New GVSU music professor and Van Cliburn medalist Aviram Reichert opens the fall sememster concert season with a concert tonight, as the campus community continues to hold events related to Tuesday's terrorist attacks.
When Reichert won a medal in the 10th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 1997, his life became a whirlwind of international concert tours. One of his performances was at GVSU, and he liked it so much her he eventually took a job as a music faculty member.
It was a very good audience, very appreciative and warm, Reichert said.
He moved from his home in Tel Aviv, Israel to Grand Rapids to begin a full schedule of teaching this fall. He will open the semester with a performance tonight in the Louis Armstrong Theatre of the Performing Arts Center, Allendale Campus. His recital begins at 8 p.m. and includes music by Schubert, Chopin, Scarlatti and Scriabin. It is open to the public free of charge.
As GVSU's emissary for the Van Cliburn event, Reichert will also introduce the winners of this year's Van Cliburn Competition, who will be featured in upcoming concerts at GVSU beginning in October.
GVSU is also continuing events today to help the community come to terms with the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on U.S. targets Tuesday. Events include:
- Noon-5:45 p.m., Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center: Red Cross blood drive.
- 4 p.m., 102 Loutit Lecture Hall, Allendale Campus: Head of the Middle Eastern Studies program and History Professor James Goode gives a lecture with a question and answer session on Patterns in the Middle East. The lecture is indended as a primer for those wanting to learn about Middle East geography, religion and history.
- 9:30 p.m. Community Gathering, Cook Carillon Tower, Allendale Campus: Led by the Campus Ministry, this event will feature non-denominational prayer, music, moments of silence for reflection.
People attending the Reichert concert are welcome to join the gathering upon completion of the performance.
