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CONCERT: February 27, 2022 featuring Pamela Roberts, cellist

woman holding cello
Pamela Roberts, featured soloist

COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE! Open Dress Rehearsal: Friday, February 25 at 7:00 PM – No reservations needed. Symphony Concert: Sunday, February 27 at 2:00 PM – reservations required. See Covid Protocols below. Both concerts are at the Chimacum School Auditorium.

To reserve your seats for the Feb. 27 concert, please send an email to Contact@PTSymphony.org with your name and the number in your party. Look for your reservation confirmation in your Inbox. Tickets are complimentary – donations are accepted at the door.

Covid Protocols will be updated as circumstances dictate.

All PTSO musicians are fully vaccinated and boosted. The string and percussion players will be fully masked throughout the concert. Brass players will be rapid-tested prior to the concert.

To allow for covid-spacing, audience size will be limited to about 150 patrons.

Family groups will be allowed to sit together.

All audience members must be fully vaccinated and boosted for all those eligible, including children ages 12 and older who are five months past their primary vaccine series. Status will be confirmed prior to admittance. No proof, no admittance.

Audience members must wear safe and effective masks (no face shields, or knit or mesh masks). KN95 or N95 masks are preferred. A cloth mask over a surgical mask is also effective. Masks must be worn to fully cover the mouth and nose while in the building.

The concert will be about one hour in length with no intermission. No food or drink, except a personal water container.

(Photo is of Pamela Roberts, cellist, rehearsing at the Legion in Port Townsend with the PTSO string players. Note: Pamela was tested before the rehearsal so she could play without a mask for her solo.)

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LEADER: Concert features Maria Powell, saxophonist

James Sloan
jsloan@ptleader.com

After their return from a long, COVID-induced hiatus, the Port Townsend Symphony Orchestra will perform their second concert of 2021 this Saturday.

The group first came back to the stage in October after 20 months away, but this concert marks a return to the symphony orchestra’s regular concert venue at Chimacum High School.

“It’s great to be back in our regular space,” said Tigran Arakelyan, the group’s conductor. Arakelyan is excited to return to the concert setting that “the orchestra is used to.”

The performance will feature saxophonist Maria Powell, a junior at Chimacum High, who will perform a solo in one of the symphony orchestra’s pieces. The talented young performer has played the saxophone since fifth grade, earning multiple honors such as the Junior Stars of Tomorrow Champion award, first place in the Jefferson County Young Artist Competition, and performing with various accredited ensembles and orchestras around the region.

Additionally, Powell is the Chimacum drum major for the newly combined East Jefferson High School Band.

“Maria is a super talented player,” Arakelyan said. “Even as a younger artist, she is really able to listen to the orchestra. She’s really aware of what is happening.”

The promising tenor saxophonist participated and finished first in the PT Symphony Orchestra Young Artist competition, where Arakelyan observed her talent and offered her a solo in the symphony orchestra’s next concert.

Although the saxophone is mainly associated with jazz in the United States, the conductor reiterated the instrument’s significance in the classical sphere.

“The saxophone in Europe has a long tradition as classical instrument,” he noted.

The Dec. 4 concert will have four enticing selections for listeners to enjoy and get into the holiday spirit. “Brook Green Suite” by Gustav Holst, “Fantasia for Saxophone and Orchestra” by Heitor Villa-Lobos, “Serenade for Strings” by Mieczyslaw Karlowicz, and a surprise percussion number will line the concert’s program.

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CONCERT: October 24, 2021 featuring Anne Krabill, oboist

OUR FIRST CONCERT OF THE SEASON!

Sunday, October 24, at 2 PM

Open Dress Rehearsal: Friday, October 22, at 7 PM, public welcome*

NEW LOCATION
Port Townsend American Legion Hall
209 Monroe St  (at the end of Water Street)ON THE PROGRAM

Blauth: Oboe concertina featuring Port Townsend’s own Anne Krabill.
Hovhaness: Psalm & Fugue.
Janacek: Suite for Strings.

