Our fifth season is about to begin.

A huge crowd at our March 29th performances at the Beaverton Library. Thanks to Joe Cantrell for the photo.

April is here, and that means that Classical Up Close 2017 is fast approaching! The flyers are printed (thank you, DocuMart!) and the locations for all the events and the programs for the six FREE evening concerts are posted on our website. After a phenomenally well-attended pair of Kids’ Concerts at the Beaverton City Library on March 29, the festival will begin in earnest on April 22 with a cello quartet Blitz at Powell’s City of Books on the third floor (Pearl Room).
 
Once again, participating Oregon Symphony musicians have come up with a fascinating and eclectic array of music. There is a wide range of ensembles performing on the evening concerts, presenting everything from iconic pieces for large groups, like the Beethoven Sextet in E-flat Major, L’Histoire du Soldat by Stravinsky, the Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings (even a violin octet!) to duos and trios by composers from Bach to Piazzolla. With Blitzes, you never know what you’ll hear, but it will be fun, personal and intimate, courtesy of the musicians listed on the Events page. Thanks to graphic designer Susan Shepperd, our website is chockfull of information and very easy to use. All the events are listed with programs and performers, and new this year, there’s an interactive map to help you find the venues!
 
Forty-nine Oregon Symphony musicians are participating is this year’s festival, and six friends of the orchestra who believe in the music and love sharing it with the community in this way. Returning this year as special guests are our beloved divas; Pink Martini’s China Forbes will sing arias at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, and Vice President of Programming and the afternoon on-air host for All Classical Portland Suzanne Nance will share art songs at Milwaukie Lutheran Church. Speaking of Milwaukie, we are looking forward to a Blitz at the Bob’s Red Mill Store and Restaurant, our first time there.
 
We continue to have a growing presence in Washington County, with an evening concert at Oak Hills Church in Beaverton, a Blitz in downtown Tigard, and children’s concerts at the Tigard Public Library. A concert that would be convenient for many on the West side is at Nordia House, but heads up! Due to limited seating, and at the request of our hosts there, those who wish to attend need to RSVP to reserve their free seats. The RSVP form is available here. Other than Thursday’s @ Three at the studios of All Classical Portland (which also requires an RSVP), this is the only concert with this requirement. Feel free to show up spontaneously to any of the other events!
 
We continue to be thrilled and humbled by the support we are getting from the community. Individuals send us words of encouragement with their donations, and foundations and businesses are affirming the value to the community of what we’re doing with their support. All Classical is continuing as our media partner, and this year, Classical Up Close was honored to receive a significant gift, the Musicians’ Award, from Jordan Schnitzer.
 
We can’t wait to see you, share our music with you, and have this chance to get to know you. Get your questions ready, and please consider helping us spread the word about these FREE events! It’s all about music, community and bringing the music to all of you, where you live, work and play.