New Hope's Concordia Chamber Players Selected for Prestigious Astral Concert Series in Philadelphia

Astral Artistic Services of Philadelphia has selected the Concordia Chamber Players of New Hope to perform at the opening concert of  its 2001-2002 series in Philadelphia on September 28th.

Led by its internationally acclaimed and energetic founding Artistic Director, Michelle Djokic, the Concordia Chamber Players will present the elegant Faure Piano Quartet.  The work will feature Djokic, a world-renowned cellist and some of today's greatest chamber musicians including Calvin Wiersma, who has appeared throughout the world as a soloist and chamber musician and is currently a violinist with the Manhattan String Quartet;  Pianist, Gail Niwa, the only woman ever to win the Gold Medal at the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition and continues to thrill audiences throughout the world; and Christof Huebner, violist, who is a frequent performer at festivals such as Marlboro and Salzburg and is currently Artistic Director of the Walden Chamber Players.  Mr. Huebner also performs and records with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.

Since its inception in 1992 Astral has reached a variety of audiences exceeding 14,000 annually.  "We are truly delighted and honored to have been selected to help open Astral's season this year", said Michelle Djokic.  "The Concordia Chamber Players of New Hope continues to seek new audiences and Astral offers a unique opportunity for us to perform in Philadelphia with an organization that not only presents a highly acclaimed concert series, but also provides professional guidance to young artists", she noted.

The Concordia Chamber Players will be joined on the program entitled "Spotlight on Philadelphia II by the Philadelphia Singers, Lenape Chamber Players and Astral artists Christina Castelli, Clancy Newman and Andrius Ziabys.  The program will be held at the Trinity Center for Urban Life, 2212 Spruce Street in Philadelphia at 8 PM on September 28th.

Concordia will open its season in New Hope at the Stephen Buck Theater on October 21st at 3 PM.