American Chamber Ensemble in Concert on March 1, Honoring Memories of Founding Clarinetist Naomi Drucker and Violist Lois Martin

he Music Department of Hofstra University presents the American Chamber Ensemble on Sunday, March 1 @ 3:00 PM, celebrating the lives of founding clarinetist Naomi Drucker and long-time member violist Lois Martin at Helene Fortunoff Theater in Monroe Lecture Center on California Avenue in Hempstead, NY. This will be part of ACE’s 60^th anniversary season.

The program will include music for piano, clarinet and strings by Mendelssohn, Hurlstone, Beach, Dimmler, Steven Gerber and other works TBA.

The event will also pay tribute to two beloved members.

Violist Lois Martin, longtime core player of ACE and esteemed New York violist will be celebrated with the performance of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 which features several viola parts. American Chamber Ensemble Director Marilyn Lehman said this about her, “"The American Chamber Ensemble’s dear friend, colleague and wonderful violist, Lois Martin passed away. We will miss her beautiful spirit and musicianship, her warmth and laughter and wonderful contribution to ACE for so many years. Rest in peace dear Lois. We will miss you always."

Naomi Drucker, clarinetist and co-founder of ACE and revered educator and performer will be remembered with a resounding and reverent performance of David Holsinger's On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss. Dozens of Drucker's former students, colleagues and friends will join ACE for this very special performance. Marilyn Lehman said this about Naomi Drucker, “I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend, mentor, colleague and co- founder of the American Chamber Ensemble, Naomi Drucker. Naomi taught at Hofstra University for some 40 plus years and her loving teaching and devotion to her students will remain her legacy forever. I personally will miss her fun spirit, our music making and our wonderful and special collaboration with Stanley. Rest in peace my dear Naomi.”

Performers will include pianist and ACE Director Marilyn Lehman, along with violinists Eriko Sato and Deborah Wong, violist Todd Low, cellist Chris Finckel, soprano Tammy Hensrud and clarinetist and Assistant ACE Director Mindy Dragovich. Bassoonist Lisa Alexander will also perform.

Tickets are $20 general admission; $15 senior citizen (over 65) or matriculated non-Hofstra student with ID, and will be available at the door. For ticket information or reservations, call 631-242-5684 or 516-586-3433. 

Directed by Marilyn Lehman and assisted by Mindy Dragovich, ACE was founded in 1965 by pianist Blanche Abram and clarinetist Naomi Drucker. In residence at Hofstra University, the ensemble explores the great chamber music literature for piano, strings, woodwinds and voice and presents performances featuring world-class artists. ACE consists of the finest freelance musicians in the New York area and has been cited by critics for their superb presentations of chamber masterworks. Their latest CDs on Elysium are American Clarinet Treasures, featuring core members of ACE performing works by George Kleinsinger, Virgil Thomson, Daniel Gregory Mason, Elliott Carter, Douglas Moore and Gary Schocker, with guest artist Stanley Drucker and The American Chamber Ensemble Plays Peter Schickele, which features five of this modern master’s most important chamber works.

For the latest American Chamber Ensemble concert listings, updates and information, log on to http://americanchamberensemble.com/. Follow ACE on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/American-Chamber-Ensemble/150032171984.

ACE’s concert season is made possible by the Hofstra University Music Department, as well as by individual contributions. Music by American composer Steven Gerber is presented through a special agreement with The Steven Gerber Trust.