October 31, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … The “jingling” of car keys will join a peel of hand bells when audience members are invited to play along with the Ring of Fire handbell choir at the Oregon Symphony’s “Holiday Magic” Kids concert on Sunday, Nov. 30, at 1 and 3 p.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. A performance by 13-year-old violinist Andy Liang, dance selections from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” Suite and a holiday carol sing-along will highlight this annual holiday concert event, to be led by the Symphony’s Assistant Conductor, Mei-Ann Chen.
Liang, a member of the Portland Youth Philharmonic who won the 2002 Young Artists at the Schnitz competition, will perform an excerpt of the Winter movement from Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” in a varied holiday program which also will feature Jeff Tyzik’s “A Christmas Overture, a Chanukah Festival Overture and a selection of holiday favorites.
Portland’s own handbell choir, Ring of Fire, directed by Jason Wells will join Julane Stites’ Dance West, from the Beaverton School District’s Arts and Communication Magnet Academy (ACMA), as featured artists. Dance West will perform some of the best-known movements from Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker,” including the “Arab Dance,” “Chinese Dance” and “Trepack.” Dance West, most recently featured on the Symphony’s Big Band concert, is a pre-professional training ground for students who desire in-depth technical study and performance experience.
After intermission, Wells’ handbell choir Ring of Fire performs works for solo choir and a piece that requires audience participation in the form of jingling keys. The thirteen members of this ensemble are based at Tualatin Valley High School and are known for their ability to memorize their music and their unique, spirited style. In 2001 they were featured at the inaugural celebrations of President George W. Bush. The concert will conclude with a traditional appearance by Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.
Donations of new, unwrapped toys for the Northwest NewsChannel 8 Toy Drive and canned food for the Oregon Food Bank are accepted at all Oregon Symphony Holiday concerts.
“Holiday Magic” performances are scheduled for Sunday, November 30 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Tickets range from $6 to $31 and may be purchased at the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office (923 S.W. Washington), Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or charged by phone at 503-228-1353 or (800) 228-7343. Tickets also may be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets (503-790-ARTS) or through Ticketmaster Online, via the Symphony's Web site www.orsymphony.org. Service fees may apply.
Andy Liang, 13, is in eighth grade at Alki Middle School in Vancouver, Washington. He began playing the violin at age five. Liang performed with the Youth String Ensemble and the Portland Youth Conservatory Orchestra. He now performs with the Portland Youth Philharmonic Orchestra.
Liang won first place in the string category at the 2002 Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition and earned the opportunity to perform with the Vancouver Symphony. He also won the Young Artists and the Schnitzer Concert Competition in 2002 and played with an orchestra drawn from the ranks of the Oregon Symphony and Oregon Ballet Theatre Orchestras.
Other awards and honors include: winner of the KBPS 89.9 fm Young Talent Search; first place in the Mittleman Jewish Community Center Orchestra’s Young Artist Concerto Competition; a performance with the Clark College Orchestra as violin soloist for Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5; and a solo performance with the Young Musicians & Artists summer camp orchestra at Willamette University.
Liang currently studies with Katherine Gray. He has also studied with Chara Epp, Carole Sindell and his father. Additionally, Liang attended a master class given by Charles Castleman, a professor of violin at the University of Rochester Eastman School of Music.
When he is not performing, Liang enjoys soccer, basketball, reading and computer games.
Liang’s violin for this performance was made by Enrico Marchetti in Turin, Italy. The violin is on loan from David Kerr Violin Shop.
Chrisse Roccaro’s career as a character actress, singer and radio, television and film actor has spanned more than 25 years in Portland and New York. Chrisse was last seen as Nettie Fowler in Lakewood Theatre Co.’s production of “Carousel” and will portray Madame Arcati in “Blithe Spirit” at Lakewood, opening November 1. Other appearances have included Marta in “What Isn’t There,” a new chamber opera by Peter Armetta; Mrs. Pearce in “My Fair Lady” and General Cartwright in “Guys and Dolls” with the Oregon Symphony Pops; Tonya the Spider in “Sticky Trouble” for The Haven Project; Mrs. Santa for the Oregon Symphony Kids Concerts for three seasons; Jenny in “Quilters” (ART); Miriam in “Beau Geste” and roles in The Young Playwrights Festival (Portland Rep); Fifth Actress in “A…My Name Is Alice” (Oregon Stage) and Della in “Blue Plate Special” (Triangle). Favorite roles have been Madame Armfeldt, Charlotte and Desiree in the same performance of Sondheim’s “A Little Night Music,” Miss Prism in “The Importance of Being Ernest,” Sabina in “The Skin of Our Teeth,” Nancy in “Oliver,” Nancy in “The Knack,” Andromache in “Trojan Women,” Joan in “Dames At Sea,” Marta in “Company,” Miss Adelaide in “Guys and Dolls” and Lizzie in “110 in the Shade.”
