Symphony staffers "adopt" 2 Omaha families

The Omaha Symphony adopted 2 local families through the Salvation Army's Adopt-A-Family program this year. Staffers donated $$ to buy gifts for 9 children, wrapped 'em up last week, and delivered them today! Thanks to our own Julia Hebenstreit for organizing the project. We also gave the kids free tickets to our upcoming January family concert! :)

OWH REVIEW: "Symphony swells with festive spirit"

"If you haven’t felt in the Christmas mood yet, the Omaha Symphony can help."

"The 26th annual Christmas performance combines the polished symphony sound and the smooth vocals of Broadway singers with the talents of local rising stars, like 29 young violin students and dozens of chorus singers. Audience participation is part of the fun."

Read the FULL REVIEW by the Omaha World-Herald's Susan Szalewski: Click here!

WOW! Check out the World-Herald's Christmas coverage...

Christmas with the Symphony made a splash in today's Omaha World-Herald! Not only did the show make the Go! section's cover and centerfold story, it also was in the spotlight in Mike Kelly's column in the Midlands section.

Read all about it below...
"Hitting a holiday high note" by Niz Proskocil
"Former Phantom finds fun in Omaha show" by Niz Proskocil

Don't forget: Bring canned food to Christmas with the Symphony!

We are SO proud to be a part of the ConAgra Foods Arts for the Holidays Celebration!! Help us take a bite out of hunger: bring a canned good or other non-perishable item to Christmas with the Symphony this weekend. Drop-off barrels are at Holland Center entrances. Thanks for your generosity!!

Learn more about the Food Bank of the Heartland & this terrific collaboration...click here!

A Holiday Message from Maestro Wilkins

Meet our Broadway Christmas Cast!

JOHN CUDIA


KELLY SULLIVAN


ERIN STEWART


PETER LOCKYER

“Christmas with the Symphony” sparkles with stunning new Broadway talent, beloved traditions!

WHAT: CHRISTMAS WITH THE SYMPHONY
WHEN: Friday, December 17 8 PM
Saturday, December 18 2 PM & 8 PM
Sunday, December 19 2 PM & 7 PM
WHERE: Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas Street
TICKETS:Start at just $15; 402.345.0606, 402.342.3560, or www.omahasymphony.org

Omaha, Neb – Omaha’s favorite holiday tradition, Christmas with the Symphony, will have the sparkle and shine of a brand new production this season, thanks to a new director, new music and choreography, and a quartet of Broadway musical stars! Add holiday classics and traditions you know and love (like a full orchestral carol sing-along and the hilarious kick line of dancing Santas) and you have a heartwarming treat for the whole family! Five performances (December 17-19) plus the full orchestra make Christmas with the Symphony the area’s biggest and best seasonal production.

Top-notch talent from Broadway was handpicked to anchor the Omaha Symphony’s most popular show of the year. John Cudia most recently starred in the title role of The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. He holds the distinct honor of being the first and only actor to have performed as both The Phantom and Jean Vajean (Les Misérables) on Broadway. Kelly Sullivan’s Broadway credits include Young Frankenstein (Inga), Contact, and Bells are Ringing. Tenor Peter Lockyer was most recently in Lincoln Center Theatre’s revival of South Pacific on Broadway. Erin Stewart, currently in the Broadway revival of A Little Night Music starring Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch, completes the amazing quartet of lead singers, who will bring exceptional vocals and glamour to numbers like “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” “Silver Bells,” and “O Holy Night.”

Co-directors and choreographers Vince Pesce and Stephen Bourneuf are at the helm of the production, placing a primary focus on the season’s ability to bring people together. “This show is about celebrating our connections and the gift of family,” said Pesce. Two huge dance numbers, “Christmas in the City” and “A Christmas Wish,” will tell the stories of two families from two different eras. “Christmas in the City” spotlights the nostalgic stroll of a 1950s family on a bustling city street, experiencing the simple joys of window shopping and spending time with one another, while “A Christmas Wish” follows the emotional modern day story of a young military couple separated during the holiday season.

Christmas with the Symphony is also a celebration of the area’s tremendous local talent. WOWT-TV personality and community favorite Dave Webber brings his signature spirit to the show, providing charming vocals and lots of laughs. Around 25 young violin students of Omaha Symphony musician Anne Nagosky will also be featured.

Of course, no Christmas with the Symphony would be complete without the popular audience carol sing-along and the jolly dancing Santas. To make the experience even more magical, the Holland Performing Arts Center will be transformed into an enchanting winter wonderland—complete with pre-concert music, a beautifully decorated lobby, and live reindeer outside!

