ECKART PREU AND FOUR OF HIS FRIENDS AN EVENING HONORING OUR OWN

Sep 30, 2004

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow

SPOKANE - The Spokane Symphony will celebrate four of its own incredible musicians at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, at the Spokane Opera House. In an opportunity to highlight the vast talent of Spokane Symphony musicians as soloists, Kelly Ferris, Lynn Feller-Marshall, John Marshall, and Keith Thomas will perform Haydn's Sinfonia Concertante.

The sinfonia concertante, a popular form at the end of the 18th century, is really a concerto for a small group of soloists rather than a symphony. In this case, the solo ensemble numbers four: oboe and bassoon, violin and cello, with the dominant soloist being the violinist.

Kelly Farris, founding member of the Spokane String Quartet and Artistic Director of the Spokane Chamber Music Association, has served as Concertmaster of the Spokane Symphony since 1969. He currently teaches at the University of Washington and is Professor Emeritus at Eastern Washington University, where he taught violin, viola, chamber music, and orchestra for 30 years.

Lynne Feller-Marshall is Principal Bassoonist with the SSO, and teaches bassoon at EWU and Whitworth College. She also performs a variety of music with other Spokane musical groups such as Allegro, the Northwest Bach Festival, and the Spokane Opera.

John Marshall has been Principal Cello with the Spokane Symphony and Professor of Music at Eastern Washington University since 1994. At EWU, he teaches private cello and chamber music, as well as various classes for music majors.

Keith Thomas begins his 12th season as principal oboist for the Spokane Symphony. Thomas also serves as organist for The Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes and Artist in Residence for the Jones Double Reed Company.

Also performed this evening are Nielsen's Suite from the Ballet Aladdin, full of colorful stories of the Arabian Nights and Aladdin's adventures, and Sibelius' Symphony No. 3 which portrays a stormy depiction of Finland and its nature.

On Thursday, Oct. 7, the Spokane Arts Commission and the Spokane Symphony will air the second of its series of Classical Chat on City Channel 5 from the City Council Chambers in the lower level of City Hall from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. The program formerly known as Lunch and Learn and held at the Downtown Library will feature Lynn Feller-Marshall, Principal Bassoon and John Marshall, Principal Cello. It is hosted by KPBX Program Manager Verne Windham. The program is held on Thursdays before each of the Classics concert during the 2004-05 season.

Tickets range from $15 to $34 and are available Monday through Friday from 9:30-5:00 p.m. at the Spokane Symphony Ticket Office at 818 West Riverside Avenue or by calling (509) 624-1200. Tickets are also available on weekends and evenings, with a service charge, through Ticketswest at 325-SEAT, 1-800-325-SEAT or www.spokanesymphony.org.

This concert is in memory of Helen South Alexander. According to Symphony Development Director Amanda Livingston, Helen South Alexander and her husband Phillip were generous philanthropists, supporting the Spokane Symphony and many other arts organizations. We are thankful for their support to the Symphony Endowment and enjoyed having Helen's support as a concert sponsor for many, many years. She was especially excited about this particular concert since it features four of our own.