Category: LMC in the News

LMC free concert to debut in Kirkland on Friday, February 9 preceded by Kirkland Art Walk

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Come and see LMC members and guest artist perform Spanish vocal and piano music, Korean songs, and a Mendelssohn trio in d minor at starting at 7:30pm at St. John’s Episcopal Church, a new venue as part of LMC’s annual free concert series throughout the Seattle metropolitan area. Click for directions and concert details.

Come early and check out Kirkland’s Art Walk where you can visit downtown Kirkland galleries and businesses and meet with local Kirkland artists.

Karin McCullough (karinmcculloughpiano.com) took the less-traveled road: a serious pianist while growing up, she reluctantly suppressed her aspirations and instead became a paralegal. One day she was asked to accompany opera singers every Friday night at a bistro (a gig which lasted five years). By then her popularity as accompanist, soloist, and teacher allowed her to trade her full-time law career for one in music. Karin maintains a flourishing piano studio in Ballard and performs frequently in the Seattle area. Karin serves on the Board of Directors of Bach in the Subways Inc. and is Program Director for Haller Lake Music Series.

Soprano Ki-Jung Jun completed her Master’s degree at New York University and was in the emerging artist program at Pacific Opera in New York City. Her operatic roles there included Nora (Riders to the Sea), First Knitter (A Game of Chance), Princess (L’enfant et les sortileges) and the role of Hyangdan in Chun-Hyang-Jeon, an opera celebrating the 100th anniversary of Korean immigration in America. In the Northwest, her most recent opera role is Giulietta (Cover) in Bellini’s I Capuletti ed i Montecchi and Caterina in Mascagni’s L’Amico Fritz with Puget Sound Concert Opera.

Joan Lundquist has served as a collaborative pianist for Seattle area musicians and organizations for 30 years. Since moving to the area from Humboldt State University in northern California, where she was staff accompanist, Joan has worked with the Northwest Boychoir, Seattle Choral Company, has taught at Seattle University and Northwest University, and has worked with several area private music teachers. Currently, Ms. Lundquist is the Director of Music at Immanuel Lutheran Church in downtown Seattle and rehearsal accompanist for the Seattle Choral Company.

Ann Rackl, violinist, is the former assistant concertmaster of Philharmonia Northwest chamber orchestra, where she has been a member since 1976. She holds a Master of Music Education degree from the University of Montana, and has studied violin with Emanuel Zetlin and Martin Friedmann in Seattle. Formerly a private violin instructor, these days she especially enjoys playing chamber music.

Lawrence Chu, cellist, is a native of the Seattle area, and currently resides in Bellevue with his wife and two children. His former instructors include Phyllis Allport, Frances Walton and Eva Heinitz. He has been practicing Emergency medicine locally for the past 26 years. He would like to thank Ann and Selina for this opportunity to make music together.

Selina Chu has a special place in her heart for all types of ensemble playing, from duo-piano recitals to dance collaboration. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Washington, and her Master of Music from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. A nationally certified member of Music Teachers National Association, Selina has maintained an independent piano studio in Issaquah since 1998.

Yakima Symphony Orchestra Violinist Angie Kam to perform Febuary 1 LMC concert

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Angie Kam, a member of Yakima Symphony performs Mozart and Grieg

Violinist Angeliena Kam will perform violin sonatas by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Edvard Grieg at LMC’s public concert coming up on Thursday, February 1 at 12pm at the Seattle Art Museum. Kam will be accompanied by Jennifer Li on piano.

Kam is an established teacher and performer in the Seattle area. In addition to maintaining a violin studio of over 30 students, Angie performs a Second Violinist, Assistant Principal with the Yakima Symphony Orchestra, Tacoma Symphony, North Corner Chamber Chamber Orchestra, and the Tacoma City Ballet. Angie has performed with Idina Menzel, Il Divo, Michael Buble, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra; she is also an active studio-recording musician. Angie holds a Bachelor in Violin Performance from the University of Oregon, and a Master in Violin Performance and String Pedagogy from the Boston Conservatory. In her spare time Angie enjoys hiking, yoga, and fuzzy animals.

Dr. Jennifer Li completed her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the Manhattan School of Music in 2001. In that same year, she was awarded the Special Presentation Award by Artists International which presented her solo debut recital at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall. Jennifer has performed in master classes for renowned concert pianists including John Perry, Lazar Berman, John O’Conor, Roslyn Tureck, among others. She has given solo recitals in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, and the Netherlands. Since returning to her hometown of Seattle in 2003, Jennifer has established a successful private teaching studio and continues to perform as a soloist and chamber musician.

