Enjoy a fun-filled evening of American music! Soprano Michelle Mendoza and pianist Noreen Murdock will perform a selection of songs by Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, and other arrangements of American folk songs. SCO’s principal oboist Mitch Iimori, known as the “Ultimate Multi-Instrumentalist”, will join the program to play some favorite tunes on the banjo and guitar. You’ll even have the opportunity to sing along! After the recital, enjoy a reception of autumn treats – caramel apple bites, pumpkin pie, hot apple cider, and Starbucks coffee! Proceeds benefit the Salem Chamber Orchestra.

The recital will be held at the home of Slate & Davida Wilson in the Fairmount District in Salem (address available upon ticket purchase). Tickets are $25 adults & $15 students in advance; $30 adults and $20 students at the door if available. Purchase tickets at Travel Salem at 181 High St NE in downtown Salem, (503) 581-4325, or online at salemchamberorchestra.org.

Michelle Mendoza graduated from Willamette University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, where she studied voice with Allison Swensen-Mitchell. Ms. Mendoza performed with the Salem Chamber Orchestra as a winner of the Willamette Solo & Aria Competition in both 2005 and 2006. Ms. Mendoza currently sings with the Willamette Master Chorus and teaches voice at Keizer Academy of Music & Arts. Roles: Fiordiligi, Così Fan Tutte; title role, Suor Angelica; Countess, Act II of The Marriage of Figaro (Willamette University).

In addition to being Executive Director of Salem Chamber Orchestra, Noreen Murdock is an accomplished pianist. A graduate of Willamette University music program, she has participated in the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz (2007), was a staff accompanist at Willamette University from 2005-2008, and was the accompanist/coach for the Dramatic Vocal Arts (opera) program there. Noreen coached Willamette’s productions of Suor Angelica, die Fledermaus, Cosi fan tutte, and accompanied several opera scenes productions.

Mitch Iimori, SCO’s principal oboist since 2000, was born and raised in Kanagawa, Japan. He started playing the piano at age seven, and classical guitar at eight. Later he taught himself banjo and it has been his main instrument to this day. He reluctantly picked up oboe at age 13 by his older brother’s command. He graduated from Eastman School of Music with a Bachelor of Music. Mitch now plays over 50 instruments and performs at least ten instruments professionally (check out his MySpace page, “Mitch, the Ultimate Multi-Instrumentalist”). You may have heard him outside the SCO; his flute and clarinet are heard daily on OPB in the theme music for “Oregon Experience.”