FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press contact: Melissa Bunker, (586) 219-0094
The Music and Song of an American Master are featured in ‘A Tribute to William Bolcom,’ presented by Pro Musica of Detroit, in Partnership with the Detroit Institute of Arts, May 15 at the DIA.
Concert program stars an ensemble of talented musicians that includes several of the composer’s most trusted collaborators, including pianist-composer Marc-André Hamelin.
DETROIT, Apr. 11, 2022 – Pro Musica of Detroit, in partnership with the Detroit Institute of Arts, proudly presents “A Tribute to William Bolcom” on Sunday, May 15 in the DIA’s Detroit Film Theatre auditorium, beginning at 1 p.m. Highlighting the music and song of Pulitzer-Prize winning composer William Bolcom, the concert will be performed by an ensemble that includes several of the composer’s most trusted collaborators.
Seating is limited and by General Admission. Individual Tickets are $15 each, available through the DIA ticket office. For reservations, please visit www.promusicadetroit.com or through the DIA website at https://bit.ly/3KtVWTJ. The concert program will follow the DIA’s COVID-19 safety protocols.
Hosted by Cecelia Sharpe of WRCJ 90.9 FM, “A Tribute to William Bolcom” stars Marc-André Hamelin, award-winning recording artist and composer; Sonia Lee, award-winning composer and violinist; Jeremy Crosmer, award-winning Detroit Symphony Orchestra cellist; Neil Michaels, baritone and Cantor of Temple Israel; and John Bogdan, emerging classical and jazz pianist. Also performing are special guests, LUMINO, a chamber ensemble that includes John Etsell, piano; Lisa Raschiatore, clarinet; and Sonia Lee, violin.
“A Tribute to William Bolcom” program selections include a piece from the Opera “A View from the Bridge,” “Spring Trio: A Bouquet of Traditional Flower Rags,” and “The Graceful Ghost Rag.” In addition, the concert program will feature the World Premiere of a new piano sonata by William Bolcom and Lumino, performing Suite 157b by Darius Milhaud, with whom William Bolcom studied composition at the Aspen Music Festival and School in Colorado.
Hailed around the world for his many contributions to the classical and popular repertoire, William Bolcom also is renowned for his contributions to the American songbook. The artist’s honors include the National Medal of Arts, presented by the President of the United States in 2006, the 1988 Pulitzer Prize in Music, numerous Grammy Awards, the Detroit Music Award, the Michigan Governor’s Arts Award, and was named Composer of the Year in 2007 by Musical America.
William Bolcom and vocalist Joan Morris, his wife and partner, have accepted invitations to the concert program, which they will attend as Guests of Honor. William Bolcom is a University of Michigan Professor Emeritus of Music, teaching at the Ann Arbor institution from 1973-2008.
Bolcom & Morris performed in 1998 before a Pro Musica of Detroit audience. Those who attended the concert program will remember a delightful evening of music and song, performed by a charming pianist and an enchanting vocalist, who also delighted the audience with stories from their musical career.
The May 15 Tribute is the first in-person concert for Pro Musica since the Beijing Guitar Duo performed on Feb. 14, 2020. In response to COVID restrictions, the nonprofit group created PMD Live, an online series. The LIVE series filmed at Steinway Gallery and hosted by WRCJ’s Cecelia Sharpe featured performances and conversations. The 6-part series, available at promusicadetroit.com, expanded Pro Musica audiences and had been viewed thousands of times.
About Pro Musica Detroit
Since 1928, Pro Musica Detroit has introduced many of the world’s most eminent names in music, including composers Béla Bartók, Maurice Ravel, and Aaron Copland and performers Joshua Bell, Jessye Norman, Benjamin Grosvenor, and Cuarteto Latinoamericano to the Detroit community.
In so doing, Pro Musica seeks to build bridges of fine music to bring together hearts and minds of music lovers, music students and artists across time and space, so all can gain new friends, new insights, and a deeper appreciation of the wonder that is the art of music and the artists who make it possible.
By presenting global artists, supporting local composers, and engaging Detroit-area schools, Pro Musica Detroit fulfills its mission of presenting artists and works at the forefront of classical music to a dedicated community of listeners. For more information, please visit promusicadetroit.com.
Individual artists’ biographies and photographs are available by request. We will also arrange media interviews. Members of the press are asked to contact Melissa Bunker by phone (586) 219-0094 or through email: mbunker@campbellmarketing.com.
# # #
Recent Comments