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Symphonic News, Reading Series, and More for September IAS

With school back in session, Iowa arts events are revving up all across the state. This month’s Iowa Arts Showcase features:

  • Two upcoming Iowa State Center events, with Iowa State Center’s Outreach Coordinator, Sara Compton, and ISU’s Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities, Dr. James Rodde
  • An overview of the wcfsymphony’s 2015-2016 season with its music director and conductor, Jason Weinberger
  • The Final Thursday Reading series, with co-coordinator and UNI Associate Professor of Language and Literature, Jim O’Loughlin
  • The Red Cedar Chamber Music’s upcoming season, with founders and artistic directors, flutist Jan Boland and guitarist, John Dowdall
  • And composer, Middlebury professor, and former KUNI Public Radio and Iowa Public television host, Peter Hamlin, on his newest work commissioned by the Des Moines Symphony to commemorate the Iowa State Fair

The end of September brings in two spectacular musical performances to the Iowa State Center. Clarinetist Narek Arutyunian comes to Ames September 28-30 as part of Iowa State Center’s Martha-Ellen Tye Performing Arts Institute Young Concert Artist residency series. Narek will give lecture-demonstrations and masterclasses, as well as a public concert on October 1. Sara Compton, Iowa State Center’s Outreach Coordinator, and Dr. James Rodde, ISU Director of Choral Activities, reveal details about Narek’s residency as well as the Chamber Orchestra Kremlin’s performance on October 8, which incorporates ISU choral musicians in the concert with a performance of Schubert’s Mass in G and Mozart’s Vespers.

With both the opening and closing concert of the wcfsymphony’s 2015-2016 season taking place at the RiverLoop Amphitheatre in Waterloo, and with two concerts at the Brown Derby in Waterloo, this season’s program promises to shake things up and provide listeners with a variety of musical treats. Music Director and conductor, Jason Weinberger, provides an overview of the season and unique guest artists like Klezmer clarinetist, David Krakauer; percussion duo Maraca2; and the lively salsa band Orquesta Alto Maiz.

The Final Thursday Reading Series, a collaboration between Final Thursday Press, the Hearst Center for the Arts, and the University of Northern Iowa, brings in a published author each month to perform readings of their own work. Co-collaborator Jim O’Loughlin shares the history of this unique series and details some of the upcoming featured authors.

This year’s Red Cedar Chamber Music concert series features two unique programs, “Mostly Folk-Inspired” on October 4, 2015 and “Music and Magic Lanterns” on April 30, 2016. Founders and artistic directors, flutist Jan Boland and guitarist John Dowdall detail the music of this season, and the process and plans with handing over the reins of the organization to violinist Miera Kim and cellist Carey Bostian for the 2016-2017 season.

The Des Moines Symphony’s season debut concert features a world premiere commissioned to commemorate the Iowa State Fair. The Symphony on a Stick was written by Peter Hamlin, a professor at Middlebury and former KUNI Public Radio and Iowa Public Television host. Hamlin shares his secret revelations behind his new 10-movement masterpiece and the connections between the movements and the experience of the Iowa State Fair.

You can now listen to the September show right here, along with extra material that we just didn't have time for. Tune in to the Iowa Arts Showcase on the first Saturday of the month at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Iowa Public Radio Classical.

jimoloughlinbackgroundonfounder.mp3
Jim O'Loughlin gives some background on the founder of the Final Thursday Reading Series.

jimoloughlinbetternotesandmorepictures.mp3
Jim O'Loughlin talks about better notes and more pictures.

jimoloughlinchapbooks.mp3
Jim O'Loughlin and "chap books".

jimoloughlinfloatingbookstore.mp3
Jim O'Loughlin talks about the now-gone "floating book store".

jimoloughlininvitationtoshareyourwork.mp3
Jim O'Loughlin invites writers to share their work.

jimoloughlinserieshistory.mp3
Jim O'Loughlin on the history of the series.

jimoloughlinseriessponsorship.mp3
Jim O'Loughlin talks about the series' sponsorship.

jimoloughlinseriesstructure1.mp3
Jim O'Loughlin talks about the structure of the series.

jimoloughlinseriesstructure2.mp3
Jim O'Loughlin continues to talk about the structure of the series.

jimoloughlinwhyimportant.mp3
Jim O'Loughlin talks about why the series is important.

lynettepohlmancampusbeautifuldrrichardwilsonaesthetics.mp3
Lynette Pohlman talks about Dr. Richard Wilson and aesthetics.

lynettepohlmanscholarshipbooksigning.mp3
Lynette Pohlman talks about a scholarship and a book signing.

lynettepohlmanmuseumsteamandpartnerships.mp3
Lynette Pohlman talks about the Museum's team and partnerships.

lynettepohlmanreturnforanniversary.mp3
Lynette Pohlman talks about former students and professional employees returning for the anniversary.

lynettepohlmanscholarshipbooksigning.mp3
Lynette Pohlman talks about a scholarship and a book signing.

lynettepohlmanspecialexhibitions.mp3
Lynette Pohlman talks about the Museum's special exhibitions for its 40th anniversary.

lynettepohlmantenurewithuniversitymuseums.mp3
Lynette Pohlman talks about her tenure with the University museums.

redcedarchamberearlyyears.mp3
John of Red Cedar Chamber Music talks about his early years.

redcedarchamberearlyyearsredcedar.mp3
Jan Boland and John Dowdall talk about Red Cedar Chamber Music's early years.

redcedarchambersummerfestival.mp3
Jan Boland and John Dowdall talk about Red Cedar Chamber Music's summer festival.

redcedarchamberpostretirement.mp3
Jan and John talk about their post-retirement plans.

Jacqueline Halbloom is a Sr. Music Producer and Classical Music Host