The Well-Tempered Ear

Classical music: Wisconsin Public Television to broadcast State Honors Concerts this Monday night as part of a new emphasis on Young Performers. Plus, violinist Laura Burns and pianist Jess Salek perform the complete music for violin and piano by Brahms this Friday night.

ALERT: This Friday night, tomorrow, at 7:30 p.m. in the new Atrium Auditorium of the First Unitarian Society, 900 University Bay Drive, violinist Laura Burns of the Madison Symphony Orchestra and Rhapsodie String Quartet)  and pianist Jess Salek will perform the complete violin and piano music by Johannes Brahms. I heard some of the program at a “Grace Presents” concert recently at Grace Episcopal Church (below). The two were terrific. If Brahms’s string and piano music is to your liking—and how can it not be? – then The Ear suggests you seriously consider going. (Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for student, paid by check or cash only.) It is just too bad the concert conflicts with the great program of J.S. Bach, Prokofiev, Finzi and Gounod by Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and violinist Tasmin Little in the Overture Center’s Capital Theater at 8 p.m. that same night. What contradictory and mutually exclusive musical riches we often live among and have to choose between!

By Jacob Stockinger

During the Year of the Arts, Wisconsin Public Television is appropriately undertaking a very praise-worthy and brand new multi-year initiative to spotlight young performers around the state.

Classical music, of course, is not the only music to be featured, but it will be included – and that it important in spotlighting the role of music education.

The opening program in the series will be the State Honors Concerts, which will air this coming Monday night, Feb. 25, at 8 p.m. on Wisconsin Public Television (Channel 21 in the Madison area; Channel 600 on the Charter hi-def schedule.)

The program offers excerpts from the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) High School Honors Concerts for Band, Orchestra (below), Mixed Choir and Treble Choir.

It features some of Wisconsin’s best young musical talents in performance at Madison’s Overture Center.

The State Honors Concerts kicks off WPT’s multi-year Young Performers Initiative that celebrates Wisconsin’s young artists.

The WSMA State Honors Music Project brings Wisconsin’s top young musicians to work together with nationally known conductors in a highly disciplined, professional setting.

The students in grades 9 through 11 were selected from more than 1,400 who auditioned.

The Ear think you should watch the broadcast — which does a great public service and spotlights young people for more than sports —  and then go to WPT website and sent them an email or phone call thanking them for such commitment to engaging the public in youth arts education.

Here is a link for feedback to WPT:

http://www.wpt5.org/contact_us