News and Notes

11-Jun-2010

"It's a family affair..."
A proud father and a thrilled daughter were the winners of this year’s raffle to conduct the orchestra at one of its Summer Pops concerts in Zilker Park.

Don Dennis, a Lubbock lawyer, saw it as a chance to fulfill a dream of conducting his daughter, Kaitlyn, a piccolo player in the orchestra.  He spent extravagantly to buy raffle tickets -- and the music gods smiled upon him. Don, who had served one year as the band director in Lorenzo, Texas, picked up the baton like a pro as guest conductor on Saturday night.


In keeping with the family theme, cellist Tani Barr-Kermani’s 8-year-old daughter, Deandra, waved the baton on Friday night. For as long as she can remember, Deandra has attended the Zilker concerts. She finally got the chance to conduct as the orchestra played John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

Every June for more than two decades, the Austin Civic Orchestra has presented a pair of free

pops concerts at Zilker Park's Hillside Theater. Many audience members bring picnic dinners, and all enjoy lively music under what is usually a star-filled summer sky. It’s also worth keeping an eye on the stage: The zany musicians can – and often do – surprise kids of all ages with program-themed costumes and props. This year, a shark fin floated across the stage as the orchestra played the theme to “Jaws.”

30-Mar-2010

Amsters in the “Hood”

Warren Hood, a previous Pearl Amster Youth Concerto Competition winner and fiddle phenomenon, offered encouragement to young musicians to stick with the practicing.  Warren plays with the nationally-known Waybacks  and his own band,  Warren Hood and the Hoodlums.

Warren and KMFA host Dianne Donovan recently discussed on the radio what it takes to pursue a career in music – whether it is classical or “new grass.”    Hood makes the analogy of practioning to working towards a higher level in a computer game.  So kids, take it from a pro.  Those practice dates with your instruments pay off. Congrats again to the 2010 Amster winners – Laura Andrade, Dongsoo Cha and Jessica Hwang.   Thanks for sharing your gifts with us.  All those hours of practice shows.  Pearl Amster Youth Concerto Competition

07-Nov-2009

And the donkeys brayed, "Bravo!"
Kathleen Bohn, winner of the Austin Civic Orchestra's Member Concerto Competition, is known to serenade her donkeys and her neighbors on her ranch in Dripping Springs. Kathleen recently retired from EDS and has taken up her clarinet again studying with Stephen Girko of the Austin Symphony.

No stranger to the orchestra, Kathleen serves on the ACO board and dedicates many hours to helping out with the marketing committee. Bravo, Kathleen for such a mesmerizing performance. And your donkeys thank you too.

28-May-2009

"Lament..." Nominated for Critics Award
The ACO's premiere of Jason Hoogerhyde's "Lament for Strings" is nominated for the Austin Critics' Table Award as on of the best symphonic performances of the year. We are proud to be recognized by the local music critics from the Statesman and Austin Chronicle.

To read about the awards and our competition, go to Give 'Em a Hand: The nominees for the 2009 Austin Critics Table Awards. Come celebrate with orchestra members at the informal awards ceremony on June 1st at Cap City Comedy Club.

20-Feb-2009

Mendelssohn’s Rediscovered Works
The world premiere of one of Felix Mendelssohn’s lost works in Georgetown, Texas?  That’s right. For more details on the recent highlight of ACO's season listen to this piece by KUT’s Julie Moody: "World Premiere of Mendelssohn's Fantaisie for Two Pianos". Or read this front page article by Austin American-Statesman arts writer Jeanne Claire van Rysin: "A long-lost Mendelssohn score gets its 21st century premiere", two great stories about the February 2009 concert.

And thanks to our fans who came out early to buy tickets and make this a special night in the history of the ACO.

31-Dec-2008

New CD Release – “Keeping Austin Classical”
The orchestra recently released a selection of recordings from its 2006-2008 concert series which includes Anton Nel’s performance of Beethoven’s piano concerto “Emperor” at Southwestern’s Alma Thomas Theater in 2008.

Help support the orchestra and enjoy great local music at the same time.  Contact Tina Hester at acomgr@austincivicorchestra.com to order a copy of the CD.