Classical guitarist kicks off Second Sunday Concerts

The Second Sunday Concert Series at McHenry County College begins its 2010-11 season with classical guitarist Brian Torosian at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, in the MCC Conference Center, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake.

Torosian is an active soloist and chamber musician on guitar, lute and mandolin.

In addition to performing on the standard six-string guitar, Torosian also concertizes on replicas of a Baroque guitar, a Terz guitar and a 10-string guitar. Torosian's musical programs feature rare guitar masterworks from his vast collection of scores, well-known classical guitar favorites and his own transcriptions and arrangements.

Torosian will perform eight musical selections, including "Fantasie" and "Elegie" by J.K. Mertz; "Ständchen" by Franz Schubert; and "Souvenir d'amour" (Fantaisie Brillante), Op. 22 by Edward Bayer.

Torosian serves on the faculty at DePaul University and directs the guitar program of Northeastern Illinois University. He is a former music instructor at MCC.

These Second Sunday and other MCC concerts are free and at 3 p.m., unless otherwise noted: Oct. 10, The Chicago Brass Band Players; Nov. 14, MCC Faculty Recital; Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. MCC Jazz Concert; Nov. 21, MCC Concert Band and Chorus; Dec. 5 at 6 p.m., MCC Student Recital; Dec. 12 at 4 p.m., Handel's "Messiah" at the Raue Center, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake, featuring the MCC Choir and Voices in Harmony.

For ticket information for the Dec. 12 concert, call the Raue Center at (815) 356-9212.

A reception follows each Sunday concert. For details, call Michael Hillstrom at (815) 479-7814.