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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | JUNE 6, 2021
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Future brightens for Scottsdale Philharmonic BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer
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ast month, the Scottsdale Philharmonic Orchestra returned to Virginia G. Piper Theater at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts for a 60-minute concert. Attendees were clearly thrilled with the performance: They gave the orchestra a standing ovation. “It was a very emotional and elated moment,” said Joy Partridge, Scottsdale Philharmonic co-founder. “The orchestra was excited to �inally be able to perform live before a loving audience.” The May 2 concert was the �irst time in over one year that the orchestra performed before a live audience and it was so well-received, the group’s upcoming concert on June 27 is already sold out. According to Scottsdale Philharmonic Executive Director Carol Skjaerris, the concert sold out on May 21. “After 10 seasons, I’m �illed with pride at the success and dedication of the orchestra,” Partridge said. The June 27 concert will be Fourth of July themed with classic patriotic tunes, including “America the Beautiful,” “God Bless America,” “The Stars and Stripes Forever” and “The Washington Post” march. The May 2 concert also marked the group’s return to its �irst venue. “When we formed the orchestra 10 years ago, our �irst two concerts were at the Scottsdale Center for the [Performing] Arts,” Partridge said. The Scottsdale Philharmonic typically performs at La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church, where it attracts anywhere from 1,700 to 2,400 people. It moved back into the Virginia G. Piper Theater because of the pandemic. The concerts were so popular, though, the Philharmonic quickly outgrew the venue; by the second concert, the ensemble
The Scottsdale Philharmonic Orchestra received a standing ovation for its May 2 concert at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. “It was a magical program filled with passion and emotions,” said Joy Partridge, Scottsdale Philharmonic cofounder. “All of our musicians were elated to perform and present our first concert of the season.” (Pablo Robles/Progress Staff Photographer)
had more than 1,100 people show up to the venue that holds just over 850. “It was packed,” Partridge said. “I was out there having to apologize to the 300 people that, unfortunately, we �illed up.” The Philharmonic then brought their concerts to the Scottsdale Bible Church and then, �inally, to La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church. “It just shows you how much people love classical music,” Partridge said. The upcoming June 27 performance will follow a timed-entry protocol and forgo intermission. “The Center for the Performing Arts has protocol we have to follow: where we stand, what we do, where we congregate when we’re off stage,” Partridge said. “We
still believe in respecting the health of everyone, and whatever we have to do, we will.” Unlike the May 2 concert, however, which comprised about 30 musicians, attendees at the June 27 show will be treated to the orchestra’s full ensemble of more than 100 players. “The city is sponsoring that concert, and that’s to be a full orchestra,” Partridge said of the Fourth of July-themed concert. “You’re going to see the full-blown symphonies — all the winds and everything.” The Scottsdale Philharmonic also has two concerts scheduled for Oct. 10 and Nov. 21. The Oct. 10 concert will feature “Reformation Symphony” by Felix Mendelssohn,
“Crown Diamond Overture” by Daniel Auber, and “La Bohème Quando m’en vo” by Giancomo Puccini, with a soprano solo by Melissa Solomon. The Nov. 21 concert will feature “Trumpet Concerto” by Joseph Haydn with a trumpet solo by Gage Ellis, and “Symphony No. 2” by Johannes Brahms. Tickets will be available on the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts’ website in the near future, Partridge said. The city also hired the Scottsdale Philharmonic to perform a Christmas concert later this year. “We’re really thankful to not only the city of Scottsdale for working with us to get to this position of partnering, but also all of our musicians; they’re just so committed,” Partridge said. Additionally, the Scottsdale Philharmonic Youth Orchestra will host live auditions for the 2021-22 season on Oct. 9 at 10 a.m. The Youth Orchestra is for students between seventh and 12th grade who, according to Music Director Dr. Daniel Atwood, “want to learn to be great orchestra players.” “The interest in auditions this year is remarkable,” Atwood said. “Tuition is very affordable: only $100 a year.” The group practices Tuesday evenings and hold rehearsals and concerts at the New Vision Center for Spiritual Living in Phoenix. Under the direction of Atwood, the SPYO launched in 2019 and has since put on four concerts a year. And for their upcoming 2021-22 season, the SPYO concerts will feature appearances by three currently-unnamed Phoenixarea musicians. “The Scottsdale Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (SPYO) is doing amazing things with its Music Director Dr. Daniel Atwood,” Partridge said. Information: scottsdalephilharmonic. com, scottsdaleperformingarts.org
