WEEKENDER I NEWS OF MUSIC
Children's chorus to continue with University of Toledo
1/3/2018
The Children's Choir of Northwest Ohio will become part of the University of Toledo's community music program.
After years of musical success, Lisa Alleman is retiring from her position as artistic director of the Children’s Choir of Northwest Ohio at the end of this season. Founded in 2006, the vocal group was the brainchild of Alleman, who saw a definite lack of good choral singing opportunities for children in grades 3-10 in the region.
The chorus will continue, however, as it becomes one of two ensembles added to the community music program at the University of Toledo. Brad Pierson, director of choral activities at the university, is spearheading the collaboration, and a search for a suitable new conductor for the children’s ensemble is under way.
In addition, UT is launching a new Youth Jazz Orchestra, which will be directed by Ben Wolkins, jazz trumpet instructor. An informational meeting for interested high school students and their parents is set for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at the UT Center for Performing Arts, Room 2024, 1910 West Rocket Drive.
Also available through the community music program are group lessons in piano for students in first through sixth grade, group lessons in guitar for high school students, and piano and guitar classes for adults. Private applied lessons in voice and a variety of instruments are available as well. Classes and lessons begin Jan. 22.
Information on all the community music offerings can be found at utoledo.edu/al/svpa/music/communitymusic.
■ After the successful 2016 Bach Around the Clock Festival held at the Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo Symphony resident conductor Sara Jobin and principal trumpet Lauraine Carpenter traveled to the Holy Land to participate in a performance of Bach’s Mass in B minor. They joined 150 other performers from around the world as a part of a multifaith peace initiative. Jobin had just conducted the work as a part of the Museum’s Festival with Carpenter a member of the orchestra.
A British documentary, Celebrating the Divine: The Caravan of Peace Visits the Holy Land, captured the collaborative effort on film. It will be screened this week at the Art Museum.
Jobin and Carpenter will introduce the film and field questions. A short discussion featuring members of Toledo’s Abrahamic faiths organized by the Multifaith Council of NW Ohio will follow the viewing.
The free event begins 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the GlasSalon of the Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe St. For more information, visit toledomuseum.org.
■ The Toledo Blade Chamber Series of the Toledo Symphony continues this week with a program featuring Francaix’s Diversissement for Bassoon and String Quartet, Saint-Saëns’ Septet in E-flat Major, op. 65, and Schubert’s String Quartet No. 15 in G major, D. 887. The concert begins 7 p.m. Sunday at the Toledo Club, 235 14th St. For tickets and more information, call 419-246-8000 or visit toledosymphony.com.
■ It’s Friday! presents Saltbreaker, a wordless/ambient music project originating in Grand Rapids, Mich. Listeners are invited to purchase a drink at the cash bar, sit back, and watch imaginary stars drift over the ceiling of the Cloister at the free event from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe St. For more information, visit toledomuseum.org.
■ Pianist Yu-Lien presents a free guest recital at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Bryan Recital Hall, Moore Musical Arts Center, Bowling Green State University. Call 419-372-8025 for more information.
■ The Toledo School of the Arts hosts its annual Alumni First Friday featuring graduates showcasing their accomplishments. At 6 p.m. Friday, a gallery opening and reception is followed by a live performance at 7 p.m. at the school, 333 14th St. The event is free, but seating space is limited. RSVP to 419-246-8732, ext. 217; for more information, visit ts4arts.org.
■ Students of the Creative Arts Program of Bowling Green State University present a free recital at 1 p.m. Saturday in Bryan Recital Hall, Moore Musical Arts Center, Bowling Green State University.
■ The Michael J. Reed Trio, with pianist Galen Bundy and bassist Norm Damschroeder, performs an afternoon of jazz beginning at 1 p.m. Sunday at Ye Olde Dirty Bird, 2 South St. Clair St. Call 419-243- 2473 for more information.
■ Martin Katz, pianist and internationally recognized curator of the art song, is joined by four stellar vocalists for an evening exploring the genre titled “What’s in a Song?” The event, sponsored by the University Musical Society, begins at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, Michigan League, 911 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor. For tickets, call 734-764-2538 or visit ums.org.
■ The Detroit-based John-Erik Kellso Quartet, trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso, pianist Jim Dapogny, bassist Kurt Krahnke, and drummer Pete Siers present an evening of jazz stylings at 8 Saturday at the Kerrytown Concert House, 415 N. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor. Tickets are $10-$30 and available at 734-769-2999 or kerrytownconcerthouse.com.
■ Singers are sought to join the community Palm Sunday Chorus, which true to its moniker performs an annual concert on Palm Sunday (March 25). This year, the work undertaken will be Verdi’s Four Sacred Pieces. Rehearsals are held at 9:30 a.m. Saturdays beginning Jan. 20 in the sanctuary of Monroe Street United Methodist Church, 3613 Monroe St. More information is available from Denise Mathias, 419-473-1167, ext. 230.
Send news of music items at least two weeks in advance to classics@theblade.com