SigmArt is delighted to partner with The Reno Pops Orchestra to present the Concert "Festive Holidays: Of Harps and Handbells" at the Nightingale Concert Hall in Reno, Nevada (USA) on the 14th of December 2024 at 19.00 PST (GMT -8H) exclusive Live streaming on SigmArt.

A concert filled with orchestral favorites, harps and handbells. Under the baton of the Reno Pops' principal conductor and artistic director, Jane Brown, this heart-warming concert will feature traditional orchestral favorites from around the world, such as selections from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite, Delius' Sleigh Ride, and Greensleeves, as well as beautiful arrangements that combine the Reno Pops' rich orchestral sonorities with the magical sounds of harps and handbells.

Featured guests on this concert include "Tintabulations," a nationally renowned community hand bell ensemble known throughout the Western United States for their energetic musical performances filled with expression, innovative techniques, and delightful storytelling. Founded in 1996, Tintabulations (affectionately known by locals as "Tintab") is directed by expert handbell instructor and conductor, Barbara Walsh. Enthralling audiences for almost three decades, this fine ensemble is comprised of passionate musicians focused on innovating the art of handbell performance and educational outreach. With a flash of glittering bronze, Tintabulations will deliver both musical artistry and a visual feast for the eyes, weaving a spell of holiday magic wherever they go.

Our other featured guests on this concert will be the University of Nevada, Reno Harp Ensemble. This dynamic concert harp ensemble is well-known for their sparkling sound, intricate playing techniques, and innovative, audience-friendly programming. Their director, the Ukrainian-born Marina Roznitovsky Oster, teaches harp at the University of Nevada, Reno and Truckee Meadows Community College. She is also the principal harpist with the Reno Chamber Orchestra and the Reno Philharmonic. She actively performs as a soloist and a number of her performances have been broadcast on National Israeli and U.S. television and radio. In 2009 and in 2015, Oster represented Israel in the renowned International Harp Competition in Jerusalem and was featured on the Israeli News Channels. She earned her BM, MM and P.D. in harp performance and pedagogy at Indiana University, under the tutelage of distinguished professor Susann McDonald.

The Conductor and Artistic Director for this festive holiday program will be international conductor and educator, Dr. Jane K. Brown. Born in the arts-loving mountain communities of Northeastern California, Dr. Brown has always had a passion for sharing inspiring music of all genres and styles with everyone around her. She holds a Bachelor of Music in music education from Brigham Young University, a Master of Music in woodwind performance and orchestral conducting from California State University, Chico, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from University of Nevada, Las Vegas. After establishing a strong foothold as a professional orchestral musician and music educator, Brown began her career conducting symphonic music in 2001. Since that time, she has studied and guest conducted for many years in Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the U.S.A.

Dr. Brown’s first orchestral appointment was to conduct the Reno Philharmonic Youth Symphony Orchestra. Under her leadership, this excellent group of students toured throughout the Western United States and performed professional orchestral literature for over 23,000 people, including its highly acclaimed Young People’s Concerts for children. In the Fall of 2004, Jane was selected to serve as the conductor and musical director of the Reno Pops Orchestra, where she has had a profound effect on building every aspect of that ensemble and its audiences into a regional phenomenon.

In April of 2013 Dr. Brown was named as the conductor of the Ruby Mountain Symphony in Elko, Nevada and conducted the Les Misérables run with the Tahoe Players in Reno, Nevada. In 2020, she founded a new professional ensemble known for its artistry and joyous music-making: the Northern Nevada String Serenade.

Ms. Brown has studied with many internationally renowned conductors, including maestros Gustav Meier, Mark Gibson, Markand Thakar, Diane Wittry, Joseph Gifford, Karolos Trikolidis, Guerassim Voronkov, Victor Yampolsky, Taras Krysa, Jonathan Brett, and Alexander Polyanichko. In February of 2014, Dr. Brown was named as a Conducting Fellow with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra with Diane Wittry. A dedicated professional music teacher and educator, she also received the "Innovations" and "Outstanding Music Educator" awards from the California Music Educators Association in 2021 and 2023.

As an international conductor, Jane has guest conducted the Serbian Symphony Orchestra, the State Symphony Concert Orchestra of Ukraine in Kyiv, the State Philharmonic of the Republic of Adygeya, the State Academic Orchestra of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Chelyabinsk Symphony Orchestra, the Bryansk Governor’s Symphony Orchestra, the Samara Philharmonic Orchestra, the Tolyatti Philharmonic, the Chamber Orchestra of Dagestan State Philharmonic, the Astrakhan Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, and the Arkhangelsk State Chamber String Orchestra, as well as two of the state orchestras in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Ms. Brown is a passionate and energetic conductor known for her positive, dynamic leadership style, her enthusiastic work ethic, and her passion for audience-friendly symphonic programming. During her tenure as conductor of the Reno Pops Orchestra and in her work with many other ensembles, she has played a key role in developing innovative concert programming and educational outreach programs which have brought inspiration to thousands of audience members and musicians all around the world.