Bach’s Lunch Series to feature music, poetry and discussions

3:44 p.m., Sept. 26, 2003--Music, poetry and discussions of genetics and basketball will highlight the popular Bach’s Lunch Series this fall in Bayard Sharp Hall, located at the corner of West Delaware Avenue and Elkton Road.

The popular free public series, held from 12:10-12:50 p.m. on select Wednesdays, features presentations by members of the campus community.

Opening the series on Oct. 1 is “Music of the British Isles,” performed by flutist Laurie Baefsky and pianist/composer Jennifer Barker. The program will include works by Lennox Berkeley, Nicholas Maw, Malcolm Arnold, Jennifer Barker and Mike McFerrin. Baefsky is piccolo/second flutist with the Virginia Symphony, and Barker is associate professor of music at UD.

On Oct. 8, Mark Greene, new assistant professor of philosophy, will discuss “Genetics and Identity.” His talk will focus on the extent to which our genes determine who we are and the ethical implications of genetic influence on identity.

“The Music of Paul Richards” will be the subject of the Oct. 15 program. Richards, guest composer from the University of Florida, will present a lecture/demonstration featuring his own compositions.

On Oct. 22, the University of Delaware Gospel Choir will make a return visit to the Bach’s Lunch Series. This student group, part of the UD community for more than 20 years, has performed throughout the region.

Gibbons Ruark, a member of the UD English faculty since 1968, will give a reading of his poems on Oct. 29. He is the author of a number of prize-winning poems and books of poems. About his latest collection, “Passing Through Customs: New and Selected Poems,” the noted poet and critic X.J. Kennedy said, “Gibbons Ruark is a master musician; our common language, his instrument. You would have to sift through the life’s work of a great many poets to find another hundred pages nearly as fine as these.”

On Nov. 5, “Broadway Melodies and More” will feature Broadway tunes along with Bach and Vaughan Williams in a program for voice and organ. UD music student Amanda McDonald will be joined by guest organist Rudy Lucente, an assistant organist at Wanamaker’s Grand Court Organ, holiday staff organist at Longwood Gardens, a member of the Philadelphia Organ Quartet and director of music at St. Rose of Lima Church in North Wales.

Tina Martin, head coach of UD’s women’s basketball team, will provide an insider’s view of the season on Nov. 12. Martin is beginning her eighth season at UD, and last year her team finished with a 22-9 record.

UD’s Taggart-Grycky Duo will perform music from the flute and guitar repertoire on Nov. 19. The duo—Eileen Grycky and Christiaan Taggart—has won praise from audience members and critics alike. A reviewer in the Richmond Times Dispatch wrote, “Full of sparkle and personality, this duo should be heard again and again.”

On Dec. 3, Trio Arundel will present a program of chamber music of various musical styles. Members of the trio are oboist Timothy Clinch, hornist Cynthia Carr and pianist Julie Nishimura.

The fall series will conclude Dec. 10 with the popular “Carols for the University.” This program of music for the season features the Jefferson Pipe Organ, instruments and voices, as well as carol singing by the audience. “Carols for the University” will be repeated at 5:15 p.m.

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