A dedicatory concert in honor of a Steinway piano recently gifted to the department by Bob Gillette of Suffolk, Va., and refurbished by a gift from Mrs. Geraldine Sherwood of Fairfax, Va., will be held 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, in the Recital Hall on ground floor of Lehman Auditorium.

The 1911 Steinway grand piano that has been completely refurbished is the first permanent grand piano for the Recital Hall stage, according to Joan Griffing, EMU music department chair, noting that previously the grand piano from the primary piano teaching studio had to be moved to this location.

“With the addition of this beautifully refurbished Steinway, our Recital Hall is now an improved performance space,” Dr. Griffing said. “Having an instrument of this high quality is a real bonus to our students, faculty and guest artists who wish to perform in this setting.”

“The 1911 Steinway is a model ‘A,’ known for its rich tone and unique resonance,” added Dr. Lynne Mackey, associate professor of music.

Musica Harmonia players (l. to r.) Beth Vanderborgh, cello; Joan Griffing, violin; Diane Phoenix-Neal, viola; and Lynne Mackey, piano, will perform in the dedicatory recital for EMU’s Steinway grand piano.

The concert will feature performances by Musica Harmonia – Joan Griffing, violin; Diane Phoenix-Neal, viola; Beth Vanderborgh, cello; and Lynne Mackey, piano; with special guests Christy Heatwole Kauffman, viola; and Brian Wahl, bass. They will perform the “Sextet for Piano and Strings” by Felix Mendelssohn and “Midnight Child” by Los Angeles jazz and film composer Charles Washington.

EMU university piano student Phillip Martin will play selections from the solo piano repertoire.

Admission to the program is free; donations are welcomed for the EMU music scholarship fund.

For more information, call 540-432-4225.

This ensemble formed in 2007 with a goal “to promote peace and cultural understanding through musical collaboration.”

All five musicians have experienced life and performed in countries including Brazil, Australia, France, the Netherlands and Portugal.

Group members are Lynne Mackey, pianist; Joan Griffing, violinist; Diane Phoenix-Neal, violist; Beth Vanderborgh, cellist; and Luciano Carneiro, bassist.

Now, “Musica Harmonia” is launching an effort to promote appreciation of classical music with two local programs, one of which is especially designed for children and their parents.

The chamber music ensemble will perform the playful “Trout” Quintet by Franz Schubert 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, in Martin Chapel of the seminary building at EMU.

Folk Music and Storytelling

Bill Wellington, folk musician and storyteller from Staunton, will tell lighthearted anecdotes designed for children and their parents between movements of the Schubert piece. He describes his role in the performance as “a cross between Danny Kaye and Leonard Bernstein.” Wellington has entertained audiences, including youngsters, for more than 30 years and is creator of Radio WOOF, a unique series of audio recordings for children.

Dr. Griffing described the Schubert work as “an evocative tale composed in 1819 of a fish caught by a wily fisherman.

“We encourage children and parents to come together to this fun, yet educational program that aims to promote an early appreciation for classical music,” Griffing said.

Brahms and Brazil

Bass player Luciano Carneiro, who currently lives in Brazil, will present an hour of music and conversation 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, in Martin Chapel. He and Lynne Mackey will perform an arrangement of the Brahms’ “Sonata in E Minor for cello and piano” in addition to some shorter pieces by Brazilian composers.

Carneiro will also talk about his music and his international experiences.

Griffing said the ensemble members met at the annual Eastern Music Festival held each year at Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C., and decided to collaborate in additional settings. “We hope this is only the beginning of working with more musicians from around the world,” she said.

Griffing is chair of the music department at EMU and concertmaster of the annual Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival. Dr. Mackey is associate professor of music at EMU and performs regularly as a lecture-recitalist.

Dr. Phoenix-Neal is assistant professor of music at Fayetteville (NC) State University, where she directs the FSU community string ensemble and founded a string program for children. Dr. Vanderborgh, a member of the Guilford College faculty, is principal cellist of the Greensboro (NC) Symphony Orchestra and the Winston-Salem Symphony. Dr. Caneiro is professor of double bass at the Universidade Federal da Paraiba in Brazil and plays with several symphony orchestra in his native country and in the US.

More Info

The ensemble plans to give additional programs in January at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, Mary Washington University, Guilford College and Fayetteville State University.

Admission to both programs is free; donations will be accepted. For more information, call the EMU music department at 540-432-4225.