January 24, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore.…Spend Valentine’s Day with your sweetie and Miss America 2002, Oregon’s own Katie Harman, as she performs in a Valentine’s Day concert with the Oregon Symphony led by Associate Conductor Norman Leyden on Friday, February 14, in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. This concert is sponsored by the Andrianoff Family and is supported by K103.
Romance tops the bill in this special concert as Harman and the Symphony present an array of classical, pop and big band favorites. The concert opens with an overture of Vincent Youmans songs, including “More Than You Know,” “Tea for Two” and “Great Day.” Harman then takes the stage to perform “I Could Have Danced All Night,” from “My Fair Lady” and “Baubles, Bangles and Beads.” Harman and the Symphony share the spotlight as the orchestra performs instrumental music including Rose’s “Holiday for Strings,” “Jalousie” and “Yesterdays” by Kern and Halbach, while Harman closes the first half with two signature Puccini arias, “O mio babbino caro,” from “Gianni Schicchi” and “Musetta’s Waltz” from “La Bohème.”
The second half of the concert focuses on the music of Richard Rodgers. Leyden and the orchestra begin the second half with a medley of Rodgers’ waltzes, including “Falling in Love with Love,” “Out of My Dreams” and “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World.” Harman returns to the stage to sing two Rogers and Hammerstein classics, “It Might as Well Be Spring,” and “I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy.” The orchestra then performs another Rodgers medley, featuring the songs “My Romance,” “You Are Too Beautiful” and “This Can’t Be Love.” Leyden then leads the Symphony in a performance of some of his signature big band music, including Tommy Dorsey’s “I’m Getting Sentimental Over You,” Benny Goodman’s “Let’s Dance” and Glenn Miller’s “Moonlight Serenade.” Harman returns to close out the evening with selections from “West Side Story,” including “Somewhere,” “One Hand, One Heart” and “Tonight.”
Harman is the first woman from the Pacific Northwest to win the coveted Miss America contest, which she entered in hopes of winning a scholarship to finance her college education. With the $75,000 prize money, Harman will finish her degree in speech communications and music at Portland State University. She hopes to earn her masters degree in bioethics and work as a strong voice in health care, continuing her advocacy for patients and survivors of breast cancer.
This performance is scheduled for Friday, February 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Tickets range from $28 to $72 and may be purchased at the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office (923 S.W. Washington), Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or charged by phone at 503-228-1353 or (800) 228-7343. Tickets also may be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets (503-790-ARTS) or through Ticketmaster Online, via the Symphony's Web site at www.orsymphony.org. Service fees may apply.
It is not very often that a person comes along who captivates an audience and makes everyone take notice. This person has the ability to wipe out any predetermined opinions and forces you to form new ones. You may see her as just another pretty face, but Miss America 2002 will earn your respect the moment she opens her mouth and starts talking.
It might be the fact that she was named to her year-long post mere days after the tragic events of September 11. Perhaps it is her outstanding operatic talent that showcases her angelic voice. Her tireless dedication to breast cancer patients has endeared her to many patients, families and health care professionals around the world. Making young girls smile by taking the time to answer their questions and let them try on her crown.
As genuine, poised and intelligent a person as you will ever meet, Katie Harman is truly a memorable individual.
Born and raised in Gresham, a suburb of Portland, Oregon, Harman's interest in the Miss America Pageant grew out of a need to seek scholarship funds during her freshman year of college. Encouraged by her high school drama teacher, and fueled by a talent for public speaking and musical performance, Harman decide to pursue the Miss America title. In September 2001, Harman was named Miss America 2002, the first Pacific Northwest woman to hold that title.
As Miss America 2002, Harman earned $75,000 in scholarship money to further pursue her studies at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. In addition, Harman spearheaded numerous initiatives and activities during her post, including making an emotionally moving visit to the World Trade Center's Ground Zero site; traveling an average of 20,000 miles a month to communicate her platform of support for breast cancer patients; performing with the Boston Pops on July 4, 2002; visiting numerous military bases; meeting with First Lady, Laura Bush; and organizing and co-authoring "Under the Crown: 51 Stories of Courage, Determination and the American Spirit," a compilation of essays from last year's Miss America contestants about participating in a age-old tradition while under the shadow of the country's worst tragedy in decades. Proceeds from sales of the book will go towards Miss America contestant scholarships.
With her year of service officially over, Harman is looking forward to a schedule filled with speaking and musical engagements. In addition, Harman will continue her work with breast cancer patients while pursuing her speech communications and vocal performance at Portland State. Katie aspires to one day earn her Masters degree in Bioethics and work as a strong voice in health care.
The future is bright for Katie Harman. Her determination, talent and charm will help her achieve whatever she puts her mind to.