Ms. Roccaro, a lyric soprano, is a noted interpreter of modern theater and popular composers such as Gershwin, Sondheim, Coward, Porter (“We’re Throwing A Ball Tonight!” at New York’s Don’t Tell Mama Cabaret Club); and Weill (“I’m a Stranger Here Myself” at Oregon Stage Company). She creates and performs Custom Cabaret for private parties, banquets, and other occasions, and has performed two of her original cabaret shows at Portland’s Old Church.
In addition to performing, Chrisse adds private vocal instruction, directing, musical directing, conducting, arranging, and 10 years of teaching and performing improvisation to her list of credits. In 2000, she capped seven years as musical director for the St. Mary’s Academy Theater Department with Bernstein’s “West Side Story” and has musical directed for Clackamas Community College, Central Catholic High and North Clackamas Community Theatre. Chrisse is proud to be a volunteer facilitator at The Dougy Center For Grieving Children.
Jason's first experience with handbells was with the Mesa Grande Ringers as a 7th grader in southern California. He played with this group for 5 years and remembers working with Cynthia Dobrinski, Douglas Wagner, and Katsumi Kodama at several handbell conventions as highlights of his "formative" bell years.
Jason left the world of handbells to play trumpet with the New England Youth Ensemble during his first two years of college in Massachusetts. He has performed in 26 countries including China, Jordan, Israel, Poland, Italy, Singapore, Scotland as well as 5 performances in Carnegie Hall under the direction of choral great John Rutter.
After a 10 year dormant period with bells, Jason started a choir on the island of Palau in the Pacific Ocean in 1993. In 1995, Jason took over the direction of a local elementary school bell choir while finishing his senior year at Walla Walla College. He began teaching music, English, and history at Tualatin Valley Junior Academy in 1996.
Ring of Fire is based in the Pacific Northwest, a region known for its volcanic activity. In the group’s few years of existence, they have earned a reputation for outstanding excellence in handbells. The 13 members of Ring of Fire, ages 12 to 16, are based at Tualatin Valley Junior Academy in Hillsboro, Oregon. They are widely known for their ability to memorize their music and their unique, spirited style. They continue to meet their goal of bringing their fiery music to many diverse audiences, including schools and churches, corporate functions, charity events, marathons, NBA basketball games, and on national and international television and radio. Their performance is an explosive combination of an energetic director, exuberant youth, and the brilliance of 61 bronze bells!
In January of 2001, Ring of Fire had the honor of performing at the Inauguration of President George W. Bush. They group was one of 38 chosen from over 10,000 applicants nationwide. This invitation marked the first time handbells have been a part of the Inauguration of a U.S. President. Ring of Fire played at three official inaugural functions: Laura Bush's "Celebration of American Authors", the Inaugural Parade, and at the Inaugural Ball in the Ronald Reagan Federal Building. Their adventures were covered on CNN, MSNBC, FOX, and in print with the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal.
In the fall of 2001, Ring of Fire had the incredible opportunity to share their music with those in New York City and Washington D.C. after the horrific events of 9-11. In Washington D.C. they performed “America the Beautiful” with the U.S. Army Orchestra, the group for all official state functions that has played for nearly every world leader. They also had the opportunity to view the destruction at the Pentagon and later travel to Ground Zero in New York City. Ground Zero was still on fire as the group gazed into the destruction, tears streaming down their faces. It was a moment that all have expressed that they will never forget. The East Coast tour ended with a memorable performance in St. Patrick's Cathedral on 5th Avenue for over 6,000 people for Sunday morning Mass.
Ring of Fire has produced two performance videos, a CD, and recently released a DVD.
Dance West, one of many specialized programs housed at Arts and Communication Magnet Academy, (ACMA), in Beaverton School District, is a pre-professional training ground for students who desire in-depth technical study and performance experience. Comprised of 20 students who have auditioned for placement, a daily schedule of core academic study, dance technique classes, and a two-hour rehearsal for a repertoire of diverse concert works is required. ACMA recently received a rating of “exceptional” from the Oregon State Schools Report Card. The rigorous arts-infused academic curriculum, taught by professionals with specialization in the field of dance, provides unique opportunities for the students. They experience the kind of education that prepares them with lifetime skills necessary for success in higher education and in their chosen career path.
