Symphony Sizzles with Portland Opera and Oregon Ballet Theatre

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the 2007-2008 season. We’re excited to start the year with our new Concertmaster, Jun Iwasaki. I hope you all had a chance to hear him at our annual Waterfront Park Concert on August 30.

Speaking of Waterfront, what a fantastic night it was: perfect weather, great music and a special season preview from our friends at Oregon Ballet Theatre and Portland Opera. Be sure and check out OBT’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream which begins on October 13, and mezzo soprano Jossie Pérez (what a voice!) as the Opera’s fiery Carmen, which ends on September 29. And last but certainly not least, saxophonist Patrick Lamb and vocalist Linda Hornbuckle gave us a preview of their upcoming performance with the Symphony October 6-8 with a soulful rendition of “Georgia on My Mind.” This is sure to be a party, with all 24 members of the Ray Charles Tribute Band, along with the entire Symphony. The concert is a rare opportunity to see great local talent on the same stage, like Curtis Salgado, Thara Memory and Reggie Houston.

Earlier in the summer, I had the opportunity to participate in Portland’s first annual Macy’s Follow-A-Leader program. I, along with 28 other community leaders, were matched up with students in grades 4-12 and invited them to “shadow” their mentor for a day. High school student William Dow’s impressive essay awarded him the opportunity to sit on the stage and observe an Oregon Symphony rehearsal, and meet with me backstage afterwards to ask me about my job as a conductor. Perhaps we’ll see him playing in the orchestra someday!

Warmly,

Carlos