For The Past 120 Years... The LSO has served the people, institutions and businesses of the greater La Crosse area by elevating its cultural climate. It does this in several ways: • The LSO presents a Symphony for Youth concert day annually for area public and private school children in Grades 3-5. Each year over 3,000 children attend these concerts. • In 2019, the LSO will host the 20th Annual Rising Stars Concerto Competition. This year, 4 finalists will perform with the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra during the March concert as they compete for cash prizes. • The LSO awards 12 String Scholarships to area elementary, middle and high school students for lessons with LSO musicians. • The LSO, in collaboration with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater La Crosse, School District of La Crosse, and La Crosse Area Youth Symphony Orchestra initiated Play It Forward-La Crosse, a community-wide used instrument drive. The LSO also collaborates with the Boys & Girls Club Fine Arts Music Program, for an after school instrumental music education program at one of the La Crosse Clubs. Donated instruments will give many students who cannot afford to pay for an instrument or private music lessons, the opportunity for instrumental music education. • The La Crosse Symphony Orchestra’s Maestro School Program seeks to musically educate and enlighten young people in the Coulee Region by sending its Music Director, Alexander Platt, into actual rehearsals of the high school and middle school bands and orchestras. • The Conductor Wannabe Competition collaborates with six candidates in choosing a non-profit organization that will receive half of the money they each raise during the campaign. Each “vote” is $2 – $1 going to the LSO and the other $1 going to the candidate’s chosen charity. The winner and runner-up with the most votes make their conducting debuts with the LSO at the June concert.
Dear Friends,
In a season with so much to celebrate, why not do it with friends? And so, our 2018-19 season of the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra will celebrate friendships both old and new, in performances sure to burnish the growing reputation of our amazing ensemble. Fresh from our great success with the Rachmaninov Symphony No.2, we’ll open our season with the Second Symphony of Beethoven -- but only after the Second Piano Concerto of Chopin, with our old pal Simon Mulligan, the best Chopin chops this side of the Atlantic. The season continues with an overpowering centennial remembrance of Armistice Day, in November -- with a new friend of the LSO, violinist Tessa Lark -- and then, another pair of glittering Holiday concerts with a throng of our young musicians; and in March, an exciting new format for our “Rising Stars Concerto Competition!” We’ll host a salute to more of the best of John Williams in April, with the return of another new friend, the phenomenal young violinist Yevgeny Kutik; in May, Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons,” in the tango style, with the unforgettable Lara St. John, with whom I conducted this work in my New York debut; and to round things out, the eternally youthful genius of Mendelssohn’s G-Minor Piano Concerto, in the supreme hands of my very favorite collaborator in this work, Frederic Chiu, paired with Modest Mussorgsky’s own eternal musical monument to the human spirit, the “Pictures at an Exhibition,” in the radiant orchestration by Maurice Ravel. So then, a season in which we’ll bring the world to La Crosse, with the help of a few of our friends. I can’t wait to join you all again, and have you take your seats...
Musically Yours,
Alexander Platt, Music Director
Admit One: $30
Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 | 7:00 pm. Veteran’s Studio (Black Box Theatre) The Weber Center | 428 Harborview Plaza, La Crosse A very special performance
REMEMBERING LENNY: Improvisations on the music of Leonard Bernstein Simon Mulligan, piano
*This concert is NOT part of the season subscription.
piano provided by
Join us in the Veteran’s Studio -- the Black-Box Theatre space at the Weber Center in downtown La Crosse -- for a unique and fabulous tribute to the genius of Leonard Bernstein, as we celebrate the centennial of the birth of this greatest of American Musicians. Simon Mulligan “the Andre Previn of our time,” a pianist uniquely adept at bridging the worlds of classical, pop, film music and jazz -- treats us to his own special paraphrases and improvisations of Bernstein’s greatest hits. From Candide and West Side Story to On The Town, it’s sure to be a memorable evening of virtuoso piano poetry and fireworks!
October 20, 2018 | 7:30 p.m. Lutoslawski: Symphonic Variations Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor
INTERMISSION
Thank you to our Concert Sponsors:
BILL KOUTSKY
Beethoven: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 36 The La Crosse Symphony Orchestra is celebrating this year’s centenary of Poland’s independence beginning with Lutoslawski’s Symphonic Variations, a ten-minute orchestral piece with a melody of tone colors. Moreover, no one plays music of that renowned Polish composer, Chopin, better these days than pianist, Simon Mulligan. We have a treat in store for us when we hear Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2. Some of Chopin’s music can be traced to the training exercises of Carl Czerny – whose main piano teacher was Beethoven. Following intermission is a happy, carefree, and innocently sunny work composed by none other than Beethoven himself, his Symphony No. 2.
