In brief: Music and more across the region
Townsend Opera General and Artistic Director Matthew Buckman has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Opera America, the national service organization for the opera industry.
He will begin serving his three-year term in July. The Board of Directors of Opera America is composed of leaders in the field from around the country, representing major companies such as Chicago Lyric Opera and the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Buckman was asked to join by Opera America President and CEO Marc Scorca.
Buckman is in the midst of his first season as the both the head of Townsend Opera and general director of Fresno Grand Opera. The two companies joined into a creative and managerial partnership late last year. Buckman has been with Townsend Opera since 2008.
John Mangelos, president of the Townsend Opera Board of Directors, said Buckman’s appointment was a tribute to the company.
“It says a lot about how the leaders in the opera industry view our company, and is a testament to the work Matt has done over the last seven years. We are all very proud that we now have a nationally recognized company and leader in our community,” Mangelos said in a statement.
Hawaiian night
Take a musical trip to Hawaii at Modesto Junior College this weekend.
MJC Athletics and Associated Students present a Hawaiian Concert Night featuring singer-songwriter John Cruz on Friday, May 22. The Hawaiian artist was named “Best Singer Songwriter” by Hawaii Magazine in 2008.
His 2007 album “One of These Days” debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard World Chart and No. 32 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart. The Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts awarded him the Na Hoku Hanohano Award for Contemporary Album of the Year.
Show starts at 6 p.m. at the MJC East Campus Auditorium of the Performing and Media Arts Center. Tickets are $10 advance, $12 door, free for MJC students with ID. Proceeds benefit MJC’s sports programs. Call (209) 575-6776.
Concert series
Copperopolis Town Square is launching a new Sounds of Summer Concert Series starting this weekend.
The free events are open to the public and most will run from 6 to 8 p.m. every other Friday starting May 22 in the Calaveras County community’s town square. The inaugural show will be kicked off by the Sonora rhythm and blues band Chains Required.
The other acts will be Plan B on June 6, Risky Biscuits on June 20 (show will be at 1-4 p.m.), The Sammy Leverone Band on July 11, The Hot Dark on July 25, John Covert and The Crystal Image Band on Aug. 8, Soul Play Band on Aug. 22 and Dive Bar Poets on Aug. 29.
The public is invited to bring chairs and blankets to listen to the concerts. Call (209) 785-9700 or visit www.CopperopolisTownSquare.com.
Murphys show
The 2015 music season in Murphys Community Park gets a patriotic kick off this Memorial Day.
The Calaveras Community Band presents a special show under the direction of conductor Mic Harper on Monday, May 25. The show will honor the men and women who have served in the armed forces past and present.
The program will feature a mixture of patriotic songs, Sousa marches, show tunes and oldies.
Concert starts at 6:30 p.m. at Murphys Community Park on Algiers Street. Admission is free.
Audience members are invited to pack a picnic dinner for the concert. There will be no food or beverage sales in the park. Call (209) 728-8183 or visit gocalaveras.com/murphys-community-club.
This story was originally published May 13, 2015 at 5:00 PM with the headline "In brief: Music and more across the region."