Arts at Noon continues with Grand Valley Winds

The 38th season of the Grand Valley State University Arts at Noon concert series will kick off its winter and spring lineup by spotlighting a quintet of faculty woodwind specialists January 27.

Grand Valley Winds was established in 2006 and includes music faculty members Christopher Kantner, flute, Marlen Vavrikova, oboe, Joel Schekman, clarinet, Vincent Karamanov, bassoon, and Richard Britsch, horn.

Vavrikova said the quintet strives to promote chamber music and increase awareness of wind quintet repertoire. One way the group accomplishes this mission is by collaborating with local high school and middle school ensemble directors and performing for students.

During their Arts at Noon performance, Grand Valley Winds will perform three works, including Irving Fine's "Partita for Wind Quintet;" Joseph Jongen's "Preambule et Dances;" and György Ligeti's "Six Bagatelles." 

All Arts at Noon concerts are free, open to the public, begin at noon, last approximately one hour and take place in the Cook-DeWitt Center on the Allendale Campus. Below is the full schedule of upcoming series performances:

January 27 - Grand Valley Winds

February 3 - Grand Rapids Symphony

February 17 - Pianist Jani Parsons and Percussionist Chris Sies

February 24 - Marlen Vavrikova, oboe

March 23 - Maestro Ustad Shaft Khan

March 30 - Gene Knific Trio

April 13 - Tesla String Quartet

For more information about the Arts at Noon concert series, call the Music and Dance Department at (616) 331-3484 or visit gvsu.edu/artsatnoon.