Mary Platt
Marybelle and Sebastian P. Musco Center for the Arts at Chapman University announces tickets are now on sale for its Opening & Preview Season, a showcase of outstanding performances by professional and university artists and ensembles from March to May 2016. Tickets are available for purchase online via Musco Center’s new website at www.muscocenter.org. Additional season information can be obtained at the new Musco Center information line: 844-OC-MUSCO (844-626-8726).
The Opening & Preview Season will include internationally acclaimed virtuosos and ensembles that define excellence, as well as the finest Chapman student performances from the University’s nationally recognized College of Performing Arts (CoPA), which encompasses the Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music and the departments of dance and theatre.
“We have an extraordinary line-up of artists for the Opening & Preview Season at Musco Center,” said William D. Hall, the Center’s founding dean and artistic director. “This will be the perfect introduction to the beauty, range and power of future seasons at this magnificent new center for the arts.”
Performances for the Opening & Preview Season represent a diverse range of world talents, ensembles and entertainers. On the Chapman side, that includes a new CoPA production of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, staged to coincide with the Bard’s 400th birthday, as well as music and dance by The Chapman Orchestra, Opera Chapman and other outstanding student ensembles. “Everyone at the College of Performing Arts is excited about the opportunity and the potential to shape this extraordinary space for the benefit of our students and the community,” said Giulio Ongaro, dean, College of Performing Arts.
Renowned visiting artists and companies on the roster include:
- Pacific Symphony
- Philharmonic Society of Orange County
- Los Angeles Percussion Quartet
- The Stan Kenton Legacy Orchestra, joined by the Chapman Big Band & Jazz Combo, for Jumpin’ with Stan Kenton
- Musco Center Distinguished Piano Series, presenting the 14th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Gold Medal‑winning concert pianist Vadym Kholodenko
- Great Voices Series with renowned American opera baritone Rod Gilfry
- Arts & Lecture Speaker Series with Jeff Corwin, American animal and nature conservationist and Animal Planet host
“We have partnered with many of Orange County’s best-known artistic organizations, including LA Opera, Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra and Backhausdance to bring the best in music, entertainment and workshops to our Musco Center stage,” said Hall.
Musco Center’s Grand Opening celebration will take place on March 19 and will include performances by opera legends Plácido Domingo, Deborah Voigt and Milena Kitic, an orchestra and chorus of more than 150 voices, and an array of distinguished artists and Chapman alumni, directed by John DeMain.
Musco Center was designed by award-winning architects Pfeiffer Partners, with acoustics by world‑renowned Yasuhisa Toyota of Nagata Acoustics. The expansive stage house and spacious-yet-intimate 1,044-seat Julianne Argyros Orchestra Hall are complemented by the new Bette and Wylie Aitken Arts Plaza, which will be used for outdoor performances and events.
Tickets for the March 19 Grand Opening are still available. Contact Michele Wanner by phone at 714.744.7623 or via email at bautista@chapman.edu to attend this very special event.
MUSCO CENTER FOR THE ARTS – OPENING & PREVIEW SEASON
Saturday, March 19, 6pm
Grand Opening – Featuring Plácido Domingo, Deborah Voigt and Milena Kitic; and an orchestra and chorus of 150 voices conducted by John DeMain
Join us as Chapman University celebrates the Grand Opening of the Marybelle and Sebastian P. Musco Center for the Arts with a historic all-star performance. For Grand Opening ticket information, call 714-744-7623.
Saturday, April 2, 10am-10pm
Community Open House & Arts Festival
Discover Musco Center for the Arts, Southern California’s newest gem, with a day full of free performances — indoors and out! This Open House & Arts Festival will include backstage tours, stage tech demonstrations, children’s activities, food and fun. There’ll be a showcase performance by the students and ensembles of Chapman’s College of Performing Arts at 4pm and, to wrap everything up in spectacular style, a 7:30pm concert by Orange County’s own Pacific Symphony, conducted by Carl St.Clair, performing Beethoven’s Fifth, with internationally acclaimed pianist Grace Fong of Chapman’s Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music performing the Grieg Piano Concerto. All of it will highlight the glorious acoustics of Musco Center’s Julianne Argyros Concert Hall and the beauty and versatility of the outdoor Bette and Wylie Aitken Arts Plaza. See it – hear it – enjoy it! The community is invited to join us – it’s all FREE!!
Sunday, April 3, 2pm
Musco Center and Pacific Symphony Present Interplay 2015: American Visions, American Voices
Charles Ives: Piano Sonata No. 2 (Concord Sonata)
Steven Mayer, Piano William Sharp, Baritone
Piano and voice combine in this magisterial work that evokes the spirit of Concord, MA and the icons who gave it its literary crown – Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. Curated by Pacific Symphony as part of the Interplay 2015 festival, presented in partnership with Musco Center and Chapman University. General Admission: $20. Senior 65+: $15. Students/Faculty/Staff with ID: $10.
Sunday, April 10, 7:30pm
Musco Center Presents Los Angeles Percussion Quartet: Rhythms of Our Time
This Grammy-nominated ensemble is a world-class chamber group utilizing the full panoply of percussive instruments: African drums, marimbas, bells, drum sets, electronica and more. Reserved Tickets: $20-$35. Student Discount – $10 off (any level) with ID. Senior 65+ – $5 off (any level).
