April concerts!

The Mountain Music Duo makes a few appearances this month!

Sunday, April 3 at 3 PM
"Ben & I play for peace" concert to benefit Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids! We will be joined by the Colorado Guitar Quartet and cellist Anna Psitos at Wash Perk in Denver!

Tuesday, April 12
We will present Loretta Notareschi's "Two About Two" to music appreciation students at Front Range Community College.

Sunday, April 17 at 3 PM
Rocky Mountain Center for Musical Arts Faculty recital, again performing "Two About Two" along with many talented and accomplished faculty members!

In addition to Duo performances, mark these two Boulder Philharmonic concerts on your calendar:

Thursday, April 21 at 7:30 PM
John Denver tribute concert at the 1stBank event center in Broomfield.

Saturday, April 30 at 7:30 PM
BPO season finale concert featuring Holst's "The Planets."

Finally, I can also be heard on Easter Sunday, April 24 at 10 AM at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 1900 California Street in Denver.

March already?!?

Wow, March is only a week away! Here are some concerts to get excited about:

Friday, March 11 at 7:30 PM
The Colorado Chamber Orchestra presents an all-Beethoven concert with the Littleton Chorale at Saint James Presbyterian Church in Littleton!

Saturday, March 19 at 7:30 PM
The Boulder Philharmonic presents "Reflections in Glass".

Sunday, March 27 at 5:30 PM
The Steamboat Springs Orchestra presents a concert featuring Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony at the Strings Pavillion in Steamboat Springs!

February concerts

Friday, February 4 at 7:30 PM and
Saturday, February 5 at 7:30 PM
The Fort Collins Symphony performs all six of J.S. Bach's magnificent Brandenburg Concerti at the University Center for the Arts in Fort Collins. I am truly thrilled to be a part of this ambitious program!

Thursday, February 10 at 7 PM
The Mountain Music Duo is featured performing the World Premiere of Loretta Notareschi's "Two About Two" as part of the Denver Eclectic Concerts series! Join us at the Plum Building in Denver, at the corner of South Pearl and Mexico.

Saturday, February 19 at 7:30 PM (Macky Auditorium) and
Sunday, February 20 at 3 PM (St. Luke's UMC)
The Boulder Philharmonic presents a concert featuring clarinetist Richard Stoltzman and Dvorak's "New World" Symphony - with yours truly playing English horn! I am very excited to perform this concert both at Macky Auditorium in Boulder AND at Saint Luke's United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch!

A new year in music!

January is a little sparse in terms of concerts - mainly I'll be gearing up teaching for the spring term. Keep an eye out for February's concert schedule - it looks like there will be many opportunities to attend concerts, from Denver to Fort Collins to Boulder! For this month, though, look forward to a wonderful BPO concert featuring David Korevaar performing Rachmaninoff's Third Piano Concerto.

Saturday, January 8 at 6 PM
The Mountain Music Duo performs for the IZA Prize award ceremony and dinner at the Denver Downtown Sheraton.

Saturday, January 15 at 7:30 PM
Boulder Philharmonic "Rach 'n' Roll" concert at Macky Auditorium.

Holiday Concerts this December

Saturday, December 4 at 7 PM and
Sunday, December 5 at 5 PM
Steamboat Springs Orchestra Concerts at the Strings Pavillion in Steamboat.

Sunday, December 12 at 10:15 AM
Rutter's Magnificat at First Congregational Church of Boulder, 1128 Pine Street.

Saturday, December 18 at 2 PM
Sunday, December 19 at 2 PM
Monday, December 20 at 7 PM
Canto Deo concerts with choir and orchestra. The 18th is at Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church in Aurora, the 19th is at Saint Frances Cabrini Parish in Littleton, and the 20th is at Bethany Lutheran Church in Denver.

November concerts

Wow! October has been so busy that I couldn't even post everything before it happened. The Mountain Music Duo presented "The Widow, the Orphan, and the Immigrant" by Andrew Halladay to students at Front Range Community College in Westminster, and you may have heard us featured on Charley Samson's "Colorado Spotlight" on KVOD! November is looking a bit sparse by comparison, but there are some performances scheduled.

Friday, November 19 at 8:30 AM
The Mountain Music Duo provides celebratory prelude music for National Adoption Day festivities at the Denver Court House.

November 26-28
The Boulder Philharmonic and Boulder Ballet present four performances of the Nutcracker at Macky Auditorium. Click here for more information.

There will be Steamboat Springs Orchestra concerts on December 4 and 5, so stay tuned for more details, and start looking for lodging if you'd like to make a weekend of it!

October Concerts

Sunday, October 3 at 4 PM
I will perform "Kreuzspiel" with CU faculty as part of the weekend's Stockhausen Festival in the ATLAS (Black Box) Theater in Boulder on the CU campus.

Friday, October 15 at 2 and 3:15 PM
"Meet the Instruments" at the RMCMA in Lafayette! Ages 4 and up.

