San Francisco 1st Congregational United Church of Christ, 1300 Polk St @ Bush (Map)
Rainbow Chamber Players, tenor Brian Thorsett, and conductor Jessica Bejarano, will perform:
Beethoven - Octet
Gounod - Petite Symphonie
Various Mozart opera arias
Cost: Free, Voluntary Donations Appreciated, Reception will follow the performance.
Hosted by Cariwyl Hebert of Salon97. No knowledge of classical music is necessary. The listening portion of the event will last about an hour. As always, mixing and mingling will abound. Bring friends and come have fun!
Mr. Thorsett is a graduate of the San Francisco opera's Merola Opera Program and Music Academy of the West and Adjunct Lecturer in Voice and Opera Workshop, Santa Clara University. Jessica Bejarano is Assistant Conductor of BARS. Cariwyl Hebert is the founder of Salon97.
Salon 97 is a community-based organization that makes classical music inclusive, educational — and awesome — for people with an interest in arts and culture, but who find the formal nature of the concert hall intimidating.
Rainbow Chamber Players is made up of member of Bay Area Rainbow Symphony (BARS). BARS is dedicated to increasing visibility and challenging stereotypes of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and (LGBT) composers and instrumentalists, connecting with audiences from all communities.
Public Transportation: MUNI 19, 2, 3, 4, 38, 42, 45, 47, 49
About Brian Thorsett, Tenor: Since taking to the operatic stage in 2001, tenor Brian Thorsett has been seen and heard in over 70 diverse operatic roles, ranging from Monteverdi to Britten, back to Rameau and ahead again to works composed especially for his talents. Highlights from the 2011–13 seasons include the Sailor and Spirit in Dido and Aeneas with Philharmonia Baroque and Mark Morris Dance Company, Britten’s Captain Vere in scenes from Billy Budd, the title character in Rameau’s Pygmalion, and concert version of Mozart’s Magic Flute. He was a participant in Glimmerglass Opera’s Young American Artist program and spent two summers at the Music Academy of the West. In addition to his performing credits, Brian recently has been named Adjunct Lecturer in Voice and Opera Workshop at his alma mater, Santa Clara University.
About Jessica Bejarano: Maestra Bejarano is the Assistant Conductor of the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony. She also serves as Music Director of West County Winds; Assistant Conductor of the Peninsula Symphony; Assistant Conductor, Community Women’s Orchestra, and Artist-In-Residence with LEAP as a music education curriculum developer and teacher.
Maestra Bejarano received her Bachelor of Music from the University of Wyoming; and her Master of Arts in Conducting from the University of California, Davis. In September 2010, Maestra Bejarano was selected to attend a Master class with Maestro Jorma Panula and the Rousse (Bulgarian) National Philharmonic. She has served as Artistic Director of the Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus; Music Director of VOICES Lesbian Choral Ensemble; and Music Director of GLAM Youth Choir. She has also guest conducted the Beloit Community Orchestra, in Beloit Wisconsin; and the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus www.jessicabejarano.com
About Salon97: Established in 2008, Salon97 is a community-based organization that makes classical music inclusive, educational—and awesome—for people with an interest in arts and culture, but who find the formal nature of the concert hall intimidating. Salon97 hosts monthly events in San Francisco. Please visit www.salon97.org for more information.
About Rainbow Chamber Players and BARS : Rainbow Chamber Players is made up of members of the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony (BARS). BARS is an orchestra dedicated to increasing visibility and challenging stereotypes of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) composers, instrumentalists, and performing artists.