The Barber of Seville

Just saw this and it's really fun. Enjoy!!

Resonance Flute Consort

Former Culver City Flute Choir member Karen Smith has a group called "Resonance Flute Consort," and I'm very proud to share their new-ish website with you!

Karen is a very talented flutist, and this group will soon have CD available.

Enjoy.

Variety is the spice of life

I did not read the letter that this letter refers to.
I do not know what a "flute band" is, as defined by someone living (and playing!) in the UK.

I have no idea what kind of specific behavior rankled people so much that they "ridicule and complain" about the so-called "flute bands," however, I will say that it kind of sounds like fun.

Enjoy: http://www.newsletter.co.uk/community/letters/flute_bands_liven_up_parades_1_3061269

Fall 2011 Begins Soon!

Fall session begins Thursday, September 15th, so PLEASE contact the adult school and register, if you haven't already. You can register by phone, online or in person. Please remember to register BEFORE the start of the quarter. Thank you!

Register online!
Flute choir is 10 Thursdays, September 18 - December 8, and the cost is $115. Still a bargain at only $11.50 per class!

Adult School Information:

CULVER CITY ADULT SCHOOL OFFICE
4909 Overland Ave.
Culver City, CA 90230
Tel: 310.842.4300 Fax: 310.842.4343

FALL 2010 CALENDAR
Sept. 7th - Dec. 11th

SCHOOL CLOSED
Veteran's Day: Thursday, Nov. 11th
Thanksgiving Week: Nov. 22nd thru Nov. 27th

NEW OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Thursday: 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. & 6-7 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

St. Patrick's Day Greeting From Space

Thought this was the perfect place to share this. Enjoy!

LA Phil on tour - blog!

The Los Angeles Philharmonic members are keeping a blog while they're on their European tour... you can read it by clicking on the title of today's post.

Enjoy!

LA Phil's Gustavo Dudamel on Jay Leno

LA Phil's Gustavo Dudamel

If you missed Dudamel on Jay Leno last night, here's a clip!

Part 1
Part 2

LA Phil Live - this Sunday, January 9, 2011

The LA Phil Live event (where you can see the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Gustavo Dudamel at your local movie theater) is this Sunday, January 9, 2011.

Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased online ahead of time. Click on the title of this post and you will be taken to the website with more information. Note: there are more events like this coming up after this one, too!

A 'Messiah' performance of, by and for musicians - latimes.com

I would love an invitation to this home!

A 'Messiah' performance of, by and for musicians - latimes.com

Carol Wincenc: Master Class and Performance: February 2011

The Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach presents Carol Wincenc - master classes and performance February 11-13, 2011.

Here's the schedule and more information:

California State University, Long Beach
Bob Cole Conservatory of Music
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90840

Master classes:
Friday, February 11, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 12, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. / 1:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
University Music Center A-301

Artist performance:
Sunday, February 13, 8:00 p.m.
Daniel Recital Hall A-100
Tickets are $10/$7

Arts ticket office: (562) 985-7000
www.csulb.edu/coleconservatory

Performers:
Carol Wincenc, flute
Wendy Caldwell, piano
John Barcellona, flute

If you're interested in performing at one of the master classes, send your resume to:
Dr. John Barcellona
Bob Cole Conservatory of Music
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90840

The cost to perform is $100, however, do not send a check until you've been confirmed to perform.

To audit the master classes, send $25 to the above address in advance, or you can pay at the door. Make checks payable to CSULB Woodwind Chamber Music.

For further information contact John Barcellona at (562) 985-4739.

Great Steve Lopez story in the LA Times

In case you missed it, Steve Lopez wrote a short but sweet story about Gary Chen and the music shop in Hollywood, Stein on Vine.

Click on the title of today's post to read.

I've only been there once, but it was a cool little visit to a cool place.

Winter Session for Flute Choir

Hi, everyone,
The winter session for flute choir begins on Thursday, January 13!

PLEASE REGISTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE: as you know, we need to meet a certain level of registered students BEFORE THE FIRST CLASS, otherwise we will be threatened with cancellation, which is a big hassle.

