InConcert Sierra’s new season

INCONCERT SIERRA, LONG KNOWN AS Twin Cities Concert Association, has been bringing world-class music to the foothills since 1946. This year and next marks the first full season under its new name.

The name change is meant to remind people of its mission: provide world-class music in a friendly, accessible setting—and at an affordable price.

“You can travel to San Francisco to spend over $30 for a concert ticket, pay for parking and sit in the balcony—for the same quality we offer,” says Artistic Director Ken Hardin.

Concerts are held at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Grass Valley, easily accessible in the foothills. The church is an acoustic gem, with seating for 350 people. The world-famous Vienna Boys Choir performed there last year.

Most tickets are $21 each and include a question-and-answer session with the musicians before their performance, called “meet the artist.” The piano keyboard is shown on a large screen, so concert-goers needn’t jockey for a keyboard view.

This season’s lineup illustrates the world-class quality of InConcert Sierra’s performances. Cellist Amit Peled performs in November, ahead of his concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.

Pianists include Adam Golka, winner of two of America’s most prestigious music awards; Di Wu, a silver medalist in the prestigious Van Cliburn competition; and Joel Fan, who is known for his work with famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

In March, InConcert Sierra features one of the world’s top pianists: Nikolaï Lugansky.He comes straight from San Francisco’s Davies Hall after a concert with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic. Grass Valley is Lugansky’s only other Northern California appearance besides San Francisco.

Much of InConcert Sierra’s success stems from managing its costs and being opportunistic in signing up performers. Landing Lugansky, just like the Vienna Boys Choir, are examples. Hardin was able to secure both, a coup for the foothills.

This year InConcert Sierra offers additional benefits for concert-goers. It is teaming up with Sherman Clay of Roseville to provide Steinway concert grand pianos for the Lugansky concert, as well as others.
Steinway has been making the world’s finest pianos for more than 150 years.

In addition, the Sierra Master Chorale will be included in this season’s InConcert program. This includes the popular holiday concerts on December 19. “In the past I have not been a choral music fan, but I thoroughly enjoyed listening to them,” as one
concert goer put it.

Photo of Russian Pianist Nikolaï Lugansky (credit: Nanette Melville)