In a new musical tradition that displays orchestra as at its best, the combined orchestras of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Southern Illinois University Carbondale will spotlight internationally acclaimed concert violinist Rachel Barton Pine. The performance will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 23 in Dunham Hall Theater.
Michael Mishra, professor of music and director of Orchestral Studies at SIUE, and Edward Benyas, music director of the SIUC Symphony Orchestra, will conduct the concert.
Pine has an extensive repertoire that includes classical and contemporary works. She has appeared as a soloist with many of the world’s most prestigious ensembles and holds prizes from several of the world’s leading competitions, including a gold medal at the J.S. Bach International Violin Competition in Leipzig, Germany.
“The combined orchestra concerts have been some of our most popular Arts & Issues events,” said Grant Andree, director of the Arts & Issues series. “And this season we have another outstanding guest artist in violinist Rachel Barton Pine.”
“Credit should go to our conductors Michael Mishra and Edward Benyas for creating these excellent concerts and choosing our guest artists,” Andree added. “This is also a great experience for our music students to have an opportunity to work with a larger ensemble and a musician of Rachel Barton Pine’s caliber.”
Tickets, which range from $15-$20, can be purchased at artsandissues.com, by phone at 1-866-698-4253 or at the Morris University Center (MUC) Welcome Desk.
The show is sponsored by TheBank of Edwardsville.
The Arts & Issues series brings artistic excellence to the SIUE campus through an eclectic blend of speakers and performers. For more than 33 years, SIUE’s Arts & Issues series has highlighted some of the world’s finest artists. Each season, thought-provoking speakers inspire people of all ages and backgrounds. Thanks to the underwriting of SIUE, corporations, foundations and individual donors, tickets are often discounted as much as 50 percent.
Photo: Internationally acclaimed violinist Rachel Barton Pine.