The University of Massachusetts Amherst will offer two concerts next week: the first features the school’s Symphony Orchestra, and the second includes performances by several jazz ensembles.
On Monday, Feb. 25, the university’s Symphony Orchestra will perform Jean Sibelius’s Symphony No. 2 and Brahms’ “Nänie” in the Fine Arts Center Concert Hall. The performance, at 7:30 p.m., is presented by the UMass Department of Music and Dance and will feature the Chamber Choir and Chorale on “Nänie.”
On Thursday, Feb. 28, the Department of Music and Dance presents the 38th Annual Jazz Showcase at 7:30 p.m. in Bowker Auditorium. The concert will feature performances by Jazz Ensemble I, Chapel Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Lab, Vocal Jazz Ensemble and more. This year’s showcase will also honor of one of the most influential jazz composers, Wayne Shorter, with works such as “Yes and No” and “Speak No Evil” from Shorter’s time with the Miles Davis Second Great Quartet, as well as pieces such as “On the Milky Way Express” from his solo career.
Admission to both these concerts is free for UMass students; $5 for all other students, UMass employees and seniors; and $10 to the public. Tickets may be purchased at the Fine Arts Center Box Office, by phone at 413-545-2511, or online at www.fineartscenter.com/musicanddance.
The Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum at Forbes Library in Northampton is opening a bi-monthly club to discuss books on American presidents.
The club’s debut meeting takes place Monday, Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the Coolidge Museum. The first book up for discussion is “An Imperfect God: George Washington, His Slaves, and the Creation of America,” by Henry Wiencek, copies of which are available at the library.
Organizers say the series, free and open to all, will focus on U.S. presidents and their time in history, as well as the issues and decisions that defined their administrations.
The book club is the first initiative of the revamped Coolidge Museum Standing Committee, which is recruiting new members to help strengthen the museum’s ability to develop programming, raise funds and attract visitors.
The Pioneer Valley Jazz Sharesseason continues Sunday, Feb. 24 with a performance bytheJosh Sinton Trio, featuring Josh Sinton on baritone saxophone and bass clarinet, Christopher Hoffman on cello andTom Rainey on drums. The show takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Northampton’s Community Arts Trust building at 33 Hawley St.
The Massachusetts-born Sinton is considered “one of the most accomplished baritone saxophonists and bass clarinetists in jazz,” according to press notes, while Hoffman and Rainey have extensive jazz resumes, having performed with multiple artists over the years.
Single tickets ($15) are available at www.jazzshares.org and at the door the night of the show.
