NEWSLETTER

VOLUME VII, NUMBER 2 DECEMBER 1999

Armen Ksadjikian will perform the Shostakovich Cello Concerto at January’s Concert.

Our fun-loving soloist for the January concert of the Beach Cities Symphony recently made his limousine driving debut in the action/thriller True Lies. He began his professional cello career at the age of 12 with the Abkhazian State Philharmonic in the former Soviet Union. Since arriving in the United States in 1976, Armen has been very active in L.A.’s musical scene, serving as principal cellist with the Pasadena, Pacific, Long Beach, Glendale, Hollywood Bowl, New West, Opus, and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestras, as well as the American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet and Opera Pacific. He has toured with the Los Angeles Philharmonic to New York and throughout Europe, and has toured with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra to Japan and Brazil.

Since 1982 Armen has been a member of the distinguished Armadillo String Quartet, a group particularly known for unusual and outrageous musical ventures such as a 34 1/2 hour marathon of the complete quartets of Joseph Haydn, and performances in natural ampitheatres during white-water rafting trips down the Colorado, Rouge, Dolores, and Green Rivers. In 1985 Mr. Ksadjikian was honored to perform with Jascha Heifetz in his Master Classes.

Since 1990 Mr. Ksadjikian has been working closely with Peter Schickele producing and performing annual concerts of his music, giving numerous world and West Coast premieres, including the recently "discovered" P.D.Q. Bach’s String Quartet at Carnegie Hall. Armen has also worked with John Williams, Henry Mancini, John Cage, Mel Powell, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Randy Newman, Barbra Streisand, Eddie Daniels, and Chick Corea.

Presently Mr. Ksadjikian is very active in Los Angeles recording studios, with over 800 motion picture sound tracks to his credit. He is pursuing a solo career, having recently performed the Saint-Saens Cello Concerto with the Glendale Symphony.

Several musician members of the Beach Cities Symphony have worked with Mr. Ksadjikian, and are unanimous in their praise of his warmth, musicality, and professional demeanor. We are looking forward to a wonderful and enjoyable evening on January 21, 2000, at 8:15 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium on the El Camino College campus.

Next Concert January 21, 2000, 8:15 p.m.

Upcoming Concerts

All concerts take place on Friday evenings at 8:15. Pre-concert lecture starts at 7:30

Armen Ksadjikian, Soloist

Maria Demina, Soloist

Kenneth Park, Marimba Soloist

Our fiftieth season opening concert was last November 12, 1999. A nearly full house at El Camino College’s Marsee Auditorium totaled over 1,900 and was the biggest crowd we’ve ever had, I believe. The standing ovation at the end was deserved by the orchestra, soloists and singers all responding to the crowd, and by conductor Barry Brisk, who was extraordinary.

The orchestra, Norma Gass and I (for our 50 years’ membership) were recognized by Congressman Steve Kuykendall’s reading of a commendation naming Norma, Barry Brisk and me into the Congressional record. On concert night, copies of the commendation were presented by field representative Bob McCaman. Also, L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe sent Deputy Tom Martin, who awarded plaques to the orchestra, Norma, and me, honoring and recognizing the 50 years of free concerts given to the community. The Board of Directors, led by Chairman Martin Wood and Vice Chair Ruth MacFarlane, presented Norma and me each a beautiful crystal cut glass salad bowl with an inscription thanking us for fifty years of service. What a nice surprise for both of us!

