2023 Pops Concert series set for the fairgrounds
By John Steffanic
Plumas Sierra County Fair Manager
The crowds have been small for the Plumas Goes Pops concerts that have been held at the Plumas Sierra County Fairgrounds, but the quality of the performances would draw hundreds elsewhere. For two years, the PSCF Foundation has brought the very best musicians from Northern Nevada and beyond to Plumas County. The Foundation is the non-profit that supports the Plumas Sierra County Fairgrounds. Along with all the improvements, equipment purchases and promotion the organization does, it feels it is appropriate to help offer a diverse selection of entertainment to serve the residents of Plumas County. Foundation President Nancy Gambell says that it has been an honor to provide these concerts and a source of pride for the non-profit.
Support for the concerts has been small but passionate. The Foundation is grateful for that committed group of fans that have purchased season tickets and been very understanding of postponements brought on by a pandemic and forest fires. And weather. There was still one make -up concert that had been postponed on several occasions and had been scheduled to be held on Friday, Feb. 24, but alas, this last snowstorm thwarted that concert once again. Announcement of a new date will be coming soon.
The Foundation wants to know if there is truly enough support in Plumas County for these sorts of performances. Assuming no other oddball circumstances arise, the dates for the 2023 Plumas Goes Pops Concert series have been set. Three concerts are planned throughout the spring and this is everyone’s chance to “cast a vote” as to whether these performances should be offered in the future. Individual concert tickets are $20 each, or you can purchase a season ticket for all three concerts for $50. Students with a current school ID can attend for only $10. Tickets can be purchased at the Fair Office, on the Fair website: www.plumas-sierracountyfair.net, or at the door. Student tickets can only be purchased at the Fair Office or at the door. Sponsorships are available as well, contact the Fair Office.
The Northern Nevada String Serenade has performed for Plumas County audiences before. This highly talented group of musicians under the direction of Jane Brown have transformed Serpilio Hall into a magical space rarely seen in a rural area. The group features members of the Ruby Mountain Symphony and the Reno Pops Orchestra. As a special treat, Marina Roznitovsky will be joining the serenade in a performance of “The Dancing Harp”. Marina and her mother, Nataly, enthralled an audience in the Tulsa Scott Pavilion last year with a harp and piano recital that is still talked about. The program will also include Sinfonia No. 11 (movements 1 and 2) by Mendelssohn, Debussy’s Danses Sacre et Profane and Romanian Dances by Bartok, both featuring Marina. Finally, a composition by conductor Jane Brown; O’Carolan’s Wedding Feast. Come enjoy this performance on Saturday, March 11 at 7pm in Serpilio Hall.
On Saturday, April 22 at 7 p.m., Plumas Goes Pops is happy to present “Draw Four”. This undergraduate saxophone quartet from the University of Nevada, Reno, has performed at Artown Reno and as a featured guest ensemble at the Nevada Music Educators Association Small Schools All-State conference in Elko, NV. This exciting ensemble includes majors in Music Education, Mathematics, Engineering, and Communications Studies and the musical genres they play are as varied as their academic pursuits. In addition to beloved classics and original compositions, Quincy audiences will be treated to jazz, folk, popular, and Broadway tunes, thanks to the versatile expressive range of the saxophone. Draw Four is coached by Dr. Aaron Hill and is comprised of Jacob Richetta on soprano sax, Devin Haverly on alto sax, Zach Hooker on tenor and Elizabeth Westerlin on baritone saxophone.
Finally, close out the series on May 6 at 7 p.m. Reno Modern Brass has been committed to commissioning and performing new works for brass quintet since 2017. To date, the group has commissioned, premiered, and recorded a dozen pieces, most of which were written by composers with close ties to Northern Nevada, including pieces by jazz-focused writers such as Larry Engstrom, Brandon Sherman, Tristan Selzler, Jef Derderian, Timothy Gay, and Bijou Bell. In addition to their new works, Reno Modern Brass enjoys performing a wide variety of repertoire, including jazz, pop, and classical music.
