Nicholas Walker

Hi Friends. Two fun concerts coming up this week: Thursday night, May 3rd the Ithaca College Period Instrument Performance Ensemble (The IC PIP Ensemble) which specializes in music from the Western cannon proceeding 1800 will perform in Hockett recital hall at 7:00 pm. We use replica instruments of the time period, and play with an historically informed sensibility derived through research into primary sources, and the use of facsimiles of extant manuscripts and first printings. This semester we are performing lively works from four composers: Franz Tunder (1614 – 1667), Ach Herr, lass deine liebe Engelein, and Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme; Samuel Scheidt (1587 – 1654), Three Paduan's from Ludi Musici; Georg Christoph Wagenseil (1715-1777), WV 445/3 Quartet for three cellos and contra bass, and Antonio Bertali (1605-1669) - Chiacona in C major.

Then on Friday May 4th at 8:00 pm I'll be playing with Greg Evans, Mike Titlebaum, Cathy Gale and The LeBeouf Brothers at the Carriage House Cafe in Ithaca 8 - 10 or 10:30. Hope to see you at one of these shows.

Here is some information about some of my upcoming recitals:

Friday, February 24th, at 7:00pm I'll be playing a solo recital at the retirement community "Kendal at Ithaca", 2230 N. Triphammer Road, Ithaca, NY 14850. Carolyn Grossmann and I return to Kendal for a recital featuring my transcription of J.S. Bach's flute sonata in E minor (with Heather miller Lardin on Violone), a romantic Elegy by Giovanni Botessini, a languid tango ballad by Astor Piazzolla, Edge, by Peter Askim, and a new crossover concerto by Ithaca College composer, Dana Wilson.

Much the same program will be presented at 7:00 pm on Friday March 2nd at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 2000 Highland Avenue in Rochester, NY, with some program substitutions.

The following week I will be headed to Germany and France. I'll work with my teacher, Francois Rabbath in Paris, and pick up a new hybrid German/French bow by Boris Fritsch, then head to Berlin for rehearsals, then two concerts and classes at the Cloister in Michaelstein as part of Kontrabass-Kaleidoskop 2012.

I'll be back at Ithaca College for a Faculty Jazz Quartet concert on Wed. March 21st at 8:15 pm in Hockett Rectal Hall (a concert featuring our original compositions, including several premiers).

Monday, April 16th at 7:00pm, I'll play again in Hockett Recital Hall with Frank Campos featuring a program of unique duo arrangements on many treasured songs of the last century.

Finally, don't miss a concert by our Period Instrument Performance Early Music Ensemble in Hockett Recital Hall 7:00 pm on Thursday May 3rd. This will feature the music of Wagensiel, Scheidt, Tunder, and Bertali. Violas da gamba, and delightful singing and violin playing.

Hope to see you at some of these performances!

Here is some information about some of my upcoming recitals:

Friday, February 24th, at 7:00pm I'll be playing a solo recital at the retirement community "Kendal at Ithaca", 2230 N. Triphammer Road, Ithaca, NY 14850. Carolyn Grossmann and I return to Kendal for a recital featuring my transcription of J.S. Bach's flute sonata in E minor, a romantic Elegy by Giovanni Botessini, a languid tango ballad by Astor Piazzolla, and a new crossover concerto by Ithaca College composer, Dana Wilson.

Much the same program will be presented at 7:00 pm on Friday March 2nd at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 2000 Highland Avenue in Rochester, NY.

The following week I will be headed to Germany and France. I'll work with my teacher, Francois Rabbath in Paris, and pick up a new hybrid German/French bow by Boris Fritsch, then head to Berlin for rehearsals and two concerts and classes at the Cloister in Michaelstein as part of Kontrabass-Kaleidoskop 2012.

I'll be back at Ithaca College for a Faculty Jazz Quartet concert on Wed. March 21st at 8:15 pm in Hockett Rectal Hall (a concert featuring our original compositions, including several premiers).

Monday, April 16th, I'll play again in Hockett Recital Hall with Frank Campos featuring a program of unique duo arrangements on many treasured songs of the last century.

Finally, don't miss a concert by our Period Instrument Performance Early music Ensemble at 7:00 pm in Hockett Recital Hall on Thursday May 3rd. This will feature the music of Wagensiel, Scheidt, Tunder, and Bertali. Violas da gamba, and delightful singing and violin playing.

Hope to see you at some of these performances!

Recently we had A Really Fun Concert at Ithaca College! Billboard Hits of 2011 - Today's Popular Music

Creatively engaging today’s most commercially successful music through collaboration and improvisation.

Nicholas Walker, Greg Evans and Ithaca College School of Music faculty and students explored new contexts for 2011 Billboard hits by Postal Service, Beyoncé, Cee Lo Greeg, Foster the People, Katy Perry, The Shins, Bon Iver, Kings of Leon, and Adele.

This free concert was filled to the max, with extra attendees on stage, filling a roll of an impromptu chorus to maintain fire code regulations. It took place on the afternoon of Friday January 27th at 4:30 pm in Hockett Recital Hall in the Whalen Center for Music at Ithaca College. — at Ithaca College.

I'm glad to know someone is reading this. Sorry again to be out of date with announcements. More coming.

I have three solo recitals in Ithaca this week: tonight at Longview at 7:00, tomorrow at Bridges at Cornell Heights at 6:30, and Friday at Kendal at 6:30. Would live to see you there; please check with venues about available seats.   

I've just been invited to give a featured performance on the final day of the International Society of Bassists convention in San Francisco. What an amazing honor this is. I'm totally blown away. Hope to see many of my bass friends there. More info about the convention here and about the schedule here. I've got a really fun program planned, and I'll get to play with the amazing pianist, Bill Mays, something I've longed to do for two decades! This is going to be a blast!

I had a fabulous trip to Michaelstein Germany last month where I enjoyed working with outstanding students and faculty at Kaleidoskop http://www.kontrabass-kaleidoskop.de/index.php?language=en&hauptrubrik=2011&subrubrik=dozenten. What a special environment - all about openiness and resonance in all respects.

I'll be playing with the Ithaca College Jazz Collective Wed.February 16, 8:15PM in Hockett, Ithaca College. If you are nearby, please join me and these great artists:

Louise Mygatt - Singer
Catherine Gale - Singer
Frank Campos - Trumpet
John White - Piano
Peter Chwazik - Guitar/Electric Bass
Greg Evans - Drums

Hope to see you there.

Tonight at 8:15 PM in Ford Hall: Ithaca College jazz faculty Mike Titlebaum, Greg Evans, Catherine Gale and myself will be performing music of Thelonious Monk, Sting, George Gershwin and Irving Berlin.