Sunday, October 17 at 4 PM
The Mountain Music Duo presents a concert at the MCMAA in Nederland. The program will feature the world premiere of our newest commission by Andrew Halladay, funded by a generous grant from Parlando School for the Arts!

Sunday, October 24 at 7 PM
The Mountain Music Duo presents selected works from our October 17 program in an outreach program for residents of Balfour in Louisville. Many thanks to Parlando School for the Arts for providing outreach concerts such as this to the Boulder area community!

Friday, October 29 at 7:30 PM
Cirque de la Symphonie with the Boulder Philharmonic at Macky Auditorium in Boulder!

Sunday, October 31 at 9:15 and 10:40 AM
I'll perform the anthem at Saint Andrew United Methodist Church under the direction of Elizabeth Ann Rowlison!

August and September concerts

Friday, August 27 at 7:30 PM
Sunday, August 29 at 2 PM
Opera Fort Collins presents Rigoletto at the University Center for the Arts in Fort Collins.

Saturday, September 11 at 7:30 PM
The Boulder Philharmonic presents a concert of heroic repertoire at Macky Auditorium.

The Mountain Music Duo will also be heading to the KVOD performance studio in September, so look forward to hearing us on Charley Samson's Colorado Spotlight!

Back to it now that baby is here!

Well, sort of back to it, anyway. I plan to participate in the RMCMA's Meet the Instruments programs on Thursday, July 22 at 1 PM and 2 PM. After that there isn't much on the calendar until September, when the Boulder Philharmonic 2010-2011 season begins! Check back for details in a few weeks. In the mean time, check out this article about house concerts from the Denver Post. The Mountain Music Duo is perfect for home venues, so if you find yourself unable to attend our concerts as frequently as you would like, book a concert that fits your schedule! Or even if you do get to hear us a lot, share our unique sound with your friends in the comfort of your home.

May, June, and July - Maternity Leave

One of the benefits of being self-employed is that I get to determine my own maternity leave! My baby is due on June 12, so I am taking May (mostly) off to prepare and June and July to enjoy my new role as new mother. I have some teaching and other professional activities continuing in May, but only with the flexibility to cancel should the need arise. I may or may not decide to accept performing gigs in August, depending on how things are going. However, I am already very anxious to get back to performing, so look for new concert dates to be posted in the late summer or early fall! Have a great summer, everyone!

April Concerts and Events - Updated 4/30

April 2 at 7 PM
The First United Methodist Church of Fort Collins presents the moving German Requiem by Brahms on Good Friday.

April 21 at 10:30 AM
The Boulder Philharmonic presents educational Discovery Concerts!

April 24 at 7:30 PM
The Boulder Philharmonic season finale at Macky Auditorium in Boulder, featuring Carmina Burana by Orff and works by Kellogg and Theofanidis.

April 25 at 8:30 AM
Performance of an excerpt from the Rutter Requiem at Central Presbyterian Church in Longmont as part of the church service.

April 25 at 3 PM
RMCMA faculty recital, an opportunity for the Mountain Music Duo to present a new arrangement of music originally for oboe and piano. Check it out!

April 30 at 2:30 PM
Round table discussion at the University of Denver Career Fair. I will be a panelist available to answer questions and discuss my experience as an entrepreneurial freelance musician.

April 30 at ***NEW TIME*** 7:30 PM
I will play for a soprano recital with woodwind quintet at Saint John's Cathedral in Denver.

March Concerts

March 5 from 6:30-8:15 PM
The Mountain Music Duo at Capital Tea in Denver! We are performing at this lovely tea shop as part of the First Friday Art Walk on South Broadway. I highly recommend the three-cheese grilled sandwich, followed by a hot cup of tea and a delicious apricot cookie. There is no cover, but we will have our tip jar out and CDs for sale! Stop on by!

March 6 at about 9 PM
The Mountain Music Duo performs again at the RMCMA's CRESCENDO Gala Fundraiser! Click here for tickets.

March 17 at 7:30 PM
The Boulder Philharmonic performs a Wednesday evening concert on St. Patrick's Day!

March 27 at 7 PM in Craig and
March 28 at 5 PM in Steamboat ***NOTE NEW TIME***
The Steamboat Springs Orchestra season finale including Dvorak's Cello Concerto and the "New World" Symphony!

February Concerts

Late January is a little hectic this year, so I am posting February's concerts a little early!

February 5 at 7 PM and
February 6 at 7:30 PM
The Fort Collins Symphony presents a program of American music.

February 14 at 7:30 PM
Celebrate Valentine's Day with the Boulder Philharmonic, Spanish style.

February 21 at 3 PM
Steamboat Springs Orchestra concert at the Steamboat Christian Center in Steamboat Springs.

February 26 at 5 PM
Performance with choral director David Kates at the 2010 regional American Choral Directors Association Convention. This ecumenical service will take place at Central Presbyterian Church in downtown Denver.

January 2010 Events

Tuesday, January 12 between 9 AM and 3 PM
Fort Collins Symphony educational concerts at the Lincoln Center in Fort Collins!

Saturday, January 23 at 7:30 PM
Boulder Philharmonic concert featuring Bach, Beethoven and Brahms!