Anne Krabill, oboist

Anne Krabill holds the title of principal oboe of the Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra, the Port Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and the Port Townsend Symphony Orchestra. In addition she has performed as principal oboe with the Northwest Symphony in Seattle, the Bainbridge Symphony, the Peninsula Dance Theater in Bremerton, the Sooke Philharmonic in British Columbia, and was a guest performer with the 82nd Airborne Division Band in North Carolina. –

  • All PTSO musicians are fully vaccinated and will be wearing masks (except for the oboe soloist).
  • To allow for covid-spacing, audience size will be limited to about 100 patrons. Family groups will be allowed to sit together.
  • All audience members must be fully vaccinated. Status will be confirmed prior to admittance. No proof: no admittance. No “vouching” for each other.
  • Audience members must wear safe and effective masks (no face shields). Masks must be at least 2 layers (3 layers are better) and worn to fully cover the mouth and nose throughout the concert.
  • The concert will be about an hour in length with no intermission.
  • No food or drink, except a personal water container.

Reservations for the October 24 concert are encouraged. An invitation email will be sent October 17.

October 24: Water Street door will open at 1:20 for people with reservations. Walk-ups will be seated as space permits beginning at 1:45.

*October 22 dress rehearsal will be open to the public. To minimize rehearsal disruptions, please arrive no later than 6:50.

While PTSO concerts are free, we gratefully accept donations.

Please send questions to: contact@PTSymphony.org

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Tigran on Social Media

Want to stay “in touch” with PTSO conductor, Maestro Tigran Arakelyan? He is a regular on social media where he shares his thoughts and musings about music, musicians, philosophy, conducting, his goals and insights, his family, and just about everything else.

Instagram: tigran_arakelyan
Twitter: @TigranArakelyan
Facebook: Tigran Arakelyan

On his podcasts, Off The Podium, he speaks with conductors, composers and musicians about music and the musical life (taken very broadly). These 25 to 30 minutes conversations are insightful, thought provoking, fun and always include laughter. Off The Podium can be found on Stitcher, iTunes, YouTube, Google Podcasts, etc. Or go to the podcast website: Off The Podium

Follow PTSO on Facebook

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SOLOIST: Erick Jovel, trumpet

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Erick Jovel is an active freelance musician with versatility ranging from orchestral to jazz and other commercial music. Erick is second trumpet with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.

Erick earned a Bachelor degree in Music Performance from CSUN under the mentorship of David Washburn and a Master of Music Degree from UCLA under the mentorship of Jens Lindemann. Erick is currently pursuing his Doctoral of Musical Arts at USC’s Thornton School of Music under the mentorship of Thomas Hooten. 

Erick Jovel serves as Professor of Trumpet at Loyola Marymount University. Erick also teaches at Pasadena Conservatory of Music. He is a Trumpet Teaching Artist for Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA) at Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA).

He has also performed with orchestra such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, Malaysian Philharmonic, Long Beach Symphony, Santa Barbara Symphony, Pacific Palisades Symphony, Los Angeles Valley Symphony, Glendale Philharmonic, Riverside Philharmonic, Culver City Chamber Orchestra, Culver City Symphony, Marina Del Rey Symphony, Centerstage Opera, Pacific Opera Project and several Musical Theatre companies.

Erick has performed as featured soloist for The Capitol Ensemble, Corona Symphony, Masters University Wind Ensemble, Symphony Irvine, UCLA Philharmonia and UCLA Symphonic Band. He also performs with various international Latin artists such as Andy Montañez, Tony Vega, Yari Moré, Jungle Fire, Sonora Dinamita, Sonora Caliente and Orquesta Tabaco y Ron. Erick has participated in the Banff All Star Brass Festival where he performed with world class musicians: Jens Lindemann, Ryan Anthony, Marty Hackleman, Mark Gould, Phil Snedicor, Alain Trudel, Alstair Kay and Pat Sheridan.

Atwater Kent Concerto Competition Winner 2013.

https://www.laco.org
https://www.laphil.com/education/local-programs/youth-orchestra-los-angeles/
https://pasadenaconservatory.org
https://www.heartofla.org/

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SOLOIST: Kincaid Gould, clarinet

Kincaid Gould won First Prize in the 2019 PTSO Young Artist Competition, which included the option to be featured soloist for the Feb. 23, 2020 concert. Kincaid is a Port Townsend High School student and principal clarinetist of the PTSO.

Born in Port Townsend, he began playing piano in third grade and then clarinet in fifth grade. His clarinet teacher is Miles Vokurka. Kincaid’s achievements include qualification for and superior rating in the Washington Music Educators Association State Solo Contest, as well as acceptance into All-State and All-Northwest Honor Bands for the past five years. This year, he was accepted into the Washington Music Educators Association All-State Chamber Orchestra, with which he will be playing principal clarinet.

