This year’s dates for the eighth iteration of Champaign’s DoCha chamber music festival have been solidified. DoCha will occur over the weekend of March 31 – April 2 at the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum Theater.
The distinguished festival will feature a lineup of acclaimed local and visiting musicians from the chamber music field, including several faculty members from the University of Illinois. All events are free and open to the public.
See the full press release below for a breakdown of the daily itinerary and other information. Find out more about DoCha here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DOCHA, CHAMPAIGN’S PREMIER FREE MUSIC FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR ITS
EIGHTH SEASON PRESENTING WORLD-CLASS MUSIC.
ENJOY GREAT MUSIC IN AN INTIMATE CABARET-STYLE SETTING OF THE
ORPHEUM THEATER.
March 31 – April 2, 2017
Champaign, IL—DoCha, downtown Champaign’s premiere free music festival, announces its eighth season, March 31 – April 2, 2017. The beautiful and historic Orpheum Theater will once again serve as DoCha’s venue for the 2017 festival. DoCha will transform this former vaudeville theatre into a cabaret-style, live music venue. Guests will be welcome to enjoy food and drinks at tables set up inside the theatre while listening to great live chamber music in an intimate and stylish setting. All events continue to be free and open to the public.
Committed to the idea that music can and should be enjoyed by all people, DoCha’s festival events will be fun-spirited, informal, engaging, collaborative, and educational. Tables and chairs will be set cabaret style around a centrally-placed stage allowing guests to experience the live music performances up close while enjoying food and beverages that will be sold at each evening event. The event is casual and we extend an open invitation to the entire community to join us for a relaxing evening of world-class music.
The festival will feature some of Champaign’s own world-class, internationally acclaimed musicians, scholars, and music educators as well gifted young musicians in unique artistic collaborations both within and outside the chamber music genre.
Highlights for 2017
• Young People’s Concert on Saturday, April 1 at 1 p.m at the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum featuring Finding Forms, Composer-in-training Wolfgang Amadeus Schmutzinberry has been commissioned to write some music for the local Pickle Parade. But, before he marches off, he needs to learn how to combine different melodies in clever patterns to create musical forms such as ternary, rondo, and theme and variations. Featuring Rami Vamos & Natalie Monterastelli. This program is Family friendly and open to the public!
• Gourmet savory and sweet snack plates prepared by Pekara Bakery and Bistro and wines* and other beverages will be sold by art mart at the venue.
*Pending issuance of State and local permits
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
All events are free and open to the public. All events will take place at the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum Theater in downtown Champaign: 346 North Neil, Champaign, IL 61820.
Friday, March 31st
7 p.m. Jazzissimo, featuring jazz greats Larry Gray and Jim Pugh, this duo will be joined by friends for an evening sure to entertain. Come enjoy original works and jazz standards by these world-class artists.
* Open to people of all ages.Saturday, April 1st1 p.m. Young People’s Concert: Finding Forms, a comical and educational musical. Family friendly and open to the public. Composer-in-training Wolfgang Amadeus Schmutzinberry has been commissioned to write some music for the local Pickle Parade. But, before he marches off, he needs to learn how to combine different melodies in clever patterns to create musical forms such as ternary, rondo, and theme and variations. Featuring Rami Vamos and Natalie Monterastelli.7 p.m. La Grande Bellezza, String orchestra Camerata Illinois with guest soloists Stefan Milenkovich, Dmity Kouzov, Megan Freivogel, Daniel McDonough and Michael Cameron performing masterpieces by Vivaldi, Bottessini, Puccini, Wolf and more. Please join us for an evening abundant in string virtuosity!* Open to people of all ages.Sunday, April 2nd5 p.m. Bohemian Rhapsodies, A celebration of works by bohemian composers Dvorak, Muczynski, and songs by Tchaikovsky performed by Yvonne Redman, Julia Fedoseeva, Dmitry Kouzov, Stefan Milenkovich and the Meliora Trio. * Open to people of all ages.DoCha’s 2017 festival is made possible in part by the generosity of community partners and individuals including the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum, Barham Benefit Group, Sullivan-Parkhill Imports, Koester & Bradley, LLP, BodyWork Associates, Dixon Graphics, Adams Outdoor Advertising, Pursuit Institute, Darrell Hoemann Photography, Class Act, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, University of Illinois School of Music and the College of Fine and Applied Arts.About DoChaDoCha creates chamber music-based experiences for all people that engage all of the senses. Committed to the idea that chamber music can and should be enjoyed by everyone, DoCha is fun, engaging, collaborative, educational, and its performances are free. DoCha began as a collective effort among University of Illinois faculty, students, community members, and friends to experiment with new and adventurous ways to present chamber music for the 21st century.For more information about the festival, visit www.docha.org.