Music in May Returns!

Music in May (Mim) 2014 presents its 7th season with concerts on Friday, May 16, and Saturday, May 17. Expect to hear two distinct programs united in a theme of romance and regrets brought to life by an incredible lineup of musicians.

Mim 2014 welcomes cellist Jonah Kim, youngest member of the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, “the next Yo-Yo Ma” according to the Washington Post and pianist Christine McLeavey Payne, prizewinner at the Lyon International Chamber Music Competition & graduate of Juilliard. Returning this year is violinist Liang-Ping How of Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, violist Alexandra Leem of the Santa Fe Opera, and Mim Artistic Director and violinist Rebecca Jackson described as “riveting” by The San Francisco Examiner.

Founder and Artistic Director of Music in May Rebecca Jackson grew up Santa Cruz and still calls it home. Since its inception, Ms. Jackson’s vision for this annual series extends beyond the music. She desires to bring to her hometown the incredible talent she has worked with all over the world, to introduce these artists to the uniquely warm audiences that make up this beautiful coastal setting, to inspire youth through outreach performances, and to build community through partnerships with other charitable organizations.

This year Mim proudly partners with the music program of Tierra Pacifica Charter School, Santa Cruz Sister City Support, Save Our Shores and Land Trust of Santa Cruz County.

At Mim concerts you can always expect to hear some of the most beloved chamber music repertoire but Ms. Jackson’s relationships with composers and experiences as member of the Cabrillo Music Festival Orchestra have led her into the world of commissioning new works.

This season celebrates a third commission by bringing back Jose Gonzalez Granero, principal clarinet of the San Francisco Opera. A significant artistic contributor to Mim 2012, this year he joins us for an encore performance, revealing another stellar dimension to his long list of talents. On Friday May 16, come for the World Premiere of his String Quartet No. 1, “Noche Del Amor Insomne,” a composition inspired by his exhilarating performance of Bartok Contrasts with Rebecca Jackson and Amy Yang at Mim 2012.

San Francisco Classical Voice has described his music as “mature, entertaining, excellent … melodic, and refined.”

Mim is proud to partner with fiscal sponsor Santa Cruz Sister City Support (“SCSCS”), a 501(c)(3) tax- exempt organization in Santa Cruz that will link Mim with sister city Puerta la Cruz in Venezuela. Tickets are now available. More details as well as full artists’ bios can be found online at www.musicinmay.org.

Music in May brings renowned musicians to Santa Cruz, California, in a weekend full of chamber music concerts. The intent of Mim is to expand and broaden the audience of classical music, impact youth, to increase awareness of and develop relationships with other local non-profit organizations serving the Santa Cruz community.

Music in May 2014 Season 7: Peace United Church 900 High Street/Santa Cruz, 6:30 PM Pre-concert lecture 7:30 PM Concert

Friday, May 16 Program: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Violin & Viola Duo No. 2 • Sergei Rachmaninoff Cello Sonata Op. 19 • Henri Viextemps Regrets for Violin and Piano Op. 40 • Jose Gonzalez Granero String Quartet No. 1, World Premiere • Joaquin Turina La Oracion del Torero.

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Saturday, May 17 Program

Clara Schumann Three Romances for Violin and Piano Op. 22 • Johannes Brahms Piano Trio Op. 8 • Robert Schumann Piano Quintet Op. 44

Tickets: $20 advance/$25 at the door. Website: www.musicinmay.org Phone: (800) 838-3006 Online: www.brownpapertickets.com • In Person: Soif Wine Bar, 105 Walnut Ave., Downtown Santa Cruz.