Afternoon Music Returns May 1 with Piano-Marimba Concert at Beacon

Afternoon Music returns for its Welcome Back concert series on Sunday May 1, featuring two favorite musicians, pianist Mitchell Vines and virtuoso marimba player Makoto Nakura.

The concert begins at 3 p.m. (note new time) at Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Summit, 4 Waldron Avenue, corner of Springfield Ave.

The performance is a reunion of sorts, since Mitchell Vines performed often for Afternoon Music when he served as Beacon's Music Director and the series' Artistic Director from 1999 to 2018. Makoto played on the series in 2010 and 2018. Misa Iwama is now Beacon's Director of Music Ministry and Afternoon Music's Artistic Director.

The May 1 program includes piano solos by Beethoven, Debussy, Bartok and Fauré. Makoto will play three Bach chorales and a Bach sonata, all of which he transcribed for solo marimba. The two will collaborate on three works, one composed for Makoto by Japanese composer Toshio Mashima.

Tickets are $25 online on Afternoon Music's website, www.afternoonmusic.org, and $30 at the door. Students are welcome free. After the concert, the audience is invited to meet the performers at an outdoor reception.

Tickets are also on sale for the series' second concert of the season on Sunday June 5, featuring famed jazz pianist Bill Charlap performing solo in Beacon's sanctuary at 4 Waldron.

For Covid safety protocols, refer to Beacon's website at www.summitbeacon.org/safety-protocols, where guidelines will be updated on a regular basis.

Mitchell Vines' active performing career has taken him to Europe, South America, Asia and throughout the United States. The German newspaper Hessiche-Niedersachsische Allgemeine wrote, "The sensitive playing of American pianist Mitchell Vines captivated the audience. He performed with virtuosity and bravura."

Mitchell’s professional associations include Berkshire Choral International, New York Summer Opera Scenes, Trinity Wall Street, NY Chamber Collective, Mannes School of Music and the Vermont Music and Arts Center. He was twice soloist with the New York Repertory Orchestra, performing Bartok’s 3rd piano concerto and Milhaud’s Le Carnaval d’Aix.

A native of Portland, Oregon, he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Portland State University and a Master of Music degree and Performer's Certificate from the Eastman School of Music. Mitchell is currently the pianist of Temple Israel of the City of New York.

Marimbist Makoto Nakura has been mesmerizing audiences for a quarter of a century with his artistry and astonishing virtuosity. In 1994, he moved from his native Japan to New York City, becoming the first marimbist to win first prize in the prestigious Young Concert Artists International Auditions.

Born in Kobe, Japan, Mr. Nakura began to play the marimba at the age of eight. He earned both Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Musashino College in Tokyo and continued his studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London from which he was named an Associate.

His critically acclaimed performances around the world have included venues in London, Paris, Berlin, Tokyo and Seoul. In the U.S., he has performed for audiences in 41 of the 50 states, with the New York Chamber Symphony and other ensembles. A television portrait of Mr. Nakura was shown on CBS News Sunday Morning.

Afternoon Music is funded in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, through a grant administered by the Union County Division of Cultural & Heritage Affairs.

For further information, visit afternoonmusic.org or phone (908) 248-2773.