| Date: | April 26, 2018 |
| Time: | 7:30 - 9:30 PM |
| Venue: | Performance Hall (Covington Center) |
| Description: |
Five internationally acclaimed concert performers launch their U.S. Tour at the Performance Hall in the Covington Center on the campus of Radford University on Thursday, April 26, 2018 at 7:30 pm. The performers are winners of the 2017 IBLA Grand Prize World Music Competition, an elite international music competition that takes place each year in the Sicilian city of Ragusa-IBLA. Currently in its 27th year, the competition showcases musical talent of the highest caliber. The original competition was founded at Radford University in 1981 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Hungarian composer Bela Bartók's birth. After being renamed several times along with a change in venue from Virginia to Italy, the annual competition continues as the “IBLA Grand Prize” in Ragusa-IBLA, Sicily. Performers for Virginia: • Pianist Luowen Huang, from China is the grand prize winner of the 2017 IBLA Competition. • Salvatore Vaccarella is an Italian pianist born in the Sicilian city of Avola. He joins the tour having been awarded the “Debussy Special Mention” as most distinguished musician at the IBLA Grand Prize Competition. • Japanese violinist Momoko Arima. She joins the tour having been awarded ‘Outstanding Musician’, ‘Wieniawski Special Mention’ and the ‘Grace M Susino Memorial Award’ at the IBLA Competition. • Accordianist Ghenadie Rotarie of Modova and pianist Valentina Vargiu of Italy join the tour as winners of the 2017 IBLA Grand Prize Most Distinguished Musician Recipients. Admission is free and all are welcome. On Friday, April 27, 2018 at 10:00 am they will hold a master class at the same location. Later, on Friday the 27th you can meet and enjoy these artists at the amazing outdoor setting of Giles Mountain Vineyard and Winery in Staffordsville, with performances beginning at 6:00 pm. The final concert before leaving Virginia will be at Calvary Baptist Church of Roanoke on Saturday, April 28th at 5:00 pm. The IBLA Grand Prize Performance Tour will conclude at New York City’s Carnegie Hall where tickets are selling for $300.00 each. However, those attending the Radford University performance and master class will get to see and interact with these supremely talented musicians for free. To view the event flyer, visit: https://i.imgur.com/TYlTokb.jpg. For any additional information please contact: IBLA Virginia Director Shannon Dillon at skdillon5@gmail.com or the 2018 IBLA SCHOLAR Jamee Jordan at jjordan35@email.radford.edu or visit: http://www.radford.edu/content/cvpa/home/news/Releases/Award-winning-international-concert-performers-kick-off-US-tour-with-free-Radford-appearance.html. |