VIOLIN VIRTUOSO LAUNCHES CENTRAL IOWA SYMPHONY'S SWEETHEART SEASON

Brian's Back!
Sunday, October 13, 3 p.m.
Ames City Auditorium, 515 Clark Avenue

AMES, Iowa -- The Central Iowa Symphony launches its 16th season in style with violin virtuoso Brian Lewis. In 1999, Lewis undertook a five-day central Iowa residency that culminated in a triumphant performance of the Sibelius concerto. Once again, Lewis will spend nearly a week leading master classes and working with music students at Ames Middle School, Ames High School and Iowa State University.

Lewis' visit will conclude with a performance of Tchaikovsky's monumental Violin Concerto in a concert with the Central Iowa Symphony on Sunday, October 13. The symphony journeys around the world for the remainder of the program, including stops in Czechoslovakia (Dvorak's Symphonic Variations), Sweden (Alfven's Swedish Rhapsody No. 1) and America (Cowell's Saturday Night at the Firehouse).

The 70-member community orchestra, under the direction of Mark Laycock, Director of Orchestral Activities at Iowa State University, is comprised of professional musicians, music educators, exceptional student performers, and accomplished amateurs.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $11 for seniors, $5 for students (ages 5 years and under are free). Tickets may be purchased at the door, or in advance from the Ames Community Center (telephone orders taken at 239-5360).

Central Iowa Symphony is sponsoring the residency with help from the Suzuki Parents Association of Ames that represents about 80 area students, and the Bill and Sylvia McCormick Fund of the Central Iowa Symphony Foundation.


WHAT'S BEING SAID ABOUT BRIAN LEWIS

Named National Artist of the Year by Young Audiences in 1998, Lewis has established himself as both a gifted and charismatic young violinist. Acclaimed performances include concerto debuts in both New York's Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall, as well as performances with the Berlin, Syracuse, American (New York), Wichita, Topeka, Hartford, Greenwich and Amarillo symphony orchestras.

His recent Lincoln Center recital debut was a brilliant success. Activities in Central and South America include a residency in San José for the U.S. - Costa Rican Cultural Center, recitals and master classes throughout Honduras for the United States Information Agency, and concerto performances with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Lima. In addition to his numerous solo recitals throughout America and abroad, Mr. Lewis has appeared at the festivals of Cabrillo, Aspen, Sunflower and St. Barth's.

Known for his variety in programming and ability to community with audiences of all ages, Lewis performs frequently as a member of the Mid-America Arts Alliance and Kansas Arts Commission Touring Programs as well as Young Audiences of Houston. He holds both bachelor and master's degrees in music from The Juilliard School, where he was a scholarship student of Dorothy DeLay, Masao Kawasaki and Hyo Kang.

"Three years ago, Brian Lewis was the soloist for my first concert as conductor of the Central Iowa Symphony. All of us were impressed by his artistry and generosity, both on and off the stage. He is a warm, caring individual, an outstanding teacher, and a tremendously gifted violinist.

"Once again, Brian will make Ames his home for several days, working with a wide variety of students, visiting school music classrooms and sharing his experience and mastery of a wide range of musical styles. His performance with the Central Iowa Symphony is not to be missed. The Tchaikovsky concert is an incredibly exciting piece. Knowing Brian as I do, I am sure he will bring to this music boundless energy, virtuosic technique and heart-stopping emotional intensity."

"When Brian came to Ames three years ago, we were absolutely charmed by his personality and charismatic ability to transmit the joy of music with children. He is a vibrant person and very motivational, and people are still talking about his visit.

"Brian Lewis grew up in the Suzuki tradition, the son of Alice Joy Lewis of Ottawa, who is one of the leading Suzuki educators in the United States. It is wonderful that two organizations can work together to bring a musician of this caliber to Ames."