A Season of Renewal
In this Season of Renewal, we offer an affordable and attractive opportunity to experience the performing arts right in our own community. It’s not so much about who or even where; its about what. What we experience together. What’s good for our community. What we give to the next generation.
Your subscription is more than a purchase. It’s a way of saying, “I’m in. I want this program to continue. I’m willing to invest.” Yes, you save money over single ticket prices. And you do yourself a favor by saying that on a given date next season, you will be at the Artist Series.
Fall experiences begin with a spectacle: Ballet Quad Cities on September 27. The company was founded in 1996 by executive director Joedy Cook with a mission to provide professional classical and contemporary dance through outstanding performances, entertaining lecture-demonstrations and innovative educational outreach for people of all ages. When Ballet Quad Cities makes its Artist Series debut, expect scenes that range from dramatic to winsome. This mixed program features the music of Bach, Beethoven, Copland and more. Scenes include Touché Par La Lune (Moonlight Sonata), The Promise of Living and Newsflash, based on television commercials from the 50s-60s.
The Harlem Gospel Choir is second to none in the field of black gospel music. Members of this choir have been singing together for 25 years and come from church choirs around Harlem. They are revered and respected by people like Amy Grant, who said, “The Choir are God's people from Harlem." And Bono of U2 declared the choir, “angels in Harlem.” October 26 marks their Wheaton debut.
It is no secret that Wheaton audiences love brass, so we are happy to offer Spanish Brass, a new brass quintet in the tradition of others we have come to know and love.
"Spanish Brass is one of the most exciting and artistic brass quintets to come on the scene in recent years . . . The ensemble members perform with familiar elegance and ease of style. The rapid tonguing and wonderful lyricism combined with the incredible group musical sensitivity and responsiveness make for a gloriously brilliant performance . . .“ (International Trumpet Guild Journal)
There is always a post-Christmas lull, but not when the Baroque quartet, RED PRIEST performs on January 25, 2014. One reviewer writes: “For make no mistake, Red Priest boasts some serious musical chops - both violinist David Greenberg and harpsichordist David Wright are certifiably world-class, capable of sparkling passage work and sudden stretches of aching lyricism…” Red Priest’s namesake is none other than Antonio Vivaldi, the red-haired priest, and their Wheaton performance will take the winter gray away. HERE is an NPR interview with recorder player Piers Adams.
Wheaton College enjoys a great choral tradition in its own right, so we have invited VocalEssence to collaborate with our own Wheaton College Concert Choir for an evening of choral music that will be rich and diverse. Vocal Essence appears on March 1, 2014 at 7:30 PM.
On March 22, we present KREMLIN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA a virtuosic ensemble that has toured the US championing performances of beloved orchestral music played with daunting virtuosity. What’s more, the Orchestra offers a wide range of programming to suit every audience, with a special fondness for Russian composers, of course. The projected program in Wheaton features Elgar, Shostakovich, Bach and Dvorak. This orchestra promises a beautiful experience in music perfectly suited to our beautiful concert hall.
The season culminates in a solo piano performance by a bright young virtuoso named CHARLIE ALBRIGHT. Charlie has all the markings of an emerging artist on par with all the great young pianists of his time. David Moran (The Boston Musical Intelligencer) writes, “This was rare keyboard musicianship, interior, also remote, full of unease, a lonely wanderer in outer space sending back messages from other worlds. Albright was fully present and on top of things, attentive to his own performance, in complete command and control of his fingers, able to make things go just as he decided." Charlie performs at Wheaton on Saturday, May 3, 2104, 7:30 PM.
If you have questions about these impressive artists or about your subscription purchase, contact the Ticket Office 630-752-5010 or email artist.series@wheaton.edu. You can also search the web for more information or check in at the Artist Series YouTube channel.
artistseries.org
(630) 752-5487