The Symphony Pops series is sponsored by the Nebraska Medical Center and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Friday’s night’s performance is sponsored by the Robert H. Storz Foundation, while ConAgra Foods is the orchestra’s holiday season sponsor. The Omaha Symphony is proud to be part of the ConAgra Foods Arts for the Holidays Celebration. This collaboration includes a food drive at all the Christmas with the Symphony performances. Patrons are encouraged to bring canned food and other non-perishable items when attending these concerts at the Holland Center. All donations will support the Food Bank for the Heartland.

Single tickets for Christmas with the Symphony start at $15 and are available at 402.345.0606, 402.342.3560, www.omahasymphony.org, or at the Omaha Symphony Box Office at 1605 Howard Street.

Silly. Goofy. Hilarious. Delightful!

Here's a sneak preview of the comedy of Tomáš Kubínek! He'll be live with the orchestra this Saturday @ 8 PM at the Holland Center. Click here to order your tickets! Expect lots of laughter. :)

REVIEW: Concert offers musical exhibit

“Come see with your ears.”

Those words were essentially the theme for the Omaha Symphony's third MasterWorks program of the season and the last few words of Maestro Thomas Wilkins' introduction to the evening's lush and resplendent melodies.

Read the ENTIRE Omaha World-Herald review by Ashley Wegner: CLICK HERE.

Concert Preview with Thomas! Enjoy!

Popular "PICTURES" to show off orchestra's artistry

Imagine strolling through one of the world’s finest art galleries, with painting after unique painting capturing your eyes and imagination. That’s the experience you’ll have listening to “Pictures at an Exhibition,” the popular masterpiece with movements based on pieces of artwork! Enjoy musical artistry at its best as the Omaha Symphony performs “Pictures at an Exhibition” and more November 12 and 13 at 8 p.m. at the Holland Center.

Omaha Symphony Music Director Thomas Wilkins will conduct this MasterWorks program, themed around the intersection of music and visual art. The concert begins with Johann Strauss, Jr.’s Künstlerleben “Artist’s Life” Waltz, a high-spirited Viennese dance, and Paul Hindemith’s Mathis der Maler (“Mathias the Painter”)—both inspired by visual artists. On the second half of the program, the audience enters “Pictures,” a 10-part piece that showcases the orchestra and numerous recognizable melodies.

Tickets to “Pictures at an Exhibition” are available now, starting at just $15. To purchase tickets, please call the Omaha Symphony Box Office at 402.342.3560 (open M-F, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) or order online at www.omahasymphony.org.

The Soloist Stars of Saturday's Show...

... our own Ann Beebe and Keith Plenert! Come hear a pair of Omaha's top violinists play Vivaldi's beautiful Concerto in A Minor for Two Violins. Kick it "Old School" this Saturday at 7 p.m. at the UNO Strauss Performing Arts Center.
Click HERE for tickets!

Previews A-Plenty: Halloween Weekend Coverage

Halloween weekend is going to be HAPPENING at the Holland Center....from rock to family fun, we've got it all!

Need more details?? Check out the Omaha World-Herald's preview coverage of:

The Music of Michael Jackson (Saturday the 30th) CLICK HERE
Symphony Spooktacular (Sunday/Halloween) CLICK HERE

Do not miss all these awesome entertainment opportunities--that are so affordable!
For tickets, call 342-3560, 345.0606, or go online and order @ www.omahasymphony.org.
See you at the Symphony!

Music of Michael Jackson Preview Pics!

These are photos taken by Bassel Jadaa for the Jacksonville Symphony. The Music of Michael Jackson show was performed there earlier in October. We are excited to have James Delisco and his band perform with us Oct. 30 @ 8 PM at the Holland Center. The set list is incredible!! A good time is guaranteed. Tix start at $25. 345-0606

Did you catch Saturday's Review??

THE FIREBIRD was a spectacular program. We are so thankful to have the talented, in-demand Ricardo Morales with us. Here are some review highlights, written by Omaha World-Herald correspondent Ashley Wegner:

Morales produces a pure, wholesome sound ideal for those soaring orchestral clarinet solos. He also has the technical prowess needed to lead a pack of clarinets through virtuosic waters.

You can tell by watching him that he is a born performer. He grew up in a family of six children, all of whom are now professional musicians. In a video posted on YouTube, he says that when he was young, he would go door-to-door singing Christmas carols and Latin pop songs for the neighbors.

His lifelong experience as a performer is evident in his complete ease when he's front and center.

The Omaha Symphony was brilliant in its interpretation of the piece, enabling the audience to visualize not only the temperaments of this magical bird, but also his story.

Read the entire review-CLICK HERE.

