by Willy Nichter, Staff Writer
This weekend, Drew University will be hosting two concerts in their Concert Hall as part of their 2018 season. First, on Saturday, October 14, Drew’s da Camara professional concert series will pick up with performances by Dionne Jackson and Marija Strokes in Parisian Influences. And second, on the following day, Sunday, October 15, the Drew University Choral Intensive ensemble will present Bachtoberfest, a celebration of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.
Parisian Influences, beginning at 8 p.m. on Saturday, will feature pieces played by the talented duo of Jackson and Strokes, a flautist and a pianist respectively. The concert features Jackson, currently Assistant Principal Flute in the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra, and Stroke, who has performed many of the world’s finest musical institutions, including the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society. Together they will be playing selections from a variety of French composers, including Debussy and Ferroud. These pieces were chosen to draw out the best of their instruments and are sure to transport the listener to Paris itself. Admission is $30 for visitors, $15 with presentation of a student ID, and can be purchased in advance at 973-408- 3176. Parking is free, and there will be a pre-concert discussion with the performers beginning at 7:15 p.m.
Bachtoberfest, beginning at 5 p.m. on Sunday, will be a performance of Bach’s choral music, including pieces such as “MOTET: Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden (BWV 230)” and “CANTATA: Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich (BWV 150).” The program will be include the Madison String Quartet, featuring Evelyn Estava, Rebecca Harris-Lee, Michael Avagliano, and Gerall Hieser. Susan Graham and Melanie Williams will be on Baroque flutes, Timothy Emerson on bassoon and Krista Sweer on organ, with Director of Choral and Vocal Studies Jason Bishop as conductor. Admission is free for Drew students and $5 for general public.
