Marywood University’s music, theatre, and dance department will present its fall semester Masterworks Series of concerts in November and December. All performances are free and open to the public.
Featured concerts in the Masterworks Series include: a Symphony Orchestra Concert (Friday, November 8, at 7:30 p.m.); a Wind Symphony and Ensemble Concert (Sunday, November 10, at 4 p.m.); and two Concert Choir performances (Saturday, November 23, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, November 24, at 4 p.m.). The series culminates with a Wind Symphony Christmas Concert (Wednesday, December 4, at 7 p.m.).
The first two performances will be held on the Main Stage of the Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts. The Concert Choir performances will take place at regional churches—on November 23, 7:30 p.m., at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Scranton, and, on November 24, 4 p.m., at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Wilkes-Barre. The Wind Symphony Christmas Concert will be held at Marywood Heights (formerly Holy Family Residence) at 2500 Adams Avenue.
The Symphony Orchestra Concert (November 8, 7:30 p.m., Sette LaVerghetta Center) will feature music by Sibelius, Bartok, Timky-Korsakov, and Mozart. The program will highlight many soloists within the orchestra in a mix of exciting music. Brenda Leach, D.M.A., assistant professor and director of orchestral activities at Marywood University, will conduct the performance.
The Wind Symphony and Wind Ensemble (November 10, 4 p.m., Sette LaVerghetta Center) will present an afternoon of music from the classic band repertoire and exciting new music from outstanding and underrepresented composers. American composer Carolyn Bremer’s “Early Light” and “Into the Sun” by Australian Jody Blackshaw will be performed. In addition, the bands will perform Vincent Persichetti’s “Divertimento for Band Op. 42” and “Vanity Fair” by British composer Percy Fletcher. F. David Romines, D.M.A., associate professor of music education and co-chair of Marywood’s Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance, will conduct the performance.
The performances by the Concert Choir (November 23, 7:30 p.m., Covenant Presbyterian Church, Scranton; November 24, 4 p.m., St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Wilkes-Barre) will feature Maurice Duruflé’s timeless and hauntingly beautiful Requiem, along with Marcel Dupré’s rarely performed set of Four Motets for choir and organ. The 100+ member choir of Marywood students, staff, faculty, and community members will collaborate with organist Mark Laubach. Rick Hoffenberg, D.M.A., associate professor of choral conducting and co-chair chair of Marywood’s Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance, will conduct the performances.
The Wind Symphony (December 4, 7 p.m., Marywood Heights, 2500 Adams Avenue) will present a “Christmas Music Festival,” an evening of Christmas musical standards and holiday tunes, featuring sacred, pop, rock, and jazz selections performed by musicians and singers from the Marywood’s Department of Music, Theatre and Dance. A visit from the North Pole’s favorite elf is also expected. Dr. Romines will conduct the performance.
For additional about the Masterworks Concert Series and other performances at Marywood University, please visit marywood.edu/mtd/events, or call (570) 348-6268.