MACON – The Townsend School of Music at Mercer University will offer a variety of concerts and chamber recitals in April, most of which are free and open to the public.
This month will feature musical tributes to spring by the Mercer Wind Ensemble, Mercer Singers and Mercer Flute Choir. Closing the Joan Stockstill Godsey Concert Series season will be one of the world's most celebrated pianists, Andre Watts, on April 23.
Unless otherwise noted, admission to the following events is free:
Friday, April 8, 10 a.m.
Mercer Brass Choir: BEAR Day Brass, McCorkle Music Building Patio
The Bears will be donning their brass instruments for this special presentation of all brass works that show off every section of this family of instruments.
Friday, April 8, 7:30 p.m.
Mercer University Orchestra at The Grand Opera House
Fresh off his debut as conductor of the Rochester (N.Y.) Philharmonic Orchestra, Ward Stare returns to lead the Mercer University Orchestra in a series of challenging, inspiring concerts that are sure to please classical music fans old and new. Admission is $10; one free ticket will be provided per valid Mercer ID.
Monday, April 11, 7:30 p.m.
Robert McDuffie Center for Strings Student Solo Concerts, Bell House Salon
Center student recitals are free and open to the public. Seating is very limited and is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open 30 minutes beforehand.
Tuesday, April 12, 7:30 p.m.
Mercer Wind Ensemble presents April Showers Bring Musical Flowers, with special guests the Central and Westside High School Symphonic Bands, Michael Scott and Tyler Allen, conductors, Central High School Auditorium
As all three bands representing Middle Georgia present their own “musical flowers,” the student musicians will combine into one large “musical bouquet” to conclude the concert. The Central High School Auditorium is located at 2155 Napier Avenue in Macon.
Sunday, April 17, 3 p.m.
Mercer Singers present The Voices of Spring, Fickling Hall
The Mercer Women's Chamber Choir will perform.
Friday, April 22, 7:30 p.m.
Mercer Jazz Ensemble: Begin the Beguine
The Mercer Jazz Ensemble will present masterworks from the Swing Era.
Saturday, April 23, 7:30 p.m.
Joan Stockstill Godsey Concert Series presents Andre Watts, piano, Fickling Hall
One of the world's most celebrated pianists, André Watts continues to give numerous recitals and performs with the world's major orchestras and conductors, while making regular visits to the major summer music festivals, including Ravinia, Tanglewood, Saratoga, the Mann Music Center, Mostly Mozart, and the Hollywood Bowl.
A much-honored artist, Watts was selected in 1988 to receive the Avery Fisher Prize, one of the top individual honors for an American classical musician. At age 26, he was the youngest person ever to receive an honorary doctorate from Yale University, and he has received numerous such honors from many of the nation's most respected conservatories. In 1984, the Peabody Conservatory of Music at Johns Hopkins University honored Watts with its Distinguished Alumni Award.
Saturday, April 23, 2 p.m.
Mercer Wind Ensemble presents Pops Favorites, McCorkle Music Building Band Room
Spring is for pops, and this second annual concert will feature movie themes, marches and last year's favorite for the kids, “The Looney Tunes” medley.
Sunday, April 24, 4 p.m.
Choral Society of Middle Georgia presents “Requiem” Maurice Duruflé, featuring the Mercer Singers, Stanley L. Roberts, conductor; Jack Mitchener, organist, Mulberry Street United Methodist Church
Dedicated to the memory of his father, Maurice Durufle' completed three different orchestrations for his Requiem, Op. 9. The version for choir and organ is highly celebrated for its sheer beauty of texture and color. Admission is $10. Mulberry Street United Methodist Church is located at 719 Mulberry St. in Macon.
Tuesday, April 26, 7:30 p.m.
Mercer Jazz Combo, Fickling Hall
The Mercer Jazz Combo will perform.
Thursday, April 28, 7:30 p.m.
Mercer Flute Choir: Flute Fantasy, Fickling Hall
Spring comes alive in musical selections performed by the Mercer University Flute Choir.
Saturday, April 30, 7:30 p.m.
Mercer Singers present Farewell Concert, Fickling Hall
The Mercer Singers will perform.
For a complete schedule of events, visit music.mercer.edu, or become a fan of our Facebook page.
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, visit www.mercer.edu/music, or call (478) 301-2748.
