23/24 Overture Concert Organ Brochure

embrace music with us

Sharing creative experiences together

“Greg is not only a highly skilled organist, but also a great entertainer. He makes everyone feel welcome.”

– MSO PATRON

“Greg connects with his audience and colleagues in a very special way. He is very entertaining and an excellent organist. We are very fortunate to have him in Madison.”

– MSO PATRON

I am thrilled to present what will certainly be the most unique season in my six years as Curator of the Overture Concert Organ series! We begin by going back to my roots in a concert for organ and a Latin-American band composed of Miami musicians. We will perform a mixture of classical music and popular Cuban ballads that I grew up listening to with my grandfather. Then, Ken Cowan and Chelsea Chen, two fantastic organists, will put our Klais to the test with their virtuosic programs. Finally, we conclude with a collaboration between me and the UW—Madison Wind Ensemble, conducted by Scott Teeple, in a concert that closes our season in grand fashion.

– Greg Zelek Principal Organist and Elaine and Nicholas Mischler Curator of the Overture Concert Organ

OUR 23/24 OVERTURE CONCERT ORGAN SEASON

begins with an exciting bilingual concert with a Latin American quartet featuring Hispanic music in October and concludes with a special collaboration featuring the UW–Madison Wind Ensemble in April! We celebrate the return of beloved organists Ken Cowan and Chelsea Chen in November and February.

We invite you to explore the new season and subscribe using the order form in this brochure to submit your order by mail, or online at madisonsymphony.org/23-24organ.

We’re here to help! Please reach out to us for assistance with your subscription. Visit madisonsymphony.org or call (608) 257-3734.

subscribe today!

Save when you subscribe and keep your same seats for the entire season.

Subscribe to all 4 concerts, and save 20% off single ticket prices.

Your Subscription

Seating

Subscription seating takes place mid-summer 2023. Your payment will be processed upon receipt of your order. This does not assure your first choice of seating. If you request a change as a renewing subscriber, or seating that we are unable to accommodate due to lack of availability, we will call you to discuss alternatives or issue a refund upon request. Because availability is limited and subscribers have varying priority, we cannot guarantee your seats will be together if you have requested a change, or wish to be near another subscriber.

Your Order

You will receive a confirmation of your order in August before single tickets go on sale August 26, 2023. There are no refunds on ticket purchases.

Take Note

Programs, artists and dates subject to change.

Overture Center for the Arts is accessible to persons with disabilities. Please call the Overture Center Box Office at (608) 258-4452 for assistance.

Photo credits: cover/p2/p3/p4/p8/p11 (Zelek/organ): Peter Rodgers; cover (Chen): Darius Liktorius; p6 (Cowan), p7 (Chen): Lisa-Marie Mazzucco; p9 (Overture Hall: Glenn Nagel Photography

Greg Zelek y Amigos!

MAGELA HERRERA, Flute

ALVARO BERMUDEZ, Guitar

YARELIS GANDUL, Percussion

ALEX HERNANDEZ, Bass

GREG ZELEK, Organ

I am so excited to bring my childhood experience of listening to the music of my Cuban heritage while growing up in Miami to my home in Madison. This program will demonstrate the tremendous versatility of our Overture Concert Organ in a way that you all have not heard before. I contacted my childhood guitar teacher, Alvaro Bermudez, to help put together a band of some of the best classical and jazz musicians in Miami. Magela Herrera, flute, Alvaro Bermudez, guitar, Yarelis Gandul, percussion, and Alex Hernandez, bass, will join forces with me and our Mighty Klais to present a bilingual program of both classical and popular LatinAmerican music. We will even premiere the lyrics that my grandfather wrote to one of the most popular Cuban songs of his day. I cannot wait to bring this joyous and emotional event to our Madison community.

– Greg Zelek

music

Astor Piazzolla, Libertango

Alberto Ginastera, Toccata, Villancio, y Fuga

Joaquín Rodrigo, Fantasía para un gentilhombre

Leonard Lecuona, Andalucía from Suite Española

Latin-American Standards

Siboney

Son de la Loma

Perfidia

Tres Palabras

PRESENTING SPONSOR:

William Steffenhagen

MAJOR SPONSORS:

Fernando and Carla Alvarado

Audrey Dybdahl, in memory of Philip Dybdahl

“I continue to be impressed by the way in which Greg Zelek creates programs which combine the traditions of the organ with modern innovation in music… Zelek’s approach and his flair in executing it is the path to the future.”

