The Santa Cruz Mountains have cultural and artistic wonders tucked away in corners up and down its range. Some of those pleasures come out to play during Open Studios, art and wine festivals, First Fridays and other community based events.
In the musical sector, the Concertino Strings, a string orchestra with 25 players including piano, harpsichord or organ as needed, is an orchestra-in-residence at the Boulder Creek United Methodist Church at 12855 Boulder St.
The orchestra features programs every few months, and their performances for September will take place at the historic 150-year old church on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 11:30am and Saturday, Sept. 21, at 3pm.
Led by Boulder Creek resident Joanne Tanner and Associate Director Renata Bratt, Concertino Strings is a volunteer-based, self-funding community orchestra. The orchestra started during the pandemic in response to a desire for string players to play in a group in the absence of other opportunities to play. When a vaccine became available, the first rehearsals and concerts were held outdoors in the Carport Concert Hall down the street from the church.
Members include a former firefighter, educators, university professors, doctors and other medical professionals and more.
“We started this orchestra during the pandemic and it continues to increase in audience numbers and devoted performers, with a short concert every few months since inception,” said Tanner, who notes that orchestra members range in age from 40-74. “We feature many local soloists and performers as well as players from across the county, from Aptos and Aromas to Westside Santa Cruz and Bonny Doon.”
Tanner, 80, shares her musical prowess with the Concertino Strings as well as a small jazz band, Open Heartstrings, which can be found at local venues, such as the Scotts Valley Farmers’ Market.
Tanner said the two groups are very different from each other, although she revels in both.
“The orchestra is a full classical string orchestra that plays baroque music in its original orchestration as well as more modern symphonic pieces,” she said. “Both are primarily instrumental groups, though we have featured a choir for a Bach Cantata with the orchestra.”
Tanner added, “Most classical musicians who are skilled amateurs in this county only have an orchestral outlet by playing in Cabrillo College groups. There were no groups at Cabrillo for two whole years because of the pandemic, so rather than folding when Cabrillo opened its doors again, many excellent players preferred to stay with the Concertino Strings despite the drive up here.”
The group performs during daylight hours, which appeals to people who do not like to drive at night. The concerts are under an hour long and very casual, meaning no black suits and ties.
As an additional feature, Tanner and Bratt talk about the music they are playing to the audience.
“Bratt is a skilled arranger, and we have another orchestra member who is a skilled composer, Martin Gaskell. So they conduct their own pieces on some of the programs,” Tanner said. “I do not conduct with a baton like a modern orchestra conductor, but rather lead classical music with my violin and bow as was the custom in the 17th century.”
For the upcoming September performances, Bratt will lead the concerts. The featured works will be G.P. Telemann’s suite “Burlesque of Don Quixote,” an appropriate choice for a political season; Katie O’Hara LaBrie’s “Pachelbel Rhapsody,” a fantasy based on the much loved “Pachelbel Canon”; plus Pachelbel’s original “Gigue” written to be played with the Canon.
Concerts are under an hour long and admission is free. The atmosphere is casual and the church has air conditioning. Donations to the orchestra are gratefully received.
For more information on their upcoming performances, visit concertinostrings.com.
It’s great to see this local group getting some press attention. We love Concertino Strings!