Entertainment

FSU hosts 2nd Annual International Music Festival

pexels caleb oquendo 2927080Music is often referred to as the universal language. Every culture across the world has a musical tradition all its own.

This international quality of music was something Fayetteville State University piano professor Dr. Amanda Virelles had a vision to celebrate in our own community, where so many different countries are represented.

Dr. Virelles was inspired by Fayetteville’s annual International Folk Festival and the celebration of rich traditions of culture in all its forms that it brought together. She began to imagine a similar festival that focused on music.

In 2023 FSU, with grant funding from the Arts Council of Fayetteville-Cumberland County, hosted a multi-day, multi-venue festival. In April of 2024, the 2nd Annual International Music Festival will bring together a variety of musicians to share the musical traditions of their countries of origin.

The festival will kick off on April 4 at 11 a.m. at Seabrook Auditorium on FSU’s campus, with a concert presented by FSU music faculty. The concert will include music by international and American composers. Following the Opening Concert, April 4-7 will be filled with concerts and events aimed at sharing music from around the world.

The festival will host several concerts at the Cumberland County Library Headquarters and in The Arts Council Gallery on Hay Street. Slated to perform are musicians originally from Uruguay, Cuba, Venezuela, Columbia, Czech Republic, Brazil, Korea, Russia, Ukraine, Argentina and Peru.

In addition to the concerts, there is an International Faculty/Student Fair on April 5 at 10 a.m. in the Randolph Jones Student Center at FSU, which will feature displays, performances and demonstrations for guests to explore. It will be an interactive and educational event.

In addition to the benefits of cultural celebration for the entire community, this festival also presents a unique learning opportunity for FSU music students.

As Dr. Virelles explains, the opportunity to travel to another country to learn music is a valuable one, but one that is not available to all students. This festival is an opportunity to “bring the work [of artists from around the world] to the students.”

Students will not only listen to the artists perform but will have the chance to learn from them directly. After the Faculty/Student Fair on April 5, there will be lectures and masterclasses presented by many of the featured performers.

Students will not only have the chance to be exposed to a variety of music but to learn directly from those musicians.

The Festival is made possible by funding from The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County and the work of a committee comprised of FSU faculty, staff, and students: Amanda Virelles, Jerrita Waters, Joseph Spearman, Sondra Martin, Jeremy Fiebig, Deborah Vazquez, Shawn McNeill, Zahra Shekarkhar, Shane Booth, and Brittany Fuller.

Anyone in the community is invited to attend the events of the International Music Festival, and many events are free of charge. See below for a full breakdown of events, locations, and prices:

April 4:

11 a.m. Opening Concert-FSU Music Faculty at Seabrook Auditorium, FSU $10
4 p.m.-Duo Guitiano & Friends at Seabrook Auditorium, FSU FREE
7 p.m.-Carlos Feller, flute; Mary Chung, piano at Seabrook Auditorium, FSU FREE

April 5:

10 a.m.-International Faculty/Student Fair at Rudolph Jones Student Center, FSU FREE
4 p.m.-Julian Croatto, guitar; Alma Coefman, flute at Arts Council Gallery FREE
7 p.m.-Milan Rericha, clarinet; Kristina Henckel, piano at Seabrook Auditorium, FSU $10

April 6:

11 a.m.-Gonzalo Aguilar, piano; Rodrigo Quintana, violin at Cumberland County Library Headquarters FREE
4 p.m.-Marcos Machado, double bass at Cumberland County Library Headquarters FREE
7 p.m.-Night at the Opera Theatre at Seabrook Auditorium, FSU $10

April 7:

5 p.m.-Festival Closing Concert featuring Cuban opera star Eglise Gutierrez at Seabrook Auditorium, FSU $10

 

To purchase tickets, visit the following site: https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/4386/seabrook-auditorium-fayetteville-state-university?performance_id=48277453&country=US&language=en

All events are free to Fayetteville State University students.

Fort Liberty to hold Easter Sunrise Service, March 31

pexels italo melo 2356140In a poignant celebration of faith and unity, Fort Liberty will host a sunrise service on March 31 at the Main Post Parade Field. This unique event will see nine chapels from Fort Liberty converging into a single worship experience, symbolizing the collective spirit of the military community as they come together to celebrate Easter.

This event welcomes all, urging attendees to bring their chairs and linger after the service for light refreshments. The atmosphere is not just one of solemn reverence but a coming together of diverse Christian denominations within the military community.

Chaplain Col. James Foster, a key organizer of the event, expressed his enthusiasm for the Easter season, stating, "I am excited to celebrate the Easter season because it unites Christians together to recognize the Resurrection of Christ and what He offers to give to those who place their trust in Him, and that we too will live with Him eternally."

This sentiment captures the essence of the event – a celebration of unity and faith within the military community.

As attendees gather on this hallowed ground, the words of Matthew 28:1-10 and Mark 16:1-8, embedded in the ceremony, will resonate. These scriptures, encapsulating the account of the Resurrection, serve as the foundation of the Easter celebration. In Matthew, the angel proclaims, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said."
In his gospel, Mark describes the awe and fear that gripped the women at the empty tomb, with the angel instructing them, "Don't be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him."

