InConcert House Concert February 18th, 2pm with Peter Sumner
Everything you ever wanted to know about a piano but were afraid to ask.  Click Here for more information and tickets.

Third-Sunday Season Concert February 19th, 2pm, Laura Downes and California Rising Stars

Laura Downes

Critically acclaimed Steinway Concert Artist Lara Downes is redefining the solo recital format with visionary, cutting-edge performances at prestigious concert venues worldwide.  Lauded by NPR as “a delightful artist with a unique blend of musicianship and showmanship” Lara presents the piano repertoire – from iconic favorites to newly commissioned works -  in new ways that bridge musical tastes, genres and audiences.

Lara is the founder and artistic director of Rising Stars of California, a statewide performance and education initiative that introduces community audiences to California’s most gifted young musicians.  She will bring to our stage her top emerging talents!

Click Here for more information and tickets.

Dr. Aileen James

Tune in on the next ‘Classical Showcase’ with Dr. Aileen James from InConcert Sierra – coming live on Thursday, Jan. 12th on KVMR-FM (89.5) from 8-10 PM – you will hear  ‘Classics from Eastern Europe’.

Aileen’s KVMR classical music radio show will be on KVMR every second Thursday of the month.

It will be a day of locally presented holiday music to include concerts of Music in the Mountains, NUHS and more broadcasted throughout the day!

Steve Nicholson, Baritone and one of the Soloists in the Misa Criolla

“I’m very excited about singing Ariel Ramírez’ Misa Criolla. It’s historically significant as one of the first non-Latin Masses which also gives it a great emotional depth and exuberance.”

Carolyn Valle, Alto I

“I have been singing with the Sierra Master Chorale since 2007 (the year before its inception in 2008) when the group was still the Sierra College Choir. We’ve made major steps in improving our capabilities, professionalism, and more importantly to our audiences—our sound. Our director, Ken Hardin, continually raises the bar—choosing music that challenges us to worker. It seems that the more daunting a piece is when we first receive it, the more rewarding it is by performance time. That music, for me, this cycle is the first five movements of piece by Argentine composer, Ariel Ramirez, Misa Criolla. What a challenge—fast-paced and all Spanish—but oh, what a reward awaits us, and our audiences!”

Peggy Brewer, Alto 2

“One thing you can be sure of with the Sierra Master Chorale is that the programming is always exciting and challenging, and definitely out of the ordinary. Director Ken Hardin’s choice of Misa Criolla by composer Ariel Ramirez for our Christmas concert is a case in point. This work is described as a ‘folk mass based on the rhythms and traditions of Hispanic America. . . particularly the rhythms and melodies of Argentina’.  The Latin beat and the text in Spanish is not so natural to most of us, so learning this music has been challenging. However, Ken Hardin has a unique capacity to teach as well as to conduct, and so we expect a finished and professional-sounding performance in December. This music uses a range of percussion instruments including tenor and snare drums, tom-toms, triangle, jingles, gong, and woodblocks, as well as harpsichord, guitar and string bass. Since the instrumentalists have already been commissioned to accompany the voices in this major work, other pieces using the same kind of instrumentation have also been selected, namely African Noel, the West Indian spiritual Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy, a contemporary work by Jerry Grant titled But Have Not Love, and an unusual work by Leonard Bernstein, Gloria Tibi.”

“The program will be filled with other beautiful Christmas music, some of which may be new to the listener’s ear, but also some more familiar work including Angels’ Carol, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, and traditional carols. Also the chorus will perform a short movement from The Armed Man, the major work to be presented at the spring concert, and it is hoped that this excerpt will help to whet the interest of our public to attend this event in May.”

The Holiday Concerts are sponsored by John and Valarie Bush; and Quail Ridge Senior Living

Dr. Aileen James

Tune in on the next ‘Classical Showcase’ with Dr. Aileen James from InConcert Sierra – coming live on Thursday, Dec. 8th on KVMR-FM (89.5) from 8-10 PM – you will hear  ‘A Holiday Musical Feast’  with special guest, composer Jerry Grant.

Aileen’s KVMR classical music radio show will be on KVMR every second Thursday of the month.

An Encore Performance Each Year

THE LONG ECONOMIC SLUMP HAS SHAKEN up some of the region’s stalwart performing arts groups. But InConcert Sierra, one of the best-managed nonprofits around, hasn’t missed a beat. Donations are up 10 percent, budgeting is 30 percent ahead of plan, and—best of all— InConcert Sierra is bringing top-notch talent to Grass Valley from all over.

Garrick Ohlsson

The group’s lineup for its 2011-12 season is an eclectic and inspiring program, featuring world-class musicians as well as rising stars. There’s classical music, jazz and vocalists. “InConcert is all about great music and community,” says Ken Hardin, the group’s artistic director and an accomplished pianist and conductor.

The Merling Trio, who will perform Nov. 20, is recognized as one of today’s premier ensembles. The Sierra Master Chorale, now part of InConcert Sierra, will perform holiday concerts on Dec. 17 and 18. One highlight: A moving rendition of “Silent Night” on a classical guitar.