CONCERT PREVIEWS!

Read all about it! Learn more about this weekend's repertoire and our amazing, world-renowned guest artist Ricardo Morales.

"Firebird is the Word" - The Reader
CLICK here to read the article.

"Firebird" Suite & Hot Clarinet - The Omaha World-Herald
CLICK here to read the article.

Great seats are still available! Starting at just $15.
Call 345-0606 or order online, www.omahasymphony.org

New York Wants Him, We've Got Him!

Superstar clarinetist Ricardo Morales (this weekend's guest artist) is making headlines in the orchestra world!! He's been offered a top job with the New York Philharmonic. Get the scoop from the New York Times...CLICK here.

"She's Got A Way" - Beautiful!!

Omaha World-Herald Cavanaugh Preview

By Susan White, Omaha World-Herald

Imagine meeting the hero who inspired you as you learned to play the piano and formed your first band — and then that hero joins you while you’re performing onstage.

That's how Michael Cavanaugh became Billy Joel’s pick to appear in the Broadway musical “Movin’ Out.”

Cavanaugh, whose style evokes the Piano Man’s, will perform in concert with the Omaha Symphony for its Pops Series this weekend at the Kiewit Concert Hall in the Holland Performing Arts Center.

Read the REST of the Article! CLICK HERE.

If you go

What: Omaha Symphony Pops concert featuring Michael Cavanaugh playing Elton John hits

When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday

Where: Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St.

Tickets: $15 to $75

Information: 345-0606 or omahasymphony.org

Ernest Richardson: How I Discovered Michael Cavanaugh

Concert Preview: MIDORI, Sept. 24 & 25

Great seats still available! To order, call 402.342.3560 or click here.

Ernest's Midori Story

Reflections on 90 Years - with Ernest Richardson

Welcome to the New Season!

A LUNATIC is Coming to OMAHA... Nov. 20

To learn more about TOMÁŠ KUBÍNEK, CLICK HERE.
For tickets to see this unique Sights & Sounds performance, click here!

ALL 10/11 TIX ON SALE TODAY

Today's the day... your first opportunity to buy Omaha Symphony 10/11 Tickets (without a subscription)!!!

The reality is this: when you get your tickets early, you have the best selection of seats and prices to choose from. It's a win-win. So why not call our friendly Box Office staff today? 402.342.3560.

OR you can always purchase your tickets ONLINE 24/7 at www.omahasymphony.org. Just click "Buy Tickets" in the upper-right corner of the homepage.

Tell your friends & family... music is meant to be shared!!

Want to win a FREE pair of tix to see Michael Cavanaugh?

This week on the Omaha Symphony Facebook page, we are doing daily ticket giveaways for correctly answering classic rock trivia. Win a pair of main floor seats to see Michael Cavanaugh with the Omaha Symphony on Opening Night!

If you're not already a fan on Facebook, click here to become one. We post concert info, discount information, artist photos, fun videos, and more. Good Luck (and remember--ALL tickets go on sale to the general public THIS FRIDAY!)

Let My Love Open The Door - Michael Cavanaugh

ALL Omaha Symphony 10/11 Tickets On Sale Friday, Aug. 27 - Order quickly!

The Omaha Symphony is thrilled to announce that tickets to all 2010/11 performances will go on sale to the public Friday, August 27. While subscription packages have been available for purchase since early spring, this will be the first opportunity for patrons to buy tickets on a per-concert basis. To reserve the best seats to the best shows in town, call the Omaha Symphony Box Office at 402.342.3560 (open M-F, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) or order online at www.omahasymphony.org.

The Omaha Symphony’s 2010/11 season, under the leadership of music director Thomas Wilkins, offers a dazzling spectrum of live musical experiences for the entire community. From Midori to the music of Michael Jackson, Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” to The Oak Ridge Boys, the season ahead is brimming with variety, visuals, energy, and exceptional national and local talent. This dynamic collection of concerts is the perfect way to celebrate the Omaha Symphony’s 90th anniversary.

With more than 50 concerts in 7 distinct series, there’s something for all music lovers to enjoy! Mark Friday, August 27 on your calendar— and order your tickets as soon as possible to select and secure the best seats at the best prices! Several performances are expected to sell-out.

Support Omaha Symphony Education Programs!

Don't miss the MUSIC & MASTERPIECES 2010 Art Show, presented by the Omaha Symphony Guild and Designer's Touch Studio August 20-22.

