New Concert Series at Howland Center to Showcase Classical and Classical Crossover Artists from Hudson Valley

The Howland Cultural Center will present an exciting local concert series designed to showcase classical and classical cross-over artists from the Hudson Valley Region. With funding from the Dutchess County Arts Council the series will span the 2009 calendar year with four regular concerts and one Young Artists Concert.

The alternative/jazz/classical chamber group Madera Vox will host the series, led by Beacon resident and oboist Nicole Golay. Members of the group include pianist Sylvia Buccelli (Poughkeepsie), bassoonist Cornelia McGiver (Germantown), percussionist and resident composer David Gluck (Beacon), and voice Kelly Ellenwood (Beacon).

"We want audiences young and old to discover that "chamber music" encompasses a variety of styles and essences - traditional classical repertoire, jazz and cabaret, world-music, and popular/contemporary music," says series "curator" Nicole Golay. "We hope that with this series, in addition to giving local artists access to the beauty and acoustics of the Howland Cultural Center in a professional and well-supported atmosphere, we will bring in audiences that may have never heard Bach's Goldberg Variations, but are well versed in music by contemporary artists like Bjork and David Byrne." The series seeks to replicate what has become something of a recent trend in classical music performance by eliminating the borders among independent rock, avant-garde jazz and classical new music, and presenting it in a more casual, accessible environment.

The Hudson Valley Concert Series was originally established by the Howland Cultural Center in 2002, presenting over twenty local musicians from 2004 - 2006.

All concerts in the series will take place on Thursdays at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available at the door. Tickets prices are $15 for regular admission, $12 for members and Seniors. Children under 12 are free. Wine and light refreshments will be served before the performance and during a post-performance reception with the artists. For more information, contact (845) 831-4988 or info@maderavox.org/