Author: Andrew Holm

Andrew is a cellist in the Des Moines Symphony and will be playing Masterworks 1 in a few weeks.  We are playing “Lightspeed,” by Kevin Day, Beethoven’s 5th Piano Concerto (nicknamed “Emperor”) with Olga Kern as soloist, and Anton Bruckner’s 7th Symphony.  The concerts will take place September 28th at 7:30 PM, and September 29th at 2:30 PM at the Civic Center in downtown Des Moines.  Below is a link for purchasing tickets:

https://www.dmsymphony.org/concerts-events/season-debut-the-emperor/

Don’t forget about the staff end of summer party tomorrow from 6-10 PM at the Bricktowne Johnston community room located at 6450 Merle Hay Rd. in Johnston.  The community room is in the building behind the apartment building facing Merle Hay, and you will have to enter through the south door.  If it’s locked or if you have other questions, please text Andrew at 402-730-7668.  Please feel free to bring snacks, desserts, appetizers, etc., and games or puzzles.  If you bring something hot, be sure to bring pot holders for handling and placing on the counter.  You will also need to bring serving spoons if necessary.  Each staff member plus one guest is invited, and I hope you all can join the fun!

As most of you know, Andrew is a cellist in the Des Moines Symphony.  He will be playing 2 free concerts Labor Day weekend at Waterworks Park in south Des Moines.  August 31st at 7:30 PM will feature Michael Cavanaugh performing music of Billy Joel, and September 1st will feature dance music.  I hope you all can come and take advantage of this opportunity as being able to see the symphony for free is a rare opportunity.

https://www.dmsymphony.org/concerts-events/the-music-of-billy-joel/

https://www.dmsymphony.org/concerts-events/dance-away-with-me/

End of summer party for JPL staff is next Saturday the 24th from 6-10 PM at the Bricktowne Johnston Community Room on 6450 Merle Hay Rd.  Beverages, cups, plates, napkins, and silverware will be provided, and please feel free to bring a snack or dessert to share since this is a potluck.  If you are bringing something to eat, please be sure to bring potholders, serving spoons, and other materials necessary for serving and setting things on the counter.  Also, please feel free to bring puzzles and/or games to play.  When you arrive, please call or text Andrew at 402-730-7668 so he can let you in, and please let him know if you have questions.

Each staff member plus one guest is invited to attend.

In case you didn’t see the invitation in the breakroom, the all-staff end of summer party is August 24th from 6-10 PM at the Bricktowne Johnston Community Room, which is located at 6450 Merle Hay Rd. in Johnston.  Drinks will be provided, and you are welcome to bring snacks and/or desserts, and you will have to bring pot holders, utensils, and anything else required for serving.  You are also welcome to bring puzzles to put together, or games to play.  I hope you all can take advantage of this exciting evening.

As most of you know, I am a cellist in the Des Moines Symphony, and I will be performing with them for the Yankee Doodle Pops on Wednesday, July 3rd, at 8:30 PM on the Iowa State Capitol grounds.  This is a free performance, and please feel free to bring food and lawn chairs.  It will also be broadcast on Iowa PBS and Iowa Public Radio Classical including a re-run on July 4th at 8:30 PM.  Vocalist Hugh Panaro will be joining us, and here is a link with details:  https://www.dmsymphony.org/concerts-events/yankee-doodle-pops-2/.  This is one of the few times one can see the orchestra in person for free, and I hope that you all can come or tune in.

There is also a viewing party offered at the State Historical Building, and here is a link with details about this:  https://www.dmsymphony.org/concerts-events/viewing-party-for-yankee-doodle-pops/.

Andrew made some vanilla ice cream that is in the freezer in the break room in the large container with a black lid, and small container with a blue lid.  There is chocolate syrup and butterscotch topping in the refrigerator door, and peanuts on the table.  Please be sure to put the wax paper on top of the ice cream after serving, and he will need the containers when the ice cream is gone.  Please help yourself!

Andrew is a cellist in the Des Moines Symphony and will be performing in this weekend’s Masterworks concerts.  We are playing Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, and the fourth movement of this work involves the poem “Ode to Joy.”  Concerts take place on Saturday May 11th at 7:30 PM, and Sunday May 11th at 2:30 PM at the Civic Center downtown.  Tickets are selling fast since Beethoven’s Ninth involves vocal soloists and choirs, so please visit this link to purchase your tickets:

https://desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/symphony-rediscover-the-ode-to-joy/

As you all probably know, I am a cellist in the Des Moines Symphony, and will be playing the upcoming Masterworks and Pops sets.  Next weekend is Masterworks 6 featuring the BRKFST dance company from Minnesota, and we will be playing Beethoven’s Grosse Fugue arranged for string orchestra by Felix Weingartner, Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite, selections from Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty, and selections from Romeo and Juliet by Prokofiev.  Concerts will take place next Saturday the 13th at 7:30 PM, and Sunday the 14th at 2:30 PM at the Civic Center in downtown Des Moines.

