07 Apr 2011

Luther Sesquicentennial Concert April 16; Choirs and orchestra to present world premiere of 'Luther Mass' by Stephen Paulus

By Jerry Johnson
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DECORAH, Iowa– The internationally-renowned choirs and orchestra of Luther College will perform the world premiere of "Luther Mass" by Stephen Paulus Saturday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Center for Faith and Life on the Luther campus.

Conducted by Allen Hightower, Luther professor of music, the Luther Cathedral Choir, Collegiate Chorale, Nordic Choir and Symphony Orchestra will perform the world premiere of the newly commissioned mass in addition to Franz Joseph Haydn's "Lord Nelson Mass."

For tickets, call the Luther College Box Office at (563) 387-1357 or visit the Luther College Box Office website, http://www.luther.edu/programming/boxoffice/.  Cost is $15 for adults and $8 for students, reserved seating.

Concert attendees are invited to a pre-concert lecture Saturday at 6 p.m. in the Mott Borlaug Room in Dahl Centennial Union.  James Griesheimer, Luther associate professor of music, will present comments on the "Lord Nelson Mass," and Paulus will be on hand to discuss the "Luther Mass."

The ensembles will also perform Sunday, April 17 at 4 p.m. at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis.  For tickets, call the Orchestra Hall Box Office at (612) 371-5656 or 1-800-292-4141 or visit http://www.minnesotaorchestra.org/. Cost is $24 for adults and $17 for students, general admission seating.

Paulus has composed more than 400 works spanning all musical genres, including orchestra, opera, chorus, chamber ensemble, solo voice, concert band, piano and organ.

He co-founded the American Composers Forum in 1973 and continues to serve as the symphony and concert representative on the board of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.

His music has been commissioned, recorded and performed by such varied performers as the New York Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and numerous others.

Cathedral Choir is conducted by Sandra Peter, assistant professor of music, Collegiate Chorale is conducted by Timothy Peter, professor of music, Nordic Choir is conducted by Hightower and Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Daniel Baldwin, professor of music.

The performances are part of the Luther College Sesquicentennial.  Founded in 1861, Luther was first established by Norwegian immigrants in the United States.

The college will both reflect on its past and envision its future during its Sesquicentennial.  Events will commend the holistic nature of a Luther education and honor the college's Norwegian heritage, curriculum, music and arts, athletic and wellness programs, faith and worship, environmental stewardship, and service ethic.

The theme of the Sesquicentennial, "Transformed by the Journey," recalls the journeys

Luther College founders made from Norway, celebrates the value of a liberal arts education and the transformation of students during their Luther years, and recognizes the vocational journeys of Luther alumni.

The scripture passage selected for the Sesquicentennial is from Romans 12: "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God - what is good and acceptable and perfect."

-30-

21 Mar 2011

Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Show

By Andy Harris
 
Friday April 15th @ MARTINI'S On The Rock
Rock Island, Illinois
8:30 PM Show
 
15 Mar 2011

LOOKING FOR PIANO PLAYERS

By Sara Vidoni

Piano Celebration, hosted by Piano for a Richer Life, is looking for piano players of all levels to perform!  Last year over 400 talented local celebrities, student pianists and piano enthusiasts of all ages performed at Northpark Mall in Davenport with a dual purpose:  to raise funds to support Ronald McDonald House and get the message out that piano study equals brain development!

Iowa City Ronald McDonald House serves the families of thousands of children suffering from critical conditions.  The House receives no state or federal tax dollars, relying 100% on private gifts.

Numerous University studies prove that piano study leads to increased brain development, academic achievement and builds confidence while keeping you happy and healthy.  "Piano Celebration helps to get the important message out - while raising substantial dollars for Ronald McDonald House in Iowa City," quotes Jim Foster, the spokesman for Piano for a Richer Life.

The event will take place on Saturday, April 16th 10am-5pm and Sunday, April 17th noon-5pm at Northpark Mall in Davenport, Iowa. Three conservatory grand pianos will be placed outside of Dillard's, Younkers and JC Penny's stores.

Contact Lynn Kroeger at 563-285-8421 to schedule a performance time or to give a financial contribution. Donations can also be made during the performances at any of the three concert locations.

