The community is invited to enjoy the music of Amadeus Wolfgang Mozart and the contemporary experience by John Cage, along with
Maestro Philip Bauman
the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra and the International Contemporary Ensemble, on Sunday, March 23.
The family-friendly concert “Amadeus Mozart Un-Caged” will begin at 3 p.m. at the Elston Performing Arts Center, 317 Detroit St., Michigan City. Doors open at 2:15 p.m.
Instead of snow in the air, you’ll find music wafting as these musicians perform heartwarming symphonic treasures from the past, with a spin to the present. This event will give you an opportunity to gauge the benefits of listening to Mozart. While you enjoy the music, you will appreciate the fact that it can expand your brain capacity and lower your blood pressure. The title concert sponsor, IU Health LaPorte Hospital, will be promoting heart health, with the added bonus of giving three people in attendance an opportunity to win a free heart screening. The Heart Cart Mobile Screening Unit will greet concertgoers at the site.
LaPorte County Symphony Maestro Philip Bauman programmed this event as part of the movie-themed season “Now Showing” with a focus on the movie “Amadeus.” This concert will offer a delightful sampling of Mozart with various featured video, including the 1st movement of Symphony No. 25, Overture to the “Marriage of Figaro,” “Sinfonia Concertante,” the 3rd movement of Symphony No. 39, and the 4th movement of Symphony No. 41.
ICE members to perform
Rebekah Heller
This matinee performance will also feature four gifted musicians from the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), which is dedicated to reshaping the way music is created and experienced. The concert title “Un-Caged” comes from inclusion of a modern, classic, experiential piece written in 1961 — “Atlas Eclipticalis” by John Cage. Four musicians from the 33-member ICE will be performing: Nick Masterson, oboe; Campbell MacDonald, clarinet; Rebekah Heller, bassoon; and David Byrd-Marrow, horn. In addition to the Cage piece, Heller will execute the 1st movement of Mozart’s “Bassoon Concerto.”
Seattle native MacDonald is principal clarinet of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and a fixture at chamber music, opera, pop and orchestral music venues throughout the Midwest. Masterson is the principal oboist of the Pennsylvania Ballet Orchestra and a member of the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra. Praised for her “flair” and “deftly illuminated” performances by the New York Times, Heller is a uniquely dynamic chamber, orchestral and solo musician. She received her Master of Music degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Atlanta native Byrd-Marrow received his bachelor’s degree from The Juilliard School, and his master’s degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
General admission tickets are $20 for adults and $18 for seniors (65+). Due to assistance from the Michigan City Community Enrichment Fund, children and students through college age with ID receive free concert admission.
Concert tickets may be purchased at the door or online at www.LCSO.net. Presale tickets are available at LaPorte Savings Bank, 710 Indiana Ave.; LR Men’s Clothier and Tuxedos, 205 Lincolnway, LaPorte; Roxy Music Shop, 1012 Lincolnway, LaPorte; LaPorte County Visitors Bureau, Marquette Mall, Michigan City; and Auturo’s Bakery and More, 2613 U.S. 12, Michigan City.
Pre-concert event March 20 at PNC
In a pre-concert special event, The Purdue North Central Odyssey Arts and Cultural Events Series will host a performance by the ICE quartet on Thursday, March 20. The free recital will begin at 5 p.m. in the PNC Library-Student-Faculty Building, Room 144. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. and ample parking is available at PNC.
Coffee Central, located adjacent to Room 144, will be open until 6 p.m. for coffee and tea and the nearby cafeteria will be open until 6 p.m. as well.
To make a reservation, email recital@pnc.edu or call Liz Bernel, PNC coordinator of special events and marketing, at 219-785-5719. preceding the concert.
Musicians from ICE will also be involved working with area schools in community engagement programs on Friday, March 21. The PNC College of Liberal Arts, PNC Chancellor’s Diversity Fund, PNC Odyssey Arts and Cultural Events Series, and Michigan City Paper Box Company provide funding for this program.