2015-2016 Howard Center Presents...Series

A blend of culture, diversity and genres of music

The Howard Performing Arts Center announces the 2015–2016 season of its concert series Howard Center Presents…, a blend of culture, diversity and genres of music.

The season will kick off on Sunday, Sept. 20, at 7 p.m. with JJ Heller, a Christian singer and songwriter who is known for a whimsical, folksy style. Several of her unique songs have made the top Christian and folk radio charts, including “Your Hands.”

Later that month, the second annual Shop Small, Shop Local: Small Business Showcase takes place in the lobby of the Howard Center from 2–4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27. This event is free for the public to attend. Enjoy the chance to get acquainted with community businesses. You can expect samples, demonstrations and music! A free concert wraps up the showcase at 4 p.m. Mirasol Quartet is the gold medalist of the Senior Winds Division at the 2015 Fischoff Competition. Mirasol Quartet is a saxophone quartet from Texas Tech University.

On October 3 at 8 p.m. we’ll take a walk down memory lane with the Wedgwood Trio, a gospel music favorite for over 50 years. Joining them are fiddler Christina Thompson and Mark Bond on keyboard, banjo and guitar. The group is known for its close harmonies, great blend, creative arrangements and trademark humor. Their simplicity and original sound endears them to new audiences and brings musical nostalgia to longtime fans. Later that month, on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 4 p.m., the Euclid Quartet, a chamber string quartet which holds residency at Indian University South Bend, will perform. Pianist and Andrews University faculty, Chi Yong Yun, will join them for the second half of the concert.

The entire orchestral palette is consolidated into its three essential components for the Aureole Trio. This unique blend of flute, viola and harp will perform on Sunday, Nov 22, at 4 p.m. The trio’s repertoire includes classical, Latin, Celtic and folk tunes, spanning from the late 19th–21st century. They’ve performed on A&E Television Network as well as NPR’s “Performance Today.”

Christian artist Phil Wickham is all about bringing a community together through worship music. It’s how he found his start in Christian music—performing a song he penned for the church his father pastored in San Diego. Since then he has transformed from a worship leader in church to leading worship in his concerts. Through his five albums, including hit singles “This Is Amazing Grace” and “Safe,” he hopes to create an opportunity for people to experience God for themselves. He will perform at the Howard Center on Sunday, Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Concertgoers will not want to miss Ladysmith Black Mambazo on Sunday, Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. Their intricate South African vocal rhythms and harmonies have been shared with fans for over 50 years. They won the Grammy Award of Best World Music in 2013 for their most recent album. Later that month, vocalist Janice Chandler-Eteme and pianist Trina Thompson will perform on Sunday, Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. Janice Chandler-Eteme is one of the most sought after sopranos for Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess.” Her international prominence includes collaboration with many renowned and respected conductors and symphonies across the world. Trina Thompson is a pianist and faculty of Andrews University’s Department of Music.

The 2015–2016 Howard Center Presents… season will wrap up with an Easter concert on Easter Sunday by Christian artist Michael Card. The concert, titled “A Violent Grace,” is Easter-themed and features the singer and songwriter with the Andrews University Singers and a string ensemble. The concert will be held on Sunday, March 27, at 7 p.m.

All tickets go on sale Monday, August 10, 2015, and can be purchased online at howard.andrews.edu, or by calling the Box Office at 888-467-6442 or 269-471-3560. Ticket prices for the concerts will vary, but the Howard Performing Arts Center’s 12th season will continue to provide world-class fine arts to the community at affordable prices.

For the complete schedule of upcoming concerts, including Department of Music ensembles and Second Sunday Concerts, visit howard.andrews.edu.