The Sunday Recital Series at Mary Baldwin University begins on November 3 with Duo Shockoe, a harp duo with harpists Colleen Thorburn and Jaclyn Wappel. They are presenting a Halloween-themed program “Nevermore: Musical Depictions of Mystery and Macabre.” The concert is at 3 p.m. in Francis Auditorium on the main MBU campus.
“In the spirit of Halloween, we have created a frightening yet stirring musical soundscape inspired by the legends, literature, and classic films of the season,” explains Wappel. Using combinations of two harps, narration, visual effects and more, this program features original arrangements and transcriptions, including J.S. Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, and world premiere medleys from the movies of Tim Burton.
Thorburn’s playing has been acclaimed as “full of spirit and sensitivity,” “engrossing,” and “winning.” She currently holds the position of principal harp with the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra in New London, Connecticut, and has performed with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, Virginia Symphony, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. She is a founding member of the new-music duo Apple Orange Pair with horn player Emily Boyer with whom she has premiered over 18 new chamber works. She teaches harp as a faculty member at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, where she also serves as an instructor of music theory and aural skills. She holds degrees from the Yale School of Music and the University of Illinois.
Wappel is an experienced performer, instructor, and published scholar. She is known throughout the United States, Europe, Hong Kong, Peru, and India where she has presented recitals, masterclasses, workshops, and engaged in other collaborations with international ensembles and composers. She earned her doctoral degree at Ball State University and currently maintains private studios in Williamsburg, Richmond, and Harrisonburg. Additionally, she regularly performs with area orchestras, including the Richmond, Williamsburg, Charlottesville, and Waynesboro Symphony Orchestras. Wappel is the instructor of harp at James Madison University, Washington and Lee University, and Southern Virginia University.
Single tickets for November 3 may be purchased at the door and are $5 for the general public and $4 for students and seniors (free for MBU students). Season tickets are also available. To purchase tickets online or find more information, visit https://go.marybaldwin.edu/arts/music/ or call 540-887-7294.
