The Calendar - Classical Music

This Week's Events

Classical Music
Between the Kerrytown Concert House and the University Musical Society, an energized Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and dozens of smaller ensembles, Ann Arbor's classical music calendar has an opus for every taste.

Highlights this week:

Friday
May, 2008

Ruth Cunningham: Kerrytown Concert House. May 30 & 31 (different programs). Performance by this classically trained musician and sound healer, a former member of the acclaimed women's vocal quartet Anonymous 4 who sings in what the New York Times calls "a lovely, pure, expressive" soprano, accompanying herself on piano, medieval harp, flute, recorder, and shruti box (an Indian drone instrument). 30 May's program, "Light and Shadow," features Gregorian and Sanskrit chants and improvisational settings of devotional music. 31 May: Cunningham is joined by local soprano and sound healer Norma Gentile for a "Meditation Concert" featuring mantras, sacred songs, and improvised healing chants. 8 p.m., KCH, 415 N. Fourth Ave. Tickets $10, $15, & $25 (students, $5) in advance and (if available) at the door. Reservations suggested. 769-2999.

Saturday
May, 2008

7 p.m.
The Willis Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale.:U-M music school professor emeritus Willis Patterson directs an ecumenical choir of local church members in a program of Duke Ellington's Choral Caravan, Joseph Joubert's Spiritual Suite, and a selection of spirituals. Church of the Good Shepherd, 2145 Independence Blvd. Donation. 663-3800.

8 p.m.
Ruth Cunningham: Kerrytown Concert House. May 30 & 31 (different programs). Performance by this classically trained musician and sound healer, a former member of the acclaimed women's vocal quartet Anonymous 4 who sings in what the New York Times calls "a lovely, pure, expressive" soprano, accompanying herself on piano, medieval harp, flute, recorder, and shruti box (an Indian drone instrument). 30 May's program, "Light and Shadow," features Gregorian and Sanskrit chants and improvisational settings of devotional music. 31 May: Cunningham is joined by local soprano and sound healer Norma Gentile for a "Meditation Concert" featuring mantras, sacred songs, and improvised healing chants. 8 p.m., KCH, 415 N. Fourth Ave. Tickets $10, $15, & $25 (students, $5) in advance and (if available) at the door. Reservations suggested. 769-2999.

8 p.m.
"American Treasures": Vocal Arts Ensemble. Benjamin Cohen directs this 24-member local vocal ensemble in its 3rd annual concert of American choral music. The program is highlighted by Dominick Argento's Peter Quince at the Clavier, a setting of Wallace Stevens's poem, and Randall Thompson's Frostiana , a setting of 7 Robert Frost poems, including "The Road Not Taken" and "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening." Accompanist is pianist Edward Wyman. Temple Beth Emeth/St. Clare's Episcopal, 2309 Packard. $15 (students & seniors, $10; children 12 & under, free). 741-7451.

Sunday
June, 2008

3 p.m.
"Look to This Day!": Boychoir of Ann Arbor Spring Concert. Boychoir founder Tom Strode directs this local ensemble in a program that features performances by both Boychoir ensembles - a Performing Choir made up of boys ages 9-14 and a Preparatory Choir for boys ages 8-10. The program features music from the Boychoir's recent performance at the Maryland State Boychoir Invitational Festival, including Bob Chilcott's rhythmic and jazzy "Look to This Day!", Eleanor Daley's beautiful and lyrical "My Master from a garden rose," and a rendition of Mozart's "Alleluia" featuring the choir's boy sopranos. Also, Chilcott's "I Share Creation," which includes a setting of an ancient Chinese text that concludes "I share creation, Kings can do no more," and "Island Songs," Australian composer Stephen Leek's adaptations of traditional songs from islands north of Australia. The Preparatory Choir performs Hal Hopson's arrangement of di Lasso's "Musica Dei donum optimi" and 2 movements from "Join the Dance," U-M grad Carolyn Jennings's charming setting of Lewis Carroll texts. St. Clare Episcopal Church/Temple Beth Emeth, 2309 Packard Rd. Free; donations accepted. 663-5377.

3 p.m.
"A Feast of Favorites": Chaverim B'Shirim. This local Jewish choir presents a program of music selected by its members, featuring composers from Bernstein to Mel Brooks. Refreshments. Jewish Community Center, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr. (off Stone School Rd. south of Packard). $5 donation. 971-0990

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