Celebrating the 2nd Anniversary of LMC’s Piano loan to Seattle Central Library

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LMC celebrates partnership with the Seattle Public Library to Improve the Classical Music Experience for Audiences and Performers

2016 LMC President Lynn Muehleisen with Karen Spiel, Seattle Public Library Regional Manager

On Wednesday, January 10, 2018, the Ladies Musical Club and the Seattle Public Library will celebrate the second anniversary of our expanded partnership in fostering the love of classical music in our community. In 2016, the installation of a Steinway B grand piano in the Central Branch Library on long term loan greatly improved the performance experience for both audience and performer. “It is our firm belief that a quality instrument heightens the musical experience for audience and performer” says concerts trustee, Regina Thomas, “so we consider improving the condition of pianos in our performance venues a service to both our membership and the community as whole.”

 

piano dedication to eleanor hale wilson

President Muehleisen with Eleanor Hale Wilson Trustee, Steve Erickson

The installation of the Steinway gave LMC an opportunity to honor long-time member and benefactor Eleanor Hale Wilson. In December of 2010, LMC received an unexpected and amazing gift from the Eleanor and Raymond Wilson Charitable Trust.  Music was the principal focus of Eleanor Hale Wilson’s life.  She was a cellist, a graduate of the University of Washington and an active member of Ladies Musical Club.  She served as national president of the music honorary society, Mu Phi Epsilon and taught piano to local youth into her 90’s.  She and her husband led a quiet life but generated the means for extraordinary generosity.  With their help, LMC and many other local programs will continue to enrich the culture of Seattle and Washington State. Trustee of the Eleanor Hale Wilson Estate, Steve Erickson was present at the dedication of the Steinway honoring her.

Risa Jun and Dr. Yelena Balabanova

January 10, 2018 Anniversary concert

The concert on January 10 will feature songs by Federico Garcia Lorca (1898-1936), Fernando Obradors (1897-1945), Enrique Granados (1867-1916), and Ruperto Chapí (1851-1909) sung by soprano, Clarice Warrick with Lucy Wenger on the piano. Risa Jun and special guest artist, Dr. Yelena Balabanova will conclude with program of piano duets to show off the beauty and richness of this fine instrument.

 

 

 

 

LMC KICKS OFF 2018 WITH SEVEN FREE CONCERTS

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

LMC KICKS OFF 2018 WITH SEVEN FREE CONCERTS

FEATURING MUSIC BY RACHMANINOFF, CHOPIN, BARBER, HANDEL, GLUCK, GRANADOS, RAVEL & MORE.

LMC Competition Namesake Frances Walton to Perform  with 2015 Competition Winner Sophie Baird-Daniel at Music Center of the Northwest on January 20   

Ladies Musical Club is one of the top 14 best free events in Seattle.—Lonely Planet

Seattle, WA – December 11, 2017  – Ladies Musical Club of Seattle (LMC) will kick off the month of January 2018 with seven free concerts that feature music by Rachmaninoff, Chopin, Ravel, Granados, Barber, and opera selections by Handel and Gluck. All performances are free, and most are one-hour in length. LMC season venue addresses and January programs are listed below. A full, detailed repertoire may be found on the LMC website at www.lmcseattle.org.

Frances Walton, cello, and namesake of LMC’s annual Competition, will perform in a 90-minute program titled “The Music of Maurice Ravel,” that includes his Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet and String Quartet with 2015 Frances Walton Competition winner and guest artist Sophie Baird-Daniel, harp, on Saturday, January 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Music Center of the Northwest. Sopranos Beth Ann Bonnecroy and Malya Muth will perform solo recitals respectively at Seattle Art Museum in the Plestcheeff Auditorium on Thursday, January 4 at 12:00 p.m. and at the Frye Art Museum on Saturday, January 6 at 2:00 p.m. Barber’s Knoxville, Summer of 1915, Op. 24, arranged for Clarice Warrick, soprano and Lucy Wenger, plus a four-hands popular program by pianists Risa Jun and Yelena Balabanova (guest artist) will be presented Seattle Central Public Library on Wednesday, January 10 at 12:00 p.m. Bellevue’s Crossroads Community Center will be treated to a program of Spanish music by pianist Karin McCullough and Diane Althaus, soprano, will pair up with guest guitarist Lucas Victor on Thursday, January 11 at 1:00 p.m.  Opera lovers will cherish LMC Opera presentations of Baroque to the Gluck Reform Opera on Sunday, January 14 at 3:00 p.m. at the West Seattle Library and repeated at South Lake Union’s Mirabella on Sunday, January 21 at 3:00 p.m.

About Ladies Musical Club of Seattle

Ladies Musical Club of Seattle was founded in 1891 by a group of 24 women musicians. Its original mission was to foster an appreciation of classical music in the cultural life of a city that was just starting to find its identity. For more than a century, the LMC members presented a stellar International Artist Series whose make up is literally a Who’s Who list of classical music artist luminaries of the 20th century such as: Sergei Rachmaninoff, Fritz Kreisler, Ascham Heifetz, Marian Anderson, Kirsten Flagstad, Artur Rubinstein, Vladimir Horowitz, Marilyn Horne, Alicia de Larrocha, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Joshua Bell, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the New York Symphony Orchestra, and the London Chamber Orchestra, to name a few. See the entire list. Although no longer presenting international artists, LMC continues to foster classical music in the community through education, performance and competition awards. MOHAI houses LMC’s historical archives.

–All programs, artists and dates subject to change–

Support for the 2017–2018 Season is provided by 4Culture and Seattle Office of Arts & Culture 2017–2018 Season Media Sponsor is Classical KING FM 98.1

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Media Contact (do not publish) Media requests for photos, interviews and other press items relating to Ladies Musical Club and performing artists are welcome. Mary Langholz, LMC communications consultant: vote4arts (at) outlook.com                     Release #1718-6 December 11, 2017

LMC 2017–2018 SEASON PUBLIC CONCERT VENUES AND ADDRESSES

Crossroads Community Center/Theater, 16000 N. E. 10th Street, Bellevue
Frye Art Museum/Frye Auditorium, 704 Terry Avenue, Seattle
Mirabella/Emerald Hall, 116 Fairview Avenue North, Seattle
Music Center of the Northwest, 901 North 96th Street, Seattle
SeaTac Community Center, 13735 24th Ave South, SeaTac
Seattle Art Museum/Plestcheeff Auditorium, 1300 1st Avenue, Seattle
Seattle Public Library/Central/Microsoft Auditorium, 1000 4th Avenue, Seattle
Seattle Public Library/West Seattle, 2306 42nd Avenue SW, Seattle
St. John’s Episcopal Church, 105 State Street South, Kirkland
University House/Wallingford, 4400 Stone Way North, Seattle

JANUARY 2018 FREE PUBLIC CONCERT SERIES
All concerts are FREE and most are approximately one-hour long.
Current program details are available at www.lmcseattle.org (Public Concert Series)

Seattle Art Museum
1300 First Ave, Seattle
January 4 at 12:00 p.m.
Music for soprano by Rorem, Chausson, Handel and Music for Oboe by Lombardo, Erwazen
Beth Ann Bonnecroy, soprano, and Asta Vaicekonis, pianoGail Perstein, oboe, and Asta Vaicekonis, piano

Frye Art Museum
704 Terry Ave, Seattle
January 6 at 2:00 p.m.
Vocal music by Strauss and Rachmaninoff, and Piano Recital
Malya Muth, soprano, and Johanna Mastenbrook, pianoLucy Wenger, piano

Seattle Public Library/Central Branch
1000 Fourth Ave, Seattle
January 10 at 12:00 p.m.
Knoxville, Summer of 1915 and Duets for Piano 4 hands
Clarice Warrick, soprano, and Lucy Wenger, piano
Risa Jun, piano, and Yelena Balbanova (guest artist), piano

Crossroads Community Center/Theater
16000 N. E. 10th Street, Bellevue
January 11 at 1:00 p.m.
Spanish Music for Solo Piano, Guitar and Voice
Diane Althaus, soprano, and Lucas Victor (guest artist), guitar
Karin McCullough, piano

West Seattle Public Library
2306 42nd Ave SW, Seattle
January 14 at 3:00 p.m.
LMC Opera: Baroque to the Gluck Reform Opera
Darrell Jordan (guest artist), baritone
Denná Good-Mojab and Heather Mullin, sopranos
Katie Stevenson and Brittany Walker, mezzo-sopranos
Lucy Wenger ~ piano
Stage Direction and commentary ~ Janene Nelson

Music Center of the Northwest
901 North 96th Street, Seattle
January 20 at 7:30 p.m. (90-minute program with refreshments)
The Music of Maurice Ravel
Kathy Zufall and Anne Rackl, violins, Janice Gockel, viola, Frances Walton, cello
Sophie Baird-Daniel (guest artist), harp, Carol Wollenberg, flute, and Julie Buetow, clarinet
Joyce Gibb, piano
Dawn Padula, mezzo-soprano, and Joan Lundquist, piano
Gail Perstein, oboe
Katie O’Rourke, piano
Tiina Ritalahti, soprano

Mirabella/Emerald Hall
116 Fairview Avenue North, Seattle
January 21 at 3:00 p.m.
LMC Opera: Baroque to the Gluck Reform Opera
Darrell Jordan (guest artist), baritone
Denná Good-Mojab and Heather Mullin, sopranos
Katie Stevenson and Brittany Walker, mezzo-sopranos
Lucy Wenger ~ piano
Stage Direction and commentary ~ Janene Nelson

 

Other LMC 2018 Special Events

Sunday, March 4 at 3:00 p.m.
Music of Spain and South AmericaMerrill Gardens, Auburn, 18 1st St SE, Auburn, WACo-Sponsored by the City of Auburn

Sunday, May 13 at 3:00 p.m.
LMC Opera presents “Famous Moms of Opera”
SeaTac Community Center
13735 24th Ave S, SeaTac, WA
Co-sponsored by the City of SeaTac

Saturday, June 2 beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Frances Walton Competition Live Finals
Magnolia Lutheran Church, 2414 31st Avenue West
Enjoy a day full of “mini-recitals” as classical musicians ages 20-35 compete for cash awards.

Saturday, June 2 at 7:30 p.m.
Frances Walton Competition Winners’ Concert
Free Public Concert
Magnolia Lutheran Church, 2414 31st Avenue West

LMC Annual Spring Luncheon
Saturday, March 24, 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Women’s University Club,
1105 6th Avenue, Seattle, WA

Program includes a luncheon at the historic Women’s University Club, hear highlights of LMC’s work in the community, a beautiful concert by past winners of the Frances Walton Competition and a keynote address by Linda Kitchen, an inspiring “Lady in the Arts!” Tickets: $60.  Reservations and Information: events@lmcseattle.org.

Keynote Address
Linda Kitchen, principal soprano at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, who enjoyed a 25 year-long career as opera singer and actress in major European opera houses, followed by a successful career as a stage director.

Performance by Competition Winners:
Cameron O’Connor, guitar (2015)
Erik Stieghner, saxophone (2015)

LMC members also will host classical and world music artists in underserved Seattle Public Schools through its  Music in Schools program that collaborates with Meany Hall for the Performing Arts. The A full season of activities may be found on the LMC website at www.lmcseattle.org.

LMC premieres new works by Australian, British and American Composers on December 7

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Thursday, December 7 at the Seattle Art Museum features premieres by cogan, marshall and anderson.

Thursday, December 7 at noon
Seattle Art Museum
Plestcheff Auditorium
1300 First Ave, Seattle WA
*All our Concerts are Free and open to the Public*

​LMC member Jill Carlsen and guest performers from the active Puget Sound recorder community will present a West Coast premiere of the recorder quartet Sughisti, written in 2014 by Racheal Cogan. This composition features an alto recorder with three types of bass recorder: standard bass in F (sometimes affectionately referred to as the “baby bass”), Great Bass in C, and Contrabass, an octave lower than the baby bass.

Ms. Cogan composed Sughisti as a gift for Geri Bollinger, who is the maker of the Küng bass recorders featured in her piece. She writes that he came across her website with a photo of her holding one of his bass recorders, heard her music, and sent her an email. This became the start of their friendship.

She goes on to describe that while they corresponded from their respective homes in Canada and Switzerland, they discovered a shared love for cooking and bottling tomato sauces from their summer harvests. (Or maybe a necessity in her case​? She adds, this was “All to ferret away for the long, insistently cold and icy Winter in Alberta.”)

Geri referred to his tomato sauce using the Italian word, “sugo.” Sughisti are the sauce makers. You can get a “taste of sugo” on YouTube. Ms. Cogan was born in Australia and has lived in various parts of the world. Her extensive time in Greece is reflected in many of her works, including Sughisti. She currently lives in Montreal.

 

The program is rounded out by two contemporary vocal works.

The US premiere of British composer, Nicholas Marshall’s song cycle The Birds, for soprano, recorder and piano.

And, rounding out the program is the winter themed song cycle composed by LMC’s own Janet Anderson, For Snow.