The Tysons McLean Orchestra, with Gerald Fowkes, Music Director of the McLean Youth Orchestra (MYO), are pleased to announce that Andrew “Drew” Lisowski will join the MYO artistic staff as Conductor of the Repertory Ensemble (Rep). For more information please see press release here…
Monday, March 26, 2018
Falls Church News-Press: F.C. Episcopal’s Organ Up to the Task of Saint-Saen’s 3rd Symphony
By Nicholas F. Benton
If there is one word to describe Camille Saint-Saens’ Third Symphony, known as the Organ Symphony, is would be “big.” Some have said that it would fill the Grand Canyon with its sound. Truly, it is a reason why I tell friends that they haven’t experienced that work until they see it performed live. No recording can really do it justice.
That being said, that big, big symphony was not too big for the mighty organ and the perfect acoustics of the main, newer sanctuary of the Falls Church Episcopal Church, where the talented Tysons McLean Orchestra took up the challenge of the amazing work last Saturday night. If there was anything lacking in the concert, it was only that more people weren’t there to enjoy it. The performance deserved to have been done to a standing room only audience to match the standing ovation it received. READ MORE
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| Maestra Miriam Burns sits down with Television Host Rich Massabny on an episode of “Conversations with Rich” for the Arlington Weekly News. CLICK HERE TO VIEW ON YOUTUBE |
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
McLean Connection: McLean Orchestra’s Splash of Emotion
Local orchestra begins its 45th season on Oct. 10 at Oakcrest School performance hall.
By Ken Moore
McLean Orchestra conductor and musical director Miriam Burns doesn’t hesitate from knowledge that she can change a life in one evening.
“That’s the kind of splash I want to continue making,” she said.
When she conducts, she can feel the rapt attention of the audience when she and her orchestra perform at mastery.
“All of us on stage are thrilled to be sharing a musical masterpiece and telling a story on stage,” she said. “I don’t see how people can live without great music, it can be such a powerful force in life. We all need it.” READ MORE
Monday, April 29, 2013
McLean Connection: McLean Orchestra Hosts ‘Midnight in Paris’
Orchestra offers its final “Season of Imagination” concert on May 4
By Andrea Worker
Trust people who wear formal attire as their uniform, and those who direct and administer their efforts, to know how to put on a gala. Sunday, April 21, was the night of the McLean Orchestra’s annual fundraiser held at the Hilton Tysons Corner. Themed “Midnight in Paris” from reception start through a dinner that included a live auction, acknowledgements and awards, and finally dancing to the tunes of Ed Witles The Elegant DJ, the black-tie evening was as well-arranged, conducted and received as any of the musical performances for which the orchestra is known.
Master of Ceremonies and former Redskins defensive end Charles Mann got the evening started with his opening remarks. “We are so pleased to have him with us this evening,” said McLean Orchestra President Aileen Pisciotta. “Apart from his amazing sports career (three Super Bowl rings), Charles is a businessman, and a philanthropist … personifying the spirit of giving and community that we celebrate.” READ MORE
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
McLean Connection: Magical Musical Memories
McLean Orchestra presents youth-centric concert
By Andrea Worker
For the first time in its more than 40 year history, the McLean Orchestra presented a “side-by-side” free concert on Sunday, Feb. 3, seamlessly pairing the professional musicians of the orchestra with their young counterparts from Principal Conductor Paul Kim’s McLean Youth Orchestra. Under the baton of McLean Orchestra Music Director and Conductor Miriam Burns, the combined musical entities performed a program titled “Musical Fairy Tales,” an abbreviated version of the previous evening’s concert. Grammy-nominated violinist Jenny Oaks Baker was the guest soloist, and led the way, playing a series of well-known Disney tunes from Mary Poppins, Pinocchio and The Lion King, to name just a few.
In keeping with the youthful atmosphere the orchestra partnered with Alternative House, a local non-profit organization that provides an array of services to homeless and at-risk youth; it was obvious by the head-bobbing, foot-tapping, and even a bit of singing, that the event’s special guests recognized and appreciated many of the selections. Several dozen children from Alternative House programs arrived at the concert via transportation generously donated by Reston Limousine. READ MORE
PDF version of the print article
Thursday, January 31, 2013
McLean Connection: Community in Concert
McLean Orchestra hosts musical mixer
By Andrea Worker
Judging by the number in attendance, the business cards exchanged, the buzz of conversation and the sounds of laughter, all accompanied by some lively music, the third “McLean Orchestra is Instrumental to Business” (i2B) mixer held at Clyde’s in Tysons Corner on Jan. 23 was a ringing success. The gatherings are part of a multi-purpose outreach program, providing a taste of what audiences can expect from their concert series and allowing the orchestra to showcase its value to business as a resource for networking—all for free.
The organization’s board president, Aileen Pisciotta, came up with the idea. “People sometimes perceive an orchestra as unapproachable,” said Pisciotta. “The audience is in their seats, the musicians up there on the stage. We wanted to make a closer connection. This is one way to make orchestral music accessible, playing music that is well known and giving the company and the musicians a way to be of service. My tagline for this year is ‘Community in Concert.’ I think that captures our mission.”
READ MORE
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
McLean Connection:
McLean Orchestra to Perform for Alternative House Children
On Sunday, Feb. 3, at 3 p.m., the McLean Orchestra and the McLean Youth Orchestra will do a first ever “side-by-side” concert at the Oakcrest School in McLean. This free concert, which will be an abbreviated version of the McLean Orchestra’s Feb. 2 concert titled Musical Fairy Tales, will unite musicians of the McLean Orchestra and McLean Youth Orchestra under the baton of Maestra Miriam Burns. Grammy-nominated violinist Jenny Oaks Baker (www.jennyoaksbaker.com) will perform a tribute to Walt Disney on both the Saturday night and Sunday afternoon concerts.
McLean Orchestra Executive Director John Huling said, “The educational opportunity for students to sit side by side with professional musicians in an actual performance will be an unforgettable experience. In this case, these talented and aspiring students will perform not only with a world class violin soloist but will work under the direction of our new Music Director Miriam Burns.”READ MORE
