The beauty of piano and the human voice will be explored in the next Pacific Artist Series concert at Fresno Pacific University. The performance begins at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, February 4, 2023, in the Warkentine Culture and Arts Center (Elizabeth V. Lyles Theater) on the main FPU campus, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave., Fresno.
“For the Love of Piano” will feature the music of Bach, Brahms, Schubert, Debussy, Rachmaninoff and Arensky as interpreted by the duo of Karen Madden, FPU piano instructor and director of keyboard studies, and Matthew Horton, university accompanist. Lending their vocals will be guest artists Sherah Moore Burdick (soprano), Kaylene Clark (alto), Aaron Burdick (tenor) and Joseph Camaquin-Vigil (baritone).
Karen Madden holds an M.A. in Piano Performance from California State University Fresno and a B.A. in Piano Performance from FPU. She has performed throughout the United States and Europe as well as locally with groups including the Fresno Grand Opera Chorus and Orchestra, Central California Children's Choir, FPU and Fresno City College ensembles, chamber music with members of the Sequoia Symphony and Fresno Philharmonic, and a previous Pacific Artist Series concert. Madden has maintained a private studio for two decades. A member of the Music Teachers’ Association of California, she was founding chair of the MTAC Fresno's Central California Baroque Festival.
Pianist Matthew Horton has accompanied ensembles throughout Europe, Asia and North America. Born and raised in Tulare, CA, he earned a B.A. and an M.A. in Piano Performance from California State University Fresno. He has taught at Fresno State, Fresno City College and Porterville College. Horton currently serves Fresno Pacific University as accompanist for Concert Choir, Pacific Chamber Singers, Women’s Chorale, Crosswind, San Joaquin Chorale, Opera at Pacific and the theater department.
Tickets are $15 for general audiences and $5 for members of the FPU community including Alumni ID cardholders. More information at fresno.edu/arts/music/pacific-artist-series or by calling 559-453-2267.
Special thanks for this performance to FPU piano benefactors Wayne & Laurell Huber and Larry, D.M.A., & Paula Warkentin.
“Emergence”
The Pacific Artist Series continues its 20th season with “Emergence” at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, March 18, 2023. This benefit concert will feature four-time Grammy Award-winner Eugene Friesen, also in the Lyles Theater of the Warkentine Culture and Arts Center Elizabeth V. Lyles Theater. Guests include world-renowned American gospel singer Theresa Thomason and pianist Joel A. Martin, first African American winner of the Cliburn International Piano Competition. Tickets are $35 for general audiences and $20 for students/faculty at any institution.
The Pacific Artists Series is FPU’s flagship cycle of concerts, bringing a variety of musical styles and genres to Fresno and its community. Notable performers have included Janai Brugger (soprano), Rong-Huey Liu (oboe), Francesca Dego (violin), Eugene Friesen (cello), Ruta Bloomfield (harpsichord), Andrew Funk (bass) and Del Sol Quartet. FPU music faculty and alumni have also presented concerts. The series was founded by Walter Biddle Saul II, D.M.A., music emeritus, and is now directed by Christa Pehl Evans, Ph.D., assistant professor of music.