MACON — Robert McDuffie Center for Strings within the Townsend School of Music presents the 17th season of the Fabian Concert Series, with sold out performances Sept. 25-26.
The series is curated by Artistic Director Amy Schwartz Moretti and brings the best of chamber music to Mercer and Macon.
The Sept. 25-26 concerts feature Center founder Robert McDuffie with Margery McDuffie Whatley, his sister and an accomplished concert pianist, and the McDuffie Center Young Artists. They will play an exciting program with “Concerto for Piano, Violin and Strings” by Felix Mendelssohn as well as “The American Four Seasons,” a piece by Philip Glass written especially for McDuffie to perform.
After the initial showing on Sept. 26 sold out, a second performance was added to accommodate the demand.
“I’m so grateful to the Macon community for coming out in such great numbers to support the McDuffie Center, our students and our music,” McDuffie said. “It’s a magnificent start to an exciting season.”
Now that both performances are sold out, there will be a waiting list available at the door for unclaimed seats. Ticket holders who are not in their seats by 7:25 p.m. may have their seats re-sold and are instructed to arrive early to ensure prompt seating. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.
After this week, the popular Ehnes Quartet will return to the series on Nov. 14 for works of Haydn, Britten and Schumann.
Next semester, guest artists Tessa Lark and Paul Watkins will perform with Center faculty Moretti, Annie Fullard and Lawrence Dutton for both the Bruch and Mendelssohn Octets on Feb. 6.
A March 12 concert will feature guest artists Matthew Lipman, Alexander Fiterstein, R.J. Kelley, Raphael Bell and Andrew Armstrong alongside Moretti for an eclectic program of contemporary and classic works.
The finale will take place April 9, with Sihao He and Jeewon Park joining Moretti for works by Schumann, Nadia Boulanger and Amy Beach.
Billed on this year’s poster as the “best kept secret in Macon,” the series often features sold-out performances in Fickling Hall, an intimate 200-seat venue, of accomplished national artists.
“Through the Fabian Concert Series, we are able to bring some of today’s top musicians to Macon,” said Moretti, who is also the McDuffie Center director. “I’m privileged to share the stage with colleagues, friends and Center faculty and students, and I know that they enjoy sharing their talents with you.”
All Fabian series shows take place in Fickling Hall in the McCorkle Music Building. Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased at mercerevents.tixr.com. Admission is free to students with a Mercer or any valid student I.D. Call (478) 301-5470 to reserve or pay at the door.
