September 26, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … Tales & Scales teams up with the Oregon Symphony to open the 2003-04 Kids Concert series with their original adaptation of the classic fairy tale “The Arabian Nights” on Sunday, October 26 at 1 and 3 p.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Media support provided by Portland Parent.
Assistant Conductor Mei-Ann Chen leads the Symphony and the Tales & Scales ensemble in this magical and innovative retelling of three tales from the classic collection “The Arabian Nights,” each of which contains an important message for kids. “Ali Baba and the Two Industrious Thieves” talks about being loyal to those you love; “The Ebony Horse” demonstrates that creative ideas are more valuable than grand possessions, and “The Fisherman and the Jinnee” is a comedic adventure that ends in the discovery that freedom is a gift that cannot be taken for granted.
Tales & Scales was founded in 1986 to fulfill a need for quality arts programming for children and family audiences. The musicians and dancers of the troupe create a combination of music and movement built around new and traditional stories, which they describe as “musictelling.” Over the past 17 years, Tales & Scales has brought its musictelling magic to the stages of the Boston Symphony, the Chicago Symphony, the Detroit Symphony, the Indianapolis Symphony and the Baltimore Symphony, among others. For this production, Tales & Scales is pleased to welcome back director Gary Race and composer Doug Lofstrom, who have collaborated with writer Chris Limber in “The Arabian Nights” to present a magical journey of imaginative music and delightful tales for all ages.
Tickets range from $6 to $31 and may be purchased in advance at the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office (923 S.W. Washington), Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or charged by phone at 503-228-1353 or (800) 228-7343. 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.
Paul Fadoul, percussionist, is a native of Fairfax, Virginia, and has given solo and chamber music performances across the United States and Spain, including two solo appearances with the National Symphony Orchestra. He graduated from the Yale School of Music with a Performance Certificate and his awards include the Yale Alumni Award, Brewster Award for the Kennedy Center Education Program, and the first prize in the National Symphony Orchestra’s Young Artist Competition college division. Paul was the youngest member of the faculty at the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University from 2000-2002, teaching private lessons to percussion performance majors. Paul joined T&S in 2003.
Zara Lawler, flutist, made her concerto debut with the Houston Symphony in 1995 and shortly thereafter became assistant principal flute of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, a position she held until 1998. As a student of Carol Wincenc, she received her Master of Music from the Juilliard School and her Bachelor of Arts at Barnard College. Her recent activities include summers at Marlboro Music, founding and performing in the chamber group Full Fathom and folk dancing. She is a recent prizewinner of the Artists International Competition and made her sponsored New York debut at Merkin Concert Hall on June 3, 2001. Zara joined T&S in 2000.
Patrick Leyden was principal clarinetist of Pittsburgh’s Renaissance City Winds chamber music group from 1996-2001, serving as Co-Artistic Director in his final season. During the same period, he taught clarinet at Duquesne University, where he also administered the school's woodwind chamber music program, appeared twice as concerto soloist with the Duquesne Contemporary Ensemble, and was selected for the 2000 edition of “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.” He holds a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Music from The Juilliard School. A member of the Illinois Symphony since 1995, he has also performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony and Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble, and for three years played saxophone in the rock band Ritual Space Travel Agency. Pat joined T&S in 2001.
Neil Parsons, bass trombonist, graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy and received his Bachelor’s degree from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Ray Premru. He designed an individual major: Interdisciplinary Performance and Education, uniting his interests in music, dance and teaching. After his graduation, he continued his studies with trombonist Tony Baker and at the Ohio University School of Dance. A diverse performer, Neil’s performance credits include roles in professional theatre productions; performing his own choreography in college dance productions and performing music with a variety of ensembles including a disco orchestra. Neil joined T&S in 1999.
Deborah Sunya Moore, Artistic Director and percussionist, received her Bachelor's degree from Oberlin Conservatory where she studied with Michael Rosen and was awarded the Phi Kappa Lambda prize for outstanding musicianship. She created an individual major: Performance and Education in Related Arts, experimenting with the synthesis of music, dance and theatre. Deborah continued studies at the Cincinnati Conservatory working under Allen Otte, James Culley and Russell Burge. An active performer of new music, Deborah was a fellowship member of the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble from 1993-95 and a soloist at the 1996 Percussive Arts Society International Convention. She is a founding member of Sounding, a new music quartet that toured from 1995-97. Deborah joined T&S in 1996 and was appointed Artistic Director in 1999.
