MEDIA CONTACT: Judy Moore at (847) 491-4819 or at jkm229@northwestern.edu

February 10, 2004

March 2004 Music Calendar

March 2004 music highlights include tributes to Irish culture with a performance by Altan, a popular Celtic ensemble (March 3), and a Kids Fare program of “Songs and Music o’ the Irish” (March 13).

Other musical events during March include a performance by the Newberry Consort, Chicago’s premier early-music ensemble (March 7); a faculty recital featuring Gail Williams, former associate principal horn player of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Elizabeth Cifani, principal harpist, Lyric Opera of Chicago (March 14); and a Segovia Classical Guitar Series concert (March 28) by guitarist Oscar Ghiglia.

Events listed below will be held on Northwestern’s Evanston campus at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive; or Lutkin Hall, 700 University Place, as noted below.

For more information, call the Pick-Staiger Concert Office at (847) 491-5441, or go to the Pick-Staiger Web site at www.northwestern.edu/pick-staiger. To order tickets by phone, call the Pick-Staiger Ticket Office at (847) 467-4000.

Altan, 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. One of the most popular Celtic ensembles, Altan, follows in the footsteps of Bothy Band, De Dannann and Planxty. The group features the vocals of Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh along with fiddler Clarán Tourish, button accordionist Dermot Byrne, guitarist Dáithí Sproule, bouzouki player Claran Curran, and bodhran player Jim Higgins. Single tickets are $15 for the general public, senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $10 for full-time students.

Newberry Consort, “Baroque Brilliance,” 3 p.m. Sunday, March 7, Lutkin Hall. A choice selection of trio sonatas, conducted by the group’s director Mary Springfels, will be performed by the Chicago area’s premier early music ensemble including flutist Janet See, oboist Washington McClain, and harpsichordist Arthur Haas. Single tickets are $20 for the general public, $18 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $10 for full-time students.

University Chorale, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 7, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. Robert A. Harris will conduct the choir as they perform six Bach motets, works by English composers Henry Purcell and John Taverner, and Aaron Copland’s “In the Beginning.” Single tickets are $6.50 for the general public; $4.50 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $3.50 for full-time students.

University Chorus and Northwestern University Chamber Orchestra, “Divine Voices,” 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. This program features the symphony-cantata “Lobgesang” (“Hymn of Praise”) which includes Mendelssohn’s famous Second Symphony; Mozart’s Overture to “Così fan tutte” and the concert aria “Ombra felice, lo ti lascio,” performed by School of Music Associate Dean René Machado. Single tickets are $6.50 for the general public; $4.50 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $3.50 for full-time students.

Symphonic Band, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 11, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. Ryan Nelson will conduct the Symphonic Band in a performance of Frank Ticheli’s “Postcards” and Stephen Gryc’s “Masquerade Visions,” inspired by the music of Prokofiev. Single tickets are $6.50 for the general public; $4.50 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $3.50 for the general public.

Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 12, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. Victor Yampolsky conducts a program of 20th century works featuring the winners of Northwestern’s annual Concerto Competition. Graduate student cellist Ashima Scripp will perform Bloch’s “Schelomo,” alumnus clarinetist and Jacksonville (Fla.) Symphony Orchestra member Alcides Rodriguez will perform Nielsen’s Clarinet Concerto; and graduate student violinist Lillian Wang will play Bartók’s Second Violin Concerto. Single tickets are $8.50 for the general public; $7 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $4 for full-time students.

Kids Fare, “Songs and Music o’ the Irish,” 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 13, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. This program for children aged 3 to 8 will focus on Celtic culture. Singers, step dancers and instrumental virtuosos will perform with traditional Celtic fiddles, accordions, bodhrans, penny whistles and Uilleann pipes. Single tickets are $5 for the general public; $4 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $3 for full-time students and children.

Jazz Ensemble, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 13, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. This evening of jazz is coordinated by Joel Spencer and conducted by Don Owens. Single tickets are $6.50 for the general public; $4.50 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; $3.50 for full-time students.

Concert Band, 3 p.m. Sunday, March 14, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. Daniel J. Farris conducts a group of non-major musicians in an afternoon of band favorites. Single tickets are $6.50 for the general public; $4.50 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; $3.50 for full-time students.

Gail Williams, horn, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 14, Lutkin Hall. Faculty member Gail Williams, former associate principal horn of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and a founding member of the Chicago Chamber Musicians, will perform The Rochberg Trio for clarinet, horn and piano, the Berkeley Trio for violin, horn and piano, and Cooke's Songs for soprano, horn and piano. Williams will be joined by guest trumpeters Barbara Butler and Charles Geyer, trombonist James Campbell, soprano Sunny Joy Langton, clarinetist Larry Combs and pianist Mary Ann Covert. Single tickets are $8.50 for the general public; $7 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $4 for full-time students. To order tickets by phone, call (847) 467-4000.

Segovia Classical Guitar Series, Oscar Ghiglia, guitar, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 28, Lutkin Hall. Professor of guitar at the Basel Musik-Akademie, Oscar Ghiglia will share his musical imagination through a program including works by Bach, Sor and Ponce. This performance is part of the Segovia Classical Guitar Series, supported in part by the Chicago Classical Guitar Society. Single tickets are $19 for the general public; $16 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $8 for full-time students.