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DPU celebrates Putnam County with Fifth House residency
Members of Fifth House Ensemble, one of Chicago's most imaginative chamber music groups, will perform and meet with local residents on Saturday, Sept. 14 at two downtown Greencastle locations.
There are several opportunities this week to meet and hear Fifth House Ensemble, DePauw School of Music's 2013--14 Artists-in-Residence:
Meet at the Market -- Ensemble members will be joined by School of Music faculty and students in performing at the Greencastle Farmers' Market from 10--11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14.
Attend a Workshop -- Fifth House will also present three workshops at the Green Center for the Performing Arts, which are open to local residents (without charge), as well as to students and to educators:
-- Friday, Sept. 13, 10:20--11:20 a.m. Kresge Auditorium: "Putting Your Audience Center Stage" (open seating).
-- Saturday, Sept. 14, 1:30--2:30 p.m., Green Center, Room 1115: "Curriculum Integration on Stage and In The Classroom" (reservation required; contact Emily Smith, 658-4571 or emilysmith@depauw.edu).
-- Saturday, Sept. 14, 2:50--3:50 p.m. Green Center, Room 1115: "Music Can Tell a Story" (reservation required; contact Emily Smith, 658-4571 or emilysmith@depauw.edu).
Free coffee and a concert at Starbucks -- From 5--6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, Fifth House Ensemble will perform informally and talk with members of the community at Starbucks. The first 50 people to fill out a card listing "the most beautiful place in Putnam County" will receive a complimentary tall coffee, courtesy of Eli's Books.
The ensemble will perform at the Greencastle Farmers' Market from 10--11:30 a.m., and at Starbucks from 5--6:30 p.m. Free coffee will be provided by Eli's Books for the first 50 people to fill out a card listing "the most beautiful place in Putnam County."
It's the first step in an eight-month process in which the DePauw University School of Music and Fifth House Ensemble are preparing a once-in-a-lifetime tribute to Putnam County.
Throughout the year, the group can be found around town seeking out inspiration and gathering photos and stories for this innovative new work celebrating the rich agricultural community, heroes and heritage of the region.
The project will culminate in a world premiere performance of "Harvest" at the Judson and Joyce Green Center for the Performing Arts on Mother's Day, May 11.
For the final concert, Fifth House will be joined by local musicians and storytellers, as well as the DePauw University Orchestra, in an interactive, multi-media program, featuring material collected during the artists' residency, and classical and contemporary music arranged for the occasion by the ensemble.
As the ensemble develops "Harvest," the creative team looks forward to meeting with area residents, gathering material and forming relationships with members of the community.
"We are really excited to play for people at the market," Melissa Snoza, the group's flutist and executive director, said. "We've never been so excited about a project as we are with this one.
"We look forward to meeting many new friends during this first visit and to hearing their stories about Putnam County and its history."
Having pioneered the art of narrative chamber music with its original series Black Violet, The Weaver's Tales and In Transit, Fifth House has become renown for engaging audiences through its connective programming and unexpected performance venues.
As part of its 2012-13 season, the ensemble collaborated with NYC-based playwright Stan Richardson to present "Caught." Through a series of participatory activities at park district venues throughout the city, the ensemble involved communities in its signature pairing of stories and music, creating performances that reflected the fabric of Chicago's neighborhoods.
Since having established itself on the Chicago chamber music scene, Fifth House Ensemble has also performed in some of the city's most well-regarded concert venues and series, including Ravin-ia, Pritzker Pavilion, Mostly Music Series, the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts, PianoForte Chicago, WFMT Impromptu, Rush Hour Concerts at St. James and Sunday Salon Series at the Chicago Cultural Center.