Friday April 15, 7:30pm
Saturday, April 16, 2pm and 7:30pm
Saturday, April 23, 2pm
COPA Theatre PresentsThe Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare – Directed by Thomas Bradac
Shakespeare’s immortal story of deceit, prejudice and justice is searingly portrayed in this new production directed by Thomas Bradac. Reserved Tickets: $10-$25. Student Reserved Tickets: $10 (all levels) with ID.
Friday, April 22, 7:30pm
Saturday, April 23, 2pm
Sunday, April 24, 3pm
COPA Music Presents Opera Chapman: Gianni Schicchi and Suor Angelica by Giacomo Puccini
Peter Atherton, artistic director
Carol Neblett, associate director
Two of Puccini’s best-loved one-act operas are presented in fully costumed and staged performances by outstanding student singers and orchestra. There’s roguish, brilliant comedy in Gianni Schicchi (featuring the beloved aria “O mio babbino caro”) – contrasted with the hope and pathos of Suor Angelica. Reserved Tickets: $10-$25. Student Reserved Tickets: $10 (all levels) with ID.
Tuesday, April 26, 7:30pm
Musco Center Presents Distinguished Piano Series Concert: Vadym Kholodenko
Experience the blazing virtuosity of one of the world’s finest young pianists, the Kiev-born winner of the 2013 Van Cliburn Piano Competition. Reserved Tickets: $20-$35. Student Discount – $10 off (any level) with ID. Senior 65+ – $5 off (any level).
Wednesday, April 27, 7:30pm
Musco Center Presents Chapman University Dance Festival
Contemporary visionary Jennifer Backhaus of the Chapman dance faculty will curate this gathering of some of California’s top contemporary dance companies, including the company that bears her name. Reserved Tickets: $10-$25. Student Reserved Tickets: $10 (all levels) with I.D.
Friday, April 29, 7:30 pm
COPA Music Presents Chapman Wind Symphony
Christopher Nicholas, conductor
Christopher Nicholas conducts this gifted ensemble of more than 40 student performers in an eclectic repertoire ranging from classical masterworks to contemporary pieces. Program to be announced. General Admission: $15. Non-Chapman students: $10. Chapman students/faculty/staff with ID: $5.
Saturday, April 30, 7:30pm
University Program Board Presents Annual Spring Concert
Enjoy one of today’s most talented indie/pop/rock performers – to be announced. Tickets on sale late January.
Sunday, May 1, 2pm
Musco Center Presents Arts & Lecture Series: Jeff Corwin
The Emmy-winning Animal Planet host, author and biologist speaks eloquently and entertainingly on the conservation of endangered species and ecosystems across the globe. Reserved Tickets: $30-$65. Student Discount – $10 off (any level) with ID. Senior 65+ – $5 off (any level).
Tuesday, May 3, 8am-1pm
Thompson Policy Institute Presents The DisAbility Summit
Chapman’s Thompson Policy Institute on Disability and Autism offers the results of its first year of research in clear, unbiased findings. Free and open to the public. RSVP at www.chapmantpi.org
Tuesday, May 3, 7:30pm
Musco Center and CoPA Music Present Jumpin’ with Stan Kenton
The Stan Kenton Legacy Orchestra – Mike Vax, director
Chapman University Big Band & Jazz Combo – Albert Alva, director
Made up of stellar musicians who played with late jazz legend Kenton, this swingin’ ensemble joins the Chapman Big Band & Jazz Combo for an evening for an evening of music that’s anything but square! Reserved Tickets: $20-$45. Student Discount – $10 off (any level) with ID. Senior 65+ – $5 off (any level).
Saturday, May , 7:30pm
Musco Center Presents Great Voices Concert: Rod Gilfry, Baritone
Two-time Grammy nominee Rod Gilfry, one of the true “heartthrobs” of the opera stage, performs a recital ranging from operatic arias to the best of the musical-theatre songbook. Reserved Tickets: $20-$45. Student Discount – $10 off (any level) with ID. Senior 65+ – $5 off (any level).
Saturday, May 14, 4 pm
COPA Music Presents Annual Conservatory Scholarship Concert
The Chapman Orchestra – Daniel Alfred Wachs, music director and conductor
Chapman University Choirs – Steven Coker, music director
Vocal and instrumental soloists to be announced
With nearly 100 top student performers on stage, the Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music pulls out all the stops for this annual concert spotlighting the combined forces of The Chapman Orchestra and Chapman Choirs. General Admission: $20. Non-Chapman students: $15. Chapman students/faculty/staff with ID: $10.
Sunday, May 15, 4pm
OCYSO Presents Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra
Daniel Alfred Wachs, music director and conductor
Maestro Wachs conducts Orange County’s official youth symphony in a concert featuring the repertoire from their upcoming concert tour of Spain: Bernstein’s Overture to Candide, Ibeniz’s Suite Iberia and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. General Admission: $10. $5 students and seniors.
SUNDAY, MAY 29
Events in Aitken Plaza, 1pm- 6:30 pm
Concert inside Musco Center, 7:30 pm
Chapman World CAFÉ (Cultural Arts Festival & Events) Presents El Latido del Corazon Mexicano (Heartbeat of Mexico)
It’s fiesta time in the Aitken Arts Plaza, with activities, music and free events followed by a concert inside Musco Center by top Mexican artists (to be announced). Presented in association with Chapman University Latino Staff & Faculty Forum. Tickets go on sale late January. Aiken Plaza Events are free; concert tickets go on sale late January.
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