Talk of the Town: They’re back...our winter visitors, that is

It’s getting busy out there, kiddos! Our part-time residents are returning and the clubs and organizations are waking up from their summer siesta.There are loads of upcoming activities happening in our community, and many of the groups are coming right here to us to entertain and lift our spirits. (Saves on driving and gas—and with prices skyrocketing on everything these days, that’s a good thing.)

Besides the Country Fair White Elephant Parade next Saturday, and all the fair booths and exhibits in the Continental Shopping Plaza and the Green Valley Village, there are also a slew of other events to keep you smiling.

The Tucson Chamber Artists, under the direction of Eric Holtan, will be in concert Saturday, Oct. 25, at 2:30 p.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Risen Savior, 555 S. La Canada in Green Valley following the Country Fair White Elephant Parade. Tickets are $20 per person and may be purchased at www.tucsonchamberartists.org or by calling 520-401-2651, and also at the door the day of the show.

The TCA will present “Re:Formation.” Holtan invites the audience to experience extraordinary music inspired by history that re-shaped the world. The program opens with Bach’s Third Orchestra Suite and showcases TCA’s exceptional chamber orchestra.

The second movement, commonly know as “Air on the G String.” is among the most recognized and beloved classical music in the repertory.

Bach’s Cantata 80, one of the composer’s 200 extant church cantatas, incorporates what many consider to be the anthem of the Protestant movement throughout the piece. Estonia’s leading composer, Arvo PŠrt, penned his Berliner Messe not long after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

Written for strings and choir, this work is an austere setting of the Mass, displaying the composer’s pioneering sacred minimalism.

Holtan founded the Tucson Chamber Artists in 2004. Comprised of some of the finest professional choral artists in Southern Arizona, TCA has quickly gained a reputation for musical excellence. The group is committed to presenting the finest choral masterworks and music of our time through informed and inspiring performances.

Holtan launched his professional music career at age 12 as a church organist. He studied organ, voice and choral conducting at Gustavus Adolphus College, Minn., since which he has held positions in secondary and higher education, as well as church, community, and professional conducting posts.

He completed the master’s degree in choral conducting at the University of Iowa, where he was also assistant conductor of Camerata Singers. While pursuing the doctor of musical arts degree in choral and orchestral conducting at the University of Arizona, Holtan broadened his conducting experiences as chorus master of the UA Opera Theatre, working in productions of Rossini’s “La Cenerentola,” Strauss’s “Die Fledermaus” and Puccini’s “La Rondine.” In 2004, he also served as assistant conductor for the UA’s presentation of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Gondoliers,” and as conductor of the UA Community Chorus in performance of Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms,” making his conducting debut with members of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra.

Choirs under his direction have performed in the great cathedrals of central Europe, in an international choral festival in Russia, and as invited performers at the annual conventions of the Minnesota Music Educators Association and the Minnesota American Choral Directors Association.

In 1995, the Minnesota ACDA named him “Outstanding Young Choral Director.” During his tenure at the UA, Holtan was one of eight conductors invited to the graduate student conducting competition at the ACDA national convention, where he advanced as a finalist.

In fall 2004, Holtan was appointed assistant director of the acclaimed Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus, and has served as associate conductor of the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra. He has continued his work in church music and serves as director of choirs at Dove of Peace Lutheran Church.

Last year, he coordinated the Arizona-Nevada task force to introduce a new hymnal for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This past summer Holtan co-founded Tucson Choral Academy with his mentor Bruce Chamberlain, providing training for Tucson’s choral singers and church choral leaders.

Holtan’s principal conducting teachers have included Karle Erickson, William Hatcher, Bruce Chamberlain and Thomas Cockrell. Additionally, Holtan was a conducting associate at the Conductor’s Institute of South Carolina, and most recently, a conducting fellow at the Chorus America Master Class hosted by the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, where he conducted the Philadelphia Singers. He has trained with other notable conductors including Otto-Werner Mueller, David Hayes, Duain Wolfe, Vance George, and Dale Warland.

Now in its fourth season, TCA, under Eric’s direction, has become one of the most exciting arts organizations in Southern Arizona, with a growing reputation for excellence in performance of both masterworks and music of our time.

While we are on the subject of music—the Green Valley Concert Band needs you! According to band spokesperson, Michael Finkelstein, the Concert Band, a volunteer community organization, draws musicans from Green Valley, Tucson and the surrounding areas. They are actively seeking musicians, especially French horn players, interested in performing marches, show tunes, traditional band literature, and other popular and seasonal favorites. Winter visitors are welcome. The Concert Band rehearses Saturday mornings at 9 a.m. at the East Center, 7 S. Abrego Drive, in Green Valley from October through March. E-mail Michael at mfinkel2@cox.net or call 520-398-0317.

rford@gvnews.com | 547-9740