Note: See end of release for photo availability.

Gemini Piano Trio to open Newman classical music series

CHAPEL HILL -- The Gemini Piano Trio has three players, of course, but it comprises a brother and sister and a husband and wife.

That’s because pianist Hsiu-Hui Wang is sister to violinist Sheng-Tsung Wang and the wife of cellist Benjamin Myers. The three will play music by Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Jean Françaix beginning at 8 p.m. Oct. 10 in Hill Hall at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

"We wanted to present a young, emerging group that we feel deserves notice and attention," said Dr. Richard Luby, violinist, UNC music professor and concert organizer. "This will be a great chance to hear a group at the beginning of what I’m sure will be a very successful career."

The trio won prizes in 1997 in the Chamber Music Yellow Springs National Competition and the Baltimore Chamber Music Awards Competition, plus its subsequent Year 2000 Winners Competition. In 1998, the Gemini was one of three chamber music ensembles chosen nationally, through auditions, for the La Jolla Chamber Music Society’s SummerFest.

"They will play two of the best loved works for piano trio and one that most audiences won’t have encountered, but that is user-friendly," Luby said. "It’s modern without being off-putting."

Cosponsored by the ArtCenter of Carrboro, the concert is the first of the 2003-2004 William S. Newman Artist Series presented by the UNC music department. The series, now in its 11th year, is dedicated to the memory of William S. Newman (1912-2000), a music professor, historian and performing artist at UNC for three decades.

Other series concerts this year will be by pianist Mayron Tsong, the newest member of the UNC music faculty, on Nov. 14; bass-baritone Richard Wistreich on March 19; and numerous music department ensembles and choirs presenting four concerts and a symposium April 16-20, collectively titled "Revisions and Rethinkings: A Festival on the Hill." Details are available at http://www.unc.edu/music/newman.html.

Tickets for the entire series and the Oct. 10 concert are on sale in 105 Hill Hall (962-1039). Tickets for Oct. 10 are $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and $5 for students. Oct. 10 tickets also are on sale at the ArtsCenter, at 300-G E. Main St., Carrboro (929-2787).

Paid parking will be available in the Swain lot off Cameron Avenue, behind Hill Hall.

- 30 -

Photo note: For downloadable photos of the trio, email info@geminipianotrio.com

Series contacts: Glenn McDonald, 962-1039; Richard Luby, 962-3763
News Services contact: L.J. Toler, 962-8589