Then on January 15, world-renowned pianist Garrick Ohlsson will perform—on a Steinway grand piano, no less. He’s one of the top 10 or 20 pianists in the world. Ohlsson entered the Julliard School in New York at age 13, has appeared with symphony orchestras from New York to Russia and has won the prestigious Chopin International Piano Competition.

All told, this year’s program has helped InConcert become a “mini-Mondavi” in the foothills, referring to the grand Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts in Davis. Ohlsson will perform there also. “You don’t have to drive all the way to Davis to experience this level of performance,” says Julie Hardin, the group’s executive director. “Our concerts are more intimate.”

Dr. Aileen James

Tune in on the next ‘Classical Showcase’ with Dr. Aileen James from InConcert Sierra – coming live on Thursday, Nov. 17th on KVMR-FM (89.5) from 8-10 PM – you will hear “Serenading Strings” – a relaxing break of beautiful music for an Autumn Evening.

Aileen’s KVMR classical music radio show will be on KVMR every second Thursday of the month.

Sarah Saturnino

“Outstanding job young singers!” said competition attendee Ed Thomas. “Excellent music and a great experience for the participants to sing before a real and enthusiastic audience and for those of us who can hardly hum – a real treat. Thank you ICS for starting this new tradition.”

Sierra Dallugge

The $500 grand prize was to be split between Sierra Dallugge and Sarah Saturnino as the judges just couldn’t decide. Thanks to three donors who stepped up and made it possible to award the winners $500 each.

The contestants, ages 14-20, included Cassie Breazeale, Cooper Hardwick, Trevor Humpherys, Kalyja Rain, Liesel Shuholm, and Alexis Walker. “There was an incredible diversity of repertoire, really good selections on the part of all the singers, and their performances were exceptional,” said Ken Hardin, Artistic Director of InConcert Sierra. “The contestants were not screened, we just took the first eight applicants and it was startling to have all eight young singers demonstrate such a high level of ability. I’m glad I was the pianist for the event and not a judge – they had the most difficult task of all.”  The judges were Don Baggett and Lali Breen.

The event emcee was Daniel Zuckerman who is the son of Laura June Breen for whom the competition was named for. “This competition was Daniel’s concept, and we’re very pleased that it was so successful. “We’re looking forward to next season’s competition,” said Hardin with a smile. The competition was sponsored by and held at The Center for the Arts.

For more information about next season’t SMC Laura June Breen competition, please contact InConcert Sierra at 530-273-3990.

Jim O'Brien (far left) and Rod Fivelstad (far right)

We proudly introduce two new members of our board of directors.  Welcome to Rod Fivelstad and Jim O’Brien who will bring a wealth of experience and energy to InConcert Sierra.

Rod retired in 2008 as Superintendent of the Union Hill School District and lives in the Glenbrook area with his wife Susan. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources and Organization Development. He worked in public education for 37 years, holding positions ranging from elementary-level teacher to head of a dynamic and thriving K-8 district. Rod counts as his core values public service, music, involvement and integrity. He sings in the Grass Valley Male Voice Choir and the Sierra Master Chorale.

Jim has had an extensive and varied career with major emphasis on improving people performance in the corporate environment. Employers include Xerox Corporation and Zenger Miller, where he was instrumental in helping numerous Fortune 500 companies develop their managers and executives (Can you imagine what he will do with us!)  Jim has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including the local chapter of The American Red Cross and Masterpeace 2001, an international peace conference held at Stanford University. He is a founding Board member of Conflict Resolution Center of Nevada County. Jim and his wife Janice live in Nevada City, and are raising three grandchildren.

Announcing a new Sierra Master Chorale Vocal Competition in memory of Laura June Breen

Do you want to be the VOICE of Nevada County???

• Prize winner receives $500 cash award

Sign up quickly by downloading the application (due Sept 23)…here

mail the completed application with a check or money order made out to InConcert Sierra  for $20 to:

Sierra Master Chorale LBJ Competition, P.O. Box 205, Nevada City, CA  95959

The first 10 applications are guaranteed entry into the competition.  Applications MUST be postmarked on or before 9/23/11.    The qualifications for applicants include:

• All Contestants must be ages 12 – 20

• Attending a Nevada County School, or studying with a Nevada County Music Teacher

• must perform two contrasting songs. Examples could be different genres, centuries, or tempo such as :

Classical and Pop, Folk and Baroque, etc.

• maximum total performance time is 7 minutes.
• may use one musical instrument or instrumentalist to accompany them, such as a pianist. (No prerecorded tracks.)If you desire to use a pianist, one will be available to you the day of the event.

Note:  Each contestant who performs will receive one complimentary ticket to the competition concert on October 2..

Competition will be on October 2, 2011 at 2pm

The Center for the Arts, downtown Grass Valley

$10 general admission tickets available on line, Briar Patch (as of Sept. 25), and at the door as available.

This competition performance is sponsored by