Star tenor of world opera and Grammy Award winner, George Shirley is a legendary performer. A Medal of the Arts recipient – our nation’s highest accolade for artists – and already in Opera America’s Hall of fame, Professor Shirley receives a Lifetime Achievement Medal on February 27 at THE pARTy!, Creative Washtenaw’s signature benefit event. He joins "creative:impact" host Deb Polich, and they talk about his life and career.
Concord Community Music School’s Bach’s Lunch series returns for the 2021-22 season, with David Ripley’s lecture, “The Birth of Art Song,” on Nov. 4, and “Faces of Love – A Song Recital” with faculty members Petra Pacaric and Kathy Southworth on Nov..
A classical musician in a class of his own, John Wustman was on the receiving end of a sweet-sounding surprise Sunday.
On the cusp of turning 90, the renowned accompanist stood outside his front door on South Lincoln Avenue in Urbana as fellow masked members of Hessel Park Christian Reformed Church belted out Christmas carols and âHappy Birthday.â
âItâs like the whole church is here,â said Wustman, whose birthday falls on Christmas.
Wustman, a professor emeritus at the UI, is a big deal who has played alongside major artists, among them Luciano Pavarotti. But at church, heâs a regular Joe who volunteers whenever and wherever needed.