Grande Ronde Symphony Association's Chamber Concert

La Grande, Oregon…The Grande Ronde Symphony Association is pleased to announce their fourth Chamber Concert of the season, set for April 15, 2017 at 86 Hawthorne Drive in La Grande. Titled “An Evening with Sax and Winds” this concert will feature two groups: Prevailing Winds Ensemble and Saxophobia Northeast. 
 
The first group to perform will be Prevailing Winds Ensemble, a recorder ensemble that’s been around for quite a few years. Members of the Prevailing Winds Ensemble practice weekly at Looking Glass Books thanks to owner and Shakespeare enthusiast Grant Turner) and come from a wide range of backgrounds.  Denise Hattan, Dave Felley, and Beth Gilmore are founding members of the six-year old group.  Cynthia Seaney and Nancy Ames joined two years ago and last year, respectively.  Each of the musicians in this ensemble plays at least three of the four types of recorders (bass, alto, tenor, and soprano). These are not the recorders of school days, that’s for sure! 

One hundred years ago there was no such thing as a saxophone quartet, much less music, but things began to change in 1928.  One of the first composers to write for a sax quartet was Robert Clerisse, whose “Introduction et Scherzo” will open the chamber concert program of Saxophobia Northeast.
 
Saxophobia Northeast members include Elburn Cooper, soprano sax; Donna Evans, tenor sax; Keith Van Vickle, alto sax; and Russ Hunt, baritone sax.  Their concert repertoire will be from the unique and rare library of Elburn Cooper and will feature composers through the ages, from Bach to Berlin to Gershwin to lesser knowns from our more modern times.  Elburn taught music and played in various groups in the Portland area before retiring and moving to La Grande.  Interesting bits of information will be shared about the pieces, the music library, and the performers as this part of the concert progresses.
 
The Grande Ronde Symphony Association is honored to host both Prevailing Winds Ensemble and Saxophobia Northeast for the April 15 Chamber Concert.  This will be a wonderful evening of great and varied music played by very talented musicians on non-orchestral instruments!  Doors open at 6:45 pm with the performance commencing at 7:30 pm.  Following the concert, attendees will enjoy delicious refreshments, wine, and punch provided by the very talented cooks of the Grande Ronde Symphony Association. 
 
Season chamber concert pass holders get in by flashing their passes. Even if you don’t have a season pass, don’t fret as you are always welcome to attend by paying $25 at the door.  For more information, please visit granderondesymphony.org or contact Patty Sandoz at grsymphony2@gmail.com or 541-963-7595.