Latin American songs, guitar interpretations of Bach, and premiere performances of new chamber music compositions highlight the music department’s fall special event series.
The series will kick off on Tuesday, Oct. 21, with “Art Songs of Latin America.” Soprano Ursula Kleinecke-Boyer and pianist Vernon Snyder will perform songs from Cuba, Mexico and South America.
The Shpachenko & Friends Chamber Music Festival, which is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 5, will feature 2013 Grammy Award nominee and pianist Vicki Ray. Ray will play a solo piano concert, “Exquisite Corpse(E),” that will feature works from a variety of composers, including CalArts faculty. She also will perform another piece, “Trembling,” with violinist Sarah Thornblade.
Susan Ali, a soprano and the department’s newest faculty member, will perform the following night, Thursday, Nov. 6, at the annual Charles Lindsley Memorial Vocal Scholarship Fundraiser, “A Night of Celebration.” Other faculty members, music students and alumni also will perform.
Special guitar events will be held on Friday, Nov. 14, and Friday, Nov. 21.
On Nov. 14, renowned guitarist and former faculty member Matthew Elgart and music alumnus Nicholas Barrett will perform works by Johann Sebastian Bach, alumnus Joseph Klein and other composers.
At the Nov. 21 concert, ensembleFret, a group composed of music faculty members Peter Yates, Buzz Gravelle and Walter March, will perform on guitar, bowed guitar and mandolin with guest vocalist Alexandra Grabarchuk. The performance will include new works by Gravelle, Marsh and Yates.
Guitarist and Professor David Cahueque and piano accompanist Janet Noll will play at an All-Steinway School Initiative fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 22. The program will feature works by Chopin, Stravinsky and other composers.
The initiative is a campaign to raise $2.5 million to equip the university exclusively with Steinway pianos, which are considered the gold standard by pianists, and create an endowment for their maintenance.
All events will begin at 8 p.m. in the Music Recital Hall. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students. Tickets can be purchased online at csupomona.tix.com or at the Recital Hall Box Office from noon to 1 p.m., Monday to Friday and one hour prior the show.
For a complete schedule and more information, visit the music department’s events calendar or Facebook page.