John Astaire

John Astaire and guest vocalist Inga Swearingen will perform a recital at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 14, in Room 218 of the Cal Poly Davidson Music Center. They are collaborating on a song cycle project that gathers a myriad of songs spanning centuries and genres. Astaire will accompany Swearningen on the cimbalom, a Hungarian hammered dulcimer notable for its complex and haunting tonal qualities. The cycle, titled “Dear I of that Day: Remembered Songs of a Distant World,” includes songs by Schubert, The Beach Boys, Merle Haggard, and many others — separated by time or genre, but linked by mood and memory. More information on the calendar website.

Meredith Brammeier

Meredith Brammeier will travel to Vancouver, Canada, this spring to perform with Canzona Women’s Ensemble in the Tapestry International Celebration of Women’s Choirs, hosted by Elektra Women’s Choir. In addition to singing with Canzona, Brammeier will also conduct the ensemble in the Canadian premiere of her composition “To the God of Light and Shadow,” a setting of poetry by Bonnie Young commissioned by Canzona. Canzona will sing in two concerts: as a featured ensemble in “Choral Threads” on Friday, May 1, and as part of a 120-voice combined choir in the “Gala Concert” on Saturday, May 2. For more information regarding these concerts, please visit the Elektra Women’s Choir website.