Scott Harrison News

Prolific composer/conductor Matthias Pintscher curates Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's (LACO) SESSION, an innovative performance experience, in collaboration with Four Larks, on Thursday February 28, 8 pm, at Mack Sennett Studios in Silverlake. Designed to explore classical music's cutting-edge sounds and challenge traditional concert-going expectations, the evening features two works by Pintscher, Study II for Treatise on the Veil, a string trio inspired by painter Cy Twombly's art works, and Uriel, for cello and piano, the third part of his 'Profiles of Light' cycle. Also on the program are three-time Grammy Award-winning soprano Michelle DeYoung and LACO artists performing Ravel's Three Poemes de Stephane Mallarme; Berg's Four pieces for clarinet and piano; Grisey's surreal Stele for two percussionists and Xenakis's Rebonds A, a tour-de-force for solo percussion. SESSION includes a 'hang' with the artists, and premium tickets include parking and one drink as well. Mack Sennett Studios, where artists like Martin Scorsese, David Lynch, Lady Gaga, John Legend, Donna Summer and Jay-Z have performed, is a historic facility that serves as a soundstage, event space and a hub for a variety of cultural producers.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO), one of the nation's premier orchestras as well as a leader in presenting wide-ranging repertoire and adventurous commissions, appoints Erik Rynearson as Principal Viola and Erick Jovel as Second Trumpet, announces LACO's Music Director Designate Jaime Martin. Both musicians are Southern California natives and begin their new posts immediately.

J.P. Morgan has shared its top picks on what's next in its just released #NextList2019. Among the list includes Broadway selections. This year, J.P. Morgan has selected King Kong and Network!

The Las Vegas Philharmonic is pleased to announce the appointment of Executive Director, Lacey Huszcza (HOO-shuh).  Huszcza will lead the organization with executive oversight on all finance, fundraising, programming and operations for the twenty-year old performing arts non-profit.  She assumes the post on December 1, 2018.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO), in collaboration with Four Larks, presents SESSION, an innovative performance experience curated by composer and LACO Artist Educator Derrick Spiva Jr and designed to explore classical music's cutting-edge sounds and challenge traditional concert-going expectations, on Thursday, October 4, 2018, 8 pm (doors open at 7:30 pm), at Hauser & Wirth in Downtown LA's Arts District. The evening of music, linked by sonic metaphors, composed by an array of national and international composers, and performed by LACO musicians and others, also offers a 'hang' with the artists and a drink ticket for ticketholders, plus food available for purchase.

Four top-tier post-graduate string musicians from underrepresented communities have been announced as the first class of The Los Angeles Orchestra Fellowship, a program designed to increase diversity in American orchestras. Launched in August 2018, the groundbreaking program was conceived by a partnership of Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA), the country's largest African-American-majority youth orchestra; Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO), one of the world's leading chamber orchestras; and USC Thornton School of Music, one of the country's top music programs. Violinist Sydney Adedamola, violinist Ayrton Pisco, violist Bradley Parrimore and cellist Juan-Salvador Carrasco will receive a 360-degree view of a career as an orchestral musician in this rigorous two-year training program. A key pillar of The Fellowship is artistic mentoring the Fellows receive from LACO musicians and USC Thornton faculty. In turn, Fellows will actively mentor, teach, and guide young ICYOLA musicians. Among the other opportunities provided are extensive performance and rehearsal experience; compensation, benefits, housing; and unprecedented support to prepare participants to win auditions in professional American orchestras. The Fellowship was developed to address the fact that less than 5% of America's orchestra workforce is African American, Hispanic or Native American, according to a 2016 report on diversity issued by the League of American Orchestras. 

Derrick Spiva Jr, an esteemed music educator and composer noted for his music influences that reflect Southern California's multicultural fabric, has been named Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's (LACO) first Artist Educator, it was announced by LACO Executive Director Scott Harrison. Spiva, previously associated with the Orchestra as 2015-16 Composer In Residence, brings enhanced creative vigor to LACO's educational and music programs. The three-year appointment, beginning in this season, runs through the 2020-21 season.

The award-winning East Lynne Theater Company has seen many successes since its founding in 1980, but none like 'Arsenic and Old Lace.'  Although first produced on Broadway in 1941 by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, Joseph Kesselring's comedy is still the most produced play in this country today. Yes - It' just that good!

Murder! Mayhem! Madcap fun! Meet the Brewsters! The Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company presents 'Arsenic and Old Lace' from July 25 through September 1, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 PM, at the First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes Street, where ELTC is in residence.

