ProMusica Announces SummerFEST

A series of socially distanced outdoor concerts from Aug. 30 to Sept. 11

(Columbus) – ProMusica Chamber Orchestra is reimagining its popular Summer Music Series due to ongoing coronavirus concerns and today announced plans for SummerFEST: Music Outdoors – a series of smaller outdoor concerts to provide proper social distancing while listening to live classical music performances.

“It has been over six months since we last performed as a full orchestra. To say we are ecstatic to be back together for this two-week festival of outdoor concerts would be an understatement,” said Janet Chen, CEO of ProMusica. “For months we have worked non-stop to find new and innovative ways to perform safely –– not only for live audiences but also for our musicians. The ever-changing patterns of COVID-19 have challenged us to our core, but we are very proud to have put together SummerFEST that embodies all that we are committed to: safety; artistic excellence; unique locations; and geographic range to serve as much of our community as possible.”

In order to pull this off, ProMusica management and Board of Trustees worked closely with the venues and the Franklin County Department of Health to ensure that the concerts are in compliance with all CDC guidelines. All tickets will need to be purchased online in advance to limit capacity and face coverings and physical distancing requirements will be enforced. Strict protocols were also developed to ensure the safety and health of ProMusica’s musicians.

There will be three separate concert programs featuring up to 15 ProMusica musicians, spread out across the stage. Concerts will be approximately 60-75 minutes in length with no intermission. They will be conducted by ProMusica’s Music Director David Danzmayr and feature Creative Partner violinist Vadim Gluzman.

“Performing together in the time of COVID-19 presents its own set of challenges,” said David Danzmayr, Music Director of ProMusica. Just as we social distance in the audience, the musicians will also have strict social distancing rules on the stage, as well as health protocols they must follow for everyone’s safety. The wonderful thing about ProMusica is this organization takes care of each other, so we already have the right mindset to do SummerFEST in the best way possible during this time.”

Sept. 4 Concert
The first concert will be at Gahanna’s Headley Park Drive-In on Sept. 4 at 7:00 PM. The program will feature Gabriela Lena Frank’s “Toyos” and “Coquestos” from Leyendas: An Andean Walkabout; Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet; and Dvorak’s Serenade for Winds. Ms. Frank, a Grammy winning artist, is known for her commitment to placing identity at the center of her music. Exploring her multicultural heritage through her compositions, she was included in the Washington Post’s list of the 35 most significant women composers in history. ProMusica commissioned and recorded her “Compadrazgo” and performed its world premiere in 2007.

Sept. 5 & 6 Concerts
These concerts will be performed at Gahanna’s Headley Park Drive-In on Sept. 5 at 7:00 and Dublin’s Coffman Park on Sept. 6 at 5:00 PM. The program will feature Mendelssohn’s Vioilin Concerto in D Minor, Morricone’s Gabriel’s Oboe and Grieg’s Holberg Suite. ProMusica wanted to honor the great composer Enrico Morricone, who passed away in July. Additionally, violin virtuoso Vadim Gluzman will be performing the Mendelssohn – one of the first pieces ProMusica performed with Vadim before he became Creative Partner.

Sept. 10 & 11 Concerts
These concerts culminate SummerFEST and will be performed at Dublin’s Coffman Park on Sept. 10 at 6:00 PM and Sept. 11 at Gahanna’s Headley Park Drive-In at 7:00 PM. The program will feature Gerge Walker’s Lyric, Mozart’s Divertimento K. 136 “Salzburg”, Max Richter’s On the Nature of Daylight, and Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. ProMusica also commissioned George Walker – the first African American to have won the Pulitzer Prize in music – for a world premiere in 2000. Additionally, after the well-received performances of Richter’s Four Seasons Recomposed in Dec. 2018, ProMusica is excited to perform another of his emotional compositions.

In addition to these larger concerts, there will be two chamber music events featuring ProMusica musicians, hosted by Danzmayr and Gluzman:

August 30 SummerFEST Kick Off – A Classical Brunch Fundraiser
ProMusica’s SummerFEST kicks off at 11:30 AM on Sunday, Aug. 30 for its first event at The Fives, a new special event venue in downtown Columbus. Hosted by ProMusica’s leadership including CEO Janet Chen, Music DIrector David Danzmayr, and Creative Partner Vadim Gluzman, this event features performances by a Brass Quintet and other small chamber ensembles of ProMusica musicians. An individually pre-packaged brunch and mimosas will be included and a portion of the ticket is tax-deductible, directly supporting the orchestra.

Sept. 1 Chamber Music Concert at Ohio Village
Starting at 5:30 PM, ProMusica chamber groups, joined by violinist Vadim Gluzman, will perform an evening of string quartet and brass quintet works showcasing favorites such as Orange Blossom Special, Brahms’ Hungarian Dances, and Ashokan Farewell. The charming location of the Ohio Village at Ohio History Connection is the perfect setting for this program.

ProMusica musicians will also host a series of education and outreach activities throughout Central Ohio, including Musical Storytime for our youngest music fans and short concerts at local retirement communities.

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ABOUT THE VENUES:

  • Headley Park, 1031 Challis Springs Dr., Gahanna, 43230: this will be part of their Drive-In Series concert with a 100-car limit.
  • Coffman Park Amphitheater, 5200 Emerald Pkwy, Dublin, 43017: this will seat 100 guests maximum, socially distanced.
  • Ohio Village at the Ohio History Connection, 800 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, 43211: this will seat approximately 100 guests socially distanced in Ohio Village’s intimate setting, which is an outdoor reproduction “village” from the 1890s.
  • The Fives, 555 W. Goodale St., Columbus., 43215: this will also seat approximately 100 guests socially distanced. This is a new indoor/outdoor event space located next to White Castle’s new corporate office. The space has six large fire-station-type garage doors that will be kept open for maximum airflow.

Tickets range from $11 – $100. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.promusicacolumbus.org or call 614.464.0066. The 2020 SummerFEST is in partnership with the City of Gahanna, Dublin Department of Recreation and Parks, Ohio History Connection, and The Fives. Support for the series comes from Cardinal Health, Crane Family Foundation, and CoverMyMeds. Media sponsor is WOSU Classical 101 FM.

ABOUT PROMUSICA
ProMusica Chamber Orchestra delivers a world-class and unique classical music experience—through innovative chamber orchestra programming, education outreach, audience intimacy, and artistic excellence. Recognized for its commitment to performing new and contemporary repertoire, ProMusica has commissioned 68 new works and has presented over 120 premieres.

Bringing worldwide talent to Columbus since 1978, ProMusica offers an adventurous musical experience through intimate performances on the stages of the Southern Theatre and the Worthington United Methodist Church. The orchestra, comprised of 37 musicians, showcases homegrown talents, rising stars, and guest artists of international acclaim.

Additional information is available at www.promusicacolumbus.org

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