2 Dynamic Concerts from Maestro Yorgos Kouritas

The following is from Nina Welch, publicist for Saddleback College Fine Arts:

The Department of Music at Saddleback College is pleased to present two dynamic concerts under the baton of new faculty member Maestro Yorgos Kouritas.

On Friday, March 15th at 8 pm, the Saddleback College Wind Ensemble closes its annual festival with an evening performance featuring some of the most well-known favorites such as Lincolnshire Posy by Grainger and Night on Bald Mountain by Mussorgsky.

On Saturday, March 16th at 8 pm, the Saddleback College Symphony Orchestra presents the winners of the 2013 Music Teachers Association of California Concerto Competition. Featured performers are First Place Concerto Competition winner pianist Jake Clayton, second place winner Lauren Graham, vocalist, and third place winner Kenichi Kiyama, violinist.  The program includes Mozart No. 23 in A major (K.488) – 3rd movement, Bernstein’sGlitter and Be Gay and Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole – 1st movement and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, which also has a violin solo.

Mr. Kouritas has an extensive background in conducting which includes being the Assistant Conductor of the Boise Philharmonic and Director of the Boise Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. On February 8th he conducted the Boise Philharmonic, featuring the music of the leading American composer Ben Model, accompanying silent movies. The orchestra played live during the films with the guidance of Mr. Kouritas as conductor. In December, he was chosen among 70 applicants for a prestigious conducting workshop with the Virginia Symphony that was taught by internationally-known conductors JoAnn Falletta and Jorge Mester.

Both concerts take place in the beautiful McKinney Theatre. Tickets are $15 general; $10 students/seniors.  Call the ticket office at 949-582-4656, Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 4 pm or order your tickets online at saddleback.edu/arts.