The views expressed here are the author's own Join AWP's Improv Troupe for an evening of comedy!! Laugh your little booty off with some of Atlanta's finest improvisors in one of Roswell's cutest new Blackbox Theatres Atlanta Workshop Players 1580 Holcomb Bridge Rd Ste 13 Saturday, 7:00 pmSuwanee, GA Wednesday, 9:00 amLawrenceville, GA Kiddie Academy of Johns Creek will host STEM Adventures on Saturday Families of children ages 2 and up are invited to attend this free event to participate in several hands-on Participating Academies will facilitate STEM activities like bowling, making and flying paper airplanes, participating in a bouncing ball rodeo or creating a ping pong ball launcher. Refreshments will be provided during the event. To register, visit kiddieacademy.com/academies/event/stem-adventures/ WHAT: Kiddie Academy STEM Adventures WHEN: Saturday May 10 from 10 a.m.- noonWHERE: 10100 Medlock Bridge Rd. https://kiddieacademy.com/academies/event/stem-adventures/ Saturday, 7:30 pmJohns Creek, GA The program also features music by and George Gershwin and three new works by Atlanta composer Michael Kurth who held the ASO’s Maple Dorne Weir Chair from 2006 to 2012 now serves as principal trumpet of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and teaches at the University of Southern California In this conversation with EarRelevant publisher and music journalist Mark Gresham and what it means to return to Georgia with a work that showcases the composer’s lesser-known concert repertoire This conversation has been edited for length and clarity Mark Gresham: You’ve come a long way since your time as principal trumpet of the Atlanta Symphony after your years in Los Angeles with the L.A how does it feel to return to Atlanta as a guest soloist with the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra And what influence did your time here have on your career Thomas Hooten: It was a huge opportunity for me to be principal trumpet of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra I’d been assistant principal in Indianapolis—so having this job in Atlanta felt like a big opportunity I was filling big shoes because Chris Martin had left to go to Chicago so I felt a lot of pressure—not just from that but also from myself—just to be able to play the repertoire that would be on my stand for the next several years A really big learning experience for me—not only from a musician’s standpoint working with Robert Spano and the other musicians of the orchestra—but also in learning how to be “The trumpet player leads the brass section,” and I don’t really think about it like that But I do think about it in terms of facilitating things to learn how to communicate and help facilitate some of the best musical experiences we could create as a group Being there six years was all about growth I remember putting together a kind of listening lab backstage so we could listen to recordings and critique them People who were interested in learning and growing had a space to do that I was part of the musicians’ committee quite a bit so I felt very vested in that organization I had a beautiful house just north of Marietta I’ve been so consumed with the last 12 years in L.A.—the Philharmonic is nonstop—and now I have kids I still have a softness in my heart for Atlanta and I have several students who are still in the area I’ll be collaborating with one former student while I’m there to put together a small recording project he’s organizing It’ll be great to see some former colleagues and musicians in the area It’s always great to reconnect face to face Tom Hooten pauses beside a poster for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Mark Gresham: The upcoming Johns Creek program is entitled A Kaleidoscope of American Music and you’re performing the John Williams Trumpet Concerto—something you have a special relationship with I’ve had the amazing opportunity to work with John Williams in a few different ways We [the LA Philharmonic] recorded the concerto with him about four or five years ago and it’s hard to put into words what it means We all know his iconic film scores—Jurassic Park It’s like returning to a great painting: every time I come back to it “How would Miles play the second movement?”—as in Miles Davis It opened up the idea that this piece isn’t just classical—it weaves in jazz all these elements of American musical identity You can’t approach it with a singular mindset like trying to recreate the grandeur of Superman Mark Gresham: This concert emphasizes American repertoire and the Williams concerto definitely fits that What do you think defines that “American” sound Is an American brass sound different from European playing where you’ve worked directly with the composer Thomas Hooten: I hesitate to try to pin down exactly what makes something sound “American.” Sure there are tendencies among American brass players but I’ve also heard beautiful interpretations by European musicians I think John Williams himself would welcome a global approach to the piece The reason I recorded the concerto actually ties into that Mike Sachs [Principal Trumpet of the Cleveland Orchestra] helped commission it with The Cleveland Orchestra but they never released a recording—which seemed like a missed opportunity and this piece deserves to be heard more widely He agreed that the piece needed more exposure especially given Williams’s deep connection to brass—it’s all over his film scores As for what makes my approach “American,” I think about qualities like drive but more a spirit—a mix of innovation and emotional openness that I try to bring to the music single note—pa-pa—and then these bell-like sounds start to echo around the orchestra It feels like voices calling out from different corners building a kind of musical landscape for a conversation but it’s not a solo-and-accompaniment piece where the trumpet and orchestra are equals Everyone plays a part—there are moments for trombone English horn—it’s all deeply collaborative It reminds us this is something we’re doing together there’s this beautiful simplicity—a warm string bed with a clear It reminds me of Copland or of Bernstein’s Simple Song—that clarity and openness that feels very American Then the last movement is all drive and determination It’s relentless in the best way—pushing forward We even used a click track in recording to stay locked in and still had to focus on keeping that edge-of-your-seat momentum That forward motion—that spirit of always asking what’s next?