February 12, 2025

[Vancouver, WA. February 12, 2025] – The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA’s 2024-2025 Chamber Music Series will continue with the VSO Chamber Ensemble: Mozart’s Gran Partita program. Presented by Oregon Public Broadcasting, performances will be held on March 8, 2025 at 7 p.m at Joyce Garver Theater in Camas, WA and on March 9, 2025 at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Vancouver, WA. The program will be conducted by maestro Ken Selden, the Director of Orchestral Studies at Portland State University. Selden has conducted for the VSO on several occasions in the past, most recently in March of 2024 for the Woodwind Serenades program.

This program features one of Mozart’s greatest masterworks, the brilliant Serenade No. 10, famously known as “Gran Partita.” Roughly translating to the “big wind symphony” this masterpiece features a total of thirteen musicians, twelve winds and a double bass. Like other serenades, Gran Partita was likely composed for an outdoor party or function. As a result, the seven movements take the audience on a thrilling journey filled with beautifully rich textures and stunning contrasts all presented with a masterful clarity only achieved by Mozart.

What: VSO Chamber Ensemble: Mozart’s Gran Partita
When/Where:
March 8, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Joyce Garver Theater, 1500 NE Garfield St., Camas, WA 98607
March 9, 2025 at 3 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church, 4300 Main St., Vancouver, WA 98663
Tickets: Available at vancouversymphony.org

About Ken Selden
Ken Selden is the Director of Orchestral Studies at Portland State University. Selden is also the 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 VSO 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 46th 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 Foundation, Oregon Public Broadcasting, AC Hotel by Marriott, United Grain Corporation, Columbia Credit Union, All Classical Radio, Gravitate, Dick Hannah Dealerships, The Columbian, Michelle’s Piano Co., Pacific Office Automation, Steinway & Sons Portland, The VIC, Kiggins Theatre, and Opsahl Dawson.

###
THE VANCOUVER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
PO BOX 525 VANCOUVER, WA 98666 PHONE 360-735-7278 FAX 360-906-0355
www.vancouversymphony.org