Mount Mercy University and Five Seasons Chamber Music Festival have partnered to present two musical festivals on Mount Mercy’s campus, including the inaugural Mount Mercy University High School String Quartet Workshop and the 11th annual Five Seasons Chamber Music Festival.
“We are honored to welcome Five Seasons Chamber Musical Festival to Mount Mercy. The incredible talent of the faculty and musicians that Five Seasons will bring is a benefit to both Mount Mercy and the Cedar Rapids community,” said Mount Mercy Coordinator of Campus Music Gerald Kreitzer, Ph.D.
The inaugural Mount Mercy University High School String Quartet Workshop will be held Friday, April 5, on campus. The afternoon will include workshops for high school string quartets, individual coaching sessions, and an evening performance open to the public in the Chapel of Mercy at 7:00 p.m. This performance is free and open to the public; seating may be limited.
The goal of the string quartet workshop is to gather a group of ensembles particularly interested in preparing and performing high-quality chamber music in an atmosphere that is both fun and musically rewarding. This will also be a great opportunity for quartets to gain professional feedback just a week prior to the Iowa High School Music Association Solo/Ensemble Contest.
A registration fee of $100 per quartet will cover the cost of all activities, afternoon snack, evening meal and parts for the combined chamber music selection. For more information on this event, or to register, contact Gerald Kreitzer at gkreitzer@mtmercy.edu.
Mount Mercy and Five Seasons Chamber Music Festival will also present the Five Seasons Chamber Music Festival June 10 – 15 on Mount Mercy’s campus. This event will include faculty and interns for a week of workshops for musicians of all ages. Faculty and conductors from across the United States and Europe will lead clinical sessions and workshops culminating in three concerts for the public.
“The Five Seasons Chamber Music Festival has enjoyed the hospitality of many Cedar Rapids venues over the past 10 years,” said Festival Director Stephanie Wagor. “We are delighted to be working with Gerry Kreitzer and Mount Mercy University as we begin our second decade.”
For more information on the Five Seasons Chamber Music Festival, email Kreitzer at gkreitzer@mtmercy.edu or Wagor at fiveseasonschambermusic@gmail.com.