Category: Music

  • Downey Symphony Concert “To Russia and Back”

    Downey Symphony Concert “To Russia and Back”

    This Saturday March 31st is the Downey Symphony concert, “To Russia and Back.”  8PM at the Downey Civic Theatre.

    Here is an expert from a Press Telegram article previewing the show:

    “This concert program began because I have long wanted to work with Kevin Fitz-Gerald,” [conductor] Sharon Lavery said in a post-rehearsal phone conversation earlier this week. (Fitz-Gerald is, like Lavery, a faculty member at USC.)

    “We had talked about working together for years and decided that this was the season we were going to make it happen. Kevin wanted to do the Liszt and I was thrilled,” she said. “I had to design the program around that work, which is about 20 minutes long. There aren’t too many pieces that can follow Liszt’s First Piano Concerto, but the `Capriccio Italien’ of Tchaikovsky is definitely one of them. It showcases the orchestra beautifully, and the fact that it is 18 minutes long makes it a perfect pairing to complete the second half. Then I decided to bookend the program with another Russian composer. Being a clarinet player I have always loved the Shostakovich Ninth and decided that this would be a great fit for the first half of the concert. The `Galop’ is a perfect opener to the program – it’s bombastic and fun.”

    Click here to read the article.

    Tickets are available at the Downey Civic Theatre website.

  • Featured Violinist is International Performer

    Featured Violinist is International Performer

    Youjin Lee

    Korean-born violinist Youjin Lee will be the featured soloist for the concert presented by the Downey Symphony Orchestra on January 28, 2012, entitled “Strings Spectacular.”  She will be performing Mozart’s Concerto No. 4 for Violin and Orchestra, which is noted for its abundance of thematic material.

    Though still quite young, Lee is already establishing herself as a notable performer at the international level.   She has performed by invitation at the presidential residence for South Korean President Myung Bak Lee, at the Lincoln Center in New York, and with the prestigious Romanian Ploiesti Philharmonic Orchestra.

    According to Conductor Sharon Lavery, Lee exhibits a musical maturity and depth far beyond her age.  “Her understanding and interpretation of Mozart’s Fourth Violin Concerto is nothing short of inspiring.  Our Downey audience is in for a real treat,” said Lavery.

    Lee currently resides in Los Angeles while studying at the select Colburn School, which is dedicated to preparing select students for performing careers at the highest level.

    Also included in the evening concert are Vivaldi’s Concerto Alla Rustica, two numbers set by Percy Grainger, and Dvorak’s Serenade for Strings.  Curtain time is 8:00 pm, and ticket prices are $30, $25, and $10 for students.   To reserve your seats, please call the Downey Theater box office at (562) 861-8211 or order online at www.downeytheatre.com.

     

    Here you can see a video of the Downey Symphony playing the “Downey Overture.”

     

    Downey Overture from Alex Chaloff on Vimeo.

  • Downey Symphony Photos from “Fiesta!” Concert

    Downey Symphony Photos from “Fiesta!” Concert

    The Downey Symphony Orchestra brought down the house on Saturday, with an excellent concert and excitement for the future.  The “Downey Overture” by Oscar Navarro was electric and vibrant,  “Noah’s Ark” soared with emotion, Tim Callobre’s solo guitar held the audience captive, who then were entranced by the beauty of “Bolero.”

    Here are photos from the evening.  Hopefully at some point we can get clearance to release video of the Downey Overture online.

    Mayor Luis Marquez and Mrs. Alma Marquez with Spanish composer Oscar Navarro during the world premier of the “Downey Overture” by the Downey Orchestra, and the American premier of “Noah’s Ark,” October 22, 2011.

     

  • Spanish Composer to Attend American Premier at Downey Concert

    Spanish Composer to Attend American Premier at Downey Concert

    Acclaimed Spanish composer and film orchestrator Oscar Navarro will be attending the American premier of his work “Noah’s Ark” at the Downey Theater, October 22, 2011, to hear it performed by the Downey Symphony Orchestra.

    According to Music Director Sharon Lavery, this first concert of the season, entitled ¡Fiesta!, was conceived as a celebration of California’s Latin heritage, and Navarro, who does film scoring as well as symphonic composition, was so moved that he wrote and dedicated a special overture for the orchestra.