The large crowd prevented me from seeing all of our supporters and former members who attended, but here’s a sampling: From Soquel, near Santa Cruz, came Ken Barmore (trumpet, librarian) and his wife, Barbara. Ken delivered copies of old publicity articles, mostly from The Daily Breeze. Another trumpeter out of the fifties who attended was Dick Upton. Former violinist and Board Chairman Tom Wilson and his wife, Louise, now of Laguna Woods, were also there. It was 1967 when Tom’s church and his Redondo Union High choirs sang the Ninth under Louis Palange’s baton. The Wilsons had a great visit with another former Board Chairman, David Bradburn, and his wife, Bertha, who sat near Bob and Mary Haag. Bob Haag, a current Board member who writes our program notes, is President of the El Camino College Board of Trustees. Joining the group were Frank O’Leary (Board Member), Hannah Mickelson (clarinet and charter member), and Bob Heyn (tuba), who put together a cassette of some of our previous concerts. Others included Barry Anderson (trombone and assistant conductor), Nancy Carr (clarinet), and Tom Martin (board member). I’m certain others were in the audience and stood when invited to be recognized; we’re very glad you were there.

I also had notes and phone calls from some who couldn’t attend. Jeanne Jefferson DiMinno (flute, orchestra manager, contractor) wrote from Carlsbad and wanted us all to remember her. Milton Asher (trumpet) called from Scotts Valley, near Santa Cruz; he and his wife, Betty (bassoon), both played for us. From Missouri came a call from onetime piano soloist and Board member Christy Stewart. Among the other callers were French horns Charlie Mack and Caswell Neal, trumpeter David Ploen, clarinetist Rod Norris, cellist Yvonne Tressel, and past Board members Pat Driezler, Bill Kramer, and Judy Scott. Terry Cox (French horn) sent a membership to support the orchestra.

Many nice things were said on this happy occasion. I’m sorry to have missed some who attended and hope I have created an idea of the spirit of the evening. Thanks to all who played and all who worked on the Board for your years of dedication which allowed us to reach the fifty-year milestone.

Keith & Beverly Elledge Helen Mallet Mary J. Papavasiliou Lynne Diane Roe, MD

Sharlene Yelin Matthias D. Kurzrock, DDS Maryestelle Ford Linda Goonetilleke

Julia King Frank & Flo Stapleton Bruce Woo Lucille B. Anthony

The house lights dim, the curtain rises, the stage lights shine, and MAGIC happens! Did you ever stop to wonder about how all of that occurs? It takes a very skilled and talented group of people working together to make your theatre experience an exciting and complete one. Moving scenery, changing lights, setting sound levels and often special effects must be carefully planned and coordinated. Don’t let the T-shirts, blue jeans and ball caps fool you! A stage crew is often as carefully choreographed as the dance troupe that they support. Many have degrees; all have extensive education and experience in the Theatre Arts.

El Camino College is fortunate to have a full time staff, and a talented pool of part time technicians overseeing the technical and artistic aspects of The Center for the Arts presentations, including the concerts for the Beach Cities Symphony. Four theater technicians (Bryan Bates, Kenneth Lefort, Miriam Alario-Wolski, and Andrew Wolski), and the executive director (Tim Van Leer), all work in tandem with the house and ticket office staffs to orchestrate the complicated process.

The technicians are not only responsible for running the shows, but also for maintaining equipment and the hall. Not to mention, they have to stay abreast of an ever changing, state-of-the-art technology. Their hard work, long hours and irregular schedules are rewarded with the sound of your approval...applause!

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Please forward newsletter inquiries to:

Beach Cities Symphony Association

PO Box 248

Redondo Beach, CA 90277-0248

(310) 379-9725

http://www.netword.com/bcso

Text: John Wisniewski

Editor/Advisors: Margaret McWilliams

Toni Empringham

Angel $1000 or more Sustainer $500 or more Sponsor $250 or more Benefactor $150 or more

Patron $100 or more Associate $50 or more Contributor $30 or more

Enclosed find my check for $_______________to cover my membership in the Beach Cities Symphony Association, Inc. for the 1999-2000 season. Please send me advance notice of the Orchestra’s concerts and receptions.

Name_____________________________________________________________________Phone________________________

Address________________________________________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip Code______________________________________________________________________________________

Employer (for matching funds)________________________________________________________________________________

Mail to: Beach Cities Symphony Assn. PO Box 248, Redondo Beach, CA 90277-0248 For information call (310) 379-9725