– BILL WINEKE, CHANNEL3000

Estoy muy contento de poder traer la música de mi herencia Cubana y crianza en Miami a mi comunidad de Madison. Éste programa demostrará la tremenda versatilidad de nuestro Órgano de Concierto de Overture de manera única. Me comunique con el profesor de guitarra de mi juventud, Álvaro Bermúdez, y él me ayudó a formar un grupo de algunos de los mejores artistas de Miami de música clásica y de jazz. Magela Herrera, en la flauta, Álvaro Bermúdez, en la guitarra, Yarelis Gandul, en percusión, y Alex Hernández, en el bajo, se unirán conmigo y nuestro Mighty Klais para presentar un programa bilingüe de música clásica y popular latinoamericana. También se estrenará una estrofa que mi abuelo compuso para una de las canciones Cubanas más populares de su época. ¡Espero verlos para este evento muy personal y repleto de ritmo y melodía!

– Greg Zelek

“Always entertained. Greg is both extremely talented and a very genuine entertainer!!”

– MSO PATRON

“… one of the most outstanding young organists on the scene today. His unassuming manner and his sure and relaxed technique hide a fiery yet totally musical approach to organ playing.”

– THE DIAPASON

Ken Cowan

“All in all, this evening was one of the most memorable organ performances we’ve heard in years.”

KEN COWAN, Organ

After his last performance in Madison in 2017 alongside his wife, violinist Lisa Shihoten, Ken Cowan now returns to Overture Hall for a solo concert. With a program featuring selections from Elgar’s Organ Sonata and Bach’s powerful Prelude and Fugue in E minor , as well as Mr. Cowan’s own virtuosic transcription of Liszt’s Mephisto Waltz , I know the audience will be awed by Mr. Cowan’s incredible technique and refined artistry.

– Greg Zelek

– CLEVELAND CLASSICAL music

Charles-Marie Widor, Allegro from Symphony VI

Olivier Messiaen, Le Banquet céleste

Edward Elgar, Sonata in G, Op. 28

J.S. Bach, Prelude and Fugue in E minor, BWV 548

Franz Liszt, Mephisto Waltz No. 1 (“The Dance in the Village Inn”)

MAJOR SPONSO RS :

Jane Hamblen and Robert F. Lemanske

Shirley Spade, in memory of Gerald Spade Friends of the Overture Concert Organ

Chelsea Chen

“Rare musicality and lovely lyrical grandeur.”

– LOS ANGELES TIMES

CHELSEA CHEN, Organ

I was fortunate enough to perform at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Florida back in 2016 through an invite from Chelsea Chen. A fellow Madisonian who winters in Florida (I now understand why!) was in attendance and recommended my name to my predecessor here in Madison, Sam Hutchison. Well, the rest is history, and I am excited to invite Chelsea Chen back to Overture Hall to delight us with a program featuring some of the most captivating standards of the organ repertoire. You won’t want to miss Ms. Chen’s spectacular playing and engaging stage presence that will keep us warm during this chillier month.

– Greg Zelek

music

Louis Vierne, Finale from Symphony No. 6

Maurice Duruflé, Prélude et Fugue sur le nom d’Alain

J.S. Bach, Prelude and Fugue in D Major, BWV 532

John Weaver, Sine Nomine

MAJOR SPONSOR:

Walter and Karen Pridham Charitable Fund

ADDITIONAL SPONSOR: John and Twila Sheskey Charitable Fund

“New York organist Chelsea Chen [had] urgency, precision and coloration in her virtuoso performance.”

– THE HUNSTVILLE TIMES

Greg Zelek with the uw – madison wind ensemble

SCOTT TEEPLE, UW–Madison Director of Bands GREG ZELEK, Organ

It gives me great pleasure to welcome the UW–Madison Wind Ensemble and their conductor, Scott Teeple, to our organ series in what I hope is one of many future collaborations. Pairing the forces of our Klais with the full band will blow you away in this electrifying program. With large ensemble works such as Grainger’s Irish Tune from County Derry (“Danny Boy”) , as well as intimate works like Morricone’s Gabriel’s Oboe arranged for organ and saxophone featuring a soloist from the ensemble, I cannot think of a more powerful way to close out the 23/24 season!

music

James M. Stephenson, Fanfare and March

Louis Vierne, Carillon de Westminster

Richard Wagner, Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral

Dudley Buck, Concert Variations on “The Star-Spangled Banner”

Ennio Morricone, Gabriel’s Oboe

Michael Daugherty, Bells for Stokowski

Richard Strauss, Feierlicher Einzug

Percy Grainger, Irish Tune from County Derry

PRESENTING SPONSOR:

Lau and Bea Christensen

MAJOR SPONSORS:

Kay Schwichtenberg and Herman Baumann

Skofronick Family Charitable Trust

– Greg Zelek

“Outstanding musicianship, warm personalities, lots of charisma, and delightful Overture Center ambiance. It could not have been better.”

– MSO PATRON

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1 NEW SUBSCRIBERS

Select from the seating areas on the the right for both your first and second choice.

Price Level A (Orchestra EE-N, Mezzanine A-C).

Price Level B (Upper Orchestra P-U, Circle D-J, Mezzanine, A-F).