—feels so true to Williams’s career Mark Gresham: Some of what you’ve said reminds me of something I read about you—that you’re a storyteller in your playing I feel like that’s really all that matters The real goal is to tell a story—your story—through music It’s about making the audience feel something That’s why working with John Williams is so special He gives you a platform—and a structure—to say what you want to say He’s never once told me how to play anything That kind of humility is part of what makes him so special He trusts the soloist to bring their own story to the music in partnership with him—but without controlling it that’s a real sign of strength—not just as a person John Williams and Tom Hooten (tomhooten.com) Mark Gresham: You mentioned persistence earlier and it sounds like that was a big part of your own journey—even back in high school working through challenges with the trumpet is also a distinguished trumpet player and the two of you have collaborated a bit we’ve done some work together—editing the Arban book We both taught at Kennesaw State back when they were building up the program It’s been great to grow together in that way And I think it’s important to give back—to help students however we can As for my own journey as a trumpet player—yeah I think back to the way I approached music when I was with the Atlanta Symphony how to collaborate more effectively on stage how to communicate with people musically—and personally or if it started with something I picked up in high school but I latched onto some ideas around self-development early on and just ran with them I still take lessons from people across the country who I think have special insights to offer It’s not just about trumpet technique—it’s about understanding how people experience music It helps me expand my understanding—not just of trumpet playing is one of the real gifts of music: there aren’t many fields where it’s actually required—and beneficial—for your job to bring your whole self your frustrations—and you have to find a way to channel all of that into the act of playing an instrument you have to both get out of your own way and know yourself deeply enough to reach that place where you’re a conduit for emotion Mark Gresham: Any final thoughts on the upcoming concert Thomas Hooten: I’d just encourage people to come out and hear something truly special I’d be surprised if John Williams’ Trumpet Concerto has ever been played by a professional orchestra in Georgia—maybe a school ensemble has done it with a powerful part for the whole orchestra—not just the trumpet and I think it offers a different lens on John Williams It might surprise people—and help them appreciate his artistry on a whole new level This Trumpet Concerto is a rare chance to hear his music as he intended it: for the stage and I really hope John’s writing and my collaboration with Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra can bring some of that forward to share with the audience Mark Gresham is publisher and principal writer of EarRelevant He began writing as a music journalist over 30 years ago but has been a composer of music much longer than that He was the winner of an ASCAP/Deems Taylor Award for music journalism in 2003 How to watch Georgia high school boys lacrosse: Milton vs May 1Data SkriveMilton High School will host Johns Creek High School on Thursday How to watch Johns Creek vs. Milton boys lacrosseJohns Creek and Milton will match up on Thursday, May 1, at 8 p.m. ET. Don't miss out on any of the action with NFHS Network The NFHS Network gives you access to live high school sports around the country Follow your favorite team and never miss a game Want to track your alma mater, local team or family member's school throughout the playoffs? NFHS Network has high school lacrosse streaming live plus on-demand replays and highlights of all the action from thousands of schools across America Watch Milton vs. Johns Creek on NFHS Network! All NFHS Network events are available to watch online at and through the NFHS Network Mobile Apps for iOS and Android and TV Apps for ROKU This website is unavailable in your location It appears you are attempting to access this website from a country outside of the United States therefore access cannot be granted at this time How to watch Georgia high school girls lacrosse: Milton vs May 1Data SkriveThere is an exciting high school clash -- Milton High School vs How to watch Johns Creek vs. Milton girls lacrosseJohns Creek and Milton will hit the field on Thursday, May 1, at 6 p.m. ET. Don't miss out on any of the action with NFHS Network This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Two months after officially breaking ground, developers have unveiled plans for a luxury residential portion of Johns Creek’s Medley project that will aim to echo successes at Avalon, which has recently been called a template for mixed-use nodes around the world.  Helmed by the same developer who led Avalon’s rise from abandoned acreage in Alpharetta Toro Development Company released details this week for 133 luxury townhomes bound for Medley they say will be unique as a “mixed-use resi” building category.   for-sale housing that replicates the walkability of living intown is that all Medley townhomes will be fully built of brick.  Situated along Lakeview Drive and Johns Creek Parkway Medley’s townhome plans call for two distinct designs ranging from 2,000 to 2,800 square feet in three stories with outdoor terraces.  