Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Enjoy A Classic Combination This Valentine's Day

 

FOX CITIES PERFORMING ARTS CENTER'S
ALL-INCLUSIVE VALENTINE'S DAY PACKAGE INCLUDES:

• Two Tickets to Pride and Prejudice on February 14 •

• Complimentary Valet Parking •

• Sparkling Wine for Two •

• Gourmet Chocolates •

 • A Valentine's Day Card to Reveal Your Special Plans •
 A $60 VALUE FOR ONLY $50!

 To reserve your all-inclusive package,
call the ticket office today at (920) 730-3760!

TICKET OFFICE HOURS:
 Monday - Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
ABOUT PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
British literature takes a dramatic turn in a radio theater style performance of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.” This year marks the 200th Anniversary of the classic romantic comedy as five sisters come of age in the English countryside and the pursuit of a suitable match is on everyone’s mind. But can Jane and Elizabeth, blessed with beauty and sense, overcome a dwindling dowry and a witless mother to find a marriage based on affection? Appearances aren’t always as they seem in this exciting theatrical event.

Tickets for the performance only start at $20. 




Valentine's package is available through the ticket office only while supplies last. Not valid on previously purchased tickets. No refunds or exchanges.



Friday, January 18, 2013

Inside the BBC Concert Orchestra



 Versatility is the BBC Concert Orchestra’s hallmark. 

BBC Concert Orchestra musicians think nothing of starting a week with a concert celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain at RAF Northolt, then a tribute to Oliver! composer Lionel Bart fronted by Barbara Windsor at the Hackney Empire, and finishing with a sell-out Queen Elizabeth Hall gig of avant-garde electronica.

The orchestra’s commitment to BBC Radio 2 is genuinely legendary. They have been delivering the world’s longest-running music show, "Friday Night is Music Night," every week for an astonishing 60 years. The ensemble also broadcasts for BBC Radio 3 and has provided the soundtrack to many BBC TV programs, including "The Blue Planet," "Frozen Planet," "Walking with Dinosaurs" and "ZingZillas." 

The BBC Concert Orchestra's current Composer in Association is none other than Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood. The orchestra premiered Greenwood 's "Popcorn Superhet Receiver" in 2005 and more recently "Doghouse."

In August 2010, the Boston Symphony Orchestra's Keith Lockhart was appointed principal conductor and Johannes Wildner its principal guest conductor, complementing conductor laureate Barry Wordsworth. 

2013 U.S. Tour
The BBC Concert Orchestra is headed out on its 2013 U.S. Tour and will make its first appearance at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton, Wisconsin on Tuesday, February 5. Tickets start at $35 and are on sale now at foxcitiespac.com!




Sources: cami.com and bbc.co.uk

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Spirited Songs Hits the Right Note Saturday, February 9


                    
250 MEMBERS OF THE APPLETON BOYCHOIR,
LAWRENCE ACADEMY GIRL CHOIR AND
WHITE HERON CHORALE PERFORM TOGETHER
FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE GRAND OPENING

On Saturday, February 9 205 singers of all ages from the Appleton BoychoirLawrence Academy Girl Choir and White Heron Chorale will perform together onstage for the first time since the Fox Cities Performing Arts Centers Grand Opening celebration in 2002 in a concert called  Spirited Songs: A Celebration of Choral Music


CREATING CHORAL CONNECTIONS
For many members of the Spirited Songs groups, choral music is more than a casual hobby; it's a way of life. Karrie Been has been singing since she was in elementary school and now serves multiple roles in the choir world, performing with the White Heron Chorale and conducting the Primo Lawrence Academy Girl Choir.

Her family is in on the choral fun as well. Been says,
We have four musicians in our house. With all of our concerts and performances, we have very full schedules, but life is never dull.” Been met her husband, David, in their college choir, and they are both active in the White Heron Chorale. Their two children enjoy singing as much as their parents. To share in singing is more than a casual gathering of friends. We share an intrinsic part of ourselves, the part of our person that is vulnerable. As performers we take away from the performance as much as the audience does – perhaps more.”           

For vocal music teacher Melissa Mast, the White Heron Chorale offers an opportunity to continue her musicianship at a higher level and provides her students a role model in becoming a lifelong student of music. Mast says,
The choir allows me to perform in a quality ensemble with other musicians from all walks of life. There are business people, educators, recent college graduates and retirees all blending their voices into a balanced, beautiful choir.” People from throughout the community enjoy singing and can connect socially through a shared love of music. 

THE BENEFITS OF SINGING
If you listen closely to Fox Cities households, the Been
s and Masts are not the only ones singing a joyful tune. According to a 2009 study by Chorus America, nearly a quarter of American families include at least one choral member. Approximately 42.6 million Americans regularly sing in a chorus, and that number is growing, up 49 percent since 2003.

For children, singing in a choir offers special advantages. Sixty one percent of parents say their child
s academic performance improved after he or she became a member of a choir, and 71 percent of parents believe their child has become more self-confident since joining a choir. Educators also see the benefit with 92 percent of teachers believing that participation in choirs can make students more social or socially skilled.                       

CONCERT DETAILS
Spirited Songs: A Celebration of Choral Music will be held in Thrivent Financial Hall at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center on Saturday, February 9 starting at 7:00 p.m. The program will feature a diverse mix of choral music including American traditional songs, new compositions from American composers, folk music from world traditions, sacred music and familiar tunes. Tim Sharp, executive director of the American Choral Directors Association, will serve as a guest conductor for portions of the performance.
                                                                  
are $18 for adults and $10 for students.



Monday, January 7, 2013

War Horse Closes on Broadway, Lives On with National Tour

The Broadway production of War Horse rode into the sunset Sunday, January 6 after more than 750 performances at Lincoln Center Theater.

The story, based on a children's novel by Michael Morpurgo and made a household name with Steven Spielberg's 2011 film, captures the friendship of a young man named Albert and his horse, Joey, as they face the reality of World War I. 



A fan favorite and the winner of five 2011 Tony Awards, War Horse will live on for theatergoers across the country, including a tour stop at the Fox Cities P.A.C. in Appleton June 25-30. 

If you can't wait to see War Horse, mark your calendar for Friday, February 8. Tickets start at $55 and go on sale at 10 a.m. For details and great behind-the-scenes previews, visit foxcitiespac.com!