Don your finest evening attire for a night of classical music and art as The Grand Music Club presents: “Classical Expressions."
A combined classical music concert and art exhibit, prepare to be regaled with vocal performances by local residents and even Glendale Community College students on Saturday, Nov. 5, in the Sonoran Plaza Ballroom, 19753 N. Remington Dr.
Produced and directed by Katie Iverson, with David Seaburg, vocal ensembles, soloists, and instrumentalists will perform selections from classical composers, while artists display their works in an exhibition before the concert. After a two-year hiatus, due to the pandemic, plus having the March 5 performance rescheduled, the show will finally go on.
The classical shows have traditionally been held every March for nearly a decade. However, the last classical production was on March 7, 2020.
"We did the show and then the lockdown hit on March 13, 2020. The show in 2021 was cancelled due to Covid-19. Our show was supposed to go on March 5, 2022, but we again had to cancel due to Covid-19. We postponed it to Nov. 5, 2022," said Katie Iverson, co-producer/performer.
Meanwhile, participants persist in practicing their performances, leading up to the highly-anticipated production. Meet your fellow neighbors who took a break from practice to give you a glimpse into their lives.
Pamela Weir, Grand Singers’ chorale director
How long have you resided at The Grand?
Since 2011, for 11 years. We moved into The Grand under the 45-55 age category percentage allowed, but now definitely old enough to live here! My parents had a winter home here and once we bought a house and moved here permanently, they purchased a larger house and made The Grand their permanent residence.
What is your musical background?
I started playing violin in first grade, piano in sixth grade, I have a degree in music education with an emphasis on directing and performance. I directed my first musical group in high school, I have directed children’s choirs, a high school group, children’s community drama/music productions of "Annie," "The Music Man" and "The Wizard of Oz," and contemporary Christian music teams. I was originally a singer in the Grand Singers & Chorale and took over as director starting with the 2016-2017 season.
Are you retired from a career and if so what was it?
I still work full time. I am a client advisor in charge of securing the insurance and risk management for the Affluent Market. I have about 25 large clients and handle the insurance for their mansions, art collections, jewelry collections, yachts, airplanes, employees ... I’m fortunate enough to be able to work from my house and since my employer supports my involvement in music and other activities, I don’t see any immediate need to retire!
What attracted you to the performance/musical arts program here?
Music has always played a big part in my life. There is a quote (author unknown) that says “Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it a rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul.” Music has the power to create such positive feelings and emotions. Any chance we have to bring people together to share the beauty and power of music is a win in my book. The opportunity to combine Clubs within The Grand is just another way to bring our community together.
Name some of the classical music/classical composers’ works attendees can expect for the program:
We are singing pieces by a well-known composer, John Rutter, and more contemporary classical composers such as Michael John Trotta, Sonja Poorman and a favorite of mine, John Purifoy.
Katie Iverson, (co-producer/performer)
What was your role/duties as co-producer?
I find the performers from our club, coordinate with David Seaburg to find artists (from Photo and Clay Arts), coordinate with Bob Walling who is in charge of communicating with the chair of the GCC Performing Arts, help choose the music, coordinate rehearsal times and spaces, get info to CAM for room setup, and arrange and write the music for some of the performers.
What role will you have in the performance?
During the show, I will be singing in the Chorale, as well as performing a fun P.D.Q. Bach number with our newest group, “The Grand Boomwhackers.” Also, I am singing the “Laudate Dominum” by Mozart, one of my absolute favorite soprano solos, that I arranged for flute and soprano. I will also be playing the piano for a tenor solo, and playing the synthesizer in the “Adagio” by Albinoni, that I arranged for a male quartet.
How did you prepare?
Practice, practice, practice! I compose music and rehearse with pianists, singers and Tammy Gordon, our outstanding flutist.
How long have you lived at The Grand?
We moved here to Sun City Grand n 2004. What, that makes... 18 years now! And if anybody asks, I live in Sun City Grand -- proud to live in Sun City Grand!
What attracted you to the performance/musical arts at The Grand?
It’s all about a collection of people that have moved here that love music and want to make it a continuing part of their lives. My husband and I were always very involved with music, particularly singing with world-class conductors before we moved here from Denver. We didn’t want that to stop. So we jumped in and joined the music club and have been performing with them and creating artistic programs for our friends and neighbors for almost 20 years now. The attraction comes from making new friends, keeping our musical skills polished, and knowing how much music enriches the lives of both performers and audiences that live or visit here.
Are you retired from a career and if so what was it?
Yes, I am now retired. I have a masters in economics, and I was an expert witness in the energy regulatory field, working with a consulting company out of St. Louis.
David Seaburg, co-producer/director
My job is to coordinate with Katie Iverson in selecting musical numbers for the program, scheduling rehearsals, arranging set-up, securing space for practice and performance, securing technical support, meeting publicity deadlines, and most importantly, creating an enjoyable experience for our performers and audience. I also contacted artists for the exhibit before and after the classical concert.
For the concert, I will be a stagehand, but also [will] be performing in a tenor duet, a male quartet, a boomwhacker ensemble, and singing tenor with the chorale. I have been rehearsing my numbers with the other musicians involved, for the past month, and on my own plunking out my individual notes on the piano and listening to recordings to learn pronunciations and translations of the Italian lyrics.
I moved to Sun City Grand in 2016, following a teaching career of 33 years in Minnesota. My wife and I decided to give up shoveling snow for a life in the desert! We love it here and our face doesn’t freeze when we step outside. My wife and I were both teachers. I graduated with degrees in vocal performance, music education, and a graduate degree in curriculum and instruction. I have directed church choirs, community choirs, high school musicals, community theater productions, and taught K-12 music education. I have performed as a vocalist, actor, producer, and director.
Living in The Grand allows me the opportunity to keep following my passions. Being retired gives me time to keep living my dream, and meeting and making friends with others who share the same interests. It is a win-win!
The win-win also includes multi-generational benefits as two Glendale Community College students, Savannah Tluczek (soprano) and Dmitri Eldridge (piano), who received scholarships from The Grand's music club, will join their talents with the show participants to spotlight famous classical composers.