WYSO Fall Concerts Includes Guest Performance by WYSO Alumna

Nov 1, 2019 | News

The Evelyn Steenbock Fall Concerts begin Saturday, November 16, and continue on Friday, November 22 with a Youth Orchestra collaboration with guest artists Michael Rusinek (clarinet) and Nancy Goeres (bassoon).

A native of Lodi, Wisconsin and a WYSO alumna, Goeres is the principal bassoonist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Prior to coming to Pittsburgh, she held similar positions with Florida Orchestra, the Caracas Philharmonic and the Cincinnati Symphony. In addition to her appearances with the Pittsburgh Symphony, she has performed at the leading festivals around the country.

Michael Rusinek is the principal clarinetist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, teaches clarinet and chamber music at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, and teaches clarinet at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Starting in summer 2016, he joined the faculty of the Aspen Music Festival and School. Born in Toronto, Canada, his early studies were with Avrahm Galper at the Royal Conservatory of Music.

The guest artists will perform the Wisconsin premiere of composer Jonathan Leshnoff’s Double Concerto for Clarinet and Bassoon with Youth Orchestra. “After much study and consideration, I discovered that there were some magical combinations that the clarinet and bassoon can make with each other,” Leshnoff writes about the concerto. “I found that the bassoon can be very plaintive and resonant in its higher register, and that mixing that sound with the timbre of the clarinet yields some remarkable qualities. I also explored the extremes in register of both instruments.”

The concerts will be held at Mills Concert Hall in Madison at 455 N. Park Street. Tickets are $10 for adults, and $5 for youth 18 and under. Tickets are available at the door 45 minutes prior to each concert.

Evelyn Steenbock Fall Concert

Saturday, November 16, 2019
11:30 am: Opus One & Sinfonietta
1:30 pm: Harp Ensemble & Concert Orchestra
4 pm: Percussion Ensemble & Philharmonia Orchestra

Friday, November 22, 2019
7 pm: Youth Orchestra

With special guest artists
Nancy Goeres – Principal Bassoonist, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Michael Rusinek – Principal Clarinetist, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Performing composer Jonathan Leshnoff’s Double Concerto for Clarinet and Bassoon

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