Dianne Reeves, Edgar Meyer highlight BGSU series

5/10/2007

Edgar Meyer

HO

Something "old" and plenty that's new is on tap for the Bowling Green State University 2007-2008 Festival Series, announced this week by the College of Musical Arts.

Soloists and ensembles representing a wealth of musical styles will perform in Kobacker Hall of the Moore Musical Arts Center, starting in September and continuing into April. Series tickets are on sale now.

On Sept. 28 the famed performing and recording chamber ensemble, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, will make its BGSU debut for the Lois M. Nitschke Memorial Concert.

Founded in 1958 by Sir Neville Marriner as an alternative to larger orchestras, this leaderless ensemble helped promote the revival of authentic Baroque performance practice. Since then, the group has tackled music from many centuries and cultures. Members tour worldwide and maintain a busy recording schedule as well.

On Oct. 12 bassist and composer Edgar Meyer will team with mandolin player Mike Marshall for an evening of music from many traditions. Meyer is a recipient of a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship and a two-time Grammy Award winner.

The quintet known as the Imani Winds will return to BGSU for a Nov. 9 concert. Members Valerie Coleman, flutist and resident composer; Toyin Spellman, oboe; Jeff Scott, French horn; Monica Ellis, bassoon, and Mariam Adam, clarinet, have performed together for nearly a decade.

In that time they have created a distinctive repertoire that includes classical, Latin, jazz , and world music. Their recordings have been nominated for the Grammy Award.

Combining her performance on Jan. 31, 2008, with a community mini-residency, Japanese marimba virtuoso Naoko Takada will be on the BGSU campus for the first time in the new year. Her repertoire includes works from Bach to John Lennon and draws from works for other instruments transcribed for the marimba.

Dianne Reeves, jazz vocalist extraordinaire, will make her Wood County debut March 14. In a performance supported in part by BGSU President Sidney A. Ribeau, Reeves will showcase her Grammy-winning style.

Finally, Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero will perform in the Louise F. Rees Memorial Concert on April 4. Montero, a bronze medalist at the 13th International Chopin Piano Competition, is a classical pianist who is gaining fame for improvisation.

All series concerts begin at 8 p.m. Subscription tickets are $80 to $150 for adults and $50 to $120 for students. Information and tickets are available at the Moore Musical Arts Center box office, 419-372-8171.