Messiah College Cultural Series presents a rare collaboration of Leon Bates and Borealis Wind Quintet
February 15th, 2008
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GRANTHAM, Pa. (Feb. 15, 2008) — Pianist Leon Bates and Borealis Wind Quintet are collaborating to present a unique performance of piano and winds at Messiah College on March 7 at 8 p.m. in Miller Auditorium, located in the Climenhaga Fine Arts Center on the college’s Grantham campus, in the fourth concert of the college’s five-performance Cultural Series. The concert will showcase this duo’s finesse and style as they perform the finest of the classics, commissioned works and opera arias, among various piano and winds pieces. Concert tickets are $23 and may be reserved by calling the Messiah College ticket office at (717) 691-6036.
At the age of six, Bates began his formal study of the piano and has performed today in virtually all of the major concert halls in the United States and on five continents. With his musical spirit and outstanding skill, Bates has been recognized for his talent with appearances on NBC’s “The Today Show” and on “CBS Sunday Morning.” He was also honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Negro Musicians in 2007.
Acclaimed as one of America’s preeminent chamber ensembles, Borealis Wind Quintet blends sparkling virtuosity with detail and precision to produce rich musical performances for their audiences across the country. Nominated for a 2006 Grammy Award in the Chamber Music category, this professional ensemble includes accomplished musicians Katherine Fink, flute; Tamar Beach Wells, oboe; Kathryn Taylor, clarinet; Wayne Hileman, bassoon; and Dan Culpepper, horn.
The Cultural Series, a five-part annual performance series sponsored by Messiah College, will conclude its 2007-2008 season by hosting Triple Play with leader Chris Brubeck, son of jazz great Dave Brubeck, Peter “Madcat” Ruth and Joel Brown performing an eclectic collection of jazz, folk and classical on April 11.
Messiah College, a private Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, enrolls 2,800 undergraduate students in 55 majors. Established in 1909, the primary campus is located in Grantham, Pa., near the state capital of Harrisburg. A satellite campus affiliated with Temple University is located in Philadelphia.