West Covina Symphony Orchestra presents - "Brahms Brahms Brahms" at 4pm on Sunday January 9, 2011

Dec. 27, 2010 - PRLog -- Under the direction of award winning conductor Sylvia Lee Mann, the West Covina Symphony Orchestra is proud to present an All Brahms concert. For the orchestra's first concert of this year's "Music of the Masters" series at Citrus College's Haugh Performing Arts Center,  they will perform a program of depth and intensity, featuring the most highly regarded symphonic works of Johannes Brahms. The concert includes the Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80; the Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op. 68; and the orchestra welcomes back pianist Mary Au in a performance of the immortal Piano Concerto No.2 in B-flat major, Op. 83 Ms. Au is a favorite WCSO artist and has previously appeared in concert with the orchestra performing Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue", and the 5th Piano Concerto (The "Emperor") of Beethoven.

About Mary Au:
Known for her “sensitive, seamless transition between chamber music collaboration and piano accompaniment”, is a much sought after pianist whose artistry embodies her worldwide experience.  Heralded as one of the “Outstanding Young Women of America”, Ms. Au’s collaborations in recitals and master classes with esteemed artists Christine Brewer, Nathaniel Rosen, Natalia Gutman, Janos Starker, Steven Isserlis, Boris Pergamenschikow, Mstislav Rostropovich, Evan Drachman, Ruslan Biryukov, Ruggiero Ricci, Myung Whun Chung, and Elly Ameling have left a lasting impression on audiences from all walks of life. Her recordings with cellist Ruslan Biryukov have been enthusiastically received.  Courted by Chinese officials, Ms. Au performed in the IFEA Award winning Nanning International Arts Festival in China.  Mary Au is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and the University of Southern California.  Her mentors include Kevin Fitz-Gerald, Daniel Pollack, Gordon Green, Brooks Smith, Alice Schoenfeld and Eleonore Schoenfeld.  As a former executive of the GRAMMY Awards, Mary Au continues to dedicate herself to crossing cultural boundaries and sharing her musical fabric with audiences worldwide.  To read more about Mary Au, please visit http://www.aumary.com.

This concert marks the orchestra's opening of it's 3rd full symphony orchestra season. The West Covina Symphony returned to the musical scene just 2 years ago after a lengthy absence of about 20 years.  In spite of challenging times, the symphony has triumphed, completing an exciting inaugural season in 2008/9, and continuing to grow through the 2009/10 second season. Now in it's third season, the orchestra is again presenting a complete series of full orchestra concerts, and also presents world-class chamber music concerts, holiday concerts and other special events. Recent highlights include the "East Meets West" concert this past August, which celebrated music and musicians of many of the cultures of our diverse community, and the Free LA County Fair performance, at which Dr. Mann was honored as the 2010 "West Covina Community Hero" for her work with the symphony and the arts in our community.  The educational outreach program, which makes free concerts available to local schools, is in full swing, and the West Covina Music Academy is well underway, as is the orchestra's "Young Artists Concerto Competition".  After years of desolation, the East San Gabriel Valley once again has a fully functioning Symphony Orchestra.

CONCERT DETAILS:
WHEN: Sunday January 9, 2011 at 4pm

WHERE: Citrus College - Haugh Performing Arts Center. 1000 W Foothill Blvd, Glendora CA 91747. (Corner of Foothill Blvd and Citrus St. in Glendora)

WHO: West Covina Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Sylvia Lee Mann, Music Director & Conductor; piano soloist Mary Au.

TICKETS: $5-$30 available online. Significant discounts are available for groups.Visit  http://www.WestCovinaSymphony.com or Burts Music 186 E Rowland, Covina CA 91723. Tickets are also available by phone, at (626) 869-ORCH (626-869-6724). Some tickets may be available at other music stores in the Greater Los Angeles area. (Ask your local music merchant!)

MORE INFO: call (626) 869-6724 or email info@westcovinasymphony.com

Symphony Society memberships will be available before and after the concert, as well as during concert intermission. The symphony will be offering some very special membership premiums and door prizes at the concert.

The Symphony's "Music of the Masters" series will be presenting 3 more "Music of the Masters" concerts this season. "Classical Classics" on March 27th,  featuring the music of Beethoven, Mozart and Haydn, with cello soloist Michael Masters, and specials guest choral ensemble, the Los Angeles Camerata; Young Artists & Mahler on June 12, and All Tchaikovsky, featuring cellist Xian Zhou on July 31.

The West Covina Symphony Orchestra brings culture, music, art, and community to the San Gabriel Valley and beyond: It is essential the San Gabriel Valley community help the West Covina Symphony Orchestra reach its goal to sell out all the seats at their events.  With the leadership of Dr. Sylvia Lee Mann, who was honored at the 2010 Los Angeles County Fair as West Covina’s Community Hero, the WSCO will attain success, but with our support, we can aid the WCSO in maintaining their mission and purpose “to enrich its community by engaging audiences and inspiring a love of music through exciting live symphony performances, chamber music performances, innovative programming, and educational outreach”. May we all be inspired one musical note at a time.

For additional information about the West Covina Symphony Orchestra and the January 9th Brahms concert, the "Music of the Masters" series, or other symphony events,  contact orchestra manger Sandy Gunn or Dr. Sylvia Lee Mann or visit http://westcovinasymphony.com
(626) 869-6724

About the West Covina Symphony Orchestra:
" Our purpose is to enrich our community by engaging audiences and inspiring a love of music through exciting live symphony performances, innovative programming, and educational outreach." …Dr. Sylvia Lee Mann

The symphony needs everyone's support. All donations are tax-deductible.  We accept donations of any amount. Please visit our website to discover how to support the symphony.

Program advertising is still available. Businesses, please contact us about advertising and community partnership opportunities. visit the website or call (626) 869-6724 today.

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The West Covina Symphony is a community orchestra offering free concerts innovative programming, and educational outreach to enrich our community and opportunities for musicians in Southern California.
Visit our website now to support the symphony.