    Preparation has been intense as the musicians rehearse to open the program with the world premier of this special dedication.

    Navarro, who makes his home in Madrid, describes the “Downey Overture” as a “Latin-American fusion that creates a link” between Spain and California “with its mixture of colors and rhythm in an ambiance of dance.”

    Navarro was a promising musician when he became interested in composing. His most recent film, Thunder Captain, is an action film about a 12th century knight fighting injustice. It was just released in Spain in early October.

    Also featured for the ¡Fiesta! concert is the renowned “Concierto de Aranjuez” by Joaquin Rodrigo. The soloist will be 18-year-old guitar prodigy Tim Callobre. “Danzon No. 2” by Mexican composer Arturo Marquez is also on the program, which will conclude with the popular “Bolero” by Ravel, based on the traditional Spanish dance.

  • Art on the Vine presents Roy Anthony Shabla

    Saturday October 8th is the next Art on the Vine at Mari’s Wine Bar. This month features a solo show of painter/poet/guru Roy Anthony Shabla, a native of Downey.

    Featuring 18 large format paintings, poetry, and a little vandalism, the night will also have live music by local band Whit Fuzz.

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  • Artists List for “Taste of Downey” Friday

    Artists List for “Taste of Downey” Friday

    The Downey Art Vibe released a postcard with a list of artists for this Friday’s “Taste of Downey” event on Friday at 5:30PM. Featuring the work of Downey native Jamie Lennon Rowland, and including works from the following:

    Jose Cervantes

    Junior Leon

    Gabe Enamorado

    Alina Wilson

    Carolina Del Toro

    Jorge Del Toro

    Lee Davenport

    Monica Pucciarelli

    Ricky Ostendi

    Carlos Ontiveros

    Ilianna Padilla

    Pam Lane

    Allison Mansell

    Joan Anderson

    What’s exciting for the Downey Arts Coalition, is that we have relationships with at least 11 of these artists, and several of them found their way to this show through our network of sharing local art news with each other.

    Come out and support the event: good food, music from the Wise Guys band (swing), dancing, and of course, art.

  • Downey Symphony Concert in the Park Tonight

    Downey Symphony Concert in the Park Tonight

    Tonight at Furman Park  is a free concert “Pops in the Park” put on by the Downey Symphony directed by Sharon Lavery.  7PM, but get there early because you may have to park a ways and walk in.  This is a great opportunity to support local music, not many cities can brag that they have their own orchestra.

    Also, jump over to their facebook page and click “like.”

    Absolutely free to the public, like music should be! Come watch this concert with your friends, family and meet a broad spectrum of individuals who also enjoy “The Sounds of Music”! Feel free to bring food, drinks, blankets, pets and the need to relax in a safe, stress-free environment under the stars!

    line-up:
    The Ragtime Dance, Scott Joplin
    Selections from Porgy and Bess, George Gershwin, arr. Chuck Sayre
    Overture to “West Side Story”, Leonard Bernstein, arr. M. Peress
    Broadway on Parade, arr. Chuck Sayre
    The Sound of Music, Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein, arr. Robert R. Bennett
    Hoe-Down from “Rodeo”, Aaron Copland
    Lassus Trombone, Henry Fillmore
    American Salute, Morton Gould
    America The Beautiful, Samuel A. Ward, arr. Alfred Reed
    Armed Forces Salute, arr. Bob Lowden
    Marches (for Children Conductors), John Phillips Sousa:
    (Semper Fidelis, Washington Post, King Cotton, El Capitan, Stars & Stripes)

  • Luau to benefit Downey Symphony Guild

    Luau to benefit Downey Symphony Guild

    How about going to a big summer birthday party where a gift isn’t even required?

    Well, it’s Tuesday, July 12, at 6 p.m. and it is not only the Downey Symphony Guild’s birthday, it’s a luau and a serious barbecue at the Rio Hondo Event Center. All you need to bring is yourself ready for feasting, music and celebration.

    Again the Downey Symphony Guild invites the community to join them in support of Music in the Schools and the Downey Symphony Orchestra. It is through the efforts of this time-honored organization that generous donations go out each year to fund music appreciation for our school children and to benefit our excellent orchestra.