'The Rhythm of Life,' 'I'm in the Mood for Love' and 'I Won't Dance' are just three of many popular songs with lyrics written by the incomparable Dorothy Fields. The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company is presenting a world premiere musical revue, 'On the Sunny Side of the Street,' the title taken from another Field's hit. After the show on Friday, June 22, the audience has the opportunity to ask questions of the cast and creative team.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's Sound Investment commissioning program, established to engage audiences in developing a new piece of music composed especially to suit its unparalleled musical talents, features Los Angeles-based Sarah Gibson as its 2018-19  Sound Investment composer. Her work will be world premiered at LACO's orchestral concerts on Saturday, January 26, 8 pm, at Glendale's Alex Theatre, and Sunday, January 27, 2019, 7 pm, at Royce Hall following several exclusive salons for Sound Investment members. Gibson is the latest in a line of esteemed LACO Sound Investment Composers, among them Ellen Reid, Matthew Aucoin, Ted Hearne, Hannah Lash, Andrew Norman, Timo Andres, Derek Bermel and others dating back to the first Sound Investment commission in 2001.

'Hey, Big Spender,' 'I Feel a Song Coming On,' and 'Pick Yourself Up,' are just three of many popular songs with lyrics written by the incomparable Dorothy Fields.The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company is proud to present the world premiere musical revue 'On the Sunny Side of the Street,' the title taken from another Field's hit.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's (LACO) 50th Anniversary season concludes with guest conductor Grant Gershon leading the world premiere of Derrick Spiva Jr.'s From Here A Path, the second part of a trilogy for chamber orchestra, and Shostakovich's Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-Flat Major, featuring noted cellist and classical music innovator Joshua Roman, today, May 19, 8 pm, at Glendale's Alex Theatre, and Sunday, May 20, 2018, 7 pm, at Royce Hall.  In addition, Concertmaster Margaret Batjer leads from the first chair both Vivaldi's Concerto Grosso in D Minor, the first work ever performed when LACO launched 50 years ago, and Mozart's Symphony No. 39 in E-Flat Major, which wraps the Orchestra's exploration this season of the composer's final three symphonies.  Spiva, describing his work, says, "From Here A Path draws inspiration from Husago, a West African piece from Ghana's Ewe people that includes drumming, dancing and singing, kaval flute playing from Eastern Europe and elements of Hindustani classical music.  The title references the momentum and resistance one gathers to reach a point."

Lee Chu (Brentwood), an investment analyst, and Anne-Marie Spataru (West L.A.) who enjoyed a 30-year-career in project management with the UCLA Capital Programs Department, have been appointed to three-year terms on the Board of Directors of Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO), one of the nation's leading orchestras, announced Executive Director Scott Harrison. LACO is renowned for its wide-ranging repertoire, adventurous commissioning initiatives and commitment to the Los Angeles community.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's (LACO) 50th Anniversary season concludes with guest conductor Grant Gershon leading the world premiere of Derrick Spiva Jr.'s From Here A Path, the second part of a trilogy for chamber orchestra, and Shostakovich's Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-Flat Major, featuring noted cellist and classical music innovator Joshua Roman, on Saturday, May 19, 8 pm, at Glendale's Alex Theatre, and Sunday, May 20, 2018, 7 pm, at Royce Hall.  In addition, Concertmaster Margaret Batjer leads from the first chair both Vivaldi's Concerto Grosso in D Minor, the first work ever performed when LACO launched 50 years ago, and Mozart's Symphony No. 39 in E-Flat Major, which wraps the Orchestra's exploration this season of the composer's final three symphonies.  Spiva, describing his work, says, "From Here A Path draws inspiration from Husago, a West African piece from Ghana's Ewe people that includes drumming, dancing and singing, kaval flute playing from Eastern Europe and elements of Hindustani classical music.  The title references the momentum and resistance one gathers to reach a point."

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) announces its inaugural SESSION, an innovative new classical music experience designed to explore classical music's cutting-edge sounds and challenge traditional concert-going expectations, in collaboration with Four Larks and curated by LACO Creative Advisor Andrew Norman on Thursday, May 24, 2018, 9 pm (doors open at 8:30 pm), at Angel City Brewery's Beer Hall in Downtown LA's Arts District.

Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in association with Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University is bringing leading Broadway star and multiple Tony and Grammy Award-winner Patti LuPone and her critically acclaimed concert Don't Monkey with Broadway to the Conservatorium Theatre on Wednesday 27 June 2018.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's (LACO) 50th Anniversary season concludes with guest conductor Sameer Patel leading the world premiere of Derrick Spiva Jr.'s From Here A Path, the second part of a trilogy for chamber orchestra, and Shostakovich's Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-Flat Major, featuring noted cellist and classical music innovator Joshua Roman, on Saturday, May 19, 8 pm, at Glendale's Alex Theatre, and Sunday, May 20, 2018, 7 pm, at Royce Hall.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's (LACO) popular Baroque Conversations series adds a second night in Santa Monica for its final program, which features back-to-back performances of works by Bach, Handel and Rameau led by guest conductor Harry Bicket on Thursday, April 26, at Zipper Hall in downtown Los Angeles, the series' long-time home, with a second night added on Friday, April 27, 2018, 7:30 pm, at St. Monica Catholic Church in Santa Monica.

Jaime Martin, who has risen quickly to worldwide attention as a conductor following a prominent career as a flutist, is named Music Director of Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) beginning with the 2019-20 season, announces Board President Dana Newman.