Sept. 17, 2019

The NAU School of Music invites students, faculty and community members to the Fall 2019 Horizons Concert Series featuring four special performances. Concert pieces celebrate the inspiration of nature and musical compositions of women composers, highlighting authentic musical collaborations among artists and artistic styles.

This unique line-up begins in October with the Saxon State Youth Choir and Russian String Orchestra featuring NAU’s Jeffery Swann on piano. November welcomes baritone Jeremy Williams and Paula Fan performing songs written by women composers. The fall season wraps up with NAU Faculty Chamber Players honoring French composer Darius Milhaud’s unique jazz and classical stylings.

“Crystal Clear Choral”: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14, Ardrey Memorial Auditorium

This performance features the Saxon State Youth Choir singing with NAU Shrine of the Ages Choir. The Saxon State Youth Choir is known for their dynamic range and musical versatility brought together by young adult singers in every part of Saxony under the Saxony Choral Association. Established in 2008, the choir annually performs a combination of a cappella pieces and symphonic choral works under the direction of Ron–Dirk Entleutner.

“Intimate Chopin”: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 22, Kitt Recital Hall

The Russian String Orchestra, founded in 1991 and directed by Misha Rachlevsky, is set to perform an arrangement of Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 for string orchestra. The performance will feature pianist Swann, the President’s Distinguished Artist in Residence at NAU. The orchestra includes some of Russia’s finest string players and boasts a wide repertoire of more than 1,000 compositions from early Baroque, Russian, European and American composers.

“Women’s Voices”: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4, Kitt Recital Hall

This evening celebrates songs composed by women and features baritone Williams and pianist Fan. Williams is an accomplished musician who sings all over the world. He debuted with the Welsh National Opera and has since played 60 operative roles, received the inaugural Sir Geraint Evans Award from the Welsh Music Guild and premiered and commissioned many pieces of work by select composers.

“Creation of the World”: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15, Kitt Recital Hall

The NAU Faculty Chamber Players present composer Darius Milhaud’s musical work where jazz meets classical music. Milhaud first introduced his style in 1923 with the chamber ballet score “La Creation du Monde” meaning “The Creation of the World.” The story was inspired from an African myth that says three gods of creation brought plants and animals to life before creating humans from chaos.

Tickets for these events can be purchased through the Central Ticket Office. Admission for adults is $25 and $17.50 for seniors, NAU faculty and staff. Children (17 years and under) and NAU/CCC students with a school ID are free. Complimentary parking is provided in lot P13 from Friday after 4:30 p.m. through Sunday. Weekday events will need to obtain a parking pass through the University Transit Services online parking portal.