MULLIGAN
CELEBRATING POLISH INDEPENDENCE
LARK
AMERICANS IN PARIS: CELEBRATING THE FIRST VETERANS DAY November 10, 2018 | 7:30 p.m. Magnard: Hymne a la Justice Chausson: Poeme Ravel: Tzigane
INTERMISSION
Debussy: Berceuse heroique (1914) Debussy, orch. Andre Caplet: Clair de lune Gershwin: An American in Paris
Thank you to our Concert Sponsor:
Tonight, the LSO is celebrating the Armistice – the first Veteran’s Day – that ended World War I. Our first work is Alberic Magnard’s “Hymn to Justice.” Magnard became a French national hero in 1914 when he refused to surrender his property to German invaders and died defending his chateau. Then there is nothing like the French composers’ fraternity and its fondness for the violin. In fact, Chausson gave his manuscript of Poeme to a famous French violinist, Eugène Ysaÿe, for whom it was written, while Ravel studied everything about the violin before composing Tzigane. Violinist Tessa Lark will perform these virtuosic pieces for us. Following intermission will be works by Debussy, who died exactly a hundred years ago, as German bombs fell on Paris. He wrote his “Berceuse” in honor of Belgium, in the autumn of 1914. Additionally, while there are many orchestrations of Debussy’s beloved “Clair de lune” (French for “light of the moon”), Andre Caplet, one of Debussy’s closest friends, created a sublime orchestration of the work. Lastly, we’ll enjoy a trip to France with the sights and sounds that a tourist from America experiences, from taxi cabs to homesickness, in Gershwin’s American in Paris!
3
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YOUTH SYMPHONY GIRL/BOYCHOIRS
CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS December 14 and 15, 2018 | 7:30 p.m.
Home again for the Holidays! What better way to share an evening of Holiday music than with family and friends. The LSO is joined in this concert by the La Crosse Area Youth Symphony Orchestra (LYSO), the La Crosse BoyChoir, and the La Crosse Girl Choir. Listen to Deck the Halls, Sleigh Ride, Stille Nacht, and To Celebrate a Miracle! Then join everyone in song with the annual rendition of Finnegan’s Christmas Carol Sing-Along! There are even handouts with the words! This is a great event to start out the holiday season! Thank you to our Concert Sponsor:
Announcing... The 20th Annual
RISING STARS CONCERTO COMPETITION
ATTENDANCE IS
FREE!!
Sat., January 19, 2019 at 3:30 pm in the Recital Hall at Viterbo University
With a twist!
Be part of the thrilling semi-finals as six area high school instrumental and piano students compete for the opportunity to perform in the finals. The top four students will move on to compete in the final competition during the LSO’s March concert. Mark your calender for an afternoon of sensational young talent. Application, repertoire list, competition rules and entry deadline are available at:
www.lacrossesymphony.org
For more information, Janet Roth at theroths07@msn.com
Don’t miss this ANNUAL LSO EVENT!!
MAJORRS: SPONSO rd
o Dick Rec ulver th C Anna Be aline & Jane S l MemSoprioa nsor Venue
niversity
Viterbo U
this year’s theme...
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follow us on facebook to learn more!
608.783.2121
Contact us today to reserve your table
Saturday, February 9, 2019
nual An
Premier Event of the Year!
You are invited to the
MOULIN ROUGE
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March 9, 2019 | 7:30 p.m. Bernstein: Overture to Candide 2-Instrumental competitors Bernstein: Mambo from West Side Story
INTERMISSION
2-Piano competitors Bernstein: Suite from the film score to On The Waterfront Now we are in the middle of the Leonard Bernstein centenary year, and the LSO is celebrating it with performances of Bernstein’s Overture to Candide, the Mambo from his eternally youthful masterpiece, “West Side Story,” and selections from his film score for the 1954 movie “On the Waterfront.” Bernstein, a champion of talented young people, would be proud to see the LSO Rising Stars Competition taking place alongside his music. Listen to four finalists compete in front of the judges along with the full Symphony Orchestra. Then learn the judges’ selections. Did you pick the winner?
CONCERTO COMPETITION
CELEBRATING YOUNG TALENT
KUTIK
CELEBRATING CINEMA! April 13, 2019 | 7:30 p.m.
