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New Year’s MusicWatch

By Brett Campbell
December 30, 2015
Music

Ode to Joy”
December 29-30
Oregon Symphony, Portland Symphonic Choir, Meow Meow, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland
Read my Willamette Week preview of what’s fast becoming an essential holiday party, featuring Beethoven’s iconic Symphony #9, holiday cheer, and lots and lots of colorful balloons.

The Oregon Symphony plays Beethoven's Symphony #9 on Wednesday night at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

The Oregon Symphony plays Beethoven’s Symphony #9 on Wednesday night at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

Randy Porter & Friends
December 31
The Old Church, 1422 SW 11th, Portland.
Friends of Chamber Music’s annual NYE party features jazz pianist Randy Porter, bassist John Wiitala, and drummer Michael Raynor performing jazz arrangements of some of the songbook standards written by one of the greatest of all songwriters, Jerome Kern, who wrote the music for Showboat, the immortal Astaire/Rodgers film Swing Time (which included “The Way You Look Tonight”) and so many other Broadway and Hollywood classics. Porter, one of Oregon’s most esteemed jazzers, has played with legends like Benny Golson and Art Farmer as well as much of the cream of the Portland jazz scene. There’s an optional 4:30 pm dinner before the 7:30 pm concert.

“New Year’s Eve Concert”
December 31
This benefit for Trinity Hunger Ministries features Big Horn Brass, The Ensemble, Fear No Music, The Julians, Northwest Art Song, Pacific Youth Choir, cellist Tim Scott, and organist Christopher Lynch.

DJ Anjali and The Incredible Kid and Uproot Andy
December 31
Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder St. Portland.
Read my Willamette Week preview of the NYE two-level dance party that mixes DJ and live performances, bhangra and samba, music and dance, and more.

Cappella Romana's male vocal ensemble sings Byzantine and Roman chant in Portland.

Cappella Romana’s male vocal ensemble sings Byzantine and Roman chant in Portland.

Cappella Romana
January 2, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 147 NW 19th Ave.; January 3, St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1739 NW Couch St. Portland.
Read my Willamette Week preview of the vocal ensemble’s Epiphany concert of medieval Byzantine and Roman chant.

Hailey Niswanger Quartet
January 2
Jimmy Mak’s, 221 NW 10th Ave. Portland.
Read my Willamette Week preview of the rising jazz star’s second show during her holiday swing through her hometown, this one featuring a different band and older material than her earlier PDX Soul gig.

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