PACIFIC SYMPHONY’S “OC CAN YOU PLAY?” PUBLIC ART PROJECT DISPLAYING PIANOS ACROSS ORANGE COUNTY KICKS OFF WITH LAUNCH PARTY AT SOUTH COAST PLAZA ON SUNDAY, JAN. 16!
The Symphony and presenting partners Yamaha and South Coast Plaza
host the free event—open to all—with performances by Yamaha musicians;
plus, the public is invited to perform!
Everyone is invited! Pacific Symphony and presenting sponsors Yamaha and South Coast Plaza invite the public to a launch event for “OC Can You Play?” on Sunday, Jan. 16, from 3-5 p.m. The event kicks off a three-week public pianos project taking place Jan. 16-Feb. 6, featuring 20 colorfully painted pianos on display throughout Orange County for everyone to play and enjoy. The launch party, with refreshments from Crème de la Crème, is taking place in Jewel Court at South Coast Plaza (SCP)—the central hub for “OC Can You Play?”—and features three young pianists and a faculty member from the premiere Irvine Yamaha Music Center performing their own compositions on a grand piano. In addition to Jewel Court, pianos are on display at Carousel Court and in the Crate & Barrel/Macy’s Home Store wing (for a full list of locations, see below).
“OC Can You Play?” offers a variety of contests—from a “Piano Scavenger Hunt” (visit all 20 pianos for a chance to win season tickets—or visit three pianos for 20 percent off a ticket purchase) to “Best Video” (capture a performance on video and win tickets to an upcoming concert). Keep up with all the contests, scheduled performances and activities at www.pacificsymphony.org/OCCanUPlay (where you can also find links to partner websites with scheduled performances).
Following the launch event, the Irvine Yamaha Music Center students are invited to “create their own piano performance” on all three of the pianos at SCP, and the public—individuals or groups comprised of family members or friends—are encouraged to do the same; impromptu or planned classical, rock and jazz, etc., performances are welcome; the more creative or theatrical, the better! Think Chopsticks to Chopin, Bach to the Beatles—“OC Can You Play?” is an equal-opportunity project, as much for novices as virtuosos. Come, play, reconnect with your musical soul, videotape a performance and display it on YouTube and the Symphony’s Facebook page!
All of the pianos have been donated by presenting sponsor Yamaha and supporting sponsor Kawai, and the Piano Technicians Guild is providing significant support in preparing and tuning the pianos.
In addition to the three pianos at SCP, 17 more are scheduled to turn up in public spaces throughout OC—all painted by local professional artists. During the three-week period, a piano can be found at: Downtown Disney in Anaheim; the Irvine Spectrum Center; the Block at Orange; No Square Theater, Laguna Beach; Brea Downtown; and one near the Mission in San Juan Capistrano. Also among the hosting sites are the Orange County Performing Arts Center; Irvine Barclay Theater; the University of California, Irvine; The Lab in Costa Mesa; Great Park in Irvine; Downtown Fullerton; OC Parks-OC Zoo; OASIS Senior Center in Newport Beach; Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley; Downtown Santa Ana; the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, City of Mission Viejo, and Hoag Hospital in Irvine!
A majority of the artists painting the pianos are Orange County residents—all of whom have donated their time and talent to the project. Several of them, including Carolyn Yarnell and Joni Renee, are also musicians or composers. Artists of note include Arturo Guevara, a Mexican-born artist and Tom Brown, who paints exquisite OC landscapes. In addition, Joni Renée, an artist from the Santa Ana Artists Village and a musician, is painting a piano for Downtown Santa Ana. For a complete list of artists visit: www.pacificsymphony.org/OCCanUPlay.
Other “OC Can You Play?” Initiatives
“OC Can You Play?” was inspired by the Symphony’s 2010-11 season, dubbed the “Year of the Piano,” which features top pianists all season long, including Yuja Wang, Lise de la Salle and Lang Lang. The project also includes two other initiatives, the first beginning in March, when the Symphony hosts the competition “OC Can You Sing?” for amateur singers. (The submission period is now through Jan. 31). Then, for “OC Can You Play With Us?,” taking place in May, the Symphony invites amateur musicians to play side-by-side with the Symphony, conducted by Music Director Carl St.Clair, in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. For details, visit: www.pacificsymphony.org/Allwedoisplay
More on “OC Can You Sing?”
Ever dreamed of being on “American Idol”? The second initiative takes place in March when Pacific Symphony hosts the competition, “OC Can You Sing?,” designed for amateur singers living in Orange County. Audition tapes are now being accepted; residents are invited to submit video-taped performances to YouTube). Chosen by a panel and the public, finalists compete at the Symphony’s Pops concert featuring “American Idol” finalist Katharine McPhee, led by Principal Pops Conductor Richard Kaufman, on March 17-19 at 8 p.m., in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. For details on how to submit a video, visit www.pacificsymphony.org/OCCanUSing. For more information, contact Brandon Rueda at (714) 876-2335; or brueda@pacificsymphony.org
More on “OC Can You Play With Us?”
Ever dreamed of playing in a professional orchestra? The final initiative, “OC
Can You Play With Us?,” takes place May 16, when amateur musicians have the opportunity to perform side-by-side with Pacific Symphony musicians. Sponsored by MetLife, this event is for adult amateur musicians over the age of 24 who want to experience what it is like to perform on stage with the Symphony. Applicants are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis for the chance to play with the orchestra on the stage of the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall under the baton of Maestro St.Clair. Each hour-long session consists of a short rehearsal, followed by a mini-performance of movements from Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.” Registration opens Feb. 15. For details: www.pacificsymphony.org/PlayWithUs. For more information, contact Molly Pontin at 714-876-2343 or mpontin@pacificsymphony.org.
Jayce Keane
Director of Public Relations
Pacific Symphony
3631 S. Harbor Blvd. Suite 100
Santa Ana, CA 92704
Direct: 714/ 876-2383 │Tickets: 714/ 755-5799
www.PacificSymphony.org