John Williams: The Flight to Neverland, from “Hook” Suite from “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” Raiders March, from “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” Adventures on Earth, from “E.T.” Suite from “Jurassic Park”
Thank you to our Concert Sponsors:
Barry Blomquist & Eva Dahl
INTERMISSION
Williams: Three Pieces from “Schindler’s List,” for violin and orchestra Erich Korngold: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35 John Williams composed music for many of the highest-grossing films of all time, including the Harry Potter films, the Star Wars series, the Indiana Jones series, the Jurassic Park films, Schindler’s List, and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. We’ll hear some of his most beloved and unforgettable works featuring music from a selection of the best films in cinema history. Our stunning violinist, Yevgeny Kutik, returns to the La Crosse Symphony performing the violin solo from the movie, Schindler’s List, as well as Erich Korngold’s glistening Violin Concerto. Korngold, an early mentor to the young John Williams, would take the plush symphonic sound of 1920’s Vienna all the way to Hollywood, becoming one of the great composers of cinema’s golden age, “The Adventures of Robin Hood” among his many credits. – and this concerto presents several of the movie music themes – was also a classical composer who was mentored as a young student by none other than Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss.
CELEBRATING LATIN FIRE May 18, 2019 | 7:00 p.m.
Dvořák: Serenade for Strings in E Major, Op. 22
INTERMISSION
Vivaldi: Four Seasons in Venice Piazzolla: Four Seasons in Buenos Aires This is Latin Fire – *Driftless Chamber Music Concert at the Temple Theatre in Viroqua. The fiery Canadian violinist, Lara St. John, is making a welcome return to the La Crosse Symphony in her signature work: Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons as reinterpreted by Argentine tango master, Astor Piazzolla. Piazzolla’s tango interpretations of ‘The Four Seasons’ are juxtaposed between the masterworks of Vivaldi’s original, making for a passionate exercise in musical time-travel! Come celebrate the collaboration that was our Maestro’s New York City debut with Ms. St. John and the Brooklyn Philharmonic in Central Park! The concert opens with the wistful, Bohemian beauty of Antonin Dvorak’s Serenade for Strings. Thank you to our Concert Sponsors: Dr. Michael White
ST. JOHN
*This concert is NOT part of the season subscription. Visit our website for ticket information.
CHIU
CELEBRATING PERCUSSION June 8, 2019 | 7:30 p.m.
Rossini: Overture to “La Gazza Ladra” Mendelssohn: Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25
INTERMISSION
Percussion Display (Ensemble from University of Wisconsin – La Crosse and Onalaska High School, conducted by Dr. Tammy Fisher) Mussorgsky/Ravel: Pictures at an Exhibition Our season’s grand finale will kick off with our winning Conductor Wannabes, trying out their batons in winning short selections! Also, the symphony’s newly acquired percussion instruments will be introduced by a percussion ensemble with students from University of Wisconsin – La Crosse and Onalaska High School under the leadership of Dr. Tammy Fisher, the LSO’s timpanist. Beginning the evening is an exciting overture called, in English, “The Thieving Magpie!” Following that stimulating work is the First Piano Concerto by Mendelssohn, elegantly performed by Frederic Chiu in his return to the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra’s concert stage. Closing out the night – and the 2018-19 Concert Season – is “Pictures at an Exhibition” by Modeste Mussorgsky. The suite, Mussorgsky’s most famous composition, is known through Maurice Ravel’s majestic orchestration. Thank you to our Concert Sponsor:
La Crosse Symphony 20/30 Club HOW DOES THE 20/30 CLUB WORK?
The 20/30 Club is designed to reach out to those between the ages of 18 to 39 who may not regularly have the opportunity to attend a symphony concert. The 20/30 Club members are eligible to receive $10 best available seats to La Crosse Symphony Orchestra concerts located at the Viterbo Fine Arts Center.
*Some restrictions may apply.
Simply sign up on our website www.lacrossesymphony.org for The 20/30 Club, and we’ll send you the coupon code to use online to receive the discount. No membership fees, no rush lines – just worldclass music at an extremely affordable price.
ONCE YOU RECEIVE YOUR COUPON CODE… Pick any regular LSO concert. Choose your seats and enter the coupon code at checkout. Bring your ID to will-call the day of the concert to get your tickets. Enjoy live world-class music! Repeat this process as many times as you like throughout the entire season. Join The 20/30 Club now!