• 10 Thursdays, 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
• $115 (yes, the price has gone up, but still a bargain: $11.50 a week for 2.5 hours of playing and instruction)
• January 13-March 24
• No class March 3
• We meet at Culver City Middle School, Room 1

You may register:

• In person: 4909 Overland Avenue, Culver City, CA 90230
• By telephone: (310) 842-4300
• Online: www.ccusd.org/adultschool

The adult school hours are:

Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Please call before making a trip down there as their winter break is probably coming up soon. Even if you can't register in person, you can do it online, anytime!

Happy holidays, and looking forward to seeing and hearing you in 2011!

- Irene

Holiday Concert 2010!

Hello, friends,

We hope you can join us in celebrating the holidays this year!

When: Thursday, December 9, 2010, at 8:00 p.m.
Refreshments served after the concert.

Where: Farragut Elementary School
(Cafeteria/Auditorium)
10820 Farragut Drive
Culver City, CA 90230

We look forward to seeing you!

A day in the life of Gustavo Dudamel

(Information from Facebook)

Euronews profiles a day in the life of Gustavo Dudamel, from a morning with the Youth Orchestra of LA to conducting the LA Phil at Walt Disney concert hall at night.

http://www.euronews.net/2010/11/04/gustavo-dudamel-the-little-big-man/

LA Phil Live!

The Los Angeles Philharmonic will be presenting three live theater events in 2011! You can buy a ticket at a movie theater near you and experience the orchestra from the comfort of your own zip code.

For more details (dates, program notes, etc), visit http://www.laphil.com/laphillive/. My only issue so far with this is that I didn't see anywhere how much the tickets will cost. This seems like information that would be important to have.

One of Patty's piano students mentioned to me awhile back that the LA Opera also does this too, and you can get more information about their programs, here.

There's also a story today in the New York Times about how orchestras and opera companies are doing this (and you thought you could only watch UFC fights at the movie theater!) and the possible effects it will have on performances. It's pretty interesting so check it out, here.

Los Angeles Philharmonic - Gala Concert

Did you miss last night's gala concert at Walt Disney Hall last night?

I caught some of it on the radio, but here's the whole concert, thanks to NPR.

Enjoy!

Flute God: David Buck

In the last week or so I've had two opportunities to hear David Buck, the new principal flutist for the Los Angeles Philharmonic play (I attended a free concert in Cerritos last Wednesday, and another free concert at Walt Disney Hall - oriented toward children but I enjoyed it too, on Saturday). The LA Phil website doesn't have a link to Mr. Buck's bio yet, but here's something I found on an Oregon newspaper from 2006 when he was appointed as principal flutist of the Oregon Symphony.

THE FLUTE GOD: Although principal flutist David Buck is only 24 years old, he has indeed been described as a "flute god" by those who heard him during the auditions. Buck has only to give his final recital to graduate from Juilliard, and he figures he'll do that next spring. "I've played in orchestras for Carlos twice," remarks Buck, "once when he came to Juilliard and another time with the New World Symphony. I like his energy and the excitement he brings to music. It was a lot of fun." And speaking of fun, Buck says: "I'm in a film coming out this fall with Robert De Niro called The Good Shepherd. You can find me playing flute dressed in drag alongside Matt Damon."

Also, here's his bio from the Oregon Symphony's website:

David Buck was appointed principal flute of the Oregon Symphony in 2005 by music director Carlos Kalmar. The Oregonian has praised him for his “supple tone, rhythmic dynamism, and technical agility.” David is a recent graduate of The Juilliard School, where he earned a Bachelor of Music and a Graduate Diploma. He took a hiatus from his studies at Juilliard after his sophomore year to serve as Associate Principal flutist with the Honolulu Symphony. He has also had the opportunity to appear as a guest principal with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

An avid chamber musician, David has been a member of the New Juilliard Ensemble, the Axiom Ensemble, and the Julliard Woodwind Quintet. He has participated in several summer festivals, including Tanglewood Music Center, Spoleto Festival del Due Monde, Kent/Blossom Music Festival, and the Pacific Music Festival. A native of Philadelphia, David’s primary teachers have been New York Philharmonic principal flutist Robert Langevin, and Jeffrey Khaner and David Cramer of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

In his spare time David enjoys reading and drinking coffee.

