Alan Black and Jon Nakamatsu

September 7, 2006, 7:30 PM

Masterclass: time TBA, free and open to the public

Alan Black is in his twenty-first season as Principal Cellist with the Charlotte Symphony. He has appeared all over the Southeast as a soloist and chamber musician, with artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Lynn Harrell, Bobby McFerrin, and fiddler Mark O’Connor. Pianist Jon Nakamatsu claimed a distinguished place on the international musical scene in 1997 when named the Gold Medalist of the Tenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, as the only American to have achieved this distinction since 1981. In spring of 2006, Jon Nakamatsu was also a featured soloist with the Charlotte Symphony. Black and Nakamatsu will perform together in an evening of chamber music sure to be memorable.

www.jonnakamatsu.com

American Chamber Players

October 13, 2006

Masterclass: time TBA, free and open to the public

Following their first visit to Davidson College in 2001, the American Chamber players return as one of today's most exciting and innovative chamber music ensembles. Their fascinating and delightful programs with varied instrumental combinations have been as enthusiastically praised as their extraordinary, dynamic performances. They have toured throughout North America, and have also been heard countless times on National Public Radio's Performance Today and on local radio stations throughout the United States. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see the American Chamber Players live in intimate Tyler-Tallman Hall!

www.acplayers.com

"They have established standards of chamber music performance equal to any in the world."

The Washington Post

St. Louis Brass Quintet

February 12, 2007

Masterclass: February 12, 3:00 PM, free and open to the public

Founded in 1964, the Saint Louis Brass Quintet is one of America's longest standing brass quintets, originally formed by members of the St. Louis Symphony to play children's concerts. Now, forty years and more than 2,500 engagements later, the quintet is highly sought as an accomplished chamber ensemble. The members of the St. Louis Brass hold positions at top Universities across the United States, and frequently appear with professional orchestras. Performing selections from the entire spectrum of great music for brass - from Baroque to Broadway favorites - the St. Louis Brass Quintet is sure to delight music lovers of all ages.

www.hornplanet.com/slbq/

"...a wonderful ensemble, both in the technical sense and as an atmosphere that emanates from the stage."

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Ira Spaulding and John Ferguson

Ira Spaulding, baritone, and John Ferguson, pianist

April 3, 2007

Ira Spaulding, born in New York, is well-respected in Europe as a soloist, choral conductor, and teacher. In addition to extensive tours in Latin America, the Middle East, Europe and Asia, Spaulding’s recent projects include conducting and solo appearances in Bolivia, Bangkok and Kazakhstan. Since 1992, pianist John Ferguson has traveled the world as artistic director of American Voices, a non-profit that brings American music to foreign countries around the globe to foster positive perceptions of our country through art. Ferguson and Spaulding will join forces in a vocal concert not to be missed!

www.americanvoices.org/artists/classical/iraspaulding/

“A charged performance full of accents and dynamic contrasts. There is so much to enjoy! From exciting crescendos and commanding entrances to clear diction...."

The Haarlem Daily, Netherlands