Spencer Area Concert Association

2009–2010 Concert Series

Click here to download a copy of the 2009–2010 season brochure.

All six Spencer concerts this year will be presented on Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m.

Auditorium concerts take place at the old Spencer High School Auditorium, 104 East Fourth Street (formerly known as the “Old Middle School Auditorium”).

Minneapolis Guitar Quartet

Saturday, September 26, 2009
Auditorium

With the passion, style, and musical sophistication borrowing from the best chamber music and string quartet traditions, the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet has successfully made its case as one of the world’s leading guitar ensembles since its founding in 1986. The MGQ has been heard on the nationally syndicated Saint Paul Sunday, and on National Public Radio’s Performance Today. The group’s first three CDs on the Albany and GSP labels — New Works for Guitar Quartet, Over Land and Sea, and Pictures at an Exhibition — garnered unanimous international critical acclaim. Committed educators as well as performers, The Quartet’s members (Joseph Hagedorn, Jeff Lambert, O. Nicholas Raths, and Jeffrey Thygeson) are all dedicated teachers as well as consummate performers.

Click here to visit the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet’s Web site.

Quattrocelli

Saturday, November 7, 2009
Auditorium

Quattrocelli is four cellists — Lukas Dreyer, Michael Peternek, Matthias Trück, and Hartwig Christ — following their own virtuoso path away from the musical mainstream. Whether it’s classical, jazz, latin, or film scores, audiences seem to love the unorthodox style and panache of these classically trained young musicians. As well as producing great music, they captivate audiences with their energy, passion, and on-stage antics, astonish listeners by using their cellos as drums, guitars, and much more! This season, they will be performing “Cinemacelli,” a program featuring arrangements of music from the world of film. Their most recent CD concentrates on film music.

Click here to visit the Quattrocelli’s Web site.

Noteworthy Duo

Saturday, December 12, 2009
Auditorium

Flutist Lisa Schroeder and guitarist Michael Nigro receive raves wherever they perform. The past year, the duo toured Nevada, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Wisconsin, Illinois, Oregon, Missouri, Arizona, Indiana, and Tennessee, and released their debut CD, Between Guitar and Flute. Lisa and Michael are on the faculty at Vanguard University of Southern California. Their vision is to reach a non-classical audience, inspire their classical listeners, and touch their audiences with their informal interaction as well as a “noteworthy” performance. Their interest in South American music can be heard throughout their extensive flute and guitar repertoire.

Click here to visit the Noteworthy Duo’s Web site.

Craicmore

Saturday, February 27, 2010
Auditorium

Craicmore plays contemporary traditional celtic music. With deep roots in the music of Scotland and Ireland, the band features the critically acclaimed vocalist Nancy Johnston. Her deep, rich contralto voice is rare in the genre. Driving rhythms from guitar, bass, Bohdran drum, conga, and other percussion, along with high-spirited whistles, flutes, and bagpipes, powerfully render jigs and reels. Four-part harmony, rhythmic hardshoe dancing, an East Indian shruti box, and rumbling didjeridoo all accent the warmth and passion of Craicmore’s fiery performances. They have toured for over eight years throughout the Western states and recently performed a fourteen-concert engagement in China.

Click here to visit Craicmore’s Web site.

Chapter 6

Saturday, March 27, 2010
Grace United Methodist Church

Chapter 6, a six-man professional a cappella ensemble from Illinois, is the only vocal ensemble to win both the International Competition of Collegiate A Cappella (2001) and the prestigious National Harmony Sweepstakes (2004). Among subsequent honors, Chapter 6 has appeared with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center and was featured on the seventh season of American Idol.
Chapter 6 tours the United States, Canada, and Asia, performing in a wide variety of venues.  Their family-friendly show features a light-hearted, high-energy blend of pop and jazz harmonies that is sure to bring spontaneous bursts of applause and laughter. Engaging performances feature a diverse repertoire of American popular music, from Gershwin to Stevie Wonder, as well as original songs. In addition, clever medleys, including “The Wizard of Oz,” entertain music lovers of all ages; their signature six-minute version of the classic MGM film earned a Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (2005).

Click here to visit Chapter 6’s Web site.

Project

Saturday, April 24, 2010
Grace United Methodist Church

Project is a passionate, high energy chamber music ensemble comprised of three virtuosic composer/performers from Brooklyn. Blending their classical training with an eclectic taste in musical styles, Project has made an impact on audiences of all ages. Beat-box flute player Greg Pattillo is recognized throughout the world for his redefinition of flute sound. Exceptionally versatile cellist Eric Stephenson’s style ranges from classical to jazz to rock and folk. Bassist Peter Seymour has performed with a multitude of highly acclaimed artists and ensembles, and was the recipient of the Downbeat Magazine Award for Best Jazz Soloist in 1996. Bursting onto the scene with their landmark videos, right out of the Internet generation, Project is a musical experience defining a new level of entertainment!

Click here to visit Project’s Web site.