Friday, August 20 - 5-9 pm
Saturday, August 21 - 10 am - 6 pm
Sunday, August 22 - Noon to 5 pm

Designer's Touch Studio - 2085 N. 120th Street, Omaha 932-5040

This exhibit offers you the opportunity to view and purchase original oil paintings and collectible works of art on paper by Chagall, Dali, Rembrandt, Picasso, and more... Art pieces range in price from $200 to $20,000.

Casual Attire - Complimentary Wine & Cheese

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Omaha Symphony education programs for area youth.

THANK YOU for your Support!

Thinking of Private Lessons for Your Child?

Here's some great advice from Omaha Symphony violinist Anne Nagosky, who maintains a private studio of around 50 violin and viola students in the Omaha area.

Hear Anne and take your kids to the Omaha Symphony! For tickets, call 402.342.3560 or 345.0606.
www.omahasymphony.org

Violin students learn & perform with the Omaha Symphony

Anne Nagosky, Omaha Symphony violinist and private teacher, shares details and memories of her studio's involvement with the orchestra.

How has teaching violin made you a better violinist?

Q & A with Anne Nagosky, Omaha Symphony violinist and private violin/viola teacher in the Omaha area.

Donate used instruments to OPS kids!

KVNO Radio's "Kids in Concert" runs through August 31st. This Public Service Initiative encourages people in our community to donate their used musical instruments to Omaha Public Schools (OPS) students whose families are unable to provide them. OPS will rehabilitate and distribute the instruments to deserving students. You can help by taking your unneeded instruments to one of the following locations:

OPS Teacher Administration Center (TAC) at 3215 Cuming Street, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Bookworm at Countryside Village at 87th and Pacific Streets

Additional drop-off sites in other parts of the city are needed. More information is available by contacting Ms. June Nelson at 557-2443. Donations are tax deductible.

Maestro Thomas Wilkins generously recorded the PSAs for this fantastic community initiative. Listen and view all of them HERE. Just scroll down and enjoy!

Omaha Symphony wins ASCAP's Leonard Bernstein Award

The Omaha Symphony is thrilled to be the recipient of the Leonard Bernstein Award for Education Programming, given by the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP). Named after the celebrated late conductor, this national honor is awarded to an orchestra that integrates contemporary music into its educational programming, and whose offerings are "creative, relevant, and based on the best practices of music education."

Read more about this exciting honor by clicking here.
Thanks for your support!

Led Zeppelin tunes make for high-energy finish to 09/10 season

Check out the 6/10 GO! section for a concert preview by John Pitcher:

"Omaha Symphony musicians may have to trade their black ties for black-leather jackets.

For its final concert of the 2009-10 season, the symphony under conductor Ernest Richardson will present “The Song Remains the Same: The Music of Led Zeppelin.”

To read the rest of the article, click here.



See your symphony ROCK the Holland Center! 345.0606 www.omahasymphony.org

Music with the Masters: New Music Symposium Coverage!!

Photo: Alyssa Schukar, Omaha World-Herald
Reporter: John Pitcher, Omaha World-Herald

"The young composer briefly loses himself in the music.

Clint Needham is at the Holland Performing Arts Center, listening to the Omaha Symphony rehearse his latest piece. He's intensely in the moment, tapping his feet, waving his arms like a conductor. Then an errant sound brings him back to earth.

“I'd like the violins to be more aggressive,” says the 28-year-old composer. “Keep applying pressure.”

Needham is one of six developing composers from around the country who have arrived in Omaha for the symphony's second annual New Music Symposium. The program gives the composers –– mostly doctoral students in their 20s –– a chance to work with a professional orchestra."

Read the ENTIRE Feature Story... just click here!

The Music of Led Zeppelin THIS FRIDAY!!

It's our last concert of the season! Here's the set list...get excited and tell your friends. :) For tickets, visit www.omahasymphony.org or give us a call at 345.0606.
Dancing Days

The Ocean

All of My Love

Dazed and Confused

D’yer Mak’er

Black Dog

Sea of Love

Good Rockin’ at Midnight

INTERMISSION

Good Times Bad Times

Fool In the Rain

Over the Hills and Far Away

Thank You

Heartbreaker / Whole Lotta Love

Kashmir

Vintage-Chic PINK MARTINI - Video Previews

Here's a taste of what to expect this weekend with eclectic pop sensation, Pink Martini:

PHOTO: The show must--and did--go on

So here's the deal. Mother Nature gave us a little grief at the Outdoor Concert (see photo-courtesy Matt Miller, Omaha World-Herald)...but she couldn't stop our amazing musicians and equally amazing supporters from coming out and playing/hearing some FREE patriotic music! Sure, the concert was postponed and shortened by passing storms, but we still got some classics in. We were blown away by how many people put up umbrellas and stayed put at Lake Manawa. Thank you to everyone who made Sunday's Free Outdoor Concert possible, especially our sponsors: the Iowa West Foundation & Alegent Health.