If you have any questions contact LSO Executive Director Tracy Gaskin at tracyf@lacrossesymphony.org • 608.783.2121 ext. 2
www.lacrossesymphony.org
Name:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City__________________________ State_______ Zip____________ Phone: _______________________ Email:__________________________________________ q Renewal q Same Seats (if available) q Change Seats q New Subscriber $60 q Student Pricing $10 Total Ticket Price (tax included) $
La Crosse Symphony Orchestra February 9, 2019
PICK 3! SEASON TICKETS
29th Annual Valentine Ball Waterfront Cargill Room
# OF TICKETS
$115
$117
$117
$66
MAIN FLR
LOWER BALCONY
UPPER BALCONY
$234 $234 $132
Oct 16, 2018
Remembering Lenny at the Weber Center
$30
&/OR SINGLE TICKETS
Oct. 20, 2018
$44
$44
$25
Nov. 10, 2018
$44
$44
$25
Dec. 14 & 15, 2018
$44
$44
$25
Mar. 9, 2019
$44
$44
April 13, 2019
$44 $44
$44 $44
$25 $25 $25
Jun. 8, 2019
TOTAL
Contribution (Thank you)
$
Grand Total
$
All concerts are at Viterbo Fine Arts Center 900 Jackson St., La Crosse, WI, unless otherwise specified. Valentine Ball and Driftless Chamber tickets NOT INCLUDED in Season or Pick 3 tickets. Please circle which night you prefer at the December Concert To help keep ticket prices
Method of Payment
affordable & to help sustain
the LSO, please consider q Payment enclosed (please send check or money order) adding a donation to your order. q Master Card/Visa/AmEx/Discover q Easy Pay Plan (2 credit card payments of equal amounts at time of order and in February.) q Contributions and ticket order payments may also be made monthly or quarterly. TICKETS: q Monthly q Quarterly CONTRIBUTION: q One-time q Monthly q Quarterly Exp. Date
3 Digit Code Send to: La Crosse Symphony Orchestra 201 Main Street | Suite 230 | La Crosse, WI 54601 608.783.2121 | Email: accountant@lacrossesymphony.org Website: www.lacrossesymphony.org
Thank You because of the following endowment donors. . . $250,000 LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
$25,000 Principal’s Circle
$100,000 CONDUCTOR’S CIRCLE HANSEN FAMILY FOUNDATION DAVID & BARBARA SKOGEN
$10,000 Artist’s Circle
ANONYMOUS CHARLES & SUE GELATT WEBER FAMILY FOUNDATION
Anonymous (2) In Memory of Vicki Bigley Joe & Pat Heim Richard Record
Ellyn Ash In Memory of Randolph Baier Barry Blomquist & Eva Dahl Ruth M. Dalton, M.D. Dr. Sigurd Gundersen, Jr. Ken Riley & Jay Lokken The Marie Lokken Family Memorial John & Linda Lyche Richard & Joan Marchiando Ernie & Sally Micek Tom & Amy Strom
If you’d like to be included in this prestigious group, please contact the LSO office at
608.783.2121
$5,000 Patron’s Circle Anonymous Jerry & Marilyn Arndt John Bolstad Anna Beth Culver Andrew & Jamie Dahl Terry Rindfleisch & Linda Hirsh Drs. John & Kerrie Moore James Munn David Reedy Bob & Janet Roth Marti Schwem George & Connie Smith Dr. Michael & Carolyn White
$4,999 or underFriends Circle
Jesus Arellano Elizabeth Becker Kathy Boarman Nancy Borgen Lori Carlson Michael & Laura Chesher Mark & Jeanne Connelly Timothy Cox In Memory of Lucy Davidson
$4,999 or under-Friends Circle ____________________ Nancy & Don Ellingson Tracy Fell Tammy Fisher David & Susan Foran Mike Forbes Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Mary Funk David & Abigail Gerzema Mark Glasel Bethany Gonella David & Nancy Goode Steve Groth Mary Ann Gschwind Sigurd Gundersen III & Jean Ann Gundersen Charles & Shirley Haas Nori Hadley Jean Hammons Natalie Hartigan Charlie & Jan Henry Mary Beth Hensel Carol Hester
Harry Hindson Arthur & Kathryn Ingalls Jay & Dawn Jaehnke Dr. Julia Johnson & Jackson Jantzen Kris Jenkins Cindy Johnson Ornelle Jorgensen Anne Judisch Timothy Kamps Gary & Melissa Klein Brian Koh Greg & Susan Knorr Lewis & Charlene Lebakken Bill & Kay Leonard Angelica Lundberg Rich Mac Donald Conrad Madson Randy Mastin Kay Mazza Lorraine Mc Ilraith David Morrison Roy Munderloh
Doug Nelson Elinor Niemisto Tom & Lori Nigon Lance & Sue Paulson Sue Radloff Melissa Roby Amy Scarborough Steve Schani Tom Schauer & Maureen Sullivan Colleen Shaw William & Louise Temte Dr. James & Nancy Terman Kristin Thelander Robert & Lynne Trine Barbara Tristano Randy Van Rooyen & Kelly Nowicki-Van Rooyen Alex & Jackie Vaver Donald Vinger Mark Wamma Roger & Carol Ziff
...our Symphony will continue to thrive!
Thank you to our valued La Crosse Symphony Orchestra Season Sponsors!
Mr. Richard Record
Anna Beth
Culver ral urgery linic of La Crosse
Dr. David & Patricia Ludington
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