Moscow Ballet's 'Great Russian Nutcracker' comes to Miller Auditorium
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University's Symphony Orchestra and Gagie School Choir will accompany Moscow Ballet dancers in a performance of the "Great Russian Nutcracker" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2 at Miller Auditorium.
Purchase tickets online: millerauditorium.com
Moscow Ballet’s version of the Christmas classic ballet includes unique elements in the telling of the traditional holiday tale. Forty world-class Russian artists bring this charming classic to life through Tchaikovsky’s master score, the magic of larger than life-puppets, growing Christmas Tree and life-sized Matrushka Dolls.
The 70-member University Symphony Orchestra will play Tchaikovsky’s complete Nutcracker score and the Gagie School Choir will accompany singing the chorale part for "Waltz of the Snowflakes."
Moscow Ballet launches this initiative nationwide with WMU's Symphony Orchestra, which is the fourth interactive education driven program that Moscow Ballet offers. The Gagie School Choir, directed by Kellee Love Haselton, is part of Moscow Ballet’s Musical Wunderkind which offers live performance experiences to talented young musicians and choirs in conjunction with the Moscow Ballet performance. Other Moscow Ballet programs are Dance with Us, and New Horizons - Children’s Program for Life.
University Symphony Orchestra
Conductor Bruce Uchimura leads the orchestra, which has won wide recognition and was named "Best Classical University Symphony Orchestra" in DownBeat. Uchimura also teaches cello, coaches chamber ensembles and is professor of music at the university. Uchimura’s leadership as a conductor has won wide recognition for the WMU Symphony Orchestra.
Gagie School
The Gagie School, founded and directed by Dr. Sandra Gagie, is built on developing elementary education through learning experiences enriched with programs in art, music, Spanish, choir, band and drama. Haselton, the school’s choral music director, works with all students developing musical skills and also directs the Gagie School Choir. The Gagie School is located in Kalamazoo and was founded in 1976.
Moscow Ballet
In addition to the "Great Russian Nutcracker," Moscow Ballet’s repertory includes classic ballets Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, and Cinderella. For over twenty years the company has performed 100 engagements annually in North America.
The company’s mission and national platform enables it to share the Russian Vaganova training with over 5,000 local dance students annually in the "Dance with Us" program. "New Horizons - A Children’s Program for Life" is an intensive cultural immersion project that benefits thousands of school children. Ongoing programs and Summer Intensives also touch the lives of many more children and young adults. For more information on Moscow Ballet, visit moscowballet.com.
Tickets
Tickets for the "Great Russian Nutcracker" at Miller Auditorium are on sale now and range from $28 to $78. They can be purchased online at millerauditorium.com, by calling (269) 387-2300 or (800) 387-2312, or in person at the Miller Auditorium Ticket Office.
A 15 percent discount is available to all WMU faculty and staff, and a 50 percent discount is available to WMU students. Discounted tickets may be purchased by phone or in person, and a valid Bronco ID is required at the time of pickup. Group discounts are available at (269) 387-2312.
For more information, contact Bethany Gauthier at bethany.gauthier@wmich.edu or (269) 387-2245.
For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.