University News

Feb. 18 Arts Performance to Benefit Area Homelessness

February 16, 2017

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MACOMB, IL – The Western Illinois University chapter of the American Guild of Organists will sponsor a fundraising performance to benefit homeless people and families in the Macomb area from 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18 at the First Presbyterian Church in Macomb.

The church is located at the corner of East Carroll and North Dudley streets in Macomb. The musical portion of the fundraiser will be presented by WIU Music Instructor Linda Andrews, organist, and Anna Wagner, a guest pianist from Vienna, Austria.

Following the musical portion, a reception will be held in the church parlor. Light appetizers will be provided.

One of the highlights of the reception will be the viewing of photos Wagner has taken during the past year in preparation for the fundraiser. Pictures depicting those in need have been taken in Chicago and Vienna.

Free-will donations will be accepted and appreciated, and proceeds will be divided between local agencies that assist the homeless. Additionally, two of Anna's photos in post card format will be available for purchase, with the proceeds also benefitting the homeless. A signed copy of the program will also be given to those in attendance.

Wagner retired in 2015 after 40 years of teaching art song interpretations for the Department of Voice and Music Theatre at the University of Music in Vienna, Austria. Upon her retirement, she was also awarded the Medal of Honor from the university.

Wagner has recorded for radio and television and has played numerous concerts in various European countries, the United States and Japan. Some of her recordings are of Mendelssohn songs.

She has given master classes on "German Lied." Additionally, she performs chamber music with members of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.

On a recent CD, Wagner accompanied Wilfried Gottwald, clarinet, (Vienna Symphony Orchestra) for "Sonata for Clarinet," by Poulenc and the "Jazz Variations," by M. Garson.

Wagner's work as a photographer is also significant. Her project, "Kuckucksruf," brought together photography, dance, song, reading and piano, all brought about as a result of the end of World War II in Vienna and Berlin. Other photography and piano projects were "Fleeing Hitler" (2011), "Women and Fantasies" (2013) and "Schubert – who?" (2016). Additionally, Wagner has worked on various L.I.F.E. classes and programs with WIU Professor Emeritus Marietta Dean.

Andrews, a WIU alum, has been at WIU as an organ instructor in the School of Music since 2012. She has been the organist at First Presbyterian Church since 1995.

Prior to that time she held organist or director of music positions for various denominations. In November 2016, she was a featured guest performer for the "Friday Pipes Series" at Third Baptist Church, St. Louis, MO.

In June 2015, Andrews was a featured service organist for the Association of Disciple Musicians Annual Conference held at William Jewel College in Liberty, MO. In June 2017, she will present a hymn festival for St. Paul United Church of Christ in Pekin, IL.

In addition to playing numerous organ recitals, Andrews has been an organ soloist with the McDonough Choral Society and the University Singers. An active member of the American Guild of Organists, she has held offices for both the Galesburg and WIU chapters and currently serves as Dean of the WIU chapter. Linda has also worked on L.I.F.E programs with Dean.




Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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