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Simon Says
The almost-monthly newsletter of the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra
Valentine’s Day Edition
February 2010
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Do you really love us?
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Despite the formal wear, the fancy concert halls, and the exalted status granted to us by society, classical musicians, deep down, are just plain people. Plain, insecure people who need constant applause and adoration to feel worthwhile.
So, do you really love us? Really?
Facebook users: click here to post your love letter… or email us here.
Thanks, and happy valentine’s day.
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And we love you too!
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Members, we couldn’t live without you! Your generous support of the SFCO keeps our stalwart little band going, and growing.
In a few days, all members will be receiving a very special Valentine’s surprise via email… a little token of our love and appreciation.
Not a member yet? Don’t break this young man’s heart!
Click here to join our growing community of lovers – San Francisco Chamber Orchestra lovers!
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Concerto Countdown
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more days until the world premiere of Gabriela Lena Frank’s violin concerto for our concertmaster Robin Sharp. Are you excited? We are! Read more from our first-ever Composer-in-Residence, recent-Grammy-Award-winner in her new blog, an SFCO exclusive!!
Click here for Gabi’s latest installment
Tres Mitos de Mi Tierra, Gabi’s most recent piece, was commissioned by The King’s Singers and will be given it’s world premiere on Wednesday, Feb 17 at Herbst Theater through San Francisco Performances. Click here for more information.
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Love and Music Matching Game
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Match the quote and its author. Answers below.
1. If music be the food of love, play on.
2. He had 20 children because he had no stops on his organ.
3. I am not handsome, but when women hear me play, they come crawling to my feet.
4. In music the passions enjoy themselves. 
5. Music is my mistress, and she plays second fiddle to no one.
6. Music is only love, looking for words.
a.  Lawrence Durell
b. Duke Ellington
c. Friedrich Nietzsche
d. Niccolo Paganini
e. Johann Sebastian Bach
f. William Shakespeare
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Coming up
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Family Concert
Music and Song
with the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir
SF: Sat, Feb 27 2pm
Berkeley: Sun Feb 28 noon
San Mateo: Sun Feb 28 3pm
Click here for more information.
Our next Classical at the Freight program brings the triumphal  return of the fabulous San Francisco Brass Quintet in a wide-ranging program. This is a ticketed event: $8.50 until 7pm on the night of the show; $9.50 after that. Members get two tickets for the price of one at the door only; not on advance sales. Click here for more info.
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Musician’s classified #1
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For sale: Viola, German, 19th century, 405mm. Excellent condition. Recently tuned.
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Congratulations, Stephen!
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 2009 Debut Artist Stephen Waarts continues his rocketing success, winning the recent Fremont Symphony’s Young Artist Competition. SFCO fans will remember his remarkable Mendelssohn violin concerto performances with us last season back when he was only 12! Stephen will be also be heard on the national radio program ‘From the Top’ in February, after winning first place in KDFC’s 2009 Classical Star Search, ages 10 to 20.
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Adopt-a-Musician
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February special on violists: $499.95, while supplies last
Get in on the ground floor of a new fundraising program for your favorite chamber orchestra, wherein you can “adopt” a member of the orchestra for an entire year for a very reasonable sum (and don’t have to provide housing, clothing, or meals… or college…such a deal! ).
Adopt any SFCO musician, of your choice: $500 (violists $499.95, while supplies last)
Interested? Colleen would be delighted to talk to you (415-692-5297), or email her here.
Your support helps keep our priceless music absolutely free, our concerts more frequent, and our connections with our community stronger. Thank you.
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Math for Musicians
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From the Jewelyard School of Music exit exam (doctoral program):
Ralph loves to drink coffee. Each week he drinks three more cups of coffee than Harold who drinks exactly one third the amount the entire bass section consumes in beer. How much longer is Ralph going to live?
Got questions? Need some musical advice? Dating a violist?
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Typical SFCO concertgoers are
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suave, sophisticated, and sexy.
But not all orchestras can claim such wonderful listeners. Click here to see the kinds of people other groups are attracting.
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Musician’s classified #2
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Established string quartet seeks two violinists and a cellist.
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Love and Music Matching Game answers
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1f
2e
3d
4c
5b
6a
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Video of the month
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Does anyone remember Jack Benny?
Classic comedy. And who is his accompanist? The thirteenth person to email the correct answer gets a free 2009 – 10 season poster.
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Simon Says
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Our season starts to heat up now, and won’t cool down until mid-May… so fasten your seatbelts for an exciting musical ride. Our next Home Series concert, Mandolin Magic, will feature Israeli mandolin virtuoso Avi Avital and music of Corelli, Bach, Beethoven, and Osvaldo Golijov, represented by his sexy, simmering Last Rounds, written as an homage to tango master Astor Piazzolla.
And pass word of our upcoming Family Concerts to all your friends with kids – these admission-free, less-than-an-hour programs are the perfect introduction to classical music for listeners young and older. Come hear four wonderful woodwind players and the amazing Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir and beat those rainy-day blues with some great songs about water, and rain.
As ever, thanks for your continued support. Our orchestra continues to strengthen and grow, despite a rough economy. If you’re interested in volunteering or getting more involved with the Bay Area’s favorite chamber orchestra, drop us an email. Memberships make great gifts for friends and family… and help support our mission of making classical music accessible to all.
Musically yours,
Ben Simon
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