FREE OUTDOOR CONCERT This Sunday!

FOR MORE INFORMATION & Directions, Click here.
Bring a picnic & enjoy Patriotic Pops in the Park!

The Music of Led Zeppelin & Three Dog Night - 2 New Rock Concerts Announced!

Omaha, NE— The Omaha Symphony is thrilled to announce the addition of two new Special Concerts, Three Dog Night and The Song Remains the Same: The Music of Led Zeppelin—one to the current season and one to the recently announced 2010/11 lineup. Both performances will take place at the Holland Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. The Led Zeppelin performance is set for Friday, June 11, 2010. Three Dog Night will play with the orchestra on Saturday, February 19, 2011.
The addition of this popular programming makes sense considering recent sales trends. “The success of the Symphony Rocks season over the past two years has helped to expand our audiences. Whether it is a "Music of" concert or an original artist with the orchestra, audiences have embraced the concerts in this series,” said Lex Poppens, vice president of marketing for the Omaha Symphony.
The Song Remains the Same: The Music of Led Zeppelin combines the power of legendary hits and live orchestra. Audiences can expect to hear hits like “Stairway to Heaven,” “Kashmir,” and “Black Dog,” and enjoy an evening of hard rock and electric energy. Tickets for this show will go on sale, starting Friday, April 23.
Three Dog Night—the 1970s radio sensation—will bring its popular rocks hits to the Holland. Audiences will enjoy upbeat classics like “Joy To The World, “Mama Told Me Not To Come,” and “Old Fashioned Love Song”. This incredible live band performed to a sold out crowd during the symphony’s 2002/03 season. Season ticket holders can purchase these now; they’ll go on sale to single ticket buyers in August.
For tickets, please visit www.omahasymphony.org or call the Omaha Symphony Ticket Office at 402.342.3560.

Concert Broadcasts on Classical 90.7 KVNO Start this Weekend!

OMAHA, NEB. – Classical 90.7 KVNO is proud to announce the line-up for its third season of “Omaha Symphony on KVNO” broadcasts. The series features 14 programs, to be aired weekly on Sunday mornings at 8 a.m., beginning May 16 and concluding August 8, 2010. The schedule is as follows:
• May 9: The Music of Mozart (MasterWorks)
• May 16: Schubert's Second (Chamber)
• May 23: Passport To Russia (MasterWorks)
• May 30: Haydn's Fanfare and Farewell (Chamber)
• June 6: Mendelssohn's Masterpiece (MasterWorks)
• June 13: The Haffner Symphony (Chamber)
• June 20: A Night of Firsts (Masterworks)
• June 27: The Clock Symphony (Chamber)
• July 4: All-American Fanfare (MasterWorks)
• July 11: Scheherazade (MasterWorks)
• July 18: A Space Odyssey (Sights & Sounds)
• July 25: Flute Showcase (Chamber)
• August 1: Divertimento (Chamber)
• August 8: Beethoven's Fifth (Masterworks)
Classical 90.7 KVNO, Omaha's premier public radio station, serves the terrestrial, online, and UNO campus communities with quality programs that enlighten, entertain and educate. More information about the station is available on its web site (kvno.org), Twitter(twitter.com/KVNO) and Facebook (search ‘KVNO’).
Please consider including Classical 90.7 KVNO in your estate plans.
6001 Dodge St., CB200 / Omaha, NE 68182-0564 / 402.554.5866 / www.kvno.org

Flute Showcase Preview...don't miss Maria this weekend!

Saturday, May 8 at 7 PM
UNO Strauss Performing Arts Center
For tickets, call 342-3560 or visit www.omahasymphony.org

Beethoven's Fifth: A "Journey of the Human Spirit"

Don't Miss It! May 14 & 15 at the Holland Center.
Get tickets online at www.omahasymphony.org
OR call 402.345.0606

Omaha Symphony to perform FREE Outdoor Concert in Council Bluffs—featuring patriotic, popular music

What: Patriotic Pops in the Park
Funded through a grant from the Iowa West Foundation
Also sponsored by Alegent Health
When: Sunday, May 30 Concert begins at 7 PM
Where: Lake Manawa State Park’s North Shore Park, in Council Bluffs
Details: FREE admission; call 402.342.3560 or visit www.omahasymphony.org

