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

February 2, 2005

March 2005 Music Calendar

This March, the School of Music will launch “Rite of Strings: A 12-day Festival from Bach to Django” (March 29 to April 9). The celebration of stringed instruments includes performances by leading violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg (March 29) and renowned cellist Carter Brey (March 30) and continues into April with master classes and a Monster String Concert (April 9) featuring an ensemble of 70 cellists.

Northwestern’s Concerto Competition Winners will be showcased (March 4). Other highlights include a jazz performance by trumpeter and new School of Music faculty member Tito Carrillo (March 12) and a Saturday morning concert of international choral works for children aged 3 to 8 during Kids’ Fare, “Hum Along! Global Voices” (March 12). 

Events listed below will be held on Northwestern’s Evanston campus at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive; Regenstein Recital Hall, 60 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.

MARCH 2005

Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra, Concerto Competition Winners, 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 4, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. Victor Yampolsky will conduct the University’s Symphony Orchestra during a performance featuring the Northwestern University Concerto Competition winners. The featured performers are pianists Susan Chou and Adam Swayne, violinist Alicia Koelz and flutist Melissa Snoza. The program includes Dmitri Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1, Witold Lutoslawski’s Piano Concerto, Charles Tomlinson Griffes’ “Poem” for flute and orchestra, and Jean Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D Minor. Single tickets are $8.50 for the general public; $7 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $4 for students.

Symphonic Wind Ensemble and University Chorus, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. Mallory Thompson will conduct a program that will include motets accompanied by the Northwestern University Trombone Choir. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble and University Chorus will join forces during Bruckner’s Mass in E Minor. 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.

Philharmonia and University Singers, “Wonders of Vienna,” 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 6, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. This program features Johannes Brahms’ “Schicksalslied” (“Song of Destiny”) and “Hungarian Dances” Nos. 5 and 6, Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Coriolan” Overture and Johann Strauss Jr.’s “Kaiser-Walzer” (“Emperor Waltzes”). Robert G. Hasty, Amy Weller and Krista Halvorson will conduct. Single tickets are $6.50 for the general public; $4.50 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $3.50 for students.

Graham Scott, piano, 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 7, Lutkin Hall. Graham Scott has performed worldwide with leading orchestras, including the London Philharmonic. Scott is the chair of Roosevelt University’s piano department. Single tickets are $8.50 for the general public; $7 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $4 for students.

Northwestern University Chamber Orchestra and University Chorale, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. Robert G. Hasty and Robert A. Harris will conduct this performance featuring violinist Almita Vamos and pianist Ursula Oppens. The program includes Mendelssohn’s Concerto in D Major for Violin and Piano and Mozart’s Requiem. Single tickets are $6.50 for the general public; $4.50 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $3.50 for students.

Contemporary Music Ensemble, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 10, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. Clarinetist Russell Dagon will join the ensemble conducted by Stephen Alltop. The program includes Esa-Pekka Salonen’s “Five Images after Sappho,” Michael Torke’s “Overnight Mail,” Chen Yi’s “Sparkle Octet” and Alan Terricciano’s Clarinet Concerto. Single tickets are $6.50 for the general public; $4.50 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $3.50 for students.

Symphonic Band, 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 11, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. The Symphonic Band’s program will include Igor Stravinsky’s “Circus Polka,” Michael Djupstrom’s “Homages,” Paul Hart’s “Circus Ring” and Dana Wilson’s “Piece of Mind.” Single tickets are $6.50 for the general public; $4.50 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $3.50 for students.

Kids’ Fare, “Hum Along! Global Voices,” 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 12, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. Scat, shoo-bop and sing as children aged 3 to 8 experience vocal traditions from many corners of the planet. Single tickets are $5 for the general public; $4 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $3 for students.

Jazz Ensemble, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 12, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. New School of Music faculty member Tito Carrillo has earned a reputation as a trumpet phenomenon since leaving his native Texas for Chicago. His high-energy playing and keen improvisatory and duet work have had a major impact on the jazz scene. Don Owens will conduct. Single tickets are $6.50 for the general public; $4.50 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $3.50 for students.

Concert Band, 3 p.m. Sunday, March 13, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. Daniel J. Farris will conduct a performance by talented Northwestern University students from the Evanston campus during an afternoon of band standards and favorites. Single tickets are $6.50 for the general public; $4.50 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $3.50 for students.

Keyboard Conversations, “A Musical Love Triangle: Robert Schumann, Clara Schumann and Johannes Brahms,” 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 18, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. As part of his “concerts with commentary” series, Jeffrey Siegel explores the romantic connections among three composer-pianists who loved and inspired one another. His program includes pieces by all three, notably Robert Schumann’s Sonata in F sharp Minor which he described as the passionate outcry of his love for Clara. Single tickets are $23 for the general public; $21 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $16 for students.

Rite of Strings Festival, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and Sergio and Odair Assad, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. During the first Rite of Strings Festival (March 29 to April 9) concert, one of the leading violinists of her generation, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg teams up with world-renowned guitarists Sergio and Odair Assad to create a unique musical experience. The artists’ sounds come together in a program that includes arrangements of Bach’s Sonata in E Major, Bartok’s “Six Rumanian Folk Dances,” Ginastera’s “Danzas Argentines” and a medley of music by Charlie Chaplin. The concert also is part of the 2005 Segovia Classical Guitar Series, supported by the Chicago Classical Guitar Society. Single tickets are $30 for the general public; $24 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $10 for students.

Rite of Strings Festival, Carter Brey Cello Master Class, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, Regenstein Recital Hall. Prior to his evening recital, cellist Carter Brey helps guide the next generation’s musical artists during a master class. Admission is free.

Rite of Strings Festival, Carter Brey, cello, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. Carter Brey, the principal cellist of the New York Philharmonic, has toured the world and has enjoyed a distinguished career as a soloist and chamber musician. Brey recently recorded Latin American music with pianist Christopher O’Riley and released a recording of Chopin’s complete works for cello and piano. His program includes Debussy’s Sonata for cello, Villa-Lobos’ “Bachianas Brasileiras No. 1” for cello ensemble and Rachmaninoff’s Sonata. Single tickets are $21 for the general public; $17 for senior citizens and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $10 for students.