Adrian College presents faculty recital series posted 12/18/07
Michael Gartz shares his talent on the organ.

ADRIAN, Mich. - Adrian College faculty member, Michael Gartz, will be heard in recital on the historic Hutchings-Votey organ at Herrick Chapel on the College campus, Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 8 P.M.

Michael teaches applied organ and accompanies student recitals, studio classes, as well as Musical Theatre Workshop and Opera Workshop at Adrian College. He graduated from the Eastman School of Music with a Bachelor’s Degree in Organ Performance, and a minor in piano. Further studies were undertaken at Eastman in Musicology. He currently serves as organist at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Toledo. As a freelance accompanist he has worked both in Ann Arbor and Toledo for the past twenty years.

Also featured on the recital is Elizabeth Major who will be singing works by Handel and Chausson. Major teaches voice, Opera Workshop and Vocal Pedagogy at Adrian College. She is a noted soloist throughout the Ann Arbor and Detroit area. She has appeared as soloist with the Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor and Adrian Symphony Orchestras.

A native of Chicago, Major received her Masters degree in voice from Northwestern University. As a concert soloist, Major has appeared with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Sir Georg Solti, at the Ravinia Festival under James Levine, and on the operatic stage with Lake George Opera Festival and Connecticut Opera.

Major has taught on the faculties of the University of Michigan and the Israel Vocal Arts Institute in Tel Aviv. In addition to her studio at Adrian College, she maintains a private studio in Ann Arbor. Former students of Ms. Major are currently performing on Broadway productions and national tours of Thoroughly Modern Millie, Mamma Mia, Lion King, Footloose, Hairspray, among others.

Gartz will perform Bach’s “Fantasia and Fugue in C Minor”, Rhapsody No. 3” by Howells, “Chorale in A Minor” by Franck, and “Symphonesque” by James H. Spencer. Spencer Hall at Adrian College is named for Dr. James H. Spencer who was the head of the music department at Adrian for 44 years.