Omaha, Neb – Experience the excitement and beauty of live orchestral music for FREE! You’re invited to spend part of your Memorial Day weekend with the Omaha Symphony at a free outdoor concert in Council Bluffs. Lake Manawa’s North shore is the setting for this special patriotic-themed pops performance on Sunday, May 30. Patriotic Pops in the Park will begin at 7 p.m.
For a second year, the Iowa West Foundation has made this extraordinary event possible. Thanks to a generous grant, the orchestra is able to provide Iowa and Nebraska residents with first-class, family-friendly entertainment for free! Alegent Health has also stepped up to support this one-of-a-kind opportunity. You’ll hear favorites like “The Star Spangled Banner” and “America the Beautiful,” along with Sousa marches, a medley honoring America’s armed forces, and exhilarating popular movie music.
The Iowa West Foundation, headquartered in Council Bluffs, is one of the largest community-based private foundations in the Midwest. Funding for the Foundation’s grants comes from investment earnings and also the Iowa West Racing Association, which receives fees from casino operators—Ameristar and Harrah’s. The Iowa West Foundation makes grants to non-profit organizations in southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska. For more information, visit its website at www.iowawestfoundation.org.
On May 30, pack a picnic and enjoy “Patriotic Pops in the Park.” Make holiday memories with your loved ones and the Omaha Symphony!

Get a sneak peek of SPECTRUM's Motown Tribute!

For TICKETS, call 345-0606 or visit www.omahasymphony.org.

Motown Madness-Check out Ern's new video about our "Motown Tribute"

Click here to VIEW our newest YouTube video!

To the Symphony we go: Tips for taking kiddos to concerts!!

From a blog on Momaha.com:

We've all taken our little ones to the movie theater (or are at least looking forward to the day they are old enough to see a film on the big screen), right?

But what about taking them to the symphony?

It's not as undoable as it might sound.

The Omaha Symphony has a family series designed with kids in mind. The concerts are short — less than an hour long — and typically have a visual component.

"This way, little eyes and ears are both engaged,” said Jennifer Boomgaarden, Omaha Symphony vice president of education and community partnerships.

“If your kid has never been to a concert before, their first experience shouldn't be an extremely long Mahler Symphony," she said. "Start small.

"At family concerts, it's OK — and even expected — for children to be a little squirmy.”

Cool.


Check out these tips, from Boomgaarden, for successfully attending a symphony with your little ones:

Before you go:

Prepare them. If the music is based on a story (e.g. Peter and the Wolf), talk about it with your kids so they'll know what to expect. Listen to the music in advance through iTunes, YouTube, etc. If your child has heard it before, they'll be more excited/engaged at the concert.

Explain that, unlike DVDs or CDs at home, things on stage only happen once, so that's why you have to pay close attention!

Explain why taking pictures or being loud would distract the people on stage.

Help them realize concerts are fun and special by making an occasion of it. Get a little dressed up or go out for a family meal before/after.

At the show:

Be a good role model. Listen and be respectful to performers onstage.

Remind them to sit still and pay attention, but also let them know it's OK to clap, laugh and give honest feedback to the performers.

Get there early.

Use the bathroom before the show. Intermission lines can be long.

Explain to them the different instruments/sections of the orchestra and how different instruments make different sounds.

If you want your child to someday learn to play an instrument, start early and keep the music coming. If music is in the home and there's a variety, children are going to be more open-minded to different musical experiences. If kids have been exposed to the live orchestral experience, they're more likely to understand the concept, the possibilities and the practice it will require to succeed. The professional concert experience will serve as inspiration!

'All-American Fanfare' Concert Prelude with Maestro Wilkins

345-0606 or www.omahasymphony.org

Don't miss A SPACE ODYSSEY-with Maestro Wilkins!

What: A Space Odyssey ~ Sights & Sounds concert
Sponsored by First National Bank & KPMG
When: Saturday, April 10 @ 8 PM

Where: Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas Street
Tickets: Call 402.345.0606, 402.342.3560, or visit www.omahasymphony.org


Omaha, Neb – Join Maestro Thomas Wilkins and the Omaha Symphony for “A Space Odyssey” Saturday, April 10 at 8 p.m. at the Holland Performing Arts Center. Fun, familiar pieces from Star Wars, Star Trek, and E.T. will take audience members on an out-of-this-world musical journey, ending with Gustav Holst’s The Planets.
Part of the Omaha Symphony’s new Sights & Sounds series, this performance includes an exciting visual element: incredible footage direct from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, produced by Hatch Productions. Stunning images from space missions, as well as animation sequences, will be projected on a big screen above the orchestra during The Planets, creating a unique multimedia concert experience that delights ears and eyes!

World Premiere pictures

To see the entire album, click here.

