BGSU Festival Series to 'Encircle the World'

South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela headlines the BGSU Festival Series, which starts next month. He is scheduled to perform on April 3.

Faculty and staff at Bowling Green State University's College of Musical Arts want to bring the world to northwest Ohio -- at least aspects of that diverse musical array.

The BGSU Festival Series, always an innovative blend of performing artists, takes as its title this season "Encircle the World."

Headlining the series, which starts in September and follows the school calendar into April, will be South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela.

Slated to appear at 8 p.m. April 3 in Kobacker Hall of the Moore Musical Arts Center (where all concerts are held), Masekela has combined great musicianship with dedicated political work in his native country, becoming a global legend.

He has collaborated with musicians from around the world, including Miriam Makeba, Dizzy Gillespie, Harry Belafonte, and Herb Alpert. The seminal album, "Graceland," created in 1986 with Paul Simon, has just been re-released in its 25th anniversary version.

The Festival Series opens at 8 p.m. Sept. 29 with Klezmer Madness, a musical septet that has reinvented the traditional Jewish musical form by stirring in a variety of other styles, from European and American classicism to popular and American ethnic sounds.

Led by David Krakauer, clarinetist, Klezmer Madness has appeared in Carnegie Hall and at the Venice Bienalle.

New York Polyphony, a new male vocal quartet, will perform at 8 p.m. Nov. 30, presenting their holiday program, I Sing the Birth. The a cappella group sings sacred and secular music from the past but also performs cutting-edge contemporary works.

Duo Brilliance, the four-hands and two-piano team of Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Joy Roe, are to make their BGSU debut at 8 p.m. Feb. 9. These artists are acclaimed for their sparkling camaraderie and artistry with classical favorites.

BGSU will celebrate Black History Month by presenting the American Spiritual Ensemble at 8 p.m. Feb. 23. Created in 1995 by Everett McCorvey, the group comprises classically trained African-American singers who bring life and spirit to a wide range of musical styles.

Series tickets for all five concerts are on sale now, offering a world of music at a discount. Prices range from $99 to $157, depending on seat location. Single event tickets also are available at prices from $32-$38 per concert. To order tickets, contact the Moore Center box office at 419-372-8171 or check out www.bgsu.edu/festivalseries.

The fall term begins next week and that means musical activities of all kinds are kicking off at the Wood County university.

The Faculty Brass will perform at 8 p.m. Wednesday in Bryan Hall of the Moore Center, a free recital for the public. A repeat performance is set for 3 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Toledo Museum of Art Great Gallery, also a free, public event.

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The Toledo Chapter, American Guild of Organists, invites the public to join members in a progressive dinner and progressive recital starting at 6 p.m. Sept. 14. The tour starts and ends at Christ Presbyterian Church, 4225 West Sylvania Ave. A bus will carry all to Monroe Street United Methodist and Blessed Sacrament churches for additional dining and musical courses.

Performers will include Mark and Denise Mathias, JoAnn McKelvey, and Paul Monachino, all well-known local organists.

Cost for the entire evening is $20. Because of limited seating on the bus, the first 75 people who send in checks and registration will be welcomed. Marilynn Hazard at 5827 Woodrow Dr., Sylvania, 43560, will accept checks and registration.

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Many area choirs are seeking new and returning singers.

The University of Toledo Community Chorus is gearing up for its 17th season of making great music together, under the direction of Stephen Hodge. Recent major works performed by this group have included Honegger's "King David" oratorio, masses by Haydn and Mozart, and operatic arias by Verdi.

The fall semester will bring works by Stanford, Haydn, Mozart, and Rutter for a concert on Nov. 18. No audition is necessary to sing with the community chorus, although singers are expected to purchase their own vocal scores.

New members may join the choir at the first two rehearsals, 7 p.m. Aug. 27 and Sept. 10, in Room 1017 of the UT Center for the Performing Arts, with registration starting at 6:30 p.m.

For further information, contact Hodge at 419-530-4558.

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Auditions will be required to join the University Choral Society at BGSU, which will perform Handel's Messiah Dec. 1 and 2 with the Toledo Symphony in Bowling Green and the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle.

Also on the choral calendar will be Feb. 8 and 9 performances of Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana," with the Toledo Symphony conducted by James Meena of the Carolina Opera. A workshop with Swedish composer Sven-David Sandstrom on April 2 is part of the 2012-2013 season for this busy group, which will perform with the Lima Symphony Orchestra and the Bowling Green Philharmonia for subsequent concerts.

Mark Munson is director of the choral society, which rehearses Tuesdays from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Moore Musical Arts Center. The first rehearsal is Aug. 28. To schedule an audition, call 419-372-2181.

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The Children's Choir of Northwest Ohio announces auditions for its coming season of rehearsals and performances on from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 5, 6, and 10 at Community of Christ Lutheran Church, 6510 Finzel Rd., Whitehouse. The program's mission is to provide an enrichment experience for those children who have a talent and interest in singing and desire an opportunity to sing in a children's choir.

Lisa Alleman conducts both choirs -- the Jubilate ensemble for younger students and the Bel Canto group for grades five through 10. Rehearsals are Mondays at the church from 5:30-6:30 p.m. for Jubilate and 6:30 -8 p.m. for Bel Canto members.

Tuition for members is $350 for Jubilate singers and $420 for Bel Canto, and covers rehearsal and performance costs plus a camp for all members to start the season. Uniforms are extra.

Complete information about the choir can be found at ccofnwo.org. To schedule a 15-minute audition time, parents and guardians can visit the site or call 419-377-7710.

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