InConcert Sierra: A performing arts pioneer in the foothills

“STEEPED IN HISTORY, GRASS VALLEY and Nevada City experienced a ‘cultural revolution’ that has reshaped the local economy and continues to influence the statewide arts scene,” the California Arts Council observed in naming the region one of 14 state Cultural Districts.

InConcert Sierra has been one of the area’s arts and culture pioneers. The nonprofit performing arts group was born in the 1940s at the historic Bret Harte Inn in downtown Grass Valley. The first concert was held at the Grass Valley Veteran’s Memorial Building on October 26, 1946 featuring Charles Kullman, tenor, of the S.F. Metropolitan Opera. “It is a delight to have an audience like this. I like Grass Valley…and I would rather sing here than in Vienna,” Kullman said.

In 2010, Twin Cities Concert Association’s name became InConcert Sierra to increase its reach and name recognition. Under Ken and Julie Hardin, the staff and board, the group has attracted world-famous performing arts talent, including violinist Joshua Bell, pianist Emanuel Ax and the Vienna Boys’ Choir. Its upcoming concerts include:

JAN. 21, CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER
The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center is widely known for its extraordinary quality performances with the opportunity to hear the world’s foremost chamber musicians. This program will juxtapose two musical giants of Romanticism: Antonin Dvorák and Johannes Brahms.

FEB. 18, BRIDGET KIBBEY, HARP, BAROQUE PROJECT
Prize-winning harpist Bridget Kibbey returns to InConcert joined by early-music violinist Siwoo Kim and recorder-player Priscilla Herried for a delicate and intimate afternoon of Baroque music artistry.

FEB. 24, SÉRGIO & ODAIR ASSAD, GUITAR DUO, AND AVI AVITAL, MANDOLIN
The celebrated Brazilian-born Assad Brothers with their exceptional artistry and musicianship, team up with Israeli superstar Avi Avital, the first mandolin soloist to be nominated for a classical Grammy Award.

MARCH 18, DREW PETERSEN, AMERICAN PIANIST ASSOCIATION COMPETITION WINNER
This will mark our tenth anniversary of collaborating with the prestigious American Pianists Association to showcase their competition winners. This season, InConcert Sierra welcomes the 2017 winner of the APA Christel DeHaan Classical Fellowship, one of the most coveted prizes in the music world.

APRIL 15, WINDSYNC
The young and adventurous WindSync has distinguished itself among classical music ensembles as North America’s foremost emerging wind quintet, thrilling sold-out audiences with their dramatic and engaging interpretations of great composers. (WindSync will also perform for our annual Third Grade Educational Concerts on April 16.)

MAY 20, 22, SIERRA MASTER CHORALE & ORCHESTRA, SPRING CONCERTS
Every season, Conductor Ken Hardin challenges the choir with works that are compelling and fascinating for the audience, as well as the members of the Sierra Master Chorale and Orchestra.