An Evening of the Classics

The Plymouth Arts Center proudly presents an evening of fine performances in the semi-annual Joseph Sartori Concert Series, “An Evening of the Classics,” on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at 7:30 PM. The series is graciously underwritten by the Sartori Company. The concert performers are: Rachel Stoyke, flute, Plymouth; Dan Ognavic, piano and violin, Sheboygan; and Izabella Sand, harp. Tickets for the concert are $13 (tax incl.) for Adults and $7 (tax incl.) for Students. Children under 5 are free. Please visit the Plymouth Arts Center at 520 E. Mill Street, downtown Plymouth, WI; call: (920) 892-8409; email: info@plymoutharts.org; or purchase online: www.plymoutharts.org.

About the Performers:

RACHEL STOYKE grew up in Hibbing, Minnesota graduating from high school in 1974. She graduated from St. Olaf College with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education in 1978. Highlights from her college years included playing flute in the St. Olaf Band, spending a month in London with the band, singing in various choral groups, and singing in the St. Olaf Christmas Music Festival. After college she taught music for 2 years and then moved to Boulder Colorado where she participated in a 100-voice church choir, and in 1982 was Artist in Residence where she performed once a month. It was while living in Boulder when she went back to school and earned her Master’s in Library Science. Rachel moved to Plymouth in 2003 where she was the Reference Librarian at the Plymouth Public Library until her retirement last October. Rachel loves living in Plymouth, and enjoys singing with the PAC Singers, and playing flute in the Plymouth Municipal Band and Celtic Folk. The music selected for this concert are some of Rachel’s favorites that she has played throughout the years. This concert is dedicated to the memory of her father, Richard Stoyke, who was a Junior High Band Director and gave her a lifelong love of music.

DAN OGNAVIC is a Sheboygan native who has pursued a lifelong interest in music by teaching and performing in Sheboygan County churches, schools, care facilities, lounges, and for private events. Musical mentors have been private teachers including his mother Barbara, and Elmira Kruse for piano, his brother Steve, and Frieda Wambsgans for violin, and the Sheboygan Public School music instructors who provided inspiration and encouragement. Past Plymouth performances at the PAC have included “Scrooge…The Musical” and recital accompanying. Outside interests include humor, gardening, pets and travel. Mr. Ognavic is looking forward to performing at this program!

IZABELLA SAND from Maribel, is a classically trained harpist who has been taking lessons for the last 11 years. She is a senior in high school and looks forward to college next year where she hopes to continue playing the harp and participating in orchestra. Izabella said, “I enjoy sharing music with others and hope that those who listen find some sense of the beauty I seek to share.”

The Joseph Sartori Concert Series was initiated at the Plymouth Arts Center as a tribute to the late Joseph Sartori in honor of his musical talent and in appreciation of the Sartori Family’s generous contribution to the Plymouth Arts Center. “AN EVENING OF THE CLASSICS” made its debut at the Plymouth Arts Center in November 2008 by the group Ensemble `Eclatant, directed by Riley McKinch. The Joseph Sartori Concert Series is presented twice per year in April and October and is coordinated by the Plymouth Arts Center. Performers who wish to be considered for future concerts may contact the program coordinator, Julie Overby, by emailing info@plymoutharts.org

Jim Sartori, CEO of the Sartori Company, offered these comments after the very first show: “our dad, Joseph Sartori, while known primarily for his work with S & R Cheese/Sartori Company, for most of his life, was also known as a highly accomplished pianist. Joseph’s aunt, Ada Lombardi, an acclaimed concert pianist with the Philadelphia Philharmonic Orchestra, taught Joseph the piano, and especially “The Classics.” While he did not pursue a musical career, as his aunt thought he should, he did continue to play, practically daily, for the rest of his life. The Steinway grand piano used for “An Evening of the Classics” is the one our dad bought in the early 1960s. He played for his own enjoyment, as well as that of his family and friends. Many pianists who have played “Papa Joe’s” Steinway at the Plymouth Arts Center speak highly of its sound and feel privileged to have the opportunity to play such a wonderful instrument. Our dad will be listening to the concert, and the Sartori family is proud to be a part of “An Evening of The Classics.”