Gager Concert Series

The Janet Lowrey Gager Community Concert Series is made possible by the support of the late Forrest Gager, in memory of his wife, Janet, who served as Sweet Briar’s director of public relations. The series features classical music from around the world performed by Sweet Briar College faculty and students, as well as guest artists.

In most of Latin America, if you’re by the sea, there is bound to be a place called Miramar very close by. It will typically have a postcard view of the sea – and if music is playing, chances are that it will be boleros: the romantic music genre that originated in Cuba at the turn of the 20th century.

When Puerto Rican singer Reinaldo Alvarez (Bio Ritmo) was looking to name a new project inspired by boleros he searched for something simple that would be familiar to Spanish speakers; a name that would reflect the humble poetry of everyday life. Miramar seemed perfect: a romantic snapshot of a place both close and far away from home. 

Miramar, the group, aims to capture that poetry through their music with new interpretations of golden-era boleros and original songs that infuse the bolero with a variety of musical influences. They are associated with theNuevo Romanticomovement and carry the torch ofBalada rockmánticaorBolero-Beat, a popular genre of the late 60’s defined for itsblend ofboleros with psychedelicfunkand rock music. 

The band is fronted by the incomparable singing duo Laura Ann Singh with Rei Alvarez and led by arranger Marlysse Simmons-Argandona, who alternates between piano and vintage retro organs. They perform as a trio up to sextet and often with the addition of a string quartet. This has led to regular collaborations while on tour with local string musicians.  Miramar was also a featured artist with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra for the 20-21 season. They are currently booking future dates with other orchestras around the globe.

Miramar has performed across the United States, Europe and most recently completed a two-week embassy sponsored tour of Russia and Siberia.  They are recipients of the MidAtlantic Arts Foundation USArtist International grant and have released albums on two of Brooklyn’s most famed indie-labels, Barbès and Daptone Records.  They have performed at NYC’s globalFest and Lincoln Center ‘Out of Doors’ and have been featured on a variety of NPR programs such as Tiny Desk and All Songs Considered.

The Janet Lowrey Gager Community Concert Series is made possible by the support of the late Forrest Gager, in memory of his wife, Janet, who served as Sweet Briar’s director of public relations. The series features classical music from around the world performed by Sweet Briar College faculty and students, as well as guest artists.

(Miramar photo by Chris Smith)

A duet of cello and piano will feature the music of Spain when Julia Goudimova (cello) and Anna Billias (piano) perform “Passion of Spanish Heart” in Mills Chapel on February 11, 2024 as part of the Janet Lowrey Gager Community Concert Series.Goudimova and Billias perform as the duoAnima e Grazia.

Full of fiery rhythms, passion and drama, the music of Spain has attracted and inspired musicians and composers throughout the world. In this concert,Anima e Graziawill explore beloved works for cello and piano filled with Spanish motifs and melodies. The audience will be treated to music of Eduard Lalo, Enrique Granados, Alexander Glazunov and other composers.

Julia Goudimova was born in Moscow. She began studying piano at the age of five and cello at the age of seven. She studied cello at the Tiraspol College of Music and the Belarus Academy of Music. Goudimova is a principal cellist of the Washington and Lee University Orchestra and a cello instructor at Washington and Lee University, Southern Virginia University, and Hollins University. 

Anna Billias was trained as a concert pianist at the Prokofiev State Academy of Music in Donetsk, Ukraine (originally the Prokofiev Conservatory of Music) and graduated with advanced degrees in both performance and instruction for piano. She received her D.M.A. in piano performance from Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, VA. Billias is Assistant Professor of Music at Sweet Briar College and Lecturer in Music and Collaborative Pianist at Washington and Lee University.

This event is free and open to the public. No registration is required.

 

The Janet Lowrey Gager Community Concert Series is made possible by the support of the late Forrest Gager, in memory of his wife, Janet, who served as Sweet Briar’s director of public relations. The series features classical music from around the world performed by Sweet Briar College faculty and students, as well as guest artists.