Duo Allant Performs Sunday at the Center

The second of the 2010-11 Moats Enterprises “Sunday at the Center” concerts sponsored by the Defiance Community Cultural Commission will be held Sunday, October 24,  at 7 P.M. at the Arts and Media Center, 319 Wayne. The featured group is Duo Allant, a world-class flute and guitar ensemble recognized for their high level of musicianship and artistry. Series sponsors are The State Bank and Trust Co., Renovators Commercial, Inc., and Service Master. Event sponsor is Defiance College.

Duo Allant’s name  suggests “two going forward, continuing to grow.” Both Kathryn Thomas Umble, flutist, and Francois Fowler, guitarist, are university professors of music and have solo careers.  Known for connecting deeply with audiences, they have received glowing accolades for their exciting and diverse repertoire.  Their innovative programming spans over 400 years of music from Brazil, Japan, Canada, the United States, Great Britain, Argentina, and France.  In addition, they are enthusiastic exponents of new music and have premiered works composed for their duo.

Dr. Umble has degrees from the University of Michigan, Bowling Green State University, and Michigan State University and was awarded the Prix d’Excellence for Outstanding Musicianship from the Fontainebleau School of Music, France. She is professor of flute at Youngstown State University and has been on the faculty at several other universities and colleges. She is principal flute of the Warren Philharmonic Orchestra and has performed with the Youngstown Symphony and the Toledo Symphony.

Dr. Fowler has also performed worldwide and has won many national and international prizes, including the Guitar Foundation of America International Guitar Competition and the Presser Foundation Graduate Music Award. CBC Records released his world-premiere recording of a new work by Canadian composer Jacques Hétu. Fowler is also a faculty member at Youngstown State, where he maintains a guitar studio and coaches guitar ensembles.

Recent performance venues of Duo Allant have included Penn State University (Esber Hall), the Sunday Concert Series at Stambaugh Auditorium, the Dayton Classical Guitar Society, the University of Dayton, the Faculty Artist Series at Youngstown State University, and the Pittsburgh Music Academy.

In addition to their concert performances, Duo Allant is committed to reaching out to the community and the next generation of young musicians through university master classes and high school presentations.

Tickets for Duo Allant are still available at the door are $10.00.

October 24, 2010