Over the past 6 years Piano Celebration has raised over $210,000 for Iowa City's Ronald McDonald House, and this year the goal is $35,000.  Admission is free and the public is welcome!

14 Mar 2011

Quad City Singers and RIHS Chamber Choir Present Joint Concert

By Sheila Doak
The Quad City Singers, under the direction of Lori Potts, and the Rock Island High School Chamber Choir, under the direction of Scott Voigt, will present a joint concert on Sunday April 10th at 4:00pm at 15th Avenue Christian Church, 3600 15th Avenue, Rock Island. No tickets required, a free will offering will be collected to show our appreciation for their musical efforts.
14 Mar 2011

Megan McCormick performing in Davenport on Wednesday, April 20th

By David Morris

RISING ARTIST MEGAN MCCORMICK
CONFIRMS MARCH TOUR

Wasilla-raised singer/songwriter Megan McCormick has just confirmed an extension of her U.S. tour with dates beginning in March. Meanwhile, McCormick continues to wow the critics with her debut album, Honest Words, a 12-track collection of brooding prose and instrumental mastery.

Born into a family of musicians, the 23 year old singer relates to music on a cellular level, with a guitar in hand by age 9. By the age of 18, McCormick landed her first major tour with bluegrass guru, Valerie Smith. In 2008, McCormick made a strategic move to Nashville where it took her little more than a year to secure a deal with the prolific Rykodisc records

McCormick's perfected trade is certainly in the darker places.  Whether it's the taut, Stevie Ray Vaughan-evoking "Shiver," the lacerating lost souls' recognition in "Drifting," or the torchy foreboding of meltdown that is "Pick Up The Phone," her heart on her sleeve and her truth in your face seems to be this singer's natural stance.

Here's what the critics are saying:

 

"Just 23, the Nashville singer/songwriter sounds as if she's lived a life and a half on her potent 'Honest Words' album." - USA Today

"A bluesy, lovelorn showcase for singer-songwriter McCormick's bright alto and growly guitar." - O, The Oprah Magazine

"The old cliché about young artists displaying talents beyond their years sure seems like a truism in the case of 'Honest Words.'" - All Music Guide

"[Megan McCormick] blurs the lines between blues, rock, and alternative-country." - Relix

Megan McCormick Mar. 2011 Tour Dates

3/02      Columbus, OH                         The Basement

3/04      Milwaukee, WI                        Gribali's

3/05      Johnson City, TN                     The Down Home

3/09      Raleigh, NC                             Berkeley Café

3/10      Charlottesville, VA                   Southern Café

3/11      Roanoke, VA                           Kirk Music Hall

3/13      Richmond, VA                         Canal Club Downstairs

3/15      Larchmont, NY                        Watercolor Café

3/16      New York, NY                         Rockwood Music Hall (Stage 2)

3/18      New Haven, CT                       Café Nine

3/19      Washington, DC                       The Corner Store

3/22      Wilmington, NC                        Soapbox Laundrolounge

3/25      Nashville, TN                           3rd & Lindsley

3/27      Knoxville, TN                           Relix

3/31      Atlanta, GA                              Highland Ballroom

4/20      Davenport, IA                          The Redstone Room

4/21      Cedar Falls, IA                         The Tub

4/23      Chicago, IL                               Martyr's

http://www.myspace.com/meganmccormicksmusic

18 Feb 2011

Brent Houzenga: Hybrid Pioneer Documentary to show in Quad Cities

By Modern American Cinema

(Des Moines, IA) - Modern American Cinema announces its latest full-length feature Brent Houzenga: Hybrid Pioneer will be screening at Bucktown Center of the Arts on Friday, February 25th, 2011 at 6PM.

The documentary chronicles the life, art and creative process of Des Moines visual artist and musician Brent Houzenga, who is known for his "do-it-yourself vintage punk" mixed media work.

"When I was first introduced to Brent's art, I was blown away by his mixture of Americana and chaos," Day said. "As I got to know him through the making of Hybrid Pioneer, I realized he was living the dream as a full-time artist - no day job, couch surfing, suffering for his art. Many people would scoff at this kind of ruthless dedication, so I became determined to make a film about a guy from Iowa who had put his career of creativity above everything else."

