The Entertainer

Two concerts feature Corvallis pianist Dow Yeh

The Willamette Valley Community Orchestra will open its 2009-2010 season with two concerts titled "Masterworks," at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, at the First Christian Church of Albany and 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, at First Christian Church of Corvallis.

Featured on the program will be Franz Schubert's Overture in C major in the "Italian Style," W.A. Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, and Franz Josef Haydn's Symphony No. 104 in D major "London."

The orchestra, conducted by music director Sean Paul Mills, is a volunteer, community-based, nonprofit group that was formed in January of 2008. The orchestra boasts an official roster of more than 60 instrumentalists who reside in Albany, Corvallis, Lebanon, Sweet Home, Scio, Junction City, Springfield, Eugene and other Willamette Valley communities.

Many of the orchestra's players also perform with the Eugene Symphony Orchestra, the Oregon Mozart Players, the Corvallis-OSU Symphony and other regional orchestras and bands.

Joining the orchestra for the Mozart concerto is Corvallis pianist Dow Yeh, son of Henry and Mai Sue Yeh.

As a young pianist, Dow placed second in the Oregon State Activities Association piano competition and also won the Jean Williams Scholarship. He has served as music director for various local theater productions, including "Cabaret," "Hello, Dolly!" and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," and as an accompanist at the First Christian Church of Corvallis. Dow is a music teacher at Jefferson Elementary School in Corvallis.

His last concerto performance was the first movement of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 with the Corvallis-OSU Symphony and he is looking forward to the opportunity to play another concerto with orchestra.

As is the Willamette Valley Community Orchestra's tradition, a preconcert discussion with music director Sean Paul Mills and guest soloist Dow Yeh, called "What the Music means to Me," will start

30 minutes before the performances. These discussions provide an opportunity for the audience to interact with the performers and to learn more about the music that will be performed at the concert.

Mills, a native of Eureka, Calif., brings a wealth of experience as both a conductor and cellist to his role with the orchestra. He has performed as conductor or cellist in California, Arizona, Iowa, Switzerland, France, Germany and Austria as a member of the Humboldt Symphony, the Humboldt Chamber Players, the Oregon Mozart Players, the Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra, the Quad City Symphony and other ensembles in addition to holding numerous teaching and directing posts in the mid-valley.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for college/university students, and free for children 18 and under. For more information about the Willamette Valley Community Orchestra, see www.wvcommunityorchestra.com or call 829.3932.

CHECK IT OUT

WHO: Willamette Valley Community Orchestra.

WHAT: "Masterworks" chamber orchestra concert featuring music by Franz Schubert, W.A. Mozart and Franz Josef Haydn. Featuring Corvallis pianist Dow Yeh as soloist.

WHEN/WHERE: 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, at First Christian Church. 432 Ferry St. S.W., Albany; and 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, First Christian Church, 602 S.W. Madison Ave., Corvallis. Pre-concert talks start 30 minutes before performances.

WHY: $10 for adults, $5 for college/university students, children admitted free with paid adult. Tickets available from orchestra members and at the door starting one hour prior to concerts.

INFO: www.wvcommunityorchestra.com or 829-3932.