Aurora church to host Orion Ensemble concert May 8

New England Congregational Church in Aurora will host the acclaimed Chicago-area chamber music group Orion Ensemble.

The concert will begin at 7 p.m. Sunday, May 8, at the church, 406 W. Galena Blvd.

Guest violinists Roger Chase and Stephen Boe will join the ensemble for the fourth of four performances in a 2021-2022 series at the church. Parking is free.

The ensemble's program will feature Mozart's "Quintet in A Major for Clarinet and Strings, K. 581," and Borodin's "String Quartet in D Major."

The ensemble performs classical, contemporary, jazz and works of women composers.

An audience reception by the musicians in the church narthex will follow the concert.

Admission is $30, $25 for seniors, and $15 for students. Tickets are available at the door or at orionensemble.org.

The ensemble comprises Florentina Ramniceanu, violin; Judy Stone, cello; Kathryne Pirtle, clarinet; and Diana Schmück, piano.

Founded in 1992, the ensemble is recognized as one of Chicago's finest chamber music groups. With the possibilities inherent in its unique combination of instruments - piano, string trio and clarinet - Orion offers exciting interpretations of standard repertoire, introduces audiences to rarely performed masterpieces and inspires composers with commissions for new works.

The Orion Ensemble's innovative programs feature diverse works by composers ranging from Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms to William Bolcom, Chick Corea, Paul Schoenfield and Augusta Read Thomas.

The ensemble boasts a roster of superb musicians who have performed throughout North America, Europe and Asia, as an ensemble and individually in solo, orchestral and other chamber music roles. In Chicago, Orion presents a four-concert series in three venues, is heard regularly on the broadcast series "Live from WFMT" and appears frequently on the Chicago Cultural Center's Lunchbreak Series "Classical Mondays."

Call (630) 897-8721 for more information.