By Jackie Letizia Staff writer
On Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m., Robert Mirabal will perform with ETHEL string quartet in the Degenstein Theater.
Mirabal, who is a two-time Grammy winner and a well-known Native American musician, and ETHEL, a classical string quartet, will come to Susquehanna and perform their program called The River.
According to Marcos Krieger, associate professor of music, this program explores the connections between water, music and life.
Susquehanna brought this group for several different reasons. Krieger said one of the reasons is that the university consistently tries to offer first-rate musicians for the campus and the community.
He also said the performance will introduce the Native American presence on Susquehanna’s campus.
Krieger said: “The Native American presence in our campus has not been [as] visible as it could and should be. This is a very important component of any discussion about diversity in North America.”
“By bringing this group, we hope to elevate the visibility of the Native American presence and contribution to arts and culture in America,” he continued.
Additionally, Krieger detailed that the theme of river is applicable to campus because of its close proximity to the Susquehanna River.
“The theme of their program is timely for us as we start new programs and initiatives connected to the Susquehanna River, and so is also the spirituality and initiatives connected to the Susquehanna River, and so is also the spirituality component of this event, as we expand our campus discourse on religious life and diversity of spiritual paths,” Krieger said.
In addition to the performance, Mirabal and ETHEL will work with the Chaplain’s Office and the Center for Intercultural and Community Engagement to host a Let’s Talk lunch on Nov. 15.
At the Let’s Talk lunch, they will discuss the interaction between American and Native American cultures. Krieger also said that they will talk about how these two cultures can work together to develop solutions for marrying their traditional music in a creative way.
The lunch will take place on Nov. 15 from 11:35 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. in Shearer Dining Rooms 1 and 2 in the Degenstein Campus Center. There is limited seating available.
Tickets for the concert are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $5 for non-Susquehanna students. Tickets are free for Susquehanna students.
According to the Office of Events Management website, this performance received funding from the Mid Atlantic Tours program of the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation and also received support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