Must-hear masterpieces, fun films, legendary rock songs mark Omaha Symphony’s 90th Season

Omaha, Neb – The Omaha Symphony’s 2010/11 season, under the leadership of music director Thomas Wilkins, offers a dazzling spectrum of live musical experiences for the entire community. From Midori to the music of Michael Jackson, Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” to The Oak Ridge Boys, this new programming is brimming with variety, visuals, energy, and exceptional national and local talent. This dynamic collection of concerts is the perfect way to celebrate the Omaha Symphony’s 90th anniversary.

The 2010/11 line-up is united by one common element: the talent and passion of one of the finest orchestras in the country. “Whether taking centerstage for a MasterWorks classic or beautifully complementing of our popular guest artists, our musicians are experts at creating space for people to think, feel, and enjoy,” says Thomas Wilkins, Omaha Symphony music director. “There truly is something inspiring and entertaining for everyone who chooses to experience this season with us.”

“The 2010/11 season showcases the incredible artistry and versatility of our orchestra, while delivering memorable musical experiences for everyone in attendance,” said Rob Hallam, president & CEO of the Omaha Symphony. “We are thrilled to share it with the community we serve.”

The new season includes more than 50 concerts in six distinct series—MasterWorks, Symphony Pops, Symphony Rocks, Chamber, Sights & Sounds, and Family—to give audiences of all ages a wide array of entertainment choices. Some highlights of the 10/11 season include:
v Child prodigy turned violin virtuoso Midori
v Grammy Award-winning Patti Austin sings Ella Fitzgerald classics
v World premiere of a work composed by Omaha’s resident conductor Ernest Richardson
v The Oak Ridge Boys, one of country’s most successful, longest-running groups
v Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, a glorious “Ode to Joy” featuring local choirs
v Rock & roll tributes to Michael Jackson, The Eagles, and Paul McCartney
v Charlie Chaplin’s The Gold Rush silent film with a live soundtrack

For a full listing of 2010/11 programming, please visit www.omahasymphony.org, or you may request to have a season brochure mailed to you.

Season ticket packages for all 2010/11 Omaha Symphony series are now available, and single tickets for all performances will be available for the general public in August 2010. To purchase season tickets, call 402.324.3560, log on to www.omahasymphony.org, or visit the Omaha Symphony Box Office, located at 1605 Howard St.

"Playing with the professionals"

Photo taken by Kiley Cruse, OWH

Thanks to reporter Carol Bicak and photojournalist Kiley Cruse from the Omaha World-Herald for their terrific reporting on our annual Carnegie Hall LinkUP! education concerts.

From the 3/18 article:

Hundreds of recorders can make a joyful noise.

So it was Wednesday morning when about 3,500 fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders and their teachers took part in two Omaha Symphony concerts at the Holland Performing Arts Center.

As part of the Carnegie Hall Communities LinkUP! educational concert series, young musicians on recorders and stringed instruments played along with the symphony musicians on several numbers that demonstrated such musical concepts as rhythm, tempo and syncopation.

Read the rest HERE.

Musician Q & A: Libby Barnette

Meet Libby Barnette, the newest member of the horn section. Libby successfully auditioned for the 3rd horn position in November 2009.

What has your favorite concert been this season--and why?

My favorite concert so far has been the third Masterworks concert - Fountains of Rome, Britten's Four Sea Interludes, and Scheherazade. I really enjoyed playing all that great music on one concert! I did have a lot of fun playing Bugs Bunny on Broadway, too.

How intense was the audition process?

Auditions are always nerve-wracking. I had auditioned for the Omaha Symphony four times prior to this! The first time, I was runner-up. The next time, being 8 months pregnant, I didn't have the air capacity to make it through the phrases. The third time was for Principal horn, when Jason DeWater won. The fourth audition was just 7 weeks after the birth of my second daughter. My muscles just weren't back in shape. So, I was very hopeful that this time, not being anywhere near pregnant, I could show the committee what I could do! It was a long day; waiting in between rounds to hear if you've made it to the next round is probably the worst part.

When you're not on stage or practicing, where will concertgoers most likely find you?

When I'm not practicing, I'm with my two little girls, Nora and Georgia. We like to go to the zoo, Fontenelle Forest, and the Children's Museum. I formed a playgroup in my neighborhood. On occasion, I get out without my kids. I like going out to dinner with my husband. I also play Bunco with a group of neighborhood women once a month.

Cherish the Ladies PREVIEW!!

CALL 402.345.0606 for tickets... or visit www.omahasymphony.org.

Get a taste of the Tesh concert experience!

TESH... in Pictures

These images will give you a little taste of the Tesh concert experience. To enjoy the production for yourself, click here for online ticketing! See you Feb. 12-14!

