Writer Lara Piu

 
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n 2012, the Scottsdale Philharmonic was created to give the community free access to professional symphony performances. This month, it will once again do just that. On May 21 at 4 p.m., the symphony will perform Offenbach’s “Barcarolle, Tales of Hoffman,” Mendelssohn’s “Fingals Cave,” Rossini’s “La Gaza Ladra Overture,” Suppe’s “Poet and Peasant Overture,” Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto 5,” and Bruch’s “Romanze” at Scottsdale Bible Church.

“All of our concerts are special,” Scottsdale Philharmonic board president and CEO Joy Partridge says. “Our concerts appeal to not only the patrons who attend classical music but to people that are new to the classical music scene.”

The evening will be led by Scottsdale Philharmonic conductor Robert R. Nichols. A music educator, Nichols earned the Arizona Music Education Association’s Music Educator of the Year Award in 2015. He has also served in leadership positions for the Arizona Band and Orchestra Directors Association and the Arizona Music Educators Association. Robert will lead the third in the symphony’s 2017 concert series of traditional classical music concerts, each of which is free.

“One of our main goals is to encourage knowledge and enjoyment of classical music for everyone and to expand our audience to people of all ages, especially the young,” Joy adds.

Scottsdale Philharmonic’s activities are supported by community donors.

“The philharmonic is a non-profit organization mainly funded by donations from our generous patrons and audience,” Joy explains. “All donations are used to bring a full season of concerts to our community.”

In addition, Scottsdale Philharmonic will offer two free performances later this year. Its October 8 concert will feature its internationally acclaimed artist-in-residence, pianist Qingqing Ye. Qingqing is a faculty associate in the piano department at Arizona State University, and teaches and performs nationally and internationally.

November 19, the philharmonic will end the season with a performance Beethoven’s final symphony and masterpiece, “Symphony No. 9” which will be supported by a full choir.

All of the symphony’s concerts are held at Scottsdale Bible Church located at 7601 E. Shea Boulevard in Scottsdale. Admission is free and V.I.P. seats are available with a donation of $15 by calling 480-951-6077. The next concert will be held Sunday, May 21 at Scottsdale Bible Church. Doors open at 3 p.m. and the concert is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.

Scottsdale Philharmonic
Scottsdale Bible Church
7601 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale
Sunday, May 21
4-6 p.m.
General admission: Free
V.I.P. seating: $15
480-951-6077
scottsdalephilharmonic.com

scottsdalephilharmonic.com