WMU ensembles perform for Latvian Association's Centennial Arts Weekend

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The Western Michigan University Symphony Orchestra and the University Chorale will present a free concert in collaboration with the Kalamazoo Latvian Association and the Latvian Ministry of Culture at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 25, in the University's Dalton Center Recital Hall. The event is free and open to the public.

The concert is part of the centennial celebration of Latvia's independence and will be the culmination of the Kalamazoo Latvian Association's Centennial Arts Weekend. At 2:30 p.m., cellist Juris Kenins will give a pre-concert talk about the pieces that will be performed in the concert.

The University Orchestra, conducted by Bruce Uchimura, and University Chorale, led by Arianne Abela, will perform music of well-known Latvian composers, including: Emīls Dārziņš, Jānis Mediņš, Lolita Ritmanis, Ēriks Ešenvalds, Ārijs Šķepasts, Jāzeps Vītols and Pēteris Vasks. WMU staff collaborative pianist and native Latvian Gunta Laukmane has selected and coached three Latvian songs that will be sung by WMU voice students and will open the concert.

For more information about the concert, visit wmich.edu/music or call (269) 387-4667.

For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.

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