2018-2019 Concert Season
All programs will take place at the Family Piano Co.
114 South Genesee Street, Sunday Evenings at 7:30 PM.
Download our season schedule here.
Merling Trio, September 16, 2018
Preconcert reception, 7:00PM
David Pedraza and friend, November 11, 2018
Avanti Guitar Trio, April 7, 2019
Fifth House Ensemble, May 12, 2019
Artist Biographies
Merling Trio
September 16, 2018
The Merling Trio is recognized as one of today’s premier ensembles. A truly international trio, it brings together musicians from Polish, Japanese, and Dutch backgrounds. The Merling Trio has been hailed as a brilliantly distinguished group endowed with remarkable gifts of communication, magnificent precision, and an impeccable blend of sound. The trio made its New York debut in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in 1993, and was named a finalist for the Naumburg Foundation Chamber Music Award in 1994.
The Merling Trio has given numerous recitals throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Members of the Trio have performed with orchestras such as the English Chamber Orchestra, the Honolulu Symphony, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia, and the South Carolina Philharmonic, under the baton of such notable conductors as Daniel Barenboim, Simon Rattle, and Christoph Eschenbach.
Several contemporary composers have written works for the Merling Trio, and in 1993, they commissioned and premiered C. Curtis-Smith’s Second Piano Trio. In February 1998, the trio returned to Carnegie Hall for a sold-out performance of a new work by Terry Winter-Owens, commissioned by the Merling Trio with a Commissioning Grant from the American Composers Forum. In 2003, the trio premiered Frank Proto’s Quartet for Piano and Strings with bassist Tom Knific at St. John’s Smith Square in London, England. The trio performed the complete piano trios of C. Curtis-Smith for a gala concert at the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival in 2010. The 2013 season saw a premiere of the trio’s newest commission, Piano Trio No. 2, from San Francisco composer Peter Scott Lewis.
In residence at the School of Music at Western Michigan University, members of the trio have also been faculty members at the Schlern International Music Festival and the ENCORE School for Strings. Renowned educators, their students hold positions in major orchestras and chamber ensembles throughout the world. Festival appearances include the Banff Centre for the Arts, the Pensacola Summer Music Festival, the Skaneateles Festival, the Saugatuck Chamber Music Festival, and the Fontana Festival of Art and Music. Recent educational outreach activities include performances and master classes for the California Music Teachers Association, the Music Teachers National Association, the Hawaii International Arts and Humanities Conference, and the American String Teachers Association National Conference. Current summer festival positions for the trio include the Orfeo Music Festival in Italy, Cello an American Experience in Minnesota, and the Aria International Summer Academy in Massachusetts.
The Merling Trio has released a number of critically-acclaimed recordings. Their first CD, a collaboration with conductor Dennis Russell Davies, featured works of C. Curtis-Smith and was released by Albany Records in 1995. About the CD, Fanfare wrote, “The composer could not ask for better interpreters.” Piano Trio Classics included works by Haydn, Mozart, Brahms, Schumann, and Liszt and was released by Pamplin Records in 2001. About Centaur Records’ 2006 release of the trio’s recording of works by Piazzolla and Proto, the American Record Guide said, “The Merlings play with a properly stylistic balance between abandon and control. This is an unusual and beautifully played program.” Their most recent recording, “postcards in e”, features works of Shostakovich and Dvorak, and was issued on the MSR Classics label to rave reviews.
The Cleveland Plain Dealer said, “The players shaped a grand interpretation, fluent in rhythm and rich in romantic feeling.” The Grand Rapids Press has said, “The trio…delivered a standard of playing that is on par with some of the best known violin-cello-piano teams, captivating the audience through the immediacy and extraordinary sensitivity of its playing.” The London Musical Opinion declared that the Merling Trio “made a powerful impression, with unabashed romanticism and finesse.”
The Merling Trio takes its name from the Danish violin maker, Paul Merling. Currently, Mr. Uchimura performs on an Enrico Marchetti cello, made in Turin, Italy, in 1899. Ms. Knific’s violin, fashioned by Vincenzo Postiglione in Naples, Italy, dates from 1898.
David Pedraza and friend
November 11, 2018
Violist, born in Reynosa, Mexico, David started his musical studies at 14 in the OCJM under Jose Vazquez. Later on he received a full scholarship to study the Bachelor of Music at Shenandoah Conservatory.
From 2003 to 2005 he was part of the Youth Orchestra of the Americas under Placido Domingo, Carlos Prieto and Gustavo Dudamel.
