The 23rd season of this highly popular (and always free-of-charge) music series at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, kicks off on Wednesday, Sept. 12, with a performance by Aeolus Quartet. Praised by Strad magazine for its “high-octane” performances, the Aeolus Quartet was Grand Prize winner of the 2011 Plowman Chamber Music Competition and the 2011 Yellow Springs Chamber Music Competition. Member Gregory Luce is a former associate principal violist of the Erie Philharmonic.
Wednesday, Oct. 24, will bring Classical Jam to campus. A vibrant ensemble of flute, percussion, violin, viola and cello, Classical Jam is best known for its lively and engaging presentations, thought-provoking concert themes, and repertoire that ranges from Renaissance dance music and traditional classical works to Gershwin and Piazzolla to original compositions.
In November, the Music at Noon audience will give thanks for the opportunity to spend an hour with Simple Gifts. Three women plus 15 instruments equals one extraordinary presentation of lively Irish jigs, American reels, klezmer freilach, and haunting Gypsy melodies. Spicing this mix will be distinctive rhythms of Balkan dance music, the lush sounds of Scandinavian twin fiddling, and original compositions written in a traditional style.
Simple Gifts’ Wednesday, Nov. 16, performance is partially supported by a grant from Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour, a program developed and funded by the Heinz Endowments; the William Penn Foundation; the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency; and the Pew Charitable Trusts, and administered by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation.
The series will be raining (or snowing?) men in January. Cantus, hailed as “the premier men’s vocal ensemble in the United States” by Fanfare magazine and winner of Chorus America’s prestigious Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence, will sing in McGarvey Commons on Tuesday, Jan. 29. Cantus performs an active schedule of national tour dates, subscription concerts in its home of Minneapolis/St. Paul, educational outreach programs, and recordings.
Fitting for February and its presidential birthdays, Capitol Quartet will be the series’ offering on Monday, Feb. 25. This all-saxophone quartet has captured the imaginations of critics and audiences alike with its versatility and innovative style. “I have had the great pleasure of performing with the Capitol Quartet,” famed composer Marvin Hamlisch said. “Their fabulous sound, professionalism and innovative program all combine for a wonderfully entertaining musical experience.”
The season will close on Thursday, March 21, with a presentation by Piaclava. With its unique instrumentation of viola, clarinet, and piano and virtuosic flair, Piaclava explores not only the standard trio canon but also a variety of solo and duo works from classical, popular, modern and world-music repertoires. This array of sounds and genres creates a lively, engaging performance.
Music at Noon: The Logan Series is coordinated by Gary Viebranz, senior lecturer in music and director of instrumental ensembles at Penn State Behrend. Each performance takes place at noon in McGarvey Commons, located on the first floor of Penn State Behrend’s Reed Union Building. Admission is free, and reserved parking is available in the Reed lot.
Founded at Penn State Behrend by Warren philanthropist and arts advocate Kay Logan, Music at Noon: The Logan Series’ unique musical outreach has been honored with an Adventurous Programming Award by Chamber Music America and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. The series receives major support from the Kay Logan Trust and additional funding from the Penn State Behrend Student Activity Fee, Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts, the Erie Arts Endowment of ArtsErie, and Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour.