The Collegio Pittsburg's student voice since 1916
Curtis Meyer Reporter
Once again Pitt State will be hosting the Solo and Chamber Series, a concert series with performances by professional musicians from around the globe. This event will run throughout the school year, with six different concerts. All performances will be held in Sharon Kay Dean Hall, inside of McCray Hall.
“They’re world renowned, and that’s the nice thing about all of these performances, is that their great performers,” said Jaben Parnell, junior in music education.
Parnell, being a transfer student, has never had the opportunity to attend these performances previously.
“The one that I’m probably looking forward to the most is the ensemble that’s coming on September 9, just excited because that ensemble is not something that I typically listen to, so it’s exciting that they are coming here, and I get to hear some world class musicians,” Parnell said.
The season opener is Sept. 9 and will feature the Black Oak Ensemble. This trio of performers features violinist Desiree Ruhstrat, violist Aurelien Fort Pederzoli, and cellist David Cunliffe. They are known for works such as the Silenced Voices Project, an attempt to spread the music of Jewish Holocaust victims.
On Oct. 14, Joseph Adam will be playing the university’s own organ located in McCray Hall. Adam is the Director of Music at St. James Cathedral in Seattle and plays regularly with the Seattle Symphony. He is also the winner of the St. Albans International Organ Competition.
The final fall performance will be the Arx Duo on Nov. 11. Noted for being innovative, the duo is comprised of Mari Yoshinaga and Garrett Arney, both percussionists. Currently faculty at the Curtis Institute of Music, they enjoy promoting teaching and learning new forms of music. The name Arx comes from the desire to forge new pathways, or arcs between musicians within percussion.
Coming back from Christmas Break, the next concert on Jan 20 will feature trombonist Peter Steiner, a prize winner in 2019 at the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Russia. Called a “new trombone star within his generation,” Steiner has been touring nonstop since 2015.
On Feb. 17, the Calidore String Quartet will perform. The quartet features three violinists, Jeremy Berry, Ryan Meeham, and Jeffrey Myers. To finish out the quartet is the cellist, Estelle Choi. The Calidore Quartet started in 2010 in Los Angeles and has made many successes since then. They currently serve as directors of the Graduate String Quartet Residency at the Delaware School of Music.
The season will be capped off by the Tapestry Ensemble. They will perform on March 31. The performance is titled Web of Lace, and it features music exclusively by women composers. Starting in Boston, this group was started by three members, all women. They are Laurie Monahan, Cristi Catt, and Daniela Tosic. Performing with them as part of the ensemble will be violinist Racheal Jason and pianist Noriko Yasuda.
For tickets, please see the PSU Ticket Office in the Wiede Athletic Building and for more information about the series go to the PSU department of music website (pittstate.edu/music) or the music office in McCray Hall.