter Vol. 6 Issue 6
www.ClearLakeSymphony.org
Thank You Roje Yap !
Many thanks go to Competition Coordinator, Roje Yap for his tireless work to put this
competition
titi and
d concertt together.
t
th
A big
bi th
thank
k you also
l goes tto hi
his committee
itt
who
h h
helped
l d
during the competition and the judges on January 24, 2015.
A fine job was done by the competition Judges. This year's judges were the following:
WIND DIVISION
Mr. Robert Wall
· Assoc. Conductor - Clear Lake Symphony
· Principal
P i i l Cl
Clarinet
i t - Clear
Cl
L
Lake
k S
Symphony
h
Dr. Angie Schindler
· Co-Principal Oboe - Clear Lake Symphony
Dr. Courtney Crappell
· Associate Professor of Piano & Piano Pedagogy
· University
U i
i off H
Houston - Moores
M
S h l off M
School
Music
i
PIANO DIVISION
Mr. Robert Wall
· Assoc. Conductor - Clear Lake Symphony
· Principal Clarinet - Clear Lake Symphony
Dr. Angie
g Schindler
· Co-Principal Oboe Player - Clear Lake Symphony
Dr. Courtney Crappell
· Associate Professor of Piano & Piano Pedagogy
· University of Houston - Moores School of Music
STRING
S
G DIVISION
SO
Dr. Charles Johnson
· Music Director - Clear Lake Symphony
Mr. George Tate
· Principal Viola - Clear Lake Symphony
· Viola Player - Halcyon String Quartet
· Past President - Texas Orchestra Directors Association
Mr. Luci Manolache
· String Bass Player - Clear Lake Symphony
Page 6 of 7
Clear Lake Symphony Newsletter Vol. 6 Issue 6
wwww.ClearLakeSymphony.org
2014 - 2015
Season
Performances
Please support our
sponsors off th
the Symphony.
S
h
Bring this ad with you when
going out to dine and
receive a 10% discount off
your bill.
y
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