2012 Spring Season of Music Under the Stars begins on Mother’s Day, May 13

Who: Tucson Pops Orchestra Spring 2010 Concert Season

What: FREE concerts under the stars for the whole family

When: Sundays, May 13, 20, 27 and June 3, 10 and 17, at 7:00 p.m.

Where: DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center, Reid Park (E. 22nd x Country Club)

Tucson, AZ — Sunday, May 13th marks the opening of the spring season of the Tucson Pops Concerts in the Park. The Orchestra, under the direction of Laszlo Veres, celebrates its 57th year of performing free concerts in the park. The public is invited to enjoy “Music under the Stars” at the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center, in Reid Park, on Sunday evenings beginning at 7:00 pm from May 13th through June 17th. The concert schedule is as follows:

May 13- Mother’s Day Concert – Featuring the Catalina Foothills “Falcon” Steel Band, under the direction of Dr. Tina Walton performing a medley of island inspired music. The orchestra will perform A Salute to Glenn Miller, My Yiddishe Momme, selections from the Sound of Music and more to round out the evening dedicated to moms everywhere.

May 20 – Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus under the direction of Dr. Julian Ackerley. The internationally acclaimed group will sing selections of some of their favorite tunes. The orchestra will perform Overture to Boccaccio by von Suppé, Somewhere in Time by Barry/Custer, Jamaican Rumba by Benjamin and more.

May 27 – An Evening with Nancy Davis Booth, one of Tucson’s most popular guest vocalists. She will perform several Puccini operatic numbers including “Musetta’s waltz” from La Bohème, and Vissi D’arte” from Tosca; in addition to several contemporary classics including My Funny Valentine by Rodgers, George Gershwin’s I Got Rhythm and more.

June 3 –Maestro’s Favorites – Featuring a variety of Conductor Laszlo Veres’ favorite tunes including the world premiere of “Legends”, An Overture and Festivals, both by Richard Faith, along with Medleys from Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady, Moscow Nights and more.

June 10 – Stars of the Pops – The Tucson Pops Orchestra takes center stage at this concert featuring a collection of new and old favorites including selections from Sweet Charity, soundtrack highlights from The Lion King and more.

June 17– Future Star – Clark Evans, Cellist performing the Cello Concerto by Dvorak. The orchestra will conclude the 2012 spring season of “Music under the Stars” with Quest for Camelot – Selections, Tango Jealousie, and the ever popular 1812 Overture (complete with “cannon” fire) by Tchaikovsky.

The spring 2012 concert series is sponsored by Long Companies, Rosemont Copper, the Friends of the Pops and Tucson Parks and Recreation with additional support from the Arizona Commission on the Arts and the Tucson Pima Arts Council.

The DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center is located off Country Club just north of 22nd Street. Parking is available at the Randolph Park Golf Course parking lot, Alvernon Way just north of 22nd Street with shuttle service to the band shell beginning at 5:30pm.

For more information on the Tucson Pops Orchestra visit the website at http://www.tucsonpops.org. Bios and photos of guest artists are available upon request.

Contact:

Norma Gentry
ProVentures, Inc.
520-318-9445
ngentry@pvinc.net

And Happy Mother’s Day to all who attend the concert tomorrow night, especially mothers, stepmothers, adoptive mothers, grandmothers, great grandmothers, even mothers-in-law and foster mothers.

The Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus will perform two concerts on Saturday, Nov. 21, with proceeds benefiting the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration’s Preserving Our Heritage campaign.

The popular youth chorus, directed by Dr. Julian Ackerley, will present the world premiere of “Prayers from the Ark” at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Benedictine Sister’s historic monastery chapel at 800 N. Country Club Rd. in Tucson.

St. Benedictine monastery

“Prayers from the Ark” was written by French Benedictine nun Carmen Bernos de Gasztold and it includes 27 poems written from the point of view of the animals on Noah’s Ark, each saying a simple prayer to God in its own voice.

In 1966, renowned conductor and former musical director of the Tucson Symphony Frederic Balazs received the book as a gift, and years later after hearing the Boys Chorus, he sat down to write “Prayers from the Ark” as a fund raiser for the Benedictine Sisters. It took two months to complete. The music Balazs wrote depicts the character of each animal portrayed in the poetry, “attempting to match the underlying warmth and wit. Interwoven are chanting, reminiscent of early church music.” Sounds like this premier will be popular with children who can imagine the Ark’s numerous animals.

Danish pianist Torsten Juul-Borre will join the chorus as a featured performer and will play selections of works by Chopin, Grieg and Liszt.

This promises to be an international evening of music inspired by poetry written by a French nun and sung by a chorus which is based on traditions of a European boy choir, accompanied by a Danish pianist.

“Proceeds from the premiere concert will benefit the Benedictine Sisters’ heritage fund, which is raising $1 million for repair and restoration of their 70-year-old monastery” (built by Tucson architect Roy Place.) They have currently raised more than $350,000 with the help of friends, community organizations and benefactors. Last year I toured this monastery and was duly impressed with the architecture and courtyards, well worth preserving.

Tickets are $50 and available by calling (520) 325-6401. Contact person is Prioress Sister Ramona Varela at varela@bspa.us.