The Classical College Music Scene
Do you like acoustical guitar? Perhaps a flute concert? Maybe a good brass ensemble or an orchestra would sound good right now. Well, stop and check out some of the collegiate sounds that Fort Wayne has to offer. First of all, be sure to keep a weather eye open for visiting college groups. An example would be the St. Olaf Choir, from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. This group, which features 75 voices, will perform at First Presbyterian Church on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m. If this choir is anything like their television Christmas specials, you won’t want to miss this event! Fort Wayne, home to a variety of universities and colleges, is also the place to experience a good amount of quality music – especially when it comes as the result of university-level instruction. Both students and instructors perform routinely throughout the school year, giving solo, ensemble, and full-out formal concerts that members of the Fort Wayne community are welcome to enjoy. Many of the musical offerings come from the Rhinehart Music Center at Indiana University-Purdue University. Large concerts are held in the Auer Performance Hall, a beautiful stage space that can hold around 1,500 audience members. A smaller performance area, the Rhinehart Recital Hall, is a more intimate setting for solo recitals and ancient music performances. Coming up on February 23, (Monday at 7:30 p.m.), the IPFW/Fort Wayne Community Orchestra will present a concerto and aria concert, featuring recent winners of the University’s concerto/aria competition. Music will include Hummel’s Trumpet Concerto in E flat, three opera solos, and a trombone concerto by the British composer Bourgeoise. If you want to see something on a Thursday night, try out the Wind Ensemble Concert, March 5 at 7:30. It’s always a glittering sight, seeing all those flutes and trumpets lined up in rows before the podium. If quieter, smaller ensembles are more to your taste, then you might want to listen to a guitar studio showcase. IPFW is holding a variety of guitar concerts and recitals – as is the University of Saint Francis. USF will be holding their guitar concert on April 21, at 7 p.m. This concert will be held at their North Campus Auditorium, 2702 Spring Street. IPFW’s guitars will make several performances, including Saturday, March 28 (the Canadian Guitar Quartet, 7:30 p.m.) and the Guitar Ensemble Recital (April 15, 7:30 p.m.). And don’t forget about quality piano music. Maybe you want to sample some of the Summit City’s best piano work – well, look no further. Several piano events are happening this semester at IPFW, including an alumni recital with Jason Simon, (Feb....
Give Kids an Early Start in Music
Fort Wayne is a great place to get kids involved in music at an early age. We have everything from pre-school programs to college degrees that propel students from the very basics to becoming teachers in classrooms. Here are some of the options the Summit City has to offer! If you have a small child and want to get him or her involved in classical music, check out our Suzuki talent education programs. For violin, viola and cello, look into the Fort Wayne Suzuki Talent Education program, run by Bill and Janet Guy-Klickman. The Fort Wayne Suzuki program offers private lessons, group classes, music theory and orchestra courses for young ones starting around the age of three to five years old. Parents are an integral part of this education system, and they attend all lessons and classes, especially when the children are quite young. According to the Suzuki philosophy, the teacher teaches during the lesson and the parent coaches during the home practice sessions, creating a triangle of support between the child, the teacher and the parent. Don’t worry – parents do not have to be experts in music. Parents just need to be willing and dedicated to helping their child progress at his or her own pace through this ear-training system. Suzuki piano lessons are also offered by Mrs. Carol Hahn, who is based out of the Indiana University-Purdue University campus. Her studio, located within the Rhineheart Music Center, is open to young children and their parents. It’s a common sight to see a child and mother hurrying with music books in tow, up the stairs to Mrs. Hahn’s studio. For education in pop or electronic music trends, Sweetwater Sound has Sweetwater Academy of Music and Technology, where students can learn drums, vocals, guitar, songwriting, keyboard, and recording/DJ techniques. Just log on to the Sweetwater Academy page to scroll through the many different options that they have. Families are definitely welcome to come along, and if they have to wait for a lesson to begin, they can hang out in the ‘arcade’ where they can play pinball, tossing games, electronic golf, ping pong, pool – you name it. It’s free and kids and their (usually) dads like to compete. If you get hungry, there’s the Downbeat Diner, where you can purchase snacks and meals. Oh, and a really neat perk of taking lessons at Sweetwater is that student recitals and concerts take place in their state-of-the-art theater, which has a fantastic sound system and comfy, upholstered chairs. It’s like walking into a special room in Star Trek’s Enterprise – little lights and futuristic accoutrements are everywhere. Of course,...
Fresh Market: A Sensory Sensation
Have you been to Fresh Market recently? If not, then it’s time to experience the savory side of life. It’s like gourmet grocery shopping. The first thing you’ll notice is the array of glittering poinsettias that greet you at the entrance. “Blingsettias” and “Snow Frost” poinsettias are in a profusion of color, from peachy-pink to traditional red and white. It’s like looking at a mountain of flowers. There are also ivy wreathes in pots – a neat idea for someone who wants to be festive without having to watch out for flower petals or clinging pine needles. Once inside, you’ll find the gift section filled with snacks, colorful cloth placemats, and other easy-to-give hostess presents that will certainly make a great impression on the recipient. The store’s interior is arranged like a typical grocery store, but more condensed. There are several full aisles; pumpkin pie bars, artisan lavender soap, and Seventh Generation paper towels are just a few of the items to be found here. In the milk and dairy section you’ll find organic milk, a variety of cheeses, and lactose-free milk products (like Silk). Cleaning supplies? They have it – everything from Mrs. Meyer’s laundry soap to Bon Ami and Barkeeper’s Friend scrubbing powder. The bakery section is something to stop and take in. Yes, there are cakes and cookies and breads. But there are also raspberry cakes – whole layered pastries about 7” long and at least 4” high. Petit Fours, glistening fruit tarts and Yule Logs are also a few of the many offerings kept behind clean glass countertops – displayed right at mouthwatering eye level. The deli counter is long as well – choose whatever ready-to-eat concoction you’d like, and the staff will wrap it up for you. Large silver platters display a variety of roasted whole chickens in the middle of the store. You can feel the heat from the enclosed counters as you browse the labeled displays. For someone looking for a quick treat to take to work, there are bags of lavender, blue and white snowflake cookies. Or you might want to try out the soft baguettes. The produce section is populated with towering stacks of shining fruits. Apples, pears, bananas, and other fresh fruits tempt customers to pick up a few for the shopping cart. And there are also kosher treats, like chopped figs with nuts, pre-packaged and nestled among the displays. Want to throw together a quick stew? The veggies are already cut up for you, waiting on ice. When you check out, there are several lanes to choose from. Just head for the trellises and look for a place to nose...
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