'Fireworks' to Enlighten Erie Art Museum Patrons

Brian Coughlin’s critically acclaimed Fireworks Ensemble, a small group classically trained in music, is coming to the Erie Art Museum this month with one goal: to fuse classical styling with contemporary music and jazz.

The group, founded in 2000, tries to get the audience to take away something unique and personal from each performance. Fireworks employs instruments like the cello, drums, violin, and even accordion, with more added or taken away as needed for the performance, and aims to be a “thrilling experience for all generations of listeners.”

Since its inception, the group has worked on everything and anything from classical cartoon music to modern dance hits globally. Fireworks has been touring around the United States each year, and have earned a spot at venues such as Carnegie Hall, The Library of Congress, and now, the stage at the Erie Art Museum.

The current program, titled “American Diversity,” attempts to blend each diverse genre of American-made music, from classical, to rock, bluegrass, and the origins of hip hop, to now. The program will include transitional pieces that aim to bridge the gap from the humble beginnings of each of these genres to their modern counterparts, to create an experience unique to the ensemble.

Fireworks comes to the museum Thursday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. Doors will be open at 6, and while admission is free, donations of $20 or more are encouraged.

In addition to the Fireworks Ensemble, the Erie Art Museum and its collection of over 8,000 objects is open year-round, Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, from 1 to 5 p.m., with school tours and education programs available.

The Contemporary Music Series, representing everything, by everyone, will also take place this season, along with the two-day Blues & Jazz Festival. The museum can be reached online at erieartmuseum.org, or by phone, at (814) 459-5477.

Britton Rozzelle is The Arts Editor for The Spectator and he can be reached at ae.spectator@gmail.com.

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