The Train Depot Celebration is the Boise Phil’s way of welcoming the new Philharmonic Seaason. The event, coming up on Thursday, September 12, will introduce the Treasure Valley community to what’s in store and help celebrate the Boise Phil’s 60thSeason. Rolling into the Boise Train Depot, the Train Depot Celebration will feature music, food and drink.
Classical music goes back a long time in Boise. With the precursor Boise Civic Symphony founded in 1885, the Boise Philharmonic was officially named and incorporated in 1960. Staying current with the times and trying to provide a diverse range of music for an equally diverse listener base, the Boise Phil has musical events ranging from the standard composers such as Bach, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky through contemporary composers such as Schoenberg and Shepherd.
Added into this mix are cinematic gems like the music of Harry Potter and Star Wars, performed live with film footage from these cinematic blockbusters. Last year, a wonderful tribute to music from the Golden Age of Hollywood films brought enjoyment to a full theater. This year, a full length version of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back will be screened on a giant screen, while accompanied by the full orchestra. Upcoming in this season also is Disney in Concert, featuring music from Frozen, Tangled and The Lion King as well as other Disney movies.
Eric Garcia, Music Director for the Boise Phil, told The Boise Beat about the upcoming season, “We are thrilled to kick off our celebratory 60th Anniversary Season in September with a host of exciting events! These include our annual Pub Crawl and a Season Opening Celebration at the Boise Train Depot. The activities culminate with our opening weekend concerts featuring guest violinist Anne Akiko-Meyers on September 20 and 21, and The Empire Strikes Back in concert on October 5!
This promises to be our most exciting season yet, and we cannot wait to share it with the Treasure Valley community!”
The Boise Philharmonic is not only a full symphony orchestra, but also includes several other musical offshoots. The Boise Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and the Boise Philharmonic Master Chorale. The Boise Philharmonic Chamber Players itself can be divided into different quartets, quintets and other groups depending on the music to be played.
Music for the Train Depot Celebration will be provided by Lauren Blackerby, Principal Oboe and Drew Ziemba, Associate Principal Trumpet for the Boise Phil. These musicians are part of a group that not only plays the music at the main concert performances, but are part of an organization that provides musical outreach for seniors, families, veterans and many others who may otherwise not be able to hear great live music. Through their Education and In Roads programs, members of the Boise Phil have been coming to nursing homes, homeless shelters, schools and refugee communities to bring music to everyone.
The Boise Phil also is taking a participatory role in such events in non-traditional venues such as the Treefort Music Festival, Wipe Away the Blues Music Festival and Story Story Night. They have also been active in their own Downtown Boise Pub Crawl, coming up on September 5. This free annual event from the Boise Phil Chamber Players and Boise State Public Radio starts at 6pm atone of Downtown Boise’s fine pubs and visits two others before winding down. Guests will have an opportunity to purchase food or beverage of their choice and will be able to listen to a Woodwind Quintet, String Quartet and Brass Quintet. More information on the pub crawl can be found here.
Hollis Welsh, Executive Director of the Boise Phil, told The Boise Beat, “We are so excited about launching our 60th Anniversary Season at our Season Opening Salon at the Boise Depot on September 12. We’ve created the event to be as inclusive and celebratory as possible, which is the spirit of this entire season. We couldn’t do any of what we’ve done these past 60 years without our incredibly supportive community, so this season is dedicated to them—all our patrons, donors and supporters who have made this monumental year possible.”
All ticket holders to the event will be abvle to participate in a celebratory champagne toast. In addition, the Uncorked Wine Bar at the Boise Co-op will be setting up a no host bar at the Train Depot Celebration. Several food trucks will be parked outside, providing guests with several options for tasty food. Tickets for the Train Depot Celebration are available now at boisephil.org. Single tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Or, for a donation of $60, one can gain free admission, a free metal Anniversary tumbler, and entry into a drawing for 2 free tickets to see Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back with live orchestra on October 5, 2019.
The Boise Train Depot itself dates back to the Union Pacific Railroad days in 1925, with it’s gorgeous Spanish design outside and rich woods inside, The beautiful Great Hall is a fitting location to welcome the Train Depot Celebration of the Boise Phil’s 60thSeason. With the variety of food and beverage as well as the music and a chance to meet many of the people that make the Boise Phil more than just an orchestra, this will be a celebration of life and music in Boise.
The Boise Depot itself plays a part in the premiere of a newly-commisioned piece. According to the Boise Phil, “The Train Depot was chosen as the location of the celebration as a nod to the Boise Phil’s newly commissioned piece, TRANSCEND, written by Grammy-nominated composer Zhou Tian. As a Chinese- born composer who immigrated to this country, was educated at the nation’s top music schools, and now serves at one of its finest institutions, Tian was moved to create this new work to tell a musical story, to celebrate human perseverance, and to pay tribute to his own cultural heritage. TRANSCEND was co-commissioned in collaboration with 12 other symphonies, the Boise premiere of which will take place on October 18 and 19, 2019.”
This event will not only delight you with the great location, looking out over Boise,and the wonderful mountain view, but will give everyone a chance to hear and see what the Boise Philharmonic is—an integral, vital part of the Boise Arts and Music community and a wonderful way to hear not only the classic by greats like Mahler and Vivaldi but many lesser known works as well as not only works by newer, young composers but works commisioned especially for the Boise Phil under the leadership of Music Director Eric Garcia. It is a great way to have a fun evening and even if you aren’t familiar with the Boise Phil, a way to learn about what great music is available in the Treasure Valley.
Train Depot Celebration
Celebrating the Boise Phil’s 60thSeason
Thursday, September 12, 6-8pm
Boise Depot
2603 W. Eastover Terrace
Boise, ID 83706
Orchestra photos courtesy of Anna Meacham/The Boise Philharmonic.
Boise Train Depot Photos courtesy of Terry Welch, Terrance Welch Photography
Boise Phil website