The next pops concert is April 27th at 7:30 PM at the Civic Center, and Hamilton’s Renee Elise Goldsberry will be joining us.  Here are links to purchase tickets for both sets:

https://www.dmsymphony.org/concerts-events/discover-symphonic-dance/

https://desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/evening-with-renee-elise-goldsberry/

I hope you all can attend!

I am completely moved into my new apartment at Bricktowne Johnston, and wanted to thank all of you for providing me with moving boxes.  I know that there are stores which sell them, but you really helped me save some money.  It really helped me package most of my things for the move.

Thanks again to an amazing staff!

Andrew will be playing the cello in the Des Moines Symphony youth concerts next Tuesday and Thursday at the Civic Center downtown.  If you know anyone who will be attending, please let them know that a JPL colleague will be performing.  The Des Moines Youth Symphony Young Artist winner will be playing part of the first movement of the Cello Concerto by Edward Elgar with the orchestra.

Andrew is a cellist in the Des Moines Symphony, and will be performing Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix this weekend.  This will probably be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and tickets have been selling fast, so be sure to check the Des Moines Performing Arts website to purchase your tickets.  Shows are Friday, Feburary 23rd at 7:30 PM, and Saturday, February 24th, at 1:30 PM at the Civic Center downtown.

https://desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA_tuuBhAUEiwAvxkgTpXF9vuqcdTJ4tkVN48UsYxkHpr2o27d8vOBxFSIS3IuL0aUifEz5xoC2pcQAvD_BwE

Andrew will be moving in a few weeks, and if there are any medium or large boxes that can be flattened that come to the library, please let him know.  These would be very helpful.

Andrew is a cellist in the Des Moines Symphony and will be playing Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix next week.  There are some tickets available as of Valentine’s Day, although the only ones left for Friday the 23rd are in the back half of the auditorium.  The performances are at the Civic Center at the following times:

Friday, February 23rd at 7:30 PM

Saturday, February 24th at 1:30 PM

Andrew is a cellist in the Des Moines Symphony, and the next concert set is Masterworks 4.  Guest conducting will be Keith Lockhardt, the music director of the Boston Pops.  We will be playing “Surge,” by Wang Lu, the Violin Concerto in G Major by Samuel Barber, and Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra.  Amaryn Olmeda will be the violin soloist, and here is a link to purchase tickets:  https://desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/symphony-discover-innovation/.  Performances take place at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines on Saturday, February 3rd at 7:30 PM, and Sunday, February 4th at 2:30 PM.

Andrew will also be performing in the symphony’s production of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in late February, and here is a link to purchase tickets for this set:  https://desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix/.  Performances take place at the Civic Center on Friday, February 23rd at 7:30 PM, and Saturday, February 24th, at 1:30 PM.

Andrew is a cellist in the Des Moines Symphony, and will be performing at the Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix shows in February.  Tickets are selling fast, and here is a link to purchase them:

https://desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/harry-potter-and-the-order-of-the-phoenix/

I hope you can enjoy a movie with the symphony!

Andrew is a cellist in the Des Moines Symphony, and will be performing at the New Year’s Eve Pops on December 31st at 8 PM at the Civic Center in downtown Des Moines.  Cirque de la Symphonie is joining us, and there will be dancers doing ballet-like performances on stage.  Here is a link to purchase tickets:

https://my.desmoinesperformingarts.org/0/7672

Hope you all can spend the last few hours of 2023 with the orchestra!

Andrew will be playing the cello in the Des Moines Symphony concerts this weekend.  We are playing Scheherazade by Rimsky-Korsokov, Carnival Overture by Antonin Dvorak, and two contemporary pieces that have an emphasis on percussion.  Sandbox percussion will be joining us, and please visit this link to purchase tickets:

https://www.dmsymphony.org/concerts-events/discover-scheherazade/

Andrew will be playing the cello in the first masterworks set of the Des Moines Symphony’s 2023-24 season, and there will be a lot of Mexican music being played.  Some Spanish and French as well, and here is a website with more information:

https://desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/symphony-discover-fandango/

https://desmoinesperformingarts.org/events/symphony-discover-fandango/

Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers will join us.

Andrew will be playing in the Des Moines Symphony’s Water Works Pops concerts at Water Works Park in Des Moines tonight at 7:30 (music of ABBA), and tomorrow night at 7:30 (Heroes and Legends).  Both are free and please check the Des Moines Symphony website for more information!