LAKEPORT >> The Soper Reese Theatre presents a new series in classical music, one concert for each of the first four months of 2015. Entitled “La Voce del Vento” (Voice of the Wind), the chamber series features woodwind instruments as the centerpiece of each program. The first concert takes place on Jan. 11 at 3 p.m.
“La Voce del Vento chamber players intend to open the performance horizon to make woodwind instruments available to audiences in a close and intimate setting,” explained Ann Hubbard, who originated the concept of the woodwinds chamber group in 1982. “I”m pleased to make the Soper Reese Theatre the new home for these performances and delighted that the voices of the woodwinds can be heard and appreciated.”
The program for Jan. 11 is a Beethoven quintet fur klavier und blaser in Eb major, op. 16 and a Mozart quintet fur oboe, klarinette, horn, fagott und klavier in E major, KV 452. Performing will be Beth Aiken, oboe; Nick Biondo, clarinet; Ann Hubbard, bassoon; Randy Masselink, horn, with special guest Aaron Ames, piano.
Ames was raised in Ukiah and is currently teaching at the James C. Harper School for Performing Arts in Lenoir, North Carolina. He received his master”s degree in music performance in 2010 from Appalachian State University, and was invited to join Pi Kappa Lambda, the musician”s academic honors society.
Aiken resides in Kelseyville and is the principal oboist with the Lake County Symphony, Ukiah Symphony and Symphony of the Redwoods. She earned her bachelor”s degree in music at Humboldt State University and has been teaching in public schools since 1984.
Biondo currently performs with Symphony of the Redwoods, the Ukiah Symphony Orchestra, the Ukiah Saxophone Quartet and “The Funky Dozen” rock/funk band. As an inaugural member, he has been playing for 34 years with the Lake County Symphony.
Hubbard resides in Lucerne and is principal bassoonist with the Lake County Symphony, Symphony of the Redwoods and the Ukiah Symphony. She attended the Juilliard School and Curtis Institute of Music, and was a founding member of Midsummer Mozart Festival Orchestra in San Francisco. The concept of the La Voce del Vento chamber series in Lake County was initiated by Hubbard.
Masselink studied horn with Neil Sanders, former principal horn of the London Philharmonic, and with Dale Clevenger, former principal horn of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He played with orchestras in Italy and Switzerland for 16 years and is now teaching music in the Healdsburg school district.
Tickets are on sale now for each concert at $20 and $15 levels. Persons 18 years of age and younger are admitted free. All seats are reserved. A $10 series discount is available if tickets to each of the four concerts are purchased by Jan. 11. Concerts that follow the January performance will take place on Feb. 15, March 1 and April 12.
Tickets are available online at soperreesetheatre.com or at the theater box office, 275 S. Main St. in Lakeport, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. or at The Travel Center, 1265 S. Main St. in Lakeport, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information call 263-0577.
