ALLIANCE, OH (04/26/2012)(readMedia)-- Courtney Wachal of Bettendorf, IA will perform on tour with the University of Mount Union's Concert Choir from May 6-8 at a number of Methodist churches in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Wachal is a freshman french and international studies major and a soprano.

Under the direction of Dr. Grant Cook III, director of choral activities at Mount Union, the choirs will combine choral selections and traditional carols with scriptures and readings of the season in presenting "Sing, Be, Live, See ... Peace." Kathy Reichenberger, a faculty accompanist, will serve as collaborative artist on tour.

Performances will be held at 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 6 at Center United Methodist Church, 1575 Donnellville Road, Natrona Heights, PA; 7 p.m. on Monday, May 7 at Mentor United Methodist Church, 8600 Mentor Ave. in Mentor, OH; and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 8 at Norwalk First United Methodist Church, 60 W. Main St. in Norwalk, OH.

The University of Mount Union Concert Choir is among the oldest collegiate choirs in the United States, tracing its roots to 1896. The Concert Choir comprises musicians from a wide variety of academic disciplines and represents the University's strong liberal arts foundation. Serving as an ambassador of the University, the Concert Choir performs annually throughout the continental United States and undertakes an international tour every four years. The Concert Choir is dedicated to the rehearsal and performance of the highest quality choral literature from the Renaissance through the 21st century, including spirituals, gospel music, folk songs and music celebrating a global perspective.

For more information, visit www.mountunion.edu/choir.

About the University of Mount Union

The University of Mount Union, founded in 1846, is a four-year, private institution grounded in the liberal arts tradition. Mount Union offers an array of broad-based and career-specific undergraduate and graduate programs to its 2,200 students who experience outstanding opportunities for success after graduation. Ranked as one of America's Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report, the University is committed to providing a student-centered approach and an exceptional educational experience, as evidenced by its mission to prepare students for fulfilling lives, meaningful work and responsible citizenship. The University's 115-acre campus is located in Alliance, Ohio, 80 miles of both Cleveland and Pittsburgh, and more than $100 million has been invested in the construction and renovation of modern facilities throughout the course of the past decade. For more information, visit www.mountunion.edu.


Wilco, with special guest Kelly Hogan, will perform at the Adler Theatre on July 3 at 7:30 p.m.  You are invited to purchase your tickets before the general public beginning on Friday, April 27 at 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Click on the orange "Find Tickets" button below and enter the venue password: WHOLE.  Reserved tickets ($44, plus applicable fees) go on sale to the public this Saturday, April 28 at 10:00 a.m.
The band's reputation as a live powerhouse continues to grow: "Wilco's new millennial emergence as an avant-garde Americana juggernaut now grooves a newfound equilibrium.  Never has this band been so comfortable and confident live.... These boys, often in a three-guitar front line (hello Skynyrd), live to make noise..." - Austin Chronicle   wilcoworld.net

CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

30 N. CLINTON STREET, IOWA CITY IA 52245

IOWA CITY - The Sanctuary Choir, with organist Bill Crouch and a string orchestra, under the direction of John C. Hughes will perform the Haydn Kleine Orgelsolomesse this coming Sunday, April 29 at 10:15am, at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 30 N. Clinton Street in Iowa City.

The Choir will also present the anthem composed for the marriage of the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer, Let the People Praise thee, O God, by William Mathias.

For more information call 319-337-4301 or visit the church's website at www.uccic.org.  The Congregational United Church of Christ is located at 30 N. Clinton Street, across from the University of Iowa Pentacrest.  The Church is handicapped-accessible.

SUNDAY, MAY 6, 2012, 4PM

 

CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

30 N. CLINTON STREET, IOWA CITY IA 52245

 

IOWA CITY - SUNDAYS AT FOUR, a free community arts series, will present a concert by the Iowa City Piano Quartet on May 6 at 4pm, at the Congregational United Church of Christ, 30 N. Clinton Street in Iowa City.

Members of the quartet are Réne Lecuona, piano; Scott Conklin, violin; Elizabeth Oakes, viola; and Hannah Holman, cello.

They will perform works by Bohuslav Martinu and Antonin Dvorak.

