Central College is known throughout Iowa for its exemplary music program – and is about to become known for its newly-renovated, state-of-the-art concert hall.
This October, the college will host chamber music, Caribbean rock, “inclusive, classical informances” and more. Many of the concerts will be in the recently-upgraded, acoustically-tuned Douwstra Auditorium for an enhanced listening experience.
Iowa Chamber Players
The Iowa Chamber Players, organized by Mitchell Lutch, associate professor of music, will perform pieces written for ensembles of approximately 14 musicians rather than the 60 or so in a typical wind ensemble or symphony orchestra. The group will play Canzona Per Sonare Nos. 2 and 4 by Giovanni Gabrieli, Petite Symphonie by Charles Gounod and Serenade in D minor by Antonin Dvorák.
Showtime: 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, in Douwstra Auditorium on the Central College Campus. The event is free and open to the public. For more information: Cox-Snow Music Center, 641-628-5236.
Flying Pans Steel Band
The Flying Pans Steel Band, under the direction of Stan Dahl, senior lecturer in music, present Dragon Steel, an Oriental-themed Caribbean-rock production complete with lighting, video, special effects, choreography and Japanese taiko drumming. The group will perform We are Family by Sister Sledge, Heat of the Moment by Asia, Kung Fu Fighting by Carl Douglas, War by Edwin Starr, No Roots by Alice Merton, Sukiyaki by A Taste of Honey and Whatever It Takes by Imagine Dragons.
Showtimes and tickets: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, and Saturday, Oct. 27; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, in Douwstra Auditorium on the Central College Campus. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for senior citizens and children from Cox-Snow Music Center 641-628-5236.
AdZel Duo: Music and Culture for Two Clarinets
AdZel Duo (clarinetists Mariam Adam and Stephanie Zelnick) and their unique “informances” have been lauded as “truly inspiring” and “beautifully presented.” Working with leading voices of contemporary music and blending education, original music and spoken word, AdZel creates new dialogues in sound and embraces diversity in classical music. AdZel Duo has performed and taught at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall, Eastman School of Music, The Juilliard School, University of Michigan, Northwestern University, San Francisco Conservatory of Music and the Yale School of Music, among many others.
Showtime: 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29, in Douwstra Auditorium on the Central College Campus. The event is free and open to the public. For more information: Cox-Snow Music Center, 641-628-5236.
Eighth- and Ninth-Grade Singfest Honor Choir Day concludes with an evening public performance featuring the Central College choirs as well as the Festival Choir of 200 8th- and 9th- grade students from central Iowa. The Central College Chamber Singers will perform El Hambo by Jaako Mantyhjarvi. The Central College A Cappella Choir will perform Hallelujah, from Mount of Olives by Ludwig Van Beethoven, Pilgrim’s Hymn by Stephen Paulus, Please Stay by Jake Runestad and Music Down in My Soul arranged by Moses Hogan. The 8th/9th Grade Singfest Treble Clef Chorus will perform The Seal Lullaby by Eric Whitacre and I’m Gonna Sing When the Spirit Says Sing by James Desjardins. The 8th/9th Grade Singfest Bass Clef Chorus will perform Laudate Dominum by Dan Davison and The Trilogy of Knighthood by Julie Gardner Bay. The combined choirs will perform I Choose Love by Mark Miller and Make Them Hear You by Jeff Funk.
Showtime: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, in Douwstra Auditorium on the Central College Campus. The event is free and open to the public. For more information: Cox-Snow Music Center, 641-628-5236.
Festival Honor Band and Central College Symphonic Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Mitchell Lutch and Stan Dahl, will perform a variety of works. The event culminates a day of music workshops on campus for seventh and grade students.
Showtime: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16, in Douwstra Auditorium on the Central College Campus. The event is free and open to the public. For more information: Cox-Snow Music Center 641-628-5236.
ALMA jazz ensemble will perform a variety of works under the direction of Gabriel Espinosa, associate professor of music.
Showtime and admission: 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, in the Cox-Snow Music Center Recital Hall on the Central College Campus. Admission is $5 at the door. For more information: Cox-Snow Music Center, 641-628-5236.
For the most up-to-date schedule and ticket information, visit calendar.central.edu.