Expect 10-foot ceilings in main living spaces and “best-in-class craftsmanship” with building materials that include stone and natural wood The Medley neighborhood will include a centralized greenspace with a pool and clubhouse plus an additional pocket park and walkability to two larger greenspaces in the district.  as sales aren't expected to begin until sometime next year.  TDC’s chief vision officer and an Avalon homeowner said the goal is to create a “rare luxury” in suburban environments similar to Avalon that allows for a vibrant urban-like experience without getting in a car we saw incredible home value growth because of the unique lifestyle that comes with owning a home in a mixed-use environment,” Toro said in an announcement this week.   TDC reps say Avalon’s 101 for-sale homes have greatly outpaced the region in terms of value growth since they started coming to market in 2016 Avalon’s current per-square-foot average home value is $565 or what TDC calculated as 221 percent of the metro’s median five-bathroom standalone house that fetched $2.75 million a year ago—at $859 per square foot.) Active intown developer Empire Communities will be the exclusive homebuilder at Medley “The homes coming to Medley are certainly beautiful but the real selling point is Medley itself,” said Caroline Simmel Empire’s senior vice president of sales and marketing fitness studios just steps away—this is what it’s like living in a mixed-use community and people will pay a premium for it.”  the Johns Creek City Council unanimously approved plans last fall for a 175-key Medley hotel that TDC hopes will also replicate the success of Avalon’s hospitality component Medley's phase one is also set to include roughly 180,000 square feet for retail plans call for 340 luxury-grade apartments in the initial phase ranging from live music and outdoor wellness classes to art festivals and watch parties Medley’s phase one has signed the first suburban locations of Fadó Irish Pub and Little Rey a Mexican concept by chef and restaurateur Ford Fry Other announced tenants include CRÚ Food & Wine Bar All told, Medley is expected to create 900 residences considered luxury (all townhomes and apartments), another 20,000 square feet of retail, and an Avalon-style central greenspace designed for community events and gatherings. It will eventually be just one facet of the city’s 192-acre Town Center and greenspace about the size of Piedmont Park Twitter / Facebook/and now: Instagram   • Johns Creek news, discussion (Urbanize Atlanta)  Face to Face (a Billy Joel and Elton John Tribute Band) takes the stage on Saturday Beer and wine will be available for purchase to allow for the public to set up chairs/blankets Music begins at 7 p.m.Location: Mark Burkhalter Amphitheater Seating is on a first-come-first-serve basis If we experience lightning or severe weather we may delay the start of the concert or evacuate if necessary.  Outside alcohol is NOT allowed. Please note: Dogs are NOT allowed (with the exception of service animals) first serve seating.  Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome.  After two and ½ years of planning Johns Creek’s long-held dream of building a city center is officially underway as of this week according to city and development officials Atlanta-based Toro Development Company on Monday announced the groundbreaking—and set a firm grand-opening date—for the $560-million 43-acre Medley district in the well-to-do north Fulton County city Medley marks one of the only mixed-use projects of such complexity and scale to break ground nationally this year as a lending environment they described as “frigid” lingers Medley has managed to sign leases with more than 25 brands including the first OTP outposts for beloved intown food-and-beverage concepts A 350,000-square-foot office building at the site previously occupied by State Farm Insurance Co four-story office structure will be adaptively reused and woven into new streets and plazas It will claim a moribund site surrounded by (obviously) alluring demographics where Johns Creek Parkway meets McGinnis Ferry Road TDC head Mark Toro said Medley’s broader goal is to create a “third place” from a “dead suburban office park” where people can socialize and enjoy life outside of work and home “Similar to bringing Avalon to life from the rubble of a long abandoned project,” said Toro in an announcement “Medley will rise from a sea of empty buildings to become the walkable urban oasis the Johns Creek community deserves.” Medley secured $560 million in financing despite the headwinds of tough capital markets as U.S Phase one funding includes a $158 million construction loan from Mexico City-based Banco Inbursa and an equity investment from Denver-based real estate private equity firm Ascentris The Johns Creek City Council in October unanimously approved plans for a 175-key Medley hotel that TDC hopes will replicate the success of Avalon’s hospitality component phase one is set to include roughly 180,000 square feet for retail Residential plans call for 133 Empire Communities-built townhomes and 340 apartments in the initial phase Medley’s phase one will include the first suburban locations of Fadó Irish Pub and Little Rey Medley is expected to create 900 residences considered luxury-grade (all townhomes and apartments) and an Avalon-style central greenspace designed for community events and gatherings Should Johns Creek’s broader plans fully come to fruition, Medley will eventually be just one facet of the city’s 192-acre Town Center Some aspects of that vision are under construction now “A Johns Creek town center was once considered little more than a dream,” Mayor John Bradberry said in this week’s announcement “With Boston Scientific [life science facilities] almost complete and now the official launch of Medley as the premium mixed-use linchpin our town center is quickly becoming a reality.” therefore access cannot be granted at this time.