Upcoming events
Remember Me
Performing David Maslanka’s Remember Me with the Monmouth College Wind Ensemble
Concert of New Works for Harp, Oboe, Mezzo Soprano, and Piano
Come hear the works of local composer Whitney Ashe and NY composer Douglas Fisk in works for myself, oboist Karisa Antonio, mezzo-soprano Liz Pearse, and pianist Ashlee Mack!
Karisa Antonio and I have performed together since 2012 as the Immer Neu duo. Inspired by Harrison Birtwistle’s Orpheus Elegies, we commissioned Douglas Fisk to write a work, Sonnets and Interludes for harp, oboe, and mezzo-soprano, based on Rilke’s Sonnets to Orpheus. We loved the work and commissioned him to write another, Queens Etudes, for harp and oboe. Alongside these works, we commissioned local composer Whitney Ashe to write a work for us in 2014. The concert will include all three pieces alongside a premiere by Ashe for mezzo-soprano and piano. Audiences will have the opportunity to hear his process in creating it before and after the concert.
Reception to follow
This program was partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and the Carthage Public Library.
Cody Fry with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra
Hear singer, composer, and TikTok star Cody Fry make his SLSO debut in this technicolor performance. Just like the nostalgic moment in your favorite old flick, this multi-talented artist will warm your heart with orchestral arrangements of his famous songs, including "I Hear A Symphony," "Underground," and his GRAMMY-nominated cover of "Eleanor Rigby."
Gretchen R. Iben Concert Series
A program of French solo masterworks inspired by improvisation including Gabriel Fauré's Impromptu, Gabriel Pierné's Impromptu-Caprice, Albert Roussel's Impromptu, and François Couperin's Fourth Prelude from L'Art de toucher le clavecin. The concert will also include works by Claude Debussy and Henriette Renié.
Mahler Symphony No. 1
A performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 with Western Illinois University faculty, students, and alumni.
P.E.O. Chapter K Recital
Performing a recital of French works by Debussy, Pierné, Couperin, and Fauré for the local P.E.O. Sisterhood.
Rutter Requieum
Performing this beautiful work with the Western Illinois University Spring Choral Masterworks Concert.
River Town Duo Concert
Featuring works by Latin American composers steeped in traditions of bass and harp in Central and South America
Macomb Harp Circle Performance
The Macomb Harp Circle is performing at the Festival of Trees! Come hear harp music as you look at the beautifully decorated trees from local groups and businesses and get into the holiday spirit.
Monmouth Civic Orchestra
Featuring Jordan Jinosko’s Three Solos for an Unblemished Earth
Macomb Harp Circle
Come play the harp in community with others! This is a free harp get-together once per month in which we play a short warmup and then songs together. All levels, including beginners, are welcome. Harps are provided, and there are opportunities to perform but it is not required. Please contact Claire for location and availability of harps.
Nightmare Before Christmas
Playing the movie score with the Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra. There’s so much harp in this, all of which can be heard!
An Introduction to the Alexander Technique in the WIU LIFE Series
An Introduction to the Alexander Technique through an informative presentation and hands-on demonstration.
SLSO: The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert
Come hear the soundtrack to The Nightmare Before Christmas performed with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra to the cult Halloween film!
SLSO: The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert
Come hear the soundtrack to The Nightmare Before Christmas performed with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra to the cult Halloween film!
LatinX Music & Dance Party
In collaboration with Daniel Rojas’s ArpaCafe
Western Illinois Museum
Macomb, Illinois
The Western Illinois Museum and Casa Latina Cultural Center at WIU celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with music and dance. On Friday, September 29th special guests Daniel Rojas and Claire Happel Ashe (as part of an IACA Master Artist Apprentice Award) will perform with the members of EnsAmble Ad Hoc on the Museum’s indoor Our Front Porch. At 6:00 pm the doors and bar open followed by two sets of music at 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Dance lessons will be available in between the sets of music. There is a suggested $5 donation at the door.
The celebration brings together local and international musicians for an immersive evening to learn about Hispanic culture by experiencing it. Live music starts at 7:00 pm when the Museum welcomes back harpists Daniel Rojas from Arpa Café and Macomb-based Claire Happel Ashe. They will be joined by EnsAmble Ad-Hoc which features vocalist Francy Acosta and José Luis Posada on the cuatro. The performance features music from regions in Central and South America including Joropo music from the border region between Venezuela and Colombia, Son Jarocho music from Mexico’s state of Veracruz, and the traditional music of Paraguay. The group will also offer cultural insights into these genres. At 8:00 pm, the group will be joined by Raul Fernandez, jarana/hand drums, and Luis Correa, bass for music that is traditionally played at celebrations and parties and will no doubt make guests want to dance. In between the two sets of music, guests will have an opportunity to take a dance lesson to learn the Zapateado Jarocho dance.
Macomb Harp Day
Come to an afternoon filled with all things harp–a harp petting zoo, decorating toy harps, pop-up concerts, demos, refreshments, and more. Information on upcoming harp performances and classes will be handed out too!
River Town Duo Concert
Philip Alejo and I are performing a wide range of works including commissions and pieces by Ravel, Ginastera, and Britten for students at Western Illinois University’s Community Music School.
WIU President’s Concert
WIU Wind Ensemble
Mike Fansler, conductor
COFAC Recital Hall
Macomb, Ill.
Celebrating the Works of Diverse Composers
Monmouth Civic Orchestra
Rich Cangro, conductor
Works by Elena Kats-Chernin, Kevin Day, and Pedro Elías Gutiérrez
Monmouth, Ill.
Mahler Symphony IV
WIU Faculty Ensemble
Kenny Mayer, conductor
COFAC Recital Hall
Macomb, Ill.
From the Village to the Court
Performance of Spanish baroque music with Francy Acosta, soprano, and José Luis Posada, lute and Baroque guitar
EnsAmble Ad-Hoc
Western Illinois Museum
Macomb, Ill.
Suggested $5 donation
Click here for more information
Rutter Requiem
McDonough Choral Society
Susan Shoemaker, conductor
Wesley Methodist Church
Macomb, Ill.
Stravinsky Ebony Concerto
WIU Wind Ensemble
Brian Drews, conductor
COFAC Recital Hall
Macomb, Ill.
Maslanka Symphony IV
WIU Wind Ensemble
Mike Fansler, conductor
COFAC Recital Hall
Macomb, Ill.