David holds a Professional Performance Certificate from Lynn University Conservatory of Music and recently he finished his Master of Music at the same institution with an award of full scholarship. He won the First Prize with Vitali String Quartet at the 2004 MTNA Virginia chamber music competition and also has received honorific mentions in 2005 and 2007 from the MTNA Viola competition in Florida. He has participated in master classes of Carol Rodland, Jeffrey Irvine, Roberto Diaz, Kim Kashkashian, Peter Slowik, Orlando Cole, Arnold Steinhardt, Ellen Rose Basil Vendryes and Wilfried Strehle.
Recently he performed the Bartok Viola Concerto with the Orquesta Sinfonica de la UAT. David has performed in countries like: Mexico, Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Peru, Spain, France, Switzerland and the UK. His main teacher was Ralph Fielding. Currently he is part of the Con Brio Quartet, and Principal Viola with Symphony of the Americas.
Avanti Guitar Trio
April 7, 2019
The Avanti Guitar Trio is a world-class chamber ensemble whose performances are exciting, approachable, and welcoming. Guitarists Jason Deroche, Julie Goldberg and Wesley Hixson blend together pristine technique and sensitive interpretation, earning critical acclaim for their engaging concerts and varied programming.
Their repertoire ranges from the Baroque to Contemporary, and features newly composed music, engaging transcriptions of classical masterpieces, and an occasional rock/pop or jazz tune.
Based in Chicago, Illinois, AGT has performed for the Waukegan Chamber Society, Chicago Composers’ Consortium, Illinois Wesleyan University, Quincy University, Church of Beethoven and Harold Washington Chicago Public Library. AGT has shared the stage with renowned guitarists Benjamin Verdery, William Coulter, Las Guitarras de España, and Earl Klugh.
Formed in 2010 the Avanti Guitar Trio continues to expand the guitar trio repertoire by composing/transcribing new works and collaborating with established and upcoming composers.
Jason Deroche
Jason Deroche fuses an Old World tradition with an understanding of pop culture. Playing everything from Bach to Beatles, Deroche leaves his audiences delighted with his relaxed performance style and candid sense of humor. Jason has shared the studio and stage with artists ranging from members of 80’s supergroups Survivor and Toto to some of Chicago’s finest classical musicians. Past seasons have included appearances as a soloist with the Cherokee Symphony, the Mount Prospect Community Band, and the Oberon Chamber Orchestra. Through an obvious self-discipline in all musical matters, the self-taught Deroche has developed an unmatched level of virtuosity and artistry. Deroche is highly sought after as an instructor of the guitar. Students of all ages and abilities enjoy his unique insight and relevant instruction. He and his wife Sherri play in a guitar & violin duo called Ten Strings.
Julie Goldberg
Named Guitarist of the year by Classical Guitar Alive, internationally-broadcast radio program, Julie Goldberg is the first guitarist to receive a Doctorate in Music Performance from Northwestern University, and holds degrees from the Chicago Musical College, and College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. Julie has performed solo recitals in New York, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Michigan and Washington, D.C. and has been featured on the internationally known Dame Myra Hess Concert Series. Dr. Goldberg is on the faculty of North Park University and VanderCook College of Music. She is a guest artist at the Interlochen Music Academy, CCM Summer Guitar Workshop, Wisconsin Center for Music Education, Illinois Music Education Association, Mid-America Guitar Ensemble Festival and Michigan Music Conference. Over seas she has taught master-classes at the Vietnam National Academy of Music, Hanoi and the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music. She recently co-authored the book, 100 Classical Guitar Lessons, which is published by Hal Leonard. Her educational guitar ensemble compositions are published by Guitar Chamber Music Press.
Wesley Hixson
As a soloist, chamber musician and composer, Wesley Hixson writes accessible classical music for guitar paying homage to his early influences of classical, prog-rock, metal, jazz, and folk music from around the world. While much of his music draws inspiration from nature, psychology and film, he often borrows form and harmony techniques from classical, jazz and pop as a foundation for his compositions. All of these elements combined in a transparent blend of styles create stirring, new music for the guitar. His music is published by Guitar Chamber Music Press. Over the years Wesley has made several recordings with various groups, as well as a solo recording titled CAPRICE, which features his original solo guitar compositions and classical guitar favorites. Since 2005 Wesley has been on the faculty of Elmhurst College and frequently serves as clinician and adjudicator at festivals and competitions throughout the U.S.
