Bear Valley Music Festival Begins Friday

The Bear Valley Music Festial will begin this Friday and run through Sunday August 11th.

Michael Morgan, Music Director and Conductor, was Wednesday’s KVML “Newsmaker of the Day”.

Morgan began conducting at the age of 12. While a student at Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, he spent a summer at the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood, studying with Gunther Schuller and Seiji Ozawa. It was during this summer that he first worked with Leonard Bernstein.

His operatic debut was in 1982 at the Vienna State Opera conducting Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seraglio. In 1986, Sir Georg Solti chose him to become the Assistant Conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, a position he held for five years under both Solti and Daniel Barenboim. In 1986 he was invited by Leonard Bernstein to make his debut with the New York Philharmonic. As a guest conductor he has appeared with most of America’s major orchestras as well as the New York City Opera, St. Louis Opera Theater and Washington National Opera.

Maestro Morgan became the third Music Director in the 44 year history of the Bear Valley Music Festival in the autumn of 2012. Currently, Michael Morgan serves as Music Director and Conductor of the Oakland East Bay Symphony, Artistic Director of Oakland Youth Orchestra, Music Director of Sacramento Philharmonic, Artistic Director of Festival Opera in Walnut Creek, Artistic Adviser to the Peoria Symphony in Illinois and teaches the graduate conducting course at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

The 2013 Bear Valley Music Festival Schedule

Friday, July 26, 7 pm
From Gershwin to Garland
Richard Glazier, Piano

Pianist and film expert Richard Glazier presents an evening of American music with film clips and stills and plenty of Hollywood legends and lore.
Saturday, July 27, 7 pm
Asleep at the Wheel
American Country Western Band

Nine-time Grammy winner Asleep at the Wheel makes its Festival debut
Sunday, July 28, 11 am
Meet the Conductor
Coffee & Conversation with new Music Director Michael Morgan

Meet new Music Director Michael Morgan and get the inside track on the new Festival energy and buzz.

Wednesday, July 31, 7 pm
Movie Night: The Cliburn – 50 Years of Gold
Thursday, August 1, 7 pm
Triple Play
Guest Artists the Delphi Trio

Beethoven’s exhilarating Triple Concerto plus Mozart’s “Impresario” Overture and Britten’s Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge
Friday, August 2, 7 pm
Jazz in Bear Valley
Guest Artists: Taylor Eigsti, Piano; Dayna Stephens, Saxophone

Two jazz sets with charismatic young jazz star Taylor Eigsti bookend Beethoven’s monumental Seventh Symphony in an unusual and striking program.
Saturday, August 3, 11 am
Music Comes Alive! A Family Concert
Guest Artist Dawn Harms, violinist and comic

Laughter and learning combine in an alchemical mix of music, costumes, props and audience participation.
Saturday, August 3, 7 pm
Van Cliburn Gold!
Guest Artist: Gold Medalist, 2013 Van Cliburn Competition (to be announced)

Direct from one of the world’s most prestigious music competitions, the 2013 Van Cliburn winner will perform a concerto to be announced on a program with Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4 and Respighi’s evocative The Birds.
Sunday, August 4, 11 am
Classic Stars of Tomorrow featuring talented young conservatory-trained musicians handpicked by Maestro Morgan
Sunday, August 4, 7 pm
Movie Night – Amadeus
Tuesday, August 6, 7 pm
Just a Taste! Pairing of fine wine and music
Wednesday, August 7, 7 pm
Delphi Returns On Their Own A Free concert with the Delphi Trio
Thursday, August 8, 7 pm
Bravo Broadway
Festival Orchestra with Katy Stephans, Soprano
Friday, August 9, 7 pm
Summer Memories
Festival Orchestra with Shawnette Sulker, Soprano
Czech Suite – Dvorak
Knoxville Summer of 1915 – Barbar
Sinfonietta – Poulenc

Saturday, August 10, 5:30 pm
Bollywood! Gala & Auction
Support the Festival and enjoy fine food, wine and a benefit auction of unique and exclusive items.

Sunday, August 11, 12 Noon
Mozart! Mozart! Mozart!
Guest Artists: Matt Krejci, Flute; Anna Maria Mendietta, Harp

All Mozart all the time, featuring the dazzling and virtuosic Concerto for Flute and Harp, Symphony No. 31 “Paris” and Symphony No. 41 “Jupiter”.

The Bear Valley Music Festival is located in Bear Valley, CA, adjacent to the grounds of Bear Valley Lodge and is easily accessible via California Scenic Highway 4.

For directions, links to lodging and other area attractions, visit the Festival website. Calaveras Transit will run special buses to and from the Festival Fridays-Sundays, please check the Festival Website for details, schedules, fares and reservations: www.bearvalleymusicfestival.org

Tickets for the 2013 Bear Valley Music Festival are priced from free to $60.

For more information call 209-753-2574 or 1-800-458-1618.

The “Newsmaker of the Day” is heard every weekday morning on AM 1450 KVML at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45am.