Posted by Mary WImberley on 2008-10-28

Classical guitarist Christopher Parkening and baritone Jubilant Sykes will present a musical journey through Brazil, Spain and the America's at Samford University Tuesday, Nov. 11.

The duo will perform at 7:30 p.m. in Brock Recital Hall as part of Samford School of the Arts' Davis Architects Guest Artist Series.

The program will include Gaspar Sanz' "Passacaglia y Canarios," Joaquin Rodrigo's "Canconeta," Carlo Domeniconi's "Koyunbaba Op. 19," as well as Brazilian songs "Cacador and "Boi Bumba," Spanish songs "Pampano Verde" and "Granadinas," and American songs "Ching-a-ring Chaw" and "America."

The performers will conclude with two spirituals: "Witness" and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands."

Parkening is considered one of the world's preeminent virtuosos of the classical guitar. The Grammy-nominated artist recently performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London and with John Williams and the Boston Pops in a nationally-televised PBS broadcast. He is distinguished professor of music and chair of guitar at Pepperdine University, Malibu, Calif.

Sykes draws on gospel and jazz influences to give a new dimension to his classically trained baritone voice. During the 2008-09 season, he will perform as guest soloist with the Pacific Symphony and will join the Baltimore Symphony for a tour of Bernstein's Mass at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall.

The Samford performance is one of several duo recitals for the two artists this season. While at the school, they will share with students about performance, Christianity and success in the music business.

Admission is $20 adult, $15 senior and $10 student/child. For information: (205) 726-2851. To purchase tickets: www.samfordartstickets.com.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.