Michelle Djokic, Artistic Director of the Concordia Chamber Players, announced that the orchestra will open its sixth season on November 10, 2002. “We are excited to be starting our sixth year in New Hope.” said Djokic. “The support that we have continued to receive from our local communities has been outstanding, and we are thrilled at the reception that we are receiving that enables Concordia to bring world class musicians to New Hope again this year.” One of these outstanding musicians, violinist, Carmit Zori, whose recent performance at Bargemusic in New York City was described by the New York Times as “graceful, zesty and spirited” will return as a regular with Concordia. David Krakauer, brilliant clarinetist and popular artist with best selling recordings of classical and klezmer music will also be back. New to Concordia this year, soprano, Dana Hanchard, who has been acclaimed by Time Magazine as “a singer of passionate virtuosity” will add a dramatic flair to the February 2, 2003 concert featuring songs by Franz Schubert.
Former Philadelphia Orchestra double bass, Peter Lloyd, now Principal Bass for the Minnesota Orchestra will be featured with Robert Rinehart, viola, of the New York Philharmonic and founding member of the Ridge String Quartet; and Phillip Bush, pianist, who debuted last year in Carnegie Hall with the London Sinfonietta.
Calvin Weirsma, violinist with the Manhattan String Quartet, and founding member of the Meilora Quartet who recently appeared with the Concerto Company of Boston and the Rochester Philharmonic will join pianist, Gail Niwa to round out the Concordia Chamber Players. Niwa, debuted with the Chicago Symphony at age eight and is an active chamber musician in New York City. She has recorded with David Kim, violinist and concertmaster for the Philadelphia Orchestra on the Musical Heritage Society and Teldec labels.
All concerts will be performed in the Stephen Buck Theater at the New Hope-Solebury High School on 180 W. Bridge Street in New Hope at 3 PM. Concert dates are November 10, 2002, February 2, and April 6, 2003. Children accompanied by an adult ticket holder are admitted free. Parking is free and refreshments are served at intermission. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door or by contacting Concordia at www.concordiaplayers.org.