Host of stars in North Central’s 2011-2012 performance schedule
By Hilary Decent For The Sun April 16, 2011 8:02PM
The Schedule
North Central College’s 2011-2012 Fine & Performing Arts Sesquicentennial Season A La Carte Series:
Oct. 15/16 Beach Boys Pfeiffer Hall
Dec. 4 Manhattan Transfer Wentz Concert Hall
Dec. 17 Celtic Woman Pfeiffer Hall
March 3 Bela Fleck and the Flecktones Wentz Concert Hall
April 14 Canadian Brass Wentz Concert Hall
For more information visit www.northcentralcollege.edu.
Updated: September 24, 2012 6:25AM
One of the world’s favorite rock groups will bring the quintessential sound of summer to fall this October when The Beach Boys launch the 2011-2012 season of North Central College’s Fine and Performing Arts season.
“We always try to get the best, but this time we’ve kicked it up a notch for our sesquicentennial,” said director Brian Lynch.
Other top names appearing in the year ahead include multiple Grammy winning cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Broadway star Bernadette Peters, Manhattan Transfer, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, the Charlie Daniels Band, jazz pianist Herbie Hancock, Choral Society Schola Cantorum de Venezuela, the Chicago Symphony and romantic pianist Jim Brickman.
Lynch announced the upcoming season at the last concert of the current season on Saturday evening.
The Beach Boys will be appearing Oct. 15 and 16 at Pfeiffer Hall. “We are starting to get a reputation. Their manager called to ask us if we would like to host them,” Lynch said of the ground-breaking ’60s band.
The college is continuing to attract big names since opening the Wentz Concert Hall in 2008. “It’s working just like it’s supposed to,” Lynch said. “Every artist we have had loves it, so word has spread through the industry. The facility is a good route on the way to Chicago, plus Naperville has a reputation as a quality town. The staff here is great, so it’s the best of all possible worlds.”
Christmas will include two special events. On Dec. 4, Manhattan Transfer will perform a holiday concert, and on Dec. 17, Pfeiffer Hall will present Celtic Woman in a performance with the DuPage Symphony Orchestra.
In March, Bela Fleck, regarded as the No. 1 banjo player in the world, will appear with the Flecktones, and in April, top brass quintet Canadian Brass will perform.
“They are the most popular brass group in the world,” Lynch said. “They were here two seasons ago, and they sold out. I know a good thing when I see it, so I decided to bring them back again.”
Lynch said he wants to bring a diverse range of music to appeal to all tastes. In addition, a flexible program means some concerts will be performed more than once, giving the public more choice in when they want to attend.
For the A la Carte Series, patrons can choose any five shows and receive a 10 percent total discount.
They also can buy five-show packages for the Classical Series, Jazz Series and Contemporary Series, a four-show Family Series and a new, four-show Cabaret Series.
Season tickets will be available for the five concert series for new subscribers from May 15, and for previous subscribers beginning May 2. Tickets for all performances will be available beginning June 1.
