Rachel Worby and the MUSE/IQUE orchestra perform three concerts at Caltech this summer. / Image courtesy of MUSE/IQUE
MUSE/IQUE celebrates its five-year anniversary as a counter-conventional orchestra with three summer concerts on Caltech’s Beckman Mall Lawn.
Conductor and Artistic Director Rachael Worby and the orchestra, based in Pasadena, have dedicated their Summer of Sound concerts to the music and influence of George (and Ira) Gershwin. Rachael is an arts entrepreneur, and her artistic vision shapes MUSE/IQUE, weaving dance and contemporary music into her “classical” programming with a host of diverse guest artists.
This summer’s featured artists include: vocalist Sheléa Frazier, two-time Grammy award-winning guitarist Laurence Juber, choreographer and USC Assistant Professor of Dance Jackie Kopcsak, dance prodigy Charles “Lil Buck” Riley, vocalist Ellis Hall (“Ambassador of Soul”), Los Angeles Spirit Chorale and vocalist Kenton Chen.
Read Culture Spot reviews of Juber and Lil Buck — you’ll want to see them at MUSE/IQUE!
CONCERT SCHEDULE & PROGRAMS
Saturday, July 16, at 7:30 p.m.
PERFECT/UNION maximizes conventional collaboration for thrilling new experiences, exploring how music, song and dance make a PERFECT/UNION for summer entertainment. The first concert in the series pays homage to the traditional duos and collaborations that have paved the way honoring George and Ira Gershwin. Experience the music of power pairs including Bacharach & David, Alan & Marilyn Bergman, Lennon & McCartney and more.
Conductor Rachael Worby and the MUSE/IQUE orchestra
Vocalist Sheléa Frazier
Guitarist Laurence Juber
Dance vignettes featuring:
Jackie Kopcsak, choreographer and dancer (USC Assistant Professor of Dance)
Daniel Wagner (Cincinnati Ballet / from Monrovia, California)
Joseph Hetzer (USC Kaufman School of Dance student / from San Pedro, California)
Cleo Magill (American Contemporary Ballet / from Studio City, California).
Saturday, Aug. 20, at 7:30 p.m.
AMERICAN/RHAPSODY melds together a dizzying array of genres including classical, ballet, and jazz. George Gershwin created a sound just as big and alive as America itself, and this program focuses on the music that influenced Gershwin and the music Gershwin influenced. Whether it is jazz or classical, we can hear the exchange of big ideas between these giants of modern music.
Conductor Rachael Worby and the MUSE/IQUE orchestra
Pianist HyeJin Kim (performs “Rhapsody in Blue”)
Dance vignettes featuring BODYTRAFFIC
Saturday, Sept. 10, at 7:30 p.m.
SUMMER/TIME reimagines Gershwin‘s complex, heartbreaking and beautiful contribution to the American opera, “Porgy and Bess,” in a musical storytelling of one of Gershwin’s most complicated works. MUSE/IQUE invites back director Matthew McCray to seamlessly weave the worlds of theater and music together in ways not yet seen or heard by audiences.
Conductor Rachael Worby and the MUSE/IQUE orchestra
Director Matthew McCray
Dance prodigy Charles “Lil Buck” Riley
Vocalist Ellis Hall (“Ambassador of Soul”)
Los Angeles Spirit Chorale
Vocalist Kenton Chen
All Summer of Sound performances are held on Caltech’s Beckman Mall Lawn, located at 332 S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena 91106. Free parking. Tickets (table seating) are available for purchase for $25-$200. For more information about tickets sales, including groups discounts, please visit https://muse-ique.com/events.php and click on events.