Strings on the Bay Series Begins June 25

News

Strings on the Bay, an annual summer chamber music series at Bay de Noc Community College, begins 7:30 PM Tuesday, June 25th at the Besse Center Theater. This performance is the first of three concerts this summer and features local audience favorite performers. St. Joseph/St. Patrick’s organist John Ignatowski will be playing harpsichord and piano. The Director of Bands for the Escanaba Middle School Laura Robinson, oboe, will join Escanaba native violinist Paul Lundin in a program entitled “Old Dog, New Tricks.”

Several years back, Mr. Ignatowski fascinated the Bay College audience with his harpsichord. It is rare to have the opportunity to hear this keyboard instrument. Those patrons attending last time were graced with an impromptu question and answer session at intermission and after the program.

Laura Robinson has graced the stage at the Besse Center many times, both with Strings on the Bay programs and programs featuring members of the Marquette Symphony. Ms. Robinson is a fantastic oboist with a Masters of Music degree from Northwestern University. She has performed with the Aspen Festival Orchestra, Sault St. Marie Symphony and is currently the principal oboe of the Marquette Symphony.

Both Lundin and Robinson will collaborate with Mr. Ignatowski on works that are both old and new. A George Frederic Handel Trio sonata and a Mozart Sonata for violin and harpsichord will represent the older music written for harpsichord accompanying solo instruments. But Robinson and Lundin will present works by living composers as well. Dutch composer Geert VanHoorick’s “Ancient Dances” for oboe and harpsichord will be paired with three works by Japanese American composer Asako Hirobayashi for violin and harpsichord. These works are attractive and welcome additions to a repertoire with harpsichord that is a regretfully neglected instrument these days.

A “pop” style piece with a humorous title for all three performers will send you off whistling to finish the evening’s music. A reception with light refreshments follows the performance, offering audience members an opportunity to visit with the performers. Tickets may be purchased online below, inside the Besse Center's box office, or by calling 217-4045.

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Admission price is $5.00 for students and faculty, $10.00 for adults and $25 for all three concerts in the series. Remaining programs in the series are on July 16th and August 6th 7:30 PM at the Besse Center Theater.