Michael Allen Harrison ~ Composer / Pianist, Performer, Music Education Advocate
Creator and Music Director of "Ten Grands" Founder of the "Snowman Foundation"
TEN GRANDS 2014
Seattle, Washington - April 4th - Beneroya Hall - Info and Tickets
Portland, Oregon - April 19th - Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall- Info And Tickets
Crossing Over, A Musical Haggadah: A Celebration of Passover and Crossing the Red Sea
April 5th - 7:30pm - Click Here for Tickets
April 6th 2:00pm - Click Here for Tickets
Thank You to our 2013 Sponsors!
Bonim (Builders): Harold and Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation, Oregon Jewish Life Magazine, Jeff Reingold and Income Property Management Co., Sharon Ungerleider, Willamette Week. Neviim (Prophets): Cedar Sinai Park, Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, First Republic Bank, Oregon Jewish Community Foundation, Harold Pollin, Jim and Susan Winkler.
2013 Press
Thousands of versions of Passover haggadahs – the prayer book that is used for a Passover Seder service – exist to retell the story of Exodus. Now, composer and pianist Michael Allen Harrison and Rabbi Alan Berg have created a concert version of the haggadah.
In April 2012, the Oregon Area Jewish Committee presented the world premiere of Crossing Over – A Celebration of Passover and Crossing the Red Sea. The performance featured professional soloists, a children’s choir, an orchestra, and art by Leonard Baskin. OAJC presented the second performance in March 2013 and are in planning mode for April 2014.
“I consider this to be one of my greatest achievements as a composer. It is inspired by my father’s dream for me to make a significant contribution to the Jewish Community and all communities of faith. This musical interpretation of the exodus from Egypt and the story of redemption and freedom will be a deep meaningful experience as we awaken our spirits this spring.” – Michael Allen Harrison
“If you really want to know what Crossing Over is about, musically, spiritually and communally, you will have to be there. There has never been anything quite like its combination of music and Passover. Remember that crossing through the Red Sea is the shared Jewish miracle. Through this concert event we want to give that to people in a way they’ve never experienced.” – Rabbi Alan Berg
People are talking about “Crossing Over”
However satisfying and beautiful our home Seders are, there is for some a point in which we have heard and repeated the text so often that it glosses over… last night this gap was filled with the story as it was meant to be…an expression of ourselves, our own gifts and struggles and dedication to freedom developed from our shared history. Last night the Seder was enhanced with the touch of the poet by Alan and the enveloping beauty of sound by Michael and all of the gifted people who gave their voices and talents to this incredible experience.
I found the performance to be an absolute unequivocal delight.
I always tear up at the beginning of the Seder. More tears than usual this time. The music was inspiring and the singers were superb. What a contribution to our wonderful community. Rabbi Berg and Michael Harrison are to be applauded.
2012 Photos by Campbell Salgado Studios
2012 Press
Oregonian, ‘Crossing Over’ for Passover: Michael Allen Harrison, Rabbi Alan Berg collaborate on musical Haggadah
Oregon Jewish Life, Crossing Over
Portland Tribune, Bringing Exodus story to life ”Crossing Over: A Musical Haggadah” gives new sound to Passover tradition
Ten Grands 2014
Seattle, Washington - April 4th - Beneroya Hall
Info and Tickets
Portland, Oregon - April 19th - Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
Info And Tickets
Ten Grands features ten grand pianos and ten concert pianists playing a
variety of classical and modern pieces both simultaneously and individually.
Ten Grands is presented just once a year in Portland at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
The 2014 concert features
Michael Allen Harrison, Tom Grant, Janice Scroggins, Hailey Rowden,
Mac Potts, David Lanz, JJ Guo, Michael Kaeshammer, Barbara Roberts and John Nilsen.
Concert proceeds benefit The Snowman Foundation, which in turn benefits youth service groups,
helps generate scholarships and music lessons for disadvantaged youth in Oregon and
Southwest Washington and helps purchase pianos for schools and organizations in need.
You can also help raise more money for The Snowman Foundation by creating an overnight
Ten Grands package and reserving at room at The Heathman Hotel!
You will also receive a special gift package from The Snowman Foundation upon check-in at the hotel.
For hotel reservations, click HERE!
