Free Pasadena Community Orchestra Concert Featuring Joyce Pan

Joyce Pan, Violinist, Brings Expertise, Enthusiasm, and Dazzle to Pasadena Community Orchestra January 27 Concert

PASADENA, Calif. – Joyce Pan will perform Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor with conductor Alan Reinecke and the Pasadena Community Orchestra on Friday, Jan. 27, at 8 p.m. in the Sanctuary of First Church of the Nazarene, Pasadena (PazNaz). The church is located at 3700 E. Sierra Madre Blvd., one block west of Michillinda Ave.  Reinecke, in his fourth year as conductor following his father Wayne’s retirement in 2008, leads the symphony in Smetana’s Sarka, from Ma Vlast, and Mozart’s beloved Symphony #39 in E-flat Major.

Before joining PCO, Joyce served for three years as concertmistress of California Youth Symphony in the Bay Area .  She has soloed with California Youth Symphony and San Jose Youth Symphony, and has won numerous awards, including the Stanford Young Artist Festival, the Palo Alto Jewish Community Center Sound of Music Festival, and Music Teacher’s Association of California VOCE competition. She has studied privately with Patrician Burnham, Livia Sohn, Henry Gronnier and with St. Lawrence String Quartet members Geoff Nuttall, Barry Shiffman, and Christopher Constanza. With Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Stanford University, Joyce currently works as technical director at DreamWorks Animation.

Ms. Pan has always been a big fan of Prokofiev, she revealed, “particularly for his unique rhythms and intervals. The range of sounds he explores in his music, from the very tender to the discordant and harsh, makes it easy to relate to emotionally.” This violin concerto is one of his more conventional compositions, weaving romantic melodies reminiscent of traditional Russian folk music with brash peasant dance tunes throughout the piece. It premiered in Madrid, Spain, in December 1935 to wild applause.

The 2011-2012 concert series marks Pasadena Community Orchestra’s 28^th year bringing fine classical music to the community. Concerts are free, with donations taken at the door. Well-trained musicians, professionals in other fields, provide a high-quality musical experience. PazNaz offers an abundance of free parking with wheelchair access. As an added bonus, guests are treated to refreshments at an after-concert reception enabling musicians, soloists, and concertgoers to meet and mingle.  For further information, please contact the orchestra at 626.445.6708, via email at pcoemails@gmail.com, or at http://www.pcomusic.org.