MEDIA RELEASE – New York-Based Ulysses Quartet to Perform in Kelowna Community Venues
Kelowna, BC – Chamber Music Kelowna opens its 2nd annual series of “Concerts in the Community” with a 3-event weekend visit by the renowned New York-based Ulysses Quartet. The Quartet has appeared on many famous world stages – but this quartet also works to bring music to where people are, performing at such venues as local farmers markets, living rooms and other community gathering places. Their aim is to bring music particularly to young people who may not have had exposure to formal concert settings, which is a perfect fit for Chamber Music Kelowna’s “Concerts in the Community.” The young and adventurous Ulysses Quartet can be heard at 3 unique and varied Kelowna venues over the course of the June 16-18 weekend residency. This year’s “Concerts in the Community” series is sponsored by the UBC Okanagan’s Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies.
The first event of the weekend is a benefit concert for the Metro Community, to assist in its work with homelessness and poverty in Kelowna. The Quartet will perform a full-length concert at the Metro Community Hub, 1265 Ellis Street, on Friday June 16 beginning at 7:30 pm. The wide-ranging program will feature Fanny Mendelssohn-Hensel’s String Quartet in E-flat Major and Beethoven’s Quartet No. 9 in C Major, Op. 59, “Razumovsky,” No. 3. Tickets are $25 adult/$15 student, available from www.metrohub.ca/events.
On Saturday June 17, food and wine lovers have an opportunity to enjoy excellent wine and cuisine pairings, accompanied by music from the Ulysses Quartet, at a special dinner offered by Quails’ Gate Winery in West Kelowna. The winery has opened admission to its usually private “Wine Club” events for this occasion to support Chamber Music Kelowna. Guests can look forward to a unique menu offered by Executive Chef Jennifer Dodd, perfectly paired with premium Quails’ Gate’s vintages and varied musical offerings from Haydn, Shostakovich, Turina and others. The evening begins with a wine reception at 6 p.m. A few seats remain, at $135 per person plus tax and gratuity, available from www.quailsgate.com/wine-club-events. The Board of CMK is very grateful for Quails’ Gate’s generous contribution to the costs of Concerts in the Community this year.
To wrap up the weekend, the Ulysses Quartet will reprise the Quails’ Gate musical program on Sunday afternoon, June 18, beginning at 3:00 pm. This concert will be held at the Bright Jenny Coffee House, 984 Laurel Ave, Kelowna, and admission is by donation, in support of Chamber Music Kelowna.
These are outstanding opportunities to hear these internationally-honoured musicians in informal and accessible venues. Chamber Music Kelowna is delighted to bring artists of this calibre to the community and extend the audience for chamber music.
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For further information contact:
Lorna Higdon-Norrie
Chamber Music Kelowna
Email: lhnorrie@gmail.com
Tel: 250-814-3964
About Chamber Music Kelowna
Chamber Music Kelowna presents an annual classical chamber music concert series featuring acclaimed Canadian and international artists. It also facilitates youth outreach programs and provides scholarships for young aspiring musicians, supports emerging artists, and showcases the work of Canadian composers. Support for the organization comes through municipal and federal grants as well as from sponsors, series subscribers, and private donors. Information about Chamber Music Kelowna, the subscription series, and upcoming concerts can be found at chambermusickelowna.ca