Free Concert: Verge Ensemble

Bethesda, MD - The Washington Conservatory of Music is proud to announce the appointment of the Verge Ensemble as New Music Ensemble-in-Residence beginning in October 2015.  

Verge Ensemble is the performance group of the Contemporary Music Forum, Washington, D.C.'s oldest contemporary music organization, and was the New Music Ensemble-in-Residence at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. from 1973-2015.

To inaugurate the residency, Verge Ensemble will present a concert at 4 pm Sunday, October 25 as part of the Washington Conservatory Piano Plus Concert Series, at Westmoreland Congregational Church, 1 Westmoreland Circle, Bethesda, MD – at Massachusetts and Western Avenues, on the border of Washington DC and Bethesda. The concert is free with donations welcome at the door.

Members of the Verge Ensemble performing on October 25 are Pianist Lura Johnson, prizewinner in the 2015 International Johannes Brahms Competition Pörtschach, Austria;  Violinist Lina Bahn, former member of the award-winning Corigliano Quartet and faculty member at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music; Cellist Tobias Werner, international German performing artist, Music Director of Chamber Music Conference of the East and Artistic Director of VERGE ensemble; and Marimbist William Richards, Principal Percussion and solo percussionist with The United States Army Band (Pershing's Own), Washington, DC.

The one-hour concert will feature three contemporary works that are both accessible and enjoyable to audiences of all ages:  Tight Sweater by Marc Mellits is a work in five movements that brings forth elements of jazz and traditional performance techniques while delightfully combining the diverse timbres of marimba, piano and cello.   Elements for Cello and Electronics is by Washington DC composer Steve Antosca whose work was described by The Washington Post as “a shimmering, multilayered sea of sound, surging with power under a surface of delicate detail — a fascinating dance between the human players and their electronic ghosts.” Lonesome Roads for violin, cello and piano by Dan Visconti is a melodic and dramatic composition that engages audiences by techniques including the pianist drawing sounds directly from the piano’s strings and the violinist and cellist bending tones and  creating glassine timbres through use of artificial harmonics. 

Immediately following the concert, audience members are invited to come onto the stage area to closely view the marimba and to meet and greet the performers.

The Washington Conservatory is a nationally accredited community music school for students of all ages, located in Bethesda and Glen Echo Park.  The Conservatory welcomes both seasoned and novice classical concert-goers and encourages families to attend with their children. Back balcony seating is suggested for families with small children for napping and easy exit.

Parking is in the church lot and on-street on Massachusetts and Western Avenues.

For more information, photos or interview, contact Kathy Judd at 301-320-2770 or kjudd@washingtonconservatory.org

Calendar Listing                                                           

Who: Verge Ensemble

What: Concert of New Music for Marimba, Violin, Cello & Piano

Where: Westmoreland Congregational UCC Church       

1 Westmoreland Circle, Bethesda, MD                                  

When: 4 pm, Sunday, October 25               

Cost:  Free ($20 suggested donation)

Info: 301-320-2770