The Turning Point

Back in September, when Rush Hour staff began planning for the holiday card, I was struck by the use of the word “solstice” instead of the more ubiquitous “holidays.” I thought to impress all of you today by giving you as compact and detailed an explanation of solstice as I could crib from Wikipedia, only to find that the winter solstice to which we refer is entirely dependent upon relative hemispheric location, and whether or not one uses a solar-based calendar. I figure that last sentence may well be as incomprehensible to you as reading the solstice explanation was to me. In any case, if determining our exact solstice requires either a protractor or advanced math skills, I’m not the person for the job.

Therefore, I referred to my perennial standby, Webster’s Dictionary, and found an interesting sub-definition: “a furthest or culminating point; a turning point.”

While looking at the images on the Rush Hour holiday card during these cold weeks it may be difficult to believe that the delights of the season are just around the corner. But for RH staff, December is our actual turning point. In less than six months (June 3rd, to be exact) Rush Hour’s 9th season will begin. As December rushes around us, we are finalizing the programs and laying all of the groundwork for the season ahead.

For the staff, Rush Hour is a love affair that is never dormant. When we say in our card, “our thoughts turn to those who recognize the value of music in life,” we are thinking of you, our dear audience, artists, and stakeholders, excited about the turning point that takes us back to the magic of Rush Hour’s summer season.

- Megan Balderston

Recommendations from the Artistic Director: December and early January concerts

“I think I should have no other mortal wants, if I could always have plenty of music.” – George Eliot

I’m with her!

There is much music to recommend this month, beginning this Saturday, December 15 at 7:30 p.m. with “Christmas at the Cathedral” at St. James Cathedral. Two Bach works, Concerto for Violin in A minor, BWV 189, and Magnificat, BMV 243, will be featured. The requested donation is $15.

It will provide beautiful music in a beautiful setting, and a lovely end to your day if you’re holiday shopping on Michigan Avenue.

Next, welcome the new year with one of Rush Hour 2007′s most dynamic groups, Third Coast Percussion Quartet. RH’s Fanfare group heard them again at its winter concert event at Loyola last week. They continue to amaze audiences with their pyrotechnics and interactive programs. TCP4 is performing at Sherwood Conservatory on Wednesday, January 9 at 7:00 p.m.

The program will range from the raucous to the meditative, featuring the premiere of Marcos Balter’s “Dark Rooms” written for TCP4, as well as music by Toru Takemitsu, John Cage, Peter Garland and Nico Muhly. Marimbist Matthew Coley will join Third Coast for Minoru Miki’s “Marimba Spiritual”. Admission is $15 for adults, $5 for students (Sherwood students attend free).

Finally, I have two books to recommend for those of you who may be looking for a music-oriented reading for yourself or others this holiday season:

Lexicon of Musical Invective by Nicolas Slonimsky (W.W. Norton) is an entertaining compilation of “critical assaults on composers since Beethoven’s time.” It seems that contemporary composers are not the first to be subject to a vitriolic pen!

The Ill Tempered String Quartet by Lester Chafetz (McFarland & Company) is billed as “a Vademecum for the Amateur Musician.” It is both humorous and practical, containing an interesting section of notes on the string quartet literature, as well as insights into the workings of an amateur string quartet.

May your holiday season be filled with warmth, great music, and good reading by cozy fireplaces!

The Season’s Warmest Wishes,

Deborah Sobol

Internship Opportunities with Rush Hour

Are you a student interested in music, marketing, or international culture, or do you know a student who is?

Rush Hour is currently seeking talented and culturally curious interns for the winter and/or spring terms.

A more detailed description of the opportunity can be found here. Interested candidates should send their cover letter and resume to jobs@rushhour.org.

Rush Hour Concerts at Loyola: In Tune With You

Rush Hour’s Fanfare Committee partnered with Loyola University Chicago to present a special winter concert event at its Water Tower Campus on Monday, December 3.

The evening was a delight for the senses: Argo Tea tantalized audience members’ taste buds with their white chocolate mint holiday tea blend; Owen Clayton Condon and Peter Martin of Third Coast Percussion Quartet mesmerized the eyes and ears of Loyola students, faculty, and staff with their incredible performance on the marimba.

Special thanks to the student group at Loyola who helped organize the event and introduce Rush Hour to a new community!