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Over two years in the making, a dream is beginning to come true for violin virtuoso Wai Mizutani. With his next concert in his Lord of the Strings series, Mizutani will present a preview of original music showcasing the sound and experience of the future Impact World Strings Chamber Ensemble.
“The Sound of Impact”, Opus 8 of the Lord of the Strings concert series, will feature the music of the 16-piece ensemble created by Wizutani which will be made up of elite professionals who have dedicated their lives to their craft and will come together to show their talent through concerts and projects around the world.
The August 27 concert will feature Mizutani, along with four local artists performing representative selections of music from the upcoming Impact World Strings Chamber Ensemble. Although the guest musicians who will perform are not members of the future chamber ensemble, they will provide a musical preview featuring all the new arrangements that will be used by the ensemble.
Mizutani Concert Director Alaura Scherrer explained the master violinist’s vision for the Impact World Strings Chamber Ensemble.
“International musicians offered to play if we could get the funding and the band officially kicked off,” Scherrer explained, adding that they had been working on forming Impact for more than two years. “We have a lot of people interested in working with us because they know Wai. So we have a lot of opportunities in concert halls around the world. We have a lot of potential. We are looking for sponsors.
Scherrer, 26, became Mizutani’s manager last December. They met at Flathead Valley Community College, where he is an adjunct instructor, about two and a half years ago when she was a voice student there. The two have since collaborated for benefit concerts around the Valley. After earning an Associate of Music degree, Scherrer earned a full Bachelor of Music degree at Valley City State University in North Dakota.
As their website states, Impact exists to bring high-level professionalism and passion to the world through music of all genres.
“Wai’s mission is to take all 16 members of Impact and travel the world to bring music to the people who need it most,” Scherrer said. “His purpose in life is to impact the world with the performances that we will bring to them. With what is happening in the world right now, people need music more than ever.
CONCERT DETAILS
“The Sound of Impact” concert will take place at 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 27 at Flathead High School auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Performing musicians include:
• Sarah Burdick, principal double bassist of the Glacier Symphony
• Griffin Browne, principal cellist and music librarian for the Glacier Symphony
• Eric Holdhusen, new conductor of Flathead High School and violinist with the Glacier Symphony
• Eileen Beckett, Violist of the Glacier Symphony and Conductor of Kalispell Middle School
Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for seniors and youth 10 years and older; and free for veterans, active duty military, and children under 10. Buy at the door, or call ahead at 406-212-9515, or buy online at impactwsce.com or eventbrite.com
To learn more about the Impact World Strings Chamber Ensemble, visit impactwsce.com
