First Concert in MCC’s New AAC Recital Hall Honored Lowell

Middlesex Community College recently held its inaugural A World of Music concert in the Recital Hall of the newly renovated Richard & Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center on the Lowell campus. Music Department faculty, students, alumni and guests performed an eclectic program of traditional and contemporary works focused on – and inspired by – Lowell.

“This inaugural concert celebrates the rich musical and cultural diversity of Lowell,” said MCC President James C. Mabry at the event. “And we’re not only showcasing this beautiful new Recital Hall, but also the best and brightest of our outstanding Music Program.”

“Honoring the City of Lowell Through Music” featured short works by 19th-century composer George Chadwick, who was born in Lowell, as well as music from Cambodia and Latin America, reflecting the influences of those cultures on the city.

Performers included faculty members Raley Beggs, guitar; Orlando Cela, flute and cuarto; Susan Dill, choral conductor; and Carmen Rodríguez-Peralta, piano. They were joined by guest artists Carley DeFranco, soprano; and Sovann Khon on tro sau, a Cambodian instrument.

The program also featured world premieres of short pieces celebrating Lowell by faculty composers Richard Chowenhill, David Janssen, Pamela Marshall and Aaron Rosenberg. Their compositions were inspired by art, history or literature from Lowell. MCC students and alumni performed a variety of choral works. And the African Fellowship Choir of Lowell concluded the program with several spirited gospel selections.

Under the direction of Rodrigues-Peralta, Chairwoman of the Music Department, A World of Music has brought a series of free concerts to the Bedford and Lowell campus for almost 20 years.

Other concerts in the fall 2018 series include: pianist Liana Paniyeva, performing at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, in the MCC Concert Hall, Bedford campus; the Carlos Odria Ensemble, at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, in the Academic Arts Center Recital Hall, Lowell campus; “Music for Flute & Guitar,” at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, MCC Concert Hall, Bedford campus; and a Student Recital, at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 10, MCC Concert Hall, Bedford campus.

For more A World of Music concert information, or to see video clips of previous concerts, visit: https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/worldofmusic

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CAPTION: Middlesex Community College recently held its inaugural A World of Music Concert in the Recital Hall of the newly renovated Richard & Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center on the Lowell campus. Shown here (left to right): Music faculty members Susan Dill, Richard Chowenhill, Raley Beggs and David Janssen; guest artist Carley DeFranco; Music faculty Orlando Cela, Carmen Rodriguez-Peralta, Aaron Rosenberg and Pamela Marshall, with MCC President James Mabry.