Q: Hi, Scott. I hope you had a nice summer. I don’t know about you, but for me, the last few months flew by. The highlight of my summer was my birthday bash at Patrick’s Point with my twin and our families. It was so much fun (except for the raccoons who trashed the campsite).
How about you? Did you have any great adventures?
I took Amtrak across the country and then lived in Boston for most of the summer.
Scott Seaton’s Boston vacation.
It was a very low-key summer for me that involved lots of running.
Scott Seaton at the Boston Marathon finish line, proving it’s never too early to prepare for a big race.
I’m always training for the next marathon! And I spent time catching up with old friends in the area.
Q: Running the Boston Marathon is impressive enough, but riding Amtrak across the country? Talk about travel endurance. I’m a fellow train-lover, so that sounds really cool. My last train trip was Redding to Portland, and I loved it. Cross country; that’s an undertaking. More power to you.
Anyway, I hope you feel relaxed and ready for this next new season, your second with the North State Symphony, so congratulations.
How would you describe this 2016/2017 season? Is there a theme, or is it all over the place … not that those are your only two choices.
We decided not to have a season theme this year, but rather focus on individual concerts and try to characterize each one of those. This is a BIG year, with lots of new collaborations, and even a new series, our “NSS Pops!” that we’re kicking off.
From our first concert that will have over 100 people on stage for one of the pieces, to a new New Year’s Eve extravaganza, to collaborating with a theater group for our last concert – there is something for everyone. We are even partnering up with a cover band, Chico’s Uncle Dad’s Art Collective, in April. It’s going to be so much fun! This is a group that has sold out performances in Chico’s 1200-seat Laxson Auditorium when they did a Queen tribute this past year.
Q: Scott, that all sounds pretty spectacular, proving once again that you are not our grandparents’ symphony conductor. I love the vitality and youthfulness you’ve brought to the North State Symphony, and to the north state.
Scott Seaton photo by Jason Halley,University Photographer
I did notice a time change, where Chico’s concert starts at 7:30 on Sat. Sept. 24, and Redding’s begins at 2 p.m. on Sun., Sept. 25. Do you want to talk about that a bit? Will this be the schedule for the whole season? Did Chico and Redding flip a coin to see who got the night concert and who got the daytime performance, or what?
The Chico and Redding concerts flip days every new concert, which is nothing new. You are correct in the Sunday Redding show time change; last year they tried 4 p.m., but decided to go back to 2 p.m. on Sundays when those concerts are in Redding.
Q: OK. My mistake. Thanks for clearing that up. You know something else I didn’t realize until recently; that one of the perks of being a North State Symphony season ticket-holder is we can actually reserve our seats for the whole season. This appeals to me because I know exactly where I like to sit, and it causes me heartburn if my favorite area is reserved. My favorite area in the Cascade is on the lower right side, because then I can see more of your face, which is so expressive. Funny, when I’m watching a Shasta College production, I like to sit slightly left of center. How about you? When you’re a member of an audience – not the conductor – where do you like to sit?
I also love sitting in the same spots during performances! My particular preference is the side where I can also watch the conductor’s gestures and expressions as he/she conducts the violins or celli. Honestly, my favorite part of sitting in the audience has always been observing the expressions and reactions of fellow audience members during particular pieces; that’s really one of the big reasons I became a conductor! Even though I can’t see the audience when I’m conducting, I’m occasionally imagining them having the same reactions I would during particular pieces.
Q: Well, I hope you and I never hate to fight over the same seat, because I have a feeling you’d win.
Kidding aside, what are some of the other perks of a North State Symphony season membership?
In addition to renewing and securing your favorite seats every year, you also get invitations to special receptions. You also get complimentary ticket vouchers to give to your friends and other folks who you think might enjoy a North State Symphony concert.
Q: See? Why am I just learning this? That’s good to know. What other things are happening with the North State Symphony?
I can’t emphasize our new “NSS Pops!” series enough! Really, this is a chance for us to bring a wider range of music to people who enjoy more than just symphonic standards. I also want to get the people who like Queen, Star Wars, Broadway, Journey, etc., to the North State Symphony. There really is no limit to what we would be able to bring to you!
Q: That all sounds wonderfully wild and exciting, Scott. And I always appreciate how accessible you are, and how open you are to talking with the public, even taking questions via text during the concert. Truth be told, that’s sort of become one of my favorite parts of the performances. I love hearing people’s questions.
I know you’re busy, so let’s cut to the chase about the first concert of the season. Tell us what we can expect.
I decided to open the season with Gershwin’s Cuban Overture – who wouldn’t want to start off a concert dancing in your seat?!
From there, we have pianist Olga Kopylova taking on the Prokofiev Third Piano Concerto – a piece with expansive melody and furious, driving rhythms and the heavy, dark Russian sound that that time period embodies. On the second half, we have a newer piece by young American composer, David Hertzberg. This is really an exploration of sound and you will hear instrument pairings in the orchestra that are unique – sounds like a wine tasting, eh?
Finally, we have Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloe, which is love story that packs the stage with everything from two harps to an off-stage chorus! We’ll probably have a kitchen sink back there somewhere!
Q: It sounds fantastic. I’ll be there, in my favorite seat, unless someone’s beat me to it. Is there anything else we’ve missed?
Our season opener will begin with a street party in front of the Cascade sponsored by Dignity Health – make sure you come at noon to have a drink and listen to some live music! I’ll also pop by to chat for a bit, so make sure you’re there!
Also, the symphony just hired a fantastic new Executive Director – Elizabeth Quivey. It’s going to be an exciting year pushing the envelope and seeing what new and exciting things we can come up with!
Q: Thanks, Scott. I look forward to this new season. I know it will be good.
I’m looking forward to to bringing more great music to the North State this year!
