Schaafritz and Kennard open Covenant series with selections for violin, flute and piano

Flutist Kristen Holritz and violinist Josh Holritz are the duo Schaafritz.
Flutist Kristen Holritz and violinist Josh Holritz are the duo Schaafritz.
photo Pianist Sean Kennard will make his Chattanooga debut in the John Hamm Performing Arts Series at Covenant College.

The 2016-17 season of the John Hamm Performing Arts Series at Covenant College opens tonight, Oct. 13, with the ensemble Schaafritz and Sean Kennard.

The members of Schaafritz may be more familiar to local audiences as Josh and Kristen Holritz, violinist/associate concertmaster and principal flute, respectively, of the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera.

Josh Holritz has performed as soloist, orchestral and chamber musician in Canada, England, Austria, South Africa, Japan and 20-plus states around the United States. This fall, he joined the faculty of Covenant College as adjunct instructor of violin.

Kristen Holritz is known as a remarkably versatile flutist with "beautiful tone and vibrato." In addition to her orchestral responsibilities, she appears with the CSO Wind Quintet in schools across Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama.

Pianist Sean Kennard, making his Chattanooga debut, joins his friends onstage for an evening of Bach, Chopin, Grieg and Rota.

Kennard has won top prizes in numerous international competitions and has appeared as a soloist in orchestras across the world. His most recent recording, featuring sonatas of Domenico Scarlatti, is scheduled for release this year.

The John Hamm Performing Arts Series is named after former Covenant professor Dr. John Hamm and is coordinated by David Tahere, assistant professor of music. Hamm, who founded Choral Arts of Chattanooga in 1985, served in Covenant's music department for more than 30 years.

The world-renowned artists who perform in the series also offer masterclasses and opportunities for one-on-one coaching.

Other performances will feature the pairings of soprano Jennifer Poff and pianist ChoEun Lee, hammered dulcimer players Landrum and Humphries, and guitarists Petar Jankovic and Daniel Duarte. Tickets are free but must be reserved.

If you go

› What: Schaafritz and Sean Kinnard in John Hamm Performing Arts Series.› When: 7:30 p.m. today, Oct. 13.› Where: Dora Maclellan Brown Memorial Chapel, Covenant College, 14049 Scenic Highway, Lookout Mountain, Ga.› Admission: Free but reservations required.› Phone: 716-419-1459.› Email: music@covenant.edu.› Website: covenant.edu/academics/undergrad/music/john-hamm-performing-arts-series.Save the dateStill to come in the John Hamm Performing Arts Series:› Nov. 10: Jennifer Poff (soprano) and ChoEun Lee (piano)› Feb. 2: Landrum and Humphries (hammered dulcimer)› Feb. 21: Petar Jankovic and Daniel Duarte (guitar)

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