Bienen School of Music to Host Orchestra Concerts This Winter

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Performances of classic and contemporary works for string, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments by the Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra, the Northwestern University Chamber Orchestra and Philharmonia, are among the winter line-up of orchestral concerts performed on the Evanston campus.

Among the season’s highlights is the Feb. 7 Alice Millar Birthday concert at Alice Millar Chapel, featuring the Bienen School’s symphony orchestra and the Alice Millar Chapel Choir, and a March 12 concert by the Bienen Strings and the University of Chichester Chamber Orchestra, a student ensemble based in West Sussex, England.

Presented by Northwestern’s Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music, the upcoming programs will take place on the University’s Evanston campus at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive, and Alice Millar Chapel, 1870 Sheridan Road, as noted.

WINTER ORCHESTRAL CONCERTS

• The Northwestern University Chamber Orchestra will present a program titled “Latin Nights” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. Led by Bienen School faculty conductor Robert G. Hasty, associate director of orchestras, and graduate assistant Christopher Wild, the performance includes Ginastera’s “Estancia” and “Variaciones Concertantes,” as well as Manuel de Falla’s Ballet Suite from “El amor brujo.” Tickets are $6 for the general public and $4 for students with valid IDs.

• The Alice Millar Birthday concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, at Alice Millar Chapel, will feature two student ensembles and Alice Millar Chapel organist Eric Budzynski, associate for religious life and chapel music. Bienen School faculty member Stephen Alltop, director of music for Alice Millar Chapel, will conduct the Alice Millar Chapel Choir and the Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra. This year’s celebration will offer three bold works -- Poulenc’s Concerto for Organ, Timpani and Strings; William Grant Still’s “Ennanga” for harp, piano and strings; and Handel’s “Dixit Dominus” for chorus, soloists, strings and continuo. Alice Millar Chapel admission is free, though an offering will be accepted.

• A performance by the Northwestern University Chamber Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, will feature works by Haydn and Beethoven. Conducted by Bienen School faculty member Robert G. Hasty, associate director of orchestras, the program features performances by violinist MingHuan Xu, cellist Anna Burden and pianist Winston Choi. Haydn’s Symphony No. 88 in G Major and Beethoven’s Triple Concerto for Violin, Cello and Piano in C Major will be performed. Tickets are $6 for the general public and $4 for students with valid IDs.

• The Philharmonia’s “Love and Romance” concert at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 6, at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, includes Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet” Overture-Fantasy and Howard Hanson’s Symphony No. 2, “Romantic.” The Philharmonia is Northwestern University’s largest orchestra and is comprised of students from across campus, including music majors and non-majors. The ensemble will be led by Bienen School faculty member Robert G. Hasty and graduate assistant conductor Hoh Chen. Tickets are $6 for the general public and $4 for students with valid IDs.

• The Bienen Strings will perform with the University of Chichester Chamber Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 12, in Pick-Staiger Concert Hall. Under the direction of Bienen School faculty member Victor Yampolsky, professor of conducting and ensembles, the program will feature Bernstein’s “Serenade” for solo violin, strings, harp and percussion, along with music by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Frank Ticheli and Shostakovich. Tickets are $6 for the general public and $4 for students with valid IDs.

More information on these or other upcoming winter events is available online.