Go For Baroque Presents Route 66: Go For Barbeque

September 14, 2009

It's a common thread running through the richly textured fabric of Oklahoma history: the storied "Mother Road" of Route 66. Persons from all walks of life traverse this stretch of road, which is given life by the Go for Baroque ensemble as it performs the eclectic program "Route 66: Go For Barbeque."

Oklahoma Baptist University will host Go for Baroque on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 7:30 p.m. in Raley Chapel's Yarborough Auditorium. The concert is free, and the public is invited to attend.

Members of the ensemble will present a pre-concert lecture and discussion about their music from 6:45-7:15 p.m. in Yarborough Auditorium. The lecture is also free and open to the public.

Featured works of the concert trace the various musical, ethnic and cultural influences as they pertain to Route 66 and its role in Oklahoma's vibrant history. A fun-filled evening for young and old alike will include folk melodies such as "My Spirit Be Joyful" by J.S. Bach, "Solace, A Mexican Serenade" by Scott Joplin, and "Young Man Going West" by Peter Schickele.

After nearly two decades, the accomplished sextet Go for Baroque has been recognized as the premiere chamber music ensemble in the State of Oklahoma. Go for Baroque entertains, enlightens and engages the audience by sharing informal anecdotes about the music being performed and the musicians performing it.

The sextet features members of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic including flutist Parthena Owens, violinist Densi Rushing, cellist Jim Shelley, harpsichordist Peggy Payne and percussionist Roger Owens. OBU alum and former faculty member Steve Goforth, principal trumpet of the Bartlesville Orchestra, also performs with the group.

"We have a good time with our audience, from the fiddlin' on 'Back Up and Push' to the 'Black and White Rag' for Marimba," said Payne, who also manages the group. "Go for barbeque, Go for Baroque, and go to the concert, and you'll be going home happy!"

For more information, visit www.goforbaroque.org or call the OBU music department at (405) 878-2305.