PORT ANGELES — Jenny Oaks Baker — a Grammy-nominated, Billboard No. 1 recording artist and performer — will be the featured soloist during Saturday’s Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra performance at Port Angeles High School.
Oaks Baker has performed as a soloist at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Strathmore Hall and the Library of Congress; and as a guest soloist with The National Symphony, Jerusalem Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Utah Symphony and Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Throughout the years, Oaks Baker has collaborated musically with Gladys Knight, Kurt Bestor, Marvin Hamlisch and the former Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.
15 studio albums
Oaks Baker has released 15 studio albums since 1998.
They have sold more than half a million copies.
“I hope you will join me and the members of the Port Angeles Symphony for our next concert this Saturday evening,” said Jonathan Pasternack, Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra music director and conductor.
“Come enjoy the virtuosity of our guest violinist, Jenny Oaks Baker, as well as some of the most exciting and beautiful music ever written, including Barber’s Violin Concerto and Dvorak’s New World Symphony. As always, thank you so much for supporting your very own hometown orchestra as we bring you the best in live classical music performance.”
Oaks Baker began playing the violin at age 4, and made her solo orchestral debut in 1983 when she was 8 years old.
She received a master of music degree from Juilliard School in New York City and a bachelor’s degree in violin performance from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.
Her album, “Wish Upon a Star: A Tribute to the Music of Walt Disney,” earned a nomination at the 54th Grammy Awards for best pop instrumental album.
Billboard No. 1 spot
Oaks Baker’s albums consistently chart on Billboard, with her 2010 album, “Then Sings My Soul,” hitting the No. 1 spot on the Top Classical Albums chart two weeks in a row.
Her next project, “Noël: Carols of Christmas Past,” was produced and arranged by Emmy-award winning composer Kurt Bestor and features former “Celtic Woman” star Alex Sharpe.
Her latest album, “Classic: The Rock Album,” has also been met with critical acclaim.
In April, Oaks Baker’s album, “Awakening,” will be released.
Music on soundtracks
Oaks Baker’s music has been featured on the soundtracks of many films, including Helen Whitney’s 2007 PBS Documentary, “The Mormons,” TC Christensen’s films, “17 Miracles” and “The Cokeville Miracle,” and alongside music by The Killers in the Mitch Davis film, “Christmas Eve” starring James Roday, Jon Heder and Sir Patrick Stewart.
Oaks Baker made her acting debut in the movie — released in December — as the violinist character, Mandy.
She currently lives with her family in Salt Lake City.
The performance will be held at the Port Angeles High School Auditorium, 304 E. Park Ave.
A final rehearsal will be at 10 a.m.
Rehearsal tickets are $5 each or $10 for families.
A pre-concert chat before the feature presentation is set to begin at 6:40 p.m.
The main concert begins at 7:30 p.m.
Reserved seating for the main concert is on sale for $20 or $30. General seating is $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors.
Children 16 and younger get in free when accompanied by an adult.
Tickets available
Tickets for general admission seating are available at Port Book and News, 104 E. First St., in Port Angeles; The Good Book, 108 W. Washington St., in Sequim; and Sequim Village Glass of Carlsborg, 761 Carlsborg Road.
Tickets for reserved seating are available at the Symphony Office, 216 C. North Laurel St., in Port Angeles.
For more information, call 360-457-5579, email pasymphony@olypen.com or visit www.portangelessymphony.org.
Bus service from Sequim to Saturday’s symphony concert is available.
However, the bus is expected to arrive at 7:15 p.m., too late for participation in the pre-concert chat.
Service will be provided from:
■ SunLand at 135 Fairway Drive at 6:30 p.m.
■ Walmart Supercenter, 1110 W. Washington St., at 6:40 p.m. Pickup will be in the large parking lot west of the building and the pharmacy drive-through.
Bus travel costs $18.75 per person, with reservations required by calling the symphony office at 360-457-5579.
