If you happen to be near Reston, Virginia, on a Sunday evening this summer, you can enjoy a free performance by Shenandoah Conservatory faculty and students as part of the Sunday Art in the Park series at Reston Town Square Park.
The performances begin on June 2, with “The Crooning Cello,” featuring Shenandoah Conservatory Assistant Professor of Cello Julian Schwarz, M.M., and pianist/partner Marika Bournaki, and conclude on Aug. 18, when students graduating in 2020 present “Broadway Baby!” a cabaret-style performance of Broadway hits.
Shenandoah’s partnership with Reston Community Center started with five performances in 2016, said Shenandoah Performing Arts Live Director and Conservatory Managing Director Courtney Reilly. This year, the series features a dozen performances.
The conservatory is always looking for opportunities to reach out to the community, in both Winchester and Northern Virginia, said Professor of Saxophone, Instrumental Division Chair, and Conservatory in the Community Concert Series Artistic Director Timothy Roberts, D.M.A.
It’s our way of saying to Washington, D.C., ‘Reverse your cultural commute!’ There are so many internationally recognized and awarded music faculty at Shenandoah, and we enjoy spreading the word in areas closer to the Washington, D.C., metropolitan community.”
Timothy Roberts | Conservatory in the Community Concert Series Artistic Director
The long collaboration between Shenandoah Conservatory and Reston Community Center has its roots in performances by the Audubon Quartet at the CenterStage – members of the Quartet (Tom Shaw, Doris Lederer, Akemi Takayama) went on to become faculty at Shenandoah. When Robert Goudie of the Reston Town Center Association proposed a new summer music series, it was an obvious choice to ask Shenandoah Conservatory if they had interest in the idea. We are so pleased at how the series has grown to become a highly anticipated weekly event at Reston Town Center.”
Paul Douglas Michnewicz | Director of arts and events for Reston Community Center
2019 Sunday Art in the Park Performances
Check out this year’s schedule of performances, all of which are free and begin at 7 pm:
Sunday, June 2 | 7 pm – 8 pm
The Crooning Cello
Hear the voice of the cello in popular favorites and arrangements with Shenandoah Conservatory’s Assistant Professor of Cello Julian Schwarz and pianist/partner Marika Bournaki.
Sunday, June 9 | 7 pm – 8 pm
R2DUO
Professor of Saxophone Timothy Roberts and his son Charles perform a program of saxophone and piano duets.
Sunday, June 16 | 7 pm – 8 pm
Shenandoah Conservatory String Quartet
Shenandoah Conservatory’s string faculty and top students perform an evening of popular and classical songs.
Sunday, June 23 | 7 pm – 8 pm
I Hear America Singing
Shenandoah Conservatory’s Associate Professor of Voice Byron Jones, D.M.A., performs a heart-warming collection of favorite songs from the history of the United States.
Sunday, June 30 | 7 pm – 8 pm
Two Bass Hit
Shenandoah Conservatory’s Professor of Bass Donovan Stokes, D.M., leads a diverse program of jazz, gypsy jazz and other international music for two basses.
Sunday, July 7 | 7 pm – 8 pm
Luis Hernandez & Friends
Shenandoah Conservatory’s Grammy-award winning Luis Hernandez (adjunct lecturer, saxophone) and his band present an evening of traditional jazz standards.
Sunday, July 14 | 7 pm – 8 pm
Divergent Duos with Donovan Stokes & Vasily Popov
Shenandoah Conservatory’s Professor of Bass Donovan Stokes and guest Vasily Popov perform an evening of works by Rossini, Barriere, Stokes and Handel.
Sunday, July 21 | 7 pm – 8 pm
Jazz Trio Conversations
Shenandoah Conservatory’s Director of Jazz Studies and Associate Professor of Jazz Piano Robert Larson, D.M.A., joins special guests for an evening of jazz trio standards.
Sunday, July 28 | 7 pm – 8 pm
VoxClarus
Professor of Clarinet Garrick Zoeter, M.M., and soprano Mariana Mihai-Zoeter interpret romantic and inspiring works from around the world, as well as uplifting jazz and classically inflected music guaranteed to lift spirits.
Sunday, August 4 | 7 pm – 8 pm
Robert Larson/MLO Fusion Project
This dynamic Shenandoah Conservatory faculty trio blends the spirit of jazz improvisation with the rhythmic energy and creativity of popular styles.
Sunday, August 11 | 7 pm – 8 pm
A Little Charm from Across the Pond
Professor of Flute Jonathan Snowden, A.G.S.M., one of Britain’s most well-known flutists performs, with his wife Su (piano), a selection of favorite pieces from his former musical career across the pond.
Sunday, Aug. 18 | 7 pm – 8 pm
Broadway Baby!
Shenandoah Conservatory students present a cabaret-style performance filled with favorite Broadway hits.
Get event details about these and all of Shenandoah Conservatory’s upcoming performances at su.edu/performs.
