"THE NUTCRACKER" AND "GREENSLEEVES" TO HIGHLIGHT HOLIDAY CONCERT
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Portland, Ore. … Classical Christmas music and a traditional carol sing-along will highlight the Oregon Symphony's "Classical Christmas Fantasy" concert with Associate Conductor Norman Leyden Sunday, Dec. 23, at 3 p.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Part of the Symphony Sunday series, the concert is sponsored by Verizon. Media support is provided by the Portland Tribune and KPAM.

The program will feature Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker" Suite and Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on "Greensleeves," as well as Oregon Symphony Principal Tuba JáTtik Clark in Vaughan Williams' Tuba Concerto. Clark, who joined the Symphony as Principal Tuba in 1999, recently performed the Vaughan Williams Tuba Concerto as a featured soloist with the Vancouver Symphony.

"A Classical Christmas Fantasy" also will include Bizet's "Farandole" from "L'Arlésienne," Humperdinck's Prelude to "Hansel and Gretel," Hershy Kay's "Deck the Halls with Boughs of Holly" and Anatol Liadov's "The Musical Snuff Box." The concert will end with a Christmas carol sing-along to works arranged by Leyden.

"A Classical Christmas Fantasy" is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 23, at 3 p.m. in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Representatives from the Oregon Food Bank will accept non-perishable food item donations before the performance. General admission tickets are $22 for adults, $13 for students, seniors and children (12 and under) and may be purchased at the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office (923 S.W. Washington), Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets also may be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets (503-790-ARTS) or through Ticketmaster Online, via the Symphony's Web site at www.orsymphony.org. Service fees may apply.

JáTtik Clark

JáTtik (jah-TEEK) Omar Clark was born in Queens, New York City, but soon moved with his mother to the small town of Hartville, South Carolina, in order to be closer to his family. His musical career began in the seventh grade when the band director decided that the tuba would be his best "voice."

Over time, music began to take center stage in his life and the tuba began to grow on him as he improved. Despite his affinity for science and his strong desire since childhood to become a medical doctor, Mr. Clark finally decided to pursue a music education degree at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

During this time in college, Mr. Clark would eventually perform as substitute tuba in most of the major orchestras in South Carolina including the Charlston Symphony and the South Carolina Philharmonic. These opportunities, among others, helped to bolster his confidence and guided his decision to become a professional orchestral tubist in a major symphony. Shortly after this decision, Mr. Clark earned a Bachelor of Music degree, cum laude, from the University.

Mr. Clark would achieve success shortly before receiving his master of Music degree in Performance at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music when he won the Principal Tuba audition for the Oregon Symphony in May of 1999. This will be his third season with the Symphony. Mr. Clark has also begun his third year as Applied Tuba Instructor at Portland State University. He also maintains a private studio of students from the Portland area and beyond.

Recently, Mr. Clark was one of the two finalists for the vacant tuba position with the Boston Symphony Orchestra (no one was chosen at that time). Mr. Clark maintains involvement in many projects of differing natures. The Sphinx Competition, an organization that awards national scholarships to African-Americas and Latino string players has invited him to perform as Principal Tubist with their festival orchestra. He has been a soloists and participant in several music festivals including The Grand Teton Music Festival, The Oregon Coast Music Festival, The Earnest Bloch Summer Music Festival, Brevard Summer Music Festival and the Eastern Summer Music Festival. Also recently, Mr. Clark has performed the Vaughan Williams Concerto for Bass Tuba as a featured soloist with the Vancouver Symphony (Vancouver, Wash.). Mr. Clark is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity, Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Music Fraternity and the International Tuba Euphonium Association.