'Home means Nevada' to Reno Philharmonic: Classix Two celebrates Nevada's 150th Birthday

The Reno Philharmonic Association celebrates Nevada's sesquicentennial with a Nevada 150th signature event dedicating the entire performance to the state during its Classix Two concert set for Oct. 11, 12 and 14, 2014 at the Pioneer Center for Performing Arts, Reno, Nev. This milestone performance marks the first full orchestral and choral arrangement of the state’s song, "Home Means Nevada."

Classix Two features the David Bugli arrangement of “Home Means Nevada,” originally composed by Bertha Raffetto. This piece was commissioned by the Reno Philharmonic and made possible through a grant from the E. L. Wiegand Foundation. The first orchestral and choral arrangement combines the orchestra with the voices of the Reno Philharmonic Chorus and the Washoe County School District 6th grade Honor Choir.

"David Bugli took a song that is loved by every Nevadan and made it even more extraordinary," Laura Jackson, music director and conductor for the Reno Philharmonic, said. "This arrangement brings new elements to the song that make it a powerful musical tribute to Nevada as part of the statewide celebration."

Over the last year, the Reno Philharmonic recorded several versions of the Bugli arrangement and then made available the sheet music and individual components to all Nevada music instructors to download and teach students. The Classix Two performance features a video montage of students from across the state performing the song.

"Our goal was to make this new composition available to every music student in Nevada and even more so for them to have the opportunity to learn and perform it as part of our sesquicentennial celebration," Amy Heald, education director for the Reno Philharmonic Association, said. "The grant from E. L. Wiegand Foundation made it possible to commission, record and make available the piece as well as secure video submissions to incorporate as part of our Classix Two concert. The attendees will be in for a real treat.”

Classix Two also includes "Desert Garden," another Reno Philharmonic-commissioned work by composer Sean Shepherd, a Reno native, Reno Philharmonic Youth Orchestra alumni and first composer in residence for the Reno Philharmonic who now composes for distinguished orchestras across the globe including a recent piece for the New York Philharmonic. "Desert Garden" was inspired by the beauty of the Nevada landscape and will be accompanied by imagery provided by Megan Berner, lecturer of photography at the University of Nevada, Reno and Riverside Artist Lofts resident. Further selections include Michael Daugherty's "Lost Vegas" and Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 2 in G major, op. 44 performed by James Winn, University of Nevada, Reno piano professor and long-time Reno Philharmonic pianist.

A special Saturday performance of the Classix Two program has been added to the schedule to allow as many people as possible to celebrate the state’s sesquicentennial with the Reno Philharmonic.

Classix Two performances take place Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 12 at 4 p.m. and Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. All performances are located at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts.

To purchase tickets or for more information on the Reno Philharmonic Association, visit RENOPHIL.COM or call 775-323-6393.

About the Reno Philharmonic Association
The Reno Philharmonic is northern Nevada’s largest performing arts organization. Beginning its 46th season, the orchestra, led by music director Laura Jackson, is comprised of more than 80 professional musicians who perform more than 30 concerts annually throughout the Reno, Carson Valley and Lake Tahoe region. Musicians of the professional orchestra, youth orchestras, various ensembles and education programs offer more than 60 performances each year, playing to more than 50,000 people. The flagship of the Reno Philharmonic concert offering is a six-concert classical music series, Classix, performed on Sunday afternoons and Tuesday evenings at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. To learn more about the Reno Philharmonic and its events, and to discover all that the Reno Phil has to offer, visit RENOPHIL.COM.