Ithaca College

The Ithaca College Concerts 2005-6 season, "Return Engagements," will bring past audience favorites back to Ford Hall. Opening the season on Wednesday, October 5, will be the Beaux Arts Trio, which recently celebrated 50 years of music making; the King's Singers will bring their a cappella magic on Monday, October 24; and the season will conclude on March 2, 2006, with violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg and pianist Anne-Marie McDermott.

All three concerts will begin at 8:15 p.m. in Ford Hall in the James J. Whalen Center for Music.

Season subscriptions to "Return Engagements" offer a 20 percent discount off single-ticket prices and are available at the following levels:

• Children, senior citizens, and Ithaca College students -- $24
• Ithaca College alumni, faculty, staff, and administrators; Friends of Ithaca College; other students -- $39.50
• General public -- $48

Season brochures, including a form to order tickets for all three concerts, will be mailed to past subscribers. Those who wish to be added to that mailing list should call (607) 274-3171.

The Beaux Arts Trio, which last appeared in Ford Hall in October 1980, is composed of pianist Menahem Pressler, who has been with the group since its founding in 1955; violinist Daniel Hope; and cellist Antonio Meneses. Chosen as Musical America's Ensemble of the Year in 1997, this renowned group's extensive engagements have inspired ovations in the world's major music centers. The Beaux Arts Trio's superb musicians, distinguished history, comprehensive repertoire, and expansive discography contribute to its reputation as a hallmark of chamber music ensembles.

Last appearing in Ford Hall in 1991, the King's Singers encompass an incredible array of a cappella styles. They have performed in a range of venues, from traditional concert halls to Shea Stadium and Windsor Castle, and with a range of artists that includes Kiri te Kanawa, Dudley Moore, Emanuel Ax, and Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys. Started in 1968 by six choral scholars from King's College of Cambridge University, the singers are renowned for their commitment to blend, balance, and intonation as well as their simple enjoyment of what they do. As the "London Times" put it, they are "still unmatched for their musicality and sheer ability to entertain."

Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg was last at Ithaca College in 1997, and Anne-Marie McDermott appeared just last season. Salerno-Sonnenberg burst onto the scene in 1981 as the youngest recipient ever of the Walter W. Naumberg International Violin Competition. Besides performances on the world's concert stages, she has been featured on CBS's "Sunday Morning" and PBS's "Live From Lincoln Center." McDermott is a luminous, boldly emotive pianist who also conveys great sensitivity and spirituality through her playing. She is widely celebrated for her expressive performances on the world's most illustrious stages. A highly versatile musician, she is at home with a wide range of repertory, from Bach and Mozart to Prokofiev and Rachmaninoff.