Concert association gets ready for its new season
In 1997, when the Los Gatos-Saratoga Community Concert Association was about to celebrate its 50th anniversary, the late Los Gatos Weekly-Times staffer Bob Aldrich wrote in his "Our Town" column: "There's not a better musical bargain to be found than a season ticket for the concerts in Los Gatos High School's auditorium."
Five years later, that bargain is still around. The association has just announced the lineup for its 2001-'02 concert season, and again the selections cover a variety of genres. The first program is Oct. 14 with the Thüringer Salonquintett, a chamber music ensemble from Germany comprised of Andreas Hartmann on first violin, Egbert Funda on second violin and viola, Georg Fritzsch on cello, Peter Nelson on double bass and Rainer Eichhorn on piano.
The Salonquintett formed in 1973 in the Thüringer area of what was once East Germany. Focused on the central European tradition of light and entertaining music, the group combines their trademark spontaneous musicality with technical skill and fun and innovative programming. Selections include waltzes, gallops, fantasies, film scores and commissions.
Next up in the Community Concert Series, on Nov. 18, are Maria Spacagna and her composer/accompanist Henry Mollicone of Saratoga with a program of art songs, operatic arias--for which she is famous--as well as lighter works. On Feb. 10, 2002, award-winning flutist Debra Reuter-Pivetta will perform, followed on April 21 by the San Jose Choral Project.
In an audience survey taken at the last concert of the 2001-'01 season, those surveyed gave almost unanimous approval of the artists selected by the association's board; poll-takers also voted to continue open seating, rather than reserved.
Along with releasing the schedule for its new season, the association held its annual board meeting this July, which included the election of officers. They are: June Sythe, president; Lea Frey and Diana Pleasant, co-vice presidents; Berit Cattolico, second vice president; Jean Nelson, third vice president; Adrienne Zimmerman, secretary; Bill Frey, treasurer; and Beverly Rouse, James Tobias and Leah Warren, members of the board.
Officers and board members discussed and approved the creation of a mission statement for the group: "To encourage appreciation of fine music and the performing arts by providing the community access to live concerts at an affordable cost."
Season tickets are $50 for adults, $45 for senior citizens, $10 for students and $110 for the family plan, which includes two adults and any number of students. Tickets for individual concerts are available at the door for $20 each. All concerts take place at 2:30 p.m. in the Prentiss Brown Auditorium at Los Gatos High School, 20 High School Court. For season tickets or more information, call Ray Strong at 408.377.1106 or Lea Frey at 408.356.5698.
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