Caldwell COLLEGE CONCERT SERIES

From the Court of Ferdinand and Isabella to the New World, this concert features lively and rhythmic music from a time of change and exploration. The Early Music Players perform with voice and reproductions of historical instruments, such as the viola da gamba, recorder, krumhorn, gemshorn, early flutes and percussion. Its members are Ilizabeth Cabrera, Joanna Hoty Russell, Andrew Koenig and Kristine Lamb.

Donizetti’s L’Elisir D’Amore (Elixir of Love) is one of the most frequently produced operas in America, and features the well-known aria “Una furtiva lagrima.” Nemorino, a poor country bumpkin, has a crush on Adina, the town tease, but she’s about to marry the dashing military man, Sgt. Belcore. Enter Dr. Dulcamara, a charming con man who claims he can concoct a potion that will make Nemorino irresistible to the object of his desire. The Garden State Opera with the Caldwell College Choir will perform an abridged version of this timeless bel canto classic. Founder and artistic director, Francesco Santelli, has conducted many opera and orchestral performances in the U.S. and Italy. For more information go to www.gardenstateopera.homestead.com

Professionally trained singers drawn from the membership of Schola Cantorum on Hudson, will perform a musical review, directed by Caldwell faculty member Dan Yates and including Caldwell faculty member, soprano, Laura Greenwald. Selections from a mixture of solo and ensemble works on the theme of “Healing” will include styles ranging from solo art song, to jazz and musical theatre.

Celebrate the holiday season with the High School Honor Band and Caldwell College Wind Ensemble and Choir. Works include “Russian Christmas Music,” “Dashing through the Snow,” “Carol of the Bells,” “O Magnum Mysterium” and our annual carol sing along, under the direction of Laura Greenwald and Rebecca Vega.

Faculty members of the Caldwell College Music Department perform some of their favorite works from Bernstein to Broadway and jazz standards to contemporary compositions. Performers include: Nan Childress Orchard, piano; Laura Greenwald, soprano; Rob Middleton, saxophone; Joseph Orchard, cello; Josh Rubin, guitar; Rebecca Vega, flute; and Gregg Wramage, composer.

As the representative chamber group of the larger Gramercy Brass Orchestra, Principals of Gramercy Brass Orchestra continue the larger group's mission to present innovative works combining brass and other instruments. Led by founder and music director, John Henry Lambert, they will perform traditional repertoire for brass, as well as works by Fats Waller, Dave Brubeck, Bob James, and others. For more information on the ensemble see www.gramercybrass.com

Hailed by the New York Times as "...finely polished...a fresh source of energy," Mantra Percussion is committed to substantially expanding the future of percussion repertoire by commissioning and performing new, significant works for large percussion ensemble by both prominent and emerging composers to breathe new life into the art. The evening program will consist of an excerpt of Michael Gordon's new epic work Timber, a new realization of Iannis Xenakis's, Okho, as well as new works written for the ensemble. High School Percussion Festival: Several invited percussion ensembles will perform and receive feedback during a workshop prior to the concert.

Faculty members Rebecca Vega, flute and Nan Childress Orchard, piano are joined by cellist Jacqueline Stern to perform chamber music including works by New York composers Ned Rorem and Katherine Hoover.