Tune up for Youth Ensemble Auditions
Following our previous report on youth ensemble auditions we’ve been inundated with wonderful groups wanting to let you know about their opportunities for young people. See our growing Auditions Directory for an assortment of choices. Try out now for groups like the Napa Valley Youth Symphony, which has spots both for advanced musicians in the full orchestra, and for entry-level musicians in the Sinfonia Wind Ensemble and Sinfonia String Ensemble. New this season, the Symphony will collaborate with Napa Valley Ballet and Napa Valley Chorale, and take a summer performance tour of Europe.
Are you closer to the South Bay? If your child loves to sing, consider the Vivace Youth Chorus of San Jose, with six levels of choirs in two rehearsal sites, Monday through Thursday. Vivace is heading into its ninth season as a leading choral music education program serving 200 young singers ages 4-18. Check the directory for other options including the San Francisco Boys Chorus. Administrators, if your organization is not yet listed, we urge you to contribute by filling out our audition notice form!
Free Master Class by Baritone Thomas Hampson
Many young singers have never attended a master class or might not know of the concept. And indeed, it requires a certain level of maturity to take away valuable information about the craft by hearing someone else perform and get critiqued by a Master teacher. That’s just what the audience will experience come Sept. 14 when worl-renowned baritone Thomas Hampson takes the stage for a master class at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music at 7:30 p.m. Lucky for us, Hampson is in town rehearsing the lead role in the world premiere of Christopher Theofanidis’ Heart of a Soldier with San Francisco Opera. He will hear Conservatory vocalists perform selections from the repertoire, and engage the audience with lessons on the voice, the body, the music and sometimes, life itself! Voice-lovers and students should take the opportunity to get closer to this giant personality in the opera world and discover something new about their own instrument. The class is free but reservations are required and may sell out. Call the SFCM Box Office at 415.503.6275.
Brazil in Golden Gate Park
The fog is lifting in Golden Gate Park just in time for a day-long celebration of Brazilian Independence sponsored by the Bay Area Brazilian Club. Music is definitely on the bill—and what’s not to like about that smooth sound and rhythmic groove? Brazil is a big country, with many regional differences and cultural influences from African to European, to South American and indigenous. The many musical styles that sprang up over the years have folk origins especially tied to dance. For example, most of us know about bossa nova, popularized by the composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, and the popular Carnival samba. These and styles that may be new to you will be heard at Brazil in the Park: forró, axé, Brazilian country music and rock will be performed by the Pedro Paulo Band, Forrofiando, Amigos do Samba, Grupo Remelexo, and DJ Ellen. Entertainment also includes dancers and capoeira artists Mandinga Capoeira, and Aquarela Dancers. Children get extra treats with activities like arts and crafts, kid capoeira, face-painting, games and delicious food for all.
September 11, Hall of Flowers in the Strybing Arboretum, 9th @ Lincoln Way, 12 noon – 7 p.m. More information.