The Bellingham Symphony Orchestra has teamed up with Bellingham Public Library, Whatcom Library, and Village Books to launch a book club pairing titles for adults and children with each of its upcoming season concerts. Books can be checked out through local libraries or purchased at Village Books.
BSO will provide questions to those interested in leading discussions for their private book club meetings, and also plans to have a public book club event.
Downtown Bellingham’s exclusive specialty wine shop Seifert & Jones has also joined in the fun! They will pick a red and a white wine to go with each of the four adult book choices — and offer 10% off for anyone using the code BOOKCLUB10 at online checkout. For in-store shopping, please mention you are buying the selected wines for the BSO Book Club. Discounts only applies to the wines Seifert & Jones select to pair with the book club. The first two wines have been announced here!
The first adult title of the season is “The Violin Conspiracy” by Brendan Slocumb, which connects with the soloist piece for the BSO’s September 29th concert, Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto, as well as to Grammy Award- winning composer Jessie Montgomery's Banner. “The Violin Conspiracy” is about a violin soloist in the International Tchaikovsky Concerto Competition as well as about the experience of being Black in the classical music world, which relates directly to Banner.
The book for the season’s second concert, Americana, on November 26, is “True West” by Betsy Gaines Quammen. This concert is about music from the Americas, exploring John Williams' Cowboys Overture, guest soloist Jeff Midkiff's Mandolin Concerto “From the Blue Ridge,” Copland's Appalachian Spring, and Ginastera's Four Dances From Estancia. “True West” examines the myths of the West and allows concertgoers to listen to this music with a fresh approach, taking into consideration varying perspectives.
Village Books will offer discounts to patrons purchasing these titles in its stores, and will be on hand in the Mount Baker Theatre lobby at select concert dates, selling BSO Book Club titles and other books related to symphony concert themes. BSO and Village Books are matching a 15% discount for books and tickets. Use code TAKE15 to save!
The library will also be in attendance in the lobby at concert dress rehearsals to read the children’s book to Classical Kids families. Learn more about this free program at www.bellinghamsymphony.org/education-community/youth-programs.
BSO's Book Club is a great way for audience members to connect with the music in a new and fun way!
Book titles for adult readers can be found online here and the children’s book titles selected for the BSO Book Club can be perused here.
All BSO Book Club gatherings are open to the public and take place at the Reading Room at Village Books in Fairhaven.
Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 10 a.m.
"The Violin Conspiracy," by Brendan Slocumb, in relation to the BSO concert Moving Forward, which took place September 29, 2024
Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 10 a.m.
"True West," by Betsy Gaines Quammen, in relation to BSO's Americana concert, which takes place November 24, 2024
Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 10 a.m.
"Something About the Sky," by Rachel Carson and illustrated by Nikki McClure, in relation to the BSO concert Making Waves, which takes place March 23, 2025
Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 10 a.m.
"The Green Mile," by Stephen King, in relation to BSO's Singing Out concert , which takes place April 27, 2025.
Resident orchestra of the historic Mount Baker Theatre, the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra performs seven concerts per season in addition to a variety of community and youth engagement programs across the calendar year. Details about the BSO and ticketing information for the upcoming season are available at www.bellinghamsymphony.org.
