‘Carnival Concert’ at the Hett to Benefit Children’s Hospital
Faculty Recital on April 4 by Pianist Joseph Welch
Lebanon, Ill. — Classical music celebrating circus animals, clowns and bands is the
theme of a recital by McKendree University music faculty member Dr. Joseph Welch on
Friday, April 4. It will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts
on the Lebanon, Ill., campus.
Welch, who is instructor of piano, vocal coach and accompanist at McKendree, has a
planned family-friendly recital full of humor, fun and entertainment for all ages.
Saint-Saëns’ “Carnival of the Animals” for chamber ensemble opens the evening, accompanied
by the poetry of Ogden Nash and artwork by students from local schools. It is followed
by Milhaud's “Scaramouche” for two pianos, with a guest juggler, acrobat and dancers.
The next piece, Lavignac's “Galop-Marche,” is played by four pianists—at one piano.
The evening ends with songs by Charles Ives, sung by soprano Emily Ottwein and featuring
additional special guests.
Admission is free but donations will be accepted to benefit St. Louis Children’s Hospital’s
Family Care Fund. Donations to the fund help families that qualify with some of the
financial aspects of having a child in the hospital. The assistance can be used to
cover insurance co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses or to assist with
the cost of prescription drugs. The fund also provides gas cards to allow parents
to travel to and from the hospital or money for meals while staying at the hospital.
Welch is an in-demand collaborator who serves as coach, accompanist and music director
for various opera programs including SIUE's Opera-tion Outreach, ISU’s Midwest Institute
of Opera, and Marble City Opera in Knoxville, Tenn. A versatile performer, he is at
home in song recital, chamber music and concerto performances, such as his recent
appearance with Heartland Symphony Orchestra in Brainerd, Minn., for Gershwin’s “Rhapsody
in Blue.”
As a follow-up event to the recital, Welch will give a piano master class for advanced
pianists on Tuesday, April 8 at 6 p.m. For information or to register, contact jdwelch@mckendree.edu.
-McK-
The Russel E. and Fern M. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts—“The Hett”—is Southern Illinois’ premier performing arts venue, presenting world class dance, drama, classical music and jazz. The 488-seat auditorium is located on the McKendree University campus in Lebanon, Illinois, 25 miles from downtown St. Louis. www.theHett.com