These verses encapsulate the core message of Easter – the triumph of life over death, of hope over despair. As the military community at Fort Liberty comes together to observe this sacred sunrise service, these words will guide the reflections and prayers, fostering a collective sense of gratitude and renewal.
Access to Fort Liberty is a prerequisite for attendance, ensuring the security and cohesion of the event. Those interested in joining can obtain a visitor pass by visiting https://bit.ly/3wN2g72. The process is streamlined, and free parking is available for all attendees.

The event signifies the spiritual bonding within the military community and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by service members. The Main Post Parade Field, a stage for various military ceremonies, now witnesses a different kind of ceremony — one that transcends divisions, denominations, and ranks.

Fort Liberty, a bastion of discipline and order, will momentarily transform into a space where the shared faith of the military community takes center stage. This sunrise service acknowledges the spiritual resilience that sustains service members through the challenges they face in the line of duty. "All are welcome" is the resounding call, and as the Main Post Parade Field becomes a tapestry of diverse uniforms, a sense of camaraderie prevails. The sunrise, symbolic of a new day and a fresh beginning, aligns seamlessly with the themes of Easter – a celebration of rebirth, redemption, and the unwavering hope that unites Christians worldwide.

The sunrise service at Fort Liberty promises a unique Easter celebration and a testament to the enduring spirit of faith within the military community. It is a reminder that the shared commitment to faith provides a foundation for unity and resilience regardless of differences or duty stations. So, as the first light of dawn breaks over Fort Liberty, it will illuminate not only the Parade Field but also the collective spirit of the military community, bound together by the timeless message of Easter – the triumph of life, the promise of hope, and the enduring power of faith.

As attendees disperse to their respective chapels, continuing services allow for a more intimate and focused exploration of the Easter message within the individual faith communities. The various chapels, each with a unique ambiance and tradition, offer a meaningful extension of the sunrise service, fostering a deeper connection with the Resurrection theme.

The chapels are spread strategically across Fort Liberty, providing convenient locations for service members and their families to continue their Easter observance. The timing of the services is designed to accommodate various schedules, ensuring that all military community members can participate and experience the spiritual enrichment that Easter brings. For more information about any of the services offered, please call the Religious Support Office at 910-396-1121 or visit http://www.liberty.army.mil/
Here are the details for the post-sunrise services:

All American Chapel
Sun 10 a.m. Sunday School
Sun 11 a.m. Worship Service** Live Stream
Thu 6 p.m. Men's Bible Study (Spanish) 2nd and 4th Thu

Airborne Artillery Memorial Chapel
Sun 10:30 a.m. HolyTrinity Anglican
Sun 11:45 a.m. Anglican Sunday School

JFK Memorial Chapel
Sun 10 a.m. Bible Study
Sun 11 a.m. Faith Community Fellowship
Tue 12 p.m. Protestant Bible Study

Pope Chapel
Sun 9:30 a.m. Worship Service
Sun 10:30 a.m. Sunday School
Wed 6 p.m. Bible Study

Gordon Elementary
Sun 10 a.m. Linden Oaks Fellowship

Main Post Chapel
Sun 10 a.m. Worship Service
Sun 11 a.m. Bible Study

Womack Chapel
Sun 9 a.m. Worship Service
Tue 12 p.m. Bible Study

Smith Lake MWR Park
Sun 10 a.m. Outdoor Life Church (May-Nov.) Live Stream
Sun. 11 a.m. Winter Hours
(Dec.-April)

Wood Memorial Chapel
Sun 9:45 a.m. Sunday School
Sun 11 a.m. Gospel Service Live Stream
Tue 6:30 p.m. Virtual Bible Study

Elevate your lunch break with enchanting chamber music

pexels tom swinnen 752535Get ready for a delightful musical interlude during your lunch break. On Thursday, March 14th at noon, the Arts Council of Fayetteville will be hosting a captivating Lunchtime Chamber Music Concert: Songs Without Words.

The Camellia Chamber Music Project is set to showcase the talents of Carlos Castilla (guitar), Megan Kenny (violin), and Holland Phillips (viola), all local artists. They will be presenting an exciting program of instrumental chamber music that draws inspiration from vocal literature.

The program, known as "Songs Without Words," will showcase compositions by Brahms, Schubert, Manuel de Falla and Johann Kaspar Mertz. This captivating program of chamber music will include unique adaptations of vocal pieces that have never been experienced before.

Get ready to be enthralled by this extraordinary collection of instrumental music. The primary goal of the Camellia Chamber Music Project is to offer and endorse live chamber music shows in Fayetteville and the neighboring communities.

Their objective is to captivate and motivate the audience by presenting a diverse repertoire of chamber music through live performances and educational initiatives.

The project strives to introduce audiences to the beauty and intricacy of chamber music while fostering an appreciation for this art form.

Through their performances and outreach efforts, they aim to inspire and engage individuals of all ages in the joy of chamber music. To learn more about them and their upcoming events, follow them on Facebook at https://rb.gy/trl7i1.

The Lunchtime Chamber Music Concert: Songs Without Words performance is free and open to the public and is supported by a grant from the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County and the North Carolina Arts Council. Learn more at https://rb.gy/wjmdh9, by calling 910-323-1776, or by visiting the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County at 301 Hay St.

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