By Lookout Staff

December 3, 2013 -- Santa Monica College will present a cornucopia of concerts this month, including a performance under the expert baton of Kevin McKeown.

McKeown, the wind ensemble conductor, not the Council member, will lead one of seven concerts that include music ranging from piano ensembles to a performance of music by British composers -- from the German-born Handel (who made his career in England) to the British born Beatles (who launched their career in Germany).

The concerts -- all of which are held in The Broad Stage or The Edye at the SMC Performing Arts Center -- kick off Tuesday, December 3, with a Piano Ensemble Recital under the direction of Dr. Yulia Krasny.

The free concert at the 11:15 a.m. in The Edye will feature the college’s advanced piano students in a short program of piano repertoire.

The concert will be followed Thursday with a “creative and unique” performance of percussion music, covering a range of styles. Conductor Matthew Altmire will direct SMC’s Percussion Ensemble at the free concert, which will take place at 11:15 a.m. in The Edye.

Also on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in The Edye, SMC's advanced piano students will “reveal the uniqueness and diversity of four-hand piano and piano duo repertoire” in a concert “guaranteed to be more than twice as fun as solo piano performances,” according to promoters. Tickets for the PianoEnsemble Recital under the direction of Dr. Yulia Krasny are $10.

Following is a list of the rest of the concerts:

• Saturday, December 7 at 4 and 7 p.m. in The Edye the SMC Chamber Choir will offer up A Four-Course Concert under the direction of William Belan. Promoters promise “a tasteful four-course concert with appetizers, light-course, main course, and dessert as repertoire, selected with your listening delight in mind.” Tickets are $10.

• Sunday, December 8 at 4 p.m. in The Broad Stage, McKeown will conduct the SMC Wind Ensemble in a concert of holiday music that features the local middle school student who won of the annual SMC Wind Ensemble Essay Contest taking a turn at conducting. Tickets are $10.

• Wednesday, December 11 at 2 and 3:30 p.m. in The Edye, the SMC string ensemble under the direction of Dr. Martine Verhoeven will present a “light afternoon concert of delightful musical selections.” The concert is free.

• Sunday, December 15 at 4 p.m. in The Broad Stage the SMC Concert Chorale will present British Invasion featuring selected works by Benjamin Britten in honor of the 100th anniversary of his birth. The ensemble, directed by Jeffe Hulls, also will perform the first part of Handel’s Messiah, a tribute to The Beatles and a traditional audience sing-along. Tickets are $10.

Complimentary tickets for the free concerts are available at the SMC Music Office in Room 211 of the Performing Arts Center.
For tickets and information call 310.434.3005 or 310.434.4323, or visit www.smc.edu/eventsinfo.