Fifth House Ensemble
May 12, 2019
Praised by the New York Times for its “conviction, authority, and finesse,” the Chicago-based Fifth House Ensemble harnesses the collaborative spirit of chamber music to reach beyond the traditionally-perceived limits of classical music. The ensemble’s artistic, educational, and civic programs engage theater groups, video game designers, corporate innovators, and folk bands to share stories as diverse as the communities it serves.
In its 2018-2019 season, Fifth House Ensemble presents a world-spanning collaboration with Tuvan throat-singing masters Alash Ensemble that explores storytelling, participation, and ritual through interviews and documentary video filmed on location in the remote Siberian republic. Sonic Meditations brings together folk storytelling, Deep Listening and meditation practices, and new commissions from Fresh Inc Festival alum William Pearson and Grammy-nominated video game composer Austin Wintory. Composer and Fifth House Artistic Director Dan Visconti’s musical puzzle, Unchained Melodies, forms another program of virtuosic solo pieces that combine in counterpoint to form duos, trios, and ultimately a full dectet. The world premiere of prolific opera composer Daron Hagen’s newest project, Orson Rehearsed, looks at the process of art through the lens of pivotal creative force Orson Welles.
Also this season, Fifth House visits Ball State University (Muncie, IN), Georgia Tech University, The Harris Center (Folsom, CA), and MSU Denver with Journey LIVE, an interactive arrangement for Fifth House of Austin Wintory’s Grammy-nominated score responsive to live game play, and visits the Studebaker Theater, Chicago Latino Music Festival, Waukegan Chamber Music Society, Fermilab, Illinois State University, University of Dayton, Old Town School of Folk Music, and Southeast Missouri State University for performances, training workshops, and residency activities this season.
Performances in previous seasons include those at Texas Performing Arts, LiveConnections (Philadelphia, PA), MAGFest music and gaming festival (National Harbor, MD), WFMT Impromptu (Chicago, IL), Steppenwolf Theater, the Forma Festival (Moscow), National Sawdust (NYC) and the Miller Theatre (NYC).
Through the ensemble’s heartfelt social and civic practice work, Fifth House has co-created artistic projects with urban neighborhoods, social service organizations, and an agricultural community to spark conversations on issues that matter. Recent projects include Broken Text, a collaboration with Raven Theatre and DJ Searchl1te inspired by multi-week residencies at the Cook County Temporary Youth Detention Center and St. Leonard’s Ministries; Voices from the Dust Bowl, a collaboration with composer Steven Snowden and bluegrass band Henhouse Prowlers exploring stories from workers’ rights organizations nationwide; Nedudim, an exploration of music and cultural identity in collaboration with Baladino that engages Chicago-based organizations representing Israel, Iran, Germany and Spain, and Harvest, a year-long partnership with DePauw University and the Greencastle, IN community culminating in a Mother’s Day celebration of the people, places, and stories of Putnam County.
Reaching 17,000 students annually through its arts-integrated educational programs, Fifth House connects K-12 core curricula to vivid, custom-crafted, and interactive musical experiences which challenge students to share and lead. A member of the Illinois Arts Council Association’s Arts-in-Education Roster, Fifth House has presented performances and residencies at Chicago public schools and the Chicago Cultural Center in partnership with the International Music Foundation, the Chicago Teachers’ Center, Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education, and Ravinia’s Reach*Teach*Play program.
As an extension of this work, Fifth House enters its fourth year of partnership with Loyola University’s Center for Urban Research and Learning this season, through which the ensemble is in residence at sites serving at-risk youth and adults including Deborah’s Place, Teen Living Programs, and Nancy B. Jefferson Alternative School at the Chicago Temporary Youth Detention Center. Fifth House also partners with Storycatchers Theatre as part of its residency at the detention center to develop new curriculum culminating in a new theatrical work based on participants’ own experiences.
An established partner and resource to the nation’s top music schools and conservatories, Fifth House launches the careers of emerging artists through entrepreneurship residencies and training programs, including those at Yale College, Eastman School of Music, New England Conservatory, Indiana University, Roosevelt University, the Cleveland Institute of Music, UT-Austin, Northwestern University, San Francisco Conservatory, DePaul University, and the Colburn School. Recent creative partnerships have included those with The Cleveland Orchestra and the San Francisco Opera. In 2012, Fifth House launched fresh inc, a two-week, intensive training program for emerging composers and performers where Fifth House works with participants on building careers in music in line with their own unique, vision and values.
Fifth House is currently an Ensemble in Residence at the Music Institute of Chicago.