Middleton Community Orchestra

May 2010: A New Orchestra is Formed

The Middleton Community Orchestra, founded in May 2010 by  clarinetists Larry Bevic and Mindy Taranto (below) is a new ensemble for community musicians who want to make music and have a great time playing together. Our guiding principle was to create a high quality ensemble composed of local amateur musicians that would be capable of performing a challenging classical repertoire. Our first rehearsal was on September 15, 2010.  On November 10^th we gave our first concert to an audience of over 400.

Inaugural Concert, November 10, 2010

Photo by Skip Resenhoeft

 

Steve Kurr, conductor

Photo by Skip Resenhoeft

Conductor Steve Kurr received undergraduate degrees in Viola Performance and Mathematics from UW-Platteville, a master’s degrees in Musicology from UW-Madison, and has completed doctoral course work there with specialties in mid-18th Century Viennese symphonies and orchestral conducting.

Steve is in his 13th year as the Orchestra Director at Middleton High School where he conducts the two school orchestras and teaches music history courses. 

Steve lives in the Town of Middleton with his wife Nancy (a private viola instructor) and his comic relief: Veronica and Thomas.

Alice Bartsch, concertmaster

Photo by Katrin Talbot

Minnesota native Alice Bartsch,  began her violin studies at the age of three with Ellen Kim, with whom she studied for twelve years.  She continued her studies with Young-Nam Kim, who describes her as a talented musician and leader.  Alice has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Chamber Music Society of Minnesota.  Currently a junior at UW-Madison, and pursuing a BM in violin performance, she is co-concertmaster of the University Chamber Orchestra.  Alice is a member of the first violin section in the Madison Symphony Orchestra.