Wyoming Arts Council

2010 Piatigorsky Tour — ten concerts in nine Wyoming communities May 5-12

Uncategorized | April 6, 2010

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Here’s information on the 2010 Piatigorsky Tour in Wyoming:

For over 16 years, the Piatigorsky Foundation’s commitment to artistic excellence and public outreach has fascinated many avid concert goers as well as curious first-timers. It is this combination of complimentary access, flamboyant performances, and human warmth that makes Piatigorsky Foundation concerts so appealing to diverse audiences. For the seventh consecutive year, The Muriel & Seymour Thickman Family Charitable Trust is funding the Piatigorsky Foundation’s tour of Wyoming.

Beginning in Sheridan May 5th, and concluding on May 12th in Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, the tour will include public concerts and school outreach programs. The Wyoming Arts Council has served as the facilitator for this tour with each of the communities throughout the state.

Evan Drachman established The Piatigorsky Foundation in 1990 in honor of his grandfather Gregor Piatigorsky. Piatigorsky deeply believed in the healing and inspiration power of classical music. He once said, “Music makes life better. Music is a necessity. It is rich. It is imaginative. It is magnificent. And it is for everyone”. Through his sizzling artistry and charismatic personality, Piatigorsky thus enlivened his mission by performing for millions of people around the globe. The Piatigorsky Foundation is committed to carrying on Piatigorsky’s noble aspirations by evoking cultural curiosity through educational and accessible live performances.

Harpist Heidi Krutzen and flutist Lorna McGhee (shown in photo above) are re-envisioning the traditional flute and harp duo. Exploring the full expressive capabilities of their instruments, they are surprising audiences with a richness of sound, kaleidoscopic colors and dynamic range rarely heard from the flute and harp. Both Heidi and Lorna are accomplished soloists and orchestral musicians. Heidi is principal harpist with both the Vancouver Opera and CBC Radio Orchestras, and is regularly featured at festivals such as the Seattle Chamber Music Festival, Music in the Morning, and Bach Dynamite and Dancing Festival. She is on the faculty for the National Youth Orchestra of Canada and teaches at the University of British Columbia. Lorna was formerly the co-principal flutist with the BBC Symphony, England, and currently teaches at the University of British Columbia. Lorna has given concerto performances with the London Symphony, BBC Scottish Symphony, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Victoria Symphony.

As a duo, they have given concerto performances in Canada and the United States, including a gala performance of Mozart’s Flute and Harp concerto at the 2004 National Flute Association Convention. They have played at many of the premiere chamber music festivals in North America. Their performances have been broadcast on Netherlands Radio, CBC and NPR radio stations. The Duo’s first CD, “Taheke, 20th Century Masterpieces for Flute and Harp,” was released on the Skylark label in 2004 to critical acclaim. This disc featured the Duo’s first commission, “Taheke” by New Zealand composer, Gareth Farr. The Duo has since commissioned three new works from Canadian composers, all of which are included on their latest CD, “Canada, New Works for Flute and Harp.” Heidi and Lorna have given recitals and master classes at many North American universities, as well as outreach tours for The Piatigorsky Foundation in the United States. In 2006, they were guest artists at the British Flute Society Convention. Throughout the season they have a rich and diverse recital schedule, often involving collaborations with distinguished string players, wind players, percussionists and choirs, in the pursuit of interesting and unusual repertoire. In this way, Heidi and Lorna hope to raise the profile of their instruments and expand the repertoire, presenting relevant and vital programs in concert and on disc. Please visit their website at:

The upcoming Wyoming concerts are scheduled for:
Wednesday, May 5th, 7 p.m., Dayton, Tongue River Valley Community Center, 1100 US Highway 14, call 307-655-9419 for information.
Thursday, May 6th, 2 p.m., Upton, Upton Middle School, 802 Juniper St., call 307-468-2361 for information.
Friday, May 7th, 7 p.m., Worland, Worland Community Center Complex Conference Room, 1200 Culbertson Avenue, call 866-388-1438 for information.
Saturday, May 8th, Thermopolis, Community Federated Presbyterian Church, 244 N. 6th St., call 307- 864-3391 for information.
Sunday, May 9th, 7 p.m., Lander, Trinity Episcopal Church, 860 S. 3rd St., call 307-332-2509 for information.
Monday May 10th, 2 p.m., Wamsutter, Desert School, 235 Bugas Ave., call 307-324-7811 for information.
7 p.m., Saratoga, Platte Valley Community Center, 210 W. Elm St., call 307-328-9274 for information.
Wednesday, May 12th, 1:30 p.m., Pine Bluffs, Pine Bluffs High School, 512 Maple St., call 307-245-4000 for information.
7 p.m., Pine Bluffs, Pine Bluffs Community Center, 708 Lawson St. call 307-245-3301 for information.

All performances are open to the public with the exception of the performance at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Sheridan.

For more information regarding the Wyoming concert venues and times, contact the Wyoming Arts Council at 307-777-7742, or visit the web site at https://wyoarts.state.wy.us/

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