\The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA is excited to announce a second performance of its upcoming Woodwind Serenades program has been added to its schedule. Performances will be held Saturday, March 9 at Joyce Garver Theater in Camas, WA, and Sunday, March 10 at First Presbyterian Church in Vancouver, WA. The program is part of the VSO’s Chamber Music Series, sponsored by Oregon Public Broadcasting, and will be conducted by the conductor and music director of the Portland State University Orchestra, Maestro Ken Selden. Selden has conducted for the VSO on several occasions in the past, most recently in April of 2021 when piano virtuoso Orli Shaham performed Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2 for the VSO’s all-virtual season.

This program includes Antonín Dvořák’s Serenade for Wind Instruments, Op. 44 and W.A. Mozart’s Serenade No. 11 for winds in E-flat major, and will feature VSO musicians Dieter Ratzlaf, Garrett Jellesma, Alan Juza, Nicholas Thompson, Igor Shakhman, Barbara Heilmair, Margaret McShea, Joe Hartman, Nicole Buetti, Dan Partridge, Wendy Peebles, and James Cameron. Mozart’s Serenade is an example of the German Harmoniemusik, which designated music performed on wind instruments that was meant to be heard outdoors during parties or recreation. Dvořák’s Serenade is marked for its old-world, classical style, which is reminiscent of the Rococo period and inspired by the works of Mozart.

What: VSO Chamber Music Series Presents: Woodwind Serenades

When: Saturday, March 9 at 7:00 PM; Sunday, March 10 at 3:00 PM

Where: Saturday: Joyce Garver Theater, 1500 NE Garfield St, Camas, WA 98607; Sunday: First Presbyterian Church, 4300 Main St, Vancouver, WA 98663 

Tickets: $25 ($10 students) 

The VSO’s 2023/24 Chamber Music Series is sponsored by Oregon Public Broadcasting.

About Ken Selden

Ken Selden is conductor and music director of the Portland State University Orchestra, a position he has held since 2006. Under his direction, the PSU Orchestra has received three awards in Adventurous Programming from ASCAP and the League of American Orchestras. In addition to annual ballet and opera productions, the orchestra has hosted guest artists Manuel Barrueco, China Forbes, Matt Haimovitz, Anna Polonsky, Awadagin Pratt, and Orli Shaham.

Since arriving in Portland, Selden has appeared as guest conductor of the Oregon, Vancouver, Newport, and Eugene Symphonies, as well as the Salem Chamber Orchestra, Third Angle, Fear No Music, and Portland Youth Philharmonic. His two recordings of Mahler and Debussy arrangements with the Martingale Ensemble have been released on MSR Classics.

Prior to his appointment at PSU, Selden led a series of performances as assistant conductor of the Brooklyn Philharmonic and the Eos Orchestra. While in New York, he also conducted the Juilliard Pre-College Orchestras and the New Jersey Youth Symphony, and served as music director of orchestras at Brooklyn College and Columbia University.

About The Chamber Music Series

The VSO Chamber Music Series is presented by Oregon Public Broadcasting. The series was co-created by Dr. Michael C. Liu, VSO pianist and board member, and Dr. Igor Shakhman. VSO CEO and Principal Clarinet. The VSO Chamber Music Series is proud to provide enchanting chamber music in an intimate setting. Originally intended to be played in a small chamber, hall, or house, chamber music showcases musician virtuosity in melodies that are quite exposed in a typical ensemble of three to six musicians. Listeners enjoy an entirely new concert experience meant to speak to every individual in a comfortable space. The content of each VSO concert is unique, ranging from musical accompaniment for silent films and operatic soloists, to traditional string quartets and trios. Now in its eleventh season, the VSO Chamber Music Series continues to provide this matchless art form to the Vancouver community.

About The VSO

The VSO, now in its 45th season, has been a cornerstone of Southwest Washington's arts community, providing symphonic music of the highest caliber in live performances and through music education in schools, concert halls, and throughout the community. For more information, please visit vancouversymphony.org.

About our Sponsors

The VSO is generously supported by individual donors, The M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Realvest Corporation, United Grain Corporation, The Kuni Foundation, Oregon Public Broadcasting, the AC Hotel Mariott, The Columbian, Columbia Credit Union, Dick Hannah, Gravitate, PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, All Classical Portland, Michelle’s Piano Co., Steinway & Sons, Pacific Office Automation, and The VIC