President's Welcome
Welcome to the Friends of Music website. Music lovers in our community have a lot to anticipate and celebrate this year. During the 2010-2011 Friends of Music season, you will experience not only exciting new works but those of musical genius that have resonated down through the centuries. The goal of the Friends of Music Concert Series is to bring you extraordinary talent, fresh perspectives on music, and above all, continual enjoyment.
Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra
This season Friends of Music is proud to offer you ten great performances. In September alone, our very own Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra will perform works by Grieg, Fuchs and Beethoven led by guest conductor, Tara Simoncic. Following that performance is the world famous Glenn Miller Orchestra. This big band was formed in 1956 and has been touring ever since, playing over 300 live dates a year around the world.
Once again the critically acclaimed Masterworks Chorale will perform twice. In November, the Chorale will perform one of the greatest works in musical history – Beethoven’s Mass in C Major. Then in April the Chorale will perform Rossini’s masterpiece Stabat Mater and the final movement of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9.
In the Spring we will offer another exciting performance from the Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra led by guest conductor, Stephen Czarkowski, setting the stage for a performance from one of the world’s most celebrated ensembles, The King’s Singers.
We urge you to join the Friends of Music and there are various levels of support from which to choose. You can subscribe to the whole season or purchase tickets for individual performances directly from our website. You can sign up to sponsor a chair in the Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra or to support a student as a Friends Fellow for a year.
Please know that your financial support not only makes possible the concert series, but allows us to support the programs at Department of Music at Shepherd University. The next generation of world-class performers and music educators is being trained right here.
In a period when arts organizations are feeling the effects of a difficult economy, the Friends of Music is robust. This is due both to the quality of our programs and to the loyalty and generosity of our patrons and corporate sponsors. We are not only friends of music, we are your friends and neighbors. We look forward to seeing you throughout our 2011 - 2012 season. Whether you have supported the Friends for years or this is your first season with us, please accept our thanks and our invitation to enjoy a new season of great music.
A. Neal Barkus
President, Friends of Music
Who We Are
The Friends of Music is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting musical excellence in our community. We support the music programs at Shepherd University, bring world-class musical performances to the Frank Center stage and other local venues, and promote music education in the Eastern Panhandle.
Receive information about Season performances.
Ruslan and Lyudmila: Overture
Mikhail Glinka
Performed by 2RCO Sept. 18, 2010
