WOW’S WINTER/SPRING EDITION OF UP CLOSE AND MUSICAL RINGS WITH TALENT

‍Westfield On Weekends (WOW) has announced its winter/spring edition of Up Close and Musical, which is celebrating its sixth season of programming in association with the “Music at Westfield” program of Westfield State University Music Department.

Up Close and Musical will be presented thru May at the WOW Center; at the Catherine Dower Center for Performing and Fine Arts at 715 Western Avenue; at Dever Stage in Parenzo Hall at 577 Western Avenue; and at other venues in the downtown area, including Hutghi’s at the Nook, 8 Franklin Street.

“We are very excited to continue one of our most popular series and to build on its potential to introduce new audiences to musical genres they may not have heard .“ Kathi Bradford, WOW Center Director explained “Working with WOW board members: Dr. Ed Orgill, Chair of WSU’s Music Department, professional musician Liz Blais Bennett, and music promoter Jacob Fleron, we will shortly be announcing some new program features, including a collaboration with the Melodic Miracles Foundation that provides support budding  student musicians resources and mentorship.”

The eclectic program of performances always features a wide range of musical genres, performed by a variety of students, faculty and alumni of Westfield State, often accompanied on a Steinway grand piano.

This season will also feature special performances spotlighting regional musicians and ensembles.

For many performances, Up Close programs will include time for Q & A when the performers are able to answer questions about their repertoire, musical processes, instruments and musical choices.

Up Close and Musical is produced with funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Westfield Cultural Council, the Downtown Westfield Cultural District, the Queenin Family, the Sullivan Family (Lisa Sullivan of Coldwell Realty, former city official Richard K. Sullivan and Attorney Richard “Kick Sullivan III ), as well as individual donations.

With several new events yet to be announced, here is the Up Close calendar as it stands now.

Friday, February 13  ‍

Downtown Music Series: Up Close and Musical
Join students and faculty for an informal evening of live music and conversation in downtown Westfield
7:00 PM | The WOW Center 105 Elm Street

Tuesday, February 17‍‍

Catherine Dower Recital Series: Departmental Recital
Student musicians perform classical, jazz, and contemporary repertoire 
4:30 PM | Dever Stage

Friday, February 20

Faculty Recital Series
Scott Bailey, piano; Prof. Christie Echols, bass; Dr. Pete Coutsouridis, drums; and Prof. Elaine Saloio, flute
7:00 PM | Studio 127 at the Catherine Dower Center 

Monday, February 23

Faculty Recital Series - Egmont String Ensemble
Dr. Sonya Lawson, viola, and guest artists String Quartet K.421 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart String Quartet No. 12 in F major, Op. 96 "American" by Antonín Dvořák
4:30 PM | Studio 127 at the Catherine Dower Center

Wednesday, February 25

Catherine Dower Recital Series: Departmental Recital
Student musicians perform classical, jazz, and contemporary repertoire 
4:30 PM | Dever Stage 

Thursday, February 26‍

A Ragtime Revue with Dr. Eric McDowell
‍featuring the music of Scott Joplin
7:00 PM | The WOW Center, 105 Elm Street                                                                            

Wednesday, March 11 ‍

Voice Area Recital   
Voice students perform selections of works for voice and piano, faculty studios of Dr. Susan Quigley-Duggan and Dr. Mary Brown Bonacci 
4:30 PM | Dever Stage  

‍Friday, March 27  ‍

Downtown Music Series: Up Close and Musical
Join students and faculty for an informal evening of live music and conversation in downtown Westfield
7:00 PM | The WOW Center 105 Elm Street

Wednesday, April 8  ‍

Catherine Dower Recital Series: Departmental Recital
Student musicians perform classical, jazz, and contemporary repertoire 
4:30 PM | Dever Stage

Friday, April 10

Student Recital
MaryKate Quinlan, soprano, Scott Bailey, piano
7:00 PM | Dever Stage 

Tuesday, April 14

The Westfield State University Wind Symphony
Spring Concert
Dr. Karen LaVoie, conductor
7:00pm | Dever Stage

Wednesday, April 15‍

A Recital of Music for Small Ensembles
4:30 PM | 134 Catherine Dower Center

Friday, April 17 ‍

Downtown Jazz Night: Performance and Jam  
Performance by the Small Jazz Ensemble
Under the direction of Dr. Edward Orgill
7:00 PM | Hutghi’s at the Nook  
8 Franklin Street, Westfield

Tuesday, April 21

Jazz Night
An evening of jazz presented by the Big Band under the direction of Professor Dan Gabel
7:00 PM | Studio 127 at the Catherine Dower Center 

Wednesday, April 22

Scoring Ensemble
Directed by Professor Joshua Loell 
1:00 PM | Studio 127 at the Catherine Dower Center  

Wednesday, April 22

Catherine Dower Recital Series: Departmental Recital
Student musicians perform classical, jazz, and  contemporary repertoire 
4:30 PM | Dever Stage 

Monday, April 27‍

A Recital of Music for Small Ensembles
7:00 PM | 134 Catherine Dower Center

Tuesday, April 28

Music Therapy Ensemble
Music Therapy students, under the direction of Scott Blanchard present a concert celebrating many decades and genres of popular music
7:00 PM | Catherine Dower Center 127 

Friday, May 1 ‍

Degree Recital: Senior Performance
Braden Collins, percussion
7:00 PM | Dever Stage 

Saturday, May 2

The Westfield State University Chorus and Chorale
Spring Concert
Professor Amanda Johnson, conductor
3:00 PM | Dever Stage 

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‍Up Close and Musical is a program of Westfield on Weekends, inc., a 501(c)(3) volunteer nonprofit that seeks to increase the creative vitality of Westfield through accessible, affordable and educational programming that celebrates the diversity of life in Westfield.