Originally from Fulton, IL, Houzenga studied printmaking and graphic design at Western Illinois University before moving to Des Moines in 2006. Houzenga's art has been featured in numerous group and solo shows on both the local and national levels, including the December 2009 Art Basel Miami Beach (Miami Beach, Fla.) and March 2010 "G40 - The Summit" (Crystal City, Va.) exhibitions.

Hybrid Pioneer is the first film in Modern American Cinema's "Made in Iowa" documentary series. The ongoing series tells the stories of the innovative people, places and ideas that have influenced Iowa's culture.

Modern American Cinema is an independent film production company based in Des Moines, Iowa. Founded in 2010, the company specializes in creating full-feature narratives and educational documentaries for international distribution.

17 Feb 2011

King and Brandow perform fundraising concert on Mar 20th

By Broadway Presbyterian Church

Charlie King and Karen Brandow, nationally known musical storytellers and political satirists from Massachusetts, will perform in a fund-raising concert at 6 pm March 20 at Broadway Presbyterian Church, 721 23rd Street, Rock Island.

The concert will raise money for the Centro Maya Project, to benefit children with disabilities and their families who live in four Mayan pueblos on the shores of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala; and the Oaks of Mamre Catholic Worker House, Davenport, which provides hospitality and meals for people in need of shelter.  Donations of $10 at the door, $8 in advance are requested.  Call Vince or Marg Thomas at 309 786 6944 for more information, and mail requests for tickets to 1000 21st St., Rock Island IL 61201 (or email magmthomas@gmail.com)

Charlie King and Karen Brandow have just released a new CD called The Distance Remaining.

Their repertoire covers a century and a half and four continents. They perform with the sweet and precise harmonies of life partners. They sing and write passionately about the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. "Two voices that complement each other beautifully & instrumentation that is spare, acoustic & just right" Victory Music Review.

Their central vision as entertainers is to leave audiences with a sense of optimism and possibility about the future. "We try to cover a broad emotional landscape in our concerts. The stories we collect and the songs we write take the listener on a journey of humor, heartache and hope. What we most value in a song is the way it helps us see an old reality in a totally new light."

###

10 Feb 2011

Augustana College Symphonic Band to perform in Italy

By readMedia

ROCK ISLAND, IL (02/08/2011)(readMedia)-- The Augustana College Symphonic Band will travel to Italy to perform four concerts in mid-February. The nine-day tour includes stops in Venice, Florence, Pisa and Rome, in addition to other cities. The concerts will feature both American and Italian music and will be performed for a variety of audiences, ranging from townspeople to college students. This is the first time the Symphonic Band has traveled to Italy to perform.

Grace Drenth is a sophomore from Davenport, IA majoring in psychology.

Luther Hughes is a first year from Silvis, IL majoring in liberal studies.

Gaetano Iaccarino is a junior from Davenport, IA majoring in music general and anthropology.

Audrey Taylor is a senior from Moline, IL majoring in teaching biology.

Anne VanSpeybroeck is a sophomore from Rock Island, IL majoring in liberal studies.

Jennifer Youngs is a junior from Taylor Ridge, IL majoring in psychology.

"We hope that through this cultural sharing of our common love of music that our students will be able to interact and touch the lives of Italians," said Dr. James Lambrecht, director of the Symphonic Band. "This kind of experience enables our students to learn firsthand about Italy, its people, culture,and history-one of the richest in Western Civilization."

The Augustana Symphonic Band will play in a variety of venues; one that is particularly interesting will be the concert in Lucca, a city enclosed by walls in the Tuscany region. The 80-member band will perform at the Auditorium San Romano in Lucca, which used to be the main church home of Napoleon's sister. The elevated box where she attended mass is still standing. Lucca also is the birthplace of the famous Italian opera composer Giacomo Puccini. In honor of their host city's history, the band members will perform an arrangement of melodies taken from Giacomo Puccini's final opera, Turandot. This will include the most famous aria"Nessun Dorma," most notably performed by the world-renowned tenor Luciano Pavarotti.

The Symphonic Band will wrap up its tour with a home concert in Centennial Hall at 8 p.m., Saturday, March 12. Admission is free.

