For Immediate Release Program Contact: Erin Haran MacCurtain
September 17, 2008 617-437-0707 x117
ORCHESTRA IOWA
PRESENTS LIVE TAPING OF NPR'S FROM THE TOP
NOVEMBER 13 AT HOYT SHERMAN PLACE
FROM THE TOP PERFORMERS TO VISIT DES MOINES SCHOOLS
From the Top, the non-profit known for its hit radio and television broadcasts featuring the nation's best young classical musicians hosted by acclaimed concert pianist Christopher O'Riley, comes to Des Moines on Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 7:30 pm to tape its NPR radio program at Hoyt Sherman Place, presented by the Cedar Rapids Symphony, now Orchestra Iowa, with support from Iowa Public Radio.
In conjunction with the concert at Hoyt Sherman, From the Top and Orchestra Iowa will visit Des Moines elementary schools to inspire students about classical music. The school visits and taping are part of a unique partnership between Orchestra Iowa and From the Top intended to bring the power, joy and excitement of classical music to Iowa youth and families, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. As part of a ten-month residency program called Iowa Makes Music, the partners will present radio tapings in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, in-school performances, a leadership training program for young musicians who want to give back to their communities, and a statewide multimedia contest to inspire students to reflect on and respond to classical music.
The Des Moines concert recording will feature performances from outstanding young artists from Iowa and across the country. Local talent includes 14-year-old pianist Chelsea Wang from West Des Moines, IA performing Chopin's Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 31. Chelsea won first prize in last year's Iowa Music Teachers Association piano competition. Ha-Eun Ryu, a 16-year-old violinist from North Liberty, IA, who now attends Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, will perform La Capricieuse, Op. 17 by Edward Elgar and 17-year-old baritone Alan Nagel from Johnston, IA will sing “Non pi andrai” from Le Nozze di Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Alan was discovered during a live audition at the Des Moines Symphony Academy in September. Alan Nagel and Chelsea Wang will lead the Des Moines classroom visits on November 12 and 14 to inspire younger students about classical music and connect with them about the rewards of hard work and focus in any pursuit.
17-year-old oboist Julia DeRosa from New Canaan, CT and the MacPhail Suzuki Guitar Quartet from MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis will also perform. The guitar quartet features David Tramm, 17, from Arden Hills, MN, Thomas Polzine, 17, from Buffalo, MN, Stephen Krishnan, 17, from Shoreview, MN and Christopher Garwood, guitar, 15, from Maple Plain, MN. As on every From the Top broadcast, this taping will highlight the performers' musicianship as well as their lives outside of music through interviews with O'Riley.
Tickets are available at 515-243-1888 or online at www.hoytsherman.org.
One of the most popular weekly radio programs on public radio, From the Top's variety show format features music, interviews and light-hearted sketches with the country's most talented pre-college age musicians. From the Top is heard on more than 200 NPR stations coast-to-coast and online at fromthetop.npr.org. Iowa Public Radio carries the program Saturdays at 4pm and Sundays at 5:00 PM. The Des Moines taping will broadcast on February 14, 2009.
From the Top's PBS television program From the Top at Carnegie Hall, a 13-part series hosted by Christopher O'Riley, captures the excitement of young musicians in performance at Carnegie Hall and showcases their lives both on-stage and off. The series can be seen on Iowa Public Television as well as pbs.org/fromthetop.
Each year, From the Top visits 20 communities to tape radio broadcasts and conduct education outreach programs that utilize the inspirational power of young musicians to motivate students and adults to engage in music and the arts. From the Top's television program, produced by From the Top, WGBH and Don Mischer Productions in association with Carnegie Hall, will tape its third season before live audiences at Carnegie's Judy and Arthur Zankel Hall in New York, NY in summer 2009. At broadcast taping performers are encouraged to explore ways in which they can connect with new audiences, serve as positive peer role models, and give back to their communities.
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ABOUT ORCHESTRA IOWA
The Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra, known statewide as Orchestra Iowa, held its inaugural concert on April 13, 1921, and has since become Iowa's premier orchestra, with an annual budget of over $2 million. The symphony's annual concert season runs from September through May, encompassing more than 30 Classical, Pops, Chamber, Youth and Discovery concerts yearly. The orchestra carries music to thousands of children in the public schools throughout Eastern Iowa, and more than 500 students participate in ensembles and private study at The Cedar Rapids Symphony School. Music Director Timothy Hankewich, in his third season with the orchestra, is an enthusiastic proponent of the Symphony School and Orchestra Iowa education and outreach programs. Please direct media questions to Christy Frost, Marketing Director, at 319-366-8206 or cfrost@crsymphony.org.
ABOUT FROM THE TOP
From the Top is a non-profit organization that celebrates the passion, dedication and personal stories of the nation's outstanding young classical musicians. Through entertaining radio and television broadcasts, online media, and a national tour of live events and outreach programs, these performers inspire the pursuit of excellence, and encourage participation in the arts as an integral part of a vibrant and civil society.
From the Top's training and mentorship programs prepare young musicians to connect with new audiences, serve as positive peer role models, and give back to their communities in many ways.
From the Top on NPR is made possible through grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. It is also supported through the generous contributions of individuals and foundations as well as public radio stations. From the Top radio program is produced in association with WGBH Radio Boston and New England Conservatory of Music, its home and education partner.
Exclusive corporate funding for From the Top at Carnegie Hall on PBS is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance. Major foundation funding is provided by the Bernard Osher Foundation. Additional funding is provided by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, Helen and Peter Bing, National Endowment for the Arts, and the E.H.A. Foundation.
Music. It's Powerful Stuff.
