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Hope College Great Performance Series
Announces 2001-02 Season

Posted August 28, 2001

HOLLAND -- Some of the top performers in the world will once again find their way to Holland as Hope College presents the annual Great Performance Series (GPS).

Artists from around the world will be on campus to showcase their talents in dance, classical and jazz music, and theatre for the 2001-02 season.

The series opens with the contemporary dance company Grosso Modo of Queretaro, Mexico, on Thursday- Friday, Oct. 18-19, at 8 p.m. at the Knickerbocker Theatre. A special family show is also planned by the group for Saturday, Oct. 20, at 2 p.m. The internationally traveled group is making its first Midwest performance, and is doing so in its sister city. Holland and Queretaro have been sharing their gifts with one another for several years, but this is the first time a contemporary dance company has made an appearance in Holland through the relationship.

Any time members of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center make an appearance, audience members can expect the best in classical music. This time GPS welcomes an outstanding trio featuring Lincoln Center Artistic Director David Shifrin, a clarinetist, on Friday, Nov. 9, at 8 p.m. in Dimnent Memorial Chapel. Joining him are two established musicians both as soloists and with other chamber groups, pianist Anne-Marie Mcdermott and cellist Fred Sherry. The rare combination of these three is unique enough, but add in the opportunity to hear a specially commissioned piece by Aaron Jay Kernis being performed for just the second time, and it promises to a unforgettable concert.

Jazz is back with GPS, and in no small way. Seven-time grammy winner Michael Brecker will bring his quartet to Hope College on Tuesday, Nov. 27, at 8 p.m. in Dimnent Memorial Chapel as part of a small tour to promote his latest recording, "Nearness of You: The Ballad Book." The first performer to ever repeat as the Grammy winner for both "Best Jazz Instrumental Performance," and "Best Jazz Instrumental Solo," Brecker is equally comfortable in jazz and rock. He has recorded with a number of other artists, including The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Chick Corea, Dave Brubeck, James Taylor, Frank Sinatra, John Lennon and Herbie Hancock. A rare artist who enjoys both critical and commercial success, Brecker is also a seasoned live performer who is known for his outstanding shows.

Great acting and great writing add up to an not- to-be missed performance by Mixed Company at the Knickerbocker Theatre on Wednesday-Thursday, Jan. 30-31, at 8 p.m. The ensemble company will present Athol Fugard's "My Children, My Africa." Fugard, considered one of the greatest living playwrights, has been a leader in the struggle for equality in South Africa. Inspired by a real- life incident, Fugard's play is brought to life by this equity artist ensemble featuring Leonard Stephenson, who has performed the play throughout the United States. The "Massachusetts Gazette" said he has "a commanding presence."

When Trio Voronezh leaves after its Tuesday, March 5, 8 p.m. performance in Dimnent Memorial Chapel, audience members will have a whole new appreciation for classical music, regardless of how they felt about it before. This classically trained Russian trio went from playing the subways in Germany to sellout performances at the Oregon Bach Festival. Playing traditional Russian folk instruments, these three men have caught the classical world off guard with their passionate performances and fresh interpretations of classic masterpieces. Their live performances routinely bring the audience to its feet. "The Stanford Daily" called one of their performances "a refreshing preview of a group on its way to greater recognition." This concert also serves as a great introduction to classical music for the whole family.

The season ends with not one, but two performances. GPS is excited to welcome back artists from the Young Concert Artists series. Pianist Martin Kasik performs on Tuesday, April 2, and soprano Courtenay Budd on Tuesday, April 16. Both concerts begin at 8 p.m. in Dimnent Memorial Chapel. The 25-year-old Czech pianist, Kasik, has won numerous awards and competitions since 1993. He follows his appearance at Hope with four performances of the Schumann Concerto with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Budd has extensive experience in both operas and recitals, and was recently chosen to premiere a new work by Oswaldo Golijov with the St. Lawrence String Quartet. The "Washington Post" called her performance in "Don Giovanni" "touching and hilarious as an actress, and vocally just right for Zerlina."

Season subscriptions for the Great Performance Series 2001-02 season are now available. Subscription prices are $55 for regular adult admission, $45 for senior citizens, $20 for Hope students and children under 18, and $115 for families. Individual ticket prices are $14 for regular adult admission, $11 for senior citizens, and $5 for Hope students and children under 18. Individual performance tickets go on sale approximately two weeks prior to each performance. Those interested in subscribing or obtaining additional information should call (616) 395-6996.

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