The Washington Post hailed Charlie Albright as “among the most gifted musicians of his generation,” and we all have the distinct pleasure and opportunity of witnessing his magic at Andrews University’s Howard Performing Arts Center a little over a week from now as that amazing venue enters its 15th year of operations.
Albright is one of the superstar headliners on the 2018-2019 roster which features a broad array of artists for this upcoming season. Also on the docket are the Joyous String Ensemble, the Callisto Quartet, the Presidio Brass, Chi Yong Yun, Jasmine Murray and David Phelps.
American pianist/composer/improviser Charlie Albright is the recipient of the prestigious 2014 Avery Fisher Career Grant and 2010 Gilmore Young Artist Award. He also won the 2014 Ruhr Klavier Festival Young Artist Award and the 2009 Young Concert Artists International Auditions. He performs on September 15th in Berrien Springs.
Born in Centralia, Washington, Albright began piano lessons at the age of 3. He studied with Nancy Adsit and earned an Associate of Science at Centralia College while still in high school. He was the first classical pianist accepted to the Harvard College/New England Conservatory 5-Year BA/MM Joint Program, completing a bachelor’s degree as a pre-med and economics major at Harvard in 2011, and a Master of Music in piano performance at NEC in 2012 with Wha-Kyung Byun.
Albright graduated with the prestigious Artist Diploma (A.D.) from The Juilliard School in 2014, working with Yoheved Kaplinsky. Mr. Albright is an official Steinway Artist. Albright’s debut commercial recording, “Vivace,” has sold thousands of copies worldwide and the first of a three-part “Schubert Series” of live, all-Schubert recordings was released in 2017. Mr. Albright will perform at the Howard Center on Saturday, September 15, at 8:30 pm
One of the world’s youngest string orchestras, “Joyous String Ensemble” will be at the Howard Center on Sunday, September 23, at 7 pm. They have become an international sensation with major TV appearances on the “Ellen Degeneres Show,” ABC’s “Good Morning America,” Steve Harvey’s “Little Big Shots” and more. In addition, the group performed at the White House for President Obama. Mixing an eclectic repertoire, the Joyous String Ensemble performs traditional classical music to today’s pop hits and mash-ups. Their music is innovatively orchestrated and arranged to give you a unique listening experience. Despite their youthful age, they perform with mature and brilliant musicianship.
Formed in 2016 at the Cleveland Institute of Music in Cleveland, Ohio, the Callisto Quartet brings together four dedicated and passionate musicians who share a love of chamber music. The quartet won the coveted Grand Prize in the Senior String Division and the Gold Medal in the Senior String Division of the 2018 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, held at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. They will perform at the Howard Center on Sunday, October 21, at 7 pm.
Founded primarily as a vehicle for promoting music education, Presidio Brass has become known as a contemporary brass ensemble that combines piano, percussion instruments, guitar and vocals with original arrangements to bring a fresh approach to well-loved music. Through their touring show of Hollywood’s greatest hits, Sounds of the Cinema, these five young men present film music with a good dose of wit and humor that together have become hallmarks of every Presidio Brass performance. Their Howard Center performance will take place on Sunday, November 18, at 7 pm.
Korean American pianist Chi Yong Yun is hailed for her poetic artistry and emotional depth. On Sunday, January 13, at 5 pm, she will perform masterworks by the great composers, including J.S. Bach, Beethoven and Ravel.
Jasmine Murray is an independent American singer and beauty pageant titleholder from Starkville, Mississippi. Best known for her powerhouse vocals as a finalist in season eight of “American Idol,” Jasmine has worked hard to overcome and achieve so much at a young age. Now at 25, Jasmine’s experience contributes to the wisdom and poise she carries. She is on a mission to reach people with the message that God has given her, and she is just getting started. She will perform at the Howard Center on Sunday, January 27, at 7 pm.
Credited among today’s most spectacular voices, David Phelps grew up in a musical family where his natural gift for song was evident from a young age. Today, his seemingly endless vocal range, which extends more than three octaves, coupled with his gift for communicating a song, has brought the house down in the world’s most prestigious venues. Before going solo, David served as a member of the popular Gaither Vocal Band for more than 15 years, during which he won many Dove and Grammy Awards and produced multiple platinum-selling recording projects. David is actively living his lifelong passion of traveling around the world to share music, inspiration and good news. His Howard Center performance will take place on Sunday, February 24, at 7 pm.
For tickets, information and a complete listing of performances—including the Sunday Music Series and Andrews University Department of Music concerts—call the Howard box office at 888-467-6442 or 269-471-3560 or visit howard.andrews.edu.
The Howard Performing Arts Center is a premier 850-seat concert hall on the campus of Andrews University. Founded in 1874, Andrews University is the flagship institution of higher education for the Seventh-day Adventist Church and offers more than 200 areas of study including advanced degrees. Its main campus is in Berrien Springs, but the University also provides instruction at colleges and universities in more than 19 countries around the world.