At Port Townsend High School, Kincaid is a member of the concert band, marching band, pep band and jazz band. He also plays clarinet with ensembles in the community. He has been a member of the Port Townsend Summer Band for five years, as well as a member of Port Townsend High School’s cross-country team. Kincaid has applied to colleges and following graduation he plans to continue his music studies while also pursuing a degree in a yet-to-be-determined field. He will perform:

Concertino for Clarinet in E Flat Major, Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826). German composer Carl Maria von Weber wrote his “Concertino for Clarinet in E Flat Major” over the course of only three days in 1811. It remains a popular Romantic Period staple in the clarinet repertoire to this day.

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Port Townsend Symphony Orchestra features ‘Literature in Music’ and local soloist on February 23 concert

The Port Townsend Symphony Orchestra’s next concert will be held on Sunday, February 23 at the Chimacum High School Auditorium, starting at 2 pm. Concerts are free to the public with donations accepted at the door.

Conductor and Artistic Director Tigran Arakelyan said, “Welcome to our first concert of 2020! This concert features beautiful music inspired by literature and a talented young clarinet soloist from Port Townsend, Kincaid Gould. Musicians from Port Townsend High School Orchestra also join the orchestra as guest performers.”

Kincaid Gould won First Prize in the 2019 PTSO Young Artist Competition, which included the option to be featured soloist for this concert. Kincaid is a Port Townsend High School student and principal clarinetist of the PTSO. Born in Port Townsend, he began playing piano in third grade and then clarinet in fifth grade. His clarinet teacher is Miles Vokurka. Kincaid’s achievements include qualification for and superior rating in the Washington Music Educators Association State Solo Contest, as well as acceptance into All-State and All-Northwest Honor Bands for the past five years. This year, he was accepted into the Washington Music Educators Association All-State Chamber Orchestra, with which he will be playing principal clarinet.

At Port Townsend High School, Kincaid is a member of the concert band, marching band, pep band and jazz band. He also plays clarinet with ensembles in the community. He has been a member of the Port Townsend Summer Band for five years, as well as a member of Port Townsend High School’s cross-country team. Kincaid has applied to colleges and following graduation he plans to continue his music studies while also pursuing a degree in a yet-to-be-determined field. He will perform:

Concertino for Clarinet in E Flat Major, Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826). German composer Carl Maria von Weber wrote his “Concertino for Clarinet in E Flat Major” over the course of only three days in 1811. It remains a popular Romantic Period staple in the clarinet repertoire to this day.

Arakeylan explained about the other pieces, “The program also features music inspired by literature, telling the stories through another language. Tragedy, love and faith are expressed as vividly in music as they are in literature. In my experience, there have been many times when music was more powerful than words. It is a magical experience to hear these musical works and imagine the literary stories.”

The literature-based pieces are:

Merry Wives of Windsor Overture, Carl Otto Ehrenfried Nicolai (1810–1849). “The Merry Wives of Windsor”is based on the comedy by William Shakespeare. In this opera, an impoverished Falstaff attempts to woo the wives of two rich merchants of Windsor. His plan is quickly exposed, and he is manipulated by the women, their husbands and other characters.

Pelléas and Mélisande, Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924). This piece is based on a 1893 French play set in medieval times. It tells of a tragic love triangle between the maiden Mélisande, Golaud who marries her, and his younger brother Pelléas, who falls in love with her. The tragic death of Mélisande is reflected with the ending lamentation which brings in hints of Mélisande’s theme.

Romeo and Juliet, Fantasy Overture, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893). Tchaikovsky styled this piece after Shakespeare’s play of the same name. It is a one movement symphonic poem-like work that encapsulates the tragic love story between Romeo and Juliet. The final section is the most famous as it has the wondrous and passionate romantic theme, which represents the idea that love conquers all.

“We are excited to take you on another journey, exploring the intertwined vision and passion of music and literature. These pieces are a great example of the powerful statement that arts and artists can make when they come together. Thank you for your continued support, love and encouragement!” said Arakeylan.

For additional details and updates please visit the orchestra’s website at PTSymphony.org.

https://ptsymphony.org/program-notes-feb-2020/