UWG News Item
Contact: UWG Public Relations Office
Phone (678) 839-6464, FAX (678) 839-6645
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Walker and Ramsey Piano Duo
April 5, 2006
CARROLLTON, GA - The Townsend Center for the Performing Arts at the University of West Georgia will end its 2005-06 season with an exciting celebration of classical and sacred music performed by the Ramsey and Walker Piano Duo on Thursday, April 13, at 7:30 p.m.
Alice
Walker and Becky Ramsey, identical twins who began playing piano together
at the age of five, have performed all over the world and are well-known
for their musical expertise on piano and organ. Through the years of preschool
piano lessons, earning music degrees at Agnes Scott College and graduate
school, these musicians have become as inseparable as the black and white
keys on a piano.
The sisters will observe the Easter season by playing several sacred songs including their favorite, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” by Lowell Mason. This hymn by Isaac Watts was written in 1707 and is especially appropriate for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
Other works in the program include “Themes from Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin; “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by Johann Sebastian Bach and “Children’s Games” by Georges Bizet.
“One of the reasons we like to give these concerts is that people are so appreciative of these programs,” said Walker. “This will be a memorable performance for the audience and a wonderful way to prepare for Easter.”
The piano duo will perform in the intimate space of the Black Box Theatre on two Bösendorfer grand concert pianos. Seating will be placed six feet from the performers to add to the warm and personal atmosphere. The theatre has been acoustically designed to enhance the sound and should help make the concert a memorable experience, said Ramsey.
“There is a richness to these pianos that is different than playing on a Steinway,” said Ramsey, who grew up with three pianos in her family’s home. “We are so excited about playing on them. The sound will literally fill the theatre and people will love it.”
Ramsey and Walker, who are music directors at each of their
churches, have played some of the largest pipe organs in the world and
enjoy the potency of music as a great communicator between people.
“It’s so difficult sometimes to express with words the spiritual
side of things,” said Walker.
“Communication is so much easier with music. Music is an international language. It’s a language everyone understands.”
Tickets for the performance are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for UWG students and $3 for children. Seating is limited. Call the Townsend Center box office at 678-839-4722 for more information or to purchase tickets.
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