Ann Jones News

The original cast recording of Andrew Lippa's I Am Harvey Milk was just named by Music Resource Group (MRG) as the winner of Best Soundtrack/Cast Recording in The 13th Independent Music Awards (The IMAs), the influential awards program for independent music and fans. Representing the broad spectrum of today's global independent music scene, the nominees in over 80 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories were culled from thousands of submissions from North America, South America, Asia, Africa, Australia, Greenland and Europe.

On May 24th, 1984, North Carolina Theatre, opened its doors to their very first production, Camelot. Under the direction of De Ann Jones, the production starred Terrence Mann as 'King Arthur' and Sharon Lawrence as 'Guinevere.' Both actors have since gone on to have play countless other roles on stage, TV and film. The show opened with 825 season tickets sold and a total audience of 24,000. Upon Camelot's opening, The Raleigh Times proclaimed that 'Broadway had finally come to Raleigh.'

San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus (SFGMC) joins nearly 400 exceptional self-released and independent label artists, as well as former major label acts named by Music Resource Group (MRG) as Nominees in The 13th Independent Music Awards (The IMAs), the influential awards program for independent bands and fans. SFGMC's original cast recording of 'I Am Harvey Milk' is nominated for 'Best Soundtrack/Cast Recording.' 'I Am Harvey Milk' is an emotional celebration of an American icon. Part choral work, part theater piece, it weaves the story of Harvey Milk's life - from boyhood to his rise as the first openly gay man to hold public office in California and to his untimely assassination.

'You Are Here,' a track from the brand new San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus Original Cast Recording of I Am Harvey Milk, is now available to listen to free of charge via SoundCloud.com. The complete album can be ordered via www.iamharveymilk.com/recording or downloaded via iTunes. Check out Andrew Lippa perform the song below!

San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus (SFGMC) Artistic Director, Dr. Timothy Seelig, announced that the original cast recording of I Am Harvey Milk, released this week, has already reached the #2 position on the iTunes classical music chart. The world premiere of the choral work, I Am Harvey Milk, concluded the Chorus's 35th anniversary season at Its Harvey Milk 2013 concert. The recording is the culmination of SFGMC's 35-year history, which began at the candlelight vigil for slain Supervisor Harvey Milk. With music and words by Tony and Grammy Award nominee Andrew Lippa (Big Fish, The Addams Family, The Wild Party), I Am Harvey Milk features Lippa as Harvey Milk, Tony Award-winner Laura Benanti (Gypsy, NBC's "Go On") as the Soprano Soloist and Noah Marlowe (Mary Poppins, Fun Home) as young Harvey, along with the 300 men of the Chorus. Recorded live during the world premiere at Nourse Theatre in San Francisco, the recording is mixed by multi-Grammy award-winner, Leslie Ann Jones at Skywalker Ranch. The album can be ordered via www.iamharveymilk.com/recording or downloaded via iTunes.

San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus (SFGMC) Artistic Director, Dr. Timothy Seelig, announced the original cast recording of I Am Harvey Milk is now available for purchase and download. The world premiere of the choral work, I Am Harvey Milk, concluded the Chorus's 35th anniversary season at the Harvey Milk 2013 concert. The recording is a perfect culmination of SFGMC's 35-year history, which began at the candlelight vigil for slain Supervisor Harvey Milk. With music and words by Tony and Grammy Award nominee Andrew Lippa (Big Fish, The Addams Family, The Wild Party), I Am Harvey Milk features Lippa as Harvey Milk, Tony Award-winner Laura Benanti (Gypsy, NBC's "Go On") as the Soprano Soloist and Noah Marlowe (Mary Poppins, Fun Home) as young Harvey, along with the 300 men of the Chorus. Recorded live during the world premiere at Nourse Theatre in San Francisco, the recording is mixed and mastered by multi-Grammy award-winner, Leslie Ann Jones at Skywalker Ranch. The recording is available now at SFGMC.org and is also available on iTunes.

Quartet San Francisco, the acclaimed cross-genre string quartet, received Grammy nominations for their 2006 'Látigo,' 2007 'Whirled Chamber Music,' and 2009 'QSF Plays Brubeck.'

CMASH, the new music repertory group dedicated to establishing long-term collaborative relationships between composers and performers and welcoming new audiences to the genre of contemporary chamber music, is proud to announce and welcome John Grimmett in the newly created position of Managing Director. Mr. Grimmett's responsibilities include overseeing marketing and fundraising campaigns, designing and implementing educational initiatives in the communities the company serves, and developing a national audience that further promotes CMASH's mission statement.

Quartet San Francisco, the acclaimed cross-genre string quartet, received Grammy nominations for their 2006 'Látigo,' 2007 'Whirled Chamber Music,' and 2009 'QSF Plays Brubeck.'

The Civic Opera House was transformed into 1920s Paris, complete with the Eiffel Tower, the Moulin Rouge nightclub, and classic boulevard signs (environmental design by Event Creative). This set the scene for 'Midnight in Paris,' the 29th annual Fantasy of the Opera Gala benefit hosted by Lyric Opera of Chicago's Guild Board of Directors on Saturday, February 9. The gala benefit raised more than $450,000 net for the world-renowned opera company.

The Tony Award nominee Ann Hampton Callaway made her Royal Room debut in January 2002 and is returning for her sixth engagement at The Colony. One of the finest singer/songwriters of our time, the statuesque performer dazzles music lovers as a singer, pianist, composer, lyricist, arranger, and quick-witted actress. Her talents have made her equally at home in jazz and pop as well as on stage, in the recording studio, on TV and in film. She is best known for starring in the hit Broadway musical Swing! and for writing and singing the theme to the internationally successful TV series, The Nanny.