Anne Movalson
We all like to have seats close to the action, be it a concert, lecture, play or athletic game. When you come to the SaddleBrooke Symphony Guild concerts at SaddleBrooke Clubhouse, you are guaranteed a seat near the musicians and a beautiful view of mountains turning pink at sunset. In fact, you may even have one of the musicians sitting at your table for the dinner. The Guild’s first event of the 2014-15 Season will be a recital by the Tucson Orchestra String Quartet on Thursday, October 30, 2014. This on campus event is open to everyone in SaddleBrooke and SaddleBrooke Ranch. You need not be a member of the Guild to attend. Years ago the royalty of Europe had their own court musicians who would play for them. You almost get the same feeling as we listen to our professional musicians at these special dinner concerts.
The TSO String Quartet members are Joseph Rousos-Hammond-violin, Wynne Wong Rife-violin, Ilona Vukovic-Gay-viola and Anne Gratz-cello. All have degrees in music from prestigious schools and extensive experience playing their instruments. Joseph Rousos-Hammond and Anne Gratz are new members of the quartet. Joseph is a Tucson native and played violin in the Tucson Youth Orchestra. After graduating with a Music Degree with Distinction from Indiana University, he went on to receive his Masters at the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Anne Gratz is from Indiana and was class valedictorian from Interlochen Academy. She received her BM and MM degrees in music from Eastman School of Music and teaches music in the Tucson schools. Ilona Vukovic-Gay and Wynne Wong-Rife both have many private students and are longtime members of the TSO. Ilona is very active in the TSO’s Young Composer’s Project. The musicians give commentaries and insights into the composers and music that they play for us. This makes the recital so much more interesting and enjoyable.
The event begins at 4:30 p.m. with a no host bar. The Oktoberfest German Theme dinner will begin with appetizers at every table followed by a green salad. You have a choice of two entrees: Bone-in French cut pork rack – slow roasted served with apple/fennel kraut and quinoa or pumpkin seed crusted red snapper served with vegetable medley and butternut squash risotto cake. Dessert is an apple turnover with cinnamon whipped cream. It all sounds delicious!
Reservations for the October 30 event can be made by calling Betty Sackett at 825-3993 and confirmed by your check. The cost for this evening concert, dinner, tax and tip is $62 for Guild members and $67 for nonmembers. Guild membership, which entitles you to attend all six events this season, is $25 per household or $15 for a single membership. Please make your reservations by October 22 and join us for a royal evening of music and food fit for a king!