New Philharmonic presents “An Evening of Gershwin” Comes to the MAC Oct. 22 & 23

New Philharmonic the professional orchestra in residence at the McAninch Arts Center, continues its 40th Anniversary Season with “An Evening of Gershwin” at the MAC, 425 Fawell Blvd. on the campus of College of DuPage Saturday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 23 at 3 p.m.

“Though he only lived to age 38, George Gershwin’s compositions earned him a place as one of the best known, best loved American composers of classical and pop and movie score music in the 20th Century. We’ve never made him the centerpiece of a concert before so now, as our 40th Anniversary Season seemed to be a good time to do so,” says New Philharmonic music director and conductor Kirk Muspratt.

The concert will open with New Philharmonic, under the baton of Muspratt, performing “An American in Paris.” Then guest pianist Marta Aznavoorian joins New Philharmonic onstage for “Rhapsody in Blue.” Following intermission, guest soprano Kimberly E. Jones, guest baritone Bill McMurray and the Northwest Indiana Symphony Chorus join New Philharmonic to perform 14 selections from “Porgy and Bess” including “Summertime,” commonly recognized as one of the most covered songs in the history of recorded music, “I Got Plenty O’Nuttin’,” “Bess, You Is My Woman Now,” and “It Ain’t Necessarily So.”

Marta Aznavoorian (pianist), seen most recently by New Philharmonic fans in its April 2016 “Dueling Pianos” concert, has performed in Chicago's most prestigious venues and concerts throughout the U.S. and abroad. Honors include first prize in numerous national and local competitions, including the Seventeen/General Motors National Competition, Aspen Music Festival Competition, and by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, which made her a Presidential Scholar. She is a founding member of the Grammy-nominated Lincoln Trio hailed by Fanfare Magazine has labeled as “one of the hottest young trios in the business.”

Kimberly E. Jones (soprano) is an alumna of the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Ryan Opera Center. Her performances with Lyric include Margru in the world premiere of Anthony Davis’s “Amistad,” Olga in “Fedora,” Princess Xenia in “Boris Godunov,” Pedro in “Don Quichotte” and Despina in student matinee performances of “Cosi Fan Tutte.” Awards and honors include a George London grant, two Sullivan grants, three grants from the MacAllister Awards Competition, the Richard Gold Career grant from Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Licia Albanese Encouragement Award and winner of the Union League Competition.

Bill McMurray (baritone) has more than 30 operatic roles to his credit including Figaro in “Il baribiere di Sivigila,” Count Almaviva in “Le nozze di Figaro,” Marcello in “La Boheme,” Escamillo in “Carme,” Prospero”in Lee Hoiby’s “The Tempest” with North Carolina’s Longleaf Opera.He was one of eight singers selected to the Winners Circle of The Classical Music Vocal Competition held in Chicago. McMurray sings regularly with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus where has been a featured soloist.

Established in 1987, the Northwest Indiana Symphony Chorus, composed of more than 100 singers drawn from throughout Northwest Indiana and South Chicago area, has performed with the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra in everything from requiems to reggae. The group is the choral component of the Symphony Society, providing added texture and versatility to the Symphony's performance repertoire. Currently under the direction of Dr. Nancy Menk, the chorus also occasionally presents its concerts of choral masterworks.

As a part of its 40th Anniversary Season, New Philharmonic will continue to showcase some of area’s most talented youth musicians at select concerts. Featured at the Oct. 22-23 concerts: Oct. 22, Alejandro Pulido (French Horn), 9th grader at Wheaton Warrenville South H.S., performing Mozart’s “Horn Konzer t #3 in E-flat major;”Oct. 23, Isabelle Ahlborn (French Horn) 9th grader at Glen Ellyn’s Glenbard South H.S., performing Ployhar’s “The Hunt.”

New Philharmonic, under the direction of Maestro Kirk Muspratt, presents “An Evening of Gershwin” at the MAC Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 23 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $49 adult; $47 senior/youth. A limited number of $10 student tickets will also be available, with valid student ID. Free MAC Chats will take one hour place prior to each performance. For tickets or more information, call 630.942.4000, or visit AtTheMAC.org.