In Brief: August 3

Doles to participate in tribute event at Toledo Museum of Art

Kurt Doles, director of Bowling Green State University’s MidAmerican Center for Contemporary Music, will be part of the Lou Harrison Music Marathon at the Toledo Museum of Art on Aug. 12. The event runs from noon to 10 p.m. in the GlasSalon, Little Theater and Peristyle and includes concerts, demonstrations and a documentary about the late Harrison, an innovative composer, environmentalist and political activist widely credited with playing a key role in the world music movement.

Doles will lead a free demonstration of the Balinese gamelan from 4:30-5:15 p.m. in the Peristyle lobby during the daylong tribute to Harrison, who used the gamelan extensively in his many compositions.

Also performing will be the Grammy Award-winning Third Coast Percussion, Grammy Award-winning organ soloist Paul Jacobs, composer and violinist Todd Reynolds, and violinists Merwin Siu of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra and Michael Boyd of the University of Toledo.

Tickets for the event range from $5-$25.
 

University Choral Society plans big season, announces auditions

An exciting season is ahead for the University Choral Society. Bach Cantata No. 80, the Brahms Requiem, and a new, festive holiday concert titled "Joyous Sounds" are all being planned.

Auditions for community members of the University Choral Society will be held on the evenings of Aug. 15 and Aug. 22. Community members who would like to participate in the UCS should sign up online for an audition time. Those auditioning should bring a piece to sing. The first rehearsal of the season will begin at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29 in 1040 Moore Musical Arts Center.

This year's performance schedule is:

Oct. 29 - J.S. Bach Cantata No. 80 "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott" (A Mighty Fortress Is Our God) with soloists Chelsea Cloeter, Ellen Scholl, Christopher Scholl and Lance Ashmore, the chancel choir of St. Mark's Lutheran Church and a chamber orchestra at St. Mark's Lutheran Church

Nov. 28 - "Joyous Sounds: A Yuletide Celebration" with the BGSU Graduate Brass Quintet and Michael Gartz, organist at First United Methodist Church

April 22 - Brahms "Ein deutsches Requiem" (A German Requiem) with the BGSU Philharmonia in Kobacker Hall on the BGSU campus
 

Live theater alive and well in Huron

What’s coming up this season in Huron at Caryl Crane Youth Theatre (CCYT) for local theater patrons to look forward to? It starts off with the blockbuster “The Lion King” Sept. 7-10, performed by this season’s Junior Theater Festival team. The fun-for-all-ages and hugely popular “Mickey Mouse Club Christmas” concert will be back by popular demand Nov. 30-Dec. 2, followed by “Annie Jr.” Feb. 15-18, and “All Shook Up” March 22-25.

As usual, CCYT also will offer several youth theater workshops in the fall and spring for youth ages 6-18 of any experience level, at least one spring theater intensive workshop for youth looking for a more advanced classroom and performance experience, and another offering of their successful youth theater camp and performance next June.

CCYT performances are at McBride Auditorium on the campus of BGSU Firelands in Huron; ticket sales are handled through a collaboration with the Sandusky State Theater. With ticket prices ranging anywhere from $6-$14, CCYT offers great theater at some of the lowest prices in the area. Tickets will be available for sale online or by phone at 419-626-1950 a few weeks before each show.

CCYT has more than 150 participants and 5,000 tickets sold per year to patrons from all over the area. It can also claim to be the area’s only award-winning youth theater. In January 2017, CCYT brought its best to the national stage and participated in its first-ever Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta. The team brought home awards for best musical performances by a group and individual, and several of its talented youth were recognized for choreography and as all-star performers.

When asked how they keep going strong at CCYT, director Brian Marshall pointed to more recent focus on growth, working closely with his advisory board for sound fiscal management, and investment in the vision to be the area’s premier youth theater. In the six years since the beginning of Marshall’s tenure, youth participation in the programming has quadrupled, and CCYT offers more productions, workshops, educational opportunities and community outreach than ever before.

“We offer a combination of popular and classic shows, sprinkle in some tastes of the hottest Broadway hits in our educational programs, and effectively use social media to reach potential youth participants, families, donors and patrons.”