January 20, 2023
Story by Joe Vinduska
The Barton Music Department will host the “Jopara Ensemble” as part of an evening of Paraguayan music that will feature a masterclass portion at 4 p.m. in the Chapel and a concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Auditorium Feb. 4. The event is free and open to the public and is fully sponsored by the Barton Foundation.
String area faculty from Emporia State University and Washburn University will lead everyone in an evening of music and cultural exchange. The masterclass portion will feature the guest musicians as well as Barton students and local community members. The night will culminate with a concert that will include collaborations from Barton's Keyboard Instructor and Director of Accompaniment Dr. Alejandro Avila with the guest musicians in different instrumental combinations featuring Paraguayan music.
Avila said that attendees will learn about string instruments technique and musical elements during the masterclass portion, in which students and community members will perform a piece and get feedback from the guest artists.
“We designed this event as a way to transcend barriers of music genres and allow everyone to become aware of and enjoy Paraguayan music with original arrangements made by the musicians of the Jopara ensemble but also for attendees to benefit from our guest musicians and their expertise from an instructional standpoint as well,” he said.
For more information, please contact Avila at avilaal@bartonccc.edu or (620) 792-9384.