Pitt's Heinz Chapel Debuts "A Trio of Concerts Series": A New Pittsburgh Artists Series As Well As the Ongoing Organ Concert and Student Recital Series

PITTSBURGH—Heinz Chapel will present an illustrious season of music throughout the year in "A Trio of Concerts Series," featuring the first-ever Heinz Chapel Pittsburgh Artists Series and the return of the Heinz Chapel Organ Concert Series and Heinz Chapel Student Recital Series. The performances will take place in the University of Pittsburgh Heinz Memorial Chapel, Bellefield Avenue, Oakland.

Beginning Sept. 15 with Brent Alexander, the Student Recital Series will feature Duquesne University organ students. The free public recitals, lasting 30 minutes, will be held Wednesdays at noon throughout the year.

J. Barbara McKelway, organist and director of music at Community Presbyterian Church of Ben Avon, kicks off the Organ Concert Series Sept. 19. These Sunday afternoon concerts are performed on the chapel's world-class Reuter pipe organ, which was redesigned in 1995 by Music Professor Emeritus Robert Sutherland Lord. A movable three-manual main console can be positioned to give the audience a full view of the performer in action. The instrument features 4,272 pipes, including three electronic 32-foot ranks.

Jessica Lee, one of Pittsburgh's most prominent blues-influenced artists, will open the debut Pittsburgh Artist Series Sept. 24. The series will encompass a broad spectrum of musical experiences from classical to jazz, including the popular Valentine's Concert with Daphne Alderson, a guitar duo program, a string quartet concert, and a flute-and-piano recital, as well as Lee's blues performance.

The Heinz family conceived Heinz Memorial Chapel not as a lifeless memorial to the past but as a living tribute. "When the doors opened in 1938, it was with the hope that the chapel would stand as an inspirational force and celebrate human achievement," said Heinz Chapel Director Pat Gibbons. "Music has been an important part of that hope and that celebration."

Both season subscriptions and individual tickets may be purchased for the Artists Series, which is scheduled for various days and times throughout the year. The season subscription is $50. Separately, the Valentine's Concert is $20; all other concerts are $12 per ticket.

Free organ concerts will take place Sundays at 3 p.m.; the Oct. 3 concert, to be held at 4 p.m., requires the purchase of a ticket; information on this concert is available at 412-366-4513.

Following are the schedules for the entire A Trio of Concerts Series performances.

Heinz Chapel Pittsburgh Artist Series:

Friday, Sept. 24, 8:30 p.m.

Why I Sing the Blues—A Musical Journey with Jessica Lee

Friday, Nov. 12, 8:30 p.m.

From Renaissance to Jazz—guitar duo James Ferla and John Marcinizyn

Saturday, Jan. 22, 8:30 p.m.

The Romantic Flute—Yee-ha Chiu, piano, and Barbara O'Brien, flute

Monday, Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m., third-annual Valentine's Concert

An American in Paris, 1945! A Celebration of the Songs of World War II—

Daphne Alderson

Saturday, April 16, 8:30 p.m.

…And Stars Will Appear—University of Pittsburgh String Quartet

Heinz Chapel Organ Concert Series:

All free public performances are Sunday at 3 p.m., except the Oct. 3 concert.

Sept. 19

J. Barbara McKelway

Oct. 3, 4 p.m.

Elizabeth Melcher

For ticket information, call 412-366-4513.

Oct. 17

Robert Blevins

Nov. 21

Donald Wilkins

Nov. 28

John Cannon

Dec. 19

Alan Lewis

Jan. 16

William Goff

Feb. 20

Frederick L. Schell

April 17

Robert S. Lord

Heinz Chapel Student Recital Series:

Sept. 15—Brent Alexander

Oct. 20—Kate Scott

Nov. 17—Adam Brakel

Dec. 15—Jeong Hee Lee

Jan. 19—Charles Wilson

Feb. 16—Jessica Baier

March 16—Vincent Rone

April 20— Larry Scalfari

###

08/31/04/blg