On Thursday, October 18 at 7:30p.m, Charlotte Concerts will present world-renowned pianist, Emanuel Ax, to kick off it’s 89th consecutive concert season. The performance will be held at Halton Theater at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC).
Beginning at 6:55 p.m., Charlotte Concerts’ President Paul Anderson will give a pre-concert lecture which will discuss the performance program with background information on the individual pieces. “The pre-concert lecture really gives you a foundation and expectation before even entering the concert hall. You really get a feel for the artist and you leave knowing what to listen for as the music transitions during the performance,” said long-time subscriber, Sarah Schell.
The remainder of the 2018-2019 season will feature The Vienna Boys Choir on December 19, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra on January 9, The Havana Cuba All-Stars on February 12 and Pink Panther in Concert on March 20. Pink Panther in concert is a new type of event for Charlotte Concerts where the classic film Pink Panther will play on a screen behind a live orchestra.
Not only does Charlotte Concerts present a concert season of five unique performers, but they also incorporate students into each event. Annually, over 4,000 students participate in its music education programs. “Who is the music star of the future, the unpolished jewel? Maybe he or she is out there in our local school. What if students never have the opportunity to explore their creativity and redefine their musical talent? The obstacles are great. But music is greater,” said Diane Lumpkin Peery, Executive Director of Charlotte Concerts.
Charlotte Concerts sponsors unique and inspirational extracurricular collaborations with visiting artists. These include taking the artists to schools and, thus, allowing students to interact in small group settings with internationally acclaimed performing artists. Charlotte Concerts encourages the musical arts by underwriting the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) Middle and High School Honors Orchestras and Honors Choruses, the Middle School Honors Band, and the Union County Public Schools All County Chorus.
At every Charlotte Concerts performance, an Outstanding Student is honored for his/her exemplary studies and music skills. Preconcert “mini-concerts” performed by local student musicians are featured: The students have the opportunity to play in the lobby of the concert halls for the evening’s concert attendees. Complimentary concert tickets are provided to students who otherwise might never attend a live musical event. Student ensembles, jazz groups, and individuals also have the opportunity to perform at events sponsored by other Charlotte non-profit organizations.
Summer band camp students receive scholarships to participate in the camp. New, quality orchestra and band instruments are provided for students in underserved schools. In 2017, Charlotte Concerts donated 42 new instruments to Sedgefield Middle School, enabling the band director to start a band program.
A Musical Showcase Competition Celebrating Excellence is the newest music education initiative. Created in 2016, A Musical Showcase has been a resounding success. The Showcase features performances by elementary, middle school, and high school choral and instrumental ensembles. Certified CMS music teachers submit applications and blind audios which are judged by professional adjudicators. The selected ensembles perform at the Belk Theater. In 2018, 561 students representing 15 ensembles participated. All costs – including paying for substitute teachers, bus transportation, meals, a $500 check to each ensemble – are paid for by Charlotte Concerts. A Musical Showcase provides the unique opportunity for talented music students to perform in a world class performance hall, a life-changing experience for the students.
Multiple studies show that music is transformational. Charlotte Concerts is dedicated to bringing world- renowned performing artists to perform in Charlotte and to providing a myriad of music education opportunities that make such a difference in the lives of students and adults.
Founded in 1930, Charlotte Concerts (formerly known as Carolinas Concert Association and Charlotte Community Concert Association) was the first organization to present a performing arts concert series in Charlotte and in North Carolina. The mission of Charlotte Concerts is to present internationally acclaimed performing artists and to provide innovative music education initiatives in our local communities and schools. Lean more at charlotteconcerts.org.