Instrumental Weekend will fill Concordia University Wisconsin's Chapel of The Christ Triumphant with "Big Band" favorites on Friday and Saturday, April 12-13, which will also feature a violin concerto solo by senior Emma Ledford.


Friday evening’s 7:30 p.m. concert features The Jazz Ensemble and the University Band, executing jazz and swing selections from the “Big Band Era.” Classical works by Felix Mendelssohn, Dmitri Shostakovich and Samuel Arnold will be played by the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Chamber Orchestra Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Ledford, a parish music major from Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, is the featured soloist playing Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto Opus No. 64 in e minor. His final, large work and one of the most frequently performed violin concertos in history spans over 25 minutes.

“We look forward to sharing this historic Mendelssohn concerto with everyone,” said longtime Music Department Chairman Dr. Louis A. Menchaca. “This is a tremendous accomplishment for a college student and Emma is the first Concordia violinist to perform it. She’ll be playing the first movement of this physically and technically challenging musical piece,” Menchaca added.

All groups are under the direction of Menchaca and associate instrumental director Mrs. Johanna Anderson. Tickets cost $8 for adults, but are free for youths 17 and under. Tickets can be purchased one hour prior to each performance in front of the chapel.

Other upcoming concerts this semester in the chapel, 12800 North Lake Shore Drive, Mequon, include:

Kammerchor, Sunday, April 7, 3:30 p.m.

Chapel Ringers & Civic Chorale, Sunday, April 28, 3:30 p.m.

Selah & Chapel Choir, Saturday, May 4, 7:30 p.m.

The Alleluia Ringers, Sunday, May 5, 3:30 p.m.

For more details on all spring concerts, call Concordia University Wisconsin’s fine arts hotline at 262-243-4444 or visit www.cuw.edu/finearts.

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