Thursday, January 28-30
Oklahoma State University presentations, including a Freelancing Seminar at 8 PM on Thursday, January 28 and recital titled "Telling Stories in Music" at 2:30 PM on Saturday, January 30. The recital features compositions that incorporate story telling elements such as narration, programmatic themes, and literary inspiration. All works were composed in the last 50 years! A reed making class for oboists will take place at 3 PM on January 29. Many thanks to Prof. Celeste Johnson for hosting these events!

Last minute holiday shopping?

It's not too late to purchase (or request!) "Summer Play" for the holidays! Even if you don't have time to ship it, you can gift the mp3 files instantly! Try iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby or treat yourself by listening on Rhapsody or Pandora!

Warmest winter wishes!!

December: Let it snow - as long as I don't have to drive to a gig!

Friday, December 4 at 7 PM, Craig High School
Saturday, December 5 at 8 PM and
Sunday, December 6 at 3 PM, Steamboat Christian Center

Steamboat Springs Orchestra Holiday Concerts!


Sunday, December 13 at 7 PM

Vivaldi's "Gloria" at Littleton United Methodist Church with the Colorado Chamber Orchestra.


Saturday, December 19 at 2 PM and
Sunday, December 20 at 7:30 PM, Our Lady of Loretto Church
Monday, December 21 at 7:30 PM, Bethany Lutheran Church

Canto Deo holiday concerts!


Happy holidays and peace to all!

November

Friday, November 13 at 4 PM

I will play a couple of the Five Pieces for Solo Oboe by Antal Dorati at CSU's OboeRAMa in Fort Collins! The entire festival should be a lot of fun, and a bargain learning experience at only $25 for registration for all of the day's activities! Joe Robinson will be in attendance after his performance of the Strauss Concerto the evening prior. Check out the official IDRS announcement for more information.


Friday, November 20 at 8:15 AM

That's right, an early morning gig for the Mountain Music Duo! We are contributing our services toward the celebration of National Adoption Day at the Denver Juvenile Court Building. We'll play festive music as a prelude to the official proceedings which begin at about 9 AM.


Friday, November 20 at 1:15 PM

The Mountain Music Duo continues a day of kid-oriented activities at Studio School in Thornton. Hopefully James won't embarrass his daughter TOO badly! We hope to take our kiddie show into several schools, so be sure to tell your friendly neighborhood music teacher or school principal about us!


Sunday, November 22 at 10:30 AM

Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Littleton with the impeccable Marcia Marchesi.


Friday, November 27 at 4 PM
Saturday, November 28 at 2 PM and 7 PM
Sunday, November 29 at 2 PM

The Boulder Philharmonic and the Boulder Ballet kick off the holiday season with performances of THE NUTCRACKER. Get tickets!

October

Sure enough, there have been some last minute updates to this month's schedule - one of them actually was so last minute I couldn't even post it beforehand! One of them is a concert with the Colorado Symphony - I'll be playing third oboe on one piece, so you probably won't hear me, but you'll see me!

Saturday, October 10 at 7:30 PM
NEW: Filling in with the Longmont Symphony Orchestra.

Wednesday, October 14 at 10 AM
Business creation workshop with Prof. Knight's class at the University of Denver.

Friday, October 16 at 3:15 PM
"Meet the Instruments" at the Rocky Mountain Center for Musical Arts for ages 4-6. Register early!

Sunday, October 18 at 3 PM
Colorado Chamber Orchestra concert in Gates Concert Hall at the Lamont School of Music. Click here for more information, including links to ticket vendors!

Saturday, October 24 at 7:30 PM
NEW: Playing Rachmaninoff's "The Bells" with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra!

Friday, October 30 at 7:30 PM
Boulder Philharmonic season opener including Symphony Fantastique by Berlioz!

September!

The CD release party on August 28 was a HUGE success, and I am pleased to announce that you can now purchase "Summer Play" online! Tell all of your musician friends to add this album to their library!

The Mountain Music Duo continues to be active in September with an appearance at Regis University and a full recital at Front Range Community College in Westminster. I highly encourage attending the Steamboat Springs Orchestra concert this month; the drive will likely be beautiful with changing fall colors, and we are playing Beethoven's wonderful but infrequently performed Fourth Symphony!


Wednesday, September 9 at 7:30 PM
The Mountain Music Duo performs on a Regis University faculty recital at the Berkeley Community Church, 50th and Meade in Denver.


Saturday, September 19 at 7:30 PM
Steamboat Springs Orchestra concert at the beautiful Strings Pavilion in Steamboat!


Tuesday, September 22 at 7:30 PM
Mountain Music Duo in Concert at the Visual and Performing Arts Gallery, Westminster Campus of Front Range Community College.

Upcoming Season Summary

Here are links to the concert schedules for the Steamboat Springs Orchestra, where I play principal oboe, and the Boulder Philharmonic, where I play oboe and English horn. I hope those of you who want to travel to these beautiful locations can plan to do so on a weekend when you can take in a concert!