Celebrations!
7:30 p.m., Saturday October 7
Ames City Auditorium, 515 Clark Avenue

AMES, Iowa -- Central Iowa Symphony will launch its 20th season on October 7 with special guest Ralph Votapek, Gold Medalist of the first Van Cliburn International piano competition and winner of the prestigious Naumburg Award.

His performance, featuring the memorable Rachmoninoff Concerto No. 2, culminates a week-long Artist-in-Residency in Ames and central Iowa. Votapek's visit includes three concerts and several master classes at Iowa State University, Drake University and Graceland University. His October 7 performance with the Central Iowa Symphony will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Ames City Auditorium, 5th and Clark in Ames.

One of the ways we wanted to commemorate our 20th anniversary is to bring in a world-class soloist to launch our concert program series," said James Hannon, music director and conductor for the Central Iowa Symphony.

"I had had the privilege of performing with Ralph Votapek a number of times while in Michigan and I know what a thrilling performance he gives his audiences," he said. "When I brought the idea to our partners, there was no question that we wanted to bring him to Ames."

Votapek is professor of piano and artist in residence emeritus at the Michigan State University School of Music. His visit is a collaborative effort of CIS, the Iowa State University Music Department, Ames Town & Gown Chamber Music Association, the Ames International Orchestra Festival Association, and the Iowa State Center. Votapek performed September 29 with his wife, Albertina, to a sold-out crowd at the ISU Music Building.

"We are really looking forward to this performance," Hannon added. "Votapek has such flair and his performances are utterly flawless, the kind of "edge-of-your-seat" listening experience. He truly is world class and one of the great American pianists of the day."

The program also includes the Shostakovich Festival Overture and Borodin Symphony No. 2. Concert Conversations, an information discussion of the evening's program with Maestro Hannon, will begin at 6:45 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

Tickets are $14 for adults, $11 for seniors and $5 for students of all ages (children 5 and under are free). Ticket may be purchased at the door or via credit card by calling Ames City Auditorium, (515) 239-5360.

Other concerts in the season include "Sounds of the Season" on December 9, "Nursery Rhymes and Fairy Tales" on February 24, and "A Musical Flight" on May 4.

Central Iowa Symphony is comprised of professional musicians, music educators, exceptional student performers and accomplished amateurs from Ames and other communities in a four-county area. The current roster includes more than 60 musicians from Ames, Des Moines, Nevada, Gilbert, Boone, Story City, Jefferson, Marshalltown, Ankeny, Urbandale and Stratford.

More about Ralph Votapek