    Katy Hare of the Guild announces that a giant feast is being planned consisting of four meat choices, fish and four or five salads along with all those good things which accompany the entrees, as well as a birthday cake, of course.

    Adding to the light-hearted Hawaiian theme of the evening will be two young ladies from Warren and Downey high schools. The girls, who won first prize in the local talent show, will perform Hawaiian and Polynesian dances and songs.

    Come to our summer luau-barbecue-birthday party July 12 for door prizes, leis, good food and tidal waves of fun.

    For reservations, please send $20 per adult and $10 for children under 12 on or before July 9 and mail to Downey Symphony Guild, 9700 Garnish Dr., Downey 90240. Questions: (562) 861-8507.

    –Rosalie Sciortino, Downey Symphony Guild

    Read more:The Downey Patriot – Luau to benefit Downey Symphony Guild

     

  • Coordinating Art with Downey Symphony Concert

    Coordinating Art with Downey Symphony Concert

    One of the sadly under-utilized features of the Downey Theatre is the gallery space that was designed with the lobby. In it’s forty year history it may have been used less than 5 times, with two of those in the past year. One of those just a couple weeks ago coordinated with the Downey Symphony concert. Early on, one of the ideas that has come out of advocating for the arts here in Downey, was to showcase local art whenever there is a major event at the theatre. The Downey Art Vibe held a significant event about a year ago called “Ambivilance” which showcased photography by GabeOne and Valentin Flores. Around 800 people showed up for that, showing that the visual arts is not dead in this town.

    Thanks to the efforts of George Redfox, art by students of Warren High school was on display at the Downey Symphony concert on April 2nd. Redfox is a photography teacher at Warren High School, as well as a leader in several local organizations such as the Downey Historical Society, the Downey Art Museum and his own start-up the Downey Conservancy. His leadership in the area of conservancy and respect for Downey’s mid-century architecture has led to several re-designs of new business downtown. He worked on pushing the Bob’s Big Boy Broiler project, and influenced council members to encourage a redesign the new Porto’s Bakery from Spanish style to mid-century– an effort that now extends to the Downey Gateway project’s design.

    George also has an extensive Flickr Photo stream featuring photos of Downey’s historical sites, new and old. Add to that these photos of the art on display during the symphony concert. Hopefully this will lead to more theatre & art collaborations in the future.

  • Visiting band students from Kobe, Japan at the Downey Theatre

    Visiting band students from Kobe, Japan at the Downey Theatre

    Warren High Band director David Niemeyer has organized an exciting event at the Downey Theatre next Wednesday March 23rd. You may have heard about the recent Japanese earthquake. I’ll let his words explain.

    “Over a year ago I was contaced by a company in Tokyo that helps groups have joint concert experiences/ trips. I’m guessing they are much like a student travel organization. They told me that there was a band interested in coming to the Los Angeles area having an exchage/ joint concert with an American High School band. The truth is that I don’t know how they found Warren HS. We have a website. www.warrenband.org that has over the years helped gain us attention, so I’m assuming that this was possibly the way they found us.

    “Of course I was interested was my reaction and so began the plans. All plans have been made via email for this experience. The band that is coming is the Takigawa Daini HS band from Kobe Japan. Kobe was not effected in the recent earthquakes/ tsunami in Japan, so they have chosen to continue with the trip as planned.

    Wednesday March 23rd – Joint Concert @ Downey Theatre 7pm

    Thursday March 24th – band festival @ Kennedy HS (warren band participating, japanese band attending to watch)

    Friday March 25th – Takigawa band visiting Warren HS classes. The Takigawa band will perform at Warren HS at 2:45pm and then have an exchange dinner with the Warren band.

    Saturday March 26th – Takigawa band visiting and performing at Disneyland

    Sunday – the following Wednesday – the Takigawa band will be doing sight seeing activities.

    “The band students and I are looking forward to this experience because we hope to broaden our global perspective. We hope to learn from our Japense friends and also show them what the American HS band experience is like. We are planning many small things with them so we can share with them our generosity.”

    Tickets are at the door or can be purchased for 5 dollars in advance from:

    David M. Niemeyer – Band Director
    Warren High School
    562-869-7306 x5616
    Room – Stadium 201