08 Feb 2011

Poetry Out Loud Regional Contest

By Tracy White
QUAD CITY ARTS PRESENTS:

WHAT:   Poetry Out Loud Regional Recitation Contest
WHEN:   February, 18th at 6:30 PM
WHERE: Quad City Arts, 719 11th Avenue, Rock Island, IL
WHO:    High School Students from Thurgood Marshall, United Township, and Orion
JUDGES: First Quad City Poet Laureate- Dick Stahl, Teacher, Actor, Poetry Slam Champion- John Turner, Writer, Poet, Editor- Jane Van Vooren Rodgers, Retired Business Women- Judith Moens

Quad City Arts announces a regional contest for Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest. On Friday, February 18th, students from Orion High School, Thurgood Marshall, and United Township will participate in the Poetry Out Loud regional contest at Quad City Arts. Attendance at this event is free and open to the public and refreshments will be served.

The winner of this competition will advance to Illinois' State Poetry Out Loud Competition, being held Friday, March 11, 2011, at the Hoogland Center for the Arts in Springfield.  The State champion will advance to the Poetry Out Loud National Finals on April 28-29, 2011 in Washington, DC, where $50,000 in awards and school stipends will be distributed.

The competition, presented in partnership with the Illinois Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Poetry Foundation, is part of a national program that encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance, and competition.  Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation is honored to provide travel support for regional and state finals of Poetry Out Loud in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.

For further information, call Tracy White 563-579-7633.
07 Feb 2011

Augustana College Concert Band to play favorites at free concert

By Andrew Walter

ROCK ISLAND, IL (02/07/2011)(readMedia)-- The Augustana Concert Band will give their final concert of the year on Saturday, February 12, at 2 p.m. in Centennial Hall (3703 7th Ave.). Under the direction of Dr. Frederick Jaeschke, the band will perform four lively pieces that were chosen by the students. The concert is free and open to the public.

Jaeschke, associate professor of music and music education coordinator, explains how the students select the music for the concert. "The members of the band listen and rehearse various pieces, and then vote for their favorites," he said. "This selection system makes the concert enjoyable for the students and the audience."

The concert will feature "The Willows of Winter" by B.J. Brooks, "For All the Wyle Eternal" by Ralph Ford, "Silverado" by Bruce Broughton, and "Chorale and Shaker Dance" by John Zdechlik. The four pieces are very different from each other. Broughton's "Silverado" was composed as the soundtrack for a western adventure story and is marked by an enjoyable melody and fun syncopated rhythms. "Chorale and Shaker Dance" is one of today's most widely-recognized pieces of band literature and is based on the well-known Shaker tune, Simple Gifts.

Marcus Julian, a sophomore oboist from Itasca, Ill., says that "Chorale and Shaker Dance" is his favorite piece in their concert because of the song's catchy, memorable melody. "I enjoy concert band because it gives me exposure to so many different types of music," he said."I think the audience will really like the different styles and genres."

Students performing in the concert from your area include :

Sheila Ahuja from Rock Island, Ill.. Ahuja is a first year majoring in general studies.

Hannah Barney from Bettendorf, Iowa. Barney is a sophomore majoring in business administration.

Greg Donley from Silvis, Ill.. Donley is a first year majoring in general studies.

Darshan Hullon from Moline, Ill.. Hullon is a first year majoring in general studies.

Eryn Maccabee from East Moline, Ill.. Maccabee is a first year majoring in general studies.

Elizabeth Mayer from Dixon, Ill.. Mayer is a first year majoring in general studies.

Halley Stearns from Sherrard, Ill.. Stearns is a sophomore majoring in communication studies.

The Augustana Concert Band includes students from a wide variety of majors and music backgrounds. "The the vast majority of students in concert band are not music majors," Jaeschke said. "For many of the students, playing an instrument has been a big part of their life, and they simply enjoy playing in the band."

About Augustana: Founded in 1860 and situated on a 115-acre campus near the Mississippi River, Augustana College is a private, liberal arts institution affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The college enrolls 2,500 students from diverse geographic, social, ethnic and religious backgrounds and offers more than 70 majors and related areas of study. Augustana employs 287 faculty members and has a student-faculty ratio of 11:1. Augustana continues to do what it has always done: challenge and prepare students for lives of leadership and service in our complex, ever-changing world.

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