Clarinetist opens Solo & Chamber series on Sept. 15

The opening concert of Pittsburg State University's Solo & Chamber Music Series will feature American clarinetist Jon Manasse. Manasse will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15, in the McCray Recital Hall on the PSU campus. He will be accompanied by pianist Jonathan Shames.

Manasse has distinguished himself as one of the foremost classical clarinetists of his generation. His solo appearances range from New York's Lincoln Center to 14 tours of Japan and Southeast Asia. He has been a guest soloist with many of the leading chamber orchestras, including the Amadeus Trio and Germany's Trio Parnassus. Manasse has recorded six CDs on the XLNT label, including two during the 2005-2006 season.

A graduate of the Julliard School, Manasse was a top prize winner in the 36th International Competition for Clarinet in Munich. Since 1995, Manasse has been an associate professor of clarinet at the Eastman School of Music.

In Pittsburg, Manasse will perform a program that will include works by Johannes Brahms, George Gershwin, Bela Kovacs and Carl Maria von Weber. Tickets, which may be purchased in advance through the PSU Ticket Office or at the door the night of the concert, are $10 for the general public and $7 for those over 65 or under 18. Full-time PSU students are entitled to one free ticket.

For ticket information, call the PSU Ticket Office at 620-235-4796. For more information about this concert or other concerts in the Solo and Chamber Music Series, please call the PSU Department of Music at 620-235-4466.

The PSU Solo and Chamber Music Series is supported by major funding from the PSU Student Government Association.

---Pitt State---