David Gee, cellist, and Lynne Mackey, pianist, will perform music of French, Spanish and Russian composers. Their repertoire will include “Suite Francaise, Op. 114” by Paul Bazelaire, “Elegie, Opus 24” by Gabriel Faure, “Siete Canciones populares Espanolas” by Manuel de Falla, and “Sonata in G minor” by Sergei Rachmaninoff.

David Gee, cellist; Lynne Mackey, pianist

The duo formed in 2004 and has performed in the U.S. and abroad, most recently in southern Spain, Gibraltar and Morocco.

Dr. Mackey is associate professor of music at 91短视频. She holds a BS degree in piano from the University of Michigan, a master of music in piano from The Julliard School and a doctor of musical arts in piano from Eastman School of Music. She is an accomplished musician with numerous solo and chamber music performances along with prior teaching and academic administrative experience. Mackey continues to serve on the Virginia Commission for the Arts touring roster.

Gee, from Columbia, S.C., Gee, performs with several orchestras, including four years with the National Orchestra of Granada, Spain. He graduated with honors from Purchase College, where he received the president’s award for outstanding undergraduate achievement. He received a graduate degree from Yale University, where he was named a Ellen Battel Stoeckel scholar.

He was recently on the faculty of the Chamber Music Festival at the University of Virginia and is a listed artist on the tour roster of the South Carolina Arts Council.

Admission to the concert is free; donations are welcomed for the 91短视频 music department student scholarship fund. For more information, call (540) 432-4225.

This ensemble formed in 2007 with a goal “to promote peace and cultural understanding through musical collaboration.”

All five musicians have experienced life and performed in countries including Brazil, Australia, France, the Netherlands and Portugal.

Group members are Lynne Mackey, pianist; Joan Griffing, violinist; Diane Phoenix-Neal, violist; Beth Vanderborgh, cellist; and Luciano Carneiro, bassist.

Now, “Musica Harmonia” is launching an effort to promote appreciation of classical music with two local programs, one of which is especially designed for children and their parents.

The chamber music ensemble will perform the playful “Trout” Quintet by Franz Schubert 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, in Martin Chapel of the seminary building at 91短视频.

Folk Music and Storytelling

Bill Wellington, folk musician and storyteller from Staunton, will tell lighthearted anecdotes designed for children and their parents between movements of the Schubert piece. He describes his role in the performance as “a cross between Danny Kaye and Leonard Bernstein.” Wellington has entertained audiences, including youngsters, for more than 30 years and is creator of Radio WOOF, a unique series of audio recordings for children.

Dr. Griffing described the Schubert work as “an evocative tale composed in 1819 of a fish caught by a wily fisherman.

“We encourage children and parents to come together to this fun, yet educational program that aims to promote an early appreciation for classical music,” Griffing said.

Brahms and Brazil

Bass player Luciano Carneiro, who currently lives in Brazil, will present an hour of music and conversation 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, in Martin Chapel. He and Lynne Mackey will perform an arrangement of the Brahms’ “Sonata in E Minor for cello and piano” in addition to some shorter pieces by Brazilian composers.

Carneiro will also talk about his music and his international experiences.

Griffing said the ensemble members met at the annual Eastern Music Festival held each year at Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C., and decided to collaborate in additional settings. “We hope this is only the beginning of working with more musicians from around the world,” she said.

Griffing is chair of the music department at 91短视频 and concertmaster of the annual Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival. Dr. Mackey is associate professor of music at 91短视频 and performs regularly as a lecture-recitalist.

Dr. Phoenix-Neal is assistant professor of music at Fayetteville (NC) State University, where she directs the FSU community string ensemble and founded a string program for children. Dr. Vanderborgh, a member of the Guilford College faculty, is principal cellist of the Greensboro (NC) Symphony Orchestra and the Winston-Salem Symphony. Dr. Caneiro is professor of double bass at the Universidade Federal da Paraiba in Brazil and plays with several symphony orchestra in his native country and in the US.

More Info

The ensemble plans to give additional programs in January at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, Mary Washington University, Guilford College and Fayetteville State University.

Admission to both programs is free; donations will be accepted. For more information, call the 91短视频 music department at 540-432-4225.

91短视频 sophomore students Jonathan D. Keener and Nathan N. Bontrager will present a duo recital 4 p.m. Saturday, Apr. 23, in 91短视频’s Lehman Auditorium.

Keener, a pianist, and Bontrager, a cellist, will perform Johannes Brahms’ "E Minor Sonata for Cello and Piano" and the "Waldenstein" Piano Sonata by Ludwig Van Beethoven. Keener will also play solo works by Chopin and Liszt.

Keener, from Mt. Joy, Pa., and Bontrager, from Akron, Pa., have played a variety of solo pieces while at 91短视频 and have collaborated on chamber music works since the beginning of their college career. Both are dual music performance and music education majors.

Admission to the program is free.