Community: Orchestra’s first benefit pulls huge support
Artistic director/conductor Norman Mamey is a giant step closer to his dream of starting a new orchestra.
His 35-member board of governors coordinated the first fundraiser for the Los Angeles Premiere Orchestra earlier this month at Lakeside Golf Club. “A Prelude to Christmas” raised a “significant” amount of funds, Mamey said, that will go to producing the orchestra’s “A Christmas Musical Spectacular!” on Dec. 13 at the Alex Theatre in Glendale.
Funds raised at that event will go to the orchestra’s debut concert on Aug. 21 at the Walt Disney Concert Hall as well as the Glendale Salvation Army’s Zone Academy for kids.
The board was hoping to get 175 guests at the prelude fundraiser, but 225 showed up, Mamey said.
“People drove in from San Diego and Palm Springs. People I hadn’t seen in 40 years were there. I was completely overwhelmed,” he said.
Following dinner, Mamey cast the spotlight on three phenomenal entertainers before performing a delightful set at the piano himself.
The first was 13-year-old Kelly Chen, a classical pianist and freshman at Arcadia High School. She has been playing for nine years and recently placed third at the Southern California Junior Bach Festival competition, said her mother, Gina Chen.
“We are so proud of Kelly and thankful to Norman Mamey for the opportunity,” Gina Chen said. “And, yes, I was nervous.”
Danielle Sadd, a singer, comic, writer and actor, sang several selections. She has sung beside many Hollywood and Broadway stars. Most recently, her one-woman show “Stumbling Along!” received the “Producer’s — Encore Award” at the Hollywood Fringe Festival.
Also featured was tenor Branden James, who competed as an opera singer on season eight of TV’s “America’s Got Talent.” He has been a soloist with many major American symphony orchestras. He has also sung with the Los Angeles Opera and spent two seasons with the Metropolitan Opera at the Lincoln Center in New York City.
The caliber of talent at the prelude is a taste of what’s to come during performances by the Los Angeles Premiere Orchestra, made up of the top musicians who play for TV, films and recording studios, Mamey said, adding that music will include pop, jazz, rock and classical.
Mamey wants to encourage young people to unplug their earphones and get into the concert hall, where the musical experience is a visual treat as well.
For tickets, call (818) 243-2539 or visit lapremiereorchestra.org.
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JOYCE RUDOLPH can be contacted at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.