Ann Arbor venue to present jazz, harp quartets

The Luca Ciarla Quartet performs today at the Kerrytown Concert House in Ann Arbor.

ANN ARBOR -- Kerrytown Concert House continues its creative and expansive programming into the summer, presenting two distinctive groups this week to end the month and kick off the new season.

Tonight, the Luca Ciarla Quartet, an import from Italy, will bring its hybrid of Gypsy, jazz, and classical styles to life during an 8 p.m. program in the historic venue at 415 N. Fourth Ave. Along with Ciarla, the quartet comprises Vincenzo Abbracciante, accordion; Nicola Di Camillo, bass, and Francesco Savoretti, percussion.

Born in Termoli, Italy, Ciarla began studying violin and piano at age 8, entered conservatory at age 12, and dipped into the jazz and improvisational worlds a few years later. After receiving a diploma at the Fiesole School of Music outside Florence, he moved to the United States, entering the master's program at Indiana University, where he studied with David Baker. Ciarla then earned a doctorate at the University of Arizona, where he taught violin and improv for years.

Tickets for this Mediterranean jazz program are $5-$25 at 734-769-2999 or www.kerrytownconcerthouse.com.

Also appearing at Kerrytown will be the Modern Harp Quartet, a Detroit-based ensemble formed by graduates of Cass Technical High School, Wayne State University, and the University of Michigan. Their performance will begin at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Members are Lydia Cleaver, who now runs the harp program at Cass Tech and performs widely in the region, and John Wickey, who performs and teaches in California. Also in the ensemble are Maurice Draughn, a freelance Detroit-area harpist and arranger, and Anne Brege, who is harpist for many Detroit-area orchestras. Joining the quartet will be soprano Alice McAllister-Tillman.

On the program will be music by Manuel de Falla, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Maurice Ravel, and Mendelssohn, and art songs by Adams, Moore, Kerr, and Puccini.

Tickets for the show are $5-$25 at 734-769-2999 or www.kerrytownconcerthouse.com.

●

Ballet Theatre of Toledo has announced its 2012-2013 performance season, a combination of beloved familiar works and world-premiere productions. This will be the eighth season for the company founded by Nigel Burgoine with Anne Marie Getz.

First up will be the traditional Christmas show, a fully staged production of The Nutcracker, with live music by the Ballet Theatre of Toledo Orchestra, and guest soloists. Returning to Toledo for solo spots will be Jay Goodlett, a former soloist with the Cincinnati Ballet, and Lauren Tenney, a graduate of Ballet Theatre of Toledo and now a soloist with the Lexington, Ky., ballet company.

Performances will be in the Valentine Theatre on Nov. 24 and 25. The company also will take its show on the road, performing in Sandusky's historic State Theatre Dec. 1 and 2.

In a continuing collaboration with Wayne Anthony, founder and artistic director of Sono Novo Chamber Ensemble, Burgoine and company will present their versions of Peter and the Wolf, to music by Tchaikovsky, and a production of Snow White, with original music by Anthony. The Perrysburg Symphony Chorale will join Sono Novo for this performance. Dates are April 20 and 21 in Trinity Episcopal Church.

The comapny's season will wrap up with participation in Collage VI, the multiarts concert produced by Masterworks Chorale. The event will take place in June, 2013, in the Valentine Theatre.

For more information on Ballet Theatre of Toledo productions and school of classical ballet, call 419-861-0895 or visit www.ballettheatreoftoledo.org.

●

Monroe Street United Methodist Church has announced the formation of Young Voices of Greater Toledo, a community chorus for singers 8-13 years old. Spearheaded by the church music director and organist, Denise Mathias, the chorus will offer choral and voice training to participants at the church, 3613 Monroe St. Also on the faculty will be Mark Mathias, director of music ministries at Christ Presbyterian Church, and pianist Karen Vollmer, a choral music educator at local school systems.

Rehearsals will be at 6 p.m. Tuesdays, beginning Sept. 18, with performances to be announced later this summer.

Informational meetings for parents are set for 7 p.m. Aug. 20, 6 p.m. Aug. 30, and 10 a.m. Sept. 8, in the church.

For additional information, contact youngvoicestoledo@yahoo.com.

Information for News of Music should be sent to svallongo@theblade.com at least two weeks ahead of the event.