The countries of West Arfrica have united behind their rich musical traditions to form this unique ensemble. Comprising some 30 singers, dancers and musicians from the various cultures out of West Africa, this company combines the traditional rhythms, instruments, folklore and mythology of the nations of Togo, Senegal, Guinea, Ghana, Benin, The Ivory Coast and Mauritania to paint a colorful and exciting picture of the oral and musical practice of these diverse peoples. The ensemble was formed in 1970 with government support to revive West African folkloric music forms. The group today blends traditional West African melodies and musical styles with the musical stylizations of the Western World. Artistic Director Bamaba Dembele describes their music thus: "We play Manding music, part Mali, part Guinea, part Cote d'Ivoire; in short, it is West African music."

    To visit the Song and Dance Ensemble of West Africa's web page at www.cami.com click here.

    America's Dream Chamber Artists (ADCA) presents great chamber music masterworks, performed with energy and passion by an elite group of superb young musicians. Its 54-member roster represents an enormous diversity of classical music backgrounds and includes numerous past winners of the Avery Fisher Career Grant and international solo and chamber music competitions. ADCA members, graduates of top music conservatories, also perform throughout the world with the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and in many chamber ensembles. Their Oneonta program features Erno Dohnanyi's Serenade in C Major for String Trio, Op. 10, the Debussy Sonata for Flute, Viola, and Harp, and Dvorak's String Quintet in G Major, Op. 77.

Sponsored by Time Warner.

    Visit their website at www.adcany.org.

    Gaining recognition as one of America's finest professional male vocal ensembles, the nine members of Cantus enjoy a vigorous schedule of national tours, subscription concerts in their Minnesota home base, orchestral performances, innovative residencies, and outreach programs and recording sessions. In the US they have performed at the Kennedy Center, with the Boston Pops Orchestra and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Their international tours have taken them to Europe and Africa. The Cantus repertoire, reflected in eight CDs, spans many periods and genres, including motets, contemporary commissioned works, art songs, folk music, spirtuals, and pops.

Sponsored by Central NY Radio Group

    Visit their website at www.cantusonline.org.

    Its name derived from creation mythology found in Native American Folklore, the Turtle Island Quartet, since its inception in 1985, has been a singular force in the creation of bold, new trends in chamber music for strings. Turtle Island fuses the classical quartet esthetic with contemporary Amerian musical styles, and by devising a performance practice that honors both, Turtle Island Quartet has inevitably redefined the state of the art. TIQ performs widely in the US and internationally and has recorded more than 12 albums, including Grammy winners. Their Oneonta program will feature their 2008 Grammy-winning album, A Love Supreme, the music of John Coltrane.
Sponsored by WSKG Public Broadcasting.

    Visit their website at

    During its 39-week season, the 78-member Syracuse Synmphony Orchestra performs for more than 237,000 audience members through 213 full-orchestra and ensemble concerts in 17 counties throughout New York State. Founded in 1961, the Syracuse Symphony, led by a conducting staff of international caliber, has performed five concerts at Carnegie Hall, most recently on April 5, 2003, and was presented with the NYS Governor's Arts Award in 1999. For their April program, the Syracuse Symphony will ply Mozart's Marriage of Figaro Overture, the Korngold Violin Concerto, and Dvorak's Syumphony No. 9, "From the New World."

    Visit their website at www.syracusesymphony.org.

    Steeped in the Cape Breton tradition, the Barra MacNeils are one of Canada's premier Celtic groups. This diverse and talented family group has wowed sold-out audiences around the world with their captivating vocals and extraordinary musicianship. A Barra MacNeils live concert experience brings to the stage multiple lead vocalists, beautiful sibling harmonies, top-drawer instrumental prowess on a wide variety of instruments, dancing, storytelling, and Gaelic songs. Their ten CDs include a Gold album. The Barra MacNeils Christmas Special continues to be broadcast on PBS and other television networks in the United States and Canada

    Visit their website at

Acknowledgements

Oneonta Concert Association programs are made possible, in part, by The New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency. OCA is supported by the Dewar Foundation, the A.C. Molinari Foundation, and other area foundations. OCA is a member of the Otsego County Arts Alliance, funded by Otsego County Occupancy Tax Revenues and Wilber National Bank. Wilber National Bank is proud to support the arts and their contribution to our quality of life. For more information about events in Otsego County, call 800-843-3394.

Questions?

Call 607-432-0147 or 607-865-6540