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Callipygian Players, Ensemble

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Callipygian Players, Ensemble

Biography

Highly acclaimed violinist Martin Davids founded and directs the Callipygian Players, Chicago's premier Baroque chamber music ensemble. "A devoted Baroque artist and performer of considerable note" (Jack Neal, KUNR-FM), Mr. Davids is concertmaster of Publick Musick (NY), Bach Collegium of Ft. Wayne, Janus Ensemble, Reno Baroque Ensemble, Bach Chamber Orchestra, Bach Institute Players at Valparaiso University and the Musical Patriots (Ithaca, NY). He is principal second violin in Baroque Band, Chicago's period instrument orchestra, and with Brandywine Baroque (DE).  Other ensembles he has played with include Chicago Opera Theater, Washington Bach Consort, Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra, Central City Opera, Music of the Baroque,  and the Toronto Consort, among others.

Mr. Davids earned a Performer Diploma in Baroque violin from Indiana University where he studied with Stanley Ritchie. He also received a Masters degree from the University of Michigan.  Mr. Davids gives frequent masterclasses in historical performance practice and improvisation at universities including Northwestern, Cornell, and the University of Michigan. Mr. Davids teaches violin and viola at Loyola University Chicago. He performs on a beautiful Baroque violin by Alberti from 1750.

Equally at home in front of a harpsichord, organ, piano, or fortepiano, David Schrader is "truly an extraordinary musician ... [who] brings not only the unfailing right technical approach to each of these different instruments, but always an imaginative, fascinating musicality to all of them" (Norman Pelligrini, WFMT). Mr. Schrader performs with Baroque Band, Music of the Baroque, the Newberry Consort, and Bach Week in Evanston. He is a frequent guest on WFMT radio.

He has made numerous critically acclaimed recordings on the Cedille, Centaur and CRI labels. Mr. Schrader is on the faculty of Roosevelt University, Chicago College of Performing Arts - Music Conservatory and has also taught at the Music Institute of Chicago. Since 1980, he has been the organist of the Church of the Ascension. Mr. Schrader received a Doctor of Music degree in organ from Indiana University as well as the coveted Performer's Certificate. He received a Bachelor of Music in piano and a Bachelor of Music in organ from the University of Colorado.

Dr. Julia Davids is an avid performer and recitalist specializing in early music, having appeared with Opera Atelier, the Vancouver Cantata Singers, the Toronto Chamber Choir, the Toronto Consort, the Guelph Chamber Choir, the Aradia Ensemble, and the Publick Musick. Recent solo engagements include with the University of Illinois Chicago Chorus and Handel's Messiah with the St. Cecelia Singers.

Julia is on faculty at Loyola University where she teaches voice, conducting and conducts the Chorus. She serves as Director of Music Ministries at Trinity United Methodist Church, Wilmette. She is also the new Artistic Director of the North Shore Choral Society.  As Artistic Director of Canada's national professional choir, the Canadian Chamber Choir, she has directed concert tours throughout Canada and has led numerous workshops and clinics for choral students and educators. Julia has degrees in education, voice performance and conducting from the University of Western Ontario, the University of Michigan and Northwestern University.


Performances by Callipygian Players

Composer Title Date Action
George Frideric Handel Sonata in G minor 02/02/2010 Play Add to playlist
Michael Christian Festing Sonata VIII 02/03/2010 Play Add to playlist
Henry Purcell Love thou art best 02/03/2010 Play Add to playlist
Henry Purcell Fairest Isle 02/03/2010 Play Add to playlist
Henry Purcell If music be the food of love 02/03/2010 Play Add to playlist
Henry Purcell What can we poor females do? 02/03/2010 Play Add to playlist
François Francoeur Pastourelle 02/03/2010 Play Add to playlist
Jean-Joseph de Mondonville Cantate Deo 02/03/2010 Play Add to playlist

Callipygian Players Concerts

Dixit Dominus
03/05/2011 19:30, Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Old Favorites Made New
11/28/2010 15:00, Chicago Cultural Center