By Kathy Richards
An East Kentwood graduate, who makes up one third of The Moxie Strings, will be heading to the Van Singel Fine Arts Center for a pre-Patricks Day celebration.
Set for Thursday, March 15, Alison Lynn along with her bandmates, Diana Ladio and Fritz McGirr, will be performing at 7 p.m. The trio brings its high energy show filled with traditional melodies and rock-influenced rhythms in one unique concert. The group will be joined by the Byron Center Orchestra ensembles.
Lynn performs on a newly-invented, electric cello, and Ladio plays a contemporary five-string violin, both through a variety of audio effects pedals. McGirr is the percussionist wizard. This nationally recognized group is known for its unique sound and redefining strings’ role in contemporary music.
Hailed by The Grand Rapids Press as “top-notch, instrumental wizardry,” The Moxie Strings offer listeners the unique opportunity to experience several of the world’s best known musicians. The Moxie Strings compose the majority of their pieces and arrange melodies from many traditions, resulting in a genre-blurring blend of ear-catching melodies and foot-stomping, rock-influenced rhythms.
Soon after forming in 2007, The Moxie Strings members were inspired not only to perform, but also to teach. Having made the exploratory journey from classical music to a world of eclecticism and musical creativity, the three have now dedicated their careers to helping young musicians make this life-changing and transformative transition. The Moxie String clinics focus on musical self-discovery and the importance of incorporating socially and culturally relevant genres of music in the music classroom. They have taught clinics in more than 100 schools throughout the US, and also present on their research and methodologies to teachers at many music education professional development conferences. During most clinics, The Moxie Strings perform for students on electric instruments, teach music by ear, and introduce non-classical playing styles. The group has researched and created an innovative sequence of activities designed to introduce improvisation to classically trained musicians, which they employ at every clinic. The Moxie Strings deliver its message in a fun, accessible way, and stand before students as the illustration of the many opportunities that music holds. The musicians will conduct a daytime workshop with Byron Center orchestra students.
Tickets for The Moxie Strings, $12 for adults and $10 for students, can be purchased in person at the box office or by calling 616-878-6800, Monday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. For more information go to www.vsfac.com or www.themoxiestrings.com. Tickets will be available at the door.
The Van Singel Fine Arts Center is located at the east end of the Byron Center High School complex, located at 8500 Burlingame SW, 84th Street and Burlingame SW, in Byron Center, just 1.5 miles west of US-131 and only 15 minutes south of Grand Rapids. The Van Singel Fine Arts Center features free, easy parking and curbside handicap parking is available.
