Sunday, October 27, 2013

REED PRESENTS RECITAL OF CLARINET FAVORITES AND SAXOPHONE JAZZ SELECTIONS

Ashland University Department of Music presents a faculty recital by Thomas Reed, Professor of Music and Music Department Chair, and pianist Susan Gregg on Thursday, October 31, 7:30 p.m., in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall located down the hall from Hugo Young Theatre in the Center for the Arts.  The concert is free and open to the public.

The recital begins with Dr. Reed on clarinet performing pieces including one of Witold Lutoslawski's most popular works Dance Preludes which is based on Polish folk dances, and Camille St. Saens' cherished Sonate for Clarinet. After a brief intermission, Dr. Reed will switch to the saxophone for jazz selections with Lanny Gooding, piano; Tim Powell, bass; Rich Moore, drums; Scott Garlock, trombone; and Amanda Bekeny, trumpet. Music may include Nica's Dream, The Nearness of You, Samba de Orfeu, Too Close for Comfort, 4:30 Blues, and Jumpin' at the Woodside.

Dr. Reed joined the Ashland University faculty in 1986. He is a member of the Akron Symphony and Ashland Symphony, was a long-time member of the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, and has performed on clarinet or saxophone with the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Blossom Festival Orchestra, Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra, Dayton Philharmonic, Youngstown Symphony, Blossom Festival Band and the Jazz Unit. He has been soloist with the Akron, Mansfield and Ashland Symphonies and performs on recordings from the Akron Symphony, Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and the Paul Ferguson Jazz Orchestra. His clarinet CD “Mutually Inclusive” was released in 2008 on Capstone Records. He is also a founding member of IRON TOYS, a woodwind quartet that performs original repertoire for saxophones, clarinets and flutes. He holds degrees from The Ohio State University, the University of Michigan and the University of Akron.

Friday, October 25, 2013

SALVO AWARDED HONORARY TITLE OF KENTUCKY COLONEL

AU Director of Bands Leonard Salvo was presented the honorary title of Kentucky Colonel by the State of Kentucky at the band reception/reunion at homecoming on October 12. Former band members Jay & Kim Hartz presented the award as representatives of the State of Kentucky. 

Commissions for Kentucky Colonels are given by the Kentucky Governor and the Secretary of State to individuals in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to a community, state or the nation.  

To obtain a Kentucky Colonel Commission, an applicant must be recommended by an individual who holds a Colonel Commission. AU Graduate and Band Alumnus Jay Hartz who serves as deputy chief of staff for Senate Republicans for the State of Kentucky nominated Mr. Salvo.  

Among the ranks of the Kentucky Colonels are distinguished leaders such as Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Ronald Reagan and English Prime Minister Winston Churchill, volunteer firemen and teachers - people from all walks of life who have performed in an extraordinary manner. 

The Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels does not appoint or commission Kentucky Colonels. That can only be done by the sitting Governor of the Commonwealth. Only the Governor knows the reason for bestowing the honor of a Colonel’s Commission on any particular individual. One recent Governor made this comment about the qualities he considered, “Each time I have the pleasure of bestowing a membership to this exceptional organization on an individual, the great tradition established by Kentucky’s first governor, Isaac Shelby, lives on. The name Kentucky Colonel has become synonymous with strength of character, leadership and dedication to the welfare of others. Just as Isaac Shelby declared his trusted militia members to be his Kentucky Colonels, I see in you those things that place others above self."

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

JAZZ AT THE NEST, TUESDAY, OCT. 15

Led by Dr. Scott Garlock, Professor of Music, the award-winning Ashland University Jazz Orchestra will perform a wide variety of selections at a free public concert on Tuesday, October 15 in the Hawkins-Conard Student Center’s Eagles Nest at 7:30 p.m. Audience members are welcome to grab a snack, enjoy a beverage and relax to the live music of AUJO at the Nest. 

Pieces in the program include Alan Menken's Beauty and the Beast, George Gershwin's Fascinating Rhythm, and several arrangements by Tom Reed of classic jazz tunes from George Gershwin, B.B. King, Duke Ellington and Ray Charles. Other possible tunes include Jersey Bounce, Just a Closer Walk, Lullaby of Birdland, Moten Swing and Stompin' at the Savoy.

Members of the AU Jazz Orchestra include vocalist Katie Mounts, saxophonists Michael Byndas, Jason Wolf, Steve Matis, Jessie Barnhouse, Shayne Smith, Mandi Hall and Joel Paige. The brass section includes trombonists Jaylynn Buchmelter, William McDonald, Fatima Imani Smith, Rachel Crow, Eileen Navratil, Chadwick Applegate; tubist Ben Bushong; along with Andy Bartelheim, Matt Saunier, Alex Sandwisch, Hannah Phillips and Eileen Navratil on trumpet. The rhythm section consists of Steve Morsher, drums; DR Haught, guitar; and Ben Schnell, bass.

Sunday, October 6, 2013

FALL CHORAL CONCERT FEATURES THREE VOCAL ENSEMBLES

Ashland University’s Fall Choral Concert features three University vocal ensembles including the Ashland University Choir, Ashland University Women’s Chorus and Ashland Area Chorus on Sunday, October 13, 4 p.m. at the Jack and Deb Miller Chapel.  The performance is free and open to the public. 

Dr. Rowland Blackley, Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities will conduct the Ashland University Choir performing the sparkling and joyful Gloria by Antonio Vivaldi, one of the most beloved pieces in the choral repertoire. The AU Choir will be joined by student soloists and the Ashland Chamber Orchestra.  They will also present a set of unaccompanied motets. 


The Ashland University Women's Chorus, directed by Dr. Marla Butke, Associate Professor and Coordinator of Music Education, will perform a variety of pieces including the Israeli folk song Hava Nashira, Bel Piacere from G. F. Handel's opera Agrippina, and contemporary pieces such as Andrea Ramsey's Heaven Unfolding with cello, Brain Tate's exhuberant Gate, Gate which is based on a Buddhist mantra, and John Rutter's The Lord Bless You and Keep You


Newly appointed conductor of the Ashland Area Chorus, Elizabeth Slade, will make her concert debut with the ensemble performing pieces by DuruflĂ©, Rachmaninoff and Rutter as well as a new arrangement of a traditional American hymn commissioned for the Chorus.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

FLUTIST LINDSEY GOODMAN PRESENTS FACULTY RECITAL, SUNDAY, OCT. 6

Ashland University Department of Music presents a faculty recital by adjunct instructor of flute Lindsey Goodman on Sunday, October 6, 3 p.m., in the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall.  The concert is free and open to the public.

Featuring the world premiere of Judith Shatin's Penelope's Song for flute and electronics, which was commissioned by and dedicated to Lindsey -- the recital is electroacoustic with electronics and acoustic flute playing hand-in-hand to create a chamber music experience with only one performer. Lindsey has presented over 15 of these performances in six states over the past five seasons.  

An avid performer of new music, “flutist Lindsey Goodman appears to know no fear in tackling the most demanding music” (Tribune-Review). A strong advocate for emerging composers and electroacoustic or multimedia works, Lindsey is an active commissioner of new pieces, and has given over fifty-five world premieres, including nineteen solo and chamber compositions written especially for her.