The 2012-2013 Performing Arts Series season includes musicians that have performed all over the world, worked with celebrities such as Bob Dylan and Aretha Franklin and have won or been nominated for Grammy, Golden Globe and Academy awards.
Seraphic Fire, a 13-member choral group, opened the PAS season on Friday evening in Sauder Hall. Seraphic Fire was founded in 2002 and has been nominated for two Grammy awards. The concert was a five-set performance including a range of traditional, chamber and folk music. A crowd favorite was “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree,” which the choir sang in a cappella style as they surrounded the audience.“It was like worship!” Gloria Showalter, a sophomore, said about the performance.
This year’s PAS season includes eight shows in total, with two remaining in the fall semester and five in the spring.
On October 13, Birdland Big Band, a New York-based band will be performing in Sauder Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. According to their website, members of the band have worked with or recorded with John Lennon, Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, Lenny Kravitz and more. Pianist Kenny Ascher has a Doctoral degree in composition from Columbia University, has been nominated for a Grammy, two Academy awards and has won a Golden Globe.
On November 3, the Del McCoury Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. The band plays bluegrass music, but has also performed with The Lee Boys with set lists that mix bluegrass, funk and gospel music together. The band consists of father Del McCoury, sons Ronnie and Rob Mccoury and bassist Alan Bartram and fiddle player Jason Carter. The group was nominated for a Grammy in 2004 and later won one in 2006 for their album “The Company We Keep.”
Twelve-time Grammy award winner Emmylou Harris will perform at 7:30 p.m. on January 12, 2013. Harris has been a backing vocalist or duet partner for Dolly Parton, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Neil Young and more. In addition to the 12 Grammy awards, she has also won three Country Music Association awards. Harris’ music is a blend of Americana, country, folk, bluegrass and rock.
Other performances in the spring semester include: The English Concert on February 16, the Los Angele Guitar Quartet with Phillip Proctor on March 8, The StepCrew on March 23 and Lea Salonga on April 23.
