Ken Selden tells about upcoming programming for the Portland State Symphony

In response to my posting about ASCAP, Ken Selden recently sent an email to me, explaining some of the programming decisions at Portland State and where things are going. He also mentioned that I can share it here. So here it is:

After winning two first prizes from ASCAP, this season we made a conscious decision to focus instead on three major collaborations: the Beethoven Mass with the PSU Chorale, Messiaen's Oiseaux Exotiques with Orli Shaham, and Verdi's Falstaff with Richard Zeller and the PSU Opera Theatre. Although we continued to present music of prominent contemporary composers, we decided to work in more detail in preparation for the performances to insure that these important collaborations were successful.

Our upcoming season will continue to focus on collaboration and education. Thanksgiving weekend, for example, we are presenting the complete Rossini-Resphigi ballet La boutique fantasque with the Portland Ballet. Of course there will be another surprise guest artist in the winter, and another major opera production in the spring.

We also plan to continue performing the music of our time. We are particularly excited to represent the state of Oregon as a participant in the current Ford Foundation national commissioning project: by the end of the upcoming season, the new Joseph Schwanter piece Chasing Light will have been played by orchestras from all 50 states.

Again, thanks for your continued interest and support. Best wishes,

Ken

Ken Selden
Director of Orchestral Studies
Portland State University
http://myspace.com/psusymphony