A romantic Valentine's weekend suggestion....

From Resident Conductor Ernest Richardson. Click HERE to listen to our featured February podcast.

JOHN TESH CONCERT DETAILS!

When: Friday, February 12 and Saturday, February 13 @ 8 PM
Sunday, February 14 @ 2 PM

Where: Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas Street
Tickets: $15.00-$80.00
Call 402.345.0606, 402.342.3560, or visit http://www.omahasymphony.org/


Omaha, Neb – Emmy Award winner, Grammy Award nominee, and gold-selling recording artist John Tesh joins the Omaha Symphony for a live concert experience that includes music, dance, intense emotions, and laughter at the Holland Performing Arts Center Valentine’s weekend, February 12-14. The concert will incorporate elements of Tesh’s radio show, “Intelligence For Your Life,” which can be heard on KGOR (Superhits 99.9 FM) Monday through Friday from 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm.

One of the world’s most-renowned composers and entertainers, John Tesh has established himself as a charismatic and engaging musician, providing his audiences with a dazzling evening of music, comedy, romance, and a soaring spirituality. Add to that spectacular lighting effects and the talents of guest performers and “John Tesh In Concert: Music and Intelligence for Your Life” becomes a high-energy evening of music and more for the entire family.

Tesh’s personality and music took PBS by storm with LIVE at RED ROCKS and, with that success gave the former Entertainment Tonight anchor a solid fan base to showcase his musical talents. With his live concert, audiences will get to experience much of Tesh’s energy he first displayed on PBS.

The evening features his hits, as well as elements from Tesh's nationally syndicated radio show, The John Tesh Radio Show: Music and Intelligence For Your Life, which is heard by more than eight million listeners each week in more than 325 markets and was named “Best Daily Program” and “Best Weekly Music Program” by Radio Ink magazine readers.

In a 30-year career that includes investigative reporting for CBS NEWS, Olympic commentating for NBC sports, 10 years as host of Entertainment Tonight, 5 gold albums, 6 Emmy Awards, Grammy nominations, and current hosting of The John Tesh Radio Show, Tesh has established himself as a world-renowned broadcaster and entrepreneur.

Much of the wisdom that Tesh shares with his radio show listeners also appears in his critically-acclaimed book, Intelligence for Your Life – Powerful Lessons for Personal Growth, which was recently featured on the New York Times, Wall St. Journal, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and Amazon.com best-seller lists. His new CD, JOHN TESH LIVE – GREATEST HITS VOLUME ONE was recently released and is currently available online and in stores nationwide. For more information visit http://www.tesh.com/.

Shhh...

Omaha Symphony resident conductor Ernest Richardson has a secret passion from his past that could be stoked by next week's ABBA concert. Intrigued?

CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast.

Calling all Dancing Queens!

Calling all “Dancing Queens”! The Omaha Symphony proudly presents ABBA-Mania Saturday, January 30 at 8 p.m. at the Holland Performing Arts Center. Take a chance on a delightful celebration of the music of ABBA, the Swedish pop sensation that stormed the 1970s charts. Experience ABBA’s catchy pop hits in a whole new way, as four dynamic singers are backed by a live band and symphony orchestra. As younger generations discover ABBA through Mamma Mia!, the Broadway show and movie, it’s clear their effervescent melodies have staying power!Enjoy ABBA favorites, including “Mamma Mia!,” “Dancing Queen,” “Take A Chance On Me,” “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!,” “Waterloo,” “SOS,” “Fernando,” and more. For tickets, call 402.342.3560, 402.345.0606, or visit the Omaha Symphony box office at 1605 Howard Street in downtown Omaha.

JANUARY PODCASTS... Listen & learn!

SCHEHERAZADE MasterWorks Concert - Friday, Jan. 15 & Saturday, Jan. 16 @ 8 PM

LISTEN... Maestro Thomas Wilkins takes us inside the music and narrative behind Scheherazade, Rimsky-Korsakov's tale of a ruthless Sultan and the cunning storyteller who melts his heart.



DRIVING FORCES FAMILY CONCERT - Sunday, January 17 @ 2 PM

LISTEN... Maestro Thomas Wilkins is your tour guide on a musical exploration of motivation. What drives music and what drives people? Hear as he describes this inspiring program perfect for kids of all ages.



BUGS BUNNY ON BROADWAY - Saturday, January 23 @ 8 PM & Sunday, Jan. 24 @ 2 PM

LISTEN... Looney Tunes meet classical tunes at this month's Bugs Bunny On Broadway, presented by Warner Bros. studios. Conductor Ernest Richardson shares what to expect from the new Sights & Sounds series!