And here's an article with a little bit of him talking about auditioning for Gustavo Dudamel.

Mr. Buck studied with Robert Langevin (principal flutist for the New York Philharmonic), who I also had the opportunity to hear recently. Another amazing player. I'm feeling inspired. I need some more flute playing!

Los Angeles Philharmonic - Free Neighborhood Concert

Last night, Patrick and I went to a free concert by the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. I'm not sure how well-advertised these concerts are - I found out about this one from KPCC, which we listen to in the mornings, yesterday. Not even one day's notice seems either like they know that once word gets out they'll be guaranteed to have an audience (the LA Phil for FREE is an awesome draw, no?), or... they have crappy planning skills over there at the LA Philharmonic Association.

I'm going to assume it's not that one, though, because this concert was extremely well-attended, and rightfully so. We had a really nice time.

So the way this concert worked, by the time I heard about it, was that you could go to the Cerritos Center's box office starting at 6 p.m. last night to get "stand-by" tickets. I left work a half hour early because the 5 freeway south from East LA more times than not is a parking lot at 5:30 (my usual time to leave). I got off the 91 freeway at around 5:55, and following my Google Map instructions, went... in a giant circle. The shopping area where the performing arts center is never fails to confuse the heck out of me: it's a maze, and I almost always get lost. From the direction I came, too, I missed out on the big white signs that say "Box Office" (Patrick didn't, and thus had an easier time). Eventually I found it, though, and there were about 5 people already in what I thought was the stand-by line.

I went to the box office, however, and found out that there were still tickets available. I got my tickets, got in line, and waited for Patrick. He made it there from Downey much faster than I did from East LA (he's a speed demon) and eventually they let us in. (I'm not sure about the stand-by line, which did eventually make an appearance. I don't know if they got in or not.)

The rush for seats wasn't as bad as I thought it might be (we all had General Admission tickets), and while it might've been cool to have taken one of the boxes (the place has a million boxes!) instead we headed down to about the 8th or 9th row, just right of center. I didn't realize that the flute section would be pretty much right in front of me (the stage seemed awfully cramped; no way of knowing how the musicians felt about it, but I liked it - the orchestra looked like a giant black and white single entity at times; they put on a very spirited concert with lots of movement), so the conductor was blocking them most of the time, but that conductor (Manuel Lopez, a student, or former student?, of Gustavo Dudamel), was really fun to watch, so I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything.

So. 26-year old Manuel Lopez! I don't really know anything educated about conductors, so my comments (all my comments, not just about him) are just my own silly opinion. But that guy was thrilling to watch, and I bet, to play for. He seemed to me to be tall - at least, he has long, thin legs (and wore a beautifully tailored suit, very fashionable) and a huge head of hair - he looked great. His crisp white French cuffs were flying all over the place, his hands were big and lovely, and his body language was perfectly understandable and exciting. He didn't overdo it either, but he seemed very involved in the music.

Ah! The music! They performed four pieces: Huapango, by Jose Pablo Moncayo; Overture to La gazza ladra (The Thieving Magpie) and Overture to Semiranide, by Gioachino Rossini; and Symphony No. 7 in A major, by Beethoven.

I'd never heard Huapango, and according to the program notes (I think it would be a copyright violation to include them here but you can visit the LA Phil's website and I think they're there), the piece incorporates three traditional songs from Veracruz. It was very cool, and had lots of percussion and horns. We really enjoyed it.

The two Rossini pieces were equally exciting. I don't know what it is, exactly, about Rossini that I like. Maybe it's that the music is sometimes sort of cornball - so dramatic and visual; I always get a picture in my head. Maybe it's that it reminds me of Bugs Bunny and like everyone I'm just a ten year old at heart. Maybe it seems like Rossini had a sense of humor. I love the double-time fast parts and huge crescendos and the way everything fits together like a big moving piece of machinery. I don't know. But I really liked both pieces. The first one starts with these snare drum rolls, and what drummer and wife of a drummer wouldn't love that?

