Faculty featured in School of Music concert series

The School of Music’s Faculty Concert Series has always been one of the best musical bargains in town. The series features performances by world-renowned musicians with rich recording and touring chops, all for the price of lunch from a cart on the State Street Mall.

Things have just gotten even better: During the 2009–10 season, the School of Music is suspending all admission charges for the Faculty Concert Series as an outreach to the community during the economic downturn.

In the past, any money from tickets that remained after expenses were taken care of was used to support student scholarships in the School of Music. This year, organizers hope that concert-goers will donate the money they will save on tickets to music scholarships, or to give more generously to scholarships if they can. In any case, the school’s faculty and director John Schaffer hope that free admission will enable everyone to attend concerts as frequently as their schedules allow.

The 2009–10 programming for the Faculty Concert Series is as robust as ever and September will see an abundance of offerings from faculty.

At 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, in Morphy Hall, oboist Marc Fink will perform works by Jan Dismas Zelenka (1679–1745), Antal Dorati (1906–88, former music director of the National Symphony Orchestra), Laurent Riou and Antonio Pasculli (1842–1924). Fink will be joined by Vincent Fuh, piano; Laura Medisky, oboe; Marc Vallon, bassoon; Martha Vallon, cello; and John Chappell Stowe, harpsichord.

At 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, in Mills Hall, flutist Stephanie Jutt will perform with violinist Felicia Moye and pianist Christopher Taylor. The program includes works by Franz Schubert and Kristin Kuster.

Trombonist Mark Hetzler will perform with pianist Jessica Johnson and percussionist Anthony Di Sanza at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, in Mills Hall.

Guest artist Gail Williams, professor of horn at Northwestern University, will perform with pianist Kathryn Goodson of the University of Michigan at 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, in Morphy Hall.

The Pro Arte Quartet performs with guest artist Victoria Chiang, viola, at 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25, in Mills Hall. The program features Quintet in F major, Op. 88 by Brahms, with Chiang on viola; Quartet in B-flat major, Op. 18, No. 6 by Beethoven; and String Quartet by Grieg. The members of the Pro Arte Quartet are: Suzanne Beia, violin; Sally Chisholm, viola; Parry Karp, cello; and David Perry, violin.

The Wingra Woodwind Quintet wraps the month at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, in Morphy Hall. Members of the quintet are: Linda Bartley, clarinet; Marc Fink, oboe; Linda Kimball, horn; Dawn Lawler, flute; and Marc Vallon, bassoon.

Six additional faculty concerts are scheduled for October and November. For a complete schedule of concerts, visit the School of Music’s events calendar, or call 263-1900 to request an events brochure. To receive a weekly e-mail listing of concerts, master classes and student recitals, send your e-mail address to music@music.wisc.edu. Mills and Morphy halls are located in the Mosse Humanities Building.