PVCC to Host Baroque Music Program Featuring the Talents of John Bullard and Markus Compton

Charlottesville, Va. - September 18, 2024 – Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) will welcome back classically trained musician and banjo player John Bullard for a program of Baroque music, featuring piano accompaniment by Markus Compton. “Baroque with Pluck” will take place Friday, September 27, at 7:30 p.m., in the V. Earl Dickinson Building’s Main Stage Theatre, as part of the 2024-25 Fine Arts and Performance season.

The duo will perform pieces from Bullard's CD recording “Classical Banjo: The Perfect Southern Art.” Selections include “Partita in E minor” by G.P. Telemann, “Sonata in G minor” by J.S. Bach and “Concerto in D minor” by Alessandro Marcello. Bullard will also perform a set of his solo banjo transcriptions of contemporary composers and original compositions.

Bullard has dedicated his career to introducing the banjo as a new voice in chamber music. He was the first graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Music to earn a degree in performance with the banjo. Bullard has established a critically praised performing and recording career. “Absolutely enchanting,” writes critic Graham Rickson of the UK-based The Arts Desk.

Markus Compton holds degrees in Music Education and Keyboard Collaboration from George Mason University. He is also a Fulbright scholar, having studied German Lieder and French Melodie at the Musickvrein in Vienna, Austria. Currently, Compton is the artistic director for the Richmond Choral Society and serves as Director of Music and Pianist at Hebron Presbyterian Church in Manakin-Sabot, Virginia.

General seating tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. Patrons are encouraged to purchase advance tickets online at pvcc.edu/performingarts or by calling 434.961.5376 (major credit cards accepted). The PVCC Cashier’s Office, located in the main building, has tickets available for purchase during normal business hours. If available, tickets may also be purchased starting two hours prior to the performance at the PVCC Box Office, located at the main entrance of the Dickinson Building.

For more information, email boxoffice@pvcc.edu or call 434.961.5376. Learn more about the PVCC Fine Arts and Performance season at pvcc.edu/performingarts.

The V. Earl Dickinson Building is on the PVCC main campus in Charlottesville at the south end of 501 College Drive. Ample free, well-lit parking is available.

This program is supported in part by funding from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Media support provided by CBS19.

About Piedmont Virginia Community College

Established in 1972, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a nonresidential two-year institution of higher education that serves Central Virginia – principally, residents of the City of Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson. PVCC is one of 23 community colleges in Virginia that comprise the Virginia Community College System. PVCC is committed to providing access to a college education for all who can benefit, an opportunity for each student to reach her/his potential and excellence in all programs and services. Visit pvcc.edu.

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MEDIA CONTACT: 
Susian Brooks
Director, Marketing and Media Relations
434.961.6574 | sbrooks@pvcc.edu 

Department

Humanities, Fine Arts and Social Sciences Division