World Music Series Kicks off With Celebration of Music of Russia

Submitted by Elmhurst College.

The Elmhurst College World Music Series 2015-16 will celebrate the music of Russia during its main concert on Saturday, October 24.

The concert will feature the music of Russian composers Modest Mussorgsky, Victor Ewald and Alexander Borodin, and French composer Camille Saint-Saens.

The concert features pianist Ani Gogova and violinist Samantha May, performing with the Elmhurst Philharmonic Orchestra. Special guest artists include the Niles West Symphony Orchestra Strings, the Elmhurst College Faculty Brass Quintet and the Elmhurst College Concert Choir.

Ani Gogova came to the U.S. to complete her Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and has made her home in Chicago since 2003, when she became the youngest faculty member to join the Music Conservatory of the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.

Samantha May received her Master of Music degree at DePaul University, is a member of the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, and freelances in the Chicago area. She is a former member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the DePaul University Symphony Orchestra and the Baroque Orchestra of the Cleveland Institute, and served as concertmaster of the Case Western Reserve Orchestra.

The main concert of the Elmhurst College World Music Series will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, in Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel (190 Prospect Ave.,www.elmhurst.edu/campusmap). Admission is $10 for adults and free for Elmhurst College students, faculty and staff with a Jay Pass. To purchase tickets, or for more information about upcoming concerts in the World Music Series, visitwww.elmhurst.edu/worldmusicfestival. Tickets also may be purchased at the door. Group discounts are available by contacting Joanne May at (630) 617-3620.

Elmhurst College is a leading four-year college that seamlessly blends liberal learning and professional preparation to educate the whole student for life in a global society. Approximately 3,200 full- and part-time students are enrolled in its 25 undergraduate academic departments and more than 15 graduate degree programs.Elmhurst College consistently ranks as one of the Midwest’s best values in higher education, according to U.S. News & World Report and Money and Forbes magazines.