Kellogg Community College will host a weeklong celebration of all things music during the College’s Music Week at KCC in February.
Music Week at KCC will run from Feb. 6 through 14 at the College’s newly renovated Davidson Visual and Performing Arts Center, on campus at 450 North Ave., Battle Creek. The weeklong series of musical events is open to the public and will include several recitals, special events and opportunities for the public to sit in on select music classes for free.
Dr. Gerald Blanchard, Music Area coordinator and Vocal Arts director at KCC, said Music Week provides the community a unique opportunity to go beyond the concert-going experience and actually participate in the musical process by attending college music classes for free.
“We welcome individuals of all backgrounds to come to KCC during Music Week and experience music not only as an audience member, but as a student and participant in the music-making process,” Blanchard said. “Whether you have years of experience enjoying or performing music or are completely new to the arts, we’ll have something for everyone to enjoy at KCC during Music Week.”
KCC music classes offered for free to the public during Music Week at the College include:
MUSI 100: Basic Music Fundamentals
8:30 to 9:25 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9
8:30 to 9:25 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 11
MUSI 105: Choir
2:30 to 3:50 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8
2:30 to 3:50 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10
MUSI 120: Beginning Piano Class
5 to 6:20 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9
5 to 6:20 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11
MUSI 131: Music Theory 2
2:30 to 3:50 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9
2:30 to 3:50 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11
MUSI 134: Aural Comprehension 2
4 to 4:55 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9
4 to 4:55 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11
MUSI C160: Concert Band
6:30 to 9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8
MUSI 161: Jazz Band
3 to 5:50 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8
MUSI 211: Music Appreciation
10 to 11:20 a.m. Monday, Feb. 8
10 to 11:20 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9
10 to 11:20 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10
6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10
10 to 11:20 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 11
The free courses will proceed as regularly scheduled at the College with registered KCC students attending for credit, giving individuals who sit in on the classes a chance to see what a college music course at KCC is like.
“This is a great opportunity for those who have thought about pursuing an interest in music at the college level but aren’t sure if it’s right for them,” Blanchard said. “These classes cover a broad range of our musical offerings here at KCC and provide a clear window into music studies at the College.”
Other Music Week at KCC events, listed in chronological order, include:
Faculty Artist Recital
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6
Featuring flutist Dr. Marissa Olin and pianist Paula Krontz-Harris.
Faculty Artist Recital
3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7
Featuring baritone Dr. Gerald Blanchard and pianist Nancy Brown, with special musical guests including baritone Dr. Carl Ratner and sopranos Carmen Bell and Betty Picard.
VoiceFest: Opening Recital and Voice Workshops
11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13
Featuring Dr. Carl Ratner, voice professor at Western Michigan University, and Dr. Lara Troyer, voice faculty member at Kent State University, accompanied by several members of the voice faculties at KCC and The Music Center of South Central Michigan’s Community Music School. Following the opening recital performances, voice workshops led by KCC and CMS voice faculty will be offered for singers or individuals interested in learning how to sing.
VoiceFest: Communitywide Hymn Sing
4:15 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13
KCC faculty will lead the audience in singing traditional Christian hymns across a variety of denominations.
Guest Artist Recital
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13
Featuring the Formosa Trio, including flutist Pei-San Chiu, violist Tzu-Ying Wu and harpist Chen-Yu Huang.
Faculty/Guest Artist Recital
3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14
“The Life and Music of Cole Porter,” featuring soprano Betty Picard, with Dr. Thomas Picard narrating.
Interested individuals may register for some or all Music Week classes and events. Classes offered during Music Week at KCC are free to attend, but registration is required. Recital admission is pay-at-the-door and is $5 for adults and $3 for students and for seniors 55 and older; recitals are free for KCC students with a valid KCC ID.
To register for all or some Music Week at KCC events, visit www.kellogg.edu/performart and fill out the online “Music Week Registration” form.
VoiceFest registration is $10 and may be completed by contacting The Music Center of South Central Michigan’s Community Music School at 269-963-1911 ext. 2585.
For more information about Music Week at KCC, contact Dr. Gerald Blanchard, Music Area coordinator and Vocal Arts director at KCC, at blanchardg@kellogg.edu or 269-965-3931 ext. 2566 or visit www.kellogg.edu/music.
For more news about Kellogg Community College, view our latest press releases online at https://daily.kellogg.edu/category/news-releases.