Grammy Award-winning percussionist Steve Fidyk will christen the 750-seat River Common amphitheater - Wilkes-Barre's newest entertainment venue - with a free concert at 7 p.m. tonight.
Fidyk will play with Wyoming Seminary Performing Arts Institute's Faculty Jazz Ensemble.
Fidyk, who has made more than 30 recordings, is a drummer with the Army Blues Jazz Ensemble of Washington, D.C., and has toured and recorded with Maureen McGovern. Joining Fidyk will be veteran musicians Alex Noppe, Pete Johnson, Kyle Vock and friends.
Noppe is an associate instructor in jazz at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he directs the Jazz Ensemble IV. He plays with the Columbus-Indiana Philharmonic, the Terre Haute Symphony, and the David Baker Jazz Ensemble and has performed with the Lansing Symphony, the Jackson Symphony, and the Green Bay Symphony.
The concert will include low brass chamber music ensembles led by Michael Parker.
Parker has been the tuba player with the Monumental Brass Quintet in Washington, D.C., since 2002. As a member of the MBQ, Parker is currently on the artist rosters for Summit Records, Washington Performing Arts Society, Class Acts Arts, Living Arts Pennsylvania, and formerly with Young Audiences of D.C. and Virginia.
The accomplished musicians will perform at the River Common as part of the PAI's International Summer Program, which educates high school students in music, theater, and dance. Taught by prestigious international faculty and conductors, this intensive program prepares students for conservatory auditions by providing academic training and high-level performance experiences.
Joining the faculty performers will be PAI students Josh Fleming, Matt Johnson, and Gregory Townsend will support the concert experience.
Fleming (baritone horn) is currently going into his sophomore year at Sherwood High School in Olney, Md. and has been selected as a member of the Maryland All-State Band.
Johnson (tuba) is a 2010 graduate of St. John's College High School in Washington, D.C. He won the Disney World Solo Contest.
Gregory Townsend (tuba) is a 2010 graduate of Marriotts Ridge High School in Maryland and was awarded First Chair Tuba in the Maryland All State Bands 2006-2008, and 2010.
For information about this and future programs, visit www.rivercommon.org or call 823-2101, ext. 128. Find out what it takes to survive in the wilderness with no supplies or equipment at a free program at 7 p.m. tonight at the Nesbitt Park boat launch parking lot, presented by the River Common.