Classical Spotlight: Thanks!

NUTS ABOUT TCHAIKOVSKY
Delight your whole family with this cherished tradition — The Nutcracker, performed by the San Antonio Symphony and Ballet San Antonio. Don’t miss this charming classic. It’s a holiday celebration for the whole Family! Starting Friday November 26 to December 5 at the Majestic. Find out more at http://www.sasymphony.org/ or http://www.balletsanantonio.org/

ENCORE, ENCORE!
The first concert of our 2010-2011 “Musical Evenings at San Fernando Cathedral” series, this concert will feature Russian artists Mark Cheiket, violin, and Elena Portnaya, piano, performing an entrancing program of all-time violin favorites, from their new CD, Encore! CDs will be available for signing after the concert, during the delicious dessert reception catered by Giovanni’s.
Please visit http://www.musicalbridges.org/ for more information.

CHRISTMAS FAVORITES – ALL THAT JAZZ
December 2 at 12:10pm First Presbyterian Church in San Antonio presents their first Midday Noel 2010! Join the Mark Little Trio as they perform the Christmas music of the jazz legend, Vince Guaraldi. The Trio appears regularly at Old San Francisco Steak House and includes Little (piano), George Prado (bass) and Kevin Hess (drums). You’ll hear “music of the spirit” that began with his musical foundation "in the church" in Amarillo, Texas, where he was born and raised. Little began piano lessons at the age of four, studying with the director of his church choir. Mastering the music quickly, he played by rote and then, flying in the face of tradition, he expanded with his own versions. Far from putting down her student as a musical vandal, his teacher enthusiastically encouraged him toward further innovation, a path Little has pursued ever since. A Full Lunch will be served in Westminster Hall after each concert for $7.00 and a “Grab & Go” Sack Lunch will be available as you exit the Sanctuary for $3.00.
More at http://www.fpconline.org/

ON THE RISE
December 2 the Symphony of the Hills has Rising Stars- featuring Collin Turner, violin; Evana Toll, string bass; and a new composition by young composer Jonathan Willing. Jay Dunnahoo directs. There's more information at http://www.symphonyofthehills.org/

HOW DO YOU GET TO CARNEGIE
Tenor Donald Braswell II joins Tim Janis for the American Christmas Carol Tour next week. This tour features Tim’s music, choir and singer/songwriter Jim Cole. Next Thursday, December 2nd at Carnegie Hall, Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage with The Tim Janis Singers (200 voices) and the 94 piece Tim Janis Youth Symphony Orchestra and special guests Sarah Darling, Emily Bear, Eli Mattson, Jim Cole, Chandler and Ryan Lutz.
There's more at http://www.donaldbraswell.com/ and http://www.timjanis.com/news.htm

CCSA EXPANDS
The Children’s Chorus of San Antonio (CCSA) is moving uptown! Starting January 20, 2011, CCSA will launch a new training choir outside of Loop 1604 to reach families in Stone Oak and neighboring communities. This ensemble is the latest in a series of new programs designed to reach young artists across San Antonio with the same great experiences that are a hallmark of the organization. Singers will participate in weekly rehearsals that nurture their artistic and personal potential through a comprehensive curriculum of performance and instruction. They will also have the opportunity to develop the confidence, poise, maturity, self-esteem, and self-discipline necessary for success in music and success in life.
Following are the details on CCSA’s new Junior Chorus North (JCN) program:
· JCN is open to boys and girls currently in grades 3-5
· Rehearsals will be held on Thursdays from 4:30 – 6:10pm at Northern Hills UMC, 3703 North Loop 1604 East, starting January 20, 2011. JCN singers will participate in concerts on March 27 and May 1, 2011.
· JCN conductor is Amy Ballenger, CCSA alumna and choral director at Bradley Middle School in NEISD.
· Space in JCN is limited to the first 60 singers to complete registration; no auditions are necessary! Cost for JCN is $165 and includes all materials.
· Registration is available online at http://www.childrenschorussa.org/ or by calling 210.826.3447. Deadline for registration is January 1, 2011.

REVEL IN RAVEL & BEETHOVEN
The Claremont Trio's newest cd is Beethoven & Ravel. Host John Clare recently spoke to Julia and Emily from the Claremont Trio while in NYC.


NOT A MUSICAL TRAMP
When sound came rushing in, Charlie Chaplin remained steadfastly a silent comic, producing his two greatest films, City Lights (1931), and nearly a decade after the introduction of sound, Modern Times (1936). By the mid 1930s, Chaplin had over two decades of experience on screen honing his Little Tramp persona. Perhaps because it was my first experience with Chaplin, but Modern Times, although the Tramp’s last appearance on screen, is my favorite Chaplin film. As a romantic comedy, it works well, but as a satire on “modern” life, it works superbly, and still does to this day. And it is deliriously funny.
TPR's Nathan Cone explains Charlie Chaplin was not only a genius filmmaker, but a gifted composer with a new Blu-ray and DVD of "Modern Times." More at: http://www.tpr.org/articles/2010/11/cinema-keaton.html

Find out more about Classical Spotlight and hear the interviews online at: http://tpr.org/programs/classicalspotlight.html