"Stuart & Friends" Tonight

Tonight at Whitaker Center, it's time for an annual tradition in our local music scene when the conductor of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra joins with some of his colleagues from the orchestra to play chamber music.

“Stuart & Friends is a concert I do each year with members of the orchestra” says Maestro Stuart Malina. “It gives me a chance to work in a different way with the players and to give our audience members a more intimate and personal concert experience. I strive, as host, to keep the atmosphere relaxed, upbeat, and fun, while playing some beautiful music for them.”

The annual Stuart & Friends tradition continues as the Maestro takes to the piano to play with HSO musicians Phil Snedecor (Principal Trumpet), Brent Phillips (Principal Trombone), Odin Rathnam (Concertmaster), and Jennifer DeVore (cellist) for an intimate evening of music for small ensembles. On the first half Maestro Malina will accompany Mr. Snedecor and Mr. Phillips, while on the second half he will be joined by Mr. Rathnam and Ms. DeVore.

This year, the Stuart & Friends program includes:
Copland - Quiet City
Snedecor - Prayer
Trad/Snedecor - Danny Boy
Bizet - Carmen Suite
Ferro - Notes of Love
Turrin - Fandango
Brahms - Piano Trio No. 1 in B Major

The concert also includes two opportunities for the musicians to “reach out” to students in area schools to bring them a bit of live music making.

Stuart and Odin will be going to the Marshall School (behind Harrisburg High School) to lead an interactive performance for the students. This will be a great opportunity for students with disabilities (some multiple) in the Harrisburg School District to have up-close and personal interaction with these two great musicians. Music can be such a great educational and expressionism tool for students who may face additional challenges in their every day lives.

Then tomorrow morning at 9:30 (very early for brass players, btw), there's a music workshop at the Milton Hershey School when Stuart will be joined by Phil and Brent for an instructional workshop with the MHS Band.

“One lovely aspect of this concert is that it is sponsored by my friend Marilynn Kanenson in memory of her husband, Bill, who was president of the HSO's Board of Directors for my third and fourth years here. He was my first friend in Harrisburg, and a dear man whom I miss very much. Marilynn's support has allowed Stuart & Friends to grow and develop an audience.” says Malina.

The Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra presents Stuart & Friends at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Whitaker Center's Sunoco Theatre, located at 222 Market Street, Harrisburg , PA. Tickets for this performance are $18 and $25 and are available by calling THE BOX at 214-ARTS (2787) or online through the Whitaker Center Website.

You can hear WITF's Creative Zone here with Cary Burkett, recorded (both audio and video) last Friday in WITF's studio.

Kim Isenhour, Director of Marketing, Harrisburg Symphony
Dick Strawser, chief blogger