Watching the orchestra in that setting was really special, too. I've been to Disney Hall and the Hollywood Bowl and the Pantages and Dorothy Chandler, and I've had some great seats (and bad seats), but I've never felt like I could see the orchestra quite so well as at the Cerritos Center. They were right there, and seriously, last night they were rocking out. They really looked like they were having fun, and it was fun for me to catch some of their actions close up (I like the way the concertmaster almost stands up out of his seat sometimes while he's playing, or the way the bearded gentleman sitting behind him in the violin section taps both feet occasionally, or the way the guy sitting behind him would look at his stand partner every once in awhile). The cellos were pretty much squeezed into the first row, and I had serious fears that they were going to hit one another with their bows, but seeing all of them so close like that, with the varying colors of their instruments (all the different shades of honey) was great. And of course hearing them - there were some amazing little solos here and there - Sarah Jackson's piccolo is so beautiful and mellow. The horns were dead on and gorgeous. The percussion section was impressive.

I also like how they would light the concertmaster every time he stood up to tune the orchestra. That little detail reminded me of some of our light cues at City Garage, and I thought it was perfect.

Maybe it's because the floor seats at the Cerritos Center are on a slight incline, so I could see over the heads of the people in front of me, or maybe because we were very close, or it's a small place, or I don't know. I'm not sure how old the Cerritos Center is, but the decor is looking a little aged (Patrick compared it to a Hampton Inn), and I don't know anything about the acoustic properties, but with the lights out and the concert in progress, it was a very nice place to hear a big orchestra like that.

But then came the Beethoven, and it was the only thing I did not enjoy.

Most likely my lack of appreciation for Beethoven is a personal failing of my own and not Beethoven's, or maybe it was just this piece (the Allegretto was great, but everything else? B is for Boring) but I suddenly found myself getting very tired. The music just didn't capture me. I stopped paying attention, and started getting annoyed at little things unrelated to the performance (someone's hearing aid was beeping: I'm sure it had happened before but it didn't bother me until the third movement of the Beethoven; someone near us was tapping their foot so vigorously that the entire row could feel it). But this could just be me (though Patrick felt the concert lost something at the end too), because the crowd around us as we left were all raving and one lady in particular was in LOVE with the Beethoven, so what do I know?

Anyway, it was a fun night, fun to get out on a Wednesday and hear some amazing musicians - FOR FREE. If I hear about any more free concerts I will let you know.

On Saturday I'm taking my friend Sarah to Walt Disney Hall for another free concert, but this one (I just found out) isn't exactly a concert - I think there will be some discussion, too. Hopefully more playing. And Mr. Lopez will be conducting again, and I'm looking forward to that. Anyway, I have no idea if tickets are still available; at this point, if you're interested, you should contact them directly.

On Sunday there's another free concert at MacArthur park but the LA Phil website doesn't indicate how to get these tickets. I'd call if I were you, it's what I did yesterday to find out about the concert at the Cerritos Center. I spoke to Jackie, and she was extremely helpful, but I'm sure whoever you get will be helpful too.

General Information: (323) 850-2000

Upcoming flute stuff

Sir James Galway at Colburn on October 11th

The legendary "man with the golden flute" Sir James Galway will be hosting a day of master classes, coachings, Q&A sessions, and more in Colburn's Zipper Hall on Monday, October 11th. His wife, Lady Jeanne Galway, will also be hosting masterclasses for younger students (age 10-16). Please visit the Colburn School's website to learn more (including fees and registration information) about this amazing opportunity.
 
...
 
The Los Angeles Philharmonic has been having free concerts and events that don't appear to be all that well advertised ahead of time. This morning on KPCC I learned of a free concert tonight (yes, tonight) at the Cerritos Performing Arts Center, and sometime last month I received an email at work about a free concert this Saturday. I've already got my tickets for Saturday, and will be attempting to get in line at 6 p.m. tonight for stand-by tickets for tonight - it means leaving work early and fighting traffic, but they're playing Rossini, and I love Rossini! It's going to be cool to see the LA Phil for free, and though the Saturday concert is advertised as a concert for kids, I still think it's going to be a good time. And I'm taking my friend Sarah, who hasn't yet been to Disney Hall!
 
KPCC also mentioned a free concert at MacArthur Park but I haven't seen any information about that one, yet. If you have, let me know!

Carnival of Venice for 24 Crossed Arms

This is crazy!