For more information on the SUNDAYS AT FOUR series, call 319-337-4301 or visit the church's website at www.uccic.org.  The Congregational United Church of Christ is located at 30 N. Clinton Street, across from the University of Iowa Pentacrest.

The Quad City Wind Ensemble announces its Spring Concert, "Songs and Dances" to be performed on Sunday, April 29th at 3pm.  The concert will feature the winner of the Dr. Charles B. DCamp Young Performer's Solo Competition, Crystal Mondragon. She is a senior at United Township High School in East Moline and studies flute privately with Lynne Stukart.
Ms. Mondragon will perform "Poem" by Charles Griffes accompanied by the wind ensemble.  In addition, the QCWE will perform a variety of song and dance works from the concert band and wind ensemble repertoire, including works by Leo Delibes, Percy Grainger, Philip Sparke, David Holsinger, Eric Ewazen, Arturo Marquez, and John Philip Sousa. The concert will immediately be followed by a reception with free refreshments and homemade treats!
Admission in $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and FREE for all students through 12th grade. See attached media release for details. We hope you can join us at the Galvin Fine Arts Center on the campus of St. Ambrose for this special event!

The Bettendorf company is the cover story on the March/April issue of Music Inc. (story continued below)

Foster Family Music Center, located in Bettendorf, Iowa, is the cover story and lengthy feature article in the March/April issue of Music Inc. magazine. The publication is a leading music industry trade magazine that is distributed to music stores throughout North America.

 

During the past 10 years, the piano industry has been in a state of decline nationally. The market is now smaller than it has been in 60 years, resulting in manufacturer consolidations and the disappearance of most piano retailers. Since 2001, seven local piano retailers in the Quad Cities have closed or stopped offering new pianos for sale.

 

A combination of technology-centered activities like video games and computers, along with an expanded emphasis on team sports and hectic schedules have resulted in fewer families engaging in piano lessons.

 

The article in Music Inc. magazine focuses on how Foster Family Music has changed their business model over the past decade to adapt, refocus and find their niche in the piano industry. The family-owned company has done this by embracing the use of technology in piano study and performance, as well as promoting awareness for brain development/piano study connections that parents otherwise might not hear about.
At 6 feet and 5 inches tall, Shawn Thomas stands out in virtually any crowd, but there are several things that make him unique among Christian recording artists. He writes and records his own songs, he tours at no cost, and his ministry includes an outreach to the GLBT community.

Thomas, a Florida-based singer-songwriter with seven CDs to his credit, will visit MCC of the Quad Cities to deliver his message of inclusion at 7:00pm on Saturday, May 12th with a full concert, and again as part of morning worship on Sunday, May 13th at 11:00am.A four-time Pride in the Arts Awards recipient from The Stonewall Society and 14-time nominee, Shawn Thomas'

A four-time Pride in the Arts Awards recipient from The Stonewall Society and 14-time nominee, Shawn Thomas' newest musical effort is a two-disc set called "Covered and Created," which features 10 tracks previously recorded by other artists (the  Covered" disc) and 10 new original works (the "Created" disc).

In 2010, he released a book describing his experience as being both gay and Christian. Titled "Unashamed: Coming Out of the Second Closet," the volume deals with being in the crosshairs from both groups, as many Christians think his sexuality is incompatible with faith and many in the GLBT community believe his faith runs contrary to GLBT causes. In its pages, Thomas explains that neither assumption is true.

With a minister as a father and a talented musician as his mother, Shawn's ministry is the natural combination of his musical and spiritual influences. A member of the Grammy Recording Academy, Shawn Thomas emerges not only as an outstanding performer and singer, but as a dynamic and versatile worship leader and presenter. His intention is to share the message of God's of love and grace through music in order to build unity, understanding, and acceptance while still encouraging personal responsibility, self-reliance, and the development of conviction and values.

"Covered and Created" as well as Shawn's book and other CD releases are available for sale on popular internet sites including iTunes.com and Amazon.com, and is distributed by Aaron's Rainbow Project and Shawn Thomas Studios, West Palm Beach, FL. For more information about Shawn Thomas and his ministry, visit www.shawnthomasonline.com and www.aaronsrainbowproject.com.

MCC of the Quad Ciites is located at 3019 N Harrison in Davenport, and can be contacted at 563-324-8281 or on the web at www.mccqc.com.

