Baritone John Koch, who begins his 11th year on the School of Music faculty at Illinois State University, will present the first faculty recital of the school year at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, in Kemp Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.
Koch will by accompanied by pianist and faculty colleague Paul Borg, and will be joined by his wife, soprano Tracy Marie Koch, in performing the famous duet from Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci.” Koch also will perform works by Stradella, Poulenc and others.
In addition to his teaching duties at Illinois State, Koch has been a very active professional singer since completing his master of music degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in 1985. He has performed more than 35 operatic and 40 oratorio roles throughout the world. After he was the winner and earned outstanding reviews at the 1989 Montreal International Music Competition for Singers, he has performed leading roles with opera companies in Montreal, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, New Orleans, Madison, San Francisco and in Canada. He also has made solo appearances with the Milwaukee Symphony, Peoria Symphony, Illinois Symphony and many other orchestras.
Koch is noted for his interpretation of Orff's “Carmina burana” that he sang at Chicago’s Orchestra Hall with the Chicago Sinfonietta. Other recent performances of the Orff include the Caracas Contemporary Ballet in Venezuela, the Karmi'el Dance Festival in Israel with the Tel Aviv Opera and in Jerusalem, Chautauqua Institution, Cincinnati Ballet, Princeton University Symphony and Glee Clubs, the Southwest Michigan and Green Bay Symphony Orchestras, the Montreal Philharmonic, and the Canadian Ballet.
At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, violinist Sarah Gentry will present a faculty recital in Kemp Recital Hall. Admission is free. On Tuesday, Aug. 28, soprano Michelle Vought will perform at 8 p.m. in the Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall. Admission is $4 to $6.
