McPHERSON, Kan. — Internationally acclaimed pianist Ignacio “Nachito” Herrera will be the featured artist in the fall Lingenfelter Concert Series at McPherson College. He will perform a recital blending rhythm and soul on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Brown Auditorium. Admission is free.
The McPherson College Jazz Band will join Herrera to close the concert.
Known for his dazzling technique and charismatic performances, Herrera blends Cuba’s rich musical traditions with the spontaneity of jazz and the passion of classical music, creating a sound that is both exhilarating and deeply expressive.
Herrera stunned Cuban audiences at age 12 when he performed Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Havana Symphony Orchestra. At 16, he was invited to perform with famed Cuban pianist Ruben Gonzalez, a member of the Buena Vista Social Club, who inspired him to study Cuba’s traditional rhythms. Herrera has since performed in many of the world’s finest concert halls and at prestigious jazz festivals. He has received Emmy and Grammy awards.
During his visit to McPherson, Herrera will serve as a clinician and performer for the McPherson College Jazz Festival on Nov. 5-6. In addition to working with the high school bands, he will perform at noon on Thursday, Nov. 5, in Brown Auditorium for festival attendees, accompanied by the McPherson College Jazz Band. On Sunday, Nov. 8, he will perform with the Salina Symphony.
Admission to the Lingenfelter concert is free thanks to a generous commitment to McPherson College honoring Fern Lingenfelter. Lingenfelter, an alumna of McPherson College, taught piano in McPherson for many years to college students on campus and younger students at her downtown studio. Her son, Steve Clark, chairman of Clark Investment Group of Wichita, established the fund to support two annual music performance events, with a particular emphasis on piano.
About McPherson College
McPherson College’s mission is to “develop whole persons through scholarship, participation, and service” within a career-focused liberal arts environment. In 2023, the college secured an unprecedented $1B commitment to its endowment, marking one of the largest single endowment commitments of any small liberal arts college in the U.S. Nationally recognized by U.S. News & World Report, Money Magazine, and the Chronicle of Higher Education’s “Great Colleges to Work For,” McPherson College is renowned for its innovative programs. Its Automotive Restoration program, the first four-year degree program of its kind, made history when a student-restored Mercedes-Benz 300 S earned a class award at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance – the first time a student-restored car received such an honor at the prestigious Concours. Learn about all of its programs at www.mcpherson.edu.
