Museum Concert is Sunday, Oct. 5 The North Dakota Museum of Art will premiere its 2008-2009 Museum Concert Series with marimbist Naoko Takada at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, in the Museum galleries. She will perform a diverse program with works ranging from Johann Sebastian Bach to John Lennon. The Museum is located on Centennial Drive on the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. The Museum Concert Series, founded in 1990, is a celebration of classical music that brings performers of international repute to the Museum. It is the oldest chamber concert series in the region and draws a mixed audience of all ages. Mayville State University shares the series with the Museum, hosting their performances Monday evenings. Of marimbist Naoko Takada, The Washington Post wrote, “If you have any doubt that a solo mallet instrument can sustain your attention throughout an entire concert, Takada just might make you change your mind.” Naoko Takada was born in Tokyo, Japan. Her 2004-2005 season started with Paul Newman's Gala Event, where she had a stage with Hollywood stars Bruce Willis, Meryl Streep, Danny Glover and others. She appeared as a soloist with many orchestras, including Houston Symphony; China National Symphony Orchestra, Fargo-Moorhead Symphony, San Angelo Symphony, DuPage Symphony; Tokyo Symphony Orchestra; Tokyo Chamber Orchestra; Xalapa Symphony (Mexico). She had appeared in many mass media including WQXR (NY radio), WGBH (Boston radio) , LA Japanese radio, RTHK (Hong Kong radio). In 2003, she had a showcase concert at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention in Kentucky. In 2004, she appeared as a guest performer in the Belgium International Marimba Festival. She now resides in Los Angeles and Tokyo, where she works with private students in her spare time. She won first prize in the Young Concert Artist International Audition and also was awarded the Beracasa Foundation Prize. She had a debut at the Tokyo Opera City Recital Hall, Tokyo, 92nd Street Y in New York, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and the Gardena Museum in Boston. Her successful recitals were reviewed in many newspapers and magazines. Her other awards include first prize in the nationally known Ima Hogg National Young Artist Competition, the Sorantin Young Artist award International competition, and the Japan International League of Artists Competition. Upcoming concerts include Trio Verve, Nov. 2; ETA 3, Dec. 7; Stefan Hussong, accordian, Jan. 25; and the vocal ensemble Tapestry, March 22. The Museum Concert Series is funded in part by a grant from the Myra Foundation, with additional support by the Performing Arts Fund, a program of Arts Midwest funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes a great nation deserves great art, with additional contributions from General Mills Foundation, Land O’Lakes Foundation, the North Dakota Council on the Arts. Committed classical music lovers also contribute an additional $50 on top of their season tickets to become sponsors who share in the cost of bringing great music to the community. Tickets for the Concert Series are available by subscription to the series, or available for single concerts at the door or in advance at the North Dakota Museum of Art. Non-member tickets: $70 for the season, $15 per concert at the door. Member’s tickets: $60 for the season, $13 per concert at the door. Student and military tickets are $20 for the season, $5 per concert at the door. Children middle school and under are admitted free. Help assure the survival of the Concert Series by becoming a Concert Series Sponsor for an additional $50. Order your tickets today by sending a check or calling 777-4195. The North Dakota Museum of Art is located on Centennial Drive on the University of North Dakota campus in Grand Forks. Museum hours are weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Museum shop is open during Museum hours. The Museum Café is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with lunch served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. -- Brian Lofthus, Assistant to the Director, North Dakota Museum of Art, blofthus@ndmoa.com, 777-4195