Select your price level (A, B) for both choices. Include payment for your first choice.

Preferred location in the hall: Best Available Center House Right House Left

First choice, Seating Area: Price Level:

Second choice, Seating Area: Price Level:

Preferred location in the hall: Best Available Center House Right House Left

Please try and seat me with:

(Submit your order forms together in the same envelope, if possible. Because availability is limited and subscribers have varying priority, we cannot guarantee that your seats will be together).

You may include any notes here, or along with your order form:

Accessibility Needs

Wheelchair accessible seats are located in the areas shown on the seating map

I use a wheelchair or other mobility device, and will stay in it during the performance

I use a wheelchair or other mobility device, and will transfer from it to a seat in the hall

I use a walker, or otherwise have limited mobility, and request a seat with minimal stairs

2 FIND YOUR SUBSCRIPTION PRICE

SEATING AREA AND SERIES PRICE:

4 CONCERTS SAVE 20%

B $80

A $112

Prices above include discount, sales tax and Overture Center facility fee of $5.00 per ticket. Discount is calculated before facility fee is applied.

VIEW THE SEASON AND SUBSCRIBE ONLINE

SINGLE TICKET PRICES: $35 $25

SUBCRIPTION PRICES, ALL 4 PERFORMANCES (20% SAVINGS):

A: $112 B: $80

ACCESSIBLE SEATING KEY:

* Accessible seating

* Accessible seating, some steps

* Accessible no stairs, limited view

MADISON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 23/24 ORGAN SEASON SEATING CHART

3 YOUR INFORMATION

(this is where your tickets will be sent)

Email (your emails will not be shared with outside organizations)

Sign up for emails (check to receive) We’ll send you the latest information about Symphony and Organ events, news, artist stories, program notes, reviews and more.

4 CALCULATE YOUR TOTAL

# of subscriptions: x $80 OR $112 each = $

Handling fee required: $

Friends of the Overture Concert Organ

Membership Gift (tax-deductible)

Name(s) as you would like it to appear in member listings:

5 YOUR PAYMENT METHOD

CHECK Make check payable to: Madison Symphony Orchestra

Payment by check saves MSO significant credit card fees

CREDIT CARD

VISA MASTER CARD AMERICAN EXPRESS

BECOME A FRIEND AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Each season, many new individuals become Friends of the Overture Concert Organ by making gifts of support. Friends’ generosity helps us cover the costs of ticketed and free concerts that so many people in our community enjoy, as well as tuning and maintenance of the instrument. Becoming a Friend for the 2023–2024 Season is easy. Simply make a contribution on your subscription order form. Annual memberships start at just $35. Friends, at all levels, have access to exclusive benefits and opportunities throughout the season (view benefits shown on this page).

2023–2024 FRIENDS OF THE OVERTURE CONCERT ORGAN MEMBERSHIP LEVELS & BENEFITS

Benefits are available during the concert season your gift supports.

FRIEND CHOIRSWELL CURATORCIRCLEJ.S.BACHSOCIETY GREAT

Ticket sales cover less than half of the costs of producing a season. To become a Friend, simply add your gift on the order form on page 10.

Discover more about Friends of the Overture Concert Organ. Visit: madisonsymphony.org/foco

Member benefits are subject to change.

Recognition in organ concert program books

Special member communications

Invitation to Showcasing the Organ events

Invitation to FOCO Annual Meeting

Recognition in MSO program books

Two complimentary beverage vouchers

Invitation to one organ post-concert reception

Open invitation to all organ post-concert receptions

Private, reserved parking for organ concerts and events*

Invitation to a special member appreciation event

Custom benefits according to your interests

*NOTE: The parking benefit has a fair market value of $35. The benefit will be available beginning in October 2023. If you already have reserved parking access, you may continue to use your existing pass for the 2023–2024 organ season.

222 W. Washington Ave. Suite 460 Madison, WI 53703

23 | 24 SEASON — SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE NOW!

¡Greg Zelek y Amigos!

Friday, October 6, 2023

Ken Cowan, Organ

Saturday, November 11, 2023

Chelsea Chen, Organ

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Greg Zelek with the uw-madison wind ensemble

Friday, April 19, 2024

Subscribe early to reserve your seats before single tickets go on sale Saturday, August 26, 2023 .

Discover more and subscribe online at madisonsymphony.org/23-24organ

SAVE 20%

Subscribe to all 4 concerts for $80 or $112!

SUBSCRIBE NOW!

By phone: (608) 257-3734

Online: madisonsymphony.org/23-24organ

By mail or in-person: 222 W. Washington Ave., Suite 460 Madison, WI 53703

SINGLE TICKETS

$25 or $35 — on sale starting August 26, 2023 at the Overture Center Box Office, 201 State Street, Madison, WI 53703, by phone (608) 258-4141 or online at overture.org.