DES MOINES, IA (04/11/2012)(readMedia)-- Tickets for the much-anticipated Iowa State Fair Grandstand shows go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. through all Ticketmaster outlets. The 2012 line-up is presented by U.S. Cellular.

In addition to the previously-announced star-studded line-up, George Thorogood and The Destroyers will open for the Hank Williams Jr. "Taking Back the Country Tour." Thorogood, along with his band, has been thrilling audiences with his brand of rock and blues since the 70s and is best known for his hit song "Bad to the Bone."

Print at home discounted admission tickets are on sale now through the Fair's website www.iowastatefair.org. Fairgoers can purchase gate admission tickets online and print their own tickets at no extra charge. Food tickets, Fair Play Packs, midway tickets and 11-day punch cards will also be available to order online beginning Saturday.

Tickets for all concert and track events will go on sale Saturday, April 14 at 10 a.m. through all Ticketmaster outlets, online at Ticketmaster.com or by phone at 1-800-745-3000. All concert events are reserved seating; track events are general admission. Beginning July 9, the Fair's Ticket Office will be open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays - Fridays and 9 a.m. to Noon on Saturdays for walk-up orders only (no mail, phone or fax orders). Convenience charges will apply to all tickets. Grandstand tickets do not include Fair admission.

A complete listing of event dates, times and ticket prices follows:

2012 Iowa State Fair Grandstand Line-up

presented by U.S. Cellular

Thursday, August 9

TobyMac with special guests Tenth Avenue North and Jamie Grace, 8 p.m., $32

Friday, August 10

Happy Together Tour 2012 starring The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie, The Monkees lead singer Micky Dolenz, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Grass Roots and The Buckinghams, 8 p.m., $25

Saturday, August 11

Larry the Cable Guy with special guest Reno Collier, 8 p.m. $35

Sunday, August 12

An Evening with Miranda Lambert, 8 p.m., $48

Monday, August 13

Deery Brothers Summer Series for Late Models, 5:30 p.m. Hot Laps, 6 p.m. Races, $15 adults, $5 children ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under

Tuesday, August 14

The Band Perry with special guest Easton Corbin, 8 p.m., $35

Wednesday, August 15

Grand Outlaw National Tractor and Truck Pull, 2 p.m., $20 Adults, $10 children ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under

Thursday, August 16

An Evening with Big Time Rush, 7 p.m., $38

Friday, August 17

Hank Williams Jr. "Taking Back the Country Tour" with special guest George Thorogood and the Destroyers, 8 p.m., $39

Saturday, August 18

Demolition Derby, 11:30 a.m., $12 adults, $5 children ages 6-11, free for ages 5 and under

Saturday, August 18

Journey with Pat Benatar and Loverboy, 8 p.m., $48

Sunday, August 19

Rascal Flatts with Little Big Town, Eli Young Band and Edens Edge, 7 p.m., $59

"Nothing Compares" to the 2012 Iowa State Fair, August 9-19. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit www.iowastatefair.org.

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The Fresh Beat Band, Nickelodeon's popular preschool music group and stars of the hit TV series of the same name, will perform at the Adler Theatre on Friday, October 19 at 6:30 p.m. Purchase your tickets in advance on Thursday, April 12 at 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Click on the orange "Find Tickets" button below.  Use the password: FRESH.  Reserved tickets are $29.50 & $39.50.  Service fees will vary.  Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, April 13 at 10:00 a.m.  freshbeatbandlive.com

Nova Singers, the region's premier professional vocal ensemble, is currently scheduling auditions for the 2012-2013 season.

Singers with extensive choral experience and vocal training are invited to audition. Singers may choose to audition for the entire 2012-13 season or for the Brahms Requiem, which Nova Singers will perform October 20-21, 2012. Interested individuals may contact Nova Singers' founder and music director, Dr. Laura Lane, at 309-341-7229 or llane@knox.edu for more information or to schedule an audition.

The award winning Nova Singers have remained committed to the highest artistic standards since their founding in 1986. The ensemble has performed throughout the Midwest, as well as at state, regional, and national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association.

Each year Nova presents an eight-concert season of outstanding choral music in Galesburg and the Quad Cities. Nova Singers has also released nine professional recordings.

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