Tom Dowling
(863) 297-1051

Two Award Winning Musicians to Appear in Faculty Recital at PCC: Sept 16

08/14/2006: Two acclaimed musicians and professors, cellist Derek Menchan and pianist Laurent Boukobza, will present a recital at Polk Community College on Sept. 16, 7 pm in the Fine Arts Theatre, (WFA) Winter Haven campus. Menchan is a PCC professor and a PCC Distinguished Alumnus. Boukobza is head of University of Central Florida’s Piano Department.

        The concert is $5 and open to the public. A special pre-concert event/lecture will be held at 5:15 pm. Proceeds will go to the PCC Music scholarship fund. Those attending the pre-concert event can enjoy hors d'oeuvres. Location TBA. $10 will be charged for this special event, which includes concert admission. A free reception is also planned after the concert.

            Menchan is a virtuoso musician who plays virtually every style and genre of music. He has performed extensively throughout the U.S., Europe and Canada. The 2005 recipient of PCC’s Distinguished Alumnus Award has studied and collaborated with many of the greatest musicians, including Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Robert Plant and Jimmy Paige. Menchan earned music degrees from Polk Community College, Florida Southern College and the Manhattan School of Music, winning awards from each institution.

            Boukobza is an outstanding Steinway artist and regularly tours the world. He has won first prize in several major competitions, including the International Piano Competition, “Radio France,” and the Forum Musical de Havre, in France. He has been in the United States for a little over a year and is in high demand as a soloist, chamber-musician, and coach.

            Menchan and Boukobza will present works by Brahms, Beethoven, Schumann and others.