News from the OC – Help Shape the Future of the Overture Council!

Get your resumes ready! We're now accepting nominations for the following Overture Council Executive Committee positions. Each opening is for a two-year term starting July 1, 2021. 

Secretary
Internal Relations Chair
Membership Chair
Social Media Chair
Soundpost Chair(s)

Follow the links to see a full job description for each position.

If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else for an OCEC position, please email overturecouncil@cso.org. 

OC April Happy Hour
Tuesday, April 6 at 6:00 PM

Let's try a new venue for our Members' Only Happy Hour: Gather.town. On this new platform, you pick an 8-bit icon, type in your name and start wandering around the OC's virtual space!

Think of it like a Zoom where you can explore and select your own breakout room. There will be spaces where two people can video chat alone, and also places for group conversations! We'll even have some interactive activities, like poker!

The link will be posted here 30 minutes prior to the event, or you can email overturecouncil@cso.org by 5 p.m. on April 6 to be added to the list.

OC Virtual Experience with Renée Baker
Wednesday, April 14 at 6:00 PM

Join us for a special edition of the Virtual Experience series where Overture Council president John Dunson will host a live discussion featuring visual artist, filmmaker, composer, violinist and re-contextualist, Renée C. Baker.

Renée Baker is a multi-disciplined engineer. She utilizes movement, film projections of real and imaginary objects, vignettes and sounds to create an exquisite arena of surrealist activity. Baker is the founding director of the internationally renowned Chicago Modern Orchestra Project, a versatile orchestral ensemble that embraces all musical genres, including classical and jazz. She has composed over 2,000 works that include symphonies, chamber ensembles, ballets, operas and film scores. 

Baker treats her compositions as carefully constructed environments that simultaneously showcase a refined grasp of indeterminacy, experimentalism, classicism, subjectivity and objectivity. Her performers and audiences are encouraged to consider music and art’s limitless communicative capabilities.

OC Virtual Experience with Castle of our Skins
 Wednesday, April 28 at 6:00 PM

That's right; one month, two special events! Make sure you don't miss this conversation with Castle of our Skins.

Born out of the desire to foster cultural curiosity, Castle of our Skins is a concert and educational series dedicated to celebrating Black artistry through music. From classrooms to concert halls, Castle of our Skins invites exploration into Black heritage and culture, spotlighting both unsung and celebrated figures of past and present.

Stay tuned via our Facebook Page for a Zoom link and more information!

Events Around Town (and the Globe)

Toronto Symphony Orchestra Impresarios Club Virtual Salon
Thursday, April 1 at 6:00 PM CDT

The OC is invited to enjoy an hour of music and lively conversation with members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. This free event will feature three chamber music performances, curated by Toronto Symphony Orchestra musicians in collaboration with Music Director Gustavo Gimeno. Selections include  Dvořák's  Slavonic Dance Op. 46, No. 8 and Bernstein’s Dance Suite for Brass Quintet. RSVP here.

San Francisco Opera Bravo! Club Presents: Virtual Trivia
Thursday, April 15 at 7:30 PM CDT

Mark your calendar for another virtual Trivia Night with our friends from the SF Opera Bravo! Club and other young professional opera organizations across the country. Sign up here!

The CSO is always adding great new content to CSOtv — check out the latest episodes! 

This month, check out CSOtv Episode 16: Harberg, Gabrieli & Bach (available through April 23). Amanda Harberg’s Hall of Ghosts, composed at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, evokes haunting loneliness through the use of a single piccolo and dance soloist. Gabrieli’s Sacred Symphonies were first published in 1597, and the selections featured here immediately transport the listener to a religious service in Renaissance-era Venice. Completing the program are two of Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos: the intricate No. 3 and the lively No. 6.

For a classic offering from the CSO's Archives, try The Symphony of Rhythm: Solti Conducts Beethoven’s Seventh. Sir Georg Solti — newly named the ensemble’s first music director laureate — led Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony on October 17, 1991. Originally presented by PBS’ Great Performances, this program also features Solti describing the work from the piano and leading a rehearsal in Orchestra Hall.

On episode 6 of InterMISSION at the CSO, CSO musicians describe the power of sharing music with audiences of all ages while working with a commitment for unified impact. They also anticipate the return of live concerts again and reflect on the timeless power of the orchestra to connect with listeners. Produced by CSO trumpet John Hagstrom and audio editor Rich Sigler, InterMISSION at the CSO is available on Simplecast, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify and other popular podcast platforms.

News from the Classical Music World: Ravinia is Back!

The Ravinia Festival recently announced plans to reopen in July for the 2021 summer season, presenting its signature mix of genres: classical, popular and chamber music. This decision was supported by guidance from state and local health officials and Northwestern Medicine.

All concerts at Ravinia this summer will take place outside in the open-air Pavilion, have a reduced audience capacity and be offered only with reserved-in-advance distanced seating in the Pavilion and on the Lawn. The number of artists on stage will also be reduced in order to allow for proper distancing between performers.

The CSO will return to Ravinia for its annual six-week summer residency. Marin Alsop will lead seven concerts with the Orchestra in her first season as Ravinia’s Chief Conductor and Curator. A detailed programming schedule will be released here in late April.

Have you renewed your membership yet? Membership grants you access to members-only events and resources. Renew today!

Looking to take your membership to the max? Join a committee!

Most committee business takes place on Slack, so be sure to check there for up-to-date committee happenings.

Social Media and Membership: Kim Ellwein
Brand Awareness: Aileen Markovitz
Next joint meeting: Monday, April 5 at 6:00 PM
Join Zoom

Core Member Activities: Leah Williams
External Relations: Anatoliy Mushtuk & Khrystyna Musiy 
Next joint meeting: Thursday, April 8 at 6:30 PM
Join Zoom 

Stay up to date on all Overture Council events and happenings by visiting our social media pages or following the complete season calendar. Have an idea to submit for our next Clef Notes? Let us know!

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