Our second E-News of 2021 highlights a number of upcoming events including The Final Forte 2021, MSOL Connect, Parties of Note, and a free estate planning webinar hosted by the MSO’s Stradivarius Society. Plus, learn more about Rachel Barton Pine’s Music by Black Composers initiative, plus other local virtual arts and entertainment events that are free to experience.
Meet our Finalists for The Final Forte
Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte is a free concert broadcast live on PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio. The Final Forte finalists are selected from a group of young Wisconsin artists who competed in the Bolz Young Artist Competition’s two preliminary rounds in January. The event gives these four artists the chance to perform a movement from a concerto with the MSO. In accordance with health and safety guidelines, this year, The Final Forte will be recorded in Overture Hall in March with each performer accompanied by a pianist. The competition will be streamed on a date yet to be announced in the spring of 2021. We will update our website with artist bios and more information about the virtual event.
Music by Black Composers from the Rachel Barton Pine Foundation
Rachel Barton Pine is a critically-acclaimed violinist and internationally-recognized artist who performed with the Madison Symphony Orchestra in 2019. Learn more about the Rachel Barton Pine Foundation, which promotes the study and appreciation of classical music — and in particular, the Music by Black Composers component, which has raised nearly $12,000 as of October 2020 towards its mission.
Other Recent News & Stories
MSOL Connect: An Evening with Tamera and Leotha Stanley
Thursday, February 25, 2021
Leotha & Tamera Stanley, the husband-and-wife team who lead the Mt. Zion Baptist Church Choir, are fixtures in the Madison music scene. They conduct programs for local school music students, present the Gospel Carols Concert each year, and collaborate with the Madison Symphony Orchestra for the annual Christmas concert. Leotha and Tamera will present behind the scene insights about a variety of programs they have been engaged in, including MSO Christmas productions, Gospel Carols, MLK Community Choir “Lovely Day” production, their “Be A Friend Challenge” and more. Come spend an evening getting to know these incredibly talented and giving musicians. MSOL Connect is free to attend, but registration is required. Learn more and register by February 23.
Estate Planning 101: What Do I Need and How Do I Get Started?
Wednesday, March 8, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. via Zoom
Join us for a free estate planning webinar! Boardman & Clark attorneys Liz Heiner and Julia Jagow will provide a comprehensive overview of the important steps we ALL need to be aware of when creating or updating an estate plan. Attorneys Heiner and Jagow will review essential estate planning documents such as wills, living trusts, beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, health care directives, and more. Join us on March 8 for this free webinar hosted by the Madison Symphony Orchestra’s Stradivarius Society. Click here to register.
Madison Symphony Orchestra is pleased to offer this valuable presentation at no charge or obligation to our patrons and donors. This presentation is for informational purposes only. Madison Symphony Orchestra staff cannot provide tax or legal advice.
Nominate Us for Best of Madison
The first round of nominations for Madison Magazine’s Best of Madison 2021 is open through February 28! You can nominate in each category once per day. Nominating is as simple as entering a name in a text-entry field on the ballot. You can nominate us in three categories under the Arts & Entertainment section:
Classical Music Group — Madison Symphony Orchestra
Local Artist — Greg Zelek
Virtual Performance — A Virtual Madison Symphony Christmas
Vote for us every day through the end of the month!
Parties of Note Registration
Watch your mail — a flyer announcing this year’s Parties of Note will be sent later this month. It will include an overview of the parties and the registration process, which is different from past years due to the circumstances of the pandemic. Full details of each party along with the staggered registrations date for each can be found on the Parties of Note website. Party dates are tentative based on the assumption that the pandemic response will allow people to gather again. Reservations will be taken online only. For answers to questions you may have about about the 2021 Parties of Note, please see our FAQ.
Watch Now: Greg Zelek’s 20/21 Organ Season Premiere
Back by popular demand — no registration required!
In October, we launched our virtual 20/21 Organ Season with a streamed performance featuring Greg Zelek, Principal Organist and Elaine and Nicholas Mischler Curator of the Overture Concert Organ. Due to popular demand, we’re extending access to stream this concert for FREE! Experience the performance for the first time, or relive the moments. The concert runs for just under one hour. No registration is necessary! Visit our website to watch the concert.
Upcoming Community Events and Virtual Resources
Read New ArtsScene Magazine
Check out the second edition of ArtsScene Magazine, by Footlights – “Black Arts Matter.” Sponsored by UW Credit Union, this digital magazine features local and national arts editorial, visual and performing arts submissions, event listings, and so much more! Support the arts and read the first issue today! Read and subscribe here.
Forward Theater Company
A panel of academic and community experts convened virtually on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021 for a special discussion about “The Niceties,” a play by Eleanor Burgess and performed virtually by Madison’s Forward Theater Company from Jan. 22 to Feb. 7. Watch a replay of the panel discussion.
Just Bach
Just Bach is a monthly concert series featuring MSO Musicians that celebrates the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. This month’s free concert, which premiered on Feb. 17, also stars guests Kangwon Kim on violin, John Chappell Stowe on harpsichord and organ, and Sarah Brailey as soprano. Learn more and watch the performance.
Wisconsin Baroque Ensemble
Sunday, February 21 – 3:00 p.m.
Playing on period instruments from original notation, the Wisconsin Baroque Ensemble brings the sound and character of 17th and 18th century music to life, often shedding light upon lesser known compositions and composers. Tune into a free live-streamed concert this Sunday — visit their website to learn more and watch.
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