Exploring new territory

Glacier Symphony and Chorale adds a few twists to its traditional season

Glacier Symphony and Chorale announces its 2006-2007 season, filled with new concerts, guest soloists and music by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Ravel, Elgar, Sibelius and others.

From the season launch of "Love's Passion" in October, to "Odyssey," the final concert in May, the concert lineup explores an exciting musical range.

The Glacier Symphony welcomes new chorale conductor, James Stanard, who will make his debut during the "Festival of the Voice" chorale concert in the spring and will be preparing the chorale to sing with the symphony in November and December concerts.

Also new this year will be a concert version of "The Sound of Music" with the Alpine Theatre Project in January, and two performances of the "Messiah" in Kalispell and Bigfork, plus a holiday pops concert.

The season opens Oct. 21-22 with "Love's Passion" featuring the artistry of pianist Joel Fan performing Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1. The symphony will conclude the evening with Tchaikovsky's autobiographical "Pathetique" symphony.

"Beethoven's Earth Sky" on Nov. 19, will feature Beethoven's "Pastoral" Symphony with its themes of nature. The chorale will join the symphony for "Proud Music of the Storm" by Canadian composer Steven Chatman, a work based on texts by Walt Whitman.

Borodin's "Polovtsian Dances," another audience favorite, will complete the concert. This concert will also be performed in Libby on Nov. 18; Saturday-night ticket holders will attend Sunday's 3 p.m. concert with no reserved seats.

Leading off the holiday season, Dec. 2-3 in Bigfork and Kalispell, will be special concerts of Handel's "Messiah" featuring the Glacier Chorale, the Montanaires and soloists Emily Murdock, Robin Hok, Graham Beir and Steven Aadlan. This concert is not part of the regular season ticket series.

The holiday pops concert, A Rockin' Christmas, will delight the family with Christmas favorites on Dec. 9-10.

The premiere of On Stage, a new collaboration between the symphony and the professional acting company, The Alpine Theatre Project, offers a concert version of "The Sound of Music" on Jan. 19-21.

"Hemispheres," Feb. 17-18, showcases the classical/pop music of South American violinist Jorge Sadde. Also on the concert bill will be the premiere of Glacier Symphony music director John Zoltek's new jazz-influenced orchestral showpiece, "Hemispheres" and Ravel's "Bolero."

"Festival of the Voice," April 28-29, will be a weekend workshop with the Glacier Chorale and Montanaires culminating in an evening performance. The venue will be announced at a later date.

A family pops concert will present "Peter and the Wolf" featuring Kalispell cellist, Amos Chon, followed by "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" on April 14-15.

"Odyssey," May 12-13, will be the season finale featuring cellist Stephen Framil. The program features Elgar's Cello Concerto in E minor and Sibelius' romantic Symphony No. 2 in D Major.

Also scheduled during the season will be chamber music and dessert featuring the Glacier String Quartet. Venues and dates will be announced later.

Advance tickets for many of these concerts can only be purchased with a season ticket subscription. New this year will be online ticket purchasing via the Glacier Symphony and Chorale Web site.

First-time season ticket buyers are offered a special half-off price on either a reserved seat or general admission ticket.

For a complete listing of the upcoming season and to purchase tickets, go to www.glaciersymphonychorale.org or call 257-3241 for details.

A free motorcoach service will be offered to Whitefish-area residents attending Glacier Symphony and Chorale's Saturday-night concerts this year.

The new bus service is open to anyone who wants to attend a concert, including those who want to purchase tickets at the door.

The bus will pick passengers up in the west parking lot of Mountain Mall on at 5:45 p.m. and depart at 6 p.m., arriving at Flathead High School by 6:45 p.m. The bus return time will vary with the length of the concerts. If there is no pre-concert talk, the bus will depart 15 minutes later.

The bus, underwritten by Depratu Ford/VW and Rocky Mountain Transportation, will have a limited number of seats. Patrons may reserve seats in advance for the whole season, or choose concerts during the season they will be attending via the bus service. Call the Glacier Symphony and Chorale office, 257-3241, to make reservations.