Townsend School of Music to Present Several Community Concerts in February

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MACON – The Townsend School of Music at Mercer University will offer a variety of concerts and chamber recitals in February, most of which are free and open to the public.

This month will feature concerts with the United States Navy Chorus, a jazz tribute to Miles Davis and a unique performance of music and spoken word with world-renowned violinist Robert McDuffie and actress/activist Anna Deavere Smith. For a complete schedule of events, visit
www.mercer.edu/music, or become a fan of the School's Facebook page.

Faculty Artist Recital: Hallowed Harps: Calista Anne Koch, harp – Feb. 3

Calista Anne Koch plays solo masterpieces for harp as well as chamber music. Accompanied by an ensemble of advanced harp students, she will present works that feature the virtuoso capabilities of the harp, including Vivaldi's Concerto in D Major, the Sicilienne from Fauré's Pelleas et Melisande, and many more on Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Fickling Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.

Mercer Wind Ensemble: Mad About Chamber Music II – Feb. 6

This program is the second concert in the annual chamber music series featuring a variety of woodwind, brass and percussion ensembles comprised of students from the Mercer University Wind Ensemble. This performance will take place on Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in Fickling Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.

Fabian Concert Series: Voces Intimae: Ehnes Quartet featuring James Ehnes, violin; Amy Schwartz Moretti, violin; Richard O'Neill, viola; Robert deMaine, cello – Feb. 11

The Ehnes Quartet returns to Fickling Hall after a triumphant European tour, with a program that includes Beethoven Op. 95, Sibelius' Voces Intimae and Beethoven Op. 127, on Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. in Fickling Hall. Tickets cost $12 each; to purchase, call (478) 301-5470.

Townsend Master Class: Ehnes String Quartet – Feb. 12

Hailed as “an important new force in the chamber music arena” (Strings), members of the Ehnes Quartet have played chamber music together in various formations for more than 20 years. The sought after chamber group brings their experience as soloists and longtime collaborators to share with McDuffie Center student musicians on Feb. 12 at 10 a.m. in Fickling Hall.

Mercer Jazz Ensemble: Magic of Miles Davis – Feb. 20

This performance will take place on Feb. 20 at 7:30 p.m. in Fickling Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.

Robert McDuffie and Actress Anna Deavere Smith “Letter From Birmingham Jail” – Feb. 21

World-renowned violinist Robert McDuffie and actress/playwright Anna Deavere Smith will perform a program of words and music on Feb. 21, the highlight of grand opening festivities for the McDuffie Center for Strings' new home, the Bell House. The performance will be held at Macon's Beulahland Bible Church, one of the Southeast's most influential African-American churches.

“Letter from Birmingham Jail” will feature Ms. Smith, accompanied by McDuffie, reading Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s April 1963 letter. Smith will also portray other important figures from the Civil Rights Movement.

The Feb. 21 performance will be free and open to the public, but is a ticketed event. A limited number of tickets are available at The Grand Opera House Box Office, 651 Mulberry Street. Tickets must be picked up in person Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., first-come, first-served, no reservations. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with the program starting at 7:30 p.m. The 2,000-seat church is located at 1010 Newberg Avenue in Macon.

Townsend Presents: The Sea Chanters – Feb. 22  

The Navy Band Sea Chanters is the United States Navy's official chorus. The ensemble performs a variety of music, ranging from traditional choral music, including sea chanteys and patriotic fare, to opera, Broadway and contemporary music. At home in Washington, they perform for the president, vice president and numerous congressional, military and foreign dignitaries. They have appeared at the Kennedy Center Honors and with the National Symphony Orchestra for the nationally telecast “National Memorial Day Concerts” at the U.S. Capitol. Throughout their history, the Sea Chanters have remained true to the Navy's watchwords of pride and professionalism. Experience the Sea Chanters on Feb. 22 at 3 p.m. in Willingham Hall, Mercer University. Admission is free and open to the public.

Robert McDuffie Center for Strings: Student Chamber Ensemble – Feb. 23

The performance will take place on Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. in Bell House, 315 College St. Admission is free. First come, first served.

Joan Stockstill Godsey Concert Series: A Musical Journey with Friends: Carol Goff, collaborative piano; Richard Kosowski, tenor; Monty Cole, saxophone; Martha Malone, soprano – Feb. 24

Townsend faculty artist Carol Goff and colleagues Richard Kosowski, Monty Cole and Martha Malone perform a recital of solo and chamber music featuring the lush, romantic music of Franz Liszt and much more on Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. in Fickling Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.

About Townsend School of Music

Mercer University's Townsend School of Music, the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings, the Joan Stockstill Godsey Center for Keyboard Studies and the Townsend-McAfee Institute for Graduate Studies offer undergraduate and graduate professional music studies in a comprehensive university environment. Townsend is nationally recognized for its outstanding faculty, award-winning students, performance ensembles and state-of-the-art facilities. The McDuffie Center, a special institute within Townsend School of Music, is a highly selective program that prepares string students for success in the real world. Students study with some of America's most renowned string musicians, receiving music instruction of conservatory quality, while earning an academically well-rounded education from a comprehensive, nationally recognized university. For more information and a complete listing of this season's concerts please visit
www.mercer.edu/music, or call (478) 301-2748.