January 30, 2011
01/31/11 Here’s a chance to treat your Valentine to a special evening. After the phenomenal success of Encore Performing Arts’ “Music and Dinner” last year, the programming committee has decided to do an ‘encore’ event. On Monday, February 14, they will host an exceptional opportunity to hear two distinguished musicians. Pianist Christine Larson Seitz and flutist Rebecca Hovan will team up to present a special evening.
The venue is limited to 70 guests at a cost of $50 a person. Chef Darrell Merrill has planned three entrée choices: roasted lobster stuffed chicken breast with tarragon sauce; poached wild silver salmon fillet with oyster mushroom orange butter sauce; or roast sirloin of beef with root vegetables and pan gravy. An open bar and opportunity to socialize is at 6 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 followed by the performance with dessert and coffee.
Rebecca Hovan teaches at IU South Bend and Goshen College. She is a member of the National Flute Association and is co-author of several books for Flute. As a performer, she appears regularly in recital and with various ensembles in the Northern Indiana area. She has presented numerous workshops throughout the United States and is a Conn–Selmer Artist for Avanti Flutes and Galway Spirit Flutes. She received a Master of Music from the University of North Texas. Hovan recorded her first CD, A Silver Christmas, released December 2008, and is co-authoring a new book for flute, due for release this August.
Christine Larson Seitz is Assistant Professor of Music at Goshen College where she teaches music technology and music theory courses and serves as staff accompanist. She has also taught at IU South Bend and Bethel College and has been a sought-after recital accompanist in Michiana for 35 years. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in piano performance & a Masters degree in studio accompanying from IU South Bend. Since 1978, Seitz has been the accompanist and assistant director for the St. Joseph Valley Camerata.
Their diverse program, about an hour in length, will feature a variety of music including classical, easy listening and pop music as well as some favorite love songs.
“Maybe even a little Henry Mancini,” according to Hovan.
Debi Gidley, executive director of Encore, is thrilled with the success of last year’s first effort.
“We’d love to see this become a series, much like ‘Music in the Park’, she commented. She and Hovan can be heard on WTCA Tuesday morning at 9:45 on the ‘What’s Your Opinion’ show on WTCA.
Another “Dinner and Music” concert is planned for Monday, March 14 with classical guitarist Chaconne Klaverenga. See the Encore website at www.encoreperformingarts.org for more information.
All reservations with dinner preferences need to be made by February 8 by calling the Encore office at 574-935-4987 or order by mail at the Encore office, 1305 W. Harrison Street, Plymouth 46563. No tickets will be issued and payment can be made at the door.
Lyn Ward