Musical couple share their story in Dec. 6 Afternoon Sabbatical

GOSHEN, Ind. – Talented individual musicians, spouses Solomia Soroka, violinist, and Arthur Greene, pianist, will combine their musical talents in a unique Afternoon Sabbatical presentation at Goshen College on Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. in Sauder Concert Hall in the Music Center.

Soroka, assistant professor of music at Goshen College, and Greene, professor of piano at the University of Michigan, will present “Our Life and Music,” which will include a musical performance and introduction to their lives in music.

The musical portion of the duo’s presentation will consist of a collection of short pieces, primarily classical romantic pieces, from a variety of different composers. According to Soroka, the couple will then share their stories about finding their vocations as musicians; how she came to the United States; and how the couple first met.

Soroka said that the piano and violin are made for one another, as most violin pieces are written for piano accompaniment; therefore, Soroka and Greene have performed together many times. “I enjoy performing with my husband because not only is he a very good musician, but it’s also very convenient,” she said.

The duo, who have been married for about four and a half years, performed together at Goshen College in February 2005 as part of the Faculty Recital Series, and afterward were asked to perform and talk about their musical and marital partnership for the Afternoon Sabbatical Series. “You can expect a relaxing, pleasant afternoon,” said Soroka.

Soroka joined the Goshen College music faculty as assistant professor of music in 2004; she teaches applied violin and viola, chamber music, advanced music theory and music literature classes. Born in the Ukraine, Soroka made her solo debut with the Lviv Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of 10. She completed graduate and post-graduate studies at the National Music Academy of Ukraine, and holds a doctorate in musical arts earned at Eastman School of Music, Rochester, N.Y. She has appeared as soloist and chamber musician in Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Italy and the Ukraine. The winner of top prizes in three prestigious international violin competitions, Soroka was artist-in-residence at Australia’s James Cook University from 1994 to 1997, and has been selected to perform the Australian and American premieres of several important contemporary Ukrainian compositions for violin.

Greene, current professor of piano and former chair of the University of Michigan’s Piano Department, Ann Arbor, Mich., has won acclaim in concert halls and competitions throughout the world for his dynamic and personal performances. Greene took the gold medals in the William Kapell and Gina Bachauer International Piano Competitions, and he was a top laureate at the Busoni International Competition. He has been described as “a profound musician” by “The Washington Post” and “a masterful pianist” by “The New York Times.” Greene received degrees from Yale and Juilliard, and studied with Martin Canin. He has appeared as a soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the San Francisco, Utah and National symphonies, the Czech National Symphony, the Tokyo Symphony, the National Symphony of Ukraine and many others. He has given recitals in Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Moscow Rachmaninov Hall, Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, Lisbon Sao Paulo Opera House, Hong Kong City Hall and concert houses in Shanghai and Beijing. He was also an artistic ambassador to Serbia, Kosovo and Bosnia for the United States Information Agency.

Future programs in the Afternoon Sabbatical series:

·    Jan. 28, Chicago Bus Trip to see “Little Women.”Cost: $99.

·    Feb. 14, 1 p.m., Sauder Concert Hall – “Women’s World Choir” with Deb Brubaker, associate professor of music

·    March 14, 1 p.m., Sauder Concert Hall – “Greece – Sabbatical Study and More” with Robert Birkey, director and professor of social work

·    April 11, 12 p.m., Church Fellowship Hall – “International Lunch: Peru – A Land of Contrasts” with Dean Rhodes, associate professor of Spanish, and Janette Yoder, director of special events. Cost: $20.

·    May 16 – Bus tour to Meijer Gardens and Ford Museum. Cost: